The Emperor's heart is known, yet uncomprehended.
After hearing this, Qi Xuangui said, "This makes sense. I wonder what insightful opinion the Minister of Rites has?"
Li Fengtan pondered for a moment, then looked at Qi Dou and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, we should use this as a pretext to lure the snake out of its hole, ensuring that Prince Pingshou has no chance or power to make a comeback. We are willing to share Your Majesty's burdens and eliminate the traitor as soon as possible to stabilize the country."
The room fell silent. The other officials looked at each other, speechless and sweating profusely.
After a long while, Li Fengtan, not hearing Qi Dou's reply, broke out in a cold sweat, afraid that he had said something wrong and angered Qi Dou. Li Fengtan secretly glanced at Qi Dou and, seeing that there was no change in Qi Dou's face, immediately lowered his head, thinking that serving a ruler was indeed like serving a tiger!
Li Fengtan suddenly thought, what if he implicated his precious daughter because of something he said wrong?
Thinking of this, he immediately knelt down, repeatedly saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I had no other intention. I beg Your Majesty to consider my years of loyalty and not to take your anger out on my daughter..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qi Dou asked in confusion, "My dear minister, what does this have to do with the Empress?"
Everyone was shocked upon hearing this, thinking to themselves, "Huh? Your Majesty, you've misunderstood something!"
Qi Dou thought for a moment and seemed to understand. He explained, "Minister Li, I am not angry. You are overthinking it. I was just lost in thought."
Upon hearing this, Li Fengtan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Qi Dou looked at everyone and said, "Minister Li, please rise. In our opinion, what do you think of your method?"
Everyone looked left and right, trying to discern what the others were thinking. After a long while, they all said in unison, "We have no objections."
Qi Dou surveyed the crowd with his eyes, then closed them and said, "Since all of you support this plan, then let's proceed according to Minister Li's method. Xuan Gui, from today onwards, you will be in charge of secretly training the army. I entrust my life and the country to you."
Upon hearing this, Qi Xuangui seemed to feel an added pressure. He solemnly replied, "Yes, this humble general will certainly live up to your trust and expectations!"
Qi Dou nodded slightly and said, "Do any of you ministers have any other ideas?"
At this moment, Li Fengtan stepped forward again and said, "Your Majesty, you may try to select a woman to be placed by Prince Pingshou's side. As the saying goes, even heroes cannot resist the charms of a beautiful woman. This woman may become our backup plan."
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Liu Zhengrong immediately said, "No! If Prince Pingshou knew that it was a gift from His Majesty, how could he let his guard down? I'm afraid that the woman will die of 'illness' soon!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, yes."
After hearing this, Li Fengtan sighed and said, "This... I was indeed short-sighted."
A glint flashed in Qi Dou's eyes, as if he had an idea. He said, "This method is good, but it is not easy to implement. I wonder who Minister Li originally chose?"
Although Li Fengtan didn't know why Qi Dou was asking this, he still answered truthfully: "I originally chose Lin Fei, a daughter from my family."
Upon hearing the surname, Qi Dou asked in confusion, "If you are from the Li Aiqing family, how can you have the surname Lin?"
Everyone looked at Li Fengtan with suspicion.
Li Fengtan hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, Lin Fei is from a very distant branch of my clan. Her mother's surname is Li and her father's surname is Lin. However, both of her parents passed away when she was very young. After hearing this, I took her into my family because she is a relative of mine."
Qi Dou understood after hearing this, thinking that although they were relatives, they were probably as distant as they could possibly be. After raising Lin Fei for so long, that's probably why he let her complete such a dangerous mission.
However, Li Fengtan is by no means a petty person, and there must be some hidden reason behind it.
He then deliberately said, "Minister Li truly loves his people."
Li Fengtan understood the meaning behind the words and quickly knelt down to explain, "Your Majesty! I am not a heartless person. I raised Lin Fei and have long regarded her as my own daughter."
“I chose Lin Fei because she overheard me discussing this matter with my wife last night, and then asked to repay my kindness in raising me. I couldn’t persuade her otherwise, so I agreed.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Dou looked at the others and said, "I see. I know Li Aiqing's character. Now that things have been explained, let's disperse."
Li Xingyi arrived at the Imperial Garden, taking a slow stroll. Beside her were bushes with some green leaves still clinging to them. She casually picked a leaf, held it between two fingers, and tossed it toward a camphor tree. All that could be heard was the sound of the leaf hitting the tree.
Li Xingyi glanced at the tree and said calmly, "Go back, or next time it'll be your neck."
Seeing no movement from the tree, she picked a few more leaves and pretended to throw them over. At that moment, the tree suddenly swayed slightly, and a dark shadow darted out from it before immediately disappearing in another direction.
Upon seeing this, Qingyi asked, "Your Majesty, is this one of His Majesty's people?"
Li Xingyi put down the leaf and said, "Yes, and so does Qianwu."
Qingyi was stunned after hearing this, and she was puzzled.
Why? Why are they spying on us? We're already married.
After a while, Li Xingyi slowly said, "Qingyi, he knows martial arts."
Qingyi hadn't reported that Qi Dou knew martial arts, but it wasn't hard to guess what Li Xingyi meant by that; she was telling Qingyi that she was also asking her.
Qingyi paused for a moment, then finally said, "Yes..."
Li Xingyi didn't say anything after hearing this. She slowly raised her hand, looked at her hand that was hanging in mid-air, thought of what happened last night, and said, "He just gently held my wrist, and I couldn't break free."
This means that Qi Dou is stronger than Li Xingyi, and stronger than Li Xingyi, who is the leader of the martial arts alliance!
This also means that Li Xingyi has truly had his wedding night.
Upon hearing this, Qingyi was taken aback and said, "This! This servant really doesn't know."
Li Xingyi lowered his eyes and said, "I know. If you knew, you would have told me."
Qingyi looked at Li Xingyi without saying anything.
Li Xingyi continued, "Because you only know that he knows martial arts, and you think that he can't beat me and won't harm me, that's why you don't say anything."
"..."
Qingyi pursed her lips and said, "Your Majesty understands me best."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi lowered her eyes, seemingly lost in thought. Then she said, "Qingyi, have someone inform Shi Yan that she will enter the palace in three months and tell her to prepare properly."
After all, this person will be of great use in the future.
Qingyi was taken aback. The sudden change of topic was truly baffling. After regaining her composure, she said, "Yes, this servant will send someone to deliver the message."
"Let's go back to the palace."
Meanwhile, the person who was monitoring them was being knocked unconscious and taken away by a group of people wearing fox masks.
When Li Xingyi stepped into Fengyi Palace, she was stunned. The palace was filled with forsythia.
"Welcome spring, welcome spring, let's love each other until the end of time." This meaning is already clear. Even the most foolish person can see that Qi Dou loves Li Xingyi.
Qianwu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, these were specially arranged by His Majesty."
Why?
Li Xingyi didn't understand.
Love at first sight? A fleeting impulse? Or a deliberate act for others to see? Or perhaps...
Have we met before?
These questions were only asked in my heart.
Li Xingyi slowly walked to the forsythia, regaining her usual demeanor. She lowered her eyes and said, "Tell Your Majesty that I thank you for your kindness, but I have troubled you."
Qianwu replied, "Yes, this servant will convey it to His Majesty."
Li Xingyi looked at Qianwu and tentatively asked, "What kind of woman does Your Majesty like?"
Asahi paused for a moment, deep in thought.
Is Your Majesty planning to dress up for His Majesty?
Thinking of this, she said, "His Majesty likes the Empress herself, no matter what she is like."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi began to ponder.
According to reports, Qi Dou never interacts with women, ruling out a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Qi Dou wouldn't act like this because of beauty, excluding love at first sight.
When I was young, I was often at Frostbite Gate and rarely came back. In the three years since I came back, I haven't gone out much either. In addition, I don't remember ever seeing him, so it's impossible that I've seen him before.
That leaves only one possibility: that he was deliberately putting on an act for others to see.
Li Xingyi calmly replied, "Understood. Qianwu, what did His Majesty say about the imperial concubine selection?"
Asahi replied, "His Majesty believes it is too early and has declined the offer."
What should Shi Hui do if she is rejected?
Li Xingyi said calmly, "Qianwu, go and invite His Majesty to Fengyi Palace. I have important matters to discuss with His Majesty."
Qianwu lowered her head and said, "Yes."
At this moment, Li Xingyi thought of something and said, "If Your Majesty has something to attend to, please come back first."
Qianwu curtsied and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Li Xingyi stepped into the house. After crossing the threshold, she turned slightly to look at Qianwu's departing figure and said, "Qianshui Wuhua, undying effort, eternal hope, is a good name."
Upon hearing this, a picture flashed through Qingyi's mind. "Miss, what does the name Qingyi mean?"
The girl replied, "Ripples on clear water, subtle ripples and beauty in stillness."
At this moment, Qingyi smiled and said, "Does Your Highness still remember when you explained my name to me?"
Li Xingyi slowly looked at her and said, "Of course I remember."
When Qianwu went to invite Qi Dou, she learned that Qi Dou was discussing matters in the council hall. She told the guards outside the door and then turned back to Fengyi Palace.
Qianwu said to Li Xingyi, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is currently dealing with state affairs, so this servant did not inform him."
Li Xingyi was not in a hurry and said calmly, "It's alright. There are still four months until the selection. There's no rush. Government affairs are more important."
When Qi Dou came out of the council hall, he heard that the guard Su Qianwu had come by. Thinking that something had happened to Li Xingyi, he rushed to Fengyi Palace in a hurry.
Upon entering Fengyi Palace, he strode into the room, pushed open the door, and saw Li Xingyi sitting quietly in a chair, his head slightly tilted, holding a brush in his hand, handling the internal affairs of the palace bit by bit.
The scene was like a painting, which stunned Qi Dou for a moment. After he came to his senses, he immediately stepped forward and pulled Li Xingyi up. He looked Li Xingyi up and down with concern until he was sure that Li Xingyi was not injured. Only then did he stop.
When Zhao Hongxing came in and saw Qingyi, he smiled and walked to her side, saying, "Long time no see, Qingyi."
“Just one day,” Qingyi immediately replied.
Zhao Hongxing shook his head and said, "It's not that. I forgot to mention it last night, and I wanted to make it up to you today."
Qingyi thought for a moment, as if she had thought of something, and she replied, "I understand, it's only three years."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongxing feigned sadness and said, "Qingyi, a day apart feels like three autumns, let alone three years?"
Seeing this, Qingyi said, "Eunuch Zhao is still the same, but there is something that is very troubling."
Zhao Hongxing asked in confusion, "What is it?"
Qingyi looked at him and said, "You are my father-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongxing smiled awkwardly and whispered in Qingyi's ear, "He's not exactly a father-in-law. He still has his important things, so he can still get married. I definitely won't let you live as a widow."
Qingyi paused for a moment, then asked honestly, "Eunuch Zhao, how can someone of your status as an eunuch take a wife?"
Zhao Hongxing was stunned. He said sadly, "Qingyi, you have to think of something. If I can't marry you, are you going to be a lonely bachelor for the rest of your life?"
Qingyi raised an eyebrow and deliberately said, "Who said you have to marry me? There are so many men in the world, don't you think I can't choose?"
Zhao Hongxing was even more heartbroken after hearing this. He said, "Qingyi, have you forgotten our beautiful life together, like a perfect couple under the moonlit flowers?"
Qingyi exposed her lie: "Oh? Romantic moments under the flowers and moon where we all practiced martial arts together? We were all young and beautiful, a perfect couple? A wonderful life of fighting and killing?"
Zhao Hongxing made a fist and put it in front of his mouth, saying, "Ahem, Qingyi, no man will like you if you're so direct."
Qingyi looked at him quietly.
Isn't there one here?
Li Xingyi was somewhat bewildered by Qi Dou's behavior and asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
Qi Dou explained, "The guards told me that Qianwu had come by. I thought something had happened to you, so I rushed over to check on you."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi lowered his eyes.
...His eyes showed that he cared, genuinely cared.
Seeing that Li Xingyi remained silent, Qi Dou asked in confusion, "Xingyi?"
Li Xingyi slowly raised her eyes to look at Qi Dou. Seeing that his ears were a little red from the cold, she walked to the side, took her fur-trimmed cloak from the rack, and personally tied it on Qi Dou, saying, "Why didn't Your Majesty wear something thicker? What if you catch a cold?"
Seeing this, Qi Dou laughed and said, "It's alright. I walk fast and don't feel cold. Besides, Xingyi is happy to be worried about me."
Li Xingyi remained silent after hearing this, helped Qi Dou sit down, and said, "Your Majesty, I invited you here to discuss the selection of concubines."
"A talent show? Today is only the second day since our marriage?" Qi Dou said deliberately, feigning sadness.
"..."
That's true, but weren't emperors always surrounded by three palaces and six courtyards?
Li Xingyi lowered her eyes and said, "Your Majesty, I know that the selection of concubines will take place in four months. I would like to ask Your Majesty's opinion."
After hearing this, Qi Dou placed his hand on his thigh and shook it from side to side, indicating that he should leave.
Upon seeing this, Zhao Hongxing immediately understood and beckoned the palace servants to leave.
Qingyi looked at Li Xingyi, and seeing that Li Xingyi nodded slightly, she left as instructed. Zhao Hongxing thoughtfully closed the door before leaving.
Li Xingyi quietly looked at Qi Dou in front of him, waiting for him to speak.
Qi Dou simply pulled Li Xingyi's hand and placed it on his chest, saying, "Can you feel it?"
"What?" Li Xingyi didn't understand.
Qi Dou looked at her and said, "My heart beats for you. It's a small heart, only big enough to hold you."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi was stunned, because Qi Dou was no longer using the self-reference "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I" or "I") when speaking to himself.
At that moment, her heart was pounding, and she lowered her eyes, filled with doubt.
Why does my heart feel so different when I get close to you, and why do I feel so familiar with you?
Seeing that she didn't speak, Qi Dou said again, "I said a long time ago that you are the only one in my heart."
A long time ago? What do you mean? Have we met before?
Li Xingyi was even more puzzled.
Qi Dou pursed his lips, seeing that she showed no sign of knowing anything.
Don't you remember? Yeah, you didn't care about me at all, not before, and not now... either.
Li Xingyi began to ask, wanting to clarify: "We..."
Before she could finish speaking, Qi Dou silenced her with a kiss. She stared blankly into Qi Dou's eyes, which held a mixture of sorrow and aggression.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Li Xingyi didn't understand, and after a moment, their lips parted.
Qi Dou looked at her and said, "When no one is around, you can call me A Dou. I don't want us to become distant."
Li Xingyi looked at Qi Dou, still not understanding.
Unfamiliar? We weren't familiar with each other to begin with.
She then slowly said, "Your Majesty, this is against etiquette."
Upon hearing this, Qi Dou said, "It's alright. We can call each other that when it's just the two of us. I hope we're just an ordinary couple."
Li Xingyi lowered his eyes, his heart resolute.
...Husband and wife? You probably won't think that way once you know my purpose.
Seeing that she remained silent, Qi Dou said, "Xingyi, you don't have to call me that if you don't want to. You can call me whatever you like."
"..." Li Xingyi glanced at Qi Dou and saw a hint of sadness in his eyes. Feeling sorry for him, she sighed inwardly.
...It's just a name.
Li Xingyi slowly spoke, "A Dou."
Qi Dou smiled slightly after hearing Li Xingyi call his name.
Li Xingyi was taken aback when he saw this.
So... he can smile too, and he looks so handsome.
Immediately afterwards, Qi Dou embraced Li Xingyi and kissed him deeply. His hands roamed over Li Xingyi's body, and when he reached the sash, he gently tugged at it, causing the sash to come loose.
...taking advantage of someone's misfortune.
Li Xingyi was displeased upon seeing this.
She slowly extended her left hand to Qi Dou's neck, preparing to strike, but Qi Dou immediately grabbed her wrist.
Li Xingyi was stunned. She immediately broke free of his hand, then pushed Qi Dou away, and calmly looked at him, saying, "Your Majesty, one should not indulge in debauchery during the day, and you have not yet given me an answer regarding the selection of concubines."
Upon hearing this, Qi Dou frowned and said, "Xing Yi, it seems you didn't listen to me carefully, or rather, you don't care at all."
Li Xingyi felt a pang of pain in her heart, but she endured it and said, "Your Majesty, I am merely fulfilling my duty as Empress."
"The Empress's responsibility?" Qi Dou asked, raising an eyebrow.
Li Xingyi replied, "Yes."
Qi Dou laughed and said, "Xingyi, the Empress's responsibilities go far beyond this."
After saying that, he stepped forward, picked up Li Xingyi, and carried him to the bed. Li Xingyi understood what he wanted to do.
Could this person be a tyrannical ruler?
She said, "Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that the officials in the court will impeach you?"
Qi Dou smiled after hearing this and replied, "Would they report me for having marital relations with you? Besides, they're quite worried about me having no successor. Isn't this perfect?"
"..."
Li Xingyi was speechless.
He really is a tyrant. Since he is such a tyrant, why don't I just kill him and rid the people of a scourge?
Thinking of this, Li Xingyi felt a desire to refuse.
She frowned slightly, and after this hesitation, she was placed on the bed.
...The emperor is dead. If we choose a new one, the plan will have to be completely restarted. Forget it.
...Nothing ventured, nothing gained; today's humiliation will be repaid a hundredfold in the future.
Then Qi Dou pressed down on him, kissing him while quickly removing Li Xingyi's outer garment.
"Hmm!" Li Xingyi was still not satisfied.
That's still too much of a loss; at this point, we should have dragged someone down with us.
After their lips parted, she took the opportunity to turn to the side and ask, "Your Majesty, why did you refuse the selection of concubines?"
After waiting for a while without any movement, Li Xingyi looked at Qi Dou and saw that Qi Dou was just looking at her without saying anything. She then said, "Your Majesty, I have already arranged for Shi Yan to enter the palace in three months. I have heard that the Empress Dowager's niece is the most dignified and composed. I think Your Majesty will like her."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
