“No need to trouble. I’m full too. Are there any places the young lady would like to go?” Wen Yue’en asked.
“Many places, but I’ve been out for quite a while. I need to go back. Visiting other places will have to wait for another time!” Mei Siyu answered somewhat sadly, thinking about how long it might be before she could go out again.
“Then let me escort you back. Might I see you again in the future?” Wen Yue’en said. He had hoped to accompany her to see the beautiful scenery of the capital, but she tactfully declined, leaving him somewhat disappointed.
Don’t be hasty, what’s happening in the prison?” Ming Lengchen countered with a question. Recalling the morning’s heated argument about Third Brother, he was inwardly furious. Why was she pleading for Third Brother? How could she put him in such a situation? She was his consort, yet she dared to say in front of him that Third Brother could choose his own emotional path – wasn’t this clearly suggesting he could openly pursue her? Did she not understand Third Brother’s feelings, or was she deliberately saying this to provoke him?
“Your Majesty, Third Prince is very quiet, with no signs of disturbance. However, the Princess of Wei Ling is about to arrive, and continuing like this seems problematic. This old servant is deeply worried,” Liu Gongong said.
“Hmm, come with me to the death prison,” Ming Lengchen said softly after a moment of contemplation.
“This servant obeys,” Liu Gongong respectfully replied.
He could no longer allow things to develop this way. The woman he loved could not be cared for by anyone, not even his Third Brother. He would absolutely not tolerate it. He must cut off Third Brother’s hopes, force him into submission, and by hook or by crook, push him onto the throne of Wei Ling’s son-in-law, making him completely give up! As for Mei Siyu, regardless of whether she liked Third Brother, he would discipline her, making her understand the Emperor’s authority and power! If he did not do this, he feared she would become increasingly unruly, even daring to refuse the imperial consort position he had bestowed.
Shortly after, they arrived at the deepest part of the death prison, where Ming Lengyu was imprisoned.
“Third Brother, are you well?” Ming Lengchen entered the cell, asking with concern. He saw his Third Brother, dressed in fine brocade, sitting on the dirty ground, with rats scurrying about, completely unperturbed. The environment was extremely unpleasant, causing him to furrow his brow and look at his Third Brother meaningfully.
“Very well. May I ask why Your Majesty has come? Such a dark place is unfit for your noble body,” Ming Lengyu looked up at his eighth brother, a ruthless king, and smiled, showing no disgust.
“Third Brother, are you still angry with me? Regarding the marriage alliance, I had no choice. Third Brother should understand my good intentions!” Ming Lengchen sat down on the ground and signaled Liu Gongong to retreat, preparing to have a heart-to-heart talk with his Third Brother, though the location was far from elegant.
“This subject dares not. I only implore Your Majesty to retract the order, and I will be eternally grateful,” Ming Lengyu said directly. He did not feel that staying here was too humiliating, as long as his eighth brother would spare him. He would endure any hardship, for he was deeply in love with Mei Siyu. He did not want his pure feelings to be tainted, and he did not want to disappoint a good woman’s heart. He could not and should not become the son-in-law of Wei Ling.
“Third Brother, I understand your heart, but do not forget that I am the sovereign, holding the power of life and death. Yuer’s life is in your hands. You must think carefully!” Ming Lengchen said sternly, deciding to threaten his Third Brother into submission.
After speaking, he angrily swept his sleeve and left, leaving behind a sorrowful Ming Lengyu. Such a difficult choice was exhausting! This was forcing him to comply. If he did not agree, Yuer would be in danger. He was certain his eighth brother was capable of this – he knew his eighth brother’s ruthlessness well. This meant he would forever be separated from Yuer!
Not long after the Emperor left, the prison guards released Ming Lengyu. He swayed as he walked out of the palace, tears glistening in the corners of his eyes, his thoughts filled with sorrow.
In the Phoenix Ceremony Hall…
Afterward, the person beneath emitted intermittent soft moans, and an ambiguous atmosphere permeated the entire room! [Text: 063 Night at the Phoenix Ceremony Hall with Equal Favor]
“Is it you?” Ming Lengchen looked at Xia Waner beside him, asking in confusion. The person who was with him last night was clearly Yu’er, so why was she now lying in his arms?
“In response to Your Majesty, this is this concubine’s bedchamber,” Xia Waner replied timidly, pulling her disheveled clothes. His meticulous care and tenderness from last night were still vivid in her memory. Why was his expression now so cold, causing her to shiver.
“This is your bedchamber? Then come and help me change,” he commanded in a stern voice, realizing he had been drunk and mistaken her for Mei Siyu. Recalling last night’s intimate scenes, he now felt somewhat melancholic – his familiar Mei Siyu would never have done those things!
I have already agreed, so you don’t need to worry. Let’s discuss the matter of welcoming Wei Lingguo and the envoy of marriage,” Ming Lengchen answered with great certainty, then began discussing the reception arrangements with Ying Yantian.
In the Yang Feng Palace!
”Miss, aren’t you angry? The Emperor just declared you as the Empress yesterday, yet he stayed overnight in the Phoenix Ceremony Hall. Isn’t this infuriating!” Xiao Rou said with a pursed mouth and slight anger.
”Stop talking nonsense. I want to sleep alone. You can go now and don’t wait here,” Mei Siyu said with a bitter smile.
”Miss, didn’t you just wake up from an afternoon nap? Why do you want to sleep again?” Xiao Rou asked, not understanding. She had no idea that Mei Siyu was already angry, and further questioning would only add to her fury.
”Silly girl, you talk too much. I’m tired, so go quickly,” Mei Siyu said, then lay down on the bed and turned to her side, ignoring Xiao Rou.
The door was gently closed, and Xiao Rou stood outside looking innocent, with aggrieved tears welling up in her eyes. She was concerned about her mistress, yet her mistress not only failed to appreciate her care but also scolded her. Since entering the palace, her mistress had become somewhat strange, but her kindness had never changed. She couldn’t understand why she was treated this way today and wondered if her mistress no longer liked her.
Mei Siyu, huddled in the blanket, was crying sadly. Her light makeup was wet with unstoppable tears, her face looking like a dyed board. She tried not to make a sound, suppressing her cries to only soft sobs.
She blamed him for his lack of understanding. Her opposition to becoming Empress was not because of feelings for her third brother, but because she didn’t want to be confined in the deep palace for life! She knew he loved her, giving up the three thousand beauties of the harem and favoring only her. He even dared to argue with the Empress Dowager for her sake. These actions deeply moved her, but they couldn’t change her mind about staying in the palace, living in constant fear and intrigue.
She was never meant to be here, unable to bear the complexity and unwilling to share a husband. Choosing to love the Emperor was her willing choice, and she understood the hardships. Yet she still hoped that one day he would give up everything for her, accompany her wherever she wanted to go, and live a simple, happy life!
