Chapter 74 "I just won't kiss you, and you're not happy about it..."

Upon receiving Xue Mingyao's reply, Xie Zhuo tried his best to hide the gloom on his face, gave a soft "hmm," and closed his eyes to pretend to sleep.

Seeing that he had nothing to say, Xue Mingyao also shut up and lay back down on his lap.

Back at the residence, Xie Zhuo remained indifferent throughout the evening, speaking less than usual. Xue Mingyao noticed this and finally couldn't help but ask him, as she climbed into bed and hugged the blanket, "You're not still holding a grudge, are you?"

"No," Xie Zhuo said.

"You're lying." Xue Mingyao kicked him through the blanket.

Xie Zhuo remained motionless, her mind still replaying Xue Mingyao's mention of Zhongjing in Xichuan. She said Zhongjing was beautiful in all four seasons: in spring, the Imperial Garden had a peony garden where the peonies, in their most vibrant colors, vied for attention; when she visited, everyone praised her beauty, saying she was more beautiful than the flowers themselves. She said summer had the lotus pond in Xishan, where one could drift in a small boat, the cool breeze making it all the more pleasant; the boat was flimsy, swaying and rocking, always seeming like it would capsize, but it never did, making it all the more exciting. She said autumn had the imperial garden with its crimson maple leaves, a riot of color; and winter had the snow-capped peaks of Nanshan, where she would climb to the summit to admire the snow and build snow lions…

Xue Mingyao wasn't one to bear loneliness; she always needed companions when she went out. Xie Zhuo couldn't help but wonder who had shared the peonies with her, who had ridden the boat with her, who had seen the red leaves, and who had built the snow lion. The answer was self-evident. The beauty of Zhongjing had left a deep impression on her happy girlhood, along with those who accompanied her.

A bitter smile appeared on Xie Zhuo's lips; he knew he was not truly magnanimous.

They can't even fake it.

“There are many rumors about you and the Crown Prince and the First Prince,” Xie Zhuo said in a low voice. “Were you always with them before?”

"It's alright," Xue Mingyao said. "It's just that they always like to come looking for me."

"And you enjoy it."

Xue Mingyao blinked. "Can't I enjoy it?"

The two most outstanding princes, born of the legitimate wife, were both very attentive to her, which greatly satisfied Xue Mingyao's vanity. She was also at an age where she was just beginning to experience romantic feelings and was curious about potential suitors, so she naturally felt very happy being with them.

"Your Highness is quite capable to make those two fall head over heels for you; you should certainly enjoy it," Xie Zhuo said.

Xue Mingyao wanted to laugh. Xie Zhuo could still be sarcastic and sarcastic. It seemed that he hadn't completely lost his scholarly temperament.

"They're not that infatuated. They don't like me that much. They're just used to competing with each other and don't want to be outdone by me."

Xue Mingyao didn't understand this at the time, but in her ignorance, she was already subconsciously using methods to intensify their competition and constantly fight over her.

She thought it was just a minor squabble, never imagining that less than two years after her marriage, her brothers would turn against each other, resulting in a win for one and a loss for the other.

Recalling the days when the three of them traveled together, Xue Mingyao's face showed a hint of regret.

Xie Zhuo hadn't thought of this, and only said quietly, "I don't know about the eldest prince, but it's clear that His Highness the Crown Prince still has feelings for you."

Zhao Jingyun understood the look in Xue Mingyao's eyes all too well.

The young prince's closeness to Xue Mingyao was not without reason.

Xue Mingyao frowned at him, "He has the Crown Princess, concubines, and several concubines in the Eastern Palace. What feelings could he possibly have for me? Even if he did, he couldn't possibly do anything about it, so why are you bothered by it?"

Xie Zhuo was well aware of this principle, but he found it irritating when Xue Mingyao smiled at another man.

"You should avoid him a little, and don't talk to him alone anymore, even if it's just for my sake," he said.

Xue Mingyao said, "I only see him a few times a year, and when we do, we always have to talk, and there are always servants around. Are you still not satisfied with that?"

Xie Zhuo noticed that she was getting angry, so he stopped talking. After a few moments, he turned around, pressed her down and kissed her, his hand slipping inside her clothes and filling her completely.

There are some things he can never explain to Xue Mingyao, and he doesn't want to argue with her anymore, so he can only find another way to vent his frustration.

Her lips and tongue ached from Xue Mingyao's biting, clearly indicating her dissatisfaction with him.

However, Xie Zhuo became even more excited by her. Deep down, he admitted that he liked this mode. He pressed the angry Xue Mingyao down and did her to his heart's content, watching her go from being fierce and aggressive to crying and whimpering like a limp kitten. This was even more irresistible than physical pleasure.

But after this passionate kiss, Xue Mingyao slapped away his fidgeting hand and said matter-of-factly, "I'm on my period."

Xie Zhuo was taken aback. "He was fine during the day."

"It came after dinner. If you don't believe me, I'll take off my pants and show you."

"No need," Xie Zhuo said helplessly. "But why is it that it's been less than a month since the last time?"

“Who told you to deliberately pick a fight? Every time you upset me, my period comes early,” Xue Mingyao said.

Xie Zhuo: "......"

The next day, Xue Mingyao got up early. Zhao Ying had recently received good news and was eager to go to Yufu Temple, where she had prayed for a child, to fulfill her vow and pray for blessings. She invited Xue Mingyao to go with her.

It so happened that Emperor Deyuan had suspended court that day, and Xie Zhuoren was still at home. Seeing her carefully dressing up in front of the dressing table, he couldn't help but ask, "You're having your period and feeling unwell. Do you really have to go?"

"Of course." Xue Mingyao replied without hesitation, then smiled as she looked back at his somber expression. "A whole night has passed, and you're still not happy?"

"No," Xie Zhuo denied instinctively again.

Xue Mingyao walked over. "Really not?"

Xie Zhuo looked up at her radiant face, her cheeks as white as snow, her rouge as bright as the sunset, she was as beautiful as a fairy. His heart stirred, he touched her hand and blurted out, "Give me a kiss, and I will no longer be unhappy."

Xue Mingyao's smile deepened as she leaned closer to him.

Xie Zhuo lowered his eyes and waited.

However, Xue Mingyao whispered in his ear, "I won't kiss you, so be unhappy!"

After saying that, as if afraid that he would force himself on her, she straightened up, called Green Branch, and left as fast as she could.

Xie Zhuo slumped onto the couch, the pillow still faintly sweet and carrying the scent of Xue Mingyao.

Meanwhile, Xue Mingyao met Zhao Ying at the foot of Luoxia Mountain, where Yufu Temple was located, by carriage. Zhao Ying was in high spirits due to the happy occasion and her face was full of smiles. Seeing that Xue Mingyao was getting off the carriage in a hurry, she reminded her to slow down.

Xue Mingyao ignored her and stared at Zhao Ying for a while. "It's amazing, I already feel like you're a mother."

“That’s wonderful. I’ve wanted to be a mother for a long time.” Zhao Ying’s smile grew even gentler. “Yu Fu Temple is truly effective. Yao Yao, now that you’ve reconciled with General Xie, you’ve stopped taking those contraceptive medicines, right? Why don’t you come and pray for one too, and become a mother with me?”

"We'll see, I'm not in a hurry," Xue Mingyao said with a lazy smile.

However, after entering the main hall where the Guanyin Bodhisattva who grants children is enshrined, Zhao Ying finished fulfilling her vow and turned around to see Xue Mingyao also bowing her head and muttering incantations, seemingly praying for something.

Afterwards, Zhao Ying went to the temple to have a Buddhist prayer bead bracelet blessed by a high monk. Xue Mingyao and Lüzhi were led by a young novice monk to a room to wait for Zhao Ying, where they would have a vegetarian meal together.

The room was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and solemn Buddhist chants drifted from outside the window, calming the hearts of the master and servant without them even realizing it.

The young novice monk brought over some vegetarian cakes and replaced the nearly burnt-out incense.

The newly lit incense sticks quickly released a rich aroma. Xue Mingyao, biting into a pastry, took a deep sniff and said to Lüzhi, "Don't you think this incense smells a bit strange? It doesn't smell like sandalwood."

Green Branch shook her head sleepily. "Green Branch doesn't know, Master. I'm a little sleepy..."

Xue Mingyao rubbed her temples. "I'm a little sleepy too."

A moment later, Zhao Ying entered with her maid. The room was empty except for Lüzhi, who was fast asleep on the table.

......

What does it mean that "the slender figure has disappeared"?

Outside the gate of the Jade Unicorn Guard's garrison, Xie Zhuo stared in shock at Princess Yi'an.

Having sped all the way up the mountain by car, Zhao Ying's forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat from anxiety. She quickly recounted to him the story of Xue Mingyao's mysterious disappearance at Yufu Temple, "I sent people to search the entire temple, but we couldn't find any trace of Yaoyao. Lüzhi seems to have been drugged; several hours have passed, and she remains unconscious. I'm worried that some villains have drugged them and then kidnapped Yaoyao!"

Xie Zhuo's heart plummeted, the immense impact causing him to sway and almost lose his balance.

He managed to compose himself and was about to ask more questions when a eunuch came running from afar. "General Xie, His Majesty summons you and requests that you go to Qifeng Palace immediately."

Xie Zhuo frowned. "Please wait a moment, Princess."

"Go quickly, I'll wait for you here," Zhao Ying said hurriedly.

When Xie Zhuo arrived at Qifeng Palace, there were already two people kneeling inside. He glanced at them out of the corner of his eye and saw that one was the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, whom he had dealt with recently, and the other was a general from the Iron Eagle Guard.

Emperor Deyuan's complexion was unusually bad, and his words were sharp and cutting.

As Xie Zhuo listened, his heart sank once again.

It turned out that, following his reminder a few days ago, Emperor Deyuan sent spies to Wuxi to investigate Cen Zongjing, and they indeed discovered something extraordinary. The spies sent a messenger overnight with urgent news.

The letter said that Cen Zongjing spent eight years in Wuxi, not as a prisoner, but as a general who changed his name and became the great general of Wuxi. He married and had children, and fought for the King of Wuxi, conquering several surrounding tribes.

At this crucial point, the Emperor gritted his teeth, "This traitorous villain, who deceived the heavens and crossed the sea to join my Great Zhou, harbored treacherous intentions and deserves to be punished. Just today, I sent men to arrest him, but he received advance notice and escaped!"

Xie Zhuo clenched his sweaty palms; he knew who had kidnapped Xue Mingyao.