Chapter 132: Together Forever

Chapter 132: Together Forever

Mrs. Lu desperately coerced her young son, threatening with death.

This compelled her five adult children to gather enough money to pay a hundred jin of gold as a fine to the Ministry of Justice, redeeming Lu Yao and sparing her from being punished as a palace servant.

"I didn't give any money, but when our mother and elder brother saw our stepmother put a knife to our fifth brother's neck, and he was crying out in fear, they immediately agreed and even gave money to the Lu family on the spot."

Even though several days had passed, Zhu Siniang was still angry when she brought it up, "Sister, if you ask me, we should just ask His Majesty to exile the entire Lu family to some remote wilderness. Even if our stepmother is reluctant, I don’t believe she would follow them there."

"Don't talk nonsense."

Hearing this, Zhu Yan immediately glared at her younger sister Zhu Luo. Exile was a severe punishment, one of the five penalties decided by the court, and here she was, casually suggesting it, completely disregarding the law. "I will have Lü Ping'an accompany you to the Zhu residence. From now on, let our stepmother stay in the Pear Courtyard to recover, and send all the Lu family members back to their hometown."

She chose her sister Zhu Luo for this task because both their mother Mo Shi and elder brother Zhu Jin were too soft-hearted. No wonder their mother had been avoiding coming to the palace lately, probably out of guilt.

The Pear Courtyard is located in the northeast corner of the Zhu residence in Shengye Fang.

Over the years, their father, Zhu Qingyun, had been confined in the Pear Courtyard, with guards sent by the Emperor stationed outside.

"Alright, as long as mother doesn't interfere, I assure you I'll handle the Lu family properly," Zhu Luo agreed readily, happy to send the Lu family away. No one would like people who frequently come to their house uninvited, leaving even the floor of their mother's room feeling scraped clean after each visit.

Not to mention a group of cousins competing with her for possessions and favor in front of her own mother.

She had long wanted the Lu family to leave.

This time, her mother had completely ruined the last bit of their relationship.

Ending up in a similar situation as their father.

It was a self-inflicted fate for her mother.

What she couldn't understand, though, was why her father sent her elder sister to the palace and why her sister came to hate him for it.

In her view, her sister seemed to be living well in the palace.

Then she heard her sister say, “Tell her that if she refuses to go to the Pear Courtyard for recuperation, I will revoke her title of county lady.”

Zhu Luo nodded repeatedly in agreement, feeling somewhat hopeful. She hugged her sister's arm, eyes full of expectation, "Sister, I haven't gone anywhere lately. I've been staying obediently at home, not stepping out of the gate or even the second door. Today, I only came out because you summoned me."

"I never said you couldn't go out."

Zhu Yan turned to look at her younger sister, "Just be well-behaved outside, don't stir up trouble or make enemies, and don't bully others using your status, causing trouble for the family."

"I know, I've been listening to you. Really, I haven’t caused any trouble outside. You can send Eunuch Xing or Eunuch Lü to inquire. I've been very well-behaved lately."

Zhu Luo then playfully leaned on her sister's lap.

Then, with a coy smile, she hesitantly asked, "Dear sister, about my... title, when can it be... reinstated?" She quickly glanced up at her sister as she asked.

“……”

Zhu Yan wanted to retort, 'You still have the nerve to talk about restoring imperial edicts', but wasn't surprised at all, knowing her younger sister's boldness and thick-skinned nature had become infamous in the capital.

Zhu Yan took a deep breath and called out to Zhu Luo, "Before the abolishment of the system granting privileges to the families of imperial consorts, conferring titles on the sisters of the empresses and consorts was extremely rare and never formalized. Your and A'Shan's titles as county ladies were a special favor from His Majesty. For example, the sisters of Consort De of the Wang family didn't receive such honors. Since your titles have been revoked, you should let go of the idea."

"How can she compare to you, sister? The Wang family is no match for ours." Zhu Luo retorted without hesitation, full of conviction.

Consort De's family name was Wang.

When Wang Consort De was granted her title, the system of rewarding the families of imperial consorts was still in place. Therefore, following the established custom, her father was honored as the Duke of Chengguo, and her late mother was posthumously titled as the Duchess of Chengguo. Apart from enjoying these honorary titles and corresponding privileges, there were no other rewards.

However, as soon as Zhu Luo spoke, she realized her sister's face visibly darkened, and she immediately knew she had misspoken, remembering her sister always detested comparisons.

Zhu Luo, embarrassed, hurriedly explained, "Sister, I didn’t mean to compare with others, it’s just that... it was there before, and now that it’s suddenly gone, people might think I’m no longer favored by you or His Majesty. You know how formidable my mother-in-law is, and I’ve offended her badly before."

"Now, without the imperial edict, I don’t even dare to step outside." More importantly, the thought of being ridiculed by Liu Mu and being looked down upon by her in the future was something Zhu Luo couldn't bear.

It was an unacceptable thought to her.

"You know, Liu You is the sister of Empress Liu and holds a county commandery title."

"In the Dayu Dynasty, it's customary for the Empress's sisters to be granted titles, but not for other imperial consorts. That's why I confronted Liu You the first time we met, seeing her acting all high and mighty."

"Since then, we've been at odds."

"For years, we've been adversaries, always clashing whenever we're outside."

"Now that my title has been revoked, I can only imagine how smug Liu You must be feeling."

"Just thinking about it irks me."

"I wouldn't dare blame Sister or the Emperor for my revoked title. Instead, I've been cursing Lu You in my mind, wishing to get rid of her and her family once and for all."

"I just want them out of my life, no longer causing me trouble."

"Seeing Sister unwilling to help, I left the palace disheartened, head hanging low."

"After sending me off, Qu Gu advised Sister not to hold onto my title too tightly, saying that the Emperor is quite willing to grant such titles to maintain Sister's dignity."

"Sister didn't respond to that, simply remarking that perhaps I'd be better behaved without the title."

"Sister worries too much. In reality, I've always been smart enough to know my limits in the chaos I've caused over the years."

"Limits? Whether it's looking down on others or being opportunistic and bullying under the guise of power, no one does it better than me. Yet, smart people often trip over their own cleverness."

"Sister expressed her hope that Mrs. Yan, being proud and upright, and the Xu family, known for not taking concubines, would influence me to live a peaceful and devoted life with my husband."

"Later in the afternoon, when Lu Pingan returned to report, he informed Sister that our mother had already moved to the Pear Courtyard."

"Lu Pingan, with a grim look, relayed how our mother hurled insults and curses, even wishing divine retribution upon Sister."

"Sister just brushed it off."

"By the standards of this era, disrespecting one's parents is seen as unfilial and egregious, warranting divine punishment."

"Sister instructed not to report this matter to the Emperor and asked me to visit our family home, reminding to notify the guards at the Pear Courtyard."

"Thus ends the bond of parental love in this lifetime."

"With the absence of our parents, the Zhu family, under the prudent care of Mother Mo and eldest brother Zhu Jin, is likely to enjoy more peace and stability."

——

"In the blink of an eye, the year comes to a close."

"As the Emperor has long resided in the Qixing Palace, over the years, various government offices have gradually relocated there, along with the officials' residences, forming new neighborhoods extending towards the city's southern gate, ultimately connecting with the Da'an neighborhood near Anhua Gate."

"Subsequently, the Ministry of Works, in collaboration with the Directorate of Imperial Construction and the Commandant of Guards, constructed a towering city wall and a broad thoroughfare directly leading to Anhua Gate along these neighborhoods."

"Since then, Qixing Palace has been integrated within the capital's city walls."

"Becoming a part of the capital's fortifications."

"The following year, the Grand Court Meeting on New Year's Day was held in the Yuheng Hall of Qixing Palace. Thus, on New Year's Eve of the eighth year of Changping, the Emperor didn't return to the Qianyuan Hall of Dayu Palace, nor did he attend the imperial harem's night banquet. He delegated all matters of the inner court to Empress Liu."

"In the warm chamber of Yaoguang Hall."

"On a couch edged with fox fur, the Emperor rested his head on Zhu Yan's lap, playfully twirling her slender fingers, smiling contentedly, 'Tonight, I can spend New Year's Eve with you. From now on, every New Year's Eve will be spent together.'"

"In previous years, due to the New Year's Day Grand Court Meeting being held in the Hanyuan Hall of the old palace, he usually stayed in the Qianyuan Hall, unable to remain in Qixing Palace."

"Zhu Yan was nonchalant about it, having spent New Year's Eve together in the old palace before. She gazed into the Emperor's bright eyes, more luminous than the nearby lights. Feeling an unusual warmth, perhaps due to the overly heated floor or too many braziers in the chamber, her brows lightly arched, her eyes sparkling with a casual response, 'Alright, I'll listen to you.'"

"Years of experience had given her a deeper understanding and insight into the Emperor."

"As long as he's happy, he tends to indulge me greatly."

"I'm planning to visit the Tai Ping Temple during the Lantern Festival after New Year's, especially since Daoist Qing Ping mentioned last time that the underground passage there is ready."

"Just as I mentioned this, the Emperor suddenly gripped my hand tighter, his beautiful peach blossom eyes intently gazing at me as if dissatisfied with my casual response. After a long pause, he softly called out 'Ah Yan', expressing his sole wish to spend each year and every moment together, side by side."

"Hearing this, my heart skipped a beat."

"To be together year after year, side by side."

"The wisest thing to do at this moment would be to agree and vow together, but when the moment came, I opened my mouth but couldn't bring myself to utter those eight words."

"The chamber, lit brightly with connected branch lamps, filled with the delicate fragrance from the four-cornered mythical beast incense burners, holding a unique fruit scent from the Imperial Household Department, chosen just for me."

"Ultimate power and boundless wealth."

"All the Emperor's affection bestowed solely upon me."

"My lord, with his heroic and handsome features, intelligence, and strength, yet capable of being tender and gentle, almost perfectly embodies the dreams and aspirations of women across ages."

"To say I haven't wavered over the years would be a lie."

"But at this very moment, I dare not respond directly, nor meet his gaze. Suddenly, I let out a light laugh, withdrawing my hand and covering my eyes in jest, 'Or could it be, Your Majesty wishes to spend the New Year's Eve with someone else besides me?'"

"The Emperor, upon hearing this, wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his head in my embrace, laughing, 'Oh, you're even jealous of that? Your jealousy seems to grow stronger by the day.'"

"Then, lifting his head, 'Ah Yan, there's no one else for me but you. Do you still doubt my words?'"

Yet her tone carried a certainty, almost resolute.

"I do trust you, but can you abolish the secret decree that mandates my burial with you?" As soon as she spoke, under the bright lights, Zhu Yan could clearly see the Dog Emperor's smile freeze on his face.

Author's note:

More to come, see you tomorrow with today's update~~