Chapter 190: Dragon Riding
"What are you doing?"
The man's low voice rang in his ears, as if he could not suppress his joy.
Meng Yan didn't look back, letting him hold her. She trimmed the plum branch in her hand and smiled. "I saw the plum blossoms outside the window were in full bloom, so I cut a branch to put in a vase. Unexpectedly, the emperor suddenly came. I failed to greet him. Will the emperor blame me?"
Lu Haozhi gently kissed the pink cheek and whispered, "There's no need for those empty formalities in this place."
Meng Yan glanced around and saw that the two clever maids, Ruizhu and Yunxiang, had already left, leaving only the two of them in the room. He then casually placed the sweet white glazed gooseneck vase aside and turned to Lu Haozhi with a sweet smile, "Your Majesty seems very happy today?"
Lu Haozhi stared at her, and saw that she was smiling like a flower, with a rosy complexion and a very good complexion. She was no longer the pale and weak, sickly-looking girl she was before, and he was in a very happy mood.
Yan'er once told him that the spiritual vein that had been troubling her had disappeared without a trace, and her physical condition was now no different from that of an ordinary person.
If this happened to someone else, they might think it was a pity, but Lu Haozhi only felt extremely happy.
Xiahou Yu had once told him that those with spiritual veins were extremely rare and precious. Since ancient times, they had often been coveted by the powerful, plundered and seized, used to concoct tonics to maintain youth and prolong life. As a result, those with spiritual veins often had difficult fates, their lifespans much shorter than those of ordinary people, and they were often plotted against and framed.
Lu Haozhi never thought about getting any benefits from Yan'er's spiritual vein. He didn't want an extraordinary but short-lived Yan'er, nor did he think about having an immortal lifespan.
It would be the greatest blessing for the two of them to be able to live a simple life like all other couples in the world, have children, raise them, and grow old together.
He smiled and said, "I am glad to finally bring you here."
Meng Yan understood what he meant and couldn't help but glance at the bright red quilt on the bed and the romantic scenes of the red fish and mandarin ducks. The heat on her face, which had finally subsided, rose again.
She lowered her eyes and smiled softly, her eyes full of light. Her slender fingertips gently drew circles on his broad chest. After a while, she said slowly, "Your Majesty...I feel much better...I can serve His Majesty..."
Without her spiritual veins, she absorbed vital energy day and night, and since she was young, her body recovered extremely quickly. After 10 to 20 days of conditioning, she felt light and healthy. She had never felt so light and relaxed in her two lifetimes.
Meng Yan checked herself and asked Xia Houyu, who also said that her body had recovered very well and she would be able to do anything without any problem.
Then... it's time.
Meng Yan's cheeks were burning hot. She smiled lightly and gently leaned her face against his chest, listening to her heartbeat.
They have been married for seven years, so why would she feel embarrassed now?
Unexpectedly, the man's ecstatic voice that was expected did not sound. Instead, he smiled gently, "Don't worry, Yan'er, you should rest for a few more days. When you are really well, it won't be too late for us to make love."
Um?
No rush?
Meng Yan suddenly looked up and saw Lu Haozhi looking at her with a smile on his face, his eyes clear and he looked like a modest gentleman.
Lu Haozhi scratched his head and grinned, thinking he was considerate. "I've thought it through. We have a long time to go. There's no need to rush these three days and five nights. Just take good care of yourself."
During their time at Shanghe Garden, they'd shared a bed every night. While nothing serious had happened, the tenderness between their pillows was unwavering. After each intimate moment, Yan'er would scold him for not being gentle and considerate, a scolding that had made him reflect on himself. Now that she'd moved into Tishun Hall, they were together almost day and night, so there was no need to rush; he could wait a little longer.
Meng Yan narrowed her eyes and glanced at the man in front of her.
He's not anxious? Who is that man who keeps pestering her every night?
She had thought he was going to die several times, but now she had finally given in. Was he no longer anxious?
Yes, of course he is not in a hurry.
Although she didn't really let him touch her when they were in Shanghe Garden, Lu Haozhi didn't endure it for a few days.
Back then, Meng Yan was bored and restless, so she would tease him from time to time. She knew all his shortcomings and quirks, and she always tickled him until he felt itchy and uncomfortable, and then she would run away again.
At first, Lu Haozhi was so angry that his teeth were itching. After a few days of cold showers, he suddenly felt that his role as emperor was quite incompetent, so he went to pester Meng Yan and asked her to help him.
Meng Yan refused at first, but eventually she softened her heart.
In this case, of course he won't be in a hurry anymore.
But does he know that she feels uncomfortable every night like that?
She shouldn't feel sorry for him!
Meng Yan raised her delicate eyebrows slightly, and suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. Your Majesty is not anxious, it's me who is meddling."
Looking at the faint smile on Yan'er's face, Lu Haozhi felt a sense of foreboding in his heart.
Is Yan'er angry...
She always looks like this when she's angry.
Meng Yan touched his face and said with a half-smile, "Since that's the case, Your Majesty, please go back. I want to rest. From now on, Your Majesty, please stay in the main hall and don't come to see me at night. I'm not feeling well and need to recuperate for a few more days."
Don't let him come? How can that be possible!
Lu Haozhi was very anxious and said hurriedly, "This won't do, Yan'er, I can't leave you."
"What's there to be separated from? The emperor is not a baby who hasn't been weaned."
Before she could even say the word "weaned", Meng Yan suddenly remembered something, her face flushed, and she simply said, "The emperor has already returned to the palace, so what about the three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines? You can just invite them to sleep with you in the evening. I will never disturb them!"
She randomly called out a series of concubines' names and tried her best to push Lu Haozhi out of the door.
How could Meng Yan, a woman, with that little strength, be a match for Lu Haozhi? But Lu Haozhi couldn't bear to hurt her, so he let her push him out.
After driving Lu Haozhi out, Meng Yan sat at the table angrily.
He is not in a hurry, so he can just wait patiently.
Ruizhu and Yunxiang came in again, leaning against the door. They stood there with their heads down, not saying a word, both trying to suppress their laughter.
They heard what the Emperor and the Empress had just said in the room... They were flirting and their faces turned red.
Lu Haozhi stood outside Tishun Hall, looking at the swaying water-red door curtain sprinkled with gold, his hands on his hips, his thick black eyebrows twisted into a knot.
He said something wrong again, so Yan'er kicked him out and didn't allow him to come in at night.
Rong An stood at the bottom of the stairs, glaring at his apprentice Xiao Tang.
This crow's mouth has come true.
It's not even evening yet, and the Queen has already kicked the Emperor out of the room!
After a moment, Lu Haozhi called Rong An over and asked, "What are you angry about, Concubine? What did I do or say wrong?"
Rong An, who had just heard a few words from under the window, said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I'm thinking, maybe... maybe the reason Her Majesty is annoyed is because you're not in a hurry."
Lu Haozhi frowned and said, "But she always scolded me before, saying that I wasn't gentle and considerate. She also always used some stories about loving couples in folk customs that she heard from somewhere to annoy me."
Rong An slapped his thigh and said, "Your Majesty, how can you take these words seriously? Just think about how thin-skinned the Empress is. She finally took the initiative to speak, and now you say this. How can she feel embarrassed? She will be so angry that she will kick you out." As he said this, he saw the dark clouds on the emperor's face, and without waiting for him to ask, he hurriedly whispered, "Your Majesty, this is not difficult. Wait until tonight..."
This couple doesn't hold grudges overnight, and everything will be fine by tomorrow.
After the meeting at the Empress Dowager's, Concubine Liang returned to the Yikun Palace in a sedan chair.
After walking along the palace road for a while, I saw Lin Yanrong walking in front with two palace maids.
Liang Chengbi saw it and signaled to Chunqing beside him.
Chun Qing understood and quickly stepped forward, blocking Lin Yanrong's way. She bowed slightly and performed a rather unceremonious greeting. "This servant greets Miss Lin. Concubine Liang invites you to speak."
When Lin Yanrong saw her, she felt a little impatient, but still nodded in agreement.
Arriving beside Concubine Liang's sedan chair, Lin Yanrong bowed and asked, "May I ask what your Majesty has to say?"
Concubine Liang didn't come down either. She spoke condescendingly, "Mrs. Lin has been very busy lately. I haven't seen her for over ten days. I think it's because I've lost my power, and Miss Concubine Lin has begun to dislike the Yikun Palace."
Lin Yanrong quickly smiled and said, "Your Majesty, that's not true. It's just that the Emperor has issued an order that Concubine Meng is seriously ill. Everyone in the palace is praying for her, and guards have been sent to guard the palaces. I dare not go out freely. Since Your Majesty has summoned me today, I will follow you and listen to your teachings."
Seeing her respectful attitude, Liang Chengbi's anger subsided a little. He nodded and said coldly, "Then follow me."
Lin Yanrong murmured "yes" and followed Liang Chengbi's sedan chair, walking forward silently with her head lowered.
After entering the Yiku Palace, Liang Chengbi went straight to the top and sat down. Several palace maids came over in a hurry, setting up the footstool for the empress and serving tea. They were very busy.
When she came in, Lin Yanrong saw the guards who usually guarded the door, but they were gone today. She asked casually, "My Lady, why are the guards at the door gone?"
Liang Chengbi didn't take it seriously and snorted coldly, "Early this morning, the garrison called them back, saying that the emperor had returned to the palace and rescinded the previous decree."
Lin Yanrong nodded, took it to heart, and said nothing.
Liang Chengbi didn't even order tea. He glanced at her and said calmly, "Now that the emperor has returned to the palace, what are your plans?"
Lin Yanrong quickly laughed and said, "Your Majesty, you're joking. I come from a humble background and have never been favored by the Emperor. What plans could I have? I simply want to help Your Majesty. Now, I only hope that Your Majesty will become Empress. I will be grateful to heaven for being able to rely on Your Majesty's protection in the future. I dare not ask for anything else."
Liang Chengbi was very satisfied to hear her sincere and humble words, and a smile appeared on her face. "Now that Mrs. Meng is about to die, the position of empress is just a piece of cake for me. You are loyal and obedient. I will never forget you when I become the empress in the future. Okay, if there is nothing else, you can go down." After a few words of persuasion, she served tea and sent the guest away.
You talk as if you can really become the queen!
Lin Yanzi thought to herself, but she still had an expression of trepidation on her face. She hurriedly thanked Concubine Liang for her support and took her leave.
Ever since the news came from Shanghe Garden that Concubine Meng was seriously ill, cracks began to appear in the so-called sisterhood between Liang Chengbi and Lin Yanrong.
Liang Chengbi naturally wouldn't miss this golden opportunity. Her position was already high, and with the support of her father's family in the previous dynasty, she was only one step away from becoming empress. As her power grew, she no longer cared to play along with Lin Yanrong, and instead became increasingly bossy.
Since Lin Yanrong hooked up with Prince Shen, she had other thoughts and no longer cared much about who Lu Hao favored or who he planned to make his queen.
Anyway, they are all going to die.
Lu Haozhi deserves to die, and Meng Yan deserves to die even more.
But was Meng Yan really that ill and dying, and was she staying in Shanghe Garden? She always felt that something was not right, but looking at Liang Chengbi's arrogant and complacent demeanor, she didn't want to say anything more. With a hint of a sneer, she retreated.
After Lin Yanrong left, Chun Qing came out from behind the soft wall and whispered, "Madam, the master has arrived. Please come over so that we can perform today's ritual."
Liang Chengbi nodded slightly and smiled faintly.
This alchemist who was hired at a high price did have some ability, but after only a few days, Meng Yan became seriously ill.
The virtuous concubine Ren Shuyi returned to the palace, sat down on the chair, frowned and said nothing.
The head maid Chuntao brought up a cup of tea and asked, "Your Majesty, what's bothering you so much?"
Ren Shuyi bit her finger and pondered, "From what the Empress Dowager said today, it seems the Imperial Concubine is really not doing well. The Emperor looks heartbroken." Then she sighed, "If that's really the case, then all our previous plans would have been in vain. What a pity."
Chun Tao nodded and said, "Your Majesty is right. Everyone in the palace is saying that the Imperial Concubine is no longer viable and that Concubine Liang is the most likely candidate to become Empress. I've heard that the ladies in every other palace are trying to curry favor with Concubine Liang." She glanced at Concubine Xian's face and whispered, "Your Majesty, we were too close to the Changchun Palace before. I'm afraid that Concubine Liang will make things difficult for us in the future. Should we also..."
Ren Shuyi's face was solemn as she shook her head, "No, long ago, a member of the Liang clan stole imperial wood to build a manor, and my father reported him, and this vengeance has been borne right now. The Liang clan is a vengeful person, and they will never let it go just because I surrender."
Chun Tao hesitated and said, "Then, what should we do..."
Ren Shuyi stood up and paced back and forth in the hall, then asked, "Is there any movement in the palace today?"
Chun Tao thought for a moment and said, "I heard that the Emperor has rescinded his previous decree, and the garrison has also recalled the guards guarding the entrances to the various palaces. This will make it much more convenient for us to come and go from now on."
Ren Shuyi frowned and muttered to herself, "This is strange. If Concubine Meng is really seriously ill and can't be cured, how can the Empress Dowager and the Emperor feel at ease to return... How can they have the mood to do this..."
She muttered to herself for a while, then suddenly an idea came to her mind. She looked up at Chuntao and said, "Go to the Jingshifang and tell them that my old illness has relapsed. The green sign has been hung. From today on, I will close the door and refuse visitors. I will rest and recuperate."
Chuntao was a little surprised, but nodded in agreement.
At dusk, in Tishun Hall.
Lu Haozhi ignored Meng Yan's cold expression and ordered the palace servants to place the dinner in the main room of Tishun Hall and ate with her.
Meng Yan ignored him and just lowered her head to eat.
"Yan'er, these shrimps are crispy and tender, try them."
Lu Haozhi picked up a piece of shrimp and placed it on her plate, looking at her expression.
Meng Yan was indifferent, without even raising her eyes. She just picked up a piece of eight-treasure meatballs with chopsticks, drank the rest of the porridge, took the towel handed to her by the palace maid, wiped it once, and then got up and left.
Lu Haozhi put down his chopsticks embarrassedly and hurriedly chased after him.
According to Rong An, the imperial concubine was actually very soft-hearted, and as long as the emperor kept pestering her, the matter would actually be over.
Of course, the words "shameless" were added by Lu Haozhi himself in his mind.
Meng Yan returned to the inner room and ignored Lu Haozhi who was following her. She took off her thin silver-red gold-woven jacket and handed it to Ruizhu, revealing the small clothes underneath.
The lilac-colored dress was tightly wrapped around her body, and her round and full breasts were connected with her narrow and slender waist, forming an extremely graceful curve that almost made people breathless.
Meng Yan took off the hairpins on her head and let down her long black hair. She touched her chest and then turned back to smile at Lu Haozhi, "Your Majesty, I want to rest. Since Your Majesty has nothing urgent to do, please go back."
Lu Haozhi glanced at Ruizhu, who understood, stepped out and closed the door.
He immediately stepped forward, hugged her, and whispered, "Yan'er, I won't leave."
Meng Yan raised her head, glanced at him, and smiled faintly, "Then Your Majesty, please do as you please." She walked to the bed, took off her shoes and got on the bed.
Lu Haozhi naturally chased after her and climbed onto the bed. He put his arms around Meng Yan's slender white shoulders and said countless sweet words to coax her.
Meng Yan was actually no longer angry at this point, but she couldn't bring herself to lose face. After listening to Lu Haozhi say almost every shameless thing, she turned around and smiled at him, "Then, Your Majesty, can you promise me one thing?"
"Of course, I promise you everything."
Somehow, looking at the smiling Yan'er, Lu Haozhi always felt that she was domineering tonight.
But, could he not agree?
The night in the deep palace is quiet and silent.
In the bedroom of Tishun Hall, curtains hung beside the bed, covering up the beautiful scenery inside.
On the curtain embroidered with gold and embroidered patterns, the figure of a slender and graceful woman was reflected.
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