Scharlachroter Regen überflutet die Stadt

Kapitel 115

Seeing the hesitation and difficulty in my eyes, Yin'er quickly pulled Jing back. "You mustn't break the rules."

I looked at the sensible Yin'er and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. I simply picked up my chopsticks and put some food on their plates, then said nothing more.

After watching the children eat and drink their fill, Fang led Xi'er back to the inner room. Lu Li was waiting there. When he saw me, he was about to smile, but upon seeing the child I was holding, his expression immediately softened. I grinned and said, "Let him stay for the night. We'll send him back to Lu Xiu tomorrow."

Lu Li nodded, his joy barely concealed. He beckoned a servant and told him to go to the Prince Duan's residence to report. I had Liu Shang take the child to bathe, then sat back down at the table, staring at the teacup without moving. Lu Li chuckled, poured me a cup of tea, and handed it to me, saying, "Thank you for your trouble!"

"I'm destined to suffer and toil. Every single one of them, young and old, has given me a hard time!"

"You're a worry yourself, why do you have so many things to worry about?" Lu Li smiled and took my hand. "Come on, I've been so busy I forgot to have dinner. Come with me to make up for it. We'll call Zhi'er over together, I have something to say to her."

This meal was unusually quiet, with only Zhi'er keeping us company. At the table, Zhi'er, having finally seen Lu Li, kept pestering him to talk about this and that, making it take her quite a while to finish her small bowl of rice. Even after I wiped my mouth and washed my hands, the two of them were still smiling and talking about something.

I sighed, a hint of anger in my voice, "Zhi'er, do you have to be so distracted even when you're eating? Spare your father, he still has a night of memorials to judge."

Zhi'er pouted at me, then buried her head in her food, looking rather unhappy. Lu Li, however, looked at me with interest, then at Zhi'er, and smiled gently, "You two, mother and daughter, are truly cut from the same cloth."

Zhi'er quickly smiled and said, "Father Emperor said that Zhi'er is also beautiful. Although she can't match Mother's beauty in every way, she's still five, six, seven, or eight points beautiful, right?"

"Eat your food," I said, suppressing a laugh.

Lu Li smiled faintly, put down his chopsticks, and gestured for someone to help him rinse his mouth and wash his hands. Once everything was ready, he showed no intention of leaving the table, only looking at Zhi'er with doting eyes, "These days I've been so focused on court affairs and your brothers' studies that I've neglected yours. I know you don't like studying, but you're the only one who isn't afraid of my punishment. Fine, the tricks I use on others won't work on you. How about I find you a study partner to help you study?"

"Isn't this Father's spy?!" Zhi'er snorted. "It's not that Zhi'er doesn't like studying, it's just that I choose to study selectively."

"Oh?" Lu Li raised his eyebrows. "I heard from the headmistresses of Jingning Palace that you haven't even finished reading the entire 'Rules for Women' and 'Admonitions for Women'."

"Didn't Mother also not read those books? Did Father ever say that Mother's knowledge was shallow?" Zhi'er's sudden remark startled me.

"Aunt Liushang said that Mother didn't read those books when she was a child, but didn't she still receive a reward from the Emperor during the Thousand Joy Festival?!"

I coughed. "The late emperor naturally wanted to test women's virtues and rules. Mother just memorized the book your father sent her."

Zhi'er muttered, "Aunt Liushang is bragging again."

Lu Li then straightened his face and said seriously, "Although your mother did not read the Rules for Women, she was already well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics when she was your age. She knew astronomy and geography and was familiar with military strategy. If you were to learn from your mother, you would be far from being good enough."

"Alright," I quickly reassured him, "Go wash your hands and go back to your room." After saying that, I turned to look at Lu Li, "Didn't you just say you had a ton of official documents piled up?"

Seeing Zhi'er run off in a flash, Lu Li sighed, "You always say I spoil her, and when I finally decided to teach her a lesson, you stopped me again."

I laughed, "What kind of lesson is that? That child would be afraid of you, wouldn't she?! Besides, I don't like teaching those etiquette rules that the old nanny usually instructs on. If you use those rules on other families' daughters, my daughter certainly can't stand that kind of poison. I'd rather she stay by my side and learn something useful. She's reading the Analects and Mencius now, but I don't want her to learn those things so early. I think that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. Knowing too much and being too meticulous isn't a good thing either."

Lu Li looked at me and sighed, "I was also terrified by the reports from the headmistress every day. Every time she said that she either skipped class or secretly read Zuo Zhuan and Spring and Autumn Annals. This child is really like you. You were just as mischievous when you were a child. I heard from Nangong that she volunteered to be your page since she was a child, supervising and accompanying you in your studies, and she ended up reading better than you." I couldn't help but curse Nangong in my heart for exaggerating his own merits.

After dinner, Lu Li naturally went to his study to review memorials, which he always did very late. I coaxed Xi'er to sleep, and he fell asleep in no time. I carefully placed him on the warm kang (heated brick bed) and took a lantern to Zhi'er's room. As soon as I stepped inside, I saw the "Admonitions for Women" and "Rules for Women" scattered all over the floor. I asked the maidservant, who only said that the headmistress had brought them over not long ago. I walked to the bedside, where Zhi'er was sulking under the covers.

I gently pulled the blanket up and called out, "Sweetie, don't get sick from being cooped up."

Zhi'er quickly sat up, and a book fell from her arms, which she quickly covered with her sleeve.

Seeing her face turn bright red, I smiled and said, "Alright, stop hiding it. If it weren't for me, do you think you would have gotten these so easily? Although your father is lenient with you, if he finds out that you got these books from your cousin, you'll definitely be in for a beating."

Zhi'er smiled timidly. I sighed and pointed to the book she was clutching in her hand. "When I was your age, I also loved reading the Tang Dynasty Chronicles. Your great-grandfather said it was just idle reading. You'd better hide this book well. If the tutor finds it and tells your father, I won't be able to protect you."

"I knew Mother was extremely open-minded." Zhi'er reached out to hug me, but I dodged to the side. "Alright, stop using the same tricks you use on your father. Only you dare to fool him like that. After all, you came from my belly, so I naturally know what you're thinking. It's not that reading these leisure books is without benefit, but it shouldn't interfere with your studies. I'm not talking about those etiquette rules and regulations. You don't have to read those 'Rules for Women,' but if you have free time, you should still read the Four Books and the like."

"I remember, Mother." Zhi'er winked at me. I reached out and patted her, tucking the blanket around her, but Zhi'er grabbed me. "Mother, it's usually my brothers who cling to you. Now that they're not around, let your daughter sleep with you for once. I don't remember you ever holding me while we slept."

I couldn't help but reach out and hug her. "Okay, I've neglected you before. From now on, I'll slowly make it up to you, okay?"

Zhi'er smiled and kissed my forehead. "Mother, Zhi'er really likes you. Zhi'er wants to be like you."

That day, I held Zhi'er in my arms and gradually fell asleep in the warmth. The intimacy that I had lost for many years was finally regained that night. What God had taken from me had finally returned to me intact after a long time.

I stepped back into the inner room in the dark. Lu Li was leaning against the bed, watching Xi'er's sleeping posture with great interest. I quickly pouted and said, "If you keep looking, you'll be laughing so hard your mouth will leak air!"

He turned to look at me, somewhat helplessly: "Is there anywhere for me to sleep tonight?"

I laughed, "Fine, I can't control you anymore. Find yourself a place to stay."

He gestured with his chin, feigning authority, and said, "I've gone to Consort Lan's place."

"Liu Shang, see the Emperor off!" I hurriedly called out, but Lu Li grabbed my shoulder and angrily scolded, "How dare you!"

I laughed, moved the gap in a little further in, and pointed to the empty half of the bed, "Your Majesty, if you don't mind, please make do with this."

"This kid is lucky. Even Zhi'er has never slept this close to us."

I threw a pillow at him. "Stop making such sentimental remarks. I'm exhausted after a long day."

While still half asleep, I heard Lu Li sigh, "Regarding the matter of the Southern Study, I still want Xi'er to go along with it."

"Can you break the rules set by our ancestors?" I asked casually as I turned over.

"Aren't rules made by people?!"

I stopped responding, pretending not to hear, and fell into a deep sleep.

The Liaosai campaign was suddenly launched, and Lu Li was busy at Chaoyang Palace for five days and five nights straight. I, on the other hand, leisurely wandered around the harem, nurturing princes and princesses and appeasing the women of the six palaces. In the end, it still came true that the old saying is true: a man's duty is to expand and conquer, while a woman's duty is to protect and safeguard.

I took the handkerchief Siliang offered, wiped the sweat from Jinghan's forehead, and tossed it aside. Gently picking up Jinghan, who was neither crying nor fussing and kicking her legs, I asked Liushang, "Where is the Emperor right now?"

"They're probably in Chaoyang Palace. Why don't you go and check? So many people in the harem are vying to deliver meals, yet you just sit there!"

Just then, Lu Li entered through the door. Liu Shang and Si Liang exchanged a smile, then carried the little one to the side hall. Before leaving, they made sure to close the door behind them. Lu Li looked at the closed door, shook his head, and chuckled, "These girls nowadays..."

"It's not even midnight yet, why is the Emperor here so early? Is he in such a good mood?!" I said in a less than friendly tone from the very first sentence, and started arguing with him.

He smiled, sat on the edge of the bed, leaned back comfortably, and said casually, "I just went to Zhi'er's place and stopped by on the way."

"So it was just a side trip." I smiled slightly.

"Why does the Empress always get so angry with me?"

"Your Majesty, how could I dare? But Your Majesty, you've taken a look around, now that you've seen it, shouldn't you be leaving?"

"I'll take a nap here, Your Majesty. I like the peace and quiet here, and I sleep very well."

I stood up and made the bed for him. "You can sleep anywhere, like Consort Lan's place or Chaoyang Palace. But this poor place of mine is the only one you like so much."

He laughed, pulled me onto his lap, and whispered in my ear, "Shall we take a nap together?"

Before I could say anything, he pulled me close and lay down on the bed. We were both fully clothed, but he wasn't sleepy at all and kept talking to me.

"I heard you're going back to Huainan again?" he asked casually.

How did you know?

He smiled, pointed to the door, and gestured, "As soon as I came in, I saw that little girl rummaging through drawers and cabinets. Hey, get ready to be all together."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Aren't you going to stop me?"

"I won't stop you!" he said with a slight smile. "But you should pack one for me too."

"What's it to you? You're just a burden." I glanced at him. "Once Yao Shuhuan's child is born, there will be no place for us in the palace. I'd better find somewhere to survive on my own."

He rolled over, pinning me beneath him, and chuckled, "You're not the only one struggling to survive; so am I."

"You'd better just stay cuckolded!"

He pretended to be angry and leaned closer, his breath getting increasingly near. I quickly blocked him, "Okay, okay, it's not green. Hey—what are you doing?"

They couldn't breathe.

"I just want to teach you a lesson for always getting angry at me."

"Stop fooling around...it's not even dark yet."

"At home, obey your father; after marriage, obey your husband; obey your husband... Do you hear me?"

"From your head... ah..."

"That's what you'll have to do."

As soon as he finished speaking, the light gauze curtains along the edge of the bed were suddenly pulled down...

It was night in the inner chambers of the Eastern Palace.

He was asleep, looking exhausted, a slight smile of satisfaction on his lips. I gazed at his handsome face, a faint, indescribable joy welling up inside me. I dressed, quietly got out of bed, pushed open the door to the inner chamber, and saw Liu Shang smiling at me.

"Bring in the food. The Emperor must be hungry after waking up. What time is it?"

"Your Majesty, it's already past midnight. You and the Emperor have been asleep since evening..." Liu Shang reminded me softly.

"It's been that long?" I was startled and quickly turned to look at the person on the bed.

"Is His Majesty still not awake? It seems His Majesty is really putting in a lot of effort." Liu Shang laughed, ignoring the embarrassment on my face.

I ignored her joke and simply took the food tray into the inner chamber. I went to the bedside and wiped his sweat with my sleeve. He slowly opened his eyes and smiled slightly, "You're awake?"

"Are you hungry? Would you like to eat?" I simply asked.

He nodded, trying to get up, but froze. Looking at his flushed face, I realized he had just realized he wasn't dressed.

I suppressed a laugh and handed him a long robe, saying, "Don't get up, just use it in bed."

He smiled sheepishly, casually slipped on his long shirt, and leaned against the headboard. I shook my head. We've been married for so long, yet he's still so shy and embarrassed.

After we finished eating, I helped him cover himself with the silk quilt. He smiled and pulled me closer, saying, "Why don't you sleep a little longer? I'm not sleepy yet. Let's chat in bed for a while?" I also felt a bit cold, so I rolled over to his side and covered myself with the quilt, leaning against the headboard with him. The pale yellow curtains were bathed in the warm glow of the outside light. I lay quietly against Lu Li's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"I'm going to lead another campaign in person. This time I'm in a rush and didn't have time to let you know in advance so you could prepare."

I looked up at him. "Can you take me with you?"

He didn't answer, he just shook his head, which was exactly what I expected.

“If I don’t come back, and Huan’er happens to have given birth to a son, someone will lead you and the children out of the palace. I have built a small palace for you in Huainan.”

I quickly covered his mouth, "What do you mean by 'can come back,' and what do you mean by 'can't come back'?!"

He smiled, moved my hand away, and leaned closer. "And the most important thing... take good care of the children..."

I masked my guilt with a smile, "I'll take good care of all the little troublemakers, and then wait for you in Huainan, okay?"

He smoothed my messy temples and said, "I wish I could find a hole to hide you in and not let you go anywhere." He held my hand, his smiling eyes filled with a touch of doting: "Anyway... I'm just destined to worry about you, afraid that you might accidentally get lost again."

I took his hand in mine and stared intently at him, trying to see every nuance of his expression. "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be so worried, would you?"

He paused, then looked intently into my eyes. "You're right about one thing. If it weren't for you, what else could I have done with this intention in my heart?"

"You're getting better and better at saying nice things..." I smiled, but it was full of helplessness.

He tightened his grip on my arm, leaned close to my ear, and whispered, "If I go before you, will you be able to handle it?"

I felt a sharp pain deep inside, and my body stiffened, too afraid to move. He still had a smile on his lips, as if those words hadn't come from him, or that he had just said them to scare me.

I gritted my teeth before I could speak, “If that’s the case, why should I stay in this position? I wasn’t born to raise your son and clean up the mess you left behind. Even if you’re about to close your eyes, you have to make things clear. You can’t leave me with such a huge mess, such a huge… harem.”