Chapter 24: Escorting

Chapter 24: Escorting

Zhou Shao was efficient in his duties, delivering the requested erotic album to the Purple Zen Hall in just a quarter of an hour before discreetly withdrawing.

Although it's called 'Leisurely Pleasures Among Flowers,' it is not a single painting but a beautifully bound set of albums.

Xie Xuan Yuan casually picked up one of the books and began to flip through it...

Had it not been for his lack of experience, fearing he might hurt Noble Consort Lu and embarrass himself with his awkwardness, he would have taken action tonight!

The tyrant, frustrated by his predicament, clenched his fists and pounded the bedboard fiercely.

It was just a few positions, after all. With his usually sharp mind, how could he not learn them?

He approached it with the diligence of his scholarly and martial training days, focusing intently on a few pages before quickly admitting defeat.

Due to excessive shyness, he flipped through the pages so fast that even the scantily clad figures seemed to come to life.

Somehow, Xie Xuan Yuan always unconsciously superimposed Noble Consort Lu's exceptionally beautiful face onto those figures, embarrassing himself to the point of blushing.

After skimming through one book, he hesitated before reaching for another, only to find this volume even more outrageous, with the intimate figures now being two men!

Men with men could also be like this? Xie Xuan Yuan felt as if he had opened a door to a new world, trembling with shame down to his fingertips.

He really shouldn’t have taken the eunuch’s word for it; what was Zhou Shao thinking recommending these? He would surely punish him severely tomorrow!

But despite his anger, curiosity compelled him to continue turning the pages. The artist's skill was indeed remarkable, capturing even the expressions on the figures' faces with exquisite, lifelike detail.

Especially in one illustration, where a figure in black was pressed beneath and kissed passionately by one in lighter attire, with the black-clad figure's eyes slightly closed and collar partly open, a look of arousal on his face.

"Such debauchery, utterly shameless..."

Xie Xuan Yuan muttered under his breath, yet his eyes remained earnestly fixed on the painting. The colors of the clothes and the actions were strikingly similar to him and Noble Consort Lu in the Yi Xiao Palace tonight...

Next time, should his actions be gentle and subtle, like in this painting?

With newfound confidence gleaming in his eyes, Xie Xuan Yuan felt he had grasped the essence.

He understood! He was ready!

After all, Consort Lu resided in the side hall next to his. Choosing an auspicious day and making meticulous preparations, he planned to summon Consort Lu to serve him in bed, hoping to have her bear his child soon.

Unaware, the beautiful Lu remained in her dreams, oblivious to the tyrant's dangerous thoughts.

……

The next morning, before dawn could break, Lu Changping was rudely awakened by the tyrant.

His clothes were in disarray from sleep, but the tyrant stood before him, impeccably dressed and composed.

Seeing him still groggy, the tyrant impatiently urged, "Hurry and get ready. Today, I shall visit the ancestral temple to offer sacrifices."

Why wake him for the sacrifice?

As if reading Lu Changping's thoughts, the tyrant said with a hint of pride:

"I feared the journey would be dull, so I decided to bring you along. How about it? This is a unique honor under the heavens. Are you pleased?"

Not pleased at all. He just wanted to continue his sleep.

Recently, Lu had grown accustomed to the leisure of not having to rise early for court. Now, the tyrant abruptly ended these peaceful days, and he planned to refuse without a second thought.

He had no interest in the ancestral tablets of the Northern Guards!

Thus, the sleepy Lu casually grabbed a piece of paper from the bedside table, concocting an excuse on the spot:

"Your Majesty, attending such an important event at the ancestral temple as a princess from a marriage alliance may not be appropriate. It could provoke criticism from the officials."

Hearing this, Xie Xuan Yuan visibly frowned, displeased: "Where I wish to take you, I will take you. Who dares to criticize!"

"I am unwell today..." Lady Lu stubbornly continued to make excuses.

"Then let the imperial physician accompany us. Even if we have to carry you, you're coming!"

"Your servant..."

Xie Xuan Yuan, tired of the excuses, abruptly snatched the pen from Lu Changping's hand, giving Lady Lu no further chance to fabricate excuses.

Could it be that his notorious tyranny allowed him to act so imperiously?

Lady Lu angrily turned over, facing the wall, leaving only his back to the tyrant.

Thinking him truly upset, Xie Xuan Yuan slapped the pen down on the table:

"In any case, from now on, wherever I go, you must follow. If something like last night happens again and I'm not in the palace, who will vouch for your innocence? Do you really intend to let those lowly servants inspect you?"

"Those fancy moves you used against Princess Changle are nothing in my eyes. You're so weak that if I weren't protecting you, you'd have nowhere to cry if bullied!"

The tyrant dared to call his martial arts mere show! Lu Changping's fists creaked in anger.

When he dealt with Princess Changle, he was merely loosening his limbs, holding back to avoid making the tyrant wary, not using even a tenth of his strength.

Yet now, the tyrant seized on this point, brazenly calling him weak.

If this was considered weakness, then the tyrant, who blusters without backing it up, is nothing but a meowing kitten!

But... was this his way of showing concern for his safety? Could the ruthless tyrant actually care for someone?

Unintentionally catching the undertone in the tyrant's voice, Lu momentarily forgot to be angry.

Let it be. With the tyrant's relentless pursuit, who knows what he might do if refused. For his own and others' safety, he reluctantly agreed to accompany him.

Reluctantly rolling in the warm covers, he eventually got up to wash and dress.

Xie Xuan Yuan had already personally selected the day's attire for him, sending in a set of simple yet elegant court clothes once he saw the compromise.

Lu Changping held the new clothes, which surprisingly suited his taste, against himself, admiring the exquisite embroidery and fine materials. The tyrant's generosity was consistent as ever...

Once he confirmed the fit, Lu gave the tyrant a clear look that it was time to change, but the tyrant remained foolishly still.

Finally, Ji Yue cautiously ventured, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty? The Consort is about to change."

That snapped Xie Xuan Yuan back to reality, and he fled in a fluster.

Before leaving, he couldn't resist a snort: "I had no desire to watch you. I was merely urging you to hurry."

His remark only made the Consort laugh softly behind him.

Holding grudges, the tyrant felt slighted over this trivial matter and didn't speak to the Consort for the rest of the journey.

Arriving at the grand entrance of the ancestral temple, officials of all ranks were already waiting.

When they first saw a stunningly dressed beauty of tall stature emerge from the emperor's carriage, they were so frightened they dared not look up.

Following Lu, Xie Xuan Yuan alighted, casting a brief glance at the kneeling officials with an air of supreme arrogance.

Under the watchful eyes of all, he elegantly extended a hand, signaling for the Consort to take it.

This was Lu Changping's first time attending the ancestral temple in the role of a "favored consort," finding no use for the imperial etiquette he had learned, unsure of what to do.

To avoid any breach of manners and potential ridicule, he graciously accepted the tyrant's "kindness."

Seeing this, Xie Xuan Yuan suppressed a smile, teasingly whispered in Consort Lu's ear:

"Now that there are more people, why aren’t you shy anymore? You were worried about criticism before, but look, who dares to criticize me?"

Be careful not to jinx it, lest you get struck by lightning for boasting too much.

No sooner had Lu Changping thought this than a senior official in first-rank court attire wailed from afar: "Your Majesty, how can you bring a consort to the solemn ancestral temple sacrifice?"

Xie Xuan Yuan was publicly contradicted, his eyes darkening instantly as he tightened his grip on Consort Lu's hand, his voice laced with a threat:

"Consort Lu is my beloved, and I intend to make her the Empress soon. What is wrong with bringing my wife to worship our ancestors? He Taifu, you are overstepping."

The favoritism toward Consort Lu was already an open secret in the court and harem, but only today did the officials witness the extent of her favor.

She was no longer just a momentarily favored consort but the future Empress designated by the Emperor himself!

Standing beside the tyrant, Lu Changping awkwardly faced the scrutinizing eyes from all directions, feeling even more conspicuous than when he was the emperor of Southern Chu.

Everyone knew that being Xie Xuan Yuan's Empress was synonymous with a short lifespan. He wanted to live and return to Southern Chu, so being Empress was out of the question!

Consort Lu tactfully stepped back and made his intent to leave clear, but the tyrant was quick to grab him, lowering his voice with a threat:

"Stop! If you dare leave now, I'll send troops to conquer Southern Chu!"

This threat worked wonders, as Lu reluctantly halted, casting a helpless look at the tyrant.

After days of witnessing Xie Xuan Yuan's tantrum-throwing antics, Lu was no longer as shocked or outraged as before.

Lu Changping remained internally calm, his expression undisturbed.

It was just accompanying the tyrant to the ancestral temple for a prayer. No problem! In the end, he would make his exit gracefully, leaving the tyrant to bear the reputation of lasciviousness.

Thus, Consort Lu was half-persuaded, half-forced by the tyrant to walk forward, their hands drawing closer, appearing inseparably intimate from afar.

However, He Taifu seemed determined to oppose Xie Xuan Yuan, raising his voice again to make a point:

"Your Majesty, Lady Lu is, after all, the Princess of Southern Chu. Allowing a princess from an enemy state to become the mother of our nation does not sit well with propriety or reason. Such a femme fatale, a disaster brought by a beautiful woman, if Your Majesty insists on taking her into the Grand Temple, you might as well step over my dead body first!"

Femme fatale? Disaster brought by beauty? Are these terms really being used to describe an innocent man in disguise?

Lu Changping halted uneasily, finding the situation both amusing and bitter.

It's all the tyrant's fault. One moment he's worried about being harmed, the next he's worried about sneaking off, insisting on being inseparably close at all times.

Now, he's about to be slandered as a seductress by the ministers of the North.

Hearing Grand Tutor He threaten with death, Xie Xuan Yuan turned his head and laughed coldly, seizing the opportunity to say, "Very well. Would you prefer to take your own life, or shall I lend you a hand?"

Once these words were spoken, the seemingly passionate and patriotic Grand Tutor He suddenly fell silent...

Realizing moral coercion was ineffective, he no longer mentioned stepping over his corpse, instead leveraging his status as a senior court official to start preaching:

"Your Majesty, King Jie of Xia perished because of his favoritism towards Mo Xi, King Zhou of Shang met his demise due to his trust in Daji, and King You of Zhou brought war upon the feudal lords for Bao Si. Lady Lu might very well be a ploy by the Emperor of Southern Chu to bewitch Your Majesty and lead our North to ruin. I beseech Your Majesty to consider the welfare of our state and execute Lady Lu!"

Clearly lacking in competence themselves, they have the audacity to blame women for their nation's downfall? Lu Changping was astounded by Grand Tutor He's archaic mindset.

Ironically, Grand Tutor He inadvertently stumbled upon the real reason for Lu Changping's presence in the North.

Although a single assassination attempt might not bring down the North, Lu Changping's genuine intent to kill the tyrant, Xie Xuan Yuan, was undeniable.

Guilty, Lady Lu's fingertips grew slightly cold.

The tyrant, sensing this, thought she was frightened, and adjusted his posture to warm her hands in his, offering rare comfort, "Don't be afraid, I won't kill you."

Xie Xuan Yuan had grown tired of these repetitive accusations, but the thought of the "pitiful and mute" Lady Lu by his side ignited his rage.

He moved half a step forward without a trace, shielding the taller Lady Lu behind him, and launched an unreserved counterattack:

"Had the daughter of Grand Tutor He not entered the palace, perhaps I might have believed your words were out of concern for the country and the North. But as it stands, your daughter is currently detained in the cold palace of the Western Garden, accused, if I'm not mistaken, of forcing a maid to take contraceptives... Grand Tutor He, you truly have a way with teaching your daughter."

The tyrant's words struck a nerve, their lethality astonishing.

Grand Tutor He immediately became flustered, scrambling for an excuse, "Your Majesty, the truth of this matter... this matter has yet to be clarified, perhaps my daughter is innocent."

Xie Xuan Yuan was merciless in his retort, leaving no room for dispute: "The truth could not be clearer to me. Being from the Empress Dowager's maternal family, I presume the Grand Tutor would rather not have me summon witnesses for a confrontation, to spare the Empress Dowager the shame, correct?"

So, she belongs to the Empress Dowager's maternal family. No wonder she dares to be so arrogant.

Upon recalling the assassination attempt by the Empress Dowager's envoy during her diplomatic journey, Lady Lu understood everything instantly.

This Empress Dowager truly is a malevolent stepmother, failing to plant women in the tyrant's harem, she did not spare even a frail and helpless 'princess' sent for marriage.

It seems she fears any woman not under the He family's control bearing a prince to the tyrant, threatening her grand scheme for power.

After leaving Grand Tutor He speechless, Xie Xuan Yuan, with lingering dissatisfaction, pointed at his beloved Consort Lu, saying:

"My Consort Lu is kind-hearted, gentle, virtuous, and diligent. Unlike thinking of administering sterility drugs to others, she serves me with all her heart and strength. She is incomparably superior to Grand Tutor He's daughter."

Praising her, he even gently patted Lady Lu's flat belly, saying: "Moreover, Consort Lu is now pregnant."

Lu Changping was astounded by this sudden twist. He was not, he hadn't, he prayed the tyrant wouldn't spout nonsense here and attract hatred towards him!

The tyrant turned around, seeing Lady Lu's stunned expression, and suddenly laughed in a cheerful and pleasant manner.

But at this moment, Lady Lu had no mind to ponder whether the tyrant's laugh was pleasant or not, as he felt numerous burning gazes focused on his belly...

There were gazes of shock, relief, and as if facing a formidable enemy. Taking this opportunity, he could even discern the factional distributions within the Northern Wei court clearly.

But that wasn't the point. By the heavens and earth, there truly was no child from the tyrant in his belly!

Xie Xuan Yuan took advantage of the shock the explosive news had caused among the court officials to nonchalantly lead the Noble Consort Lu into the Grand Temple.

As they crossed the threshold, he even considerately wrapped an arm around Noble Consort Lu's shoulders.

The accompanying palace attendants and court officials trailed far behind them, watching as they publicly displayed their affection.

With no one around to overhear, the tyrant quietly bragged to Noble Consort Lu with a hint of pride:

"Wasn't my strategy brilliant? Not only did I pave the way for your ascent to the position of Empress, but I also took this opportunity to eliminate those desperate enough to harm you in one fell swoop. This way, by the time you are truly with child, peace and tranquility will reign throughout the palace."

To think he had the audacity to justify spreading rumors about someone's pregnancy?

Noble Consort Lu, unimpressed, shot the tyrant a look and quickened his pace, trying to shake off the clingy annoyance.

But Xie Xuan Yuan was not about to let him go easily; he tightened his grip, forcefully pulling him closer:

"I haven't finished speaking. Why run? While my plan is indeed good, it requires your cooperation. With all eyes on us, if they discover Noble Consort Lu's pregnancy is fake, even I might not be able to protect you."

Hearing this, Lu Changping actually stopped in his tracks and turned to look at the tyrant.

He was curious to see what new scheme Xie Xuan Yuan could come up with.

Seeing his interest, the tyrant indeed continued along the lines of their previous conversation:

"If I'm not mistaken, you still owe me two physical examinations. So, from today onwards, we both need to work even harder, aiming to have you truly conceive within these few months."

To talk about helping him conceive as soon as possible, wasn't it just a roundabout way of trying to seduce him into bed?

Ah, men.

Lu Changping finally figured out the tyrant's cunning plan, his lips curling up in a mocking smile.

But as long as one has a beautiful face, no expression could ever truly be ugly.

His smile deepened Xie Xuan Yuan's misunderstanding, who said with satisfaction, "See, you used to cling to me so desperately, and now that I've responded to your feelings, we can be considered mutually in love, can't we?"

Despite the mysterious smile on Noble Consort Lu's face, his heart was already in turmoil, like a stormy sea.

Help, all those past encounters were just misunderstandings and playacting, he really didn't want to be "mutually in love" with this narcissistic tyrant!

Lu Changping and the tyrant, both tall and long-legged, walked together without needing to adjust their strides, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the Hall of Ancestral Worship for the ceremony.

The royal palaces of the North Guard were grand in style, and the Grand Temple, as the resting place for the ancestral tablets of emperors past, was even more majestic.

The towering columns of Phoebe zhennan wood were so tall that even the painted patterns on the beams were indistinct when looked up at.

If there were assassins hiding on those beams, they would likely be hard to detect...

Just as Lu Changping entertained this strange thought, he saw a flash of cold light from above, followed by the sound of crossbow bolts whistling through the air.

Several sharp crossbow bolts flew straight towards him and the tyrant.

Without a moment's hesitation, Xie Xuan Yuan drew his long sword, slicing through the bolts while shielding Noble Consort Lu behind him.

Such quick reflexes were enough to show that not only was his martial skill formidable, but he must have also faced assassins before.

Standing behind the tyrant, Noble Consort Lu looked thoughtfully at the lean and protective figure shielding him.

If he were to strike the tyrant from behind amidst the chaos, what were his chances of success?

Indeed, it was an opportune moment. Should he succeed, he could pin the assassination on those who came to kill the tyrant, preventing a war between Southern Chu and Northern Wei.

Wouldn't this perfectly achieve his initial plan?

Lu Changping reversed his grip on the hairpin from his hair, preparing to strike. Yet, at this crucial moment, he couldn't bring himself to act decisively.

From the perspective of a bystander, he had seen everything clearly.

The tyrant's first reaction to the attack was not to use him as a human shield to buy time, but to protect him behind his own body, facing the deadly arrows himself.

Even if Xie Xuan Yuan was exceptionally skilled and courageous, he shouldn't have taken such a great risk for a princess from an enemy nation.

It was this moment of hesitation that allowed Xie Xuan Yuan to deflect all incoming bolts, escaping danger.

Seeing the perfect opportunity for a stealth attack slip by, Noble Consort Lu reluctantly hid the hairpin, deciding to spare the tyrant for now.

However, the assassination attempt in the Grand Temple was just beginning. Seeing their initial assault fail, the assassins hiding in the beams leapt down, swords in hand, and charged.

But Xie Xuan Yuan was clearly not defenseless; after firing a special signal arrow, dozens of shadow guards appeared from the dark corners of the main hall, encircling him and Lu Changping.

The numbers on both sides were evenly matched, and a confrontation was imminent.

The tyrant gripped Noble Consort Lu's hand, his eyes serious, "Don't be afraid, just follow me and don't look back, run as hard as you can. I will protect you at all costs."

Lu Changping, looking at the tyrant's solemn promise, suddenly felt the small, poison-tipped hairpin in his sleeve weigh heavily.

For a moment, he couldn't be sure if this was the tyrant's genuine reaction in a crisis or a calculated move to gain his trust.

But the situation was changing rapidly, leaving no time for further contemplation.

As the tyrant's personal shadow guards engaged in close combat with the assassins, Xie Xuan Yuan enveloped his Noble Consort Lu protectively within his arms, initiating their breakout.

The emperor's personal shadow guards, each with top-notch skills, matched the group of assassins in strength for a time, but as the battle wore on, their advantage began to show.

Just as the guards were about to capture all the assassins, one, already bloodied and on the ground, pulled out a match and shakily lit the fuse of the explosives hidden under the temple's floor tiles...

With a loud "bang," the stone tiles were blown away, and a wave of heat and flames swept over from behind.

Xie Xuan Yuan's shadow guards dropped the assassins, desperately pushing the tyrant and Noble Consort Lu to safety.

Yet, even so, they couldn't completely negate the impact of the explosion. In such a dire moment, Xie Xuan Yuan decisively protected Noble Consort Lu in his arms, and both fell to the ground.

When Lu Changping looked up, he saw Xie Xuan Yuan's pale face, but his beautifully shaped thin lips were dyed a striking red with blood.

In front of them, a group of black-clad assassins appeared out of nowhere.

The leader, drawing his sword, declared loudly, "By the command of His Majesty of Southern Chu, I am here to take the life of the tyrant Xie Xuan Yuan!"

Rage nearly burst forth from Lu Changping's eyes.

How could he possibly have sent such foolish assassins who would reveal their affiliation? This was a blatant frame-up!

If the tyrant were to die here today, Northern Wei would undoubtedly launch a full-scale attack on Southern Chu, vowing revenge for the tyrant.

Noble Consort Lu, looking at the tyrant who had just shielded him from the aftermath of the explosion, his lips tinged with a streak of crimson blood, snatched the long sword from his hand and rose from the ground.

Today, he, the Emperor of Southern Chu, would personally teach these ignorant assassins a lesson, showing them that Southern Chu could not be framed so easily!

Author's note:

Sorry for the wait, dear readers, and thank you for your love and support! I'm posting this chapter now and will continue to work on the remaining three thousand words.

I've almost finished my deadline for this week and will try to update again by Saturday.