Chapter 82
Translators:Nyamachi
Translation assistant:247Reader
Translation Checkers:Tygris&Nyamachi
English proofreaders:247Reader,Tygris&Nyamachi
Meng Sangyu stiffened beneath the mans gaze, waiting for him to throttle her to death or issue an imperial edict banishing her to the Cold Palace.
Yet, he didnt do any of these things even at the height of his fury he still cared for her body and wrapped a warm quilt around her before departing.
Supporting her upper body, she watched the mans dispirited figure gradually disappear into the distance. She wasnt able to recover her spirits for a long time.
The group of servants were weak-limbed [from fear]. Each and every one had a look on their face as if they had survived a major calamity. Nurse Feng even pressed her palms together and prayed incessantly to Buddha.
Hearing the sound of her chanting sutras, Meng Sangyus anxious mood gradually became calm. Wiping away an ice-cold tear that had fallen, she calmly said, Nurse, prepare a brush and ink. I want to write a letter to the Empress Dowager.
Having already said so much to him, how could the Emperor continue to tolerate her?
Fortunately, she still had a way out. Once she was outside the palace, her child would surely be able to grow up happy, safe and sound.
Contrary to all expectations, she felt even more relaxed at the thought. Meng Sangyu couldnt collapse here! For the childs sake, she needed to quickly pull herself together! Even though she hadnt expected to have a child, since it was here, then she would uphold her responsibilities as a mother.
Nurse Feng hurriedly brought out a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Meng Sangyus brush travelled along the paper like a dragon. After she finished writing the letter, she put it aside to dry and then stroked her still-flat belly, revealing a relieved smile.
I am tired. Return to the palace to sleep, she unconcernedly ordered with a wave of her hand.
Since what happened already happened, it is of no use to think more. Currently, the most important task is to protect the fetus.
Remembering the words she had impulsively spoken, she smiled bitterly.
In the end, the mans gentleness had still worn away the walls of her heart, and she had exposed her deeply hidden weakness. What a failure!
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Outside the palace hall, seeing the Emperors hasty departure, Yu Yaan, who was waiting in the corridor, rushed forward to pay her respects.
She hadnt yet opened her mouth before she was intimidated into withdrawal by the mans ashen complexion and blood-red eyes.
Yu Yaan worriedly pondered:Those frantic eyes seemed as if they wanted to destroy everything. He was clearly smiling so care-freely just a moment ago how could things have changed so much in the blink of an eye?
Not long after, the Imperial Noble Consort also came outside, looking the complete opposite of His Majesty.
Her expression was utterly serene, to the extent that it almost seemed like there was a hint of nonsecular indifference and happiness, as though she was aloof from the world.
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Catching sight of Yu Yaan, who was staring blankly, Meng Sangyu merely nodded slightly before departing.
Yu Yaan sensed the Imperial Noble Consorts unspoken desire, and didnt want to interfere with the two at this juncture. She didnt dare to select concubine candidates without permission, and moreso didnt dare to dismiss them without permission she was in a dilemma.
She had long known that it wasnt easy to hold the position as the Head of the Four Consorts, but she hadnt expected it to be this difficult right from the start! She could only hope that the two noble personages above her could quickly resolve their relationship troubles and return to normal.
She shook her head with a bitter smile and ordered two eunuchs to observe Bixiao Palace and Qianqing Palace while she personally went to pacify the waiting Concubine Candidates.
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Inside Qianqing Palace, Emperor Zhouwus eyes were tightly shut as he dejectedly leaned back against his chair.
All of the servants had been ordered to withdraw, leaving only Changxi to stand by the wall in silence, occasionally stealing furtive glances at the monarchs expression.
The young monarchs complexion was sullen. His strong, thick eyebrows were tightened in a wrinkle, and his unceasingly trembling lips conveyed his inner sorrow.
Changxis breath hitched. He couldnt bear to continue watching.
One of the Imperial Noble Consorts smiles, or even one of her angry glares, could make the Emperor as happy as a child. Even his emotions were controlled by the other party how could this kind of affection be false? The Imperial Noble Consorts questions and doubts were tantamount to digging out the Emperors heart and cutting it into a thousand pieces.
Although he had never been in love, Changxi was able to imagine that kind of piercing pain in ones heart.
Right now, at this moment, the one sitting atop the throne was not the honourable and supreme monarch, but rather an ordinary man who was hurting.
Time slowed to a crawl.
After a long period of silence, Emperor Zhouwu finally opened his bloodshot eyes and gave a muffled sigh, saying, Zhen was wrong again!
He hadnt known that Sangyus innermost thoughts were actually so insecure. He thought that he had already gone to extremes for her and done everything he could. If not for this recent outburst, he would never have been able to even become aware of Sangyus truest thoughts, and would only have been left with a remorseful weight on his conscience.
Selecting Concubine Candidates and becoming pregnant had both triggered Sangyus most deeply concealed fears and anxieties and brought them into the open.
Thinking about the situation as if he were in her shoes, if a third or fourth person were to come in between him and Sangyu, how would he feel? Perhaps he would kill everyone!
Emperor Zhouwu clenched his fist, bringing his sudden surge of ruthlessness under control.
During the five months that he had spent as ABao, he had long since become accustomed to a world consisting of only himself and Sangyu. His body and soul had already been branded by Sangyu and could no longer contain anyone else.
However, Sangyu wasnt aware of any of this.
Even if he didnt touch any of the selected Concubine Candidates, they would still turn into thorns that pierced Sangyus heart. He feared it would be impossible for him to make Sangyus heart truly open up and accept him!
His heart seized with pain. Emperor Zhouwu was horrified by this train of thought.
Just at this moment, a secret guard entered the hall. He muttered a few words in Changxis ear, and then quickly vanished.
Changxis bitter expression became even more bitter.[1]
Trembling with trepidation, he advanced forward and said, Reporting to Your Majesty, just now, the secret guard reported that Her Highness the Imperial Noble Consort sent a letter to the Empress Dowager. There was no need to explain the letters contents.[2]
The armrest of the chair splintered with a clatter Emperor Zhouwu couldnt sit still any longer and departed in a whirlwind.
Changxi hurriedly brandished his horsetail whisk[3]and shouted for the group of servants to follow the Emperor.
Seeing the Emperor come outside, the eunuchs on guard outside of Qianqing Palace immediately ran to notify Her Ladyship Virtuous Consort in Chuxiu Palace.
Yu Yaan urgently rushed over upon hearing the news and finally managed to cut off the Emperor just as he was about to step into Bixiao Palace.
She slammed her head onto the ground and, in a rush, pleaded, Your Majesty, the Concubine Candidates in Chuxiu Palace are still awaiting selection. Please give your instruction.
Upon hearing the words Concubine Candidates, Emperor Zhouwus footsteps came to a halt.
He barked, Cancel the Selection. Send all of the Concubine Candidates out of the palace!
Ah? Yu Yaan raised her head in bewilderment. Had she heard wrong?
Zhen said to cancel the Selection! Did you not hear Us?! Emperor Zhouwu glared down at her with exceeding impatience before hurrying into Bixiao Palace.
Yu Yaan gazed at the mans gradually disappearing figure, feeling terrified. She was only able to snap out of it after a good while had passed, and gave a low sigh.
Since time immemorial, the Imperial Noble Consort was the only one who could cause the Emperor to go this far for a woman.[4]Recalling that womans flamboyant and willful expression and that bright and beautiful smile which could burn itself into a persons memory, Yu Yaan felt envious from the bottom of her heart.[5]
Lets go. There are still many things awaiting Bengongs management. She shook her head and gave a bitter smile.
They both had held the title of Virtuous Consort. Why did she have such bad luck when it was her turn?
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Catching sight of the Emperor, who had arrived in a hurry, the servants of Bixiao Palace were alarmed, and rushed outside of the palace hall to kowtow in welcome.
Emperor Zhouwu ignored them and directly passed them by to head into the bedchamber. Seeing the womans peaceful expression as she lay asleep on the couch, he gave a helpless smile.
This little minx is truly heartless![6]
However, this was fine. He had feared that she would be anxious to the point of harming her body.
Your Majesty, Her Highness has just fallen asleep. Nurse Feng led Bishui and Yincui forward to pay their respects. Their expressions were extremely anxious, sorely afraid that His Majesty had come to settle the scores[7]after their last argument.
Mm. You can withdraw. Emperor Zhouwu nodded. He walked over to her bedside and sat down.
Using his fingertips, he traced the silhouette of Sangyus sleeping face in the air between them. The expression on his face was as gentle and soft as water.
Observing his attitude, Nurse Fengs group felt relieved and quietly withdrew from the room.
Gently placing his hand on the womans flat lower abdomen and lightly caressing it, the man finally couldnt help but stoop over to capture her elegant lips.
This development ought to have been a joyous occasion. He had never thought that it would turn into a quarrel between them. He urgently needed a tangible kiss to confirm that Sangyu was still properly by his side.
Feeling that it had become somewhat difficult to breathe, Meng Sangyu opened her eyes to see the mans handsome face looming close to her. She couldnt believe the sight and cried out in disbelief, Your Majesty?!
The man took advantage of the situation to insert his tongue, wrapping it around her fragrant and slippery tongue in a dance. He enthusiastically demanded her saliva and greedily swallowed it.
Meng Sangyu was forced to receive his attention. Her mind was a sticky paste of confusion.
This kind of response is abnormal! Shouldnt he completely reject me? Why is he sticking to me again?
Dont have foolish thoughts![8]
The woman hadnt finished her thought before he released her lips. The mans voice sounded hoarse as he spoke, his tone entreating, From now on, there will be no one else. There will only be you and I.[9]
After a pause, he softly added, Of course, there will also be the children. This child is the culmination of all of my hopes, and his existence is not due to any plots or schemes. I will spare no effort in educating him so that he can grow into the most outstanding monarch. He will be my sole heir, not someone elses whetstone. Just now, I was too elated and was lacking a bit in consideration. I will wait until he has grown up before bestowing him the position of Crown Prince. However, the position of Empress cannot remain unfilled. I want you to be my proper and legitimate wife. Will you?
The man lowered his head, his pitch-black eyes full of hope as well as a thread of caution.
Under this kind of frail gaze, Meng Sangyu drew a blank. Unexpectedly, she didnt know how she ought to react.
What did he mean by there will be no one else, only you and I and the children? There was too much information, and she needed time to digest it all.
Seeing that she did not reply after a very long time, Emperor Zhouwus eyes darkened in a flash. If you become Empress, youll be in a stronger position to protect our child. My proposal is greatly advantageous to you. You should agree.
Forcibly suppressing the bitter pain rising inside him, he did his utmost to speak in a strictly businesslike manner.
Meng Sangyu finally snapped back to herself. Facing his sincere gaze, she couldnt help but nod and say, Everything will be according to Your Majestys arrangements.
There was indeed not much of a difference between the children of the Imperial Noble Consort compared to those of the Empress. They were both existences that provoked ire in others eyes. This being the case, why not become Empress herself, to avoid being suppressed by another in the future?
Emperor Zhouwu brought her into a strong embrace, kissing her forehead while seriously commanding her, Dont call me Your Majesty, and dont use your concubine to address yourself. Call me Shaoze. In the future, you will be my wife!
Silently accepting the mans powerful kiss, Meng Sangyu buried her face in his neck, gently nuzzling him. Her sharply-contrasting phoenix eyes were filled with bewilderment, which, after a while, was replaced with steady resolve.
Since she couldnt escape, then she would do her utmost to hold onto this mans heart. Thinking too far ahead in the future would only increase her worries. It was better to firmly grasp the reality right before her eyes.
Call my name, I want to hear it. Emperor Zhouwu implored in a hoarse voice as he patted her back.
He truly resembled a child begging for candy, and it was impossible to refuse. Meng Sangyus tense heartstrings slowly relaxed as she unconsciously called out Shaoze.
She inwardly regretted it once she realized what had happened.
The corners of Emperor Zhouwus mouth widened into a foolish smile. Call my name again.
When she raised her head to look at him, she was bewitched by his extremely brilliant smile. Meng Sangyu opened her mouth to call out again, Shaoze.
Emperor Zhouwus heart boiled. He nibbled her blushing ears while softly begging her, Call my name again.
They werent a monarch and his pampered consort; rather, they were a husband and his wife. This was the relationship with her that he longed for even in his dreams.
Are you done yet? In reply came Meng Sangyus teasing glare as well as her thin pink fist.
Heavy breaths escaped them as a loving, tender warmth encircled the two of them and the mans foolish laughter rang out.
Changxis hearing was exceptionally good. Standing by the doorway of the palace hall, he could hear the sound of the couples interactions with complete clarity.
He lowered his head and muttered, This fool isnt His Majesty. This fool isnt His Majesty. I am definitely having auditory hallucinations!
Just like the saying, without destruction, there could be no construction;[10]this outburst [of anger] had allowed the couples hearts to become even closer.