Chapter 125 Your Majesty, Stop Touching Me
Lou Yumin sighed helplessly, dismissed all the palace servants, and ordered the door to be closed. He wanted to speak with Lu Andong alone.
Lou Yumin: "Dong'er, get off the rocking horse first. Let's be quiet, and I'll talk to you about something important."
Lu Andong emphasized, "This is a four-wheeled vehicle, not a rocking horse. Dad, look, it has wheels."
Lou Yumin glared at her. "Fine, fine, whatever you want to be. But I have to say something to you. You're seven years old now. As the eldest daughter of the emperor, you should think about your future."
"Look at Anbei, she's only a year younger than you, and she talks all the time about the country and the world. She's always trying to outshine you in front of your mother. And you, on the other hand, are obsessed with these novelties all day long. What good are they?"
Lu Andong said, "Father, you're wrong. What I'm researching is called machinery. The Empress and Aunt Xiang are promoting new science. The Empress says we should revitalize the country through science and education."
"I received a scientific education from my master, and studying these things will greatly benefit the country's development in the future. Isn't it the right thing to do for the prosperity of the nation?"
Lou Yumin said urgently, "Even if you do all that well, you'll only ever be a minister, just like your Aunt Xiang. That's not what Father meant. Do you even know who's the most powerful person in a country?"
Lu Andong disagreed, saying, "I know, of course the emperor is the greatest. But what's wrong with Aunt Xiang being like that? I think Aunt Xiang is enjoying herself. If you asked her to be the emperor, she wouldn't agree."
"Besides, to be an emperor, one must be as shrewd and insightful as the Empress Dowager. It's not enough to just be good at doing things; one must also know how to use people. I, your son, have no interest in studying complex human nature. I just enjoy studying science and watching these inanimate objects come to life in my hands makes me happy."
"My ambition is not for the throne. Besides, there's only one throne; would it even be my turn?"
Lou Yumin hurriedly said, "Your maternal grandmother was a criminal in the past, and your father had a bad background, so you wouldn't even dare to think about such a thing. But the situation is different now."
After Lu Jinlan ascended the throne, he granted a general amnesty and summoned Ling Zhaoren and Lou Jianming back to the capital from Changzhou, bestowing upon them official titles.
Lou Yumin said, "Now that your maternal grandmother has become an imperial censor, and your father's womb has also been quite successful, giving birth to you, the eldest princess, and then to Anjing. Among all the husbands and servants in the palace, only I have given birth to two princesses. You are smart and do well in your studies. If you behave well in front of your mother, you might have a chance."
Lu Andong laughed and said, "Father, how can you be so confused? Even though Grandma became an imperial censor, she was just a minor civil official. How could she compare to General Song, who held a large army? The Lou family and the Song family are worlds apart. I am not the legitimate son, and you are not the legal husband. Even if you had two or eight princesses, it would be useless."
"How wise is Mother Empress? Would she allow another incident to occur at Shenwu Gate? Or does Father want me to stain the palace with blood and slaughter my own brothers?"
Lou Yumian retorted angrily, "When did I say that? Don't wrong me. Although I'm unwilling, the Emperor and I were among the first to serve him. We've had a long-standing relationship; how can we kill each other? Don't you dare tell your mother, she'll be furious if she finds out!"
Lu Andong said, "I won't tell you. I advise your father not to be resentful. That throne has nothing to do with us, you shouldn't covet it. Otherwise, if the Empress finds out one day, she will definitely be unhappy."
"The Empress Dowager dislikes men interfering in politics, and the matter of the Crown Prince is entirely her decision; no one can influence it. Not to mention you, even the Emperor and the Empress Dowager are husband and wife, and neither dares to say a word. Please do not say anything more."
Lou Yumin intended to educate her child, but unexpectedly, she was the one who received a lecture from her child.
Lu Andong continued, "Father, don't be upset. We are father and daughter, that's why I'm telling you these heartfelt words."
“Father, you are clever, and you serve Mother very well. But your cleverness is all about a man’s petty thoughts, and it has nothing to do with matters of state. If you put your mind to politics, then you would not be clever.”
"The world is vast, and there's more than one throne. My son, if you become a trusted minister and assist either of your sisters, it will be good. You will certainly not fail your mother's achievements. Why trouble yourself with unnecessary worries?"
Lou Yumin was silent for a moment, then said, "Father understands. Father knows he doesn't understand politics. This is for your sake. Since you don't want to, Father won't worry about it anymore."
Lu Andong said, "That's exactly right. Father, since you have so much free time, why don't you give me a few more sisters? Mother Empress has so many new concubines in the palace that she doesn't have time to come over. If you have a few more children, you won't be lonely."
Lou Yumin chuckled, "You child, you really say whatever comes to mind. Your father has served by your mother's side for so many years, and her favor has never waned. Of course, I have my own abilities. In this regard, your father knows more than you do."
"Your mother is just after something new. Those new concubines may seem favored, but it won't last. They've only been with you for a few days; do they even understand your mother's temperament?"
"Even after being by her side for so long, I still can't see through her. I have to serve her day and night with utmost care and caution. What do those newcomers know? They may seem popular and sought-after, but if they accidentally displease your mother, they'll be forgotten in the blink of an eye. Do you think I can't compete with them?"
*
Lou Yumin said these words on the day when Chu Yi was at the height of his favor.
Chu Yi was eighteen years old, young and impetuous, at an age when he was unaware of the immensity of the world. Upon entering the palace, he was given the title of "Changpai" (常陪, a title of attendant), and after serving the emperor for one night, he was promoted to "Guiren" (贵人, a title of nobility). In the month since he entered the palace, the emperor had spent more than twenty days with him.
Many of the young men who entered the palace at the same time didn't even get to see Lu Jinlan.
Chu Yi was riding high and gradually felt that he was the most important person in the harem, so he no longer paid attention to the other husbands.
Lu Jinlan was reviewing memorials in the South Study when Xi Mo came in from outside, bringing back something interesting.
"Consort Chu encountered Imperial Attendant Lu playing with two young masters in the Imperial Garden. The young masters' ball soiled Consort Chu's clothes, and Consort Chu then said some disrespectful words to Imperial Attendant Lu."
Lu Jinlan frowned. "Qilang has a good temper, so he probably didn't do anything to him."
Xi Mo said, "No, the Imperial Attendant picked up the child and left, saying he was going to see the Third Princess. I couldn't be bothered to argue with him."
Lu Jinlan pursed her lips. "What did the Emperor say?"
"Your Majesty, the Emperor's father entered the palace today, and the Emperor must not have heard the news yet. It was the Imperial Concubine who heard about it first and summoned Consort Chu to give her a scolding."
Lu Jinlan was taken aback. "Isn't the Imperial Consort under house arrest?"
Xi Mo laughed and said, "He was under house arrest. He ordered someone to summon Consort Chu to his palace and berate her."
Lu Jinlan smiled and shook her head, "That's what makes Henglang so adorable; he always manages to do something interesting."
That evening, Lu Jinlan chose Xiao Heng's name, and the confinement was naturally lifted.
*
Chu Yi was a little uneasy. Lu Jinlan hadn't come to his palace for three days in a row, and he was starting to feel uneasy.
But then he thought, although Lu Qilang was a high-ranking imperial attendant, he was usually quiet and didn't seem to be favored. Surely the Emperor wouldn't be angry with him over such a trivial matter?
On the fourth day, Lu Jinlan arrived, without mentioning the incident in the Imperial Garden where he had offended the Imperial Nobleman. Chu Yi was relieved and continued to serve him with the same variety of charms as before.
Knowing that Lu Jinlan would be coming, he had already gone to bed early.
As soon as Lu Jinlan arrived, he said, "Your Majesty, your servant has warmed this bed for you. Please lie down and I will help you relax."
Lu Jinlan sat on the edge of the bed, reached his hand under the covers and touched it. He laughed, feigning shyness, and said seductively, "Your Majesty, please don't touch me. I'm not wearing any clothes."
Young and handsome face, sexy and alluring figure, and endless seductive tricks.
In his spare time from his diligent political duties, Lu Jinlan had such a plaything, which was indeed a way to relieve fatigue.
That afternoon, Lu Jinlan stayed at Chu Yi Palace again.
Chi Cheng, holding a letter and accompanied by two palace servants, came to see him. "I have urgent business to discuss with Your Majesty."
Chu Yi shushed him, "His Majesty is taking a nap inside, who would dare disturb him?"
Chi Cheng glared at him. "Then I'll wait here."
Chu Yi sneered, "Then you can wait. But even if the Emperor wakes up, he might not be willing to see you. Besides, the Emperor was having a great time with me just now, and we don't know when he will wake up. If you're not afraid of getting a tan, then you can wait."
Chi Cheng gritted his teeth in anger, "We are both nobles, we are all the same, you don't need to be so arrogant with me. This is a letter from my brother, the Emperor must want to see it. If you delay, the Emperor will be unhappy, and you will be in big trouble. If you dare to stop me from seeing the Emperor, I will tell the Imperial Consort."
Chu Yi scoffed, "So what if he's the Emperor's consort? He's served the Emperor for seven or eight years; the Emperor is long tired of him. But I'm different. The Emperor likes me. Tell him, what can he do to me?"
Chi Cheng smiled and nodded, "Alright, you asked me to go and say it, so I'll go right now. Also, I'm warning you, you should be glad we're in the palace. If we were outside, I would have poisoned you, you vixen, long ago."
After Chi Cheng finished speaking, he turned and left, which made Chu Yi stomp his feet in anger.
Lu Jinlan was sleeping inside, and he didn't dare to speak loudly, but he gritted his teeth and said, "If you dare to call me a vixen, then you should be a vixen too."
"You lack the ability to seduce the Emperor, yet you blame me for being capable. Humph, you go tell the Imperial Consort, but I'll tell the Emperor too!"
*
Chi Cheng ran to Song Lincheng to complain, just as the Emperor's Consort, the Imperial Noble Consort, and some newlyweds were all there.
Chi Cheng knelt in the hall, angrily saying, "He's gone too far! It's one thing to stop me from seeing the Emperor, but he even dared to spout such arrogant words..."
Song Lincheng glanced at him and said, "Speak up. It wasn't you who said it, so I won't blame you."
Chi Cheng said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I've been serving the Emperor for so long that he's long been tired of you."
Instead of being angry, Song Lincheng laughed, "He can even say such stupid things, he's not far from angering the Emperor. But it's rare that the Emperor likes him. As the Emperor's consort, I can't just watch him fall out of favor. Shall we go and see him together? Let me, as someone with experience, give him some advice so he doesn't anger the Emperor."
A large group of servants headed towards Chu Yi's direction, and Lu Jinlan slowly woke up.
Chu Yi quickly brought over the palace servants to attend to the emperor, saying, "Now that Your Majesty has woken up, please rinse your mouth with this jasmine tea."
Lu Jinlan rinsed her mouth, and Chu Yi said again, "I ordered the kitchen to make your favorite milk skin cake. It's just come out of the pot and is still warm. Would you like some?"
Lu Jinlan nodded. As she ate the soft, fragrant pastries, she gradually came to her senses. "I vaguely remember hearing someone talking. Who is it?"
Chu Yi was taken aback, then laughed and said, "Uh, no one. It's just that Consort Cheng said she wanted to see you. She said her brother wrote a letter and insisted on showing it to Your Majesty. It's all very strange, and I don't know what's going on either."
Lu Jinlan: Where's the letter?
“He didn’t leave it, he took it again. He’s a really strange man, he speaks unclearly, and he even lost his temper with the servants, saying he would poison me, this vixen. Your Majesty, you must do justice for me.”
Lu Jinlan chewed something, her face revealing neither joy nor anger, and simply said, "He didn't poison you, did he?"
Chu Yi smiled, "That's true. With Your Majesty protecting me, how dare he? But he went to complain to the Imperial Consort, and he'll definitely say that I deliberately blocked him from seeing you. Your Majesty, the Imperial Consort has never liked me. What will I do if he blames me?"
Lu Jinlan glanced at him, "When has the Emperor ever made things difficult for you?"
Chu Yi said, "Indeed... I have never made things difficult for you. However, based on common sense, Your Majesty dotes on me so much, and I am so young. Although Your Majesty may not say it, Your Majesty must have some resentment in your heart."
"After all, he is already twenty-five or twenty-six years old, unlike me who is young and vibrant. A man's prime is so short, and he will soon grow old and lose his beauty. Naturally, he would dislike me when I am twenty-nine years old and enjoying the Emperor's favor."
He stood a few steps away as he said this, and Lu Jinlan said after hearing it, "Come here."
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