Chapter 67 The male ghost was wrong; it was those wild men who were at fault.

The last day of December in the eleventh year of the Qianyuan era was the last day of the year.

Since it was not yet time to celebrate the New Year in the palace, there was no lively activity inside the palace. Only the servants who were always at the palace swept the snow in the palace at sunset and, as in previous years, hung the lanterns that had been prepared in advance on both sides of the palace walls.

So, from a distance, it seemed to form a crimson-gold dragon with shimmering scales along its back, lazily coiling above the palace of the Great Chu, majestic and awe-inspiring, making people dare not look directly at it.

This magnificent scene can be clearly seen even from hundreds of meters away.

Beyond the city walls, many people on the streets of the capital tilted their heads and looked eastward. In the dim evening light, their eyes were dazzled by the clusters of bright lanterns, which intensified their sense of awe for imperial power and the supreme ruler.

As many people on the streets of the capital were drawn to the red lanterns hanging in the palace of the Great Chu King, the gate beneath the palace walls opened silently, and a somber-colored carriage emerged from the dimly lit area.

Inside the carriage, Wen Miao changed into a dress made of softer fabric, more suitable for everyday life. This dress was personally chosen for her by Emperor Qian Yuan before she left the palace.

The colors are festive; the top is a refreshing and soft aquamarine, paired with a vibrant red pomegranate skirt. The cape collar and hood brim are trimmed with a circle of snow-white fur, which perfectly covers half of Wenmiao's face, making her look soft and delicate.

She wore her hair in a drooping bun, the jet-black hair hanging slightly back, adorned with a few delicate gold ornaments, exuding elegance and beauty without being overly extravagant.

Emperor Qian Yuan originally wanted to put the gold hairpin, which was sent from a foreign land and inlaid with rubies and emeralds, on Wen Miao's head, but she felt it was too heavy and thus rejected the emperor's aesthetic.

The dress, hairstyle, bracelets, and earrings were all chosen by Emperor Qian Yuan. Even the makeup on Wen Miao's eyebrows and eyes was carefully applied by the emperor with great interest.

After arriving in Da Chu, Wen Miao didn't actually wear full makeup very often—the rouge here tended to be rich and vibrant, and she was always a little uncomfortable with her heavily made-up self in the mirror.

It is beautiful, but its beauty is a little too conspicuous.

Therefore, Wen Miao preferred to lightly draw her eyebrows and apply lip rouge. It was probably only on the day of her wedding to Emperor Qian Yuan that she allowed Shi Cui and Wan Bi to apply full makeup to her.

However, this was a special occasion, as it marked her first year in the Great Chu and the day she spent New Year's Eve with Emperor Qianyuan outside the palace. Wen Miao, therefore, indulged the emperor's "pranks," having makeup applied to her face—

Her eyebrows were as gentle as distant, hazy mountains, her eyes were slightly tinged with red, and her lips were painted with orange-red rouge. Finally, Emperor Qian Yuan even gently lifted Wen Miao's chin, staring at her almost breathlessly, and placed a peach blossom with a slightly blurred edge on his wife's forehead.

It is extremely beautiful.

While they were still in the Taiji Palace, Emperor Qian Yuan's eyes darkened, and he couldn't resist grabbing Wen Miao's nape and kissing her.

As a result, the freshly applied lip rouge smudged, some of it remaining on Wen Miao's lips, which were swollen and hot from being licked and kissed, while the gluttonous emperor swallowed it all, still wanting more.

Fearing that if Wen Miao allowed Emperor Qian Yuan to kiss her again, she might not be able to leave the house that night, she could only hurriedly raise her hand to cover the emperor's mouth.

Unexpectedly, the other party grabbed her wrist and kissed it repeatedly until her fair and soft fingertips were covered with tiny kiss marks. Only then did the Empress, both ashamed and annoyed, lightly slap her chin to stop this persistent desire.

At that time, Shi Cui and Wan Bi waited outside the palace for a long time but the emperor and empress did not come out. Unbeknownst to them, Wen Miao inside had a flushed face, tilted her head slightly, and opened her lips, which had been swollen from the emperor's kisses, as he reapplied the fragrant lip rouge.

To match his wife, Emperor Qian Yuan, who usually only wore dark clothes, abandoned his usual choice and instead chose a light green dress similar in color to Wen Miao's clothes, and tied his long hair up with a jade crown.

This attire softened the fierce and majestic aura of an emperor, making him appear more gentle. While not exactly approachable, at least he wouldn't stop the child from crying at night.

The newly dressed emperor and empress sat in a carriage like ordinary wealthy people. Zhang Ji drove the carriage, and Xu Sheng, Shi Cui, and Wan Bi followed behind in different clothes. The imperial guards disguised themselves as commoners and blended into the crowd, but disappeared in an instant.

Probably no one would know that tonight, inside a carriage on the streets of the capital, were the current Emperor and Empress of the Great Chu.

...

The carriage traveled slowly along the road. Inside, Wen Miao's face was still flushed from the heat. Even though she had applied lip rouge to her lips, they still felt swollen. Touching them made her gasp softly, and she couldn't help but glare at Emperor Qian Yuan with a hint of annoyance.

Emperor Qian Yuan, the culprit, acted like a reckless person in front of Wen Miao. He stared intently at Wen Miao and suddenly laughed, "When we leave the palace tonight, does Madam know what to call me?"

In his speech, the emperor naturally changed his form of address, acting as if he were Ji Huan, not the supreme ruler of the Great Chu.

Wen Miao paused for a moment, her ears slightly warming from the long-unheard "Madam".

Unwilling to pay attention to this annoying guy, she turned her head and pulled back half of the curtain, looking at the street that was gradually becoming lively in the evening.

Ji Huan, however, was relentless. Despite the large space in the carriage, he squeezed in and, amidst Wen Miao's soft gasp, pulled the fragrant and soft lady into his arms, burying his face in the back of her neck and taking a deep breath in satisfaction.

He asked, "Why is Madam ignoring me? Or does Madam not know how to address me?"

He paused, kissed Wen Miao's reddened earlobe, almost sucking on that small, soft flesh, and said in a hoarse voice, "May I teach my wife?"

In the common people of the Great Chu, "夫人" (Madam) was mostly used by aristocratic families and merchants who had some wealth. It was usually used as a formal title in public, while in private it was considered a term of endearment used between husband and wife in the bedroom. As for "娘子" (Niangzi), it was more commonly seen among ordinary people and was more intimate. However, some wealthy families also liked to use it in their private quarters.

There are no strict rules about what to call her, so it all depends on the individual. In the past, when Emperor Qian Yuan was holding Wen Miao in bed, he used all sorts of random names—

Madam, Miaomiao, Empress, Your Highness... Emperor Qianyuan liked to use the most affectionate titles to address Wen Miao, but this was the first time he had used the title "Madam".

Wen Miao trembled at the call, unable to withstand the emperor's onslaught from behind. After a moment, she surrendered and helplessly whispered, "Husband."

She knew what Emperor Qianyuan wanted to hear.

Husband.

Ji Huan smiled and responded with great satisfaction.

...

Zhang Ji drove his carriage and first arrived in front of Xie's residence.

Ji Huan got out of the carriage first, raised her hand for a moment, and then asked Wen Miao to help her down the side steps of the carriage.

The two figures, one tall and upright and the other graceful and plump, looked quite well-matched from behind. Because they had informed Xie Gong in advance before leaving the palace, Ji Huan and Wen Miao saw Xie Jingxuan and Xie Mengjun waiting in the front hall when they entered.

Just as the people in the Xie household were about to curtsy, Ji Huan called out, "Stop!"

The man, whose arm was still around Wen Miao, said calmly, "Today I am just accompanying my wife to her parents' home for dinner. There is no need for formalities."

Xie Jingxuan immediately understood what he meant. He stroked his beard and cheerfully invited the group inside to sit down at the table.

Xie Mengjun was always a little afraid of Emperor Qian Yuan, Ji Huan, but with Wen Miao around, she became much bolder. She took the initiative to sit down on the other side of Wen Miao, and snuggled up to her beautiful cousin to whisper secrets.

"My aunt looks so beautiful today! She's like a fairy from heaven!"

Xie Mengjun blinked her watery eyes, staring intently at Wen Miao, who rarely wore such glamorous makeup, feeling that she couldn't take it all in.

When will she grow up to be like her aunt?

When will she be able to smell as sweet as her aunt?

Dinner was already laid out in the front hall of the Xie residence, with a wide variety of dishes. There were only four people at the table: Wen Miao and Xie Jingxuan sat facing each other, with Ji Huan to Wen Miao's left and Xie Mengjun to her right.

At the table, Ji Huan didn't care about Xie Jingxuan and Xie Mengjun's gazes. He simply picked out the dishes that Wen Miao liked, as usual. Whether it was due to keen observation or just a habit, most of the time, without Wen Miao having to say anything, Ji Huan could immediately know what she needed.

Xie Mengjun stared longingly, her round eyes darting between Wen Miao and Ji Huan from time to time. Ji Huan remained calm and unmoved, even taking a moment to help Wen Miao straighten her slightly slipping sleeves.

As she was being served and watched, Wen Miao's ear tips flushed slightly. She pursed her lips, pulled her sleeve from Ji Huan's hand, and whispered, "I can do it myself. There are still young ladies here... Don't corrupt Meng Jun!"

A smile played in Ji Huan's narrow eyes. He was unusually obedient at this moment, responding softly before no longer taking care of Wen Miao.

Xie Jingxuan witnessed the whole scene, and the tension that had been building in his heart since Miao Niang regained her memories finally eased little by little.

For some reason, Xie Jingxuan suddenly thought of the day at the beginning of this year when Wen Miao woke up at the Xie residence from the suburban manor. The emperor, who was far away in the palace, also rushed over. His brows and eyes were filled with gloom, like a taut bow with a sharp arrow on the string, ready to strike and hurt people at any moment.

But now things are different—the emperor, who was as sharp and fierce as a weapon, has become more peaceful and gentle because of the presence of the empress by his side.

—Although this tenderness was reserved for the Empress alone.

Xie Jingxuan stroked his beard and slowly took a sip of wine.

He thought, "This is perfect, isn't it?"

...

Wen Miao and Ji Huan did not stay at the Xie residence for long. After the meal, Ji Huan sat quietly in the front hall and waited, while Wen Miao spoke a few words with her maternal grandfather and Meng Jun in the back.

Before half an incense stick's time had passed, Wen Miao lifted the hem of her fiery red pomegranate skirt and stepped over the threshold. There she saw the emperor, dressed in a light green robe, leaning against the carved wooden archway under the corridor, looking at her.

Wen Miao smiled, looked up and asked, "Why aren't you sitting inside?"

Ji Huan reached out and grasped Wen Miao, pulling her closer to him. Then, he carefully bent down to tie the thin ribbon on Wen Miao's cloak.

"I am, after all, an emperor, and I'm afraid Lord Xie won't be able to relax. Rather than interrupt your conversation, you might as well wait outside."

These words were extremely magnanimous and considerate; if Wen Miao didn't understand Emperor Qian Yuan's true nature, she would probably believe them.

She asked, "The truth?"

She noticed that the snow under the side corridor had been trampled into a clump, probably because someone was getting impatient and couldn't help but make it.

Ji Huan paused, then suddenly buried his head in Wen Miao's neck and sighed for a moment, "Madam is intelligent."

He was lying. He wished his wife would only look at him and talk to him every day. How could he tolerate other people getting so close and intimate with her? If he wasn't afraid that he couldn't resist, he wouldn't be standing here in the cold wind on the corridor, pretending to be virtuous.

He can feign magnanimity.

And it has always been this way.

Wen Miao's heart softened. She couldn't empathize with Emperor Qian Yuan's morbidly possessive desire, but she tried to understand. Seeing the other person leaning his head against her neck, she reached out and touched the emperor's slightly cool cheek.

"I've already spoken with them. So... what are your plans, my husband?"

Ji Huan paused, feeling a warmth in his heart from Wen Miao's address of "husband".

He took Wen Miao's hand again and led them slowly out of the Xie residence. This time, they did not get into a carriage, but instead walked with the crowd through the streets of the capital of Great Chu.

The carriage stopped by the street, and Zhang Ji, Xu Sheng, Shi Cui, and Wan Bi followed at a distance, not getting too close to disturb the emperor and empress's "incognito" time.

Although it was evening, the streets were bustling with activity because it was the last day of the year. The capital city, being the core area of ​​the Great Chu, was packed with people, almost shoulder to shoulder. On both sides were vendors selling all kinds of goods, and there were even acrobatic stalls every ten steps.

On Zhuque Street, lanterns made of red silk were hung from the city gate all the way to the entrance of the neighborhood. Although they were not as dazzling as those in the palace, they still spread out like a warm sea of ​​light.

Although she had been in the Great Chu for a year, Wen Miao rarely went out at night. This was the first time she had seen such a lively night scene in the capital.

The bluestone pavement was filled with people, and the frost and snow had long since been completely dried by the heat of the room.

Despite the crowds and noise, Wen Miao was firmly protected in the emperor's arms by his tall frame. The two walked side by side down the long street, surrounded by the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and cheering.

Wen Miao smiled as she looked at him, her eyes and brows illuminated by the red light of the lanterns. Ji Huan kept a close eye on his wife as he walked, and seeing her starry eyes sparkling, he couldn't help but squeeze Wen Miao's fingertips.

"how?"

Amid the commotion, Wen Miao's voice was almost completely drowned out by the crowd. She could only try her best to mouth the words, looking up at the emperor with a questioning look in her eyes.

Ji Huan had deep, expressive eyes and brows.

He gazed at Wen Miao, whose cheeks were half-hidden by the hood of her cloak, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. Suddenly, he gently cupped the brim of the hood with one hand and leaned down to kiss her.

The emperor ate a lot of the already scarce lip rouge, causing Wen Miao to blush. Just as she was about to say something, she saw the emperor cup her face and turn it to the side.

Ji Huan lowered his body and said, "Madam, look—"

Through the bustling crowd, Wen Miao saw the direction Emperor Qian Yuan was pointing.

It was a small wonton shop on the side of the street. It didn't have a proper storefront, just a makeshift wooden shed with a few tables and stools. It looked quite poor, but the elderly couple standing there gave off a warm and harmonious feeling.

In front of the stove, two people with graying hair were working together in perfect harmony.

The husband makes wontons while the wife collects the money. When the customers have left, the two sit on a bench behind the stove, sharing a bowl of hot soup. They then smile at each other, their eyes filled with the tacit understanding and enduring affection of supporting each other through most of their lives.

Ji Huan stroked Wen Miao's cheek and asked softly, "Will my wife and I be like this when we grow old?"

Wen Miao stared blankly at the scene. She rarely thought about what it would be like to grow old, but she still nodded and said softly, "As long as you don't change, I won't change either."

Bathed in the light and shadow of the street, the emperor looked down at Wen Miao's face, which appeared even more beautiful after she applied heavy makeup. He seemed to be thinking of something when he suddenly asked, "If I die, will my lady remarry?"

Wen Miao's eyelashes trembled, and she subconsciously looked up. Her starry eyes, as clear as spring water, reflected the emperor's handsome, sharp face, which held a questioning look.

She frowned slightly, her heart skipping a beat for no apparent reason. "...What did you say?"

Ji Huan was somewhat fixated on the answer at this moment: "In this world, no one but me can imprison you, Madam. If I die, will you choose another man to be your husband?"

Wen Miao understood immediately. It was probably because one of Emperor Qian Yuan's bad habits had inexplicably resurfaced. She didn't like the assumption the other party had made, so she didn't indulge him and simply said with a pursed lip, "Of course."

Ji Huan paused slightly.

He had asked the question himself, and he was the one who insisted on getting an answer, but when he actually heard the answer "yes" from Wen Miao, he still felt restless, as if he had an inexplicable unease.

He wanted to say something more, but Wen Miao shook off his arm and walked into the crowd on her own.

The emperor felt a sudden, inexplicable panic. He quickly stepped forward and caught up with the lady's graceful figure through the crowd. Just as he was about to reach out, he saw the person in front of him intentionally raise her hand, causing him to miss his target.

Wen Miao blinked, remaining silent and expressionless, treating Emperor Qian Yuan as if he were invisible and unworthy of her attention.

"Would this lady like to take a look at my family's hairpin?"

The vendors' cries caught Wen Miao's attention.

She turned her head and looked over, and saw a red cloth spread on the small table, on which lay more than a dozen exquisitely crafted wooden hairpins. The carvings were delicate and lifelike, and it was clear that the maker of these items must have been an experienced old craftsman.

Wen Miao paused, wanting to take a closer look.

The merchant was very observant and could tell at a glance that the lady's jewelry and clothes were very expensive, and that it would be difficult to find fabrics of the same quality even in the capital.

He had sharp eyes and noticed that the man in the light green clothes had followed them; they appeared to be a couple.

The vendor immediately said, "Esteemed sir, would you mind buying a wooden hairpin for your wife to wear?"

Before the emperor could speak, Wen Miao said calmly, "I have lost my husband."

"Oh, madam, you've been so rude! It was my mistake!"

Looking at the other woman's bright yet cold expression, the vendor wished he could slap himself. His judgment had never been wrong, so how could he have suffered such a big setback today?

Ji Huan was taken aback by Wen Miao's reply. Knowing that his previous questioning had angered his wife, he wanted to appease her, so he looked at the vendor and said, "I'll take all the wooden hairpins from your stall and wrap them up."

The merchant was surprised, thinking to himself that he was lucky to have met a "distinguished guest," and excitedly responded. Then he saw the beautiful woman who had lost her husband turn around and leave, her expression seemingly slightly annoyed.

The next second, the "distinguished guest" also hurriedly chased after him.

"Oh, sir, you still owe me money..."

Before he could finish speaking, another man with a fair complexion and no beard, who was smiling, came over and stuffed some silver into the merchant's hand. He then turned to a burly man and two girls behind him and said, "Hurry up and pack it up. We'll put it on the carriage for our masters later!"

The vendor was dumbfounded. He felt a gust of wind pass by, and all the wooden hairpins on his stall were packed away. He was still holding a heavy silver ingot in his hand and couldn't quite react.

So... that "distinguished guest" has taken a fancy to the woman whose husband died earlier?

While the vendors were still pondering what they had seen that evening, Wen Miao, holding up her bright red skirt, walked through the crowd without looking back.

Ji Huan was tall and strong, with long legs and a long stride. He caught up with Wen Miao in just a few steps and once again raised his hand to grab Wen Miao's wrist.

Wen Miao tried to shake him off several times but failed. The difference in strength between her and Emperor Qian Yuan was negligible. Whenever the emperor held her, she had no chance to escape, even on the bed.

"Please don't be angry, Madam. I misspoke."

Ji Huan immediately apologized in a low voice, humbled himself, and bought anything that Wen Miao glanced at on the street, just to make Wen Miao smile.

Unable to escape the emperor's persistent advances, Wen Miao pursed her lips and turned her head away, saying, "If you really die, even if I remarry, it's none of your business!"

When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out. At that time, all consciousness and obsessions will dissipate. Could it be that Emperor Qian Yuan could still transform into a male ghost and haunt her every day?

Wen Miao disliked the emperor's overly pessimistic thoughts about her, and she also disliked his inability to live a proper life and his constant overthinking. She had already married him and was standing by his side, so what was there to worry about?

Just as Wen Miao said before, as long as Emperor Qian Yuan doesn't change, then she won't change either.

Hearing Wen Miao's words, Ji Huan's smile of seeking peace became slightly stiff. He held Wen Miao's hand and slowly squeezed it between her fingers, forcibly turning it into a position where their fingers were intertwined.

"I admire you, madam."

"Even if I die and become a vengeful ghost, I will haunt Miaomiao day and night... You choose a husband, and I will scare one to death. At that time, probably no man will dare to attract attention in front of Madam, right?"

"It's not wrong for the lady to remarry; the wrong ones are those wild men who like to seduce Miaomiao."

As he spoke, Ji Huan smiled, took Wen Miao's hand, and kissed the back of her hand.

In the dimly lit, bustling street, a strange tremor and excitement flickered in his eyes, and even the wrist holding Wen Miao's was twitching slightly.

She trembled slightly, and then heard the emperor standing before her ask in a low voice—

"Miaomiao, are you scared?"

"You're going to be haunted by me for the rest of your life."

Even if we die, we will be buried together. History will record our names... Even thousands of years from now, future generations will know that you are my wife.

And I am your husband.

This is a history that will be remembered and known by everyone, and the name of Emperor Qian Yuan Ji Huan will forever be linked with that of his empress Wen Miao.

Wen Miao pursed her lips, looked up at the emperor whose eyes were dark and who seemed to be insane, then decisively withdrew her hand, raised her arm and pinched the emperor's cheek, distorting his handsome face, and said indifferently—

"Have you gone crazy enough?"

"After you've given me enough, continue shopping with me."

She didn't want to discipline the bad dog in such a lively and joyful place during the New Year's Eve celebration.

Ji Huan: "...Oh."

-----------------------

The author writes: There will never be any intense arguments or disputes between Miaomiao and His Majesty. His Majesty loves Miaomiao very much, and he instinctively believes that all of Miaomiao's choices are right (except for leaving him). Miaomiao herself is emotionally stable, and even if conflicts arise between her and His Majesty, her first thought is not to blame anyone, but to communicate and reconcile, and to look at the problem with a more rational perspective.

So... if it's Miaomiao, this gentle and rational beauty with stable emotions, even if His Majesty is full of yin, dampness, male ghost and mad dog buffs, she can easily handle him!

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