Chapter 41

Chapter 41

The Hwarangs came to cause trouble for Yaoguang, but after being dealt with by him, their anger had nowhere to vent, so they took it out on Long Jianlu, even causing the emperor to be denied entry. Initially, Yaoguang felt that he might have overreacted, so he quietly approached the door and peeped through the crack to observe Long Jianlu's reaction.

The sky was a dull gray, with a light rain falling. Long Jianlu sat on the steps outside the palace, watching the rain, his back turned to the Hall of Radiant Light. It was unclear what he was thinking.

Yaoguang then opened the door. Long Jianlu immediately stood up and entered the palace, looking at Yaoguang.

Their manner of interacting didn't resemble that of two people who had just met but rather that of lovers with an unspoken understanding. Without saying a word, Long Jianlu entered and sat down, clearly affected by the abrupt closure of the door, his expression grim.

"You're not going to comfort your Hwarangs?" Yaoguang said coldly.

"You know very well that you're the only one in my heart," Long Jianlu replied earnestly. "Yet, you always find reasons to provoke me. Isn't my affection for you obvious enough? Do you need constant reassurance?"

Yaoguang felt a twinge of guilt. Regardless of what others did or said, Long Jianlu hadn't provoked him, and he shouldn't have taken his frustration out on him.

"It was just a literal interpretation," Yaoguang stubbornly insisted. "Should I not have used magic?"

Long Jianlu countered, "What do you think?"

Yaoguang: "But Yu Qingsong was drawing his sword at me!"

Long Jianlu gazed at Yaoguang for a long while before he said, "When you came back that first day, do you know why I didn't scold him when he yelled at you?"

Yaoguang: "How would I know? It's all because of you! He thinks I'm easy to bully, and now he's bringing his sword to my doorstep, trying to show me who's boss!"

Despite the obvious fact that Yaoguang was the one being oppressed, he couldn't admit it in front of Long Jianlu.

Long Jianlu spoke earnestly, "I am the emperor, the ruler of the world. If an ordinary person were to curse at me, I wouldn't get angry because I could kill them with a mere flick of my finger. As my empress, I believe you wouldn't stoop to their level."

"You have a way with words," Yaoguang replied. "I can't argue with you. Did you really think I had the upper hand over Yu Qingsong? I doubt it. Otherwise, why would you rush here in a hurry, afraid that I'd be bullied by him?"

Long Jianlu said, "But your positions are different. I thought you understood that already."

Hearing this, Yaoguang's anger subsided. He had initially thought, You let your subordinate provoke my fiancée without helping me get justice. But Long Jianlu's words made him feel that they were on the same side, reminding Yaoguang that he was, after all, the emperor's future wife.

Yaoguang indeed felt that he shouldn't have been so harsh on Yu Qingsong.

"I understand," Yaoguang thought to himself. "You're gaslighting me, but I'll play along for now. It's not like it's a big deal."

Long Jianlu declared, "I need to see him."

"Go tend to your subjects," Yaoguang replied tartly. "Why didn't you go just now?"

Long Jianlu answered, "I had to wait until you cooled down and then tell you what's on my mind. I'll be back soon."

With that, Long Jianlu rose and left, adding as he did so, "Regardless of what they say or do, no one can change my decision. I've dedicated many years to this realm. Marrying you and spending the rest of my life with you is the only thing I'm doing for myself. This is my bottom line; otherwise, all my struggles would have been in vain. So trust me, please."

Yaoguang watched Long Jianlu's departing figure, his emotions in turmoil.

After Long Jianlu left that day, Yaoguang began to feel that, as the queen, he needed to establish his own network of informants and faction within the palace. Otherwise, he would be oblivious to any events taking place in such a vast court. Currently, his only source of information was Chen Feilang.

It was strange, but he had been regretting his agreement to become Long Jianlu's queen the previous night. However, Yu Qingsong's sudden visit and attempt to force him out had stirred up his rebellious spirit. The more you try to push me away, the more I'll resist! What do you want from me? Do you dare to send assassins after me? Bring it on.

Yaoguang surmised that the entire palace must have been abuzz with discussion these past few days. Reflecting on it, the sequence of events was indeed bizarre: the emperor personally leading an expedition and returning with an unknown man, then planning to marry him, a man who could even perform magic... Yaoguang felt like he himself was under some sort of enchantment.

He decided to seek out He Lu for a conversation, to groom a few loyal followers who could help him gather intelligence within the palace walls.

Yet, whoever he looked at would immediately tremble and kneel down.

"What are you doing?!" Yaoguang said. "Are you really that scared of me? Look up! I don't eat people!"

He Lu immediately raised his head, his eyes filled with fear.

Yaoguang continued, "It's an honor to be eaten by me! Do you understand?"

The eunuchs started to panic again, wailing and crawling towards the exit of the palace hall. Yaoguang was utterly amused.

Just then, Long Jianlu returned, seeing Yaoguang scolding the eunuchs. He found it rather amusing, and they exchanged glances.

"I'll send Qing Xian for you to use," Long Jianlu said. "He's more clever."

Noticing that Long Jianlu still had an unhappy expression, Yaoguang guessed that he might have endured a long complaint from Yu Qingsong. However, since Long Jianlu didn't mention it, Yaoguang didn't ask either. They carried on as usual, with Long Jianlu not bringing up the Flower Knights' attitudes. By the time night fell and lamps were lit, Long Jianlu told him to rest well, and Qing Xian replaced the others in accompanying Yaoguang.

Yaoguang was exhausted that day, so he went to bed early.

The morning bell rang outside, but Yaoguang, by now, had gotten used to ignoring it.

"Lord Duan," Qing Xian whispered softly.

"What?" Yaoguang stirred awake, his eyes still blurry, as dawn had already begun to break.

"It's time to rise," Qing Xian said. "The days are short, the nights long, and with the rain, oversleeping can give you a headache."

"Mm, thank you." Yaoguang made an effort to appear more affable.

Qing Xian had known Yaoguang for a while, giving him a slight advantage in their relationship.

"Are you planning to go out today?" Qing Xian inquired.

"Let's talk about it later." After Yaoguang finished his grooming, he looked out at the autumn rain falling outside the palace with a sense of boredom. Qing Xian remarked, "It's gotten colder today."

"Have you been following Long Jianlu all this time?" Yaoguang inquired of Qing Xian. "How long have you been at his side?"

Qing Xian replied, "I have served Your Majesty for ten years, hailing from Province Qi, originally a servant in the household of the imperial uncle."

Yaoguang understood now; it was someone from Long Jianlu's maternal uncle's family, and Qi Province was also the place where he had originated his success.

I should have come earlier. If I had transmigrated a decade ago and spent more time with Long Jianlu, perhaps things wouldn't have unfolded as they did now. Back then, he was still a crown prince.

"Are there whispers of ill will about me within the palace?" Yaoguang inquired further.

Qing Xian immediately responded, "Why does Minister Duan speak in such a manner? By the emperor's decree, who dares to discuss you without fear of losing their life?"

Yaoguang felt as if he were embodying the role of a wicked consort or concubine from a novel. After some thought, he asked, "When Hualarang returned home yesterday, didn't he lash out at you?"

Qing Xian: "The Hualang have been arrogant and lawless. It's right that they're reflecting on their actions. Lord Duan's reprimand was well-deserved. How dare they harbor the slightest resentment?"

Yaoguang: "I don't think it's that serious. Yu Qingsong was almost ready to slit his throat with his sword."

Qing Xian merely offered a forced smile. Yaoguang knew he wouldn't get any more answers, probably because Long Jianlu didn't want to trouble him or provoke further complications, thus issuing a strict order to forbid anyone from discussing it.

"I'll go see the emperor."

After breakfast, Yaoguang announced.

Qing Xian didn't object but accompanied him. Since Long Jianlu hadn't come to visit after the morning court session today, Yaoguang took the initiative to go to him.

Am I really going to be his wife? Yaoguang pondered. Even now, he still found the entire situation surreal. Initially, he had resisted, but after a day, that resistance transformed into hesitation. Today, upon waking up, he found himself missing Long Jianlu, as if their extended time together had made him feel as though Long Jianlu was already his boyfriend.

In the imperial study, Long Jianlu sat alone, slightly surprised when Yaoguang appeared.

" Why are you here?" Long Jianlu asked.

"Why are you by yourself?" Yaoguang countered. "Isn't it time for you to handle state affairs?"

Long Jianlu replied, "I wanted some solitude today."

Yaoguang looked at him skeptically. "What about your Hualang?"

Long Jianlu answered, "They're confined to their quarters, reflecting on their actions."

Yaoguang suspected that the Hualangs were likely staging a collective strike, and Yu Qingsong hadn't come either, leaving Long Jianlu to deal with the numerous state affairs on his own as a form of protest against royal authority.

"Where's Yu Qingsong?" Yaoguang inquired.

"He caught a cold and fell ill," Long Jianlu said. "Do you want to visit him?"

Yaoguang immediately grasped Long Jianlu's meaning: "Why should I apologize to him?"

A hint of amusement flickered in Long Jianlu's eyes as he replied, "No one is asking you to apologize. You're not the one at fault."

Though Long Jianlu's words held a hidden message, Yaoguang intuitively understood his unspoken thoughts - a testament to the innate trust that bound them. Whatever one said, the other would comprehend - Long Jianlu had made it clear that he loved only Yaoguang, so why should he care about Yu Qingsong?

In other words, it wouldn't hurt to visit Yu Qingsong and settle their score.

But Yaoguang didn't directly respond. He glanced at the pile of documents on the imperial desk and asked, "What are these? Do you need help?"

"Petitions," Long Jianlu opened one, showing it to Yaoguang, gesturing for him to sit beside him. "Are you willing to help me with state affairs?"

"What do they say?" Yaoguang was proficient in traditional Chinese characters, but the vertical layout made reading difficult, not to mention the lack of punctuation.

Long Jianlu teased, "You can't read?"

"You're the one who can't read," Yaoguang shot back. "Do I look like someone who can't read? It's just uncomfortable to read this way."

Long Jianlu chuckled. "You don't look like it either. Alright, my beloved, don't be angry. I'll read it aloud for you…"

Yaoguang pushed Long Jianlu's head aside and said, "Just give me the essence of it."

"Mm," Long Jianlu replied. "This memorial concerns a case of fraud in this year's civil service examination. A total of seven students were involved, two of whom come from prominent families in Nanyue Lushan. Their fathers' clans have submitted petitions to plead for leniency for their kin, hoping for clemency."

Yaoguang commented, "Cheating on an exam, huh?"

Long Jianlu asked, "What do you think?"

Yaoguang replied, "According to the law, what should be done?"

Long Jianlu answered, "By law, they should be executed."

Yaoguang was startled. "Execution for cheating? That's excessive!"

Long Jianlu explained, "This law has been inherited from the previous dynasty. The imperial examinations are the most important matter in the land. Without such severe punishment, those who cheat would eventually become officials, and a country governed by such individuals would be a calamity for its people."

Yaoguang concurred, "That's true."

Yaoguang had never cheated in exams himself. Although he didn't believe it merited death, he also held such actions in contempt.

Long Jianlu continued, "However, the Qin and Zhu clans of Southern Mount Lu have been supporting me, providing logistical supplies and rendering great service. Moreover, members of their clans hold important positions in the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites. This memorial is a joint plea for clemency from them."

Yaoguang: "Still, we can't kill them."

Long Jianlu: "It wouldn't be difficult to spare the lives of the two. But what about the other five? Should we pardon them all as well? If we set this precedent, how would we handle similar situations in the future?"

Yaoguang pondered for a moment and chose not to respond.

Observing him in thought, Long Jianlu refrained from hurrying him and instead picked up another folded missive, remarking, "This one concerns a disturbance among the displaced population in Yan Province. They petition for the dispatch of troops to quell the unrest. However, the court has recently committed forces to the northern frontier; to mobilize again would mean our soldiers would have to endure the winter on the battlefield."

Yaoguang: "Are you planning to lead the troops personally again?"

"Rebellion suppression isn't necessary," Long Jianlu said. "There's no need to send the Flying Wolves either. However, this rebellion is rather peculiar. Yan State is located at the border between our Great Qi and Xian Kingdom. They've always regarded us as their primary threat..."

Yaoguang: "You were a top threat to begin with."

Long Jianlu chuckled, casting a glance at Yaoguang. The two of them sat together on the imperial throne, perusing the documents before them.

"I see now. Xian Kingdom is instigating rebellion in your border provinces," Yaoguang said.

"Indeed, as the letter suggests," Long Jianlu replied. "It's due to the excessive taxation in the past. There's no helping it—waging war is an expensive endeavor."

Yaoguang: "Then let them off. They only rebelled out of hunger. Given a chance to eat, who would choose to revolt?"

Long Jianlu: "Rising in rebellion, yet managing to preserve their wealth and lives, setting a precedent in Yan Province—how do you think the people of the world will perceive this?"

Yaoguang: "Then should we kill them all?"

Long Jianlu found himself in a wry smile. "So be it, we'll yield Yan Province to them."

Yaoguang: "Do I seem foolish?"

Long Jianlu replied, "You haven't studied governance before, but that's alright. You'll learn as time goes on. I didn't know anything about it at first either."

Yaoguang: "What about this letter?"

Long Jianlu: "Famine in the northern regions, requesting imperial aid. The Ministry of Finance cannot allocate silver... Don't touch the letter below, Yaoguang? You're being disobedient again."

"What are you talking about?" Yaoguang sensed Long Jianlu's unease. The more something was hidden from him, the more curious he became. Long Jianlu had no choice but to relent. Yaoguang gave it a quick glance, and his blood pressure soared once more.

The report before me details the expenses for Long Jianlu's wedding. The Ministry of Finance has jointly submitted this, emphasizing the emptiness of the national treasury and earnestly advising the emperor not to proceed with the marriage when there isn't even enough money for disaster relief. If the emperor were to spend lavishly on the wedding, he would be condemned as a tyrant by the people across the land.

Then, there's the military report from the Ministry of War, analyzing the situation in Xian Kingdom and allocating funds and taxes. Yaoguang found it overwhelming.

Long Jianlu commented, "Every day, the scholars gather in the study to discuss such matters."

Yaoguang replied, "Seems like we can't do without Yu Qingsong."

After some thought, Long Jianlu said, "Not necessarily, but Qingsong has been in this position for a long time and is well-versed in it. Besides, he truly stands with us and considers the empire's welfare. If we were to ask his opinion on this plea for mercy, I believe he would advocate for severe punishment where necessary and offer appropriate compensation to the two great families, perhaps by providing favor or promoting other family members."

Yaoguang said, "Compared to him, I'm completely clueless about governing the country."

Long Jianlu responded, "You are unique to me, but that doesn't apply to others."

"I was being modest!" Yaoguang protested. "Did you take me seriously?"

Long Jianlu remained silent, simply replying, "..."

Yaoguang continued, "As for the plea for mercy, lock up all seven individuals and sentence them to death next spring."

Long Jianlu: "Hm?"

Yaoguang: "Aren't we supposed to get married? When an emperor weds, doesn't he usually grant a general amnesty to the world? Wouldn't our lives be spared then? If we lack funds for the wedding, we could send someone to ask those two families to contribute some money!"

"Yanzhou is a bitterly cold region," Yaoguang continued, "rebellion is the norm; it would be strange if there were no rebellion. Let me take a look at the list. Send Chen Feilang, under the guise of suppressing the rebellion, but in reality bypass the insurgents and directly deploy troops, infiltrate into the territory of Xian State, and seize the city's armaments..."

Long Jianlu: "This is a direct declaration of war."

Yaoguang: "The king of Xian Kingdom spends his days slumbering in the harem. The prime minister has had a strained relationship with the monarch for quite some time. In the previous palace coup, wasn't it the crown prince who escaped? Now, the current heir ascended to the throne with the support of the prime minister, after eliminating his own father. Let Chen Feilang find a decent soldier, dress him up, and claim he's the prince who had been wandering among the people, returning to avenge his father..."

"Attend!" Long Jianlu promptly ordered upon hearing this. "There's no need for the Flying Wolves. Summon Du Li and Zheng Jia."

"Not quite yet," Yaoguang interjected. "You'll have to be frugal with the famine relief in Chongbei, but it should still be manageable. For now, the state treasury's primary expenditure is on famine relief. Postpone the military campaigns planned for next year's spring and summer. All financial resources must be focused on aid. Our wedding can be a simple affair."

"I understand," Long Jianlu replied with a smile. "Though unconventional, all I want right now is to hold you close."

Embracing Yaoguang, Yaoguang thought to himself: I was the one who created these circumstances; how could I not know how to govern your kingdom? I just choose not to mention it.

Moreover, he had an ace up his sleeve, but he preferred not to use it.

"The prime minister requests an audience," announced the attendant outside.

With the arrival of the prime minister, Du Li, Yaoguang pushed open the door to greet him. Du Li, having heard about this prospective empress, bowed to Yaoguang despite his lack of official status.

Now that's knowing one's place, Yaoguang thought, nodding in response before departing.

During Yaoguang's lunchtime, Chen Feilang arrived.

"You have to visit me every day?" Yaoguang asked. "And always during my mealtime?"

Chen Feilang replied, "Because you're the only one in the entire kingdom who eats at noon. I can conveniently join you for a meal."

While everyone else had two meals a day, Yaoguang had three. The imperial kitchen prepared special dishes just for him.

Chen Feilang continued, "You've agreed to marry His Majesty?"

Yaoguang glanced at him and handed over a food box.

Chen Feilang sighed. "What a shame."

Yaoguang: "Should I convey your message to His Majesty?"

Chen Feilang replied, "He won't hit me. After all, we're distant cousins."

The Chen family that Chen Feilang hailed from did indeed have an affinity with the current Empress Dowager of Qiguo and Long Jianlu's late mother. This was the reason he could come and go as he pleased in the palace. Previously, he hadn't visited because there had been nothing of interest within Long Jianlu's court.

"So you're going to call me cousin-in-law?"

"Perhaps. Are you settling in well at the palace?"

"It's incredibly dull here." Yaoguang had initially thought that marriage might improve the situation. After all, his primary motivation for being transported into this novel was to get intimate with his own protagonist, Long Jianlu.

Now, however, he found himself counting down the days till the wedding, which was slowly eroding his anticipation. Sometimes, he wondered if marrying Long Jianlu would simply add a physical body to the husband he had fantasized about. An emperor and empress couldn't spend every day cooped up in the Radiant Hall or the Flourishing Palace indulging in debauchery. Long Jianlu had to work, and for at least the next fifty years...

After a few days of adjusting to life in the palace, Yaoguang started fidgeting and seeking distractions. He began to understand why ancient princes and princesses enjoyed torturing eunuchs and tigers together; there was simply too much idle time on their hands.

Long Jianlu had arranged some leisure activities for him, such as playing chess together, summoning a theater troupe to perform plays near the Radiant Hall, or inviting folk artisans to put on shadow puppet shows.

But Long Jianlu was busy, and Yaoguang found these activities uninteresting when done alone.

"Take a stroll?" Chen Feilang's timely appearance relieved Yaoguang's boredom.

"I'm going for a spring outing," Yaoguang replied. "I don't feel like wandering around the market anymore; it's too dull."

"Sure," Chen Feilang said. "Let's ride horses today."

Initially, Yaoguang had always sensed that Chen Feilang was somewhat unserious. However, observing his behavior and occasional playful remarks, it seemed he didn't genuinely intend to cuckold his cousin. Rather, he often danced on the edge of danger playfully.

Just like now.

"You, a mighty general," Yaoguang said, "travel with only one horse?"

Chen Feilang replied, "It sounds more intimate. Alright, I'll have someone bring another horse over."

Seeing Yaoguang reach out, Chen Feilang, aware that the spell had no regard for targets, instructed that an extra horse be added to the group.

"Your temper has been quite short lately," Chen Feilang observed. "It wasn't like this before."

"Do you know me from before, then?" Yaoguang replied.

However, in this ancient world, Yaoguang's personality had indeed shifted – evident in his increased tendency to complain. Perhaps it was due to being confined for too long, or maybe from constantly encountering frustrating situations that had drained his patience.

Back in the cultivation realm, he used to roam freely and joyfully. Even in the apocalyptic era when he couldn't remember anything, life with Long Jianlu wasn't bad.

Perhaps it was a result of being restrained? That was the only explanation Yaoguang could come up with.

"Has anything happened in the court recently?" Yaoguang asked proactively.

"Are you sure you want to hear about it?" Chen Feilang asked, riding alongside him.

Yaoguang replied, "Go ahead."

"In a nutshell," Chen Feilang responded, "everyone is making their last-ditch efforts to oppose your ascension as the Empress; meanwhile, the Emperor is exerting his utmost to ensure you become one, and this topic dominates the court discussions every day."

Yaoguang: "As expected."

Chen Feilang continued, "After being reprimanded by you, the Flower Official feels humiliated and wishes to resign, but the Emperor won't let him leave. The Flower Attendants, on the other hand, are causing a ruckus daily, all wanting to depart."

Yaoguang: "Tell them to get lost."

Chen Feilang: "But the Hwarangs come from various noble families. When they first entered the palace, they were officially there to accompany His Majesty in his studies. In a way, the noble families indirectly participated in state affairs through their children."

Yaoguang: "So what? If the Hwarangs leave, will the regions rise in rebellion?"

"Not quite," Chen Feilang said calmly, "No one would dare to rebel as long as I'm here. It's just a matter of lacking funds, which is reasonable, don't you think?"

Chen Feilang smiled and said, "We're here."

They were at Meiling, near Province Yong, where the air was fresh, and a light snow had fallen, filling the air with the scent of plum blossoms. Yaoguang took a deep breath, feeling much better.

"Do you love him that much?" Chen Feilang asked from behind Yaoguang.

Yaoguang picked some plum blossoms, planning to take them back to the palace for display. Turning to look at Chen Feilang, he didn't respond.

"Even if it means losing your freedom and being confined in the palace forever?" Chen Feilang pressed on.

"Watch your words," Yaoguang cautioned. "There are countless people, both men and women, who would jump at the chance to marry your cousin. Perhaps more men than women."

Chen Feilang replied, "They are them, and you are you. You don't wish to be the Empress."

"I truly don't fancy being an empress," Yaoguang said, "but I do have feelings for the emperor. Do you understand?"

He had gathered quite a few plum blossoms, which he handed to Chen Feilang to carry while he wandered around. Suddenly, an idea struck him: Chen Feilang was the eldest son of the Chen family in Luoyi and a steadfast supporter of Long Jianlu, who was related by marriage to the founding emperor. Their interests were completely aligned.

"Are you in favor of me becoming the empress?" Yaoguang asked.

"What difference would it make if I am not supportive?" Chen Feilang countered. "I'd like to live a few more years without being struck by lightning."

Chen Feilang was well aware of Yaoguang's abilities. With thunder and fireballs whizzing about during their previous encounter, Yaoguang could easily take his life at any moment. In the face of such divine intervention, discussing personal preferences held no practical significance.

Yaoguang stepped deeper into the plum grove, but when he turned, he found Chen Feilang watching him.

"Come here," Yaoguang said. "What do you think this is?"

Chen Feilang: "?"

Yaoguang gestured for Chen Feilang to look at the stone beneath their feet. He then placed his hand on the rocky surface of a cave entrance, revealing a dull yellow hue. Despite the dim light, the metallic luster was still visible – a glint that had driven countless people throughout history into a frenzied pursuit.