Chapter 69 I Should Go Underground

The birthday banquet was over, but Consort Rou's condition was not good. In addition to the rash and swelling on her face, she also had some difficulty breathing.

The imperial physician determined the cause of her illness to be those amla fruits.

When Chen Kang'an reported to the emperor, he did not hide it from others, and all the concubines present heard it.

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician also said that Consort Rou's condition is serious and she needs to rest."

Chu Mingheng nodded slightly, signaling the palace servants to go and prepare to send Consort Rou back to Zhaoyun Palace.

A moment later, everyone heard His Majesty call out to Consort Shu.

Consort Shu hurriedly stepped forward, bowed her head respectfully, and replied, "Yes."

Lan Wu noticed that Consort Shu and her entourage were unusually low-key today. Not only today, but they had been like this for some time now. Perhaps they were plotting something big?

"Since Consort Rou is seriously ill, you will be in charge of handling the affairs of the inner palace."

Chu Mingheng lightly pinched the cup with his fingers, as if playing with it. As he spoke, he raised his eyes and glanced down, finally stopping on one person: "Consort Li will also assist in the handling."

When he mentioned Consort Li, everyone subconsciously looked towards where Consort Li was. Seeing Consort Li's barely concealed excitement, many people looked at her strangely.

Consort Li was initially taken aback, but quickly recovered, as if struck by a huge surprise. She hurriedly stood up with Consort Shu, concealing the smile on her face, and at least managed to appear serious. Just as she was about to reply, Consort Shu spoke first:

"Your Majesty, Consort Li understands nothing. Perhaps it would be better to let me..."

Consort Li's expression changed slightly. Before Consort Shu could finish speaking, she bowed respectfully and said humbly, "Although I don't know much, I do know the rules. I will need your guidance in the future."

rule?

Rules are divine will.

Consort Shu's face stiffened, and she had no choice but to force herself to agree. When she looked at Consort Li, her gaze was not friendly.

"That's enough for today, let's go back to the palace." With that, Chu Mingheng got up to leave, but after a few steps he realized that Lan Wu hadn't followed.

He stopped and looked back.

A few steps away, Lan Wu was still sitting in her seat, her eyes brightly lit by the candlelight. She gently rested her cheek on her hand, as if she was thinking about something. She seemed to come back to her senses when Chu Mingheng glanced at her, and hurriedly got up from her seat, looking slightly flustered as she went down the steps.

"What's the rush?" Chu Mingheng stepped forward and caught Lan Wu, grabbing her arm with a light grip, but Lan Wu almost stumbled.

Chu Mingheng's expression was unreadable. He looked carefully at Lan Wu, who was standing silently in front of him, and called out to her softly.

Lan Wu's reaction was merely to touch her ear, and she only raised her head when Chu Mingheng called her name a second time, replying, "...Your concubine is here..."

Is she...drunk?

Chu Mingheng noticed that her reaction was unusual; she seemed a little slow, but she could still understand what he was saying and recognize people. He figured she wasn't too drunk, so he didn't say anything more and simply led her out of the main hall.

Stepping out of the main hall, the road outside became darker. Lan Wu carefully stepped on the ground, the light, floating feeling still lingering. She found it somewhat novel; she had drunk alcohol in her previous life, but not much, and had never been this drunk before.

She couldn't help but smile, and lightly tapped her toes on the ground.

Chu Mingheng slowed his pace to match hers, but noticed she was playing. He glanced at her and asked what she was laughing about.

At night, the only sounds in the garden can be the chirping of insects and the croaking of frogs, as well as the splashing of fish swimming in the water.

Lan Wu leaned closer and whispered to him, "Because it's funny..."

Chu Mingheng raised an eyebrow and pulled her into his arms: "What's so funny?"

Consort Rou is quite ill from eating the wrong thing, yet she's laughing so happily here, not even bothering to restrain herself in front of him. Is she really that drunk? She doesn't even bother to pretend anymore.

Lan Wu shuffled forward, saying in a serious tone, "I can float."

Fool, can something floating like that be a person?

Chu Mingheng ignored her.

Seeing that Chu Mingheng was ignoring her, Lan Wu became anxious and grabbed his clothes: "I really can!"

She was about to do something extraordinary when Chu Mingheng picked Lan Wu up first, preventing her from moving around.

Lan Wu felt her vision blurring and made her dizzy. She wrapped her arms around Chu Mingheng and watched the scenery around her rush past. She gently moved her feet, leaned close to Chu Mingheng's ear, and whispered, "Look, I'm drifting away."

Chu Mingheng was holding her, unable to free up a hand to deal with her, and upon hearing this, he simply echoed her words casually: "Hmm, wherever you want to go."

Lan Wu looked up and could see many, many bright stars in the sky, and the moon hung high in the sky. She pointed to the sky above her head.

"You want to fly to the heavens?" Chu Mingheng turned his head, his eyes lowered, and saw that Lan Wu's expression was somewhat fearful and sad.

He held her tighter in his arms and coaxed her, "Why are you still unhappy? Weren't you laughing happily just now?"

Lan Wu rested her head on the crook of his neck and murmured softly in frustration, "I should go underground."

"Nonsense." Chu Mingheng frowned. Seeing that they had reached the shore, the small boat responsible for picking up the dignitaries from Kongshan Garden was ready. He carried Lan Wu onto the boat, and only after they were inside the cabin did he release Lan Wu slightly, pinching her chin to make her lift her head.

"What did you mean by that? Can you just make up something like that?" Chu Mingheng's tone was somewhat fierce, but as he said this, he pulled Lan Wu into his arms, making her take back her words.

Lan Wu ignored him completely. She was unhappy when he scolded her, so she pushed Chu Mingheng away, turned her back, and her shoulders trembled as if she was crying very sadly.

"I told you to take back what you said." Chu Mingheng reached out to grab her again, just as the boat rocked slightly on the water, causing Lan Wu to fall towards Chu Mingheng.

Once I saw her face clearly, there was no trace of crying on it; she was still laughing, quite bold.

Chu Mingheng held back, remembering that it was her birthday, and did not make a move, but his voice was unusually serious.

Lan Wu patted her mouth and said dismissively, "It's gone, it's gone."

She was a little sleepy, perhaps because the rocking of the boat was soothing, and she really did fall asleep in Chu Mingheng's arms.

The palace servants waiting outside the cabin were terrified for a while, but when they heard that there was no sound inside, they breathed a sigh of relief.

Boats gradually followed and headed towards the lake. When they reached the shore, Lan Wu briefly woke up, but was then carried ashore by Chu Mingheng and placed on the imperial carriage.

She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear her head, but Chu Mingheng took her hand away as soon as she put it on her eyes.

"His Majesty……?"

Chu Mingheng hummed in agreement, then lowered his head to kiss her, telling her to go to sleep.

"I will go back to the Imperial Study later and come back later. You can stay in the main hall tonight. I have already had your things moved over."

After he said that, Lan Wu couldn't sleep anymore and immediately got up.