Chapter 66: Epilogue

Chapter 66: Epilogue

Xie Xuan Yuan almost doubted his own ears. Trembling, he demanded coldly, "Dare you repeat that?"

Serving the emperor is like accompanying a tiger; seeing the atmosphere turn tense, the attendants around the tyrant and Lu Changping were so frightened they hardly dared to breathe.

Who would have thought that the most favored Empress Lu would suddenly request a divorce from His Majesty without any warning?

His Majesty has always been one to reward those who follow him and eliminate those who oppose him.

Just when a disaster seemed imminent, and everyone thought Empress Lu would be intimidated by the tyrant's imposing manner and take back her words, Lu Changping calmly explained:

"Initially, when I replaced Zhao Ping to marry into Beiwei, my intention to marry you was false, aiming to kill you was true, and moreover, I used my sister's identity. Such a marriage, lacking in sincerity, was not only irresponsible to Your Majesty but also a deception to the people... Now, I want to start over with Your Majesty, under my own name."

Saying so, he broke free from the tyrant's grasp around his waist, turned around, embraced him, and patted his back: "That's what I wanted to say. Why are you angry, Your Majesty?"

Xie Xuan Yuan's emotions surged, but having known the Emperor of Nanchu for so long, he had come to understand some of his tactics.

Realizing he had been tricked by Lu Changping again, he didn't react immediately but instead grabbed Lu Changping's hand that was taking the opportunity to pat his back and gritted his teeth: "I'll deal with you after we return to the palace."

Emperor Lu was not afraid of the tyrant's retaliation, slightly bowing his head, smiling as he admired the tyrant's frustrated demeanor after being outsmarted.

Even he didn't know why he became so mischievous around Xie Xuan Yuan, insisting on provoking him before gradually appeasing him.

The whole process was repetitive, yet he never tired of it...

Naturally, it was joyful to see the person he adored change because of his words and actions, though there was always a price to pay afterwards, neither too big nor too small.

Lu Changping was practically dragged back to the sleeping quarters by the tyrant holding his hand.

The heavy carved wooden door slammed shut behind them, Xie Xuan Yuan abruptly stopped, grabbing the taller Empress Lu to confront: "Had fun just now, didn't you?"

Lu Changping really wanted to nod, but considering his future happiness and with a strong will to live, he shook his head, his peach blossom eyes filled with tenderness: "I only wanted to make Your Majesty happy."

As he spoke, he lowered his head to lightly brush his lips against the tyrant's mouth corner.

"If Your Majesty dislikes those words, I shall never speak them again."

Xie Xuan Yuan, kissed, nearly let go of the silky fabric of Lu Changping's attire due to the shock. Sensing this slight lapse, the one so close to him took advantage and pressed their lips together more boldly.

Xie Xuan Yuan attempted to push away, only to be forced to retreat several steps by the other's insistence.

Lu Changping's approach was gentle yet firm, leaving no room for refusal. The tyrant, weakened from days of busyness without proper rest, was dizzy and unsteady, his resistance more akin to an invitation.

Misinterpreting the tyrant's resistance, Empress Lu aggressively pushed him against the door.

Xie Xuan Yuan, still angry, refused to comply easily.

After a struggle, he managed to push the imposing figure off him slightly, exclaiming angrily, "Lu Changping, you bastard!"

This insult, lacking in venom, seemed more an expression of Xie Xuan Yuan's own turmoil. Recalling their shared past, his eyes teared up as he further accused, "Liar!"

Despite the potential for harsher words, he settled on these two. His tearful, reddened eyes didn't seem genuinely angry to Lu Changping, but rather... petulant.

Thus, Emperor Lu's calculated pace was disrupted, turning his attention instead to the intricate patterns of the jade belt hook adorning the emperor's attire.

Xie Xuan Yuan, having not practiced his conversational skills with his beloved in a while, found his knowledge rusty from lack of use.

Initially holding his own in their verbal sparring, he soon found himself overwhelmed and outmatched, especially as his memory of previously studied texts had faded.

Before he knew it, Lu Changping had led him to a desk in the hall, its smooth wooden surface covered with a thick woolen mat embroidered with maps of Nanchu and Beiwei.

This desk, typically used by Xie Xuan Yuan for reviewing documents, had lately been neglected in favor of working beside Lu Changping's bed, leaving only a gold vase with a freshly picked peony from the imperial garden on it.

Emperor Lu, finding the desk's surface comfortable, commended with a slight smile, "This map is quite exceptional, Your Majesty."

Xie Xuan Yuan paused, puzzled why a simple map had suddenly become the subject of praise.

"It's just a pity that Nanchu and Beiwei are divided by a border on this map. It would be a beautiful thing to erase that boundary."

Xie Xuan Yuan, almost evasively, turned his head and squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth: "What do you propose…?"

Emperor Lu touched the map again, implying, "I wish to reconcile with Your Majesty, to unify Nanchu and Beiwei into one."

The tyrant's cheeks burned red, feeling the Purple Zen Hall unusually hot today, hot enough to make him want to flee.

Yet, he didn't have the heart to leave and resigned himself to stay, to enjoy the blossoms together.

Under the warmth, the peony, with its rich pink petals, quietly bloomed in the springtime. Moistened by rain and dew, its petals unfurled, revealing the stamen, from which morning dewdrops slowly fell.

The peony, at its full bloom, radiated such an extravagant beauty that it seemed to invite onlookers into decadence, yet without diminishing its noble grace, compelling respect from all who beheld it.

Spring rain and the morning dew on the flower petals, with drops falling on the map of Nanchu and Beiwei, spreading slightly darker water stains. At that moment, Emperor Lu felt as if he had grasped the vast landscapes of both lands within his palm…

Xie Xuan Yuan closed his eyes, his hand unconsciously resting on the woolen mat embroidered with the map, feeling the vast landscapes frozen within that space.

With his vision obscured, he couldn't ignore the tactile sensation of the embroidery. It made him focus all his attention on the map detailed with rolling hills and winding rivers.

As he struggled to divert his focus, his wrist was suddenly grabbed and pulled aside.

The one who grasped his wrist leaned in close, coaxing, "Why won't Your Majesty look at me? Am I not pleasing to the eye?"

Seeing Xie Xuan Yuan's silence, the mischief-maker pressed on, "But initially, Your Majesty liked this face. Could it be that after being acquainted for so long, Your Majesty has grown tired of me, seeking someone new?"

Hearing Emperor Lu's increasingly absurd claims, Xie Xuan Yuan could no longer feign death. He opened his eyes, adjusting to the room's brightness.

But Emperor Lu became even more audacious, pressing the tyrant's hand against his cheek, his eyes gleaming with laughter: "Ah Yuan, look into my eyes."

The tyrant, somewhat dazed, actually did as told.

He saw the beauty's face illuminated in a soft rosy light, his clear, water-like peach blossom eyes reflecting nothing but Xie Xuan Yuan.

Xie Xuan Yuan had never seen such a dazzling Lu Changping, gazing infatuatedly at the person before him, and felt a possessive desire like never before.

"To conquer, to possess, to own him completely... and then never to part."

Emperor Lu clearly read the desire for possession nearly spilling from the tyrant's eyes. Far from being afraid, he nearly seduced with his gentle voice, "Your Majesty likes me, so you don't mind enjoying the flowers with me, right?"

Xie Xuan Yuan nodded lightly.

Satisfied with the answer, Emperor Lu smiled brightly: "I feel the same. So, Your Majesty, there's no need to feel uncomfortable. The whole palace knows our relationship; it's only natural for the emperor and empress to enjoy flowers together. Why fear discovery?"

Already softened by the fragrance of the peonies, the tyrant couldn’t resist such beauty, and sounds intermittently filled the hall. The tyrant's voice was sharp and clear, sending shivers down Empress Lu's spine, drawing them both into ecstasy.

However, before they could fully indulge, the voice of Zhao Ping echoed at the door: "Brother, I heard you woke up. I've made some light, nutritious porridge for you, would you like to try it?"

Hearing his sister's voice, Emperor Lu abruptly stopped, and the tyrant instantly tensed, forcing both to break out in a cold sweat.

Xie Xuan Yuan, with misty, resentful eyes, glared at the person atop him, then turned his head away in humiliation.

Caught red-handed, Emperor Lu was too embarrassed to speak, and Xie Xuan Yuan wished he could vanish. Their silent exchange only made Zhao Ping outside more worried.

"Brother, why is the door locked, and there are no servants nearby... Did you and the empress fight again? You know, the empress has been working hard these days, dealing with court affairs during the day, discussing prescriptions with the physician at night for your treatment, not to mention taking time to look after Ah Lin..."

Emperor Lu glanced at the tyrant while listening.

Sweat coated Xie Xuan Yuan's pale skin, his cheeks flushed with exertion. His beautiful brown-grey phoenix eyes were averted, looking guilty and tired, indeed thinner than before.

The tyrant, feeling the intense gaze, coughed uncomfortably, whispering, "Don't listen to your sister's nonsense."

Watching his awkwardness, Emperor Lu felt a warmth in his heart, leaning in to peck the tyrant’s now feverishly hot earlobe, "It’s my fault, I've troubled Your Majesty."

But he forgot they were supposedly admiring flowers together, and the motion caused the peony on the table to shiver, shedding fresh petals. Perhaps mourning the passing of spring, a faint sound of breaking seemed to escape the room inadvertently.

Zhao Ping, anxious, pressed against the door, fearing her newly awakened brother might have clashed with the empress. Hearing a barely audible cry, her heart jumped: "Brother, let's talk it out, you mustn't lay hands on the empress!"

With no response, Emperor Lu bit his lip in vexation, pondering an excuse to send Zhao Ping away.

He glanced at the golden vase knocked to the floor and the peony on the table, its petals scattered, then at the map marked by water stains, and quickly devised a plan.

He raised his voice, confidently fibbing, "Zhao Ping, what are you thinking? Your brother is discussing the future governance with the empress, examining the map together."

Hearing her brother's voice slightly hoarse, not as clear as usual, Lu Zhao Ping keenly noticed this subtle difference but still reminded herself not to overthink.

She feigned ignorance and tested the waters, "The debate between you two must have been quite intense..."

Emperor Lu couldn't help but laugh dryly, his gaze briefly falling on the scattered petals on the tyrant's body.

Indeed, the discussion had been quite intense.

Xie Xuan Yuan, now speechless from frustration caused by this shameless sibling pair, closed his eyes shimmering with moisture, his hands still sneakily taking revenge on the main culprit.

Emperor Lu, entangled by the tyrant and unable to extricate himself, could only respond with a forced smile, "Just now, my brother and the empress had a slight disagreement on governance philosophies, so... it got a bit intense. I definitely did not bully your empress, nor did I lay hands on her!"

"Is that so? That's good then." Being siblings for years, Lu Zhao Ping was even more convinced something had happened in the hall.

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder," they say. She had witnessed it firsthand.

"Then I won't disturb you any longer. I'll keep the medicinal porridge warm in the royal kitchen. But after your discussion, don't forget to have dinner, both of you."

After repeatedly reminding them to take care of their health, Zhao Ping hurried off with the food container, running faster than a rabbit.

Xie Xuan Yuan listened until the sound of footsteps faded away, then sarcastically remarked in a hoarse voice, "Discussing state affairs? That's quite the invention. So, tell me, when the two of us come together, how should the future governance of South Chu and North Wei proceed?"

After pondering briefly, Emperor Lu responded fluently when it came to serious matters:

"With Your Majesty and me together, South Chu and North Wei naturally become one family, co-governing the realm is not impossible. Your Majesty is more familiar with North Wei, and I know more about South Chu. We govern separately under normal circumstances yet unite when necessary. Inter-trade between the common people and marriages among the noble families can serve as mutual checks. Continuing this for a decade or so, by the time Ah Lin comes of age, the two nations will have become inseparable, merging into one will be a natural course of action."

Xie Xuan Yuan was utterly captivated, finding the logic in the words yet unable to fully ease his mind: "Then you still intend to leave my side and return to your Southern Chu?"

Emperor Lu shook his head: "How could I bear to leave Your Majesty."

The tyrant raised an eyebrow, seemingly incredulous: "Then stay here as my Empress and leave no more? Won't those pedantic scholars of Southern Chu be infuriated to death?"

Lu Changping, however, was not worried: "The capital of Beiwei and Southern Chu are far apart, one in the far north and the other in the deep south. Since they are destined to be unified, why not choose a new location for the capital? There's no need to rush the relocation. Those willing to stay in the old capital can stay, and those willing to move can move with us."

He laughed, adding: "Actually, this is also a great opportunity to reshuffle the deck. How can we leave those disobedient to us in charge of our Ah Lin?"

Xie Xuan Yuan listened quietly as his beloved spoke of future governance and politics, the last trace of gloom in his brows dissipating.

Lu Changping was not only completely open with him but also included him and Ah Lin in every aspect of the planned future.

He would no longer deceive him, no longer leave him, and had even planned the decades to come for him...

……

Time passed in an unremarkable manner until an astonishing edict was announced within the palace. The Emperor of Beiwei was to marry the Emperor of Southern Chu, binding the two countries in eternal peace and non-aggression through marriage.

Such a matrimonial alliance was unheard of across the world, and despite dissent within both nations, no opposition could stir any turmoil. When the auspicious day arrived, the wedding that caught the world's attention proceeded smoothly.

Emperor Lu and the tyrant were well acquainted by then, the only difference being that this time they met with honesty, hiding neither their identities, names, nor appearances from each other.

On the wedding day, the whole sky celebrated, and by night, the wedding candles in the new capital's imperial palace shone brightly.

Xie Xuan Yuan, holding Ah Lin, pushed open the door. Although his face was stern, showing neither joy nor anger, his eyes revealed a hint of anticipation and joy.

Lu Changping stepped forward, attempting to take Ah Lin but was subtly avoided by the tyrant.

Feeling slightly hurt by the cold treatment from his new spouse on their wedding night, Emperor Lu couldn't help but ask, "Why did you even bring Ah Lin with you?"

Xie Xuan Yuan sat on the wedding bed adorned with auspicious dragon and phoenix designs, lazily brushing away Lu Changping's mischievous hands: "Today, I'll tell you whose child Ah Lin really is."

Emperor Lu hadn't expected such a test on their wedding night. He sat up straight and declared, "Ah Lin is naturally our child."

After a few drinks, Xie Xuan Yuan's eyes, tinged with a slight red, carried an unintended charm. He glanced sideways at Lu Changping and scoffed lightly, "I knew you'd repeat that line. But I never told you, our child was lost."

Lu Changping's heart skipped a beat, belatedly grasping the meaning behind those words. He opened his mouth to say something but was preempted by Xie Xuan Yuan.

The half-drunk tyrant of Beiwei, with a fierce yet vulnerable grip on his robe, whispered threateningly in his ear, "Do you think I suddenly became benevolent today, allowing father and son to recognize each other? I merely wanted to use your son to threaten you."

Lu Changping was nearly amused by the tyrant's drunken antics and asked with curiosity, "How do you intend to threaten me?"

After a few cups of fruit wine, Xie Xuan Yuan, lost to the night, seemed to return to the times he couldn't find Lu Changping. He sneered, "If you don't explain what happened that night, I'll make sure you never see your son again."

Lu Changping smiled, his eyes reflecting the other's image, clear as autumn waters, "Do you truly have the heart? After all, he's also your son."

Xie Xuan Yuan pondered seriously, his brows furrowed in frustration, but he still insisted, "But you owe me an explanation!"

Lu Changping went with the flow, "What kind of explanation would you like?"

The tyrant hadn't expected the man he'd been outwitting for so long to give in so easily, making him feel unexpectedly embarrassed. He hesitated before speaking his mind:

"What do you think I want? I merely want you to fulfill your promise and repay what you owe me with your lifetime."

Lu Changping quietly took the tyrant's hand, smoothly agreeing, "Alright, I will compensate you with my lifetime."

"So, you won't regret it?"

"I will never regret it again."

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Thank you for your patience; the main story is now complete with saved drafts. Side stories will continue to be updated~

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