Chapter 172 My Wife

This is a temple, and one should expect to see a golden Buddha statue upon entering the main hall, but the hall is quite empty.

There was nothing around except a few golden pillars standing on one side. Looking up from the spiraling lotus carvings on the pillars, one could see a circular caisson ceiling in the center, with a coiled dragon in the center that had its eyes closed as if it were resting. Even so, it was still exceptionally solemn and majestic.

Further on, Lanwu saw prayer cushions on the ground, and an altar in front of her, but it was covered by curtains, so she couldn't see who was being worshipped. To the left was a desk with scriptures on it.

Lan Wu subconsciously looked around, but there was no one there.

She slowly knelt on the prayer mat, clasped her hands together, and closed her eyes.

Outside the hall, Lianqiao and Mujin stood together; they had both accompanied Lanwu.

Lian Qiao glanced quietly into the hall and asked in a low voice, "Is Your Highness safe inside all alone?"

Mu Jin, a former bodyguard responsible for protecting Lan Wu's safety, frowned slightly upon hearing this, then looked around.

This is Wuji Temple. The entire Changyong Mountain was royal territory, let alone Wuji Temple.

What kind of villain would be so foolish as to attack the Empress here?

That's no different from courting death.

After all, although there seemed to be no one around, there were actually several hidden guards lurking around the Empress.

Mu Jin glanced at Lian Qiao and shook her head: "Your Highness will be safe. Just wait patiently."

They waited until the sky began to darken, and there was only about half an hour left before nightfall.

Lan Wu spent an hour copying scriptures in the hall, and the rest of the time she knelt on the prayer mat and chanted scriptures.

She carefully observed her surroundings for any changes, just like the scenes in her dreams, but after an afternoon, nothing happened.

When she left the temple, she suddenly felt exhausted.

This kind of fatigue is normal, but not to the point where I can fall asleep as soon as I close my eyes.

She thought she was just tired from copying scriptures and didn't take it to heart.

The carriage returned to the villa before nightfall.

After nightfall, Lan Wu washed up early and went to bed. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

This time the dream came even faster. The familiar white mist gradually dissipated, and she saw Chu Mingheng's figure again.

This time it took place in the imperial court.

Below the steps were civil and military officials, and above the steps was Chu Mingheng.

"If Your Majesty insists on this, this old minister will have no choice but to smash his head against this hall to atone for his loyalty!" After saying this, a thin minister, his face flushed and his eyes wide with determination, then smashed his head against the golden pillar on the left.

!!

Lan Wu was startled and hurriedly tried to turn her head away, but couldn't help taking a step back.

However, the sound of hitting the pillar did not occur.

The minister was blocked by the eunuch.

"Since Lord Wu is willing to die for loyalty, then I will grant your wish." Chu Mingheng's voice rang out from behind him, his tone calm, showing no sign of being disturbed by the so-called crashing into the pillar. "The northern border needs loyal ministers like you. Set off tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, the ministers who were about to speak fell silent.

The northern lands are bitterly cold and barren, making it difficult even for generals stationed on the frontier to survive, let alone a civil official in the court.

Lord Wu trembled all over, his face stiff, and could only kowtow to Chu Mingheng: "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace..."

Lan Wu watched this scene, somewhat unsure of what they were talking about.

In her dream yesterday, Chu Mingheng went to see Master Huifan, who told him that he would meet her again in the next life. The key point is that she did not hear what he said after that because she woke up.

And now this is...

In Lan Wu's eyes, Chu Mingheng looked much like him at this moment, except that he must not have eaten properly, as he looked thinner, the bloodshot eyes were still there, and his expression was somewhat impatient.

This time, she tried again to see if she could reach out and touch Chu Mingheng.

It still didn't work.

Lan Wu sighed softly and looked down at the court officials, wondering what had caused them to be so desperate as to bang their heads against a pillar.

But she soon found out.

"When have I ever needed your opinions to choose an empress?" Chu Mingheng said with a mocking smile, and said in a deep voice, "I am just telling you that from this day forward until my death, my empress will only be that one person."

"Whether you want to smash the pillar or submit a memorial, it's all up to you."

"I just don't know if the prison is big enough." Chu Mingheng's cold voice was like a sharp sword, cutting into people's veins inch by inch, making them tremble with fear.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me—this humble subject dares not—"

...

Even after the court session ended, Lan Wu followed Chu Mingheng, walking rather slowly and hesitantly.

She's already dead, yet Chu Mingheng still wants to make her empress. No wonder all the civil and military officials are banging their heads against pillars in the court.

To them, she was not only of lowly status, but also had bewitched the emperor. They were probably secretly glad that she was dead, otherwise they didn't know how she would have brought disaster to the country.

Just ahead, there was a corner. Lan Wu followed Chu Mingheng a few steps behind as they rounded the corner. White mist rose up in front of her again, and after it dissipated, a new scene appeared before her.

A vibrant red color greeted her eyes, and the sounds of bells and drums filled her ears. Only when the sounds gradually subsided did Lan Wu finally see the grand hall before her.

Taichen Palace.

A large red gauze curtain hung from the beam, and the curtains were pulled open layer by layer to both sides. Peanuts and longans were placed on the sandalwood table, and two wine cups were placed to the side. Behind the screen with mandarin ducks playing in the water was a large wedding bed, but no one was sitting on the bed. Only a magnificent phoenix crown was placed in the center.

Chu Mingheng stood quietly beside the bed.

There was no bride at this wedding.

Lan Wu watched his retreating figure, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, and went forward to check on him.

Just then, a gentle breeze blew in through the window, and this breeze seemed to remind Chu Mingheng of something, so he finally made another move.

Lan Wu heard him speak.

"Awu, I'm marrying you."

Lan Wu was taken aback when she saw him sit gently on the couch, next to the phoenix crown. His tone was more peaceful than ever before, and he didn't seem to find the wedding absurd at all.

If Chu Mingheng marries a dead person, isn't that a ghost marriage?

Lan Wu felt her mind was in a mess. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

Chu Mingheng couldn't stop talking.

He lowered his head and turned his face to look at the phoenix crown. He reached out and gently touched a tassel hanging from the gold filigree flower pendant, and said, "Huifan said that I will still have a chance to see you, provided that I do not do anything that would harm the fate of the country."

“I originally thought that being an emperor was really boring, but after hearing what he said, I have no choice but to continue being emperor.”

"...I have married you, and now you are the Empress, Awu."

Chu Mingheng smiled and said, "You've been subtly hinting to me that your rank is too low. Now it's high enough, isn't it, Awu? You are my wife."

"My wife, you are all I have..."

When he said this, Chu Mingheng paused for a long time, his pupils fixed on one direction, clearly lost in thought.

He murmured, "It's all my fault...it's my fault...it's all my fault."

"I was wrong."

He gradually tightened his grip, pinching the gold piece on the phoenix crown. The gold piece cut his hand, and blood stained it.

Chu Mingheng was startled awake by the smear of blood. He hurriedly withdrew his hand, frantically apologizing while wiping away the blood with his clean hand. He also anxiously reassured himself that it was nothing, as if emphasizing something.