Chapter 125 So, do you want to change it?

Chu Mingheng was always helpless against Lan Wu's tears.

Although it's clear now that Lan Wu did cry in the side room, her sullen expression, not wanting him to notice, is probably still related to what Hui Fan said in the elegant hall.

"Why do you believe everything? I'm perfectly fine, aren't I?" Chu Mingheng touched her face, his fingers brushing against the corner of her eye, his tone softening.

Lan Wu hummed in agreement and said slowly, "So I only cried for that one moment."

Because Chu Mingheng is currently fine and unharmed, her tears were only because she thought of her previous life, of Chu Mingheng's hardships, and of herself.

Seeing that he was somewhat silent, Lan Wu took his arm again and asked him what he had said to Master Huifan inside.

Chu Mingheng turned his head to look at her, and couldn't help but gently pinch her cheek, saying, "I told you not to overthink things."

"Did you let him take your pulse?" Lan Wu still didn't believe it. "He seemed to be a very skilled doctor. Did he say he would give you some medicine that would help?"

"I had the doctor's checkup, but they didn't say I needed to take any medicine," Chu Mingheng lied, agreeing with her.

“Ah… how can you not take medicine? Let’s go back and have the imperial physician take another look. Maybe he’ll be willing to give you medicine.” Lan Wu said very seriously, with a worried look on her face.

But these words didn't sound very pleasant to Chu Mingheng.

What does it mean that the imperial physician was willing to give him medicine?

"I want to see what you're thinking about all day long. You've been dishonest since the first time we met."

As he spoke, he looked thoughtfully into Lan Wu's eyes, leaned closer, and saw a hint of guilt in them. He then smiled.

"When you were asked to express your gratitude after the dance at the Emperor's birthday celebration, you didn't react."

"I originally thought that since they had gone to great lengths to prepare a dance for two months, there was no reason why they would be so unwilling to see me after the dance was finished."

"She was thinking about the past after the dance, so she didn't want to talk to me anymore."

Lan Wu was completely taken aback by his guess, and without trying to hide it, she snorted and said, "If I had remembered earlier, I might not have even danced that dance. I might be waiting in the Wanshu Pavilion now, waiting to leave the palace in a couple of years."

If I don't dance that dance, I won't see Chu Mingheng and the other concubines. As long as I stay put, I won't be targeted anymore.

"It was my fault." Chu Mingheng didn't seem angry; he just spoke softly.

He had dreamt of Lan Wu before he even saw her at the Emperor's birthday celebration. Even if Lan Wu didn't dance and didn't let him see her, he would still find her, even if it meant turning the entire palace upside down.

However, he kept these thoughts to himself and didn't need to tell Lan Wu.

"What's wrong with you?" Lan Wu hummed in response and asked him in return.

The two were too close, and if the questioning was asked in a low voice, it would sound no different from whining.

Chu Mingheng lowered his head and kissed her: "I'm too fierce, and I always scare you, force you, and don't listen to you."

Lan Wu's ears burned as she listened, finding it strange that Chu Mingheng had such an understanding.

"Then, do you want to change it?" she asked aggressively.

Chu Mingheng kissed her again and said, "If Awu says so, I will change it."

Lan Wu was extremely pleased to hear this.

She suppressed her joy and pretended to be serious as she counted the rules on her fingers one by one.

"Then you're not allowed to stop me from going out from now on."

"Even if I do something wrong, you're not allowed to yell at me in front of me. We can talk about it privately."

"Also, you're not allowed to lure me into those weird and strange places anymore."

“The most important thing…” Lan Wu blushed slightly, glanced at Chu Mingheng’s serious expression, and whispered in his ear, “You’re not allowed to hit me…”

Chu Mingheng raised an eyebrow and lowered his eyes to gently pry her fingers back one by one.

"First, the reason I'm stopping you from going out is because you're not fully recovered. I listened to the imperial physician's advice, so I'm keeping a closer eye on you. You've always been playful and have no limits, so this is the only way I can manage."

"The second point is my fault. I shouldn't have been so harsh with you. But I only ever scolded you in person that time in Jinghua Palace, which made you lose face. I will never do that again."

"As for those strange places you mentioned, if you don't want to go, then don't go. I won't take you there unless you say something wrong."

Finally, Chu Mingheng pressed her palm down, seemingly puzzled: "How can that be called hitting? You seemed quite comfortable."

It meows like a cat on a spring night, and says it's not comfortable.

Chu Mingheng didn't believe it.

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Lan Wu's face flushed even redder with anger as she whispered angrily, "If you want to feel better, go hit yourself! You bastard!"

Chu Mingheng held her hand and supported her steadily, preventing her from moving around.

"Be gentle, or you'll fall."

The carriage turned onto a side road, and Chen Kang'an asked from outside which road to take.

Lan Wu was held in Chu Mingheng's arms, and when she looked up, she saw him gently lift the carriage curtain a little.

"Take the shortcut."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

There was more than one way down the mountain, but Lanwu gradually discovered that this road was different from the one they had taken to get up the mountain; this shortcut was more bumpy.

Lan Wu was held in Chu Mingheng's arms. Although she was jostled around by the carriage from time to time, she was fine and didn't get hurt anywhere.

"Why take the shortcut?" she wondered.

Chu Mingheng simply said that it was getting late and he needed to return to the palace before nightfall.

It was indeed dark when they returned to the palace. Lan Wu went first into the palace to pack, while Chu Mingheng was a step behind her.

Only after watching Lan Wu enter the inner hall did Chu Mingheng leave the hall.

Chen Kang'an stepped forward quickly and whispered, "Your Majesty, a group of people were ambushed on the way to Huguang Temple. Commander Zhang led his men to capture them. Most of them were killed, five committed suicide by poison, and seven survived."

The remaining survivors were all sent to the Imperial Prison for custody and investigation by the Ministry of Justice.

Chu Mingheng's face was grim, and his cold, sharp gaze fell lightly on Chen Kang'an. He calmly gave the order: "I will give them one day. If they cannot find the person, they will bring me their head."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Chen Kang'an received the imperial decree and hurried away, thinking to himself: "I wonder which damned and reckless fools dared to send assassins to ambush me on the mountain road. Fortunately, His Majesty had foresight. Earlier, when Master Huifan entered the capital, news spread that he intended to stay at Huguang Temple. Although Huguang Temple is mostly for seeking marriage and offspring, His Majesty has been on the throne for a long time and has few children, so this statement makes perfect sense."

No sooner had His Majesty left the palace with the Empress than a similar carriage carrying people headed toward Huguang Temple.

Sure enough, an accident happened on the road.

Thinking of this, Chen Kang'an couldn't help but recall the Emperor's chilling gaze from earlier, and shivered all over.

It's only been a few years, and some people have already forgotten the ruthless methods His Majesty used to ascend the throne. Since they are so fearless, they must have risked the lives of their entire families at the gamble.

but……

When has Your Majesty ever lost?