Chapter 90 Deep Affection Between Husband and Wife
The dining hall was more lively than usual during dinner, thanks to the presence of three more young masters.
The group became much more obedient, eating their meals in small bites, occasionally stealing glances at Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang. They only relaxed slightly when they saw that the Third Prince's expression was normal.
Lou Jin took in his younger siblings' expressions without saying a word, but his elegant and composed dining manner served as an unspoken example. Ye Xunyang, on the other hand, carefully observed their preferences, and the atmosphere remained harmonious.
After the meal, the nannies led the three children to bathe and then go to sleep.
The vast palace seemed to instantly return to its former tranquility.
Back in the main courtyard, the door closed gently, shutting out the noise of the outside world.
Just as Ye Xunyang breathed a sigh of relief, Lou Jin embraced him from behind.
"Finally, some peace and quiet." Lou Jin's voice carried a hint of lazy satisfaction as he wrapped his arms around Ye Xunyang's waist, holding him tightly in his embrace.
Ye Xunyang leaned closer to him, feeling the firm touch and warm body against his back, his face slightly flushed. "Your Highness..."
"Um?"
"My husband, could you please spare me for a few days?"
Lou Jin chuckled softly, turned his head and gently kissed his earlobe, then slowly moved down along the delicate skin of his neck. "No."
His kiss was gentle and lingering, carrying an air of irresistible force. Ye Xunyang's body went weak from his arousal, his last vestiges of reason struggling: "...If those guys come later..."
"With the nanny watching over us, it's fine." Lou Jin interrupted him, tightened his grip, turned him around, and stared at him face to face.
Lou Jin picked the person up and carried them to the spacious canopy bed in the inner room.
The curtains were gently lowered, concealing the spring light from the room.
......
After the storm had passed.
"It seems..." Ye Xunyang's voice was still a little hoarse as he teased, "Your Highness has indeed been recuperating very well."
Lou Jin chuckled softly upon hearing this, his chest heaving.
He raised his hand and pinched Ye Xunyang's nose: "It seems that the princess still has the energy to tease, and it is your husband who has not tried hard enough?"
Ye Xunyang quickly begged for forgiveness: "I was wrong, my husband..."
This dependent posture greatly pleased Lou Jin. He held the person in his arms tightly with satisfaction and placed a kiss on the tip of the reddened ear.
"Go to sleep," Lou Jin's voice was so gentle it could melt your heart, "I'll stay with you."
In the following days, the Jinwang Mansion was indeed bustling with activity.
The seventh prince was dragged out of bed by his tutor before dawn every day to practice horse stance and basic skills, while the ninth prince stayed obediently in the study, writing diligently.
The little princess is the most worry-free. These past few days, she has come to see Ye Xunyang every day to listen to his interesting stories about the military camp.
Although there were three more daughters of noble birth in the mansion, things were still well-organized under the rules set by Lou Jin and the gentle care of Ye Xunyang.
Four days later, news came from outside.
The Emperor decreed that Consort Liu be ordered to commit suicide. Although Prince An, Lou Qin, was already dead, his title was posthumously stripped, his entire lineage reduced to commoners, and his descendants were forever barred from holding office. The Fifth Prince, Lou Yi, was stripped of his title and imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court, where he was not to be released until death.
Everything was within Lou Jin's expectations. Naturally, the Emperor was unwilling to truly believe what Lou Jin had discovered, and it took so many days to issue the decree. The Three Departments probably investigated again.
Lou Jin's hasty interrogation was originally intended to offend a group of people and make his father understand that he had no interest in the throne.
Just as the two finished hearing the news, the eunuch's voice, carrying the solemnity and majesty of imperial power, rang out in the main hall.
The second imperial edict was a reward for the great victory in the Northwest. At the end of the edict, King Jin Lou Jin and his consort Ye Xunyang were specifically commended.
He praised Prince Jin for his loyalty, bravery, wisdom, and meritorious service in eliminating traitors, and further commended Princess Ye Xunyang for her steadfast character, courage, and resourcefulness, for her invaluable assistance to the Prince.
Finally, the decree clearly stated that King Jin and his queen had shared hardships and were a loving couple, truly a model for the royal family and a beautiful story for the world. Therefore, a certain amount of jewels and brocades were bestowed upon them as a reward.
Ye Xunyang had mixed feelings after hearing everything.
He looked at Lou Jin and whispered, "Isn't this... a bit too ostentatious?"
Lou Jin took the imperial edict from his hand, casually placed it aside, grasped his hand, and smiled knowingly: "What you said is the truth, so why make a fuss about it?"
Ye Xunyang thought about it and felt relieved. Being able to stand shoulder to shoulder with him and receive such recognition made him happy in the end.
The imperial decree of commendation spread throughout the capital that very day.
Not long after the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict left, news came from the Fourth Prince's residence that there was another imperial edict, granting the Fourth Prince Lou Shang the title of Prince of the County and lifting his confinement.
Ye Xunyang was somewhat puzzled, "What does this mean? A reinstatement?"
Lou Jin shook his head. "It's just Father's balancing act. Right now, my elder brother and I are both born to the Empress. We are brothers and get along well. My elder brother also has a large army under his command. I claim that I am withdrawing from the struggle for the crown prince position, but Father is probably worried. I will assist my elder brother in usurping the throne."
Ye Xunyang was speechless for a moment. "Um... Your Majesty is really thinking too much, so you released Lou Shang to keep things in check?"
Lou Jin did not answer directly, "It's a pity that he doesn't understand any of us sons. My eldest brother has no interest in the throne. He may be thinking about how to ride across the world with Mr. Yu or guard the border for the rest of his life. If it weren't for the imperial decree, he probably wouldn't have come back."
Lou Jin changed the subject, his tone filled with disdain, "As for Lou Shang, if such a long period of confinement and all the recent events haven't made him figure things out, then he might as well take his brain out and put it in a hot pot."
Suddenly, the steward of the Ye family rushed over, his face ashen. Upon seeing Ye Xunyang, he knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling with sobs.
"Third Young Master! Something terrible has happened! After hearing the contents of the imperial edict, Master suddenly vomited blood and fainted! Madam wants you to return to the manor immediately!"
Ye Xunyang's heart sank. He was doomed. He had forgotten that his father didn't know about his relationship with Lou Jin.
Lou Jin vaguely understood something and instructed the steward, "Prepare the horses, and be quick! Also, take my token and immediately summon the best imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau to the Ye residence!"
The two rode together on one horse, with Lou Jin protecting Ye Xunyang in front of him, galloping through the streets of the capital, attracting the attention of passersby.
When they arrived at the Ye residence, the atmosphere inside was already heavy. The two went straight to General Ye's bedroom.
Rushing into the room, they saw General Ye sitting on the bed, his face ashen, a trace of blood still lingering on his lips, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle, staring intently at the two people who had entered.
Madam Ye, the mother, sat to the side weeping. When she saw her son and King Jin enter together, her expression became even more complicated, and she hesitated to speak.
"Father, how are you?" Ye Xunyang rushed to the bedside and reached out to check his father's pulse.
Ye Qingcang suddenly swung his arm, blocking his hand. His chest heaved violently, and his voice was hoarse: "You...you all came back together? Good, very good!"
"Tell me, what exactly does the Emperor mean by 'a loving couple, a model for the imperial family' in his edict?!"
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