Chapter 68: Are they husband and wife, or emperor and empress...?

Yuan Chaolu originally thought that Helan Zhen would definitely take action after the hunting ground incident because he was dissatisfied with Lu Runlan. However, Helan Zhen remained remarkably calm until the wedding ceremony between the two families.

Upon returning to the palace, Yuan Chaolu instructed her subordinates: "During this time, keep an eye on the Helan family's young lady's every move."

The Empress placed guards outside the residences of Helan Zhen and Helan Wei, instructing them to keep an eye on the movements of the people in the residences, and also ordered Qingheng to investigate the matter.

As a physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau, Qingheng sometimes went to the homes of high-ranking officials to treat patients. Her access to the palace was convenient, and she was able to handle her duties with ease.

Autumn is deepening in Luoyang, and the maple leaves are gradually turning crimson.

On this day, Qingheng returned from outside the palace and hurriedly walked through the long corridor to Changqiu Palace. In her medicine box was a very important list.

Later, Yuan Chaolu took the medical bill. "What's this?"

Qingheng said, "A few days ago, Her Majesty heard that the Helan family frequently sent people to get medicine, so she asked me to pay more attention. This is the purchase list of the Helan family that I obtained from the pharmacy this morning. Most of them are painkillers that Miss Helan often uses, but one of the medicines is different."

Qingheng paused for a moment, then said, "There's an extra ingredient to help prevent miscarriage."

These words struck Yuan Chaolu like a thunderbolt. Yuan Chaolu looked up and asked, "How could this be?"

Who is pregnant? The first person that comes to mind is the mistress of the house, Helan Zhen, but according to the secret letter sent by the guards, Helan Zhen has not been in contact with any men recently.

Could it be that it wasn't Helan Zhen, but a maid from the household? But if a maid is pregnant, how could we trouble the steward of the Helan household to go out and bring back the medicine for the young lady, and put it in the household account?

Unless she is a maid with an unusual status.

Yuan Chaolu narrowed her eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, and then heard Qingheng say, "What if she is the woman of the young master of the Helan family?"

The men of the Helan family...

Yuan Chaolu said, "Helan Zhen came to Luoyang from the northwest, accompanied only by one young master, Helan Wei. After marrying Lu Runlan, he built a separate residence for himself, and there were no others besides him..."

The words came to an abrupt halt.

Yuan Chaolu's eyes gleamed: "It's not impossible that he's one of He Lanwei's people."

Yuan Chaolu knew perfectly well that this marriage originated from a hero saving the beauty secretly planned by both families. Lu Runlan fell in love with He Lanwei from then on, but what about He Lanwei's heart?

This matter is certainly not that simple. Helan Zhen will never swallow her anger and give up on getting revenge on Lu Runlan. No matter what, this pregnancy-preserving medicine is inextricably linked to her.

She sent Qingheng to continue the investigation.

Not long after Qingheng left, several palace ladies came to report back.

"Your Majesty, we have come to pay our respects."

A few days ago, after Yuan Chaolu finished dealing with the late emperor's last edict and received the Phoenix Seal from the Empress Dowager, she officially began to take charge of the inner palace. Today is the first time that these female officials are formally reporting their work to the Empress.

The first to step forward was the head of all the palace maids, the Chief Lady, who greeted her, "Your Highness."

Half an hour later, Yuan Chaolu listened to the female officials' reports and let out a soft breath.

These are all things that the Empress Dowager is used to employing, and it is obvious that she does not obey Yuan Chaolu. Given time, the policies implemented by the Empress may not be able to proceed smoothly.

Therefore, drastic measures are needed to innovate.

She flipped through a stack of documents recording the expenses of the imperial harem. The dense text on them made Yuan Chaolu's forehead ache slightly.

When the emperor walked in from outside, he saw the empress holding a scroll, propping up half her head, looking drowsy.

Yuan Chaolu's gaze wandered, and the scroll slipped from his hand, only to be caught by an outstretched hand. He looked up at the newcomer and asked in surprise, "Your Majesty?"

Seeing this, the female officials gradually withdrew.

After finishing his archery and horsemanship lessons at dusk, the emperor, still wearing his black, fitted outfit that wrapped around his waist, was still warm from the setting sun.

"It seems I have come at an inopportune time. The Empress has important matters to discuss with everyone."

Yuan Chaolu gazed at him in the hazy twilight. Since their return from the Helan residence that night, the two had several intimate encounters. Although she hadn't fully adapted to being his wife, compared to when she first entered the palace, she was gradually getting used to waking up each day to the scent of him on her pillow…

She smiled faintly, wrapped her arms around his waist, and leaned into his embrace.

The person above said, "Just now when I returned to Changqiu Palace, I heard from Zhong Changjun that a female official from the Imperial Medical Bureau came to see the Empress? Is the Empress alright?"

"It was just a routine pulse diagnosis, nothing serious. Qingheng is clever and quick-witted, has good medical skills, and speaks very well. I feel that it is a waste of a female doctor's talents, so I can't help but think of keeping her here."

The Emperor smiled slightly and said casually, "I remember that Qingheng was promoted by Qi Yu. She has outstanding medical skills, and Qi Yu is also the Empress's man. He used to frequent the Empress's side."

These words were like a cold dagger, carrying an inexplicable chill, piercing Yuan Chaolu's consciousness and making her body suddenly feel cold.

She slowly raised her head and met the emperor's dark, smiling eyes.

Those eyes were extremely beautiful. When they were aloof and cold, the corners of their eyes revealed a sharpness that made people dare not profane them. But when they smiled like they were now, they were extremely charming, with their eyebrows revealing a spiritedness and a subtle allure, just like how he had treated Yuan Chaolu these past few days.

Yuan Chaolu smiled and said, "Since I am in charge of the harem, naturally all the people in the Imperial Medical Bureau are my people. Qi Yu and Qing Heng are both excellent doctors and female physicians, so it is more convenient for them to serve me. Why did Your Majesty bring this up?"

Xiao Zhuo smiled faintly and said it was nothing.

Yuan Chaolu lay down again, resting on his lap, her fingertips involuntarily clenching his robes.

A strong sense of unease welled up inside her. Having spent so much time with him, she knew this man too well and almost instantly sensed a dangerous aura.

What is the meaning behind his sudden mention of Qi Yu today?

She did so many things behind his back, which one made him realize something was wrong?

His hand gently stroked her temples, removing the hairpins one by one and placing them lightly on the table. His slender fingers ran through her hair, combing her long hair with a gentle, soothing motion, as smooth as spring water.

He lowered his head and spoke to her softly, asking her what she had done that afternoon.

Yuan Chaolu answered truthfully, smiling as she looked out the window at the maple leaves.

This subtle movement, almost too delicate to look the emperor in the eye, was noticed by Xiao Zhuo.

The Queen became increasingly perceptive; her keen intuition was a prerequisite for becoming a qualified politician.

For the Empress, who had been kept away from fame and fortune since childhood and had never had the opportunity to come close to the vortex of power, her first move was so shrewd that it truly caught Xiao Zhuo off guard.

This afternoon, he learned something.

Several months ago, the court was about to summon Helan Yi to Luoyang to reward him for his merits. The court specially dispatched a general, General Xianwu, to the border to temporarily stabilize the army. Everything was proceeding according to plan, but unexpectedly, before General Xianwu set off, a back ailment struck again, completely disrupting the court's rhythm.

What followed was that the Lu family wanted to prioritize the marriage of the Lu Helan family and did not want Helan Yi to return to the capital and affect the marriage, and the Empress claimed to be afraid of General Helan... which ultimately led to Helan Yi's delayed return to the capital.

Today, the imperial physician who usually served the emperor happened to take General Xianwu's pulse. While reviewing past medical records, he discovered something unusual.

General Xianwu's previous back ailment recurred not suddenly, but due to improper acupuncture by Imperial Physician Qi Yu. And Qi Yu was renowned for his meticulous attention to detail…

Qi Yu had served the Empress Dowager for many years. In the past six months, the Empress Dowager's health had gradually stabilized. However, while at the hunting grounds, she suddenly fell into a coma without warning and was in critical condition. She later woke up and was fine.

At that time, there was also the incident of Helan Zhen being seriously injured by a wild bear...

It seemed that Qi Yu's figure was involved in countless unrelated events, and upon closer inspection, he discovered that a beautiful figure was also moving among them.

His fingers weaved through her long hair as he looked at his newlywed wife, who had a tender and harmless smile on her face.

If she were just his wife, he would treat her with increasing tenderness, just as he had at the Helan family mansion, but she was clearly not satisfied with that.

They wanted to quietly and forcefully infiltrate his power structure and attempt to influence his thoughts.

However, Xiao Zhuo always thought himself superior and enjoyed all the power in the world.

The emperor rested his hand on his lap, and with one hand adorned with a beautiful jade thumb ring, he gently raised it, grasped her chin, and made her look into his eyes.

At this moment, the Queen wrapped her arms around his neck, choosing this method to dispel his doubts.

Her beautiful eyes were alluring, her cheek lightly pressed against his palm, and she smiled gently, saying, "Your Majesty, shall we stay at Changqiu Palace tonight?"

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Author's Note: Chaolu and Xiaozhuo are no ordinary couple; their relationship is underpinned by power struggles, making this a unique storyline between the emperor and empress.