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墨書 Inktalez
Three days later, the Dali Temple discovered several ledgers in the residence of Changyu Princess, detailing collusion with court factions and the buying and selling of official positions.
In an instant, the new emperor was furious and vowed to investigate thoroughly. Just days prior, Changyu Princess had been basking in glory on the court, but now she was thrown into prison, along with a host of her accomplices.
The once-empty sky prison and Dali Temple were suddenly overcrowded. The treasures seized from these officials and noble families piled up like mountains, enough to fill three or four national treasuries. Even Lou Yu couldn't help but change his expression; he had not expected these people to embezzle so much. If he hadn't personally gone undercover this year, he might still be unaware of how many commoners had not received disaster relief grain.
With Changyu Princess imprisoned, the entire capital buzzed with tales of the new emperor's decisive actions and his refusal to favor those close to him, declaring him the most enlightened ruler in a century.
On the eve of her execution, Lou Yan, who was being held alone in the sky prison, received an unexpected visitor.
Lou Yan was faring quite well in her cell, likely due to Lou Yu's personal arrangements; no one dared mistreat her.
As she prepared for her last meal before execution, Lou Yan was not surprised by Lou Yu's arrival. She calmly stood up, poured him a glass of wine, and offered it to him.
“Lao Yu, aren't you going to drink? This might be the last toast from your sister,” Lou Yan said with a smile.
Lou Yu remained calm as he gazed at her. After a long moment, he took the wine cup that Lou Yan was about to retract and drank it all in one go.
As usual, Lou Yan began to advise him: “Once I’m gone, don’t act recklessly anymore. Although you hold a high position, there isn’t much freedom. This year’s undercover visit—while I managed to keep it from being known—has raised suspicions among many ministers. You probably have an idea of who they are; I won’t name them. Also, Consort Ming has been pregnant for over three months now, right? The ripple I had that exotic beauty cast into your dreams is the rarest love fragrance from the Western Regions. Unfortunately, I won’t have the fortune to see your child. But our Lou family will not end with my generation…”
“Stop talking, Elder Sister. I’ll see you off,” Lou Yu said flatly.
Lou Yan paused her movements and looked at him with a soft laugh: “You’re talking nonsense again. If I don’t die, how will you deal with those guilty ministers? Only by having me—the sister who grew up alongside you—executed by the righteous emperor will they be intimidated. At least for several years, no one will dare to scheme for Imperial Examinations or trade official positions.”
“I’ve arranged for people outside the prison; as soon as you get into the carriage, you can leave the capital. After that, whether you travel the world or seek out that monk, don’t ever return to Cangzhou or the capital.”
Lou Yan’s crescent-shaped eyes gradually relaxed as she sat upright: “When did you find out?”
Lou Yu replied, “From the first time you mentioned him. Cousin, perhaps you don’t know this: you are the person I admire most in my life. If it weren’t for you being Kun Ze, perhaps this throne wouldn’t have been mine to sit upon. From Cangzhou to the capital, all the secret lines I set up and assassination attempts I faced were because you were by my side. How could I bear to truly harm you? But if we don’t play this act of sibling betrayal, how would they willingly flatter the arrogant Eldest Princess and expose their weaknesses?
You are the wisest Kun Ze I have ever seen and my last remaining kin. Regardless of what happens, I will leave you a way out. Whether you choose to take it is up to you. But one thing I must tell you: the trade route between the Western Regions and Emperor Taizu of Dachang has been opened; ten years ago that person’s spies reported that he had appeared in Yadan.”
"Decide for yourself whether to go see him or die here, sister."
After saying this in one breath, Lou Yu cast a deep glance at Lou Yan and then stood up, striding out of the Prison.
Once he left, Lou Yan stared at the dim corner of the room in silence for a long time before murmuring to herself, "So you knew all along..."
The young monk who had always lingered in her memories, making her think of him every moment. When they first met, he had come to the Central Plains to preach. The profound scriptures were beyond her comprehension, yet she found herself drawn to this monk who always pretended to be aloof.
The Western Regions not only held deep Buddhist teachings but also had medicinal techniques unknown in the Central Plains. During that time, she learned many things from him that she had never encountered before. The feelings between the young man and woman quietly blossomed during those moments. But due to the vows that forbade emotional attachments, he flew away without leaving her a single letter. In despair, she fell prey to the scheming Zhou Changyuan, losing all possibility of being with him.
But now it was different; Changyu Princess was to be executed tomorrow, and no one would know her fate thereafter. Fleeing to the Western Regions might mean she could never return home, but if she could see him once before she died, it would fulfill her wish.
Lou Yan slowly closed her eyes as two streams of tears silently fell under the moonlight.
*
In the Warm Fragrance Pavilion, Ming Xiting was throwing another tantrum.
Recently, his appetite had grown larger; the food from the imperial kitchen was mostly bland and did not appeal to him at all. Moreover, with Changyu Princess now imprisoned, why hadn’t Lou Yu let him go? Did Lou Yu really have feelings for him and want to keep him in the palace as a consort?
"What are you thinking about again?" Lou Yu appeared quietly behind him, reaching out to gently pat his shoulder.
Ming Xiting pouted. "Did your chefs put lard in everything? Look at my waist; in just three months, it has grown over ten centimeters! And my weight has increased by more than ten pounds; I’m almost developing a double chin—do you see it?"
Lou Yu laughed and placed his large hand on Ming Xiting's face as he leaned closer, giving it a gentle pinch. "You have gained some weight. But Kun Ze should eat more during pregnancy so that he doesn’t suffer too much during childbirth."
"You see? You’re saying I’m fat and then suggesting I should eat more... What! Am I pregnant?" Ming Xiting's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Lou Yu. "You’re joking, right? Didn’t we terminate it?"
Lou Yu remained silent, merely raising an eyebrow with a hint of teasing in his gaze.
Ming Xiting nervously touched his round little belly, murmuring, "This can't be true. How come I have no signs of pregnancy at all? Besides, didn't I take the abortion pill? I even saw that puddle of blood. How is this child so stubborn?"
Seeing Ming Xiting's dazed expression, Lou Yu could no longer hold back. He pulled him into his arms and gently stroked his belly through the thick winter clothing.
"Do you really not feel anything at all?"
Ming Xiting glanced at him sideways and replied, "It wasn't just that one day... Well, we did it. Even if I'm a bit slow to react, I can still tell whether something happened or not. Or could it be…"
Ming Xiting suddenly squinted, looking Lou Yu up and down. "Is it because you’re not capable anymore that I feel nothing? But that shouldn't be the case; last time you were so…"
Lou Yu felt both amused and exasperated, unsure whether to laugh at his naivety or give him a lesson for questioning his abilities.
Recalling what he had asked the imperial physician earlier, the child was already three months along, so the pregnancy must have stabilized. Besides, he had been making temporary marks for Ming Xiting recently to alleviate any severe pregnancy symptoms he might face. Coupled with Ming Xiting's oblivious nature, it made sense that he hadn't noticed any changes in his body.
Through the thick palace robe, Lou Yu couldn't feel the baby moving directly, so he boldly reached in and placed his cold hand inside the wide garment. The moment he touched the warm, delicate skin, Lou Yu tightened his embrace around Ming Xiting. Startled by this sudden action, Ming Xiting shivered all over.
Ming Xiting tried to pull Lou Yu's hand away but found their strength unequal. Frustrated, he clutched Lou Yu's audacious arm tightly.
"What are you trying to do? Didn’t you say I’m pregnant? Why are you still…"
"What about me?"
"Why… Hey, where are your hands going? Don't go down there. Mmm… Hmph… So annoying… You..."
Ming Xiting's face instantly flushed red, and after a long while, his emotions gradually calmed down. With eyes glistening with tears, he gazed at Lou Yu, who was now cradling him in his arms, and complained softly, "You're bullying me again."
Lou Yu's heart softened as he lowered his head and gently kissed Ming Xiting's forehead, speaking softly, "How could I ever bully you, my Empress?"
Before Ming Xiting could ponder the meaning behind the word "Empress," he found himself laid on the bed by Lou Yu. Lou Yu straightened up and began to leisurely remove his clothes while smiling at him. "Now this is what it means to bully you."
Once again, just like that day, a deep and mysterious look shone in Lou Yu's eyes.
Ming Xiting immediately tried to get up and run away, but how could Lou Yu let him escape? With a swift motion, he reached out and embraced him, expertly locating the gland that had been marked temporarily for him in recent days, then lowered his head and bit down.
In an instant, the long-suppressed cold aura was suddenly released, flowing along Ming Xiting's slender, pale neck that was forced to arch back, coursing through his veins and merging into his very bones.
In just a few seconds, Ming Xiting's clear gaze, which had been sharp from the pain at the nape of his neck, instantly became hazy. Unlike the previous temporary marks, this time there was no soothing presence of Xin Xiang, only an intoxicating aura that stirred desire.
This was the catalyst for his Rain Dew Period.
Ming Xiting's voice shifted from a crisp sound of pain to a soft and tender murmur, mingling with the waves of emotion and releasing a faint fragrance reminiscent of apricot blossoms.
Yet even so, Ming Xiting still retained a shred of rationality.
“Lou Yu… you bastard…”
“Hmm, I am a bastard,” Lou Yu replied as he bit down hard on Ming Xiting’s Heavenly Mandate, causing him to go limp once more in his arms, helplessly gazing up with those clear and bottomless eyes.
(In this scene, there will be no omissions; it’s merely a magical transfer.)
In the spring of the third year of Chao Yuan, Emperor Chang conferred the title of Empress upon Consort Ming, naming her Duanwen Empress. Then in June of the same year, Duanwen Empress gave birth to a son.
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