Most people believed that Lakshmi would favor Ling Shuming. After all, it was the Fifth Prince who first suggested that he and his brother share a wife. It would be unreasonable not to cherish such a virtuous, knowledgeable, and thoughtful person.
…
The palace. The moonlight is bright.
Today happened to be the first day of the lunar year. According to the rules, Ling Shumo rested in Fengyi Palace.
Fu Yijing had just taken off his dark purple, ten-pattern brocade embroidery robe, unbuttoned his inner garment, and removed the intricate, ruby-embroidered nine-phoenix hairpin from his hair. Normally, he should have been in bed by now, but like many other curious people in the imperial capital, he was anxiously awaiting news from the General's Mansion.
Ling Shumo draped a white fox fur blanket over Fu Yijing's legs and shouted to the door with a smile, "Has the attendant who went to the General's Mansion to inquire about the news not returned yet? How about this? After an incense stick of time, if there is still no news, have Shi Qi go to the General's Mansion in person and ask her to ask Lakshmi for me which husband's room she plans to sleep in on her first night of marriage?"
Fu Yijing grabbed Ling Shumo's sleeve and said anxiously, "On the wedding night, the newlyweds should be whispering sweet nothings to each other. How can you interrupt them at this time? Let the young people handle their own affairs."
Ling Shumo smiled helplessly and said, "Those two are my biological sons. No matter which one the loyal and brave general is with tonight, I have no objection. I asked Shi Qi to ask because I saw you looked so worried. I was thinking about you wholeheartedly, and now you blame me? You really don't know how to appreciate kindness. It makes me feel cold."
Fu Yijing rolled his eyes at Ling Shumo, but the anxious look on his face subsided a little. He said unhappily, "I didn't expect that Your Majesty has grown older and your mouth has become more powerful with age. I really can't argue with you, so I can only thank you for your comfort."
As soon as Fu Yijing finished speaking, Zhiqi pushed open the door and said with great joy, "General Zhongyong went to our Second Prince's courtyard as soon as he came out of the banquet."
Fu Yijing's face showed an expression of "as expected". He said to Ling Shumo very proudly, "Your Highness said long ago that Lakshmi would definitely go to Zhou'er first. Zhou'er is recognized as the most beautiful woman in our Chisha Empire. No matter how difficult a woman is to approach, she will eventually fall at his feet."
Ling Shumo lifted the velvet quilt from the bed and crawled in first. She immediately closed her eyes and said in a dazed voice, "Okay, the answer you've been waiting for has finally arrived. Can you sleep now? I'm so sleepy that I can't even open my eyes."
Fu Yijing was in a very good mood now. He told Zhiqi to put out the candle when he went out, and then he lay down beside Ling Shumo.
A dreamless night.
On the dining table early the next morning.
Shi Qi recounted the story with a beaming expression, "That loyal and brave general was indeed full of energy. He first entered the bridal chamber with His Royal Highness the Second Prince, and then in the middle of the night, he went to consummate his marriage with His Royal Highness the Fifth Prince. I heard from the servants guarding the bridal chambers on both sides that ever since the loyal and brave general entered the chamber, he has been making a fuss, without stopping for a single moment.
Calculating the time, the three of them will soon enter the palace to pay their respects to His Majesty. I wonder if the energy and spirit of the loyal and brave general has been drained away by the two princes?"
The smile on Fu Yijing's face faded. Ling Shumo, on the other hand, burst into laughter. "I originally thought she preferred a beautiful woman like Zhou'er, but I never thought she was such a good balancer, not offending either side."
Ling Shumo's words were heard by Jiang He, who had just walked to the door. Jiang He said with a half-smile, "If Your Majesty had half the ability of the loyal and brave General in this matter, and was a little more even-handed, there would be much less chaos in the harem over the years."
Fu Yijing was not surprised to see Jiang He come in without notifying his attendants.
Lakshmi married the emperor's two sons simultaneously, so the next day she had to pay her respects to the biological fathers of Ling Shuzhou and Ling Shuming. Jiang He, considerate of the newlyweds, found it too much trouble to run back and forth, so she had already agreed with Fu Yijing to come to Fengyi Palace as well, so that all the respects could be paid in one go.
Soon, an attendant announced that the loyal and brave general and the two princes had arrived.
Ling Shumo carefully observed Lakshmi's expression. Seeing that she looked completely normal, she couldn't help but sigh, "Young people are really full of energy. When I was your age, I was just like you. I could spend the whole night fighting in the harem and still appear on time for the morning court the next day. Unlike now, I slept a little late yesterday and I kept yawning all morning."
Next, Lakshmi, along with the two princes, offered tea to the three elders present.
Ling Shumo asked Shi Qi to open the storehouse and then gifted the children with piles of gold, silver, and jewelry. She sympathized with the three's hard work last night and couldn't bear to see them stand there any longer, so she waved them back to the general's residence.
According to the rules, ordinary court officials were only entitled to three days of wedding leave. However, Lakshmi, who had married two princes at the same time, was clearly an exception. Ling Shumo waved his hand and gave her a two-month long leave. The leave was so long that Lakshmi almost thought the emperor wanted to use it to reduce her military power.
…
In the blink of an eye, it is New Year's Eve again.
Beneath the pitch-black sky, the lights of the imperial capital were reflected. Brilliant fireworks exploded in all directions, illuminating the night sky as bright as day.
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