Chapter 156 Hiding

Chen Kang'an listened to these words in disbelief, thinking to himself that the Imperial Concubine was truly, truly audacious.

However, this audacity is something His Majesty has spoiled him with.

"Your Majesty, the palace gates are closed too early. What will we do when His Majesty arrives later?" Chen Kang'an's expression was complicated, and he seemed at a loss. "How should this servant explain this to His Majesty?"

Lan Wu smiled and said to Chen Kang'an, "What are you worried about, Eunuch Chen? Just tell His Majesty the original words. I think His Majesty is worried that I have caught a cold, and he would be happy to grant my wish."

"This, this..." Chen Kang'an was speechless and could only slink away with two eunuchs to the Emperor's presence.

No sooner had I stepped out of the Yilan Palace than I turned back to look and saw that the palace servants inside the Yilan Palace had immediately closed the palace gates, doing so with remarkable speed, as if they were afraid of being even a step too late.

"Eunuch, what does the Imperial Concubine mean by this?" The young eunuch followed closely behind Chen Kang'an, somewhat bewildered.

Chen Kang'an clicked his tongue twice: "The two masters are sulking. I've never seen a concubine dare to turn His Majesty away..."

Upon hearing this, the young eunuch added, "Wouldn't that mean His Majesty will be furious?"

"What are you so angry about!" Chen Kang'an reached out and smacked him on the head. "That's the Imperial Concubine! What do you know to dare to speculate on the Emperor's will? Shut your mouth!"

The young eunuch was given a solid knock on the head and dared not reply. He could only repeatedly agree and slink away as he followed Chen Kang'an to the Emperor's presence.

-

It was already completely dark when Chen Kang'an rushed back to the Emperor's court and saw the Imperial Study brightly lit by candlelight. He was pondering how to reply to His Majesty when he entered the palace.

"This servant greets Your Majesty."

Chu Mingheng leaned back on the dragon throne, listlessly flipping through the book in his hands. He hummed in agreement and asked, "How is the Imperial Concubine?"

Chen Kang'an replied cautiously, "Your Majesty, when I arrived, Yilan Palace had already served dinner and was waiting for Your Majesty. I told Her Majesty that Your Majesty was too busy with state affairs to come... so Her Majesty said, she said..."

Chu Mingheng closed the book and stared at him: "What did you say?"

"The Empress said that His Majesty is avoiding her."

"Her Majesty also said that the night wind was chilly, and ordered that the palace gates be closed after this servant left. This servant tried to dissuade her, but Her Majesty said that His Majesty would also feel sorry for her, and still closed the palace gates—"

After Chen Kang'an finished speaking, he cautiously observed the Emperor's expression. Seeing that the Emperor's face was stern, he quickly knelt down and said, "Everything this servant said is true."

"go out."

Upon receiving the order, Chen Kang'an hurriedly retreated.

Chu Mingheng closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking to himself: I wonder where Lan Wu learned her stubborn temper.

However, he was indeed avoiding Lan Wu. Hui Fan said that Lan Wu had to go to Changyong Mountain for three months. How could he agree to that? Although he told Lan Wu to think it over carefully, there was really no need for him to think about it. He simply couldn't agree.

It seems that Lan Wu also realized this, which is why she got angry with him.

The candlelight in the imperial study burned until midnight, and it snowed that night.

Hearing the noise inside, Chen Kang'an immediately became alert, and then saw His Majesty come out.

"Your Majesty, shall we return to Taichen Palace?"

Chu Mingheng glanced at him abruptly: "Go to Yilan Palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Kang'an suppressed his surprise and ordered people to prepare the imperial carriage to head towards Yilan Palace.

Traveling in the snow at night was difficult, and when we arrived at the gate of Yilan Palace, we found that the gate was indeed closed.

Chen Kang'an glanced at His Majesty before stepping forward and knocking on the door.

When the palace servants guarding the door learned that it was His Majesty, they dared not stop him and quickly opened the door.

Chu Mingheng went inside and saw that the candlelight in the direction of the sleeping quarters had already been extinguished. He looked lost in thought.

The palace servants who tried to rise and pay their respects were stopped and ordered not to make a sound.

"What time does your empress go to sleep?" Chu Mingheng asked someone.

The man dared not lie and honestly replied that he had just fallen asleep.

As for why she had just fallen asleep, it was naturally because she was waiting for His Majesty to come. However, he was nowhere to be seen, and Lan Wu angrily went to bed in a huff.

I just fell asleep...

Chu Mingheng pondered these words, thinking to himself that Lan Wu definitely wasn't asleep.

So he got up and went into the hall.

The palace doors opened and closed again, and the sounds inside could no longer be heard.

Upon entering the inner hall, although it was very dark, a few rays of light shone through, illuminating the location of the bed in the hall.

Chu Mingheng immediately spotted Lan Wu lying on her side on the bed. She usually slept on the inside, but now she was sleeping on the outside in his usual spot. He didn't know if it was intentional or unintentional.

It was definitely intentional.

Chu Mingheng wanted to laugh, so he stepped forward, reached out and pulled at the bed curtain that wasn't closed, then bent down and gently kissed Lan Wu's cheek.

The person on the bed didn't even bother to pretend anymore and simply reached out and wiped away the kiss.

Chu Mingheng saw it all.

Not to be outdone, he kissed her again.

Lan Wu turned over and pushed him away.

"Still angry?" Chu Mingheng had just come back from outside, and his hands were cold, so he didn't touch her. But seeing her angry expression, he couldn't help but coax her.

Lan Wu didn't reply to him, pretending not to hear.

Chu Mingheng took off his clothes and went to the side hall to wash up. When he returned, he saw that Lan Wu had already drawn the curtain.

This is clearly an attempt to prevent him from sleeping.

Chu Mingheng pulled back the curtain, reached out and carried Lan Wu inside, then shamelessly lay down on the couch.

Lan Wu finally reacted. In the dark, she touched something, but it was warm and even a little hot.

Her fingers paused, then she seemed to remember something, and continued touching.

Chu Mingheng coughed lightly, encircled her hand, and stroked it a few times, saying, "You mustn't tease me."

With a sharp crack, following those words, Lan Wu slapped him squarely across the chest.

"Weren't you avoiding me? Why are you here again? What are you doing here?" Lan Wu was right; Chu Mingheng's body was a little hot.

She knew Chu Mingheng had a fever again, and she lowered her eyes in frustration, wondering what else she could do.

With a heavy heart, even when saying this, his tone softened unconsciously, and he lacked any imposing manner.

Chu Mingheng pulled her into his arms and held her close, saying softly, "I've come to see if you're so angry you can't sleep."

Lan Wu lay down sullenly, sighing repeatedly.

"Just agree, okay? We might as well try anything," Lan Wu advised him irrationally.

Chu Mingheng's forehead veins throbbed violently. He closed his eyes and rebuked her, saying, "What do you mean by 'dead horse' or 'alive horse'? Don't talk nonsense."

"Then tell me, have you thought about it? Have you made up your mind?"

Chu Mingheng denied it: "It won't be that fast. Oh right, the lady-in-waiting will come to teach you etiquette tomorrow. Don't be afraid. I have given an order that we don't need to pay too much attention to those formalities."

Lan Wu suspected that this was intentional on his part, a deliberate attempt to distract her.

"Go to sleep, I'm a little sleepy." With that, Chu Mingheng closed his eyes.

Lan Wu looked at him suspiciously, wondering if he knew that he would transform into another Chu Mingheng after taking a nap.

But we can't let Chu Mingheng stay up all night, so Lan Wu didn't mention it.