Chapter 44 Chapter 44 [VIP]
The eunuch knelt on the ground. He didn't know what the imperial concubine meant by this, but the emperor's behavior was beyond his expectations.
Emperor Yuanshuo stood up suddenly, his face gloomy. After a long while, he suddenly threw the piece of paper into the furnace and walked out.
Chen Rongshou sent someone back to the palace to invite the imperial concubine. He was about to say a few good words for the imperial concubine in front of the emperor, but before he could turn back, he ran into the imperial carriage head-on. He hurried forward and carefully waited for Emperor Yuan Shuo's instructions.
Emperor Yuanshuo suddenly stopped, raised his hand to shield his face from the sun, and ordered, "Prepare the horses, and return to the palace."
The emperor was always strong and seldom tolerated disobedience, but Chen Rongshou's nerves were almost in his throat. Although he didn't know what was happening in the palace, he glanced at the endless array of tents and cautiously advised, "Your Majesty is worth a fortune. You should be extremely cautious when traveling. If you return to the palace immediately, it may cause speculation among the outside world..."
It will take some time to move the camp, but Your Majesty is probably eager to return home, so he will not bring many imperial guards with him.
The emperor was going to hunt for ten days, which was already clearly stated in the palace. The emperor left suddenly. Not to mention how the outside ministers would speculate that something had happened in the palace, they would suspect that something had happened. The king would have to travel light and with a small entourage, rushing a hundred miles. It would be late at night when he arrived at the palace, and he might even have to order the palace gates to be opened. He would never dare to take such a big risk just for the concubine's temper.
Emperor Yuan Shuo glanced at his frightened expression, his face rather gloomy, and said in a deep voice, "In my early years, I led a hundred cavalry into battle, and I was not so cautious. Could it be that at your age, you are afraid of even such a small matter?"
In the emperor's rage, Chen Rongshou was not a minister of remonstration, nor did he dare to argue with the king on his own. However, Emperor Yuan Shuo calmed his mind and regained his usual composure.
He shouldn't have been completely distracted by her words and tears. The emperor has his dos and don'ts. It was unthinkable that he would abandon all his ministers and go back to the palace alone to visit her just for a few vague words. He should never have done that.
As an emperor, he could only show some concern for her, and ordered the Song Court Envoy and even hundreds of people from the Imperial Hospital to go to the Yaoguang Palace to treat her carefully. He was not proficient in medicine, and even if he returned to her, he could not do anything for her.
In another hour, the imperial guards who have been lying in ambush will drive out the long-hungry beasts for the emperor to hunt. He will get pleasure from riding the beasts, showing his military prowess in his prime to his subjects. He can also observe the heroic demeanor of the young men and test their martial arts and courage. Both the emperor and his subjects will enjoy themselves.
This disease should not be life-threatening. She has people taking care of her in the palace and will not lack food or clothing. He has many reasons to put her aside for the time being.
...But he had to go back to her now and couldn't stay here for a moment. He wished he had wings.
Even if he didn't want to see her when she was sick, even if it would cause criticism from others.
He said slowly, "Take my seal and give it to the Crown Prince. Instruct him to act on my behalf for the next two days. I know exactly what to say."
Chen Rongshou said yes, the prince had already performed the coming-of-age ceremony, and Emperor Yuanshuo intended to give his son a try, and had ordered him to perform a task on his behalf before. Although the prince's performance was not much better than his father's, at least it was not disappointing.
Yuan Shuo pondered for a moment and said, "Bring those from the Imperial Medical Bureau with you as well."
He went down to make arrangements. The Crown Prince and several ministers were coming to see the emperor. However, there were still guards outside the emperor's main tent, and no one came out of the tent. Just as he was wondering, a familiar imperial attendant in red invited the Crown Prince in and politely kept the ministers out.
Not long after, several medical officers solemnly prescribed a decoction. A strong smell of medicine filled the air. Following this gust of wind, the news that Emperor Yuan Shuo had caught a cold and was feeling unwell also spread out of the tent.
Emperor Yuan Shuo led the army at a young age. Although he grew up in a luxurious environment, he did not like the slowness of the emperor's carriage when he was riding, as well as the constraints of the rules and regulations of being surrounded by people. He preferred to ride with only a few followers. But the last time he led only dozens of imperial guards to attack from a small road at night, bypassing the dense forests and valleys and rushing straight to the palace was twenty years ago when the late emperor passed away. The empress dowager kept the death a secret and issued a golden order in the name of the late emperor, urgently summoning him back to the capital to take charge of the government.
At that time, no one would accuse the young man who was about to become the emperor of being radical and reckless. The guards beside him did not dare to dismount for several days, and he arrived in Chang'an on the sixth day.
However, he did the same thing again twenty years later, just for a beauty.
Emperor Yuan Shuo had no intention of reminiscing about the past. When he arrived at the Tangquan Palace, it was curfew. The palace gates had been closed one by one, and the lights in each palace and courtyard were dim and about to go out. However, a burst of hurried horse hooves sounded, waking up the towering palace that was about to fall asleep.
The palace gates opened one after another, the lights and candles made the window papers turn yellow, and the guards on both sides of the palace road held torches in front, illuminating the splendor of the red walls and golden tiles. However, in this quiet autumn night with a sky full of stars, there was a special sense of solemnity and coldness.
In the Yaoguang Palace, Shen Youyi had already fallen asleep. She accompanied the empress dowager in copying scriptures and talking every day, and also learned the emerging shadow puppetry. She wrote and performed many stories of love, hate, sorrow and joy to entertain the empress. At night, she slept very soundly, and it didn't matter even if the earth shook.
However, the earth did not move, the mountain did not shake, and she fell on her in a daze, and she could not avoid it even if she turned over.
She was extremely helpless and forced herself to open her heavy eyelids, trying to push away the gaze, but she was too helpless.
With her eyes only half opened, she clearly felt someone lift her extremely heavy arm, warm it, and put it into the quilt.
Outside the hazy gauze curtain, she glimpsed many bright lights, like fireflies on a summer night.
What a strange sight.
Gradually disappearing, she was stunned for a while, her heart suddenly skipped a beat, and she crawled to the deep end of the bed curtain almost using both her feet and legs, and put herself under the bed, gasping for breath.
She was almost mad at Emperor Yuan Shuo!
Who would have thought that the emperor, who was supposed to be investigating the people's sentiments and hunting for prey hundreds of miles away, would appear beside her bed in armor!
Her five senses gradually awakened. Shen Youyi moved her nose and could smell the smell of grass and soil in the forest above... and a little sweat.
It was just hidden in the chalcedony incense that the emperor usually used, and was not very obvious.
Just like his expression hidden in the darkness outside the gauze curtain, which was difficult to discern, there was a hint of weariness between his brows.
He came in a hurry and before he had time to change his clothes and take a bath, he went straight to her bedroom and sat there quietly without even changing his clothes.
Even though she was slow at the moment, she realized the seriousness of the problem.
——She thought that her performance in the face of the new year was subtle and gradual, but in fact it caused quite a stir.
He rushed back without avoiding the autumn cold or asking the reason, and then sat beside her couch, watching her fall asleep quietly.
He knew her every move very well. Shen Youyi cleared her throat and asked in panic, "Who is Langjun? Why did he break in so late at night?"
Emperor Yuan Shuo looked at her steadily, his eyes revealing no excessive emotion. He seemed to have a little difficulty speaking, and he whispered softly, "Yi Niang, don't you remember... me?"
She shook her head and looked at him warily, like a defensive beast, ready to pounce and bite at any moment, trying to scare him away, just like the day he dressed up as Lanling King. "How would I know who you are? You'd better leave quickly, or I'll call for help!"
Shen Youyi knew very well in her heart that he was certainly not the kind of flower-stealing thief who could be scared away by her threats, so she called out several times, "Someone come here."
Each call was louder than the last, but the maids who used to come over to inquire about her whenever she coughed were now pretending to be deaf and dumb, as if they had disappeared out of thin air. She called many times, but no one came in.
Seeing her growing fear, Emperor Yuan Shuo felt as if a poisonous sting had stung his heart. He asked softly, "Would I hurt Yi Niang?"
Shen Youyi nodded slowly and retorted in a low voice: “Isn’t it true? Don’t bully me because I’m young. Which good man would break into a girl’s boudoir late at night?”
His heart moved slightly, and he asked softly, "Is Yi Niang still not married?"
She may have some memories, but she has forgotten him again. But it's not too bad, she has also forgotten others.
Shen Youyi nodded and said angrily: “Then why don’t you get out!”
Emperor Yuan Shuo regretted not changing his clothes in such a hurry, but it seemed a bit strange for the imperial concubine who had lost her memory to undress now. He paused and said, "I am Yi Niang's husband. You just forgot about me."
The beauty in front of him, who had been so eager to curl herself up into a ball, finally became a little curious about him. She tentatively lifted the bed curtains and looked at him in the moonlight, but her expression was still fearful, as if she would immediately shrink back and scream if he took a step forward.
Emperor Yuan Shuo sat quietly beside the couch, even breathing more lightly, trying his best not to scare her.
Although his appearance had already scared her a lot.
Even if the emperor doesn't care much about his appearance, he will still feel strangely uneasy at this moment.
No matter how well he takes care of himself, and has a more mature charm than a young man, he has been the emperor for twenty years after all, and he does not have the moist and lively look of a young man. From the few wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, one can vaguely see his age.
He was old enough to be her father.
She didn't know him at all at the moment. If she didn't like his appearance...
As expected, she looked at it carefully for a long time before she said with a little disappointment, "Are you lying to me?"
Emperor Yuan Shuo's heart sank, but his smile remained gentle. He patiently inquired, "Why do you think so?"
Although he would not like to hear the answer to this question.
Shen Youyi tilted her head and thought for a moment. She touched the jade pillow filled with spices and said, "You look to be in your twenties, so much younger than me... Your family is so wealthy, it doesn't seem like you can't afford to marry a wife. Am I your second wife, or was I actually kidnapped and sold to you by a trafficker?"
She emphasized, "A pretty scoundrel is still a scoundrel. Don't think I'll give in just because you're pretty."
Emperor Yuan Shuo breathed a sigh of relief. Even a man would be particularly attractive under the moonlight, and she had actually misjudged his age.
"Yiniang married me voluntarily."
Emperor Yuan Shuo avoided her question and explained, "Didn't the maid tell you...our identities?"
Sui Chao would of course patiently explain to her every day, coaxing her not to show anything wrong in front of the Queen Mother and the Queen. Shen Youyi shook her head and said timidly, "What maid?"
This situation was much worse than he had imagined. However, with the Duke of Yan's wife's insanity in mind, Emperor Yuan Shuo was not completely disappointed. He forced a smile and said, "It's okay if Yi Niang forgot. My husband will ask a doctor to take a look at you, okay?"
Shen Youyi immediately put it aside, her face full of fear: "What an unreasonable person, I don't even know you, you said you are my husband, and you want to ask a doctor for me, why should I listen to you!"
Emperor Yuan Shuo's face darkened slightly. Although he couldn't get angry with her, it was enough to scare the beauty in front of him. She started to cry softly and choked out, "I want to go home. I won't live with you anymore."
"Does Yi Niang know where her home is?"
The words he hadn't spoken were choked by her sobs, and he had to swallow them all back. Feeling helpless, he coaxed, "My dear, I want to find them for you, but you have to tell me their characteristics so that I can go find them."
She was dumbfounded: "You said you were my husband, so I forgot, but how come you don't even recognize my father and mother?"
Emperor Yuan Shuo was so angry with her that he had a headache and wished to summon Duke Yan back immediately. However, in the final analysis, she just didn't trust the strange man in front of her. Not to mention Duke Yan, even if he really called her biological parents over, she would think he was just putting on a show.
Zhenzhen was his enemy in his previous life, and in this life he became his creditor and came to demand money.
"It's our first meeting." He didn't want to scare her, but she resisted him like this. Emperor Yuan Shuo sighed softly: "Yiniang has a very small red mole on her abdomen."
The red mole grew in a shameful place, and even he could only see it when he bent over that night.
Shen Youyi was stunned for a moment. She herself hadn't noticed it, but the man in front of her not only said this shameless words without blushing or beating his heart, but also very considerately ordered someone to come in, took out the night pearl and the bronze mirror and handed them to her for her to look at.
He even lowered the tent and stayed away from her.
This time he was the one who came to call someone, and only a moment later, a eunuch came in with something.
Even though Shen Youyi hadn't forgotten what happened, she was still extremely embarrassed for a moment. She had never seen the shape of that place before, let alone looking at herself in the mirror... and in front of him.
For a moment, she didn't know whether Emperor Yuan Shuo really wanted to prove that he was her husband, or whether he suspected that she was faking illness and was deliberately trying to embarrass her.
Emperor Yuan Shuo turned his back and stood with his back to the beauty, admiring the moon at the window. However, he knew what the beauty in the tent was doing, and he felt very agitated.
He should have been tired after running around for half a day, but his blood began to boil after running. He was a normal man who had not lived in peace for a few days. When he thought of her timidly visiting a place in the tent that only men had been to, he couldn't help but have some thoughts.
One day when her health improves, maybe I can teach her to reach in again and feel the delicate and soft sensation of his penetration every time.
After a full cup of tea, Emperor Yuan Shuo finally suppressed his wild thoughts. He half-turned and asked, "Can Yi Niang believe it now?"
She was so ashamed that she almost cried. She threw all her things out of the tent and said shyly, "Can you help me get some water?"
She was confused and seemed to be still not satisfied. She stretched out her finger to show him and explained, "I just got it dirty, but the master didn't seem to listen to me."
A white hand stretched out from the gorgeous and intricate tent, and the figure of a beautiful woman was faintly visible in it.
Such a polite refusal was tantamount to an invitation. In just a moment, the thing almost rose from the ground. The emperor lost his manners and did not want others to see him. He could only hide behind the screen and talk to her. He was almost amused by his anger: "Yi Niang, do you mean to ask people to stay away?"
She had been stained countless times, and now she had lost her memory of being a woman, and now she hated the smell.
Shen Youyi's heart was pounding. Although she wanted to seduce him and wanted him to come to her bed and force himself on her, she also knew that it would probably disappoint her.
Sometimes she even doubted whether she had the talent of a vixen. Why did she bear the label of being a troublemaker for nothing and could not seduce the man with a heart as hard as stone?
Emperor Yuan Shuo waited for a long time before ordering someone to bring in water and washing medicine. Shen Youyi washed herself bit by bit, watching the eunuchs and palace servants who used to be obedient and submissive completely transformed into clay puppets, coming quietly and retreating silently like ghosts. She almost laughed out loud, but she just said reservedly: "A girl's body can only be seen by my husband. Of course I believe you, but I can't remember how I married you..."
She murmured softly, "How can I find such a man?"
Emperor Yuan Shuo had a bad thought and was slightly upset. He sat in front of her and casually said, "Yi Niang fell in love with you and drugged you. Even if you forgot, you can't deny it."
He said calmly, "Is Yi Niang not very satisfied with me now?"
The amnesiac beauty seemed to be less afraid of him. She leaned in to talk to him, carefully imitating his features. With a hint of embarrassment, she whispered, "I just want to admire myself. I have good taste and determination. How could I have found such a wealthy and handsome man... Don't you feel uncomfortable? Do you want to change your clothes before talking to me?"
Emperor Yuan Shuo also felt disgusted with his untidy appearance, but she was in such a state that she couldn't leave him alone. He said yes, but ordered the bathtub to be placed behind the screen, refusing to let her out of his sight for a moment, and not letting her see the old and ferocious body.
The eunuchs in Yaoguang Palace had long witnessed the many procedures of the emperor and his concubines' bathing. Few masters in the Tangquan Palace could have a hot spring pool in their own bedroom, but the imperial concubine's own hot spring pool was built with living water, jade bricks, and a seven-treasure lotus shape. It was inlaid with patterns of water-loving gems and jade. It was extremely luxurious and she could go there anytime she wanted to bathe.
But His Majesty had rushed back exhausted and was so simple that he had to stay in a small wooden barrel. The space behind the screen was sufficient for the imperial concubine, and even spacious, but it was too cramped and narrow for Emperor Yuan Shuo.
But the emperor's arrival today was unusual, and apart from the imperial concubine who caused all this and was still confused, no one dared to question the emperor's decision.
Emperor Yuan Shuo was quite used to it. He was a person who went with the flow and did not care much about temporary enjoyment. He took off his armor and handed it to the eunuch to take away. Chen Rongshou poured drinks for the emperor and his concubines and placed the emperor's usual things nearby. Then he withdrew and closed the palace door considerately.
It was extremely rare that the emperor was bathing in the palace, but there was no one to serve him.
Listening to the gurgling sound of water, Shen Youyi quietly stuck her head out of the tent. The palace maids left a few candles on the table for lighting, which stretched the sturdy body of the man behind the screen to a very long height, and reflected it on the plain white ink landscape painting, like a shadow play, making her go through the scene of their frank meeting in her mind.
She swallowed quietly. The hot air from his breath sprayed on her body, causing an indescribable numbness. It was a rare opportunity for her to appreciate the smooth lines of a man.
Most of the time she was so tired that she didn't even want to move. Her soul was wandering in the sky for nine days and she had almost no energy to appreciate it.
This was the first time Emperor Yuan Shuo had seen such a scene. He originally wanted to say a few words to her, but when he took off his clothes, the beauty in the tent refused to say a word.
But this was just the shyness of an unmarried girl. Emperor Yuan Shuo didn't care much about it. He was thinking about how to get her to agree to let the imperial physician take her pulse and give her acupuncture, but the silent girl actually got down on the bed barefoot, turned around the screen quietly, and their eyes met, looking at him curiously.
When her warm feet touched the cool bricks, she couldn't help but shiver and even covered her eyes.
But it was of no use. Emperor Yuan Shuo leaned against the wall, looking calmly at the obvious gap between his fingers, and said helplessly: "The ground is very cold, don't make trouble."
But the words contained too little rebuke or intimidation to suppress her curiosity.
She covered her face and thought for a moment: "I don't feel cold when I stand on the fur rug."
He was tall and had a distinct body. Shen Youyi held hers and asked curiously, "I want to know what the difference is between men and women. Langjun doesn't look that different from me. Is he also soft?"
She thought about it and became more confident, not even covering her eyes: "I can't look at it before I get married, but if I get married, can I look at it more often?"
Emperor Yuan Shuo hadn't expected her to change so quickly after believing they were husband and wife. His face was slightly annoyed for a moment: "Even if we're husband and wife, you can't ask such a question casually. Do you have any shame?"
She stood there condescendingly, evaluating her father's body. If she was not unfamiliar with him, she would probably want to go up and poke it to see if it was really as soft as hers.
This was Shen Youyi's plan. Seeing that Emperor Yuan Shuo didn't make any other moves, she quietly stretched out one hand, stirred the water droplets, and splashed them on him. She watched the round and translucent water droplets slide down his body, enjoying it endlessly, and even eager to try: "My dear, you are much older than me, do you find me annoying?"
If you don't object, she will become more and more demanding.
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