Chapter 27: Growing Affections

Chapter 27: Growing Affections

No court official was foolish enough to dare a private debate with the tyrant; even the party led by Chancellor He, loyal to the Dowager, dared not directly confront the tyrant's imposing authority.

After all, when Emperor Xie Xuan Yuan went mad, his lethality was terrifying, with various tortures, exterminations of nine or even ten generations being nothing new.

Consort Lu's pregnancy was indeed timely; conceiving the imperial offspring within less than three months of entering the palace. Plus, her recent act of self-sacrifice at the ancestral temple secured her unshakeable status in the tyrant's heart...

Even if others wished to find fault with her, they would find nothing to critique for the time being.

Just when the courtiers thought everything was settled, a dark piece of silk fabric was lifted from the inside, and Consort Lu herself rushed out.

Lu Changping took quick steps and silently positioned himself in front of the tyrant.

Those Northern Guard officials, fearing death, dared not confront Emperor Xie Xuan Yuan directly, but he did.

After all, he was the protagonist of the empress-making affair; how could these people presume his willingness to become the Empress without his consent?

The beautiful Lu was in a predicament, worsened by the fact that the tyrant had been utterly convinced by the confessions made on their wedding day. Believing their hearts perfectly aligned, he confidently took her hand, saying:

"I know you're upset that I didn't share this good news with you in advance, but I wanted to give you the position of Empress as a little surprise."

What surprise? It was more like a huge shock!

When he was only a consort, he still had some freedom to play dumb or stubborn with the tyrant. But becoming the Empress of Beiwei meant that sharing the emperor's bed was inevitable, right?

Consort Lu steadfastly shook his head, refusing to budge on this matter.

In an instant, Xie Xuan Yuan's face turned very unpleasant…

The officials of Beiwei felt real fear once again. Consort Lu, being the apple of the emperor's eye, could afford to be willful, but they were not so fortunate.

Should the promotion to Empress fall through, the emperor, in his anger and embarrassment, would surely take it out on them first.

Sweating profusely, they tried to ease the tense atmosphere between the tyrant and Consort Lu, desperately offering flattery to Lu Changping.

Minister Wei, who had spoken first, once again advised the tyrant:

"Your Majesty, Consort Lu's firm refusal to ascend to the position of Empress only further proves her virtuous nature."

Quickly catching on to Minister Wei's drift, another said: "Exactly so. Just as the virtuous Empress Yin Lihua once declined the throne, Consort Lu shows humility and respect, embodying Empress Yin's legacy."

"The gentlemen speak the truth. Such a serene and unassuming consort is truly a model for women everywhere!"

Lu Changping couldn't help but be amused by their blatant flattery. Already the Emperor of Southern Chu, how could he possibly covet becoming the Empress in a rival state?

A man's dignity is inviolable. Although he had voluntarily disguised himself as a woman for a diplomatic marriage, it certainly did not mean he was willing to share a bed with the tyrant!

Currently, as a consort of Beiwei, his title might sound prestigious, but he was essentially just one of the emperor's minor spouses. Emperor Xie Xuan Yuan could take as many more beautiful concubines as he wished.

But as the Empress, the principal wife, wouldn't that mean he'd be completely trapped?

Not only would serving the emperor in bed be a hurdle, but his plan to stealthily return to Southern Chu would also become infinitely more complicated. A concubine's disappearance might stir little trouble, but an Empress's disappearance would be a major scandal in Beiwei.

Though Consort Lu appeared to frown sorrowfully, inside he was seething, wishing he could severely reprimand the person who came up with this terrible idea.

Xie Xuan Yuan, seeing Consort Lu's troubled expression, couldn't help but gently pinch the soft flesh on his face, whispering, "Don't frown, for wrinkles would mar your beauty."

This tyrant is truly a superficial man at heart.

Lu Changping's fingers twitched, but he ultimately didn't push away that intrusive hand. After all, confronting the tyrant head-on wouldn't solve anything.

For the sake of his precious chastity, it was time to seriously plan his escape back to Southern Chu.

Seeing Consort Lu's dilemma, the tyrant finally relented, stepping back and offering:

"I know this is all too overwhelming for you. Take your time to accept it. Let's set the coronation ceremony for a month from now."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Lu's mind buzzed, nearly causing him to collapse. He now had only a month to prepare his escape.

If he failed to flee within a month, he would truly become the tyrant's leading wife.

Remembering the tyrant's previous four fiances who met untimely deaths, Consort Lu couldn't help but deeply worry about his own future and fate.

With Xie Xuan Yuan's cursed fate that overcame mother, brothers, and even spouses, could his imperial status really ensure stability?

……

That night, after returning from the ancestral temple, Consort Lu still stayed in a side hall of Zichen Palace, the tyrant's sleeping quarters.

But now, his mind was occupied with the horrifying reality that the tyrant actually wanted him to conceive and bear a child.

This made him check the door locks three times before daring to change into his nightclothes and lie in bed.

However, this place was ultimately Xie Xuan Yuan's territory. Even with the doors locked, it wouldn't stop the desperate tyrant from breaking in.

Consort Lu tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep after counting sheep countless times, ultimately succumbing to insomnia out of fear...

Meanwhile, just a wall away in the main hall of Zichen Palace, a different scene unfolded.

Xie Xuan Yuan sat at his desk, earnestly taking notes.

Beside him, Zhou Shao, the trusted chief eunuch, was dictating various strategies for courting women, gathered from unknown sources.

The master and servant duo, one speaking and the other writing, worked together in perfect harmony, forming the unknown "Midnight One-on-One Love Skills Tutoring Private School" within the Northern Guard Imperial Palace.

Xie Xuan Yuan asked, "What exactly do you mean by her not wanting to be the Empress?"

Having served by the tyrant's side for many years, Zhou Shao could easily guess who "she" referred to. He bowed to the tyrant and humbly replied:

"The Empress not only holds a revered status but is also your wife by marriage. Which woman in the world would not cherish such an honor? In my view, Consort Lu does not wish to be the Empress not because she doesn't want to, but because she doesn't want you to confer this title on her merely as a gesture of gratitude for protecting the ancestral temple."

"A woman of Consort Lu's strong character would rather forsake the throne than have Your Majesty mistake gratitude for love."

His explanation was so structured and convincing that he actually managed to baffle the pure-hearted tyrant with no experience in love.

Xie Xuan Yuan put down his brush, rubbed his forehead in distress, and continued to ask, "Then how should I prove to her that my affection for her is genuine and that's why I want to make her the Empress?"

Although Zhou Shao was a eunuch, he had witnessed the exquisite love stories within the imperial family from a young age. Seeing his sovereign so eager to learn, he immediately began to explain fluently:

"Your Majesty, there's the concept of love at first sight and affection growing over time. According to your words, Consort Lu had already harbored feelings for you since the first meeting, fulfilling the 'love at first sight' aspect. Now, what you need to focus on is allowing affection to grow over time."

The tyrant, impatient with Zhou Shao's beating around the bush, pressed eagerly, "Then tell me quickly, how does one cultivate affection over time?"

Seeing the tyrant's interest piqued, the clever counselor Zhou Shao immediately replied attentively:

"Your Majesty, there are two ways to let affection grow over time. The most direct method is to conquer the Consort with actions. Frequently summoning the Consort to your bedchamber for intimate moments will naturally make her utterly devoted to you..."

Xie Xuan Yuan never expected a eunuch to be so bold in his suggestions. Hearing just half of it, his mind involuntarily conjured up a vividly erotic scene, leaving him with a parched throat and a burning desire.

He couldn't help but interrupt harshly, "Speak of something proper!"

Seeing the emperor displeased with the solution, Zhou Shao quickly offered another:

"Another method is for Your Majesty to stroll through Yi Xiao Palace when idle, making frequent appearances before Consort Lu. When Consort Lu visits Zichen Palace at night, you could have someone prepare pastries and tea, spending the evening in conversation with the Consort in the side hall."

This time, Xie Xuan Yuan didn't interrupt. He pondered seriously and said:

"But I don't know what to talk about with her... I don't understand their feminine interests in needlework, tea tasting, or flower appreciation, only governance and military strategy."

Saying this, even Zhou Shao was stumped. The chief eunuch, over fifty years old, looked helplessly at his emperor, handsome yet clueless about feminine charms, and finally sighed in resignation:

"Since Your Majesty has said so, I will think of another way."

"Your Majesty could develop a shared hobby with Consort Lu, such as pets that are popular with ladies in the secluded palace, like cats, dogs, rabbits, or parrots. Why not gift one to Consort Lu? This would naturally justify Your Majesty's frequent visits to the Consort."

Xie Xuan Yuan's eyes lit up at this suggestion. He perked up and began sketching on the paper in front of him, then praised:

"This is a good suggestion; let's do just that. Tomorrow I will pick a docile and obedient dog from the palace kennel to send to Consort Lu. You've worked hard tonight; you may go and receive your reward."

Upon hearing of the reward, Zhou Shao's smile bloomed like a chrysanthemum.

He expressed his gratitude repeatedly and even wished the tyrant success in his pursuit before leaving.

……

The night quickly passed, and the next morning Consort Lu returned to Yi Xiao Palace with dark circles under his eyes once again.

Ji Yue looked at her mistress's haggard but still stunningly beautiful face with pity, sighing, "His Majesty really should know better. The Consort is not made of iron; how can she withstand such nights?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Lu knew Ji Yue had once again let her imagination run wild. He subconsciously touched his face, wondering if his dark circles were truly that noticeable today.

Although the reality was far from others' imaginations, it was still that tyrant's fault he ended up like this!

As Consort Lu was inwardly cursing the depraved tyrant, he heard a palace servant announce from the doorway, "Consort, His Majesty has come to see you."

Lu Changping looked out the window at the sky, noting it was still far from noon. It seemed the tyrant had just left the morning court and couldn't wait to come here.

But this time, the situation seemed a bit unusual. Before Xie Xuan Yuan even entered, a few childish barks could be heard from afar.

Consort Lu paused, covering his dark circles, and looked towards the doorway in astonishment through the bright bronze mirror.

Before the tyrant appeared, a chubby, milky-white puppy had already bounded over the threshold, trotting straight towards him on its short legs.

Consort Lu's thoughts stalled for a moment, then wildly speculated: Had Emperor Xie Xuan Yuan finally been transformed back into his true form, a little milk dog?

However, this whimsical thought vanished as quickly as it appeared.

The puppy entered the room, curiously circling around him for a while. Then, the tyrant, dressed in black and covered up tightly, followed inside.

He bent down, picked up the puppy that was attempting to climb onto Consort Lu's long legs, stroked its fur, and then placed it directly into Consort Lu's arms, asking expectantly:

"Do you like it? This is a gift from me to you."

Having only ever petted cats and never dogs, Consort Lu awkwardly created a small safe space on his lap with his arms to prevent the overly lively puppy from falling.

He glanced at the tyrant, then looked down at the puppy in his arms, which was happily bouncing around and even trying to burrow into his clothes, and found himself nodding almost involuntarily.

Xie Xuan Yuan, seeing the beauty before him, couldn't help but become interested. He ordered a chair to be brought over and sat down in front of Consort Lu, occasionally reaching out with his slender fingers to tease the dog, then said:

"I like it too. This morning, after court, I went to the dog garden and noticed it at first glance. Don't you think it looks clean and white, just like you?"

Lu Changping was initially puzzled, wondering when the tyrant had adopted a tender approach, only to hear those harsh words from Xie Xuan Yuan.

Clean and white... like him???

Consort Lu incredulously raised his head to look at the tyrant. Was Xie Xuan Yuan insulting him by saying he looked like a dog, or was he implying that he should be Xie Xuan Yuan's loyal follower for life?

The tyrant, engrossed in playing with the dog, didn't notice Consort Lu's indescribably complex expression.

He quickly recalled the many dog-related topics he had listed on paper before coming here, and with a smile on his lips, continued to make conversation:

"Don't mind its short legs and chubby body now. I've inquired for you with the people at the dog garden; this breed grows up to be very beautiful, perfectly suiting a beauty like you."

He and the dog are the perfect match???

Consort Lu twitched his mouth, unable to even force a feigned smile.

Xie Xuan Yuan, handsome as he is, chose to learn the sweet nothings and slick words of the dandies from Southern Chu rather than something worthwhile. Didn't he see he had no talent for it!

A straight man's compliments, the most lethal!

Lu Changping was infuriated by the tyrant, barely managing to control his emotional turmoil. Then the tyrant took the puppy from his arms and ordered someone to bring paper and pen, saying:

"Today, I wanted to discuss with the consort about naming it something pleasant, and then we could raise it together. What do you say?"

Fairly speaking, Lu Changping actually quite liked the clean, white, clingy little puppy, but after the tyrant's "compliments," all he felt was awkwardness.

Thinking he wouldn't stay in Beiwei for much longer, and not wanting the dog to suffer the tyrant's wrath after his departure, Consort Lu didn't move for the paper and pen, simply shaking his head coldly.

Xie Xuan Yuan didn’t expect to be rejected alongside this little puppy, darkening his expression and persistently asking, "Didn’t you just nod in agreement, saying you liked it?"

Pressured by his questioning, Lu Meiren could only scribble on paper:

"I am not adept at raising dogs; if I accidentally cause its death, I fear it might leave a shadow on me. If Your Majesty truly wishes to gift me something, I would prefer more history and military strategy books from Beiwei. I enjoy reading those."

The tyrant, fixated on the written words, suddenly trembled, then his expression shifted from shock to joy. His Lu Meiren truly understood him! Even their interests matched!

He couldn't help but probe further: "Don't you find it tedious and dull to read such materials daily? Wouldn't you find leisure in tea tasting and flower admiring more relaxing?"

Emperor Lu didn't hesitate to shake his head at this suggestion.

Joking aside, he had no grasp of tea tasting or flower admiring; such specialized skills were far beyond him, unlike his sister Zhao Ping.

Expecting the tyrant to be disappointed with his lack of feminine charm, he was surprised to see an eerie excitement in the tyrant's eyes instead.

Temporarily forgetting the dissatisfaction of being refused a dog, Xie Xuan Yuan grabbed Lu Guifei's hand, saying, "Why didn't you tell me earlier you wanted to read? I'll take you to the palace's library right now!"

Energized, the two left the little puppy with Ji Yue and headed straight for the library near the Imperial Garden.

They spent the entire afternoon immersed in the vast library, alternating between reading and discussing on paper.

Occasionally, Lu Changping caught the tyrant stealing glances at him, obviously coveting his beauty again.

But since the tyrant generously invited him to read, Lu Meiren uncharacteristically refrained from any internal complaints or curses...

Only as the sun began to set did they reluctantly return to Yi Xiao Palace.

Xie Xuan Yuan retrieved the now round-bellied puppy from Ji Yue, standing at the palace entrance with the setting sun casting a long shadow of his figure on the ground.

He turned back to Lu Meiren with a smile, saying, "I'll take care of the dog for you first, and when it grows a bit, I'll send it over to you."

By the time the little puppy grows up, he'd have already escaped back to Nan Chu. For some reason, he felt a sense of regret and reluctance.

Lu Changping thought he must have become silly from reading too much, otherwise, why would he feel this untimely sense of attachment?

He shook his head vigorously, dispelling those strange emotions, and turned back to Yi Xiao Palace.

From today's events, it seems that Xie Xuan Yuan is not as beyond redemption as I thought. Perhaps there are other ways to mitigate the conflict between the two countries. There's no need for an unrelenting vendetta between him and me…

……

The tyrant gave Lu Mei Ren a month to consider, and in the blink of an eye, half of that time had already passed.

In this half-month, Lu Chang Ping finally made contact with Nan Chu's matrimonial envoy, Cui Yue, and together they developed several viable plans for returning to Nan Chu without triggering a war.

Meanwhile, the tyrant would bring that little milk dog to Yi Xiao Palace every now and then to make his presence felt.

It's unclear how he trained it, but every time the little milk dog saw Lu Chang Ping, its eyes would gleam with eagerness, and its tail would wag especially happily, as if it had seen a walking bone.

Even in the Southern Chu palace, Concubine Lu had only ever kept a cool and aloof little black cat named Coal Ball and had never cared for such an affectionate dog.

Under the enthusiastic onslaught of the little milk dog, he was won over before long.

He not only named it "Xue Tuan Er" but also fed it by hand.

Concubine Lu vaguely felt that he had fallen into the tyrant's trap, but after all, it had been too long since he had a cat to pet, and petting a dog was also a joyous affair.

If push comes to shove… when he slips back to Nan Chu, he could take "Xue Tuan Er" along with him.

Unfortunately, the peaceful and happy days in the Bei Wei palace did not last long. One afternoon, Xie Xuan Yuan arrived at Yi Xiao Palace again, accompanied by a group of imperial physicians from the Tai Medical Institute.

The legendary medicine that could cure diseases and detoxify, supposedly able to cure the muteness afflicting him, had finally been developed…

Author's note:

The current Concubine Lu: I don't know how to care for dogs.

Lu the Emperor, years later: In my household, there is a wife, children, and both cats and dogs.