Finale

"So, you came back to congratulate me on becoming emperor?" Lu Ling asked after hearing Nan Rongjing's words.

Nan Rongjing shook his head and denied it, "Of course not. That's only one reason. The second reason is that I want to be with you. That's the most important thing."

It was raining outside and thunder was rumbling, making people feel a little anxious.

"A Ling, I really like you. Everything that happened in the past was my fault. Can you forgive me?" Nan Rongjing said as he wanted to hug Lu Ling and press her under him.

Lu Ling pushed him to prevent him from taking advantage of the situation.

"I'll think about it. You can go back to Changle Palace first."

"A Ling..."

Lu Ling didn't say anything, blinking and looking at Nan Rongjing. Nan Rongjing said nothing more, got up from the bed, put on his clothes, fastened his belt, and walked out openly.

Yuan Qing, who had been waiting outside the palace, was puzzled when he saw Nan Rongjing emerge. He clearly remembered... that the palace was empty. It seemed he would have to tell the Imperial Guards to be on high alert, lest they injure His Majesty.

After Nan Rongjing left, Lu Ling lay on the bed, his clothes disheveled, his coat hanging on the ground, and the whole bed looked like it had been in a fight.

However, there was indeed a fight.

Perhaps he was tired, Lu Ling thought for a long time and finally fell asleep.

Many ministers in the court already knew that Lu Ling had allowed a man to stay in the palace the day before yesterday. During the court session, many people petitioned Lu Ling to consider the good of Da Chu and have children as soon as possible.

But since ancient times, there has never been a woman who became emperor, let alone a male empress, so the ministers could only find a roundabout way to let Lu Ling have children for the royal family.

Lu Ling laughed. Normally, he had never seen these ministers being kind, but now one by one they came to persuade him.

Not to mention that he had just ascended the throne and his regime was unstable. If he really was pregnant, the government affairs would definitely fall into the hands of these ministers, and he was afraid that his life would be in danger.

Lu Ling clenched his hands, his face expression filled with forbearance. At this moment, someone came in to report that King Baipu would soon be coming to Beijing to pay homage to Her Majesty the Queen.

As soon as these words were spoken, the originally quiet court became restless again.

"What do you think the King of Baipu means? He has sent tribute for several days in a row, and now he wants to come to the capital again."

"King Bai Pu actually came to Da Chu with confidence. He is a brave man."

"King Bai Pu has ill intentions and must have come here to deceive."

"Friendly coexistence between the two countries is beneficial to the people of both countries."

…

After the court was dismissed, Lu Ling went to Changle Palace. She wanted to ask Nan Rongjing what he was going to do.

It started raining outside again. Changle Palace was not far away, but when Lu Ling arrived, his shoes were still splashed with some mud and the hem of his clothes was a little wet.

Yuan Qing saw Lu Ling's expression and said, "Your Majesty, do you need someone to prepare some clothes?"

Yuan Qing thought that since he had arrived at Changle Palace, he would order people to prepare clothes so that he could change into them when he went in.

But Lu Ling refused. She glanced at her clothes and said, "That's it."

Lu Ling entered the palace and approached Changle Palace. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating Nan Rongjing and his back.

The man sat at the table, hunched over with his head down, and it was impossible to tell what he was doing.

Lu Ling coughed at the right time, but Nan Rongjing still didn't respond.

Seeing that the man didn't move, Lu Ling frowned and walked closer to see that the man was drawing, and the person in the painting was himself, the same self as when he first met him.

When Lu Ling approached, some of the light was blocked, and Nan Rongjing then looked up in the direction of Lu Ling.

Seeing that it was Lu Ling, he grinned and said, "A Ling, you're here."

Lu Ling hummed, forgetting his purpose in coming. He pointed at the person in the painting and hesitantly asked, "What are you painting?"

Even though she knew it was her, Lu Ling still didn't want to admit it. She wanted to hear Nan Rongjing say it himself.

Lu Ling expected Nan Rongjing to speak, but she looked indifferent. Then she heard Nan Rongjing say, "This painting is of my mother." He hugged Lu Ling, and they looked at the portrait. "Have you never seen what my mother looks like?"

Nan Rongjing spoke seriously, and Lu Ling's face flushed red. Even so, Lu Ling felt somewhat dissatisfied. He had thought it was him, but it wasn't. Furthermore, the painting looked exactly like him, so how could it be anyone else?

Lu Ling took Nan Rongjing's hand away, said "hmm" and was about to walk out, completely forgetting that he was there to call for an explanation.

Just as Lu Ling was about to leave, Nan Rongjing grabbed her hand. Nan Rongjing was very strong, and Lu Ling spun around following his movements and fell into Nan Rongjing's arms. Nan Rongjing held Lu Ling in his arms and sat on the stool.

"What are you doing? Let me go." Lu Ling struggled, his face flushed.

Nan Rongjing's breath sprayed on Lu Ling's neck, and the fair skin turned a little redder. Because of the posture, Lu Ling could feel something strange in Nan Rongjing.

"You, you..." Lu Ling stared at Nan Rongjing, hesitant to say the next sentence.

Nan Rongjing leaned his face against Lu Ling's neck and said in ecstasy, "Ah Ling, I was just kidding. Don't you think the person in the painting looks a lot like you?"

Lu Ling didn't move, but just said: "You, you let me go first."

"Then promise me not to run away, okay?"

"good."

Lu Ling finally came out of Nan Rongjing's arms, stood still, and carefully traced the painting in front of him. The person in the painting was almost the same as himself a few years ago, and the bracelets, earrings, and jade pendants were exactly the same.

"After all these years, you still remember this."

Nan Rongjing glanced at the painting, then his gaze fell on Lu Ling: "I remember every moment I spent with you in my heart and dare not forget it."

Lu Ling laughed but said nothing.

After a while, Lu Ling finally remembered the purpose of his visit, so he asked Nan Rongjing, "Why did you say you wanted to come to the capital to meet me? What are you going to do?"

Almost no one knew that Prince Bai Pu had been in the palace. Everyone in the palace believed that the person living in Changle Palace was one of the Empress's male favorites. But now that the news of Prince Bai Pu's visit to the capital had spread throughout the court and the country, Lu Ling had no idea what he was going to do.

Nan Rongjing laughed and said, "Don't worry, it's a good thing. Ah Ling will know when the time comes."

Lu Ling thought about it and felt that Nan Rongjing would not play tricks with the security of the two countries, so he didn't ask any more questions.

"A Ling, the hem of your clothes is wet." Nan Rongjing hugged Lu Ling from behind, and when he looked down, he saw that the hem of Lu Ling's clothes was wet.

Lu Ling naturally knew that the hem of his clothes was wet. Not only the hem of his clothes, but also his shoes were soaked. He didn't feel it when he just came, but only realized it now.

"It's okay, I'll be back soon and change it once I get home." It was still early, and the rain outside was getting heavier and heavier, with no sign of stopping for a while.

Lu Ling came out of Nan Rongjing's arms and was about to leave when Nan Rongjing hooked his finger.

"A Ling." Nan Rongjing called Lu Ling with an ambiguous look in his eyes.

Lu Ling stood there in a daze, looking at Nan Rongjing, feeling that something big was about to happen.

Only when their lips touched did Lu Ling react.

Their breaths touched, their lips pressed together, and Lu Ling felt like he was drowning, unable to breathe.

The two of them moved apart slightly, and Lu Ling looked up to meet Nan Rongjing's eyes. There seemed to be countless threads of love in his eyes.

Lu Ling was still staring into Nan Rongjing's eyes when her feet left the ground. Nan Rongjing put her on the bed and found it a little funny. He asked, "Why are you staring at me?"

"No." Lu Ling quickly looked away. She didn't want to admit that she was fascinated by what she saw just now.

Nan Rongjing laughed, then put his hand on Lu Ling's waist: "Can I help you?"

Lu Ling didn't refuse and let Nan Rongjing play with him.

The coat fell off, and a stream of kisses fell on Lu Ling's forehead, cheeks, and finally lips. The kiss gradually deepened, and the two fell on the bed, and the veil was torn open...

It rained all day long. It was not heavy at first, but gradually it got heavier. The raindrops fell on the leaves, as if they were going to smash them. The leaves could not bear the raindrops anymore. In the end, the leaves were covered with water, which then slid down along the meridians and dripped onto the ground.

At night, the rain gradually subsided, and Lu Ling weakly called out. Yuan Qing immediately understood and sent someone to the side hall to prepare hot water and some food.

After the hot water was ready, Yuan Qing tactfully asked everyone to go back. Then Nan Rongjing carried Lu Ling to the side hall and washed her body.

Lu Ling looked at the red spots on her body and felt a little hot. After taking a shower, Lu Ling did not move, letting Nan Rongjing dress her and carry her to eat.

"Is A Ling feeling unwell?" Nan Rongjing asked shamelessly.

"No...no." Lu Ling almost bit his tongue while eating.

"Don't worry, Aling. I have taken medicine before and I won't let Aling get pregnant." Lu Ling looked a little anxious, so Nan Rongjing had to tell Lu Ling the truth.

Lu Ling didn't react. He looked at Nan Rongjing and asked, "Wh-what medicine?"

Nan Rongjing leaned close to Lu Ling's ear and said something. Nan Rongjing's breath sprayed on his ear, which was itchy and made Lu Ling feel uncomfortable.

"Birth control pills."

Nan Rongjing didn't seem surprised and continued to explain, "Bai Pu has a medicine. If a couple doesn't want to have children, the husband can take it to achieve contraceptive effects."

Lu Ling had never heard of this kind of medicine before, so he found it a little strange and listened carefully.

After a while, Lu Ling said, "You don't have to drink anymore."

Nan Rongjing was puzzled. Based on his understanding of Lu Ling, he didn't think Lu Ling would let her get pregnant and have a child at this critical moment. How could it be...

"I will never have children again in my life." Lu Ling's tone was a little regretful, but there was no loneliness in his eyes.

"Did something happen?" Nan Rongjing's eyes widened as if he remembered something. "Was it last time on the battlefield..."

Lu Ling nodded: "So you don't need to take medicine anymore."

Nan Rongjing hugged Lu Ling and kept saying sorry.

"You haven't wronged me. I forgive you for everything in the past. It was just an accident."

"It's my fault in the final analysis, Aling, hit me."

Lu Ling actually didn't want to blame anyone now. She had already let it go. She felt that this matter actually helped her. She didn't have to worry about having children, and she could also shut up the gossips in the court. It was just that she couldn't say it now.

"I won't hit you, and don't feel bad. I've let it go a long time ago."

Nan Rongjing let go of Lu Ling and looked up at her, feeling that Lu Ling had changed and yet remained the same.

"A Ling, don't worry, I will never leave again."

"Um."

Lu Ling didn't stay in Changle Palace. She packed up and went back. It had been a crazy day, and she still had a lot of things to deal with.

Besides, Nan Rongjing was in good physical condition, so she planned not to look for him for the next few days.

However, Lu Ling's failure to go find Nan Rongjing does not mean that Nan Rongjing will not come to find her. After Lu Ling ignored Nan Rongjing for two days, Nan Rongjing could not bear it anymore and came to find Lu Ling.

As dusk fell, Lu Ling was still reviewing memorials. When he saw Nan Rongjing coming, there was a hint of surprise in the corner of his eyes.

"Why are you here?"

"A Ling, don't you want me anymore?" Nan Rongjing said very aggrievedly.

Lu Ling naturally would not tell the truth, so he had to explain that he was a little busy recently and had no time.

"Then I'll accompany you." Nan Rongjing walked to Lu Ling and gave her a massage.

Not surprisingly, Nan Rongjing stayed in Lu Ling's bedroom.

…

Afterwards, Yuan Qing said outside that the Shangshu had sent a few people, but he didn't know how to arrange them.

Lu Ling's voice was a little hoarse: "Put them together, I will go find them when the time comes."

"Let them in." Nan Rongjing said angrily.

When Yuan Qing sent a few people into the hall, Lu Ling and Nan Rongjing were sitting in the main seats wearing only single clothes.

Lu Ling felt a headache looking at these people. These people were sent by the ministers. Although she didn't like them, she felt that they were still useful. Maybe she could dig something out of their mouths. But now it seemed better to forget it.

Nan Rongjing walked up to the group and looked at their faces from left to right. Then he stopped beside one of them and said, "Your Majesty, this person is very good-looking. He is indeed quite good-looking."

"That's enough, what are you going to do?"

"Of course, it's to choose a good son-in-law for Your Majesty."

Lu Ling rubbed his head irritably, then looked up and said, "Yuanqing, take them all down and return to where they came from."

After those people left, Lu Ling saw a smug smile on Nan Rongjing's face.

"You should go back too." Lu Ling said to Nan Rongjing.

Nan Rongjing grabbed Lu Ling by the waist and carried him to the bed, then said flatteringly, "Your Majesty, do you think I'm not capable enough to have called so many people?"

"Shut up!" Lu Ling blocked Nan Rongjing's mouth, preventing him from speaking.

This guy is really jealous of anything. He clearly knows what he wants these people to do, but he is still so unscrupulous.

However, she quite likes Nan Rongjing like this.

*

Prince Bai Pu came to pay homage to the Queen. Everyone in the court was wondering what Prince Bai Pu was going to do. He had been sending gifts to the Queen in the past, and now he came to pay homage to the Queen again. Everyone was confused.

Lu Ling sat on the dragon throne, saying nothing, quietly waiting for Nan Rongjing's arrival.

Yesterday, Nan Rongjing secretly left the palace, found Lin Yu and Lin Yao, and stayed in the post station.

The person in the carriage of King Bai Pu was always someone close to Nan Rongjing, and no one noticed.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the king of this country that had been against them for many years.

But when they saw Prince Bai Pu for the first time, they were shocked: Isn’t this Lord Shen Wangyou who resigned from his post that year?

Nan Rongjing, wearing the clothes of King Baipu, walked to the front regardless of the eyes of everyone in the court, and then saluted Lu Ling.

Lu Ling asked him to stand up without any expression, and then began to listen to Nan Rongjing.

"Bai Pu is willing to surrender to the Great Chu and establish friendly relations with the Great Chu to benefit the people of both countries."

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Lu Ling was stunned, but even the ministers below were stunned.

When everyone knew that King Bai Pu was coming to Beijing, they all wondered whether Bai Pu wanted to trade with Da Chu and have friendly exchanges, but they never expected that he would surrender at once. In this case, Bai Pu would be incorporated into Daliang.

Lu Ling couldn't help but feel a little skeptical, and then asked, "Can this be true?"

"Of course. But I have a favor to ask of Your Majesty."

"What is it?"

Nan Rongjing bowed again, and Lu Ling knew that this was the highest etiquette of the Baipu people.

"Your Majesty, I am attracted to you. I wonder if I can become your Majesty's lover?"

When these words were spoken, everyone in the room was shocked.

Although they all wanted His Majesty to have more children for the royal family as soon as possible, they would not allow the Baipu people to come.

But they soon remembered that this Prince Bai Pu was not the Shen Wangyou of the past, and Shen Wangyou had been engaged to the emperor in the past. Then this...

Everyone shook their heads, feeling that it was both reasonable and unreasonable, and was speechless for a moment.

Lu Ling was also shocked. It turned out that this was the big drama that Nan Rongjing had been planning for a long time. No wonder he had been reluctant to enter the imperial city as King Bai Pu.

"Prince Bai Pu, I will not have a harem, so if you become my person you will not have any status. Are you willing?"

"I am willing!"

Hearing that he had changed his tune, Lu Ling laughed and said, "Okay, then I'll make you Prince Yong and let you stay in the capital."

The ministers in the court had no objection to Lu Ling's decision. It was the best thing that the hundred Pu people surrendered and the people were spared from the war.

From now on, the sea is calm and the rivers are clear, and there will be eternal peace.

—End of Text—