wind and rain
The autumn rain had been falling relentlessly for the past few days, and the wind, carrying the rain, made the grass and trees in Jianzhang Palace rustle. Green shadows clashed and fought, and crows fluttered their wings and flew low.
Seeing that A Jiao was engrossed in watching, Liu Che quietly walked up behind her and patted her shoulder hard. Seeing her tremble, he smiled with satisfaction.
Gillian rolled her eyes at him and said, "Take off your clothes."
He came in from outside, half of his sleeves and the bottom of his robe were wet with rain, which was particularly obvious in the dry sandalwood scent in the house.
"So urgent?"
He smiled meaningfully, closed his eyes and stood with his arms and legs spread.
A crisp slap landed on his back, and he took off his outer and inner clothes, leaving only his underpants. He found the medicine box, held it, and sat down obediently in front of her.
His wound had almost healed, and now a blood scab had formed. He only needed to apply some medicine. If she hadn't forced him to apply medicine every day, he would have stopped taking it seriously.
Gillian lowered her head and lightly touched the circle of pink with her fingertips, then her eyes fell on another old wound on his chest. The color was very light, a small scar the size of a soybean. Only when you looked closely could you see the difference in texture and color from the surrounding skin.
"When was this?"
"In the second year of the Yuanguang reign, just after the war with the Xiongnu, a Tibetan envoy stabbed me during a banquet on his way back home. Fortunately, he didn't injure a vital part."
In the second year of the Yuanguang reign, she remembered that the Tibetans had presented a group of beautiful dancers to Emperor Che. This angered her so much that she led her men to his palace and the envoy's residence, causing a scene. She demanded that he immediately return the dancers to Tibet. He said this act would damage diplomatic relations between the two countries and accused her of being unreasonable. She said he clearly had ulterior motives, having taken them into his harem and then indulged them. In her anger, she refused to attend the Tibetan envoy's return banquet and could no longer remember what happened that day. But Emperor Che remained silent.
The wound was so deep, but she had no idea.
She remembered that it was also because of the Tibetan envoys that they had been in a cold war for a whole month. In the end, Liu Che sent the dancers away, and he took the initiative to find her, and the matter was over. He must have been recuperating from his injuries during that month.
Her expression was unpredictable. Her fingertips caressed his wound, and the skin beneath her fingers instantly warmed up, expanding and contracting as her sternum contracted. He held her hand, his eyes dark.
"Why didn't I notice you had a scar here before?"
She was looking at him seriously, and seemed a little depressed. He had no choice but to put aside his distracting thoughts and comforted her, "The imperial physician used good medicine. You are not the most fond of those scholars with delicate skin and flesh. Naturally, I dare not leave scars. After a month of rest, it is almost healed."
He then laughed and said, "Who made me young and strong, able to recover quickly, and in good health? Some people are only busy crying and have no time to take a closer look at my body."
The sad atmosphere was ruined by him. She looked at the scoundrel smile on the man in front of her and pinched his ear, "Who are you calling crying?"
"I'll tell anyone who pinches me." He frowned, still refusing to admit defeat. "Every time, some people cry like newborn bunnies, red from head to toe, and ooze at the slightest touch..."
Before he could finish his words, she threw him to the ground with a thud.
"Liu Che, if you dare to talk nonsense again!"
She was so angry at this man that she almost vomited blood. He spoke as if he was any better than her.
"It's better than some people who become soft at the slightest touch, with only their mouths being the toughest. They secretly hid the wooden slips between the cabinet walls, and Lai Fu took them out and carried them around for a long time, and then pretended to be furious and scolded the palace servants for peeking. Some people really don't know what shame is, what blushing is—"
Her voice was so high that Liu Che's ears turned red. "That's not mine! Besides, it was our first wedding night. If I really knew what happened, you wouldn't know where to complain."
"Yes, yes, it's not yours. The dog sneaked out of the palace and then sneaked back in and hid in the wall to look through it~"
She sat on top of him, her aura far superior. Seeing that she was about to be defeated, Liu Che suddenly stood up, grabbed her waist, and pulled her closer to him. "So what if you saw it? Don't you like it too? Remember the painting in the fifth edition?"
A blurry image flashed through her mind, and she felt something change. She quickly pushed him away, "What are you remembering? Get out of the way. The prince will be here with his concubines to pay their respects soon."
No matter how hard she pushed, his palm rested firmly on her waist, and he slowly and methodically untied her belt. A closer look at his features revealed his slightly pursed lips and tense face, as if suppressing something. Knowing she couldn't push him away with such strength, she raised an eyebrow and leaned forward suddenly, her fingers pinching the dark red flesh and rubbing it several times, leaving a fingerprint.
She heard with satisfaction the person in front of her take a deep breath, shrink back slightly, and grit his teeth.
She then let her big hands wander over his chest, like a fish in water. She leaned on his shoulder, tilted her face slightly, and bit his flesh. The man's voice almost slipped out of his teeth. She laughed from her chest, but suddenly turned into a scream.
Through a paper window, the sound of the wind weakened, and the slanting raindrops gradually turned into large, oily raindrops, falling drop by drop on the branches and leaves of the crabapple. The brown, dry branches were soaked by the rain, trembling and swaying slightly, and the delicate branches were not affected. The buds stretched out to the surroundings, and the wrinkles were smoothed by the autumn wind and rain, as if they were about to disperse.
Under the flying eaves of the roof, a few petals fluttered onto several open oil umbrellas. Liu Che raised his head slightly and saw only a blurry afterimage stuck to the top of the paper umbrella.
Jiang Chong bowed to him and walked into the house.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has come to pay his respects."
As Liu Ju entered the hall, he was met with a strong aroma, seemingly concealing something, that filled the room with a dull stench. Liu Che and a woman emerged, one in front of the other, their faces flushed. Her steps were unsteady, and large golden peonies bloomed across her chest, spilling down her skirt. Her dark red sash shone with a vibrant, luxuriant beauty.
"Your son greets His Majesty, Father."
Liu Ju lowered his head, and the two concubines beside him also bowed down.
"Everyone, please sit down. Today is the Crown Prince's birthday. Can you go to your mother's palace to pay your respects?"
"After paying respects to my father, I will go to my mother's palace."
Liu Che nodded. He was in a good mood today. He asked about his and his concubines' health in a friendly manner, and reminded them that husband and wife should work together. Then, as usual, he rewarded them with birthday gifts and gifts for several of his new wives.
"How's the errand I asked you to do going?"
"My cousin discovered many omissions in the Huainan Salt Administration's accounts. His men have already apprehended and interrogated the Huainan King's closest associates. Because of my birthday and... some injuries, I'm worried about him staying there any longer, so I've asked my cousin to hurry back to the capital. The remaining prisoners are currently being escorted to the capital and should arrive in two days."
"Injuried?"
"There was a conflict while arresting someone, and my arm was slightly injured. It hasn't healed yet. I'm afraid it's because of my improper diet."
Liu Che glanced at the person beside him. She also looked at him, as if he was acting suspiciously. He coughed and continued to ask, "Capture the confidant of the King of Huainan? How many people did he bring with him?"
"To prevent any unforeseen events, I brought three thousand men with me. They are all my uncle's former subordinates."
Liu Che nodded. Based on the character of the King of Huainan, he would not let him leave easily. Three thousand elite soldiers...maybe they could only capture some small fry.
"Where are the account books?"
"After my cousin has treated me, I will go to the palace to meet him."
Liu Che said, "No hurry. Since you are injured, your health is more important. Besides, today is your birthday. You brothers should have fun and there is no need to be too restrained. Report back to me after today."
The Eastern Palace held a banquet today to entertain guests, and the gates remained open, allowing for visits from officials and concubines alike. This bustling atmosphere had been a tradition dating back to Emperor Gaozu's time. However, every year, Emperor Liu Che still had to issue a statement, demonstrating his father's kindness, his sons' filial piety, and his subjects' obedience.
The father and son were talking and laughing, Liu Ju looked straight ahead, but the Crown Princess on the side was slightly stunned when she looked at Madam Wang. There was a mole on her nose, just above the tip of her nose and in the middle of the lower part of the bridge of her nose.
She glanced at Concubine Rong beside her. She was not dressed to impress today; for an audience with the Emperor, she wore only modest clothes and a bun. Her thin face, powdered white, was flawless and smooth.
It’s okay…it’s okay.
She lowered her head and trembled as she left Jianzhang Palace with the Crown Prince. Finally, she was able to straighten her back and breathe out a sigh of relief. She slowly followed Liu Ju and looked up at the sky covered with dark clouds. This storm was probably not over yet.
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