Chapter 65

From her words, he seemed to realize that Ling Wu had regained her memories.

Before he could even feel happy, Ling Wu said coldly:

"Lu Chengfeng, I thought that since you came from there, you would not harbor any resentment towards them. I... overestimated you. From this day forward, Lu Chengfeng is confined to Weiyang Palace. Without an imperial edict, you are not to leave!"

Lu Chengfeng wasn't sure whether "there" referred to the modern era or a patriarchal ancient one, but seeing that Sang Lingwu didn't hate him, he had a vague guess in his mind.

That is—

Sang Lingwu regained her memories at some point, but the memories she regained were only those from the modern era, not those from her previous life.

It's hard to say whether this was a setback or a joy for him.

He was overjoyed that the Sang Lingwu of today was not the venomous woman of her previous life, but the Sang Lingwu whose heart belonged only to him.

Frustrated, Sang Lingwu now seemed to have lost the feelings she once had for him, becoming just like he had in his previous life.

In order to stabilize the court, he had to favor the concubines; in order to protect him, he had to be confined to his quarters to prevent others from harming him.

Lingwu remained expressionless as she listened to Jinghong's words expressing Lu Chengfeng's feelings.

He has too many inner monologues.

However, this also made it easier for her to mold Lu Chengfeng into a subservient male concubine in a matriarchal dynasty.

Male concubine?

Only those without a name or status are considered male concubines.

She waited for him to gradually assimilate her into the pathetic male concubine of a matriarchal dynasty.

Lu Chengfeng was escorted back to Weiyang Palace again, unaware of Yun Ji's cold gaze.

What is the connection between Lu Chengfeng and His Majesty, and why is His Majesty willing to protect him?

Yun Ji frowned, continuing to ponder: To say he was protecting her wasn't entirely true.

It was more like... he was being toyed with.

But what place is "there"? The Yongxiang Palace? But he himself came from the Yongxiang Palace…

Lingwu bestowed a pile of tonics and promoted Zisang Qijin to the rank of He Guili, thus bringing the matter to a close.

As she stepped out of the palace gate, she ran into Qianqing, but before Qianqing could speak, Lingwu calmly said, "Keep your people in check."

This time, Qianqing didn't dare to act coquettishly. Instead, she quickly knelt down and replied "Yes." Lingwu raised her hand to excuse her and then left in the phoenix carriage.

As for what Qianqing would do, she wasn't interested. But seeing Jingchun's furrowed brows, Lingwu asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"Your Majesty, I'm thinking there's something fishy about the Mad Horse incident..."

"Hmm." Ling Wu nodded indifferently, after all, she knew very well Lu Chengfeng's abilities in the palace.

"Then why did His Majesty punish Lu Shushi?" Jing Chun asked, puzzled.

Ling Wu looked down at him with a gentle smile, "Want to know?"

Jing Chun was momentarily flustered by the laughter, but still nodded with a blush, "Yes!"

“Exchange it for your grace.” Ling Wu said slowly and deliberately, and at the end, she even rubbed Jing Chun’s lowered head.

Jing Chun frowned, her face flushed. "Then... then let's forget it. I don't really want to know anymore."

Snowflakes are falling now, fluttering and swirling.

Lingwu, seated in the sedan chair, raised her hand to shield Jingchun's forehead from a snowflake that drifted down, a slight smile playing on her lips.

The snowflakes landed in her hand, but because they were so small, they didn't bring any coolness to her fingertips; instead, they melted into a little water.

In her previous life, Sang Lingwu resembled it, but in this life, Lu Chengfeng has become it.

The mad horse incident was indeed not Lu Chengfeng's doing, but since the culprit is difficult to apprehend now, she will pin the blame on Lu Chengfeng.

After all, Lu Chengfeng should also experience the taste of being framed.

As the year draws to a close, the palace is already filled with the festive atmosphere. Lanterns are hung on the doors of all the palaces, and the character "福" (fortune/blessing) is pasted on the windows.

The imperial harem held a grand ceremony every three years to bestow titles upon the emperor. Yun Ji was promoted to the fourth rank of Junhua, with the title "Chun".

Zisang abandoned Jin and became the noble ruler of He.

Lu Chengfeng was released from confinement, but he did not receive any rewards or promotions.

Above Qianqing was the Empress, and above Xiruoyu was the Imperial Noble Lady; therefore, neither of them received a promotion.

Yet, they were the two who received the most rewards in the entire palace.

This time, Lingwu also intended to indicate that she wanted to establish an empress.

Compared to Xi Ruoyu, who seemed indifferent to joy or sorrow, Qian Qing stared at Ling Wu with expectant eyes.

After the New Year's banquet, Lingwu stayed overnight at Xi Ruoyu's Lanyi Pavilion.

The candlelight flickered, and the clouds drifted from dawn till dusk.

Xi Ruoyu blushed and said in a low, hoarse voice, "Your Majesty."

"Hmm?" Ling Wu's expression remained unchanged, causing Xi Ruoyu a moment of disappointment.

But it was only for a moment. Xi Ruoyu tugged at her nightgown and asked awkwardly, "Your Majesty... am I qualified to be your Empress?"

He has always adhered to proper etiquette, and he would never have asked such a question before.

But this time, he didn't want to let go of this only chance to stand by His Majesty's side.

He wanted to address her openly as "My Lady" instead of "Your Majesty".

He didn't want to either...

I don't want His Majesty's queen to be someone else.

He could magnanimously watch her go to someone else's palace, could ignore everyone's hostile gazes, and could disregard the harsh words others uttered towards him...

But he couldn't do it; he couldn't give up the opportunity to stand proudly beside her.

Lingwu reached out and wiped the fine sweat from his temples. "Has Ruoyu come to terms with it?"

Xi Ruoyu gently shook her head, "Ruoyu dares not presume that His Majesty belongs to Ruoyu alone, but Ruoyu..."

He raised his eyes, staring into Ling Wu's eyes, his voice firmer than ever before, "But Ruoyu wishes to address you as 'wife,' not 'Your Majesty,' as a subject to a ruler."

The fish's belly turns white, signaling a seven-day holiday for the New Year.

When Ling Wu woke up, Xi Ruoyu beside her had already woken up early and had been staring at Ling Wu for who knows how long.

But when Lingwu woke up, he closed his eyes again.

"Still pretending?" Ling Wu pinched Xi Ruoyu's nose.

A moment later, Ling Wu saw the aloof young man's face turn bright red, and only then did she release her grip.

The moment she let go, Xi Ruoyu murmured in a barely audible voice, "Your Majesty... how did you know?"

Ling Wu simply smiled and said, "Because your wife is not an ordinary person."

The body falls asleep, but Meng Po doesn't need to.

These words made Xi Ruoyu blush. "Your Majesty is naturally the true emperor, but... but I am not yet Your Majesty's husband."

Ling Wu leaned down and smiled at him, "Soon. After the Ministry of Rites group returns to court after their break, I will order them to choose an auspicious day."

After finishing her meal, Lingwu left Lanyi Pavilion.

Seeing that Ling Wu was in a good mood, Jing Chun said, "Your Majesty, they say that Consort Lu is trying to win the Emperor's favor."

"oh?"

Competing for favor? It's about time.

After all, he has no favor with the emperor and his rank is low. Let alone the New Year, he might not even be able to get through the cold winter.

"I heard he made a dessert called 'cake'."

Lingwu paused slightly. In modern times, Sang Lingwu's birthday is the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Weiyang Palace

Lu Chengfeng knelt before Qian Qing, his face full of humble flattery.

"Is this dessert really going to make His Majesty happy?" Qianqing asked with disdain.

The charcoal fire in the main hall of Weiyang Palace was very warm, making Lu Chengfeng's hands, which were covered in sores from the cold and dressed in thin clothes, itch a little.

He looked up at Qianqing.

It must be said that Qianqing is very beautiful. If she were born in modern times and embarked on a career in stardom, she would probably be a sensation throughout Asia.

Arrogant yet noble, even the disdain in his downcast gaze is irresistible.

But all he felt was a helpless hatred.

No one knows how vicious the heart is beneath Qianqing's beautiful exterior!

"Your Majesty, His Majesty will surely be pleased to see this." Lu Chengfeng's manners are now impeccable, thanks to the torment he has endured over the past six months.

Qianqing remained suspicious, but upon seeing Lu Chengfeng's subservient and servile demeanor, she sneered, "I suppose you wouldn't dare to deceive me. Get lost."

After Lu Chengfeng bowed and left, Qian Qing said, "Send him two baskets of red charcoal and a few decent winter clothes. Watch him light the charcoal, change into the new clothes, and then go and invite His Majesty."

Otherwise, if His Majesty saw his miserable state, he might feel pity for him.

Lu Chengfeng appeared grateful upon receiving the charcoal and clothes, but his heart was filled with bitterness and sarcasm.

Who would have thought that he, a dignified emperor, would one day kneel down and beg for two baskets of charcoal and a few pieces of clothing that he would never have even glanced at before.

"Light it up," he said calmly.

The newly appointed servant lowered his head meekly, but his eyes held disdain. "Yes."

After Lu Chengfeng finished sending off the Jingzhe Festival, he looked down at the chilblains on his hands and then curled his lips into a smile.

Sang Lingwu felt most sorry for his hands every winter.

But then he thought of his hands, with their distinct knuckles, covered in all sorts of expensive ointments in his previous life, and Sang Lingwu, whose hands were covered in sores when he imprisoned her. For some reason, he felt a tightness in his chest.

How much of what Sang Lingwu did in her previous life was her own doing, and how much was she framed?

Or perhaps, those are things that Sang Lingwu would never stoop to doing?

He didn't know; he only knew that there might still be a chance to salvage the situation.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

When that voice rang out outside Weiyang Palace, Lu Chengfeng was staring at his hands and smiling silently.

Sure enough, not long after, Jing Chun's voice rang out from outside his door.

However, what was said was—

"Lu Shushi, His Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort invite you to play a little tune."