Hibiscus as a Painting - Chapter 152
Unresolved emotions and inescapable demonic obstacles; karmic retribution—when will our return be? A fleeting dream recalls the past (Part 3)
A Dreamlike Recollection of the Past (Part 3) Midsummer of the Sixteenth Year of Yanzai in the 532nd Year of Yaochen
Midsummer nights are always short. Just as dawn was breaking, the palace lanterns in the west wing of Weiyang Palace had been lit all night. A dark shadow glided past, landing directly in front of the door and slipping into the wing.
Under the palace lantern sat a tiny child, about half a year old, with a small face the size of a palm, snow-white skin, rosy cheeks, and round eyes that were red with anger. Her cherry-like lips were slightly pouting. If it weren't for the boy's hairstyle on her head, one would definitely think that the person in front of her was a girl.
A man in black knelt on one knee before the little man: "...Last night, His Majesty sent someone to invite His Highness the Empress to have a drink in the Imperial Garden, but His Highness was unwell and did not come. Later, Consort Dugu... uh... Young Master Dugu happened to be seen by His Majesty while he was drinking alone, and was asked to stay and keep him company... Not long after... Young Master Dugu fell asleep in His Majesty's arms, and His Majesty personally escorted him back to Xiayang Palace before leaving."
"Hmph! Just happened to see it? Personally escorted him back?... She carried him back?... She spent the night at Xiayang Palace?" Sikou Xunle asked coldly.
The man in black hesitated for a moment: "His Majesty had no choice because Young Master Dugu was fast asleep... At that time, it seemed to me that His Majesty was already a little drunk, and he was probably tired when he arrived at Xia Yang Palace, so he went straight to rest..."
"Hmph!" Sikou Xunle suddenly stood up, sweeping the porcelain off the table. "Has His Majesty gone to the morning court?!"
The man in black had a light sheen of sweat on his forehead: "Hmm, I suppose the morning court session has already begun."
Sikou Xunle narrowed his long, narrow eyes slightly: "Brother, are you awake now?"
"When I arrived, Your Highness was still at Weiyang Lake... drinking alone."
Sikou Xunle tugged at his robes: "Don't disturb my brother." After saying that, he quickly walked out of the west wing.
It was midsummer, and the geothermal heat caused the trees to grow exceptionally lush. The once desolate Xia Yang Palace was now filled with rare tree species from all over the world, bursting with vibrant greenery. Just by looking at these exotic trees and trees around, one could tell that the people in Xia Yang Palace were currently enjoying the Emperor's favor.
A strange groan came from inside the room. Dugu Xihui, who had been fast asleep, suddenly sat up, his face flushed and his breathing heavy. He hesitated for a moment, then timidly pulled back the thin blanket and his underpants: "Ah!"
With that scream, a figure stumbled in: "Young Master, what's wrong!"
“Father-in-law, I…” Dugu Xihui looked at herself, then at Eunuch Fulai, tears welling up in her eyes.
Eunuch Fu stepped forward a few steps, and when he saw clearly what was on Dugu Xihui's body, he chuckled twice: "Heh... Young master, don't cry, don't cry, this is a good thing... a great thing... After this servant reports to the eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department, His Majesty will surely grant you a title after he finds out."
Dugu Xihui looked at Eunuch Fu Lai in confusion: "But I... but this..."
"Young master, please don't be anxious. Let me explain in detail. Having these things means that you have grown up and are capable of having children. These white things are your offspring." Eunuch Fu Lai couldn't hide the joy on his face.
“But… I don’t know anything… it just… got its clothes dirty.” Dugu Xihui said with a troubled expression.
Eunuch Fu took two steps closer and coaxed softly, "Young Master, were you with His Majesty last night?"
"Hmm... My wife gave Hui'er a gift last night, Father-in-law, take a look." Dugu Xi Hui's face showed an excited smile, and she quickly pulled down her upper garment to show off the peach blossom tattoo she had just gotten last night.
Eunuch Fu examined the peach blossom closely, his face beaming with even greater joy: "This is the mark of virginity! Did His Majesty personally apply it to the young master?"
“Of course,” Dugu Xihui said proudly.
"Excellent! Excellent! That's wonderful! His Majesty values the young master so much, it seems the day when he returns to Fengyi Palace is not far off." Eunuch Fu Lai smiled for a while and then asked again, "After the flowers were laid out last night, did His Majesty do anything to the young master?"
Dugu Xihui thought for a while and said, "My wife... my wife held me... and kept rocking and patting me... and I fell asleep."
"Is that so?" Eunuch Fu thought for a moment and then said, "Did the young master have any strange dreams?"
“Strange dream?...No...After my wife finished licking the bloodstains...I just...felt numb all over...I dreamt of my wife...she hugged me...and then..." Before she could finish speaking, Dugu Xihui's confused eyes gradually cleared, but the shyness on her face deepened.
"Hehe... Young Master, do you understand now?" Eunuch Fu slapped his thigh and laughed loudly.
"Then... what should I do?..."
"Young master, don't be nervous... In the future..."
The sounds inside the room gradually subsided. Si Kou Xunle's eyes were blank as he mechanically walked out of the gate of Xia Yang Palace like a puppet.
Just after the morning court session, Jun Ying appeared before Zi Jin.
"Brother, why didn't you attend the morning court session?" Zi Jin was slightly taken aback before asking, "Are you ill?"
Jun Ying lowered his head and said, "Her Majesty the Emperor and Empress have been drinking alone by Weiyang Lake and have not returned to the palace yet... It was the young master of the Ministry of Justice who learned that you stayed at Xiayang Palace last night. In a fit of anger, he went to Xiayang Palace and overheard the conversation between the young master of the Dugu family and Eunuch Fulai... Now he is throwing a tantrum in Weiyang Palace. Your Highness is ignoring this... Should Your Majesty go and see?"
"Forget it, this little devil can't be hit or scolded. I don't want to go against my will to coax him. Let him make a fuss." The hangover from the night before left Zi Jin with a terrible headache, so she had no energy to deal with these things. All she wanted to do was go back to Fengyi Palace to rest.
"Your Majesty... the young master of the Ministry of Justice heard it..." Jun Ying looked at Zi Jin, hesitating to speak.
"What did you hear that makes such a fuss?" Zi Jin asked casually, her face pale and her brows furrowed in pain.
"I heard that Young Master Dugu lost his sperm in his sleep and then returned to Weiyang Palace in a daze," Jun Ying said, lowering his head and gritting his teeth.
Zi Jin was slightly taken aback: "Weren't they all cured?"
“I’m afraid they haven’t recovered yet. According to their age, they should have been… Young Master Sikou is seven months older than Young Master Dugu, so they should have… But there’s been no sign of anything… Young Master Sikou has always been very quick-witted, so he probably knew what the injury would endanger when he was injured. Now that he hears this… he’s probably really scared.” Jun Ying lowered his head and stammered.
Zi Jin thought for a moment and said, "But this matter... I'm afraid it's not appropriate for me to go. What about my brother? He cherishes that little devil so much, how could he not care?"
Jun Ying sighed inwardly and thought for a while before saying, "Last night, Jun Ying went to invite His Highness, but His Highness did not respond. Afterwards, he drank alone at Weiyang Lake until now. He probably thought that the young prince was simply being temperamental... If Your Majesty wants to regain military power, why not take this opportunity to visit the young prince of Weiyang Palace and say a few heartfelt words to His Highness?"
Zi Jin's heart stirred, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly: "Prepare the carriage for Weiyang Palace."
As soon as they entered the gates of Weiyang Palace, they heard the sounds of shattering porcelain and children's shouts, and the ground was a mess. Palace maids and eunuchs were kneeling on the ground, while only the little man in blue was frantically smashing things.
Zi Jin stood at the entrance of the main hall, frowning slightly. She rubbed her seemingly cracked head, suppressed her anger, and patiently said in a soft voice, "Why is Le'er throwing such a tantrum?"
Sikou Xunle turned around and saw the person who had come. His eyes instantly reddened, and he shouted, "Go away! Go away! Go back to your Xiayang Palace!"
Zi Jin rubbed her head, walked into the main hall, and gently coaxed, "Who has amused my family?"
Sikou Xunle suddenly pushed over the corner table next to him. Zi Jin, who was not in good spirits due to not having slept all night and being drunk, was hit on the foot by the corner table.
The intense pain jolted Zi Jin into a state of heightened alertness. She took a deep breath, enduring the pain as she pulled her foot away: "Is Le'er feeling better now?"