Смертная любовь в эпоху Северной Сун

Глава 118

Conquering the throne took only a few months, but maintaining it would likely take a lifetime. When she first ascended the throne, the affairs of the court were numerous and complex, requiring her to make decisions on matters large and small. The daily piles of memorials were a full foot and a half thick! What troubled her even more was that she was illiterate at that time, unable to read or write either the script of Louxi or Nancha! Meanwhile, the court officials included former Louxi subjects and generals promoted from Nancha, resulting in memorials written in two vastly different styles. Memorials were not like other matters that could be read aloud; they concerned the safety of the nation, requiring her utmost caution! (This situation only gradually improved after she standardized the writing system.)

Adding to the chaos, at this time, rioters in the three major northwestern cities of Hucheng, Fancheng, and Qicheng joined forces to rebel, killing the officials guarding the cities and declaring themselves kings under the banner of restoring their kingdoms. Fifty thousand troops were dispatched to quell the rebellion, but the cunning and treacherous rioters waged guerrilla warfare against the officials, and it took six months to completely eradicate them. Just a few months after suppressing the rebellion, a plague broke out in the eastern city of Di, causing widespread suffering and panic. Then, a devastating flood struck the west, the raging waters destroying countless houses…

As if things weren't going to rain but wouldn't stop, and as if a torn sail was caught in a headwind! At that very moment, a shocking event occurred in the capital: Commandant Fan Sheng, in a drunken stupor, got into an argument with the highly respected veteran official Yuan Louxi, and, fueled by alcohol, beat him to death. This sparked a second major conflict between the imperial cavalry and Yuan Louxi's troops…

Those were truly dark days. She was busy almost every night, her heart was breaking every day, and she was on the verge of collapse! Several times, she wanted to just give up, quit, and walk away, not caring whether it was Loulan or Louxi, let them cause all the trouble! But every time, it was Tuoba Chen who patiently guided her, comforted her, gave her advice, helped her overcome all difficulties, tirelessly ran errands for her, and even tried to cheer her up when she was unhappy...

Human hearts are made of flesh and blood. No matter how hard one's heart is, it cannot help but melt under such a tender offensive, opening a corner of the ice and thus falling into its embrace...

That night, no one knows who kissed whose lips first, nor who put their arm around whose shoulder first; all that is known is that the fireworks, the bright moon, and the two lovers inside the room were all intoxicated by the moment…

Once the first step was taken, the second and third steps would follow in quick succession. Tuoba Chen completely embraced the role of the king's man, ignoring Rong Yue's repeated objections, and moved from the royal palace (after Rong Yue ascended the throne, she bestowed upon Tuoba Chen the title of a king of a different surname, Prince Chen) to Rong Yue's palace. He spent his days with her and his nights with her, monopolizing Rong Yue and becoming the king's exclusive man, a fact known to all.

Volume Two: The Resolute Heroines' Chronicles, Chapter Forty-Six: Infuriatingly Delicious

After 7 a.m., Rongyue got up, put on her clothes, got out of bed, and as usual, took out a porcelain bottle from the hidden box, opened the cork stopper, poured out a pill with a black luster, picked it up and was about to put it in her mouth.

A warm, large hand suddenly stopped her movements.

She looked up at Tuoba Chen in surprise: "Chen, what are you really doing?"

A hint of pleading flickered in Tuoba Chen's clear, dark eyes: "Mistress, could you... this time..."

"No!" Rongyue immediately rejected the idea, her tone firm and unwavering. "Chen, you must understand that the political situation has only just stabilized, and Loulan Kingdom has only just gotten back on track. Everything is proceeding smoothly. But if people were to discover my identity now, this peace would be shattered. The undercurrents surging beneath the surface would seize the opportunity to rise up and cause chaos, and Loulan would inevitably face a catastrophe! Right now, although our relationship is considered scandalous and unacceptable to the world, they respect me as the Emperor, and they have no right to question what the Emperor does. But if they were to find out about me... I'm afraid it would give those who secretly hate me a legitimate reason to attack me, inciting those with deeply ingrained traditional views. I'm afraid they would respond in large numbers and cause a huge uproar!"

Gently patting Rongyue's hand, Tuoba Chen feigned indifference, raising the corners of his lips to conceal the disappointment in his eyes with a smile: "Look at you, I haven't even finished speaking, and you've already given me such a long, righteous lecture. Aren't you tired of it? What I wanted to say was, could you please eat breakfast before taking this medicine? After all, all medicines have some degree of toxicity, especially when taken on an empty stomach. You're torturing your body like this; you're not worried, but I'm heartbroken!"

She knew all too well of Tuoba Chen's thoughtfulness; she knew all too well of his inner desires. Touched by his forced compromise, Rongyue instinctively stepped forward and gently embraced him, pressing her cheek against his chest and whispering, "Don't worry, once things are truly stable, I will definitely regain my status and give us two adorable babies, a boy like you, a girl like me..."

Excitedly, he pressed Rongyue tightly against his body, his bright, deep eyes filled with longing. "My dear, I hope this day won't keep me waiting too long..."

Inside the Golden Palace, civil and military officials stood in rows.

Seated majestically on the imposing gilded dragon throne, Rongyue looked down at the ministers standing with their hands clasped in respect, a sense of supreme power welling up within her.

"Speak if you have something to say, otherwise the court is adjourned—" the eunuch beside him called out in a drawn-out voice.

"Your subject has a report—" Accompanied by a trembling, aged voice, an elderly official in his seventies walked out of the ranks of civil officials with faltering steps.

Upon seeing Grand Minister of Agriculture Dong Cheng step forward to speak, Rong Yue felt a headache coming on and quickly spoke before him, saying, "I understand what Minister Dong wants to report, but this matter is of great importance and cannot be taken lightly. We must consider it carefully. Once I have devised a foolproof plan, I will give Minister Dong a satisfactory answer. Alright, do any other ministers have anything important to report..."

"Your Majesty!" Seeing that Rongyue was about to brush it off again, Dong Cheng's snow-white beard trembled with anxiety: "Your Majesty, filling the harem has been a major matter for the royal family since ancient times. How can it be delayed again and again? Continuing the family line is a matter of national destiny. I beg Your Majesty to take a wife and concubines as soon as possible to produce imperial offspring and continue the Loulan Kingdom for thousands of generations!"

This meddlesome and stubborn old man is a real headache! She turned her pleading gaze to Prime Minister Ye Fan, who was standing in front of all the officials, hoping that his sharp tongue could help her fend off this old man's barrage of questions.

Upon receiving Rongyue's pleading look, Ye Fan smiled mischievously, raised his eyebrows, and shrugged, indicating that he was unable to help.

Seeing that Ye Fan had no intention of rescuing her from her predicament, Rongyue's gaze swept over Tuoba Chen, who was seated to her lower right. Dong Cheng was upright and straightforward, unafraid of authority, and not only blunt but also stubborn. She had long resented Tuoba Chen's taking advantage of her, and if Tuoba Chen were to chime in on this sensitive topic now, Dong Cheng, given her temperament, would probably strangle him on the spot!

With this in mind, Rongyue bypassed Tuoba Chen and continued searching for a capable minister who could help her solve her problems.

However, Tuoba Chen seemed oblivious to Rong Yue's good intentions. Casually stroking the jade thumb ring on his hand, he didn't even lift his eyelids, and said in a slightly mocking tone, "Grand Minister of Agriculture, are you interested in meddling in the Emperor's family affairs?"

A murderous gaze pierced through him, and Dong Cheng, his eyes red with anger, stroked his beard and retorted, "This old minister is discussing important state affairs with His Majesty. It would be best if Prince Chen did not interrupt!"

"Discuss? To me, that sounds more like interrogation and coercion."

"You...you mustn't try to sow discord!"

Lazily raising his eyes, Tuoba Chen glanced at the Grand Minister of Agriculture, who was so angry he almost covered his feet in anger, and asked casually, "I heard that the Grand Minister of Agriculture has a beautiful daughter who is of marriageable age?"

Tuoba Chen's seemingly unrelated question caught Dong Cheng off guard. He then retorted rudely, "So what if it is!"

"Oh—" Tuoba Chen drawled, feigning sudden realization, "So that's why you, Grand Minister of Agriculture, are so concerned about the Emperor's family affairs. Ah, I see, I see—"

Dong Cheng was taken aback again by Tuoba Chen's cryptic words. He frowned but did not show any displeasure and said, "Could Your Highness please explain yourself more clearly?"

Gently stroking the jade thumb ring, Tuoba Chen smiled knowingly and nodded to Dong Cheng: "Everyone has the desire to climb the social ladder, Grand Minister of Agriculture, there's no need to be embarrassed. I understand your good intentions. After all, what father with a daughter doesn't dream of climbing the social ladder to the Emperor, so his daughter can rise to prominence and he can become the Emperor's brother-in-law, enjoying wealth and honor from then on? It's human nature, I understand it perfectly well—"

Dong Cheng's old face turned green with rage. He pointed a trembling finger at Tuoba Chen, stammering, "You...you..."

"Grand Minister of Agriculture, there's no need for excuses. We understand your good intentions perfectly well. Of course, I believe the ministers present all feel the same way and won't laugh at you. Grand Minister of Agriculture—oh, I almost forgot, perhaps soon we'll have to change how we address you and call you Uncle Dong..."

"Stop spouting nonsense!" Dong Cheng roared, on the verge of collapse.

"Oh? Could it be that I guessed wrong?" After pretending to ponder for a while, Tuoba Chen suddenly asked Dong Cheng with 'excitement', "Could it be that the Grand Minister of Agriculture intends to give Ruhua's daughter to me?"

Before he could finish speaking, the elderly Dong Cheng fell straight backward amidst gasps of surprise, fainting from anger, causing chaos in the court...

After the court session, having removed her cumbersome court robes, Rongyue lazily tossed herself onto a yellow chrysanthemum armchair, glancing sideways at Tuoba Chen: "Your words are truly astounding. Prince Chen is quite something, managing to make an old minister who has served in the court for ten years faint on the spot, unconscious. You're truly infuriating!"

As he loosened his court robes, Tuoba Chen glared at Rong Yue, who wore a mocking expression, with a mixture of amusement and exasperation: "You still have the nerve to bring this up! All this trouble and effort I've put in, only to be met with no reward, was all for you! You heartless wretch! If I'd known you'd use this to tease me, I would never have taken on this damn thing. I should have just followed that Ye fellow and stood by and watched. Let's see how you handle things when Dong Cheng brings you a whole bunch of beauties, all adorable and alluring!"

"Alright, alright—" Rongyue laughed, "I was wrong, okay? It's all thanks to Prince Chen. He helped me get rid of that old fogey, saving me from the torment of women and rescuing me from dire straits. He has truly made a great contribution!"

A lazy, wicked smile played on his lips. Tuoba Chen casually tossed his court robes onto the screen, strode over to Rongyue, and lightly lifted her chin, his fingertips gently caressing her jawline: "Then how will Your Majesty reward this man who has rendered such great service? Hmm?"

A sly glint appeared in his eyes: "How about I bestow that beautiful Miss Dong upon you?"

"Then, His Majesty is truly generous!?" The tone was normal, but Rongyue, with her sharp ears, could detect the gritted teeth in her voice.

Rongyue quickly changed her tune: "Generous? How could that be! I'm extremely stingy. Who does that Miss Dong think she is? How dare she touch my man!"

The words "my man" brought a smile to Tuoba Chen's face. In high spirits, Tuoba Chen released Rong Yue and pulled up a chair opposite her.

"I've heard that the Eastern Dynasty wants to establish friendly relations with our country and forge a treaty of friendship. Their envoy is already on his way?"

Upon hearing Tuoba Chen's question, Rongyue's expression turned grave, and she nodded thoughtfully. She didn't know how Dongfang Yao had explained things to Dongfang Lie after returning, nor how he had persuaded Dongfang Lie to abandon his idea of conquering their small country. For the past two years, the Dongfang Dynasty hadn't caused trouble for Loulan, nor had it had any further contact with them. But now, they had suddenly come to form an alliance, a move made without any prior warning. She truly didn't know what their intentions were…