“Chapter 088”

"Chapter 088"

"The candle was nearly burnt out, only a small stub of the wick remaining, its light growing fainter."

"Seeing the master hadn't gone to rest yet, Zhuhuang couldn’t help but remind him, 'Your Highness, it’s already midnight.'"

"But Lu Jingrui was far from sleepy."

"He wondered what had happened after leaving the boat. Had his brother scolded his sister-in-law? He regretted mentioning that lady. He didn't really like her, just found her appearance appealing."

"That comment had only brought trouble for Chuyin and himself."

"Now he had no interest in that lady and just hoped his brother wouldn’t arrange a marriage. He wished for his brother and sister-in-law to reconcile, not wanting to lose Chuyin’s affection because of this."

"He spent a sleepless night."

"The next day, Chuyin woke up quite early."

"Seeing Lu Jingzhuo getting dressed, she quickly got out of bed to help him with his belt, asking, 'Why didn't you wake me, Your Majesty?' Then, remembering last night's events on the boat, she added, 'I went to bed early last night and had plenty of rest.'"

"'That's good.'"

"His voice sounded slightly hoarse, whether from just waking up or lack of sleep, she couldn't tell."

"Chuyin’s movements became even gentler, fastening his jade belt and then tiptoeing to help him put on his winged hat."

"He could tell she was trying to make amends."

"Chuyin must feel some guilt towards him, right?"

"He reached out to smooth his wife’s slightly disheveled hair."

"Then the couple quietly had breakfast together. Afterwards, Chuyin first took their son to Chunhui Pavilion, before coming back to see him off."

"About yesterday’s incident, he didn’t mention a word, as if it had been forgotten."

"As long as she also pretended to forget, this matter might just be overlooked. However, Lu Jingzhuo had already ordered an investigation into Sun Luqiu’s identity. What if he still intended to arrange a marriage for Lu Jingrui?"

"Should she intervene?"

"But merely asking would shatter the seemingly reconciled atmosphere."

"Caught between two choices, Chuyin felt like she had a fishbone stuck in her throat."

"As the royal carriage stopped at the gate of the Qianqing Palace, she suddenly said, 'Your Majesty...'"

"Lu Jingzhuo was about to step down, but she caught hold of his sleeve."

"'What is it?' he asked."

"Chuyin took a deep breath, 'Haven’t you always been puzzled by my strange behavior lately?'"

"'You’re going to tell me now?' Lu Jingzhuo was somewhat surprised."

"'No, I plan to tell you around the Winter Solstice.'"

"'Winter Solstice?' He had heard this term before, related to a sachet."

"'Yes.'"

"'Why does it have to be the Winter Solstice?'"

"'Because... you will understand then.'"

“……”

"Lu Jingzhuo was puzzled by the secrecy and the chosen date, but felt somewhat relieved."

"'You’re not angry anymore, Your Majesty?' she asked, moving onto his lap."

"'I was never angry,' he said. His mood had returned to normal by last night before sleep, or else how could he have reviewed the petitions and handled state affairs today?"

"Chuyin leaned in to kiss his lips."

"He didn't pull away."

"As she deepened the kiss, he began to respond."

"After a moment of intimacy, Lu Jingzhuo said, 'I must go now.'"

"Chuyin's arms, wrapped around his neck, didn't loosen."

"'Is there something else you want to say?'"

"'Yes,' she hesitated for a moment, gathering courage, 'Since I promised to tell you in the future, can you not arrange a marriage for the third prince?'"

"So her confession just now was all for this request."

"Lu Jingzhuo felt a surge of irritation, his face stern, 'Don't push your luck.'"

"'It’s not for the third prince, truly, I assure you that you will understand my actions in time...'"

"'And if I don’t?'"

"'Then I am at your mercy for punishment.'"

"What kind of punishment would truly deter Chuyin? Yesterday's approach on the painted boat certainly wouldn't work. Lu Jingzhuo gazed into her eyes and slowly said, 'Even if it means stripping you of your title?'"

"Chuyin’s most treasured position was that of the Empress."

"Her heart skipped a beat, her face turning slightly pale."

"The stakes were high."

"But if she couldn't survive the ordeal by the Winter Solstice, Lu Jingzhuo would surely believe her. If she did survive, it meant she had overcome the greatest challenge of her life. Then, she could bravely reveal everything to him. If he didn't believe her, she would talk about the easy-going Yi Jian, Cheng Miyuan, and the plague. Surely something would work to dispel his doubts."

"Chuyin said, 'Yes.'"

"Staking her position as the Empress, at this moment, Lu Jingzhuo had to reassess Chuyin."

"She mustn't be lying."

"To Chuyin, the title of Empress was as significant as the throne was to him, something she wouldn’t give up lightly."

"Lu Jingzhuo said, 'Alright, I will wait until the Winter Solstice.'"

"Feeling relieved after this conversation, Chuyin’s fingers played along his ear, 'So, during this time, can we still be like before?'"

"'Like before in what way?'"

"'Like how I can visit you anytime… You can’t send me away, and you can’t stop escorting me.'"

"That was something he enjoyed; he wondered why she thought he would want to change it."

"Lu Jingzhuo said, 'You can still sleep on my lap as usual.'"

"Chuyin smiled, 'Then I want that right now.'"

"She took his hand, and together they alighted from the carriage and headed towards the Qianqing Palace."

…………

"Lu Jingrui, worried about Chuyin, didn’t dare to visit her in the Kunning Palace. Instead, he frequented the horse-riding field, learning equestrian skills from Lu Zhu, hoping to encounter her. After several days without success, he reluctantly resorted to using Lu Zhu."

"In the evening, Lu Zhu mentioned to their mother about the third uncle, 'He thinks his horse isn’t good enough and asked about Mother’s horse, wondering if a big red horse might be more temperate.'"

"Chuyin immediately understood Lu Jingrui's intention."

"The next afternoon, she went to the horse-riding field."

"As soon as she alighted from her carriage, she saw Lu Jingrui’s figure not far away."

"He was dressed in a stone-blue riding outfit, leading a horse by hand, not riding it – perhaps just finished practicing, now resting."

"'Third brother,' she called out to him."

"The young man turned, his eyes gleaming in the sunlight."

"'Big sister,' he approached quickly, 'Are you alright?'"

"Chuyin paused, then understanding his concern, smiled, 'What could be wrong with me?' She gestured to her horse, 'My mount, Chixue, is indeed very gentle. Are you thinking of changing your horse?' She feigned ignorance of his real motive."

"Just an excuse to see her, Lu Jingrui looked down, patting the horse’s neck, 'It might sense I’m considering replacing it. It's been exceptionally obedient today, so I'll give it another chance.'"

"'That’s the right approach. The relationship between a mount and its master needs time to harmonize, just like human relationships; an instant bond is rare.'"

"Lu Jingrui nodded, 'You’re absolutely right, big sister. Just like you and big brother, your relationship is growing stronger.'"

"'Yes, indeed,' Chuyin mounted her horse, 'Why don’t you join me for a ride?'"

"Lu Jingrui naturally didn’t object."

"They rode at a leisurely pace, conducive to conversation."

"Chuyin probed him, 'Third brother, about that lady you inquired about last time, the Emperor has had her investigated. Do you want to know who she is?'"

"'I don't want to,' Lu Jingrui shook his head, 'but I’m worried about this matter. Has big brother found out? Will he arrange a marriage?' If he openly defied his brother, it would surely anger him, yet he didn’t want to marry a girl Chuyin disapproved of."

"Chuyin said, 'The Emperor has decided not to arrange the marriage, but if you wish to marry her...'"

"Lu Jingrui was overjoyed, 'Really? That’s great!'"

"His happiness was evident."

"Chuyin's lips curled up, 'You’re so happy about it? Won’t you regret it later?'"

"'No regrets. I only hope my actions don’t upset big brother and sister-in-law. As for the lady, there are so many in the capital to choose from, what's there to regret?' To him, romantic feelings weren’t of paramount importance."

"What he truly wanted to grasp was Chuyin’s affection towards him."

"Now Chuyin fully understood his mindset."

"'An unintended move often brings unexpected success.'"

"Unknowingly, she had become significant in the heart of this young man she once considered an enemy."

"So be it."

"She would continue to be his 'good sister-in-law.'"

"'Third brother, if you find someone you like in the future, I will definitely help you.' As long as it's not Sun Luqiu, any other lady would be fine."

"'Thank you, big sister.'"

"While they were conversing, an urgent missive from Wei State arrived at the Qianqing Palace."

"It was indeed a plague."

"Lu Jingzhuo stared at the document, reading it again, recalling Chuyin's actions that day."

"His wife was truly remarkable!"

"But he could never perceive Chuyin as a supreme immortal deity."

"What deity would act so coyly and playfully?"

"A fox spirit, perhaps?"

“……”

"Setting aside these wild thoughts, Lu Jingzhuo promptly issued orders to nearby states like Jinzhou and Luozhou, to fully support Wei State, dispatching officials and soldiers to maintain order, and providing essential medicines and food to combat the plague. He also sent ten imperial physicians to Wei State, allowing Liu Yuanpan, Chuyin's trusted physician, to stay behind. Subsequently, he convened several important ministers."

"He didn't return that night."

"When Chuyin opened her eyes, she found the bed beside her empty."

"It was still dark outside."

"Had he risen unusually early today?"

"Chuyin quickly got out of bed."

"Hearing the noise, Dongdong and Manqing came to assist her with washing and dressing."

"'Has His Majesty already gone to the Qianqing Palace?'"

"'His Majesty likely spent the night there.'"

"Chuyin was surprised."

"He had never done this before."

"Could it be something significant happened, making him busy until late?"

"If it was past midnight, perhaps he didn’t want to disturb her sleep by coming to the Kunning Palace."

"Chuyin hurriedly ate her breakfast."

"Afterward, she still sent Lu Zhu to Chunhui Pavilion as usual, then headed straight to the Qianqing Palace."

"Dongling, waiting in the outer hall, stepped forward and bowed, 'Empress, His Majesty is still asleep.'"

"'What happened?'"

"'An urgent missive from Wei State reports a plague outbreak.'"

"Not something unforeseeable, Chuyin actually felt relieved."

"'When did His Majesty go to bed?'"

"'Around 3 p.m. (Chinese time).'"

"So it was indeed too late for him to return."

"Chuyin picked a book titled 'The Classic of Lengths and Shorts' from the shelf and began to read it by a window-side chair."

"About an hour later, there was movement inside."

"Dongling quickly went in and soon came out to invite Chuyin."

"'Why are you here?' Lu Jingzhuo asked."

"She couldn’t possibly know about the document from Wei State, could she?"

"'I was worried about you when I didn’t see you this morning,' Chuyin looked up at him, 'You should have slept longer. I heard from Dongling you only went to bed at 3 p.m. Take care of yourself.'"

"Seeing her concern, Lu Jingzhuo smiled, 'I’m used to waking up early. I woke up at around 5 a.m. and forced myself back to sleep to avoid grogginess. I’m quite alert now.'"

"He was always disciplined, Chuyin understood, 'Then you should go to bed early tonight.'"

"'Hmm,' he looked at her, suddenly saying, 'The situation in Wei State is indeed a plague.'"

“……”

"Given their previous conversation about the Winter Solstice, Chuyin couldn’t feign ignorance and paused, 'You must be exhausted.'"

"She made no attempt to explain."

"It seemed she truly knew."

"As they walked out, Lu Jingzhuo glanced over Chuyin’s shoulder."

"Though impossible, he whimsically imagined Chuyin with a fluffy tail."

"When being coquettish, that tail wagging back and forth seemed even cuter."

"His gaze held a strange quality."

"Chuyin assumed he was pondering how she knew about the 'plague' and said, 'Winter Solstice isn’t far off now.'"

"'Yes, just two months away.'"

"Regardless, Chuyin was definitely human."

"Their three children were also human; a fox spirit wouldn’t give birth to…"

"He pinched the bridge of his nose, casting away those unspeakable images from his mind."