Finally, at dawn, he slowly awakened. Seeing his junior sister Liu Su Yun with bloodshot eyes, he spoke in a weak voice, “Su Yun, you’ve worked hard.”
“Senior brother, don’t be polite. You’re weak, so don’t talk too much. Of course I should take care of you,” her voice carried a hint of excitement at his awakening.
“Mm, then I’ll trouble you, Su Yun,” he closed his eyes weakly, deciding to listen to her as he had no strength to argue.
Looking at the now peacefully sleeping Wen Yue Yan, she felt relieved. Her hard work was not in vain; her senior brother had finally passed the dangerous period. As an assassin, she should not be entangled in emotional ties, should not have such personal feelings, but she could not help it! Having lived with her senior brother since childhood, she had long secretly given her heart to him, seeing him as her husband in her heart, loving him with all her heart despite knowing her love would never be returned!
Her helpless love, her obsessive love, might never be reciprocated, but she loved deeply nonetheless! Simply because he was worth her wholehearted love!
Back in the Yanfeng Palace, although Mei Siyu was served by Xiao Rou and went to bed early, she could not fall asleep for a long time. Thinking about the events of the day, she was terrified. If it weren’t for that black-clothed person of uncertain intentions who blocked the sword for her in time, she would now be lying in a cold coffin instead of a soft silk quilt. Why did he risk his life to save her? It was truly a mystery that she could not comprehend!
After a day of exhausting travel, she finally entered her dreams, with a slight smile hanging on the corner of her mouth, perhaps dreaming of something pleasant. Only a carefree woman like Mei Siyu could still sleep peacefully after such events.
A black shadow outside the window stood motionless for a long time, as still as a stone statue. He gazed fixedly for a long while, his mouth alternating between a smile and a slight pursing, all because of the subtle movements of that graceful figure!
Just about to turn and leave, he suddenly noticed someone standing behind him. He wondered when his alertness had become so poor that she might have been standing there for a long time without his notice, perhaps because he was too focused on watching someone.
“Why is Yun-gege here?” she said softly. It had been so long since she had seen him since entering the palace. The beautiful memories of the past still echoed in her mind, preventing her from feeling melancholy in the oppressive inner court. Although she had no one to talk to, she could at least reminisce about these past events, which was a source of happiness. Now, unexpectedly seeing him made her feel ecstatic.
“Qinger, you’ve always been afraid of walking at night. How did you end up here?” Ling Yun asked softly, feeling more joy than surprise at seeing her. They had been on good terms before she entered the palace.
“Responding to Yun-gege’s question, Qinger couldn’t sleep because she missed home and came out for a walk. By chance, she discovered a white rabbit in the flowers and wanted to catch it, and ended up chasing it here, forgetting her fear,” Jie Yue Qing replied gently.
She was still as elegant and serene as before, speaking in a soft voice and dressed in white. Her unpainted face, illuminated by the moonlight, looked like an immortal from the clouds. How could such a refined woman not receive the Emperor’s favor? He had heard she had never been summoned to the Emperor’s bed and had never even met him, which made him doubt his eighth brother’s taste and feel sorry for Qinger.
“Qinger, you’re still so playful. It’s cold and windy at night. Let me take you back, or you’ll catch a cold. You’ve always been delicate,” Ling Yun took off his outer robe and draped it over her, his eyes showing a hint of tenderness.
Your Majesty, I believe this is truly inappropriate. I implore you to reconsider,” Yu Taiwei bowed respectfully.
“Yu Taiwei, do not forget your current status. What right do you have to object to this matter?” Ming Lengchen said playfully.
“This subject knows his crime. Please, please forgive me, Your Majesty. This old man is confused!” Yu Taiwei quickly changed his tone, trembling slightly. His already aged face now showed more panic, looking even more decrepit! The heartache of losing his daughter was already enough to exhaust him, and now the Emperor’s attitude made him even more sorrowful.
“My ministers, do you have any other objections? Speak freely. If there are no objections, I shall issue an imperial decree and announce it to the world,” Ming Lengchen confidently surveyed the officials below. He finally rested his gaze on Ming Lengyun, noticing his discomfort and a hint of sadness on his face. He wanted to see his third brother’s pain, a punishment for his excessive love for Yu’er!
At this moment, Ming Lengyun’s heart was being torn apart. Yu’er could receive the eighth brother’s affection, and he should be happy, but instead felt a sense of jealousy. He knew he could never harbor feelings for her, as she was the Emperor’s concubine and his sister-in-law. Rationally and emotionally, he could not develop feelings for her or take her away – this would be against heaven’s principles. Now that she was happy, he should quietly withdraw. But if one day she was no longer happy, or if the eighth brother harmed her, he would not hesitate to take her away, absolutely!
“We have no objections. We hope Your Majesty will soon have a prince, which would be a great blessing for our dynasty!” The civil and military officials spoke in unison, except for two who remained lost in their own thoughts.
“Haha, I am most gratified. The wishes of my ministers are also my own! In three days, we will hold the empress-conferring ceremony, grant amnesty to the world, and celebrate together,” Ming Lengchen smiled.
“Oh, by the way, when will the Princess from the Outer Territories arrive?” Ming Lengchen asked Ying Yantian with a faint smile.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, she should arrive in about three days,” Ying Yantian responded coldly, his expression as impassive as ever.
“I hear this princess is as beautiful as a celestial being, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and even military strategy and formations. Truly an exceptional woman! It seems my third brother is fortunate in love!” Ming Lengchen laughed softly, casting an intentional glance at his silent third brother.
Forcing a beauty upon him, let’s see if he can remain pure. Since he refuses to give up his love for Yu’er, I’ll kill two birds with one stone – resolve the border conflicts and make my third brother completely give up his feelings. What a perfect plan!
Looking at the tactful Defei leaving her palace, the Empress Dowager’s thoughts were complex. She never expected that this Mei Siyu would have such seductive skills, not only capturing her son’s heart and no longer summoning other concubines, but even Yun was deeply infatuated with her and unable to extricate himself. She had already warned Yun, but he was unrepentant and repeatedly made mistakes, even going so far as to resist the imperial marriage with his life!
All of this was caused by this wretched woman. She could no longer sit idly by. Now, only she could subdue this seductive fox, the Empress Dowager thought to herself with determination.
[Text: 057 Pleading for the Third Imperial Brother]
In the Yangfeng Palace!
“Xiaoruo, is what you just said true?” Mei Siyu furrowed her delicate eyebrows, asking in a low, gentle voice.
“Absolutely true. You will soon be named Empress, and if your mother were alive, she would be very pleased,” Xiaoruo said with a hint of excitement, truly happy for her mistress.
