Chapter 57: Punishment

Chapter 57: Punishment

With unease, Emperor Lu read and reread the letter from Zhaoping several times, quickly sensing something was amiss.

Although the letter was indeed handwritten by his sister, upon closer inspection, it didn't seem to match her usual way of handling things.

ZhaoPing, with her exquisite medical skills, would surely do her best in such emergencies. Even if unable, she wouldn't seek help from NanChu, knowing well that distant waters can't quench immediate thirst.

Perhaps, the person who urged ZhaoPing to write that letter feared she wouldn't agree to go to Beiwai, thus deliberately creating a life-or-death tension to cloud her judgment with concern.

Of course, it could also be that villains really did kidnap Zhaoping and Xie Xuan Yuan, seeking to negotiate terms with him. But if that were the case, there would be no need for such roundabout tactics.

After ruling out various implausible speculations, only the most likely scenario remained: Xie Xuan Yuan wanted to see him but couldn't bring himself to ask directly. Thus, he "coerced and enticed" Zhaoping to write this letter as a way to test his reaction.

The thought of the pregnant tyrant possibly waiting eagerly at the palace gates for his arrival stirred a strange tenderness in Emperor Lu's heart.

His Ah Yuan really did care for him!

Regardless of the truthfulness of the letter's contents, he should make a trip to the Northern Wei. Even if the tyrant intended to lure him to the Northern Wei only to imprison him for revenge, it was still better than never seeing each other again.

After all, Lu Changping, once the favored "Empress Lu" of the Northern Wei harem, knew quite a bit about competing for favor. He figured that if he could arrive in the Northern Wei in time to support the tyrant through this difficult period, perhaps he could regain favor as the child's father, legitimizing his position once more...

Once he made up his mind, his gaze unconsciously fell on his future brother-in-law, and his face brightened into a radiant smile.

Ji Yuzhe, understanding the implication all too well, saw it as the prelude to being saddled with responsibility. Having known the sibling duo for many years, he was all too familiar with their schemes.

Now that the princess was away and the emperor planned to abscond, it was clear who would be left handling state affairs.

Reluctant to carry the emperor's burdens on a chancellor's salary, Ji Yuzhe, eyes closed, firmly refused, "Your Majesty, a nation cannot be left without its ruler; leaving now is utterly inadvisable."

Emperor Lu, anticipating such reluctance, sighed in disappointment, "I had planned to arrange your marriage with Zhaoping upon her return. But if I cannot go now, who knows when the Northern Wei's emperor will allow Zhaoping to return..."

He spoke with sincere earnestness, appearing as a noble brother willing to sacrifice himself for his sister and brother-in-law's happiness.

Unfortunately for Ji Yuzhe, who had seen through all the letters from Zhaoping, he knew this was merely a quarrel between the emperor and the tyrant that inadvertently involved him.

Aware but unable to resist the allure of marrying his beloved sooner, Ji Yuzhe's body reacted before his mind could, bowing respectfully, "For the princess's safety, I am willing to share Your Majesty's worries. Still, staying in enemy territory long-term is unwise; please return soon."

Satisfied with the answer, Emperor Lu's eyes immediately sparkled with life. He swiftly ordered his attendants to prepare for the journey, rejuvenated after months of languishing.

……

Perhaps because Emperor Lu traveled lightly, he arrived in the Northern Wei faster than on his previous journey. Unexpectedly, by the time he crossed the border, the war within the Northern Wei had already ended peacefully, without the anticipated devastation or displacement.

Rumors have it that Xie Xuan Yuan, upon borrowing troops to return to his country, consolidated his old forces with thunderous measures and purged the rebels.

Bearing the unflattering title of "tyrant," he remained ruthless in executing treacherous officials and rebels, yet he also ordered the borrowed troops from Southern Chu to repair dwellings and distribute grain along the way to pacify the common people.

Gradually, the people of Beiwei along the route discovered that the "tyrant" was not as terrifying as imagined. At least where he passed, hostilities ceased, corrupt officials were punished, and refugees created by the war were properly settled.

In contrast, when Empress Dowager He's faction was in power, their extortion and indifference to the people's lives made the "tyrant" seem more like a "wise monarch." Thus, Xie Xuan Yuan won over half of the cities without much effort, merely by demonstrating force in a few battles, and easily reclaimed his throne.

Lu Changping, gathering this information along the way, felt reassured. He knew that the rabble stood no chance against Xie Xuan Yuan.

Yet, he was puzzled. If the war was going so smoothly, was the tyrant injured after all?

If he was not injured, why then would he hide in the palace all day, not revealing any news?

The closer he got to the capital of Beiwei, the scarcer the news about the tyrant became. It seemed that the more stable the kingdom became under his campaign, the more low-profile he became.

After days without any new information, even the broad-minded Emperor Lu couldn't help but start to worry. As the saying goes, concern leads to chaos; devoid of all news sources, he couldn't help but speculate in less favorable directions...

Refusing to see anyone must be due to low spirits. But with Xie Xuan Yuan's indomitable spirit, how could he be disheartened by mere injuries sustained in battle?

Could it be, as the letter from Zhao Ping suggested, that the dragon heir... was not saved?

The mere thought of this possibility struck Lu Changping's heart with a heavy blow, indescribably painful. He knew all too well the significance of that unborn child to Xie Xuan Yuan.

Although the young tyrant never spoke of it, nor made it obvious, whenever danger arose, he would first try to protect his stomach, always mentioning the plan to appoint a crown prince when speaking of the future.

If the dragon heir was indeed lost, it's unimaginable how much harm it would cause to the tyrant's mind and body. Perhaps it was this overwhelming blow that prevented Zhao Ping from disclosing the situation in the letter.

The more Emperor Lu thought about it, the more he felt he had inadvertently touched upon a cruel truth, wishing he could hasten to the Beiwei Imperial Palace to share in the young tyrant's sorrow.

Fortunately, after more than ten days of continuous travel, the capital of Beiwei was already in sight. Emperor Lu, filled with guilt, did not delay upon entering the city but headed straight for the imperial palace.

All he thought about was how to comfort Xie Xuan Yuan, "who had lost his beloved son," paying no attention to the peaceful and serene streets of the capital.

The guards at the imperial palace were well-disciplined, as if they had just received a salary increase, all appearing cheerful as if celebrating good fortune. Upon hearing his purpose, they not only did not obstruct him but also summoned a eunuch to convey his request to see the emperor in the inner palace.

Lu Changping initially didn't want to cause such a commotion, but to see the tyrant, he had to truthfully declare his identity. Hesitating, he felt the title of Emperor of Southern Chu lacked sincerity and could be too shocking for these innocents, so he softly and tactfully said, "Just tell your emperor that Consort Lu has arrived."

After saying this, even Emperor Lu, with his thick-skinned face, couldn't help but blush slightly. He wasn't dressed as a woman this time, with his handsome face and tall stature unadorned. Even if these people really believed his absurd claim and reported it to Xie Xuan Yuan truthfully, the fact that Consort Lu was a man could no longer be concealed.

However, having faced many challenges before, Emperor Lu quickly adjusted his mindset, facing the incredulous looks from the vigorous guards quite openly. He even smiled innocently and asked gently, "Didn't hear clearly? Would you like me to repeat it?"

In broad daylight, a man confidently claiming to be the favored consort of the Emperor of Beiwei was unheard of. Those present were at a loss, unsure if the man relying on his beauty to serve the emperor was stranger, or their emperor who preferred men.

What shocked everyone even more came afterward. The eunuch, who ran errands between the inner and outer palaces, returned shortly with a set of women's clothes and a full set of jewelry, saying in a high-pitched voice, "By the emperor's decree, Consort Lu is specially permitted to dress as a woman for the audience."

Seeing him was far better than not. Besides, cross-dressing was one of Emperor Lu's hobbies; he was quite pleased with this outcome. However, the guards watching him were utterly dumbfounded.

Did their emperor and Consort Lu really play such extreme private games?

"Consort Lu" took the imperial clothes and jewelry with composure and entered an adjacent empty room. After about half an hour of preparation, when the door opened, standing before everyone was a slim and exquisite beauty.

Unlike the tyrant, known for his lethal beauty, "Consort Lu" was ethereally beautiful, a luxurious flower nurtured in the imperial gardens.

Instantly, all eyes were drawn to him. Realizing this, Emperor Lu was not the least bit nervous; he even smiled amiably at the eunuch who came to escort him, saying, "I am ready now; let us proceed to the audience."

The guards waiting for his emergence were astounded. They seemed to understand the charm of the "Consort Lu" who dominated the harem.

With such unparalleled beauty, the question of gender became irrelevant. Who in this world would not love a beauty? Even with their emperor's notorious reputation, the cold palace couldn't resist the temptation of such a top-tier beauty.

Though outwardly calm, the journey to the palace was tumultuous for Consort Lu. He couldn't decide how to approach his beloved upon meeting.

Before he could think of an answer, the palace attendants led him to a beautifully maintained but secluded palace pavilion. The place was exquisitely arranged but remote, its previous purpose unclear.

Filled with questions, Emperor Lu, seated in the deserted hall, couldn't help but ask the eunuch beside him, "Wasn't I supposed to have an audience? Why isn't the emperor here?"

The eunuch looked at him meaningfully, replying, "The emperor will arrive shortly." No sooner had he spoken than a strong fragrance filled the hall. Consort Lu sensed danger and tried to flee.

However, the other party was well-prepared, and the familiar intoxicating incense was so potent that Consort Lu's movements became sluggish after inhaling just a bit. Before he could reach the doors or windows, his vision went completely dark...

……

When Emperor Lu awoke again, it was nearly dark, yet he remained in the deserted chamber.

If there was any difference from before he was drugged, it was that he now lay powerless on a luxuriously ornate bed adorned with gold and jewels, his wrists and ankles shackled with silver chains as thick as thumbs. Under normal circumstances, such restraints would have been child's play for him.

But now, rendered helpless by the drug, unable to summon his power or strength, he could only lie stiff as a board, like a salted fish on the chopping block, at the mercy of others.

Indeed, the Consort Lu knew very well who was coming to "feast" upon him shortly.

If someone else besides the tyrant could resort to such sinister and malicious tactics as drugging, then chaining him to the bed with silver chains after he was incapacitated was a deed that could only be attributed to Xie Xuan Yuan himself.

Since he had an inkling of what was to come, Consort Lu did not panic amidst this drastic change. He even leisurely lifted his right hand to his eyes, examining the shackles on his wrist with great interest...

Ah... not only were they intricately carved, but there was also a layer of silk padding on the inside to prevent the rough metal from chafing his skin.

His Ah Yuan was perhaps a bit too considerate.

Just as Lu Changping was silently appreciating this, the heavy, carved wooden door of the side hall was slowly pushed open with a creak. Through the semi-darkness, a slender and delicate figure bypassed the screen, lifted the bead curtain, and finally stood still at the head of the bed.

The moment Consort Lu heard those footsteps, he immediately perked up, took a deep breath, and with great effort, propped himself up using the strength he had mustered just moments before. As he moved, the silver chains locked on his wrists and ankles clinked together, producing a crisp sound.

Hearing such a sound, Xie Xuan Yuan, hidden in the shadows, frowned almost imperceptibly.

At that moment, Consort Lu turned his head, exposing his slender, vulnerable neck without any reservation under his gaze. In the dim light, his porcelain-white skin appeared even more moist and delicate, tempting one's imagination...

Yet Lu Changping seemed utterly unaware of his own allure. As he turned, the silver chains on his body tightened and loosened, and with a series of slight clinks, he finally adjusted himself to a position where he could barely see the tyrant. It was a mixture of lament and sigh as he said, "Has Your Majesty finally come to see me?"

Xie Xuan Yuan had not intended to engage in conversation with this trickster, but faced with the fatal attraction of the Emperor of Southern Chu, he couldn't remain silent for long and retorted, "You still have the face to see me?"

Consort Lu gazed up with his beautifully shaped peach blossom eyes brimming with moisture, staring intently at the tyrant as if trying to discern something significant from his presence.

For some reason, Xie Xuan Yuan appeared particularly pale and haggard today, even his usually vibrant lips seemed to have lost some of their color. More concerning was the flatness of his stomach, which should have been visibly pregnant by now...

All signs seemed to indicate that what Lu Changping feared most during his journey had indeed come to pass. Their child... was really gone.

This revelation hit Lu Changping hard; his voice, usually clear and gentle, became hoarse, and he spoke with less conviction: "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

Hearing this unexpected apology, Xie Xuan Yuan raised an eyebrow in curiosity: "Then tell me, exactly where did you go wrong?"

Consort Lu was stumped by the question; how could he bear to reopen the tyrant's wounds? After hesitating for a long time, he spoke in a barely audible voice: "This time, I failed to protect you and the child. Whatever the punishment, I am willing to accept it."

As the sun set and the room remained unlit, Xie Xuan Yuan's expression became even harder to read in the dim light. Fearing that he might obsess over the loss, Lu Changping hastily added: "Don't be too sad. Once you've recovered, we can... have another child."

To this, Xie Xuan Yuan laughed instead of getting angry, now understanding why the Emperor of Southern Chu presented himself so vulnerably. It was rare to find a father so eager to curse his own child to death.

Approaching the bedside without a sound, his long, cold fingers traced the beautifully shaped jawline of the Southern Chu Emperor, finally resting on the delicate Adam's apple as he spoke deliberately: "Any punishment will do, you said it yourself."

Thanks to that statement, Lu Changping spent the darkest three days of his life under the tyrant's mercy, being physically punished in every conceivable way.

After seizing control of their intimate encounters, the tyrant shed his previous shyness, inventing various new methods to torment him relentlessly, always igniting the flame but never quenching it.

Despite being provoked, Consort Lu, mindful of Xie Xuan Yuan's trauma from losing their child, refrained from taking the upper hand, no matter how much he was tempted.

And Xie Xuan Yuan truly relished in his cruelty, enjoying the sight of the enemy emperor's desperation, spending three days indulging himself and even whimsically sketching numerous nude portraits of Lu Changping.

After such intense days, even someone as physically robust as Lu Changping felt utterly drained.

Fortunately, Xie Xuan Yuan merely intended to "punish" him with this opportunity, rather than thoroughly torment him. After three days, the nearly drained Consort Lu finally regained his temporary freedom.

Relying on the solid foundation from his martial arts training in his younger years, along with the tyrant's remaining shred of kindness, Lu Changping struggled to rise from the bed. Deluding himself, he avoided looking at his haggard face in the mirror, hastily washed up, changed into new clothes, and then dragged his weakened steps out of the palace gate.

He wanted to find Zhao Ping but feared Zhao Ping would worry upon seeing his current state. Torn, with nowhere to go, he could only wander back and forth alone in the vast imperial garden.

Luckily, the tyrant's harem was vast and sparsely populated, allowing him to wander without encountering anyone.

However, he had underestimated the situation; for some reason, the imperial garden was unusually lively today. Not long after walking, he heard the sound of drums, mixed with the laughter and teasing of young palace maids.

Lu Changping intended to avoid them, but suddenly heard someone exclaim excitedly: "Look! The young prince is smiling, the young prince is smiling!"

This statement truly stirred up a commotion, followed by distant calls of "Let me see!" "I want to see too!"

In the bird-song and flower-scented imperial garden, these distant sounds of joy seemed especially fitting. Only Consort Lu stood still, uncertain whether to stay or go.

He knew the tyrant's harem better than anyone; aside from a few tormented, half-dead madwomen in the cold palaces of the West Garden and himself, disguised as a woman, there should be no other consorts. And Xie Xuan Yuan's brothers, having failed in their bids for the throne, had died unknown years ago.

In such a case, whose child in the palace could be referred to as "the young prince"?

The more Consort Lu thought about it, the more something seemed amiss, and he couldn't help but quicken his steps towards the direction of the laughter.

Passing through a rockery, over a stone bridge, what came into view was a lakeside pavilion draped with gauze. In the pavilion, several palace maids surrounded a young woman who looked like a noble mistress. Her hair was not styled as a married woman's, yet she cradled a lovely, snow-white baby in her arms.

Just as he was about to uncover the truth, Lu Changping couldn't help but lengthen his stride, covering the distance in two steps and lifting the fluttering gauze curtain. Then, he saw Zhao Ping holding the child, smiling and waving at him: "Royal brother, you've finally come. Come and see, doesn't A-Lin look like you?"

The abrupt turn of events startled Lu Changping, leaving him frozen in place for a long moment before he cautiously asked, "Who is A-Lin?"

The author's note:

Zhao Ping: "Who is A-Lin? Of course, he's your son!"

"I didn't finish writing on Saturday, but finally, I managed to complete this chapter today. Thank you for waiting. This chapter comes with a red packet~"

"I'll try my best to write the next chapter... but it seems I might not make it today. I'm really sorry, sob. I've been trying my best, but I've been very busy recently, and my irregular schedule has slowed my writing. But no matter what, I will ensure at least one chapter per week."