Chapter 55 Disaster Relief: I fear that no one will be able to protect you in the future.
Wen Miao was still trapped in a nightmare and had not yet escaped it. When asked, Emperor Qian Yuan lowered his eyes and looked gloomy. He simply raised his hand and pulled her into his arms, gently stroking her back, which was soaked with cold sweat.
The light-colored nightgown clung tightly to Wen Miao's fair skin, feeling cold to the touch. The calluses on Emperor Qian Yuan's fingertips, etched from years of wielding knives and pens, were clearly visible. Even with his light touch, a faint red mark remained on Wen Miao's back after a brief caress.
At the same time, he quickly observed Wen Miao's expression and saw that the question only existed in a daze and there was nothing else unusual. His tense heartstrings relaxed slightly and returned to normal, and he carefully considered his answer.
He held the trembling Wen Miao in his arms and whispered that it was yes.
“Miaomiao, you are Wenmiao of the Xie family of Jinling.”
He paused, then added in his mind: You always will be, as long as you want to.
As Wen Miao, who had been trembling from the dream, gradually calmed down her physical reactions, she leaned weakly against Emperor Qian Yuan's chest and whispered, "I might need the imperial physician to take my pulse... I've been having nightmares a lot lately, too frequently, and I feel terrible every time I finish one."
It was a psychological discomfort, a feeling of oppression and stagnation, as if trapped in a predicament from which there was no escape.
Emperor Qianyuan paused for a moment while stroking Wen Miao, "I will summon the imperial physician right now..."
“Not now.” Wen Miao chuckled and nuzzled Emperor Qian Yuan’s chin with the top of her head. “It’s not like you have any urgent problems. Why would you call someone in the middle of the night?”
Emperor Qianyuan frowned, his slightly rough hand stroking Wen Miao's cheek, carefully smoothing the hair that had been disheveled after waking from a nightmare, and tucking it behind her ear. "They should be on standby at all times for the Empress's well-being."
This has always been the case under imperial power.
Wen Miao paused for a moment, a look of disbelief flashing across her face.
Emperor Qianyuan seemed to recall something, his voice tinged with a slight hint of helplessness, "If...if the Empress is not pleased, then we can discuss it again tomorrow..."
"I haven't even said anything yet, why is Your Majesty panicking first?"
Wen Miao grasped the emperor's hand, exhaled a breath of stale air, and said only, "Let's talk about it tomorrow. For now, Your Majesty, just let me lean on you for a bit."
Seeing that Wen Miao no longer showed any other signs of distress, Emperor Qian Yuan took a step back and, just as he had done a few days ago when Wen Miao had a nightmare, gently held her in his arms, stroking her back as if he were soothing a child to sleep.
Quiet returned between the bed curtains, the light dim and obscuring the details of the scene.
Emperor Qian Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, a dark glint flashing in his long, narrow eyes, calm yet sinister.
He disliked the unfamiliarity and estrangement Wen Miao showed him after waking from a nightmare, as if the past year, from last winter to now, had been like a mirage, leaving no trace in the Empress's heart.
...I really dislike it.
Emperor Qian Yuan couldn't help but wonder, if he had never had that dream, nor had he ever glimpsed the goddess in it, perhaps he wouldn't have developed this unyielding obsession? If he were in that fairyland, a world of peace, prosperity, and abundance, would someone like him, born into such circumstances, still be able to see and be with a noblewoman like Wen Miao, as radiant and elegant as the bright moon?
It's probably not possible.
If she were still in that world, Wen Miao would still be the bright moon that never sets, living a wealthy and stable life with a loving husband. Meanwhile, someone like me, born into poverty and resorting to any means necessary—even the character "Huan" in my name was acquired after I seized power—would probably never even have the chance to get close to her…
In the depths of winter, the imperial city was swept by a cold wind, and the air seemed to be filled with a rusty smell.
Under Emperor Qian Yuan's soothing words, Wen Miao fell into a deep sleep once again, but the emperor, with his cold and indifferent expression, lost the will to continue sleeping.
There was no light inside the bed curtains, but the teardrops clinging to the Empress's eyelashes had not yet dried, glistening and making their presence felt. She looked pitiful, as if she were forever trapped in this quagmire called "Ji Huan".
There's no escaping it.
Poor Miaomiao, poor goddess, how could she have met such a greedy mortal?
Emperor Qian Yuan took a deep breath, leaned in and kissed away the tears on Wen Miao's eyelashes. He felt panic and despicableness in his heart, but also a strong sense of distortion arose inexplicably.
At least he once had it, didn't he?
...
The next day, Emperor Qianyuan unusually skipped the morning court session, saying to the outside world that he had caught a slight cold, but in reality he was sitting with Wen Miao in the Fengyi Palace, waiting for Physician Fang to come and take her pulse.
Wen Miao leaned back on the chaise lounge and smiled helplessly, "I'm just waiting for the imperial physician to take my pulse. I have nothing else to do, so it won't delay His Majesty's morning court session."
"No, I'm not at ease with that."
Emperor Qianyuan shook his head. He casually pulled over a short stool and sat down on the chaise longue. He was several feet shorter than Wen Miao, with his legs bent and his hands holding the large sleeves under Wen Miao's wrists.
He said very seriously, "At times like this, I should be by your side."
If his wife is sick and needs to see a doctor, and he is accompanied only by servants and maids, then what right does he have to continue being Wen Miao's husband?
Unable to argue with the emperor, Wen Miao simply asked, "Will this affect your official duties?"
Emperor Qianyuan held absolute power in his hands. The advantage was that the entire Chu state was under his absolute control, and he could issue policies without any obstacles. No one could influence the emperor's decisions. The disadvantage was that he was very busy.
He had to personally approve hundreds of memorials, and he also had to review the reports from other prefectures and counties. He had trusted confidants to assist him in handling official business, but their abilities were limited. Therefore, the heavy burden of the entire Great Chu still fell on Emperor Qian Yuan's shoulders.
This can be considered a minor annoyance that comes with power. Although Emperor Qianyuan was stingy with others, he was generous to his empress. If he hadn't been afraid of making too big a move and startling Wen Miao, he might have given half of the dragon throne and the imperial seal to his beloved wife on their wedding day.
—A gift is fine, but it must include him, so that when Wen Miao regains his memories, he will not abandon him for the sake of the Great Chu Empire and its people.
Seeing Emperor Qian Yuan deep in thought, Wen Miao assumed it would have a significant impact, unaware that the matter on the other's mind had taken an unexpected turn.
"Is it a big deal?" Wen Miao was soft-hearted, thinking that the emperor had accompanied her to see a doctor and take her pulse, which had delayed his official duties, so she offered, "How about I go to the Wenyuan Hall this afternoon to accompany you while you work..."
Emperor Qianyuan, who was about to say "it won't have much of an impact," bit his tongue and immediately changed his words: "Then the Empress will have to work harder today."
Wen Miao smiled and said, "Then Your Majesty will have to accompany me to take my pulse."
The emperor, now appearing remarkably docile, leaned slightly against the empress's knees, resting his head on them, and whispered, "It's not tiring. This is how I should be."
When Physician Fang arrived, he was followed by a woman who looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. She introduced herself as Physician Fang's daughter, named Fang Zhiyu.
Fang Zhiyu had been learning medicine from his father since childhood, but he specialized in women's health and was a "gynecologist". He had just returned to the capital from his studies abroad, and his visit was at the behest of Emperor Qianyuan.
Wen Miao paused for a moment before realizing what "bringing a doctor" meant. She blushed slightly and, while the imperial physician was getting the pulse pillow, whispered to the emperor, "...I have no other ailments."
"I know."
Emperor Qianyuan chuckled and grasped Wen Miao's hand in return, whispering to the Empress, "The daughter of Physician Fang is even more skilled in this art. Although you are not ill, you always feel tired during your period. After you have sex with me, it takes you a long time to recover. I'm afraid your body can't handle it."
Upon hearing this, Wen Miao blushed, her ears and neck turning red. She said somewhat irritably, "If you could be faster and shorter, and stop bothering me with 'that' every day, would I have to be like this?"
Emperor Qian Yuan patted Wen Miao's hand apologetically, but the problem was that in that situation, seeing the Empress with her teary eyes, looking as beautiful as a peony in full bloom, how could he bear to end it so soon?
Therefore, he could only outwardly comply while inwardly disagreeing, saying, "I will definitely do it next time."
Wen Miao ignored him.
Since last winter, Wen Miao's health had been being managed by Physician Fang. After taking her pulse, while Fang Zhiyu was examining Wen Miao, Emperor Qianyuan and Physician Fang went to the outer room.
Inside the Phoenix Palace—
Fang Zhiyu and Wen Miao were not much different in age. Fang Zhiyu had an oval face and somewhat plain features, yet she inexplicably gave people a sense of credibility.
She bowed slightly to Wen Miao, "Your Highness, please remove your clothes so that I may examine you."
Wen Miao suppressed her embarrassment and removed her outer clothes, leaving only a lotus-colored undergarment hanging on her chest and skin, revealing a large expanse of her fair and soft skin.
Because her skin was so delicate, the marks left by Emperor Qian Yuan a few days ago were still there, scattered like red plum petals falling on snow, dotted here and there. In addition, the owner of this body was too voluptuous and plump, which made Fang Zhiyu blush. She thought that the current Empress was really beautiful, no wonder His Majesty liked her so much.
Of course, this was just Fang Zhiyu's initial idea.
During the short examination time, Fang Zhiyu felt Wen Miao's cooperation, gentleness, and open-mindedness—there was none of the arrogance that the wives of officials in the capital built with wealth. It was like a spring breeze, and after all the examinations were completed, she would even purse her lips and gently say thank you to her.
Although she was a doctor, "lower-class doctors" like Fang Zhiyu rarely earned respect. Even wealthy and powerful families would secretly request her services, as if she were something shameful...
Many women who contracted the disease were afraid that their husbands would misunderstand them as being unfaithful and would avoid seeking medical treatment for a long time, as if adhering to the virtues and precepts for women would naturally cure the cause of their illness.
Fang Zhiyu couldn't bring herself to call them ignorant, because she knew very well that's just how the world is.
But His Majesty and the Empress were different—the former had no reservations or taboos, only focusing on his wife's health, and would even take the initiative to seek medical treatment for the Empress; the latter was shy but generous, and would softly describe the various changes in her body, giving Fang Zhiyu the most perfect medical experience of his life.
If all patients in the world were like this, she would probably be laughing in her sleep!
Fang Zhiyu even thought that with the Empress's good temperament, even without her stunning beauty and voluptuous figure, many people would still like her—if she were a man, she would like him too!
Fang Zhiyu looked at the Empress's still slightly flushed face and smiled, saying, "Your Majesty's health is still very good, it's just that your physical strength is a bit weak. You can take more walks every day. His Majesty has instructed me to stay in the palace temporarily so that I can help you take care of yourself... If Your Majesty feels tired after sexual intercourse, you can call me anytime to give you a massage to relax."
As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and took out a small porcelain jar from her medicine box. “Your Majesty’s skin is delicate, and even the slightest friction will leave a mark. Next time, Your Majesty can apply some ointment. It’s made from herbs that are beneficial to a woman’s health, and it can be used anywhere.”
Fang Zhiyu thought the Empress was really gentle, and fearing that she hadn't expressed herself clearly, she added, "...it can be applied there too."
Wen Miao opened her mouth, her ears turning red, and nodded.
...How could she say that she had already guessed it when Fang Zhiyu said "the location is not restricted"?
Inside the Phoenix Palace, Wen Miao and Fang Zhiyu's examination and exchange were coming to an end, while outside the palace, Emperor Qian Yuan stood by the window looking at the withered branches, with Imperial Physician Fang explaining Wen Miao's current condition behind him.
"Your Majesty has been having frequent dreams. I suspect it is related to the memories Your Majesty lost previously. Since last winter, as time has passed, the intracranial hemorrhage caused by the fall will gradually dissipate, and it is only a matter of time before Your Majesty regains her memories."
"As for dreaming, it is difficult to intervene... However, the usual incense can be replaced with one that has a calming effect. I will also prescribe some medicine to regulate your sleep for Your Majesty, once a day for seven consecutive days."
Emperor Qianyuan nodded. "I understand."
He both hoped that day would come later and couldn't help but imagine how Wen Miao would treat him when it finally did.
If Wen Miao chooses not to have him, he'll probably go crazy...
If that day really comes... even Emperor Qian Yuan himself doesn't know what he will do when that time comes.
...
Emperor Qian Yuan watched Wen Miao take the Chinese medicine prescribed by Physician Fang every day, and she couldn't escape it even for a single dose.
As for the jar of ointment that Fang Zhiyu gave her, Wen Miao originally intended to apply it herself behind Emperor Qian Yuan's back. However, the emperor had an incredibly sensitive nose, and as soon as he applied it to one spot, he smelled the faint herbal fragrance on Wen Miao's skin. Naturally, he coaxed and begged her to do it, and by the time Wen Miao realized what was happening, the jar of ointment was already in the emperor's hand.
The emperor, who was occasionally unruly, would leisurely open the porcelain jar, dip his index and middle fingers together into a dollop of milky white, cool ointment, and look at Wen Miao with a calm and serious expression, reminding her in a low voice, "Your Majesty, you need to loosen your clothes a little before applying the ointment."
Wen Miao: "..."
She pulled her clothes together, her starry eyes shining brightly; she was stunningly beautiful.
Emperor Qianyuan's face, usually adept at feigning innocence, revealed no flaw whatsoever; in fact, his tone carried a hint of earnestness as he said, "Empress, you must strictly follow the doctor's orders."
Emperor Qian Yuan himself said everything, good and bad. Wen Miao snorted softly, and her emotions and posture in front of the emperor became more and more relaxed and natural. In the end, she still cooperated with the other party's actions.
Emperor Qian Yuan's desire to apply the ointment to Wen Miao was genuine, but his impulsive and irresponsible behavior in the presence of Wen Miao was also true.
As the milky white ointment was rubbed and melted inch by inch, absorbed by Wen Miao's skin and soaked into the "sin" he had personally created the night before, Emperor Qian Yuan's breathing became hot and heavy. Even his heavy winter robes bulged slightly, making him look disheveled.
Although Wen Miao's ears were still red, she couldn't help but chuckle softly. While tying the sash inside her clothes, she asked, "Will Your Majesty still do it for me next time?"
Emperor Qianyuan's face was solemn, his lips turned down, and even the area around his eyes was slightly red from holding back his emotions. "Yes, I will."
Wen Miao's gaze lowered slightly, brushing against her like a hook, "...Even in this much pain, you still want to?"
With just a fleeting glance, Emperor Qian Yuan felt the veins on his abdomen throb beneath his clothes, and his nerves went numb.
He nodded and said "Yes," then tugged at Wen Miao's sleeve as if pleading, "...Can I have a hug?"
Wen Miao hesitated for a moment, then gently reminded her, "It's still daytime, and we'll be going to the Wenyuan Hall soon."
She had previously promised to accompany the emperor on official business; if she did anything now, her entire day would be wasted.
...The ointment that was just applied is also like that.
"I will do nothing."
"...I just wanted to hug you."
Emperor Qianyuan sat on the couch, his head tilted back, his hand still holding Wen Miao's sleeve, pulling and shaking it gently like a child. He was clearly a tall and strong man who could easily lift Wen Miao up in one arm, but at this moment he was like a beast that had hidden its claws and willingly submitted, honest yet pitiful, probably because he had calculated Wen Miao's soft-hearted nature.
Wen Miao nodded. She didn't sit directly in the emperor's lap, but instead knelt on one knee in front of Emperor Qian Yuan. The moment the man stopped her waist and abdomen, she said in a gentle and indulgent voice, "Then let Your Majesty hold me for a while."
The two stayed in Fengyi Palace for a while longer. During this time, Xueqiu kept running around. When she saw Emperor Qianyuan holding Wenmiao, she also wanted to squeeze in and join the mistress.
Wen Miao tried to reach out, but the possessive Emperor Qian Yuan grabbed her waist and half-jokingly brushed her off, even ordering Shi Cui and Wan Bi to carry the little thing outside the palace.
Only after the anger within Emperor Qianyuan subsided did he rise and leave Fengyi Palace with Wen Miao, heading towards Wenyuan Hall.
As always, Xu Sheng prepared the couch, table, and screen in advance, and lit the incense burner with the Empress's favorite scent. When Emperor Qian Yuan walked in holding Wen Miao's hand, everything was ready.
Wen Miao intended to casually pick up a book and sit on the soft couch to pass the time, as before, but before she could turn around, the emperor grabbed her waist, lifted her up, and in the blink of an eye, she was sitting in front of the imperial desk.
Beneath her was Emperor Qian Yuan's thigh.
"His Majesty?"
"The Empress has agreed to personally accompany me in handling official business."
Emperor Qianyuan emphasized the word "personally".
Wen Miao glanced at the memorials on the table, then turned to look at Emperor Qian Yuan. Sure enough, she saw a subtle persistence and determination in the emperor's eyes.
She gave a soft "hmm," casually flipped open a memorial, and asked as if it were just a casual question, "I want to know why?"
Since her marriage to the current emperor, Emperor Qianyuan has made countless similar gestures—asking her to look through memorials, coaxing her to read the contents of the memorials, or deliberately steer the conversation toward court matters during ordinary chats...
Wen Miao knew that the previous dynasty had a rule that the empress's harem should not interfere in politics. Since she had decided to maintain this marriage, she controlled her words and actions, and did not try to test or even actively touch upon matters of state, so as to avoid overstepping her bounds.
Even the closest couple in the world would not like their rights to be encroached upon by their spouse, and this is completely different from the significance of Wen Miao's previous handling of the Zhao family and the improvement of the slave system.
Once or twice, Wen Miao becoming Emperor Qian Yuan might have been a whim, but now, it can no longer be explained by the words "whim".
"Your Majesty, may I ask you why?"
Wen Miao asked again.
Emperor Qianyuan paused, his hand still cupping Wen Miao's abdomen. He carefully chose his words and said in a low voice, "I am a few years older than the Empress, and I have some hidden injuries from my past military campaigns. In addition, I am reluctant to let the Empress suffer the pain of childbirth. If one day I were to pass away first..."
His throat felt inexplicably dry, and he took a deep breath before continuing, "I fear that no one can protect the Empress."
Because of his favoritism, he would stop at nothing to make Wen Miao his empress; because of his favoritism, he abandoned the old customs and did not make Wen Miao kneel before gods and Buddhas or the imperial power, nor did he require her to kowtow to thank the emperor for his grace; also because of his favoritism, he wanted to share power with Wen Miao so that she could live freely and comfortably without him or her children, without suffering any grievances.
Upon hearing this, Wen Miao remained silent for a moment, then tapped Emperor Qian Yuan's hand with her fingertip and asked, "...Is that all?"
Emperor Qianyuan opened his mouth, paused for a long time, and then said, "Besides power and status, I have nothing else to give you."
He had always felt indebted to Wen Miao, and this was not compensation, but something he did willingly.
Wen Miao continued flipping through the memorials in her hand, her gaze fixed on them, her tone unchanged, "Your Majesty, then try your best to live a little longer... I don't like the feeling of being left behind."
"I will try my best."
If the Empress regains her memories and is still willing to be his wife, he will certainly not want to leave her so early, leaving Wen Miao to face everything alone...
However, one thing at a time, Emperor Qianyuan added, "But the Empress should still read the memorial."
Wen Miao: "...Okay."
She didn't have any resistance to reading the memorials, and with the emperor's request, she felt even more at ease. She simply relaxed her body little by little, curling up in Emperor Qian Yuan's arms like a lazy and beautiful big cat.
This time, it was Emperor Qianyuan himself who turned the pages of the memorials.
He would first select the key points from the memorial and read them to Wen Miao, then, with a hint of guidance in his words, he would gently and patiently ask questions to discuss the problems in the memorial with Wen Miao.
The Great Chu is a vast territory, spanning the east, west, south, and north, with numerous prefectures and counties. Often, it can receive up to two hundred memorials a day. In the early years of Emperor Qianyuan's reign, he implemented sweeping reforms, creating the prosperous and peaceful country we see today. However, this does not mean that the person on the dragon throne can rest easy forever.
However, not all of these memorials concerned serious matters; some were simply greetings.
They inquired about Your Majesty's morning greetings, Your Majesty's health, Your Majesty's well-being, and when Your Majesty would come to the land under their jurisdiction in white dragon and fish-like attire. Some even asked when Your Majesty would take the Empress on a southern tour to enjoy the scenery.
Wen Miao chuckled as she watched, and Emperor Qian Yuan's emotions softened as well.
However, this lighthearted atmosphere didn't last long, as the next memorial caused a slight change in the expressions of the Emperor and Empress of Great Chu.
It was a memorial from the south. The memorialist reported that Cangzhou had suffered a flood. The water had stopped, but the previous chaos and disaster had affected eighteen neighboring prefectures and counties. The granaries were damp. Although local officials sent people to dig them out in time, the amount that could be saved by drying them in winter was too little, and a large amount of grain was still moldy.
Such disasters inevitably require disaster relief and grain collection.
However, throughout history, such tasks have always been difficult to handle. Even if the national treasury has surplus funds, it cannot all be used for disaster relief. Officials and wealthy families usually spend money like water, but when it comes to actually paying out of their own pockets, they all cry poverty and complain about the difficulty. As for the wealthy merchants, they rarely step forward when faced with such matters.
Emperor Qianyuan was well aware of the reactions of the officials in the court. This task would be difficult to handle no matter who was assigned to it. In addition, the imperial examination system of more than ten years ago had severely suppressed the aristocratic families. Even if the emperor issued an order, it was not certain that enough money could be raised for disaster relief.
...It involves more than a dozen prefectures and counties, and the hole that needs to be filled for disaster relief is only getting bigger.
The Wenyuan Hall fell silent suddenly, with only the faint crackling of the candlelight.
Emperor Qianyuan frowned slightly, a deep crease appearing between his brows. Wen Miao stared blankly at the words on the memorial, as if she could see through the ink and brush the disaster affecting dozens of prefectures and counties, with starving corpses everywhere and refugees fleeing in all directions.
If this matter proves difficult to resolve, the cost will be tens of thousands of lives in the eighteen counties and prefectures surrounding Cangzhou. Furthermore, this disaster may be followed by the spread of famine-induced diseases.
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Author's Note: If you love her, give her the Phoenix Seal! Give her power! Give her an unparalleled status! [Sunglasses]
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