Chapter 39 Help Me "Be good, hurry up."

The next morning, the army set out. Two generals, clad in iron armor, stood beneath the city walls, followed by a vast army of elite soldiers.

On the imperial city walls, Xie Lanzhou, dressed in a bright yellow python robe, stood with his hands behind his back, solemnly looking at the army below. He raised his voice and spoke:

"Fellow soldiers! The Yan Kingdom is arrogant and rebellious, repeatedly violating our borders, slaughtering our cities, and killing our people. Today, I command the ever-victorious general to lead the mighty army to punish them on behalf of Heaven and carry out divine retribution! You are all veterans of our dynasty, the elite and fierce army!"

On this journey, you must strictly adhere to military discipline and fight bravely against the enemy! I have already prepared for you in the capital a reward of a thousand pieces of gold and the title of marquis of ten thousand households! When you have crushed the enemy's lair and presented the prisoners before the palace, I will personally ascend the Duan Gate to reward the three armies and celebrate with you all!

Upon hearing this, the soldiers roared "Long live the Emperor!" Their shouts shook the heavens and carried for miles, greatly boosting morale.

Although Xie Lanzhou had a bad reputation among the people and was even cursed as a foolish and tyrannical ruler, he was sent to the border military camp by the late emperor before he was even twenty years old. In five years, he fought alongside his soldiers in life and death several times, and even took the enemy's head amidst thousands of troops, making great achievements.

Therefore, he held great prestige in the army and cultivated countless personal guards. Military power was his source of confidence at all times, and it was also the foundation upon which he was able to firmly sit on the throne.

The wind howled fiercely atop the city walls. Xie Lanzhou watched the army depart until they disappeared from sight, until the dust stirred up by the wind gradually dissipated. He remained standing there, silent for a long time, and no one knew what he was thinking.

The eunuch Fu, standing to the side, bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, shall we return to the palace?"

Xie Lanzhou nodded, mounted his horse, and returned to the Imperial Study in the morning light.

He picked up his pen and wrote a secret letter, which he handed to Eunuch Fu, saying, "Send it to Ji Hongxi in three days."

Eunuch Fu took the secret letter and asked in surprise, "General Ji has just left the city. If someone were to send someone on horseback at top speed, it should be delivered to him by noon. What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

Xie Lanzhou waved his hand: "Then there's no surprise."

Grandpa Fu didn't understand, but he did as instructed, and respectfully complied.

Xie Lanzhou sat down at the table and began to review the memorials. Then a young eunuch came to report, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is setting off for the Imperial Mausoleum today. Before she leaves, she wishes to see you."

Xie Lanzhou paused in his review of the memorials, and after a moment of silence, said, "Bring her here."

Not long after, the Empress Dowager, dressed in a gray cloth robe, pushed open the door and entered. In just a few days, most of her hair had turned white, and she had clearly lost her former radiance.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Upon seeing Xie Lanzhou, she took the initiative to bow, but was gently helped up by a pair of large hands.

"Is there anything else, Your Majesty?" Xie Lanzhou asked, withdrawing his hand.

"Your Majesty, Rui'er... may I see him one more time?"

Xie Lanzhou said, "The Empress Dowager is late. She went out with the army this morning and has already left the city gates."

The Empress Dowager swayed, barely managing to steady herself by grabbing the table: "Going to war?"

"No, Your Majesty! Swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield. Rui'er has been pampered since childhood. He has never seen such danger. You are taking his life!" the Empress Dowager said, tears streaming down her face.

Xie Lanzhou turned his head away and said coldly, "I'm afraid the Empress Dowager has forgotten that I went to the battlefield before I even reached adulthood, and I'm still standing here perfectly fine."

The Empress Dowager quieted down and silently shed tears. She remembered that it was she who had persuaded the late Emperor to send the young Xie Lanzhou to the battlefield. She thought he would die on the frontier, but five years later he not only returned alive, but also established his prestige in the army.

After a long silence, Xie Lanzhou flicked his sleeve and said, "Your Majesty should set off sooner rather than later."

The elderly woman closed her eyes, raised her hand to wipe away the last tear, and a palace maid helped her to the door. She turned her head and whispered, "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself."

Xie Lanzhou neither answered nor turned around until the door was pushed open and closed again, at which point he slowly exhaled.

*Jingchun Palace.

Su Panyue slept until dawn before getting up. After returning from Zhaixing Pavilion last night, her mind had been in turmoil, and she tossed and turned until late into the night before finally falling asleep.

Just as she finished washing up, a palace maid came to report that His Majesty had invited her to dine at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Having just received many gifts from Xie Lanzhou yesterday, Su Panyue was exceptionally attentive today, responding immediately and setting off.

However, when she arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she sensed that something was amiss; the hall was unusually quiet both inside and out.

The palace servants guarding her looked at her as if she were a savior, and even Eunuch Fu spoke in a softer voice than usual: "Consort Su, you've finally arrived. His Majesty is waiting for you inside."

Su Panyue nodded, puzzled, and pushed the door open to go inside.

Xie Lanzhou sat at the table and looked up at Su Panyue. Although he had no expression, Su Panyue could inexplicably see a hint of loneliness in his eyes.

She walked over and sat down beside him, calling out softly, "Your Majesty."

[That little face, is she about to cry? Tell your older sister what's bothering you.]

Hearing her heartfelt words, Xie Lanzhou was instantly interrupted from his sorrowful reverie. He glanced at the carefree woman in front of him and said, "Let's eat."

Whether to appease him or because of the rewards she received yesterday, Su Panyue returned to her old ways and served him a meal again.

"Your Majesty, please try this."

"This is delicious too!"

"This dish is absolutely amazing."

Under Su Panyue's enthusiastic recommendations, Xie Lanzhou ate until he was completely full, twice the amount he usually ate, which surprised the palace servants from the Imperial Kitchen who came to collect the dishes.

After dinner, Su Panyue took Xie Lanzhou for a walk in the Imperial Garden.

It was the height of summer, and the Imperial Garden was a riot of color and bustling with activity, especially the lotus flowers in the lake, which were blooming exceptionally well.

As the two walked to the lakeside, they both recalled the incident of Su Panyue falling into the water last time.

Su Panyue asked, "Your Majesty, why did you save me back then?"

Xie Lanzhou looked into her bright eyes and asked instead of answering, "Then why did you save me when you first saw me faint in the Hall of Mental Cultivation?"

Recalling the scene, Su Panyue replied with a smile, "Naturally, I was captivated by His Majesty's beauty and followed my heart."

Xie Lanzhou waited for a moment, but did not hear her thoughts.

The two strolled around the Imperial Garden for a while longer, and Su Panyue felt a bit hot, with fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. She then pulled Xie Lanzhou back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After going out for a walk, the pent-up frustration he had been feeling because of old grievances had completely dissipated.

When Eunuch Fu saw his expression at the door, he breathed a sigh of relief and hesitated as if he had something to say.

Su Panyue, with great tact, waved her hand and said, "Your Majesty, please attend to your business. I will not disturb you any longer."

After saying that, he went to the inner hall to lie down and take a nap.

Watching her go inside, Xie Lanzhou asked, "What is it?"

Eunuch Fu presented a stack of memorials: "Your Majesty, the officials of the Censorate have jointly submitted a memorial."

Xie Lanzhou took the book, glanced at it, and sneered, "The harem is without a master?"

Eunuch Fu bowed his head and asked, "Does His Majesty intend to hold a selection of concubines?"

Originally, the Empress Dowager was in charge of all these matters, but as soon as she left, court officials immediately submitted a joint petition, which was nothing more than to force him to select candidates for the imperial concubine selection.

Xie Lanzhou shook his head slightly, casually tossed the memorial aside, and turned to enter the inner room.

The woman on the bed had her eyes closed and seemed to be asleep.

Xie Lanzhou sat down on the edge of the bed, stared at her for a while, and then slowly leaned down to get closer.

Between breaths, the woman's eyelashes trembled slightly, and her cheeks flushed slightly. Just before a kiss landed, Su Panyue suddenly opened her eyes and met his gaze.

She said with a hint of smugness, "Your Majesty caught me sneaking a kiss while I was sleeping!"

But the man simply hummed in agreement and continued without hesitation.

It wasn't just a matter of lips touching; a spring breeze swept across the lake, creating ripples. Su Panyue softened like a spring of water, her eyes glistening with moisture.

Seeing that the situation was about to get out of control, she quickly spoke up to stop it: "No, no."

Xie Lanzhou stopped what she was doing, but didn't withdraw her hand. She looked at her with a smile in her eyes and asked softly, "Really?"

Something seemed to be getting out of control. Su Panyue blushed even more and murmured softly, "It's not ready yet. Tomorrow, tomorrow."

Xie Lanzhou laughed, causing his fingers to tremble slightly.

Su Panyue pulled her legs back and couldn't help but reach out to push him, but she was already too weak to do so, and pushing him was like tickling him, not moving him an inch.

In a moment of panic, she reached out and grabbed him.

The man stopped what he was doing, his dark eyes fixed on her dangerously. Su Panyue clenched her fists even tighter and threatened in a low voice, "Take your hand away right now, or else..."

"Otherwise what?" Xie Lanzhou asked in a low voice.

Su Panyue tightened her grip and said, feigning annoyance, "I'll break it for you!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Lanzhou took a step forward instead, "Alright, use a little more force."

Su Panyue's ears turned bright red, and she cursed inwardly:

How can someone be so shameless! You filthy scoundrel, you pervert!

Hearing her thoughts, Xie Lanzhou chuckled softly, finally withdrew his hand, and put his arm around her shoulder.

He whispered in her ear, "Please save me."

As for how to save him, there's no need to elaborate.

Su Panyue didn't dare to look down at all. After all, reading about it in a book was novel and intriguing, but doing it herself was a completely different experience.

“Starting tomorrow, you will be in charge of the household affairs.” The man suddenly spoke, slightly out of breath.

"Huh?" Su Panyue's whole mind was still focused on her hands, and she didn't expect him to suddenly say such a thing.

"I will send an experienced nanny to help you, so don't worry." Xie Lanzhou's breathing became more rapid, but her tone remained relatively calm.

Su Panyue slowly pieced together the key information from her chaotic mind: "Wait, wait, wait, you mean you want me to assist in managing the six palaces?"

"Yes, hurry up."

Su Panyue then realized that she had stopped unconsciously because she was too surprised. She refused, saying, "I can't do it. I'm just a concubine of the lowest rank!"

Xie Lanzhou grasped her wrist again, his voice languid and casual: "It's alright, if I say you can, then you can."

"Come on, hurry up."

Finally, Su Panyue sighed, lay down on the bed, and let him carefully and patiently wipe her slightly reddened palms and fingers.

She asked weakly, "Your Majesty, aren't you afraid I'll run away with the money if you put me in charge of these things?"

Xie Lanzhou looked up: "Where are you running off to?"

Su Panyue was speechless at his question. [Is where you ran off to even matter? The matter is your mountains of gold and silver!]

Xie Lanzhou dried her hands with a fresh towel and said calmly, "But it doesn't matter, I will find you no matter where you run."

Hearing his calm tone, Su Panyue felt a chill run down her spine and muttered to herself:

[I'm living the life of a god here, with plenty of food and drink! I'm not going to run away!]

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Author's Note: Su Panyue: Do you guys think I'd run away? [doge emoji]

I've already deleted it all, please, reviewer, have mercy! [Please][Please]