Chapter 121, the ending of the main text...
Late spring, March.
Since arriving in Luoyang, Ji Chengning and Cui Yao have not seen each other for half a month.
With everything in disarray and numerous tasks to be undertaken, the old forces needed to be eradicated and new systems needed to be established. Even though Ji Chengning had promoted many people, he still didn't return home until late at night every day.
He wasn't the type to do everything himself, but Cui Yao was different. In addition, with the political situation chaotic and complicated, he had even less time to rest.
Finally, the two were able to dine together. Ji Chengning listened to Li Bi talk about a few things, nodded slightly to Cui Yao, got up and left again.
Li Bi kept her head down the whole time, not daring to look at Cui Yao's expression.
Even without looking, the ghostly aura emanating from Cui Langjun still drifted chillily over him, making him feel a coldness run from his neck down to his back.
What does the general's diligence have to do with him? It's as if he's the one who lured people away!
Ji Chengning had just stepped off the steps when she suddenly remembered something. She turned to Cui Yao and smiled, her beauty instantly surpassing that of a flower, her eyes sparkling. "Don't wait for me."
Cui Yao put down her chopsticks and gave a vague "hmm".
Ji Chengning pondered for a few seconds, then quickly returned.
Before Cui Yao could ask him what he was doing, he cupped Cui Yao's face and quickly placed a kiss on his forehead.
The latter was taken aback.
Just as he raised his hand, the hem of Ji Chengnin's robe flowed across his palm like water, and Ji Chengnin himself moved as swiftly as water, disappearing in just a few seconds.
Only a faint, warm fragrance lingers in the air, a testament to the person who was once by his side.
Cui Yao withdrew her hand expressionlessly.
The five fingers slowly closed.
The more you hold on, the tighter it gets.
Over there, Ji Chengning listened to the emperor's order for spies to monitor all officials and compile their words and deeds into a book. The emperor died suddenly, and there was no time to deal with these matters. Now, these documents were placed in front of him, categorized by their respective sections, totaling more than seventy boxes.
Ji Chengnin glanced at it and said, "Burn it."
He knew he was not an upright gentleman, but he disdained to manipulate officials through such underhanded means.
"yes."
The subsequent matters concerned the deployment in the capital, and as Ji Chengnin listened, his thoughts drifted away.
My cousin has been acting very strangely lately.
Her attitude remained as gentle and meticulous as ever, occasionally revealing a hint of awkwardness, which was quite charming and endearing—this statement would probably surprise anyone else. Ji Chengning actually found Cui Yao's sinister and menacing aura cute? What a waste of his big eyes!
Ji Chengnin looked somewhat troubled.
The strangest thing about Cui Yao was that she spent far more time in a daze than before, staring coldly in one direction as if looking at someone. Most of the time, she was expressionless. Only once, when Ji Chengning returned home early for the first time, he suddenly felt like playing. Without asking anyone to announce his arrival, he quietly poked a hole in the window paper, wanting to see what Cui Yao was doing, and also to see what kind of expression his cousin would show when she was frightened.
He first saw a person sitting quietly.
Are you looking at documents?
Ji Chengning thought to himself.
But Ji Chengnin immediately realized something was wrong.
Because Cui Yao's face was facing him, Cui Yao knelt quietly, staring into the void, her face expressionless.
He had a clean and beautiful appearance, with naturally translucent pupils. His eyebrows and eyes were beautiful, but when he didn't make any expression, he showed a lifeless and deathly aura.
Immediately, his lips moved slightly.
And so, his once clear and serene face changed. A ferocious look crept onto his face, half resentment and half unwillingness. Intense emotions distorted his features, making him look like a demon. His hands, which were resting on his knees, clenched tightly. Perhaps he used too much force, because Ji Chengning could even hear the sound of his nails digging into his skin.
"Pfft."
Just like a plant breaking through the soil.
It's terrifying.
Ji Chengnin was taken aback.
What happened to Ayao?
His playful thoughts were instantly interrupted by worry. He pushed open the door and quickly entered the bedroom.
But when he looked at Cui Yao again, his cousin was smiling at him with her eyes crinkled with laughter. "You're back early today, which is rare." Her gentle voice and the cool fragrance wafted onto his lips. "What's wrong, Cheng Ning? Why are you staring at me like that?"
A pair of hands were placed on his cheeks.
Cold, sharp, hard.
It was a pair of completely man's hands.
Ji Chengning took his hand and chuckled, "I'm so busy with official duties that I'm dizzy and lightheaded, but you're here having a good time."
Cui Yao also smiled.
His eyes curved upwards, revealing not a trace of gloom.
It was as if everything that had just happened was Ji Chengnin's illusion.
No, it's not an illusion.
Because a deep red mark was on Cui Yao's palm, which came into his view without his owner's knowledge or awareness.
Ji Chengnin's eyes narrowed sharply.
"General, General?"
Ji Chengnin snapped out of his reverie, "Oh—where were we?"
Li Bi carefully presented the memorial, saying, "General, this is a memorial sent by Grand Protector Yu. The officials of the Jinshen Hall dare not review it on my behalf, so I request your instructions, General."
The civil officials in the Jinshen Hall were temporarily placed there by Ji Chengning. Due to the busy political affairs, some officials' memorials lacked substance and were merely flattery and attempts to test the emperor's intentions. After reading fifteen memorials of greetings, Ji Chengning finally couldn't stand it anymore. On the one hand, he issued a public notice ordering the officials to speak to him if they had something to say and to shut up if they didn't. On the other hand, he found a dozen experienced and cautious officials from the Hanlin Academy to go to the Jinshen Hall to filter the memorials that were sent in every day.
Yu Taibao?
Ji Chengning didn't have a deep impression of this person. He vaguely remembered that he was an old man with all white hair and beard who was highly trusted by the emperor. At this time, instead of keeping a low profile, the former emperor's favorite minister would actually take the initiative to submit a memorial to him.
Ji Chengning opened the memorial.
Skipping over the thousands of words of greetings and praise before getting to the main point, Ji Chengnin frowned slightly, then his brow furrowed more and more.
The officials inside the hall dared not even breathe loudly.
The general is usually easygoing, so what did he see that made him look so grim?
"Smack!"
The memorial fell heavily to the ground.
Everyone was startled.
Yu Jingzhi is such a fool! Instead of dealing with these old officials, he dares to provoke him!
Ji Chengning's lips curled into a chilling sneer. "Men, convey my order: Yu Jingzhi was originally a former official of the previous dynasty. He has held a high position for many years but has accomplished nothing and is of no use to the country. Since he says that the Zhou imperial family should not exist, then he, a minister promoted by the Zhou emperor, should not be ranked among the Three Dukes. Considering his advanced age, I hereby order him to be stripped of all his official positions and sent home to study and reflect on his actions!"
His words were powerful and resounding, carrying the force of thunder.
No one dared to object, and they hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes."
"besides."
Ji Chengnin glanced at the memorial on the ground with disgust, as if it were filth, and said, "Burn this thing too."
He turned and left, coldly declaring before departing, "No one is allowed to mention today's events in front of Lord Cui."
Ji Chengnin walked out of the study, still seething with anger.
Yu Jingzhi's memorial essentially stated that the Zhou family had usurped the country, and now that power had returned to the general's hands, it was truly a blessing for the people and a boon for the nation, bringing glory to heaven and earth.
Ji Chengning had seen countless instances of such flattery, but instead of feeling pleased, he was filled with disgust. He was still wondering why the Jinshen Hall couldn't approve this, when he looked down and felt half the blood rush to his head.
This old codger truly lived up to his reputation of remaining in power through three dynasties; his flattery skills far surpassed those of ordinary people. While other court officials merely said that Ji Chengning's arrival in the capital was due to the Zhou family's moral failings and that the general was a virtuous man, he was different. He said that the Zhou family should never have been emperors in the first place, that it was a grave mistake from the time of Emperor Taizu, and then he criticized all the emperors from the emperor to the emperor above him, concluding that there was still a remnant of the Zhou family in power.
“Your Majesty, no, General,” Ji Chengnin seemed to see an old man speaking to him righteously, “Your rule is legitimate and popular, but there is still a hidden danger.”
Who is this potential threat?
Of course, it's Zhou Xuan, the grandson of the late emperor, mentioned in the imperial edict!
Yu Jingzhi actually ordered him to kill Zhou Xuan, saying that this action would both conform to the will of the people and eliminate any thoughts of dissent.
If Yu Jingzhi were in front of him, Ji Chengnin would definitely spit out a contemptuous spit, "Can this general kill all men and all hearts? Why did the previous dynasty lose its throne? Wasn't it because the emperor was suspicious and ungrateful? Do you want this general to follow in his footsteps?"
Ji Chengnin took a deep breath.
This matter must not be known to A-Yao.
Ah Yao has been in a bad mood lately. If he finds out, given his tendency to overthink, he'll only add to her worries!
Ji Chengnin strode back.
Just as Ji Chengnin had thought.
Cui Yao was in a bad mood.
Zhou Yu has been buried for almost a month, but the scene before his death is still vivid in my mind.
Zhou Yu held Cheng Ning in his arms. Blood splattered all over Cheng Ning, but Cheng Ning didn't mind the dirt. Instead, to put Zhou Yu's mind at ease, he held him even tighter.
It fits perfectly and is inseparable.
When he entered the bedchamber.
Zhou Yu also heard the sound. Cheng Ning hugged him and cried, so she didn't see him turn around and exchange a glance with Cui Yao.
Just one glance.
One glance was enough; those dull yet satisfied eyes, when looking at him, actually revealed a deep sense of smugness.
It's as if it's saying, no matter what, I won!
Xiao Ning will never forget me in his life; he will remember me for the rest of his life!
She died in his arms before the two of them had reached the point of mutual loathing and estrangement, and it also relieved him of any worries about the future.
Ji Chengning is determined to succeed to the throne, and both Zhou Yu, who is considered the heir apparent, and Zhou Xuan, who was appointed as the successor by the late emperor, are obstacles in the face of this new emperor!
Whether or not they want the throne, there will definitely be people who use their identities to cause trouble. If Ji Chengning could tolerate it, laugh it off, and trust them unconditionally when their relationship was in full swing at the beginning of the founding of the country, what about ten years later, twenty years later, or thirty years later?
Having tasted the power of the highest authority, he will not allow anyone to covet his throne. At that time, how will Zhou Yu and Zhou Xuan conduct themselves?
Therefore, death was the best solution for Zhou Yu.
In the days following his death, Cui Yao felt as if a fishbone was stuck in his throat.
How could Zhou Yu possibly, how dare he, use such a method to make Cheng Ning remember him? What if Cheng Ning truly couldn't forget him because of this...?
"Bang!"
The teacup in his hand fell to the ground and shattered.
Ji Chengnin, who had just entered, was startled.
Seeing that Cui Yao hadn't changed her posture since he left, Ji Chengnin quickly stepped forward.
Cui Yao suddenly looked up.
His gaze gradually cleared, but was quickly overwhelmed by panic. He grabbed Ji Chengnin's hand almost helplessly, "Chengnin."
His voice was so hoarse that it was unlistenable.
Ji Chengnin's heart skipped a beat, but he forced a smile and said, "I just didn't finish my meal with my cousin, is it really necessary for her to be so angry?"
Cui Yao stared at him blankly.
Ji Chengnin felt uneasy under his gaze. "Cousin? A-Yao?"
Before he could finish speaking, he was pulled into a tight embrace, his cold face buried in the crook of his neck. Ji Chengning, puzzled, reached out and gently stroked the back of Cui Yao's neck.
Then, he felt the person, who seemed to be trembling, take a deep breath.
Ji Chengnin: "..."
What is he worried about?
The damp, cold air meandered and wafted, bringing waves of itching that went deep into your bones.
Ji Chengnin made a muffled sound, his refusal not entirely firm, "A-Yao, don't..."
Her delicate, yet strikingly beautiful features drew near, as did her humid, hot breath.
It's only a sheet of paper away; a touch of a damp finger is all it takes to pierce it.
"Why?" Her voice was soft and tender, lingering in his ear, "Cheng Ning, don't you like me?"
Opening his eyes, he saw Cui Yao's beautiful and unparalleled face, full of affection and deep feelings. Closing his eyes was even more captivating, as a faint, cool fragrance wafted towards him as if it were a tangible thing, meandering and serpentine.
Ji Chengnin's Adam's apple bobbed violently, and finally he opened his eyes in a self-deprecating manner, "No, we're both busy with things right now, and I'm afraid that if we're too reckless, you'll feel unwell the next day!"
As soon as these words were spoken, even though they were shameless, the tips of their ears slowly turned red.
So that's why?
Cui Yao was the first to react. The almost desperate desire she had just felt was now accompanied by an indescribable sensation, a mixture of sourness, softness, and heat, even her breath was scalding hot.
It's as if it's burning a person to ashes from the inside out, desperately needing a release.
So he smiled.
His smile was so beautiful that it sent shivers down Ji Chengning's spine.
“I’m not afraid of pain,” Cui Yao said softly, coaxing him gently. His tall figure easily enveloped the other person, and a soft kiss landed on his lips, filled with a satisfied smile. “I won’t let Cheng Ning feel any pain either.”
The flowers, still covered in snow, stretched endlessly...
...
acid.
It's so sour.
This was Ji Chengning's first feeling after waking up. He didn't feel any pain, but an indescribable soreness followed him like a shadow. Unlike the intense fatigue from training and fighting, this soreness seeped into his bones, lingering and difficult to talk about.
“Cheng Ning”.
Cui Yao gave him a shy smile.
Ji Chengnin: "..."
Seeing Cui Yao's face made him feel even more sore.
He could never forget how that bastard, with his pretty, innocent face, asked him, "Is this okay?" "How about this?" "Ah, so this is it."
They conquered cities and seized territories, pressing forward relentlessly, and utterly annihilated the enemy.
And he, in his dazed state, didn't resist!
Cui Yao picked up Ji Chengning's fingers, her lips hovering as if about to kiss him.
However, the damp heat that eroded his skin was enough to awaken endless memories of last night in Ji Chengnin's mind, and he felt a tightness in the back of his neck.
“Cheng Ning said that if I wanted to, you would marry me in a grand wedding procession.”
Ji Chengnin: "Yes, but—"
But this was completely different from what he had imagined. It was the opposite of what he had imagined, and it was very different from what he had imagined. Although it was also very comfortable, it was just very wrong!
Cui Yao opened her mouth, her sharp canine teeth grinding against the soft flesh on the inside of her fingers.
Ji Chengnin, annoyed by his nagging, grunted, "Get lost."
His voice was terribly hoarse.
Cui Yao smiled.
There was a "click" sound.
Ji Chengnin felt a chill on his wrist. Looking down his arm, he saw that his and Cui Yao's wrists were tightly handcuffed together. He was dumbfounded. "Cui Yao?"
Cui Yao smiled slightly.
Long, soft, jet-black, and icy hair wrapped around Ji Chengnin's body. "Chengnin, you took my virginity. Surely you won't deny it, right?"
"What... um!"
Only the words were uttered aloud; the rest of the barely audible sounds were swallowed by Cui Yao.
He's right. Cui Yao thought contentedly.
...
When I woke up again, it was already broad daylight the next day.
Through the gauze curtain, Ji Chengning saw Cui Yao standing in front of the table, wearing an outer robe and writing something.
What are the important official duties?
Ji Chengning thought to himself.
He tiptoed out of bed, carefully approached Cui Yao from behind, and then buried his head in his neck.
Cui Yao gave a sullen smile.
Ji Chengnin casually glanced at the paper, yawning as he asked, "What kind of urgent matter could it be that even I, the general, am concerned about it?" He abruptly stopped speaking.
Because he discovered that the handwriting on it was not someone else's, but Cui Yao's own.
Moreover, Ji Chengning stared in astonishment as he saw an imperial edict of self-reproach!
In the name of Zhou Xuan, he publicly issued an edict of self-reproach to the entire world.
He skimmed through it, growing increasingly alarmed with each line. It was roughly about Zhou Xuan saying that he was of meager virtue, that Ji Chengning's ascension to the throne was ordained by Heaven and could not be changed by human effort, that Ji Chengning devoted himself to state affairs day and night, and that his achievements were recorded in history, and that as emperor, Ji Chengning would surely bring blessings to the people and bring peace and prosperity to the land. Finally, he said that he was incompetent and had to become a monk, and that if His Majesty allowed it, he would be willing to guard the imperial tombs and spend the rest of his life thereafter.
Ji Chengnin stared blankly at the edict of self-reproach.
My heart was pounding, and my ears were ringing.
As a result, he didn't hear Cui Yao's voice immediately.
Cui Yao was momentarily flustered by his silence, but immediately said, "This is only on the surface. After 'Zhou Xuan' becomes a monk, he will die of illness within two years due to his poor health. Cheng Ning, don't worry."
From then on, the identity of Zhou Xuan would no longer exist in the world, posing no threat to his Cheng Ning.
But Ji Chengnin remained silent.
Cui Yao looked at him helplessly.
He didn't know what he had done wrong, but if Ji Chengning told him, he would go through fire and water for him.
Maybe a hundred years will pass, or maybe it will be just the next second.
Ji Chengnin made a move.
Ji Chengnin leaned forward and picked up the edict of self-reproach.
Before Cui Yao could even relax, she saw Ji Chengning reach out and tear the self-reproach edict to shreds.
"Cheng Ning?"
Cui Yao's Adam's apple bobbed slowly.
"You want me to feel at ease?" Ji Chengnin's anger intensified at his fearful appearance. "Should I be the one saying this to you? In your heart, am I the kind of person who can share hardship but not prosperity, a narrow-minded person who abandons others after using them, and a heartless person who discards them after they've served their purpose?"
Her usually eloquent tongue was now unable to utter a single word of explanation. Cui Yao opened her mouth, "You know, I didn't think that way."
"That's what you did!" Ji Chengnin became increasingly annoyed.
"Alright, alright, alright," Ji Chengnin glanced quickly at Cui Yao, seeing that the other's eyes were red with shock, and knew that he would never do this again. Just as he was about to give each other a way out, "Since that's the case, you and I..."
Before he could even say that everything was as usual, Cui Yao suddenly hugged him.
A trembling hand covered his mouth.
Her eyes, clear as glass beads, were bloodshot, filled with fear and helplessness, and upon closer inspection, they even showed signs of madness.
Don't say it.
Please, please don't say the words about breaking up.
Ji Chengnin seemed to be stung by his expression and quickly closed his eyes.
When he spoke again, his voice was hoarse, like sand being ground together, "I know you wish you could rip your heart out and give it to me."
Cui Yao's fingers trembled slightly, her eyes looking at Ji Chengnin with a hazy yet pleading gaze. She appeared passive and harmless, but in reality, she was strangely eccentric and manic.
Like a venomous snake feigning pitifulness, waiting for its chance to strike.
As long as Ji Chengning says he doesn't want him, as long as he says he doesn't want him—no, he won't give Chengning that chance at all.
He belongs to Cheng Ning, he must belong to Cheng Ning!
But the next second, Ji Chengnin's voice brushed past his ear. It wasn't exactly gentle, but it instantly calmed his agitated state of mind.
He said, "Who needs you to gouge out your heart to prove yourself? I just want you to live well."
...
In September of the same year, the new emperor ascended the throne, and the country was named Great Qi.
Among them, countless people were granted the title of Marquis.
What shocked the court and the public was that the Yongning Marquis's family had two marquises, one named Ji Chen and the other Ji Lang. It was only nearly twenty years after Ji Lang's death that the world learned that this general who had made great contributions in battle and protected the peace of the region was a woman.
The new dynasty begins.
The founding emperor of this dynasty, which lasted for 357 years, Ji Chengning, had a life full of ups and downs and was incredibly exciting. Besides his achievements, what later generations talked about the most was undoubtedly his harem. Throughout his life, Ji Chengning had no concubines. Instead, he had a close relationship with the regent, Cui Yao, and they were inseparable, always by each other's side.
Therefore, later generations speculated that this prince was nominally a regent, but in reality, he was the emperor's consort.
However, later historical records only briefly touched upon the fact that Ji Chengnin and Cui Yao were not involved at this point.
It's July, and the flowers are in full bloom.
Ji Chengning suddenly remembered the past, casually picked a flower, tucked it into his temple, and tilted his head with a smile. However, before he could ask the question that was half teasing and half joking, "Which is better, a slave face or a flower face?"
Cui Yao lowered her head.
She gently kissed the tip of his finger that held the flower.
End of main text.
-----------------------
Author's Note: The main story is now complete. I have so much to say, but I don't know how to express it. In the end, I can only say thank you and gratitude. Because of you, I was able to persevere until now and write so many stories.
Also, if my wife has any dishes she wants to eat, she can suggest them, and I'll put them in the bonus chapters.
Selling vegetables at a stall and receiving advance payments for "He Is Not My Husband"
Lin Qi has been married for two years and has always been very loving with her husband. Their marriage is stable and intimate, making them a model couple that others envy.
Until one day, devastating news arrived: Lin Qi's husband had disappeared in Xinghai and his whereabouts remained unknown.
He searched desperately, but in the end, he had to accept the reality that his lover was dead. He screamed in anguish, wishing he could go with his lover.
While grieving the loss of his beloved, he insisted on participating in the election. His widowhood even became a plus, as some military members sympathized with the young widower. In the military referendum, Lin Qi was appointed as the new Minister of the Army.
On the day of the vows, Lin Qi lowered his head and kissed the wedding ring on his hand.
Then—her husband appeared at the swearing-in ceremony.
Lin Qi was naturally moved to tears and overjoyed.
His love life and career were both fulfilling, and the story came to a perfect end.
...
In the closed basement, where he confirmed there were no recording or monitoring devices, Lin Qi coldly gazed at his beloved.
"Who are you?"
His lover looked at Lin Qi with a puzzled expression and said gently, "You're too tired."
He tried to kiss Lin Qi, but only felt a chill.
The muzzle of a gun was pressed against his lips.
The refined and handsome Speaker said casually, "I fired seven shots at him, and after confirming he was dead, my men stuffed his body into a lead box. The place where you are standing now is my husband's skull."
Lin Qi gently pushed the gun forward a little. "Tell me, my dear, who are you?"
"Click".
The gun melted like ice cream.
Tentacles covered in slime surged in from all directions.
His lover smiled and kissed him.
"My dear, when you realize that your power, your status, your weapons, and those loyal little dogs outside—all the external factors that make you so high and mighty—can't save you right now, what would you do?"
Lin Qi answered him with a bullet.
A sticky, elusive, love-obsessed monster who can't be killed no matter what he does × A career-driven, power-hungry, ruthless uke
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