Chapter 71 Chapter 71 Pushing medicine, imperial edict
According to law, there was no fixed rule for whether the empress was present in person when conferring a second-rank imperial edict, nor was there a fixed rule for whether a banquet would be held after the ceremony. At the New Year's Day palace banquet, his wife had not appeared, which had already sparked private gossip among the women of the imperial court, many of whom spoke disparagingly.
Furthermore, although she was married to Gu Yan through a formal matchmaker, the marriage certificate did not follow the customary practice of listing her as "Ms. Tan Lan," a fact that was tacitly acknowledged by everyone. Under these circumstances, even in socializing, she could hardly maintain the dignity expected of a Second Rank Lady, and even more so, if she met a gathering of noble ladies, she would find it difficult to sit comfortably at the head of the table.
When Gu Yan requested the imperial edict, the court was on holiday, and the news had not yet spread. Furthermore, due to the emperor's recent poor health, all requests for titles for wives by court officials were handled by the Ministry of Rites in conjunction with high-ranking women, in accordance with established regulations.
Since the founding of this dynasty, there has been no precedent for conferring a second-rank imperial edict. In the past, only the imperial edicts of the third rank and below were conferred. Naturally, there was no need for her, the queen, to come in person to bestow the honor.
After this conferment ceremony is over, she, the mistress of the harem, will personally preside over the conferment banquet on behalf of the emperor. By then, not only will all the previous rumors be dispelled, but because both the emperor and the empress have shown favor, this newly appointed noble will be given a higher rank!
All thoughts are but a fleeting thought. Empress Guo's understanding of her nephew's excessive doting on his wife was even more profound.
It had only been a few days, but he was already trying to make up for all the grievances he had suffered in a glorious manner. He really couldn't bear to see him suffer even the slightest bit of indifference.
How much does one cherish it to be so cautious about it?
At this point, Empress Guo was completely helpless, even feeling that no matter how shocking his actions were for that woman in the future, it wouldn't be surprising. With him so strong and protective, even if she, as his aunt and the Empress, had any complaints, what could she do?
Moreover, the imperial edict has been issued. Rather than refusing and hurting the relationship, it is better to start and end well.
"Never mind. Later, I'll have the Imperial Observatory select an auspicious date for the canonization ceremony for your wife. Then, I'd like to take a good look at your cherished wife and see if she's truly as you say she is. Seeing her makes me feel happy."
Qin Jingyao knew when to stop and immediately bowed, smiling warmly and speaking in a clear voice like jade:
"Gu Yan, thank you for your help, Auntie. My wife, I will definitely live up to your expectations."
---
The call seemed to come from the heavens. Kelan Nongnong was so exhausted that even after being forcibly awakened, she was still groggy and exhausted. In her haze, she felt as if someone had fed her water and then spat it out. Before she could feel the coolness, she was forced to drink something else.
After an unknown amount of time, Fang opened his eyes again.
Her body's senses awakened. Even the slightest movement of her hand felt as if every muscle in her body were rippled. Aches, stings, numbness, dull pain—all sorts of excruciating pains—came pouring back like a flood.
Her body trembled uncontrollably, a muffled groan escaping her throat. She instinctively wanted to curl up, but the silky satin on the couch seemed like coarse linen, and when it accidentally touched her skin, it felt like being pricked by needles, burning with pain.
Lan Nongnong's breathing suddenly stopped, her body froze, and she dared not move anymore.
She held her breath, endured the pain, and with difficulty turned sideways, hunched her back and shoulders, and carefully pushed aside the soft satin draped over her body. Even just this movement made her breathless.
But now that I'm awake, I can't lie down anymore.
One arm supported her body, the other still clutching the collar of her shirt, her long black hair hanging down. Every breath was filled with a hot flash, yet her pores felt like they were covered with a thin film, trapping the heat within her. Not a trace of sweat appeared on her forehead or body.
When she managed to stand up, her whole body was trembling. Even so, she dared not move her body even a little, as if the slightest movement would cause her to tear apart.
From beginning to end, she had never once glanced at herself. As soon as she raised her head, the dim light in front of her eyes suddenly brightened, and a stream of fresh air and a cold fragrance that was so familiar that it made her feel cold.
Lan Nongnong raised her eyelids, her gaze rising higher and higher. Before she could meet the visitor's gaze, the scene before her suddenly darkened, a cold fragrance enveloped her, and she felt light. When she regained consciousness, the person was half-leaning against the headboard.
"Why didn't you call someone in to serve you when you woke up?"
After he finished speaking, Qin Jingyao seemed to see her current predicament. Because she was half-leaning, the soft quilt he had draped over her before leaving slipped down, exposing her naked body.
Perhaps because of the cold, or perhaps because of shyness, her shoulders were hunched, and her fingers were folded on her arms, making her look even more charming and plump.
Fallen plum blossoms are all over the mountains, purple and red everywhere, now half covered and half exposed, just one glance is enough to make people imagine the wonderful feeling in it.
His eyes darkened instantly, and he narrowed them slightly before looking away, following the winding, undulating path. The soft quilt fell, covering the red marks along with it.
Now this body is slender and well-proportioned, with skin as shiny as jade. It is shy and timid even before being touched, like a petal containing a pearl, trembling and graceful, charming and enchanting.
Lan Nongnong's breathing grew heavier, and she was angry at herself for not holding her own. Just being looked at made her shiver and tremble. The room was warm, but she was naked, and she felt the chill piercing her bones. She wanted to pull the quilt over her, but she was worried about exposing herself, and she was even more afraid of losing sight in her panic.
In this case, it would be better to protect only one place.
"I have done what you asked."
Her voice was slightly hoarse, but every word was clear. "I want to see the aunts tomorrow."
Her words were meant to be a blunt question, intended to turn the previous lingering affection into a transaction, but because her voice was hoarse and weak, it sounded like a coquettish whisper.
She had endured this youth incident with great difficulty, and Qin Jingyao was already heartbroken. Even though her words were hurtful, he still felt soft-hearted.
Seeing her lying so weakly on the couch, soaked in his scent and traces from inside to outside, his heart softened like spring water.
If she hadn't broken her promise and run away before, he would have agreed to whatever she wanted without hesitation.
Qin Jingyao reached out to hold her, but she twisted away, her arms tightening around him. His hand paused for a moment, then moved to her slender waist. As her hair stood on end, his fingertips lifted the soft quilt, accidentally brushing against her skin, causing her to shudder violently. He pulled the quilt back up to cover her body.
"Nong Nong and I made a promise, and I must keep my word."
After saying that, he suddenly stood up and left for a moment before returning to continue to the anxiously waiting woman, "But Nong Nong's body is so delicate. Even if I agree, can your body allow it?"
Lan Nongnong couldn't guarantee whether she could move freely tomorrow, but she still said stubbornly, "Don't worry. As long as you don't stop me, I will make the arrangements."
Qin Jingyao studied her complexion. Though she looked frail and weak, her eyes had regained their spirit. His eyes relaxed, and he couldn't help but smile, but he didn't reply. He simply opened the box of skin-nourishing, blood-activating plaster in his hand, glanced at the soft satin she was wearing, and then looked at her leisurely.
Lan Nong Nong's breath was choked, and her temples ached slightly. She closed her eyes to calm her mind, and was about to speak, but he interrupted her.
"Nong Nong and I are deeply in love and we love each other dearly. The marks on your body were caused by your husband, so why should I let you deal with them on your own? And Nongnong once said that responsibility is the foundation of a good partner."
"Could it be that when you took the initiative to shake my hand in the nunnery earlier, it was just a perfunctory gesture?"
Lan Nongnong's eyes instantly turned red. She took a deep breath, but there was no air left in her chest and lungs, nor could she breathe out. The feeling of being bound and restrained was really driving her crazy.
Inside the fragrant bed curtains, no one spoke for a moment, only the woman's trembling and sobbing breathing could be heard.
After a long time, the silky soft quilt was like ripples on the water, and the arc supported by the arms suddenly fell down, trembling and rising with the breathing.
Lan Nongnong opened her eyes, grasped the quilt tightly with her left hand and pulled it hard - from her ears to her ankles, her body covered with traces of intense sex was exposed.
Rather than having someone dismantle it like an object, it’s better to do it yourself.
Her eyes were like cold stars burning with fire, staring straight at him without flinching or avoiding, and she urged in a hoarse voice: "If you want to apply it, apply it quickly."
Qin Jingyao stopped while he was ahead. He was now paying more attention to her. He had cleaned her up and applied ointment to her before they'd made love. He had also checked her before leaving this morning. Her blood was still flowing, her skin still a rosy pink, the marks only slightly darker.
Now that the heat in his body had dissipated, the bruises left by those marks lingered on him like a punishment.
Her skin was already delicate, and even the slightest force would leave marks. This time, he was so angry that he lost control of her. Now, with just one glance, there was not a single spot intact, which was shocking to see.
He frowned slightly, and saw a chill on her skin from the corner of his eye. He stretched out his arm and pulled the soft satin over her body, dipped it in the ointment, and applied it to the swollen and slightly broken skin.
The area had become pliable and slightly hardened from the excessive wrapping, making it difficult to retract. As soon as the cold ointment touched it, it shuddered suddenly, and a suppressed but still escaping groan followed.
Qin Jingyao also felt like he'd been struck hard. His body tensed, his ears buzzing for a moment. His Adam's apple rolled silently, and his dark, swirling eyes seized her face like a predator.
Although she claimed to be fluent, she was just showing off. At this moment, she turned her head away, closed her eyes, pursed her lips, and tightened her jaw, gritting her teeth to hold on.
The scarred neck looked even more slender and graceful because of this action, but also more fragile and easily broken. In addition, the unwillingness and humiliation on her face, as she was forced to submit, really aroused the desire to destroy her deep down.
She should be thankful that her body can no longer bear love, otherwise--- ---
Qin Jingyao abruptly turned his gaze away. But everywhere he looked, he saw a raging fire. For a moment, he wondered who was suffering under the application of the medicine.
The scent of pears, the fragrance she loved, lingered from the incense hanging in the tent. The warm fragrance of her body emanated from her skin, blending with their gradually sinking breathing, making the air extremely thick.
Qin Jingyao steadied his breath and continued to apply the ointment. He restrained himself and focused only on his fingers. As the ointment soaked in, it became shiny, just like the way it had been when Qingdong had moved not long ago.
The moon-white middle garment was suddenly stained by water. The hot flashes in my palms melted the ointment, covering my icy skin like oil.
The woman's increasingly suppressed breathing made the act of applying the medicine extremely ambiguous.
After applying the medicine, Qin Jingyao was covered with the soft quilt, and his whole body was as clean as if washed with water.
But this is just the beginning.
--
To prevent himself from losing control and hurting her, he took a handkerchief and cleaned his hands. When he was about to re-inject the medicine for her, he suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice: "Do you still remember what Nongnong said the other day?"
Lan Nongnong was most sensitive at the moment, so to avoid further complications, she had to suppress the urge to dodge. This patience had exhausted all her strength, and the bedding was wrinkled under her fingers. How could she have the time to think about what he meant?
The sudden increase in force and the stagnant movement were clearly a silent threat. She suddenly opened her lips, lowered her shoulders, and took a deep breath, still unwilling to turn around. She only slightly opened her eyes and asked breathlessly,
"What do you mean—what?"
The burning fingers and palms were circling around hers: "It is so strong, and it tells me that you love me."
Lan Nongnong suddenly opened her eyes wide, and was about to blurt out "When did I ever say that?" She turned her head back unconsciously, but met his eyes that were like a dormant animal in the dark night. He had been waiting for an unknown period of time, staring at her quietly.
She suddenly felt horrified, and the words got stuck in her throat and she swallowed them back.
The atmosphere in the tent stagnated for a moment before a low, hoarse female voice was heard, her tone stiff: "...I remember."
Qin Jingyao raised the corners of his lips slightly, rubbed and spun his five fingers together, and asked with a smile: "So, can you do it now, Nong Nong?"
Lan Nongnong didn't even have time to hate him at the moment, so how could she possibly love him? It was just perfunctory words, a lie.
Just obey him, get through this, and you'll be able to meet with the aunts and confirm their safety. Having already retreated repeatedly, why would this one sentence matter? The strength is clear now, and it's unwise to argue. If you can't even tolerate this little injustice, how can you even talk about planning for the future?
Various persuasions flashed through her mind before she dared to open her eyes and look at him. She gritted her teeth and whispered, "...I will."
After she finished speaking, her eyelashes trembled as if frightened. At the same time, two lines of tears suddenly slid down from the corners of her eyes, silently sinking into the black hair on the pillow.
Qin Jingyao's gaze lingered on the wet mark at the corner of her eye for a moment, then moved away without pressing further. After rubbing the red mark on the inside of her wrist and arm, the soft quilt covered her upper body, revealing her lower body.
Her body suddenly tightened, and her slender fingers reached out from under the satin to cover her, then slowly curled up before he spoke. The delay between her movements revealed her struggle.
Now, the only marks left on her body were her knees, her ankles, and her knees. Just as things are different in severity, so are injuries.
After returning home in the early morning, while she was asleep, he scraped away all the grass to identify her injuries. Now the grass was bright red and the injuries were clearly visible.
He stared for a few breaths, his heartache finally overpowering his desire. He scooped up the ointment with two fingers, but fearing it would hurt her if he applied too much pressure, he tensed his arm, his bulging muscles straining against his sleeves, revealing the veins on the back of his hand and wrist.
"...In this case, the monks in the nunnery knew they were wrong and came before the Buddha to repent and improve themselves."
"...Nong Nong, do you realize your mistake?"
Lan Nongnong had originally closed her eyes, enduring his almost obscene smearing. Hearing these words, she felt as if a huge rock had fallen on her chest, pressing her to the point of suffocation.
What had she done wrong? At this point, it was all about the winners and the losers. If we were to talk about right and wrong, he was the one who should have admitted his mistake!
She almost crushed the quilt in her hands, panting, her teeth clenched, and a faint fishy sweetness in her mouth. After a while, she squeezed out three words from between her teeth.
"I---know my mistake."
After she finished speaking, she seemed to have been drained of strength, and she visibly became weaker, and her tense body softened a little. Who knew that the next moment, she heard a request that almost made her collapse.
"-Open."
"Qin Jingyao!"
Qin Jingyao looked up, his pupils were as dark as the abyss, and the veins on his neck were bulging, giving off a dangerous aura.
Lan Nongnong stared at him for a few breaths, and the two mottled scars on her eyes slowly opened.
The next moment, her whole body suddenly tensed up and she closed her mouth tightly. She didn't know where she got the strength to move backwards!
Qin Jingyao simply bent his fingers and inserted the medicine, and she fell back limply as if struck hard. Like a swamp, layers of movement surged in, and as if sensing danger, his spine tightened, numbness shot straight to his head, and his whole body froze instantly.
Beads of sweat fell from his forehead, some soaking into the pink mattress, some snaking along his chin into his clothes. He closed his eyes, his desire clamoring for him to ignore it, but he forced himself to suppress it.
Trying to pull it open, there's naturally resistance, and it feels smooth to the touch ---
"...Relax."
Qin Jingyao took a deep breath, his usual composure gone. He spoke a warning, but his voice was hoarse.
"...If you move again, all the medicine I applied today will be in vain."
But when she did relax, he felt as if he were pierced with thorns. His body was bulging, sweat soaking through his heavy clothes, and the medicine bottle in his left palm had cracked.
Like a self-torture, he could no longer maintain his slow pace, his knuckles swiftly coating every part of her body with the ointment. His body tensed and trembled as he pressed hard, smearing the ointment evenly over her delicate skin and base.
After pulling the soft quilt over her, he suddenly stood up, waved open the bed curtain, and quickly closed it. He strode to the window, closed his eyes, tilted his neck, and breathed heavily.
But how could the inner anger be easily quelled? He took off his wet clothes and returned to the bed.
Lan Nongnong had wrapped herself tightly, not caring about the pain, leaving only her knees exposed. She showed no surprise when he suddenly came back in, but was extremely wary of his current condition.
Fortunately, he didn't cause any more trouble this time, and just tensed himself to apply the medicine to the remaining wound on her knee. During this time, Lan Nongnong held her breath and didn't dare to utter a word.
As he turned on his toes and was about to leave, her vision suddenly darkened, and she screamed in shock as she was completely engulfed in the raging storm. Like a tornado, she was like a paper-made house, easily crushed, unable to muster the slightest resistance.
Her vision went black, her chest ached. When he finally released her, her lips and teeth were barely closing. A fiery hand pierced through her hair, lifted her skull, and released it after a few breaths.
A very hoarse voice passed by my ears, and before I could make it out, the oppressive feeling all over my body suddenly disappeared.
Lan Nongnong lay on the couch and gently opened her eyes. There was a buzzing in her ears that lasted for a long time.
-
Lan Nongnong politely declined Biyu's suggestion to place the food tray at the bedside. The ointment, made of unknown ingredients, was incredibly effective. Just now, she felt pain with the slightest movement, but now, only a slight ache remained.
After gathering some strength, she put on her underwear and stood up with the help of her maid. Only then did she realize that she had returned to the mansion while she was asleep.
Lan Nongnong blinked and looked at the deep night outside the window. She only tied an open-sleeved cloak, washed up, and walked to the food table next to the couch.
Unlike before, this time she didn't ask Biyu if they were implicated. The two maids exchanged glances, a touch of unease building within them. One helped her sit down on the armchair, then bowed and offered her chopsticks. The other filled a half-bowl of fragrant rice and nut porridge, set a spoon aside, and gently placed it beside her.
Just as he was about to speak, he saw the master leave, steaming. He first went to the stove to warm himself from the cold, then walked to the table opposite. When the meal was served, the two maids bowed and left.
Lan Nongnong scooped a few spoonfuls of sweet porridge, and the warmth entered her stomach, gradually easing her hunger and weakness. As she sat down across from him, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and then she remembered his various requests over the past two days.
According to him, she should have risen now and served him dinner. She had never waited on anyone since she was a child, and she couldn't learn to serve diligently. If he had mentioned it explicitly, she would have endured the humiliation and done it. If he hadn't mentioned it, she would have feigned ignorance.
Therefore, he lowered his head and did not raise it.
Qin Jingyao had originally wanted to wait for her to have dinner, but she was so weak that she slept late into the night. He had already eaten, and now he was just keeping her company. Seeing her absorbed in her food, he felt a little relieved. He couldn't help but think of the time in Yuqing when she had been frightened and seriously ill, and she had looked like this after recovering. But then she had been filled with joy, and now...
The smile that had just blossomed in his phoenix eyes faded like the tide. He lowered his eyes, drank the sweet porridge in his bowl, rinsed his mouth and wiped his lips, tossed his handkerchief on the lacquer tray, and then leaned back in the mahogany armchair, his hands resting on the armrests, sitting with his arms and legs spread wide, watching her eat with a calm gaze.
During this time, he would sometimes straighten his body, rolling up his sleeves, and serve her dishes that required more effort. He would see her pause for a moment before finally picking up and swallowing, and he would curl his lips in satisfaction. Sometimes he would even feed her directly to her lips, only waiting for her brows to relax, a hint of satisfaction visible, before he would call for the food tray to be cleared away.
Two cups of steaming tea sat beside them. Biyu and the other returned, one carrying a three-foot-tall gilded mahogany box, the other a lacquer tray lined with red cloth.
There are only two objects on the plate: a gorgeous headdress and a leather scroll with a gold axis, which looks like the imperial edicts seen in museums.
Lan Nongnong's heart tightened, with a mixture of doubt and uneasiness, and she couldn't help but look at the mysterious man opposite her.
Qin Jingyao pushed the peeled and diced peaches toward her, dismissed the servants, and said slowly, "I have already requested the imperial edict for you, on the evening of the New Year's Day banquet. Since you were away at the time, I will take over the crown, robes, and imperial edict on your behalf."
He stared at her suddenly startled face, narrowing his eyes slightly as he spoke word by word, "Now that the imperial edict has been issued, you are officially my wife, Qin Jingyao. You are a second-rank imperial consort, the highest among all women of the imperial family. From now on, if you host a banquet or attend one, everyone except the royal family will bow their heads wherever you go."
"The Imperial Astronomical Observatory has chosen an auspicious date. Ten days from now, the weather will be clear and sunny, perfect for the enthronement ceremony. The Empress will personally confer the title and host a banquet. Only women of the first rank will be allowed to attend the ceremony."
"If you don't like outsiders watching, I will immediately ask the Queen to remove the ceremony."
He leaned closer, his fingertips gently stroking her slightly furrowed brows. His voice deepened, like the clash of metal and stone. "Don't worry about the complicated etiquette. For the next ten days, I will personally teach you the ceremony of conferring the title, and I will accompany you to practice every step until you are proficient."
He paused slightly before adding, "The etiquette is a bit complicated and heavy, but please bear with it for now. You won't need to be so restrained in the future."
However, Lan Nongnong paid no attention to his soothing words, her mind preoccupied with one other matter. She met his gaze calmly, and spoke with remarkable composure, "Are these the prerequisites for the aunts' freedom?"
Qin Jingyao's pupils narrowed slightly, and he shook his head and chuckled, "You and I are a close couple, sharing honor and disgrace. Crowning my wife is my duty, so how can there be any talk of a deal?"
Lan Nongnong met his dark eyes, and even though she had thousands of questions to ask, she couldn't utter a single word.
At this moment, she felt like she was hanging by the neck, with her aunts tied to the other end of the rope. Every slack she gave, and the other end tightened an inch. Even if he tore up the previous agreement and kept raising the stakes, she couldn't retreat a single step. Because every refusal she made would become a lead weight tied to the aunts' feet.
She took a deep breath, suppressed the rage and despair surging in her chest, and replied in a hoarse voice, "Okay."
It was clear that everything was done according to his wishes, but Qin Jingyao did not feel happy at all. Instead, looking at her face full of humiliation, the anger in his heart grew more and more intense.
The original intention of keeping those bhikkhunis was to contain her, but now she gave in step by step for them, even accepting her husband's surname, which she had refused to take when they broke up.
His eyes were dark as he watched her undress for him, watching her do whatever he wanted. He even wondered, if he asked her to bear his child, would she say "yes"?
Qin Jingyao closed her eyes, suppressing her violent impulse. She was restraining her edge at the moment only because she held the lives of those nuns on her shoulders. Everything she had endured today had already pushed her to the limit of her endurance. If the pressure was further increased, pushing her to the brink of despair, she would be prepared to do anything, even a desperate act.
The bed curtains fell, and the woman beside him, following his hint, obediently fell into his arms. He caressed her increasingly plump body, a body he couldn't let go of, and bent down to take her offered lips, rubbing them gently and sucking, slowly swallowing them.
The bait must be fed slowly. By the time she has swallowed it all, it will have already melted into her bones and blood. Then, the shackles binding her will naturally entwine, forcing her to willingly fold her wings.
He used his lips and tongue to lure her into submission, but his eyes were clear as he looked at her.
What if I don't love you? What if I'm being false?
Her reaction was real, and she was actually in his arms.
What does it mean that "the body is here but the heart is not" or "only the body remains"? As long as she is here, her heart will never leave.
---
The next day, Lan Nongnong woke up and ordered Biyu to prepare the carriage. Her muscles and bones were delicate, and she had not recovered from a night's rest. She still walked with difficulty, and a little attention would reveal the reason.
However, she could not wait any longer. Even if it was inconvenient for her to show up, she had to confirm with her own eyes that her aunts were safe and sound.
Even though he wasn't there, he must have left instructions. Lan Nongnong didn't breathe a sigh of relief until the carriage had safely left. Now she had no one to rely on. Even though she had given so much, if he really broke his promise again, she would be helpless.
The carriage windows were newly fitted with clear glass, offering protection from the cold wind while still allowing for a clear view of the scenery along the way. Lan Nongnong, as if irritated by the glare from the window, tilted her head and closed her eyes, only opening them when the carriage abruptly stopped.
During this period, the window curtains remained closed.
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