"My Lord is a Stone"《我家君王是石头》Chapter 75

In just a short time there was a big heavy snow fall, a dazzling snow white covered Fahua temple in a moment, Rui Fu said somewhat worriedly, “Your Majesty, this servant thinks this snow won’t stop for some time.”

The emperor frowned slightly, however Zhao Jin Yu who he held in his arms was happy, she said, 

“Your Majesty, then we should stay here for the night.” Zhao Jin Yu pair of eyes unblinkingly stared at the emperor, afraid he would not agree, she pursed her lips, looking a little miserable, she said, 

“Your Majesty, when would I be able to make this journey again, let me just stay the night.”

Zhao Jin Yu because she had previously cried, her eyes were still red, like a pitifully little rabbit…, the emperor’s heart softened, unconsciously holding her tighter.

The emperor recalled what the secret guard had reported just now, Zhao Chang Chun who had not confessed under the harshest torture method in the prisons had surprising changed his mind because of Zhao Jin Yu coming to visit.

In the emperor’s eyes Zhao Chang Chun was a cold and heartless person, otherwise he wouldn’t have abandoned his wife and children for the nefarious Tiangui sect, so much so he used Zhao Jin Yu, not letting her recognise and return to her family, but today the emperor’s mind changed a little, truthfully after he found out Zhao Chang Chun was Zhao Jin Yu’s adoptive father he dreaded that he would never be able to obtain the Tiangui sect’s secret map, because there weren’t many people left who knew this secret, perhaps currently only two people the eldest prince and Zhao Chang Chun.

No one knew the eldest prince’s personality better than him, he wouldn’t reveal anything even if he was being hacked to death, and the only person left was Zhao Chang Chun who had support because of his adopted daughter Zhao Jin Yu.

In brief because Zhao Chang Chun is Zhao Jin Yu’s adoptive father, the emperor was in a vulnerable position, because Zhao Chang Chun could care about nothing, he could give up his life yet guard that secret, and he could not send Zhao Chang Chun to death.

Zhao Jin Yu would be broken-hearted.

That’s why he sent Zhao Chang Chun here on house arrest, and had already been prepared for this secret to be buried with Zhao Chang Chun, who knew, such a glimmer of hope would suddenly appear today.

The emperor helplessly said, “You’re always right, it’s only for tonight, the crowning ceremony is in three days, by all means we have to return tomorrow.”

Zhao Jin Yu was unable to contain her joy, hugging the emperor’s arm she rubbed against it, to the emperor she looked like a puppy wagging her tail…, she was both happy and funny, lightly he patted 

Zhao Jin Yu’s bottom, he said, “Still like a child.”

“Hehe.” Zhao Jin Yu smiled happily…, the emperor looked at her bright and beautiful smile which was surprisingly more pure and dazzling than these flying snowflakes, he couldn’t help foolishly think, for her he would be willing to pluck the moon from the sky.

His heart was unprecedentedly content.

Before because his life went by just like this, similar to how the winter sky was gloomy and stifling, but one day, everything brightened up like the lovely spring sunshine because of one person…, those matters which previously made him feel frustrated and without answer, now he could see the better side of things.

The emperor tightly held Zhao Jin Yu.

Zhao Jin Yu did not want to eat the Fahua temple’s “famous” food, this did not cause complications for Rui Fu either, before they set out to here he had already packed many ingredients and a cook, although he was unable to make fish and meat, but vegetarian dishes were sufficient.

At night Zhao Jin Yu and the emperor ate a proper meal, Zhao Jin Yu did not forget to get someone to deliver a portion to her adoptive father either, of course also…great master Hui Zhen who always had a simple taste.

“Father loves to eat shaved ice the most.” Zhao Jin Yu still remembered when her and older brother had spent the winter tinkering away for an entire winter before finally making shaved ice, who would have imagined father who usually politely declined desserts actually like it very much, after that every winter Zhao Jin Yu would shave ice for him to eat.

The emperor seeing Zhao Jin Yu care about Zhao Chang Chunn like this, he rather jealously said, 

“We have been together with you for so long, why have you not made it for us before?”

Zhao Jin Yu couldn’t help hehe laugh seeing the emperor like this, rubbed her rather icy hands from making shaved ice, not hesitating at all to bury herself in the emperor’s chest, holding his waist she coaxed, “From now on I will make it every year for Your Majesty, is that acceptable?”

Zhao Jin Yu’s eyes gleamed, like fragments of stars were floating inside, the emperor’s heart melted, he couldn’t help hold her face kissing her.

Zhao Jin Yu only felt as if she was caught up in a gale and storm, moving up and down, deeply and inwardly, one moment similar to treading on air, another moment seeming to be floating in the sea…splendidly dazzling, until at last she lightly landed on the ground, the emperor also finished the fervent to gentle kiss, her face was red, however a blaze still burned in her eyes, “I really want to eat you up in this way.”

Zhao Jin Yu bashfully pushed the emperor away, jumping far away, then did she feel a little safe, she said, “Your Majesty’s word is gold, you can’t go back on your promise.”

The emperor endured the unwell feeling in his body, gritting his teeth he said, “You’ve been spoilt by us.” Be that as it may, but his gaze held some unconcealable adoration and gentleness.

Zhao Jin Yu felt an incomparable happiness, joyfully she smiled, she couldn’t help step forward to tug at the emperor’s hand saying, “The shaved ice should be done now, let’s try it.” To reward the emperor…, Zhao Jin Yu allowed the emperor to taste first against her conscience.

At night Zhao Chang Chun looked at the shaved ice inside the expensive glass lotus bowl again, there was finally movement in his cold and stiff face, he stared continuously at that bowl…, until it melted he still didn’t move, in the end he used his wide sleeves to cover his cheeks, beads of tears tumbled down, falling onto the floor.

Everything has finally ended.

Why when he thought about it now…, the days he spent at the capital city were the most cherished?

Perfectly harmonious, throwing away everything his wife, witty and pious son, and this adopted daughter like a pearl in his palm…, every winter they would gather around the fire stove eating the ice-cold and sweet shaved ice…, it would be great if time could have stopped at that moment.

Sadly everything could not return to as it was.

Zhao Jin Yu finally sweet-talked the emperor who was even jealous of her adoptive father, she was about to talk with her adoptive father for a bit longer, it was complicated for the emperor to leave the palace, as the empress it would be even more troublesome, and it wasn’t certain when she would next see adoptive father, she ran to the kitchen thinking of bringing along the remaining shaved ice…, to 

eat while chatting with adoptive father in a moment.

Although adoptive father must have already eaten some, she had made someone take it over, however adoptive father especially liked to eat this…, so much that he did not find it difficult to eat a barrel in one go.

However arriving at the kitchen she found it empty inside, the nearly full jar of shaved ice she had made was not there!

What was going on?

Jin Yu at a loss said, “How can this be?”

Zhao Jin Yu asked, “Who came in here before?”

Jin Yu shook her head, “No one.”

“Could it have melted?” As she was afraid of it melting, Zhao Jin Yu had placed the shaved ice in a pile of ice, so it couldn’t have melted…, Zhao Jin Yu suddenly raised her head, “Hold on, didn’t great master Hui Zhen come here?”

Jin Yu stared wide eyed, saying, “Niangniang, I also know great master Hui Zhen had come here before, however he is a senior monk, how would he…” As a result Jin Yu simply did not include great master Hui Zhen.

Zhao Jin Yu also felt it was impossible, great master Hui Zhen had a graceful aura, from a distant he looked similar to a reincarnation of Arhat,[1] a ring of light around his body, how could he do such an unsavoury thing?

“This won’t do, I’m still going to see, perhaps great master Hui Zhen saw someone go in.” Zhao Jin Yu wasn’t distressed over the shaved ice, the important thing was the emperor gave her two hours to meet with adoptive father…, when would she have time to remake it.

The mistress and servant found great master Hui Zhen over the wooden bridge just outside of the kitchen, beneath the wooden bridge ran a little river, a towering pine tree grew beside the bridge, it’s inverted image hazy in the water…, the moon hung in the air, snowflakes falling one by one drifted all around, a lofty and pure senior monk stood in the middle of the bridge greeting Zhao Jin Yu.

Zhao Jin Yu did not dare to speak loudly, sensing the great master Hui Zhen in front of her was like a celestial being not to be blasphemed.

Jin Yu pulled on Zhao Jin Yu’s sleeve saying, “Niangniang, we should go back already.”

Zhao Jin Yu also felt she might have been a little impulsive, but when she thought of turning around she suddenly noticed great master Hui Zhen’s puffed out cheeks, she rather uncertainly said, “Great master, excuse me.”

Great master Hui Zhen bowed to her, however did not speak.

Zhao Jin Yu became increasingly suspicious, all of a sudden she yelled, “Great master, your belt is falling off!”

“Oh…” Great master Hui Zhen looked down to check his belt quite flustered…, however he quickly regained his senses, sangha’s simply did not have belts.

However by speaking he had allowed Zhao Jin Yu to see the shaved ice inside great master Hui Zhen’s mouth...

Zhao Jin Yu, = . =

Jin Yu covered her mouth.

Great master Hui Zhen blush was the colour of Zhao Jin Yu’s imperial concubine brilliant red skirt.

“Empress niangniang, this monk has been gluttonous violating the discipline of eating.” Great master Hui Zhen was simply ashamed and unable to show his face, he also didn’t know what happened, he had always liked eating sweets as a child, seeing the colourful and pretty shaved ice Zhao Jin Yu had made, he just couldn’t control himself, like his body was possessed by an evil spirit.

Zhao Jin Yu suddenly felt the monk in front of him seemed to have fallen into the mortal world from the celestial plane, becoming more real, actually great master Hui Zhen was only around twenty years old.

“Great master, greed, hatred and ignorance are the three poisons, but they’re human nature that’s all, so long as you have Buddha in your heart, these external things are a smokescreen to tempt the eyes nothing more, great master do not need to blame himself.”

After Zhao Jin Yu left, great master Hui Zhen stared blankly standing there for a while, finally he smiled as if he understood, facing the way Zhao Jin Yu went he paid his respects, in a low voice he sighed saying, “No wonder she is a soul from another world, as expected unconstrained in her way of thinking, yes…, there is no need for me to cling onto my outer appearance, the most important is that the Buddha is always in my heart.”

In the future great master Hui Zhen became the greatest monk in his generation, travelling all year round, no one could find him, apart from the empress of the great Zhou…, could think of a way to find him, as for the method, keke, supposedly a bowl of unique delicacy.

***

The next day, Zhao Jin Yu reluctantly got in the carriage, she rather unwillingly pushed aside the carriage curtain, watching the Fahua temple get smaller and smaller, under a cover of white snow, more and more minute, her heart ache…, if her grandmother had stubbornly loved her dearly, then adoptive father was like the rain water of March, fine and glossy, delicately bringing her up with fine rain.

She knew adoptive father would spend the rest of his life like this, under house arrest for a lifetime in that little corner of the world, unable to meet with older brother and adoptive mother…, just like a bird with broken wings.

It was at this moment, Zhao Jin Yu’s hand was held by the emperor, placing it against his lips he kissed it, then held her tightly, Zhao Jin Yu also returned his hug tightly.

Three days later, Zhao Jin Yu began to dress at dawn, this wasn’t the first time the emperor had conferred the title of empress, when the emperor had just ascended the throne, the former empress had once been supported like this by the emperor from the depth of the extravagant palace to the Hall of Supreme Harmony,[2] receiving the customary veneration from hundreds of officials, because the empress wasn’t just the emperor’s wife but also the mother of the nation, beyond the status of a woman, incomparably honoured.

However the hundreds of officials felt it was different this time, all the ceremonial weaponry were made of the highest level, let alone the cost of luxury exceeding what it was before by several times.

When she had put on the green jade phoenix crown,[3] embedded with one hundred and twenty eight sapphires, five thousand four hundred and forty eight pearls, wearing a great big red ceremonial robe, she was helped out of the house…, the emperor looked at her foolishly, similar to as if he was looking at a rare treasure.

Zhao Jin Yu felt the phoenix crown was so heavy it would knock her head off, the ceremonial robe was so heavy she could not walk, but when she saw the emperor’s devoted and fervent gaze…, she felt everything was well worth it.

Who did not wish to be the most beautiful woman at her own wedding, and firmly capture the groom’s line of sight?

Zhao Jin Yu extended her hand towards the emperor.

The emperor held it without the slightest hesitation, he joined their hands, the two walked out together, as if this lifetime…, the two would never be apart always like this.

Sitting in the emperor’s carriage to the front palace hall, hundreds of officials had already been kneeling there earlier, seeing the dense mass of people Zhao Jin Yu was somewhat scared, a huge crowd of civil and military servants knelt outside the vast Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The emperor smiled at her saying, “Don’t be afraid, we will hold your hand tightly.” And will never let go for the rest of their life.

Zhao Jin Yu smiled at the emperor as brightly as the radiance of spring, she said, “Your Majesty, thank you.”

When the palace feast had ended, it was already zishi,[4] the relieved sounds of drunken people filled the lavish building decorated in jubilation, the emperor held a wine cup, with a smile on his face and in his eyes he looked at Zhao Jin Yu…, under the hazy candle-light, his as handsome as a mountain range features became even harder to look away from, let alone his glowing face right now, his entire body seemed to be bathed in sunshine, emitting a cheerful aura.

Zhao Jin Yu’s attention was on the emperor, passively she had exchanged cups of wine and drank with the emperor.

The emperor hooked onto Zhao Jin Yu’s arm, when he finished drinking he directly threw the wine cup onto the floor…, a red blanket laid on the floor, the wine cup fell to the floor, bouncing, it then tumbled with a rumble to under the bed, the red muslin canopy was pulled down…, the emperor lowered his head looking at Zhao Jin Yu, he said, “What are you looking at?”

Zhao Jin Yu had drank a bit of wine, she was slightly dizzy, she reached out stroking the emperor’s face, she said, “Thinking about what you said before.”

“What did we say?” The sweetest honey could not compare, the two people felt the happiness emitted all around was like the most fragrant nectar flowed in their hearts.

Zhao Jin Yu mischievously winked, saying, “Your Majesty once said you are the most handsome man of the great Zhou.”

The emperor somewhat embarrassed turned away, until he saw Zhao Jin Yu’s rather teasing expression…, again he couldn’t help laugh, brows and eyes curved, so gentle it simply could kill, making Zhao Jin Yu’s heart immediately speed up.

“We spoke the truth, have you seen a man more handsome than us?” The emperor boasted shamelessly.

Zhao Jin Yu buried in the emperor’s chest smiled overjoyed, saying, “Then I should look closely.” 

Having spoken she then touched the emperor’s cheek, from his dark eyebrows to his eyes as beautiful as the stars, then to his straight nose, finally stopping at his lips, she said, “It seems pretty good.”

The emperor only felt Zhao Jin Yu’s hands were unimaginably soft, as if it held magical powers, wherever it went it made his heart speed up, his longing doubled, his body tensed, holding Zhao Jin Yu’s wondering hand he said, “Only pretty good?” The emperor recalled those former rivals in love…, his tone unconsciously held a sour taste, “For instance your older brother?” The emperor had been a stone worn next to Zhao Jin Yu’s skin, naturally he knew of Zhao Jin Yu’s feelings to her older brother Zhuang Qing.

Zhao Jin Yu felt the emperor was getting more and more jealous, she raised her head to lightly kiss the emperor’s forehead, then his nose…, not stopping at all the way, until she rested on the emperor’s elegant lips, she said, “Your Majesty, you really are great, even better than I imagined, I like you.”

Her gentle words were like the spring warm son, floating into the emperor’s mind in a moment, like thousands of flowers blooming simultaneously, dazzling his eyes, the emperor throat was dry, impatiently he returned the kiss, he however said, “Don’t think of escaping today, anyway no matter what you say…, we won’t agree.”

Zhao Jin Yu watched the emperor’s overbearing manner, seeing him unyielding, an indescribable amount of confidence making her heart uncontrollable soften…, she said, “I’m yours today.”

The emperor only felt that explosive dragon had finally torn apart the iron chains and cage containing him, issuing out a delighted cry.

***

The day of the emperor’s grand wedding, some people were happy and naturally some were broken-hearted, one disappointed person was in the capital city’s Yunmeng wine shop, this man wore a sky blue rounded embroidery brocade gown, sitting in the corner, with a gauze hat covering half his face, but it showed an elegant outline of a chin, hard to imagine what he would look like after the gauze hat is removed.

Such an unusual person always attracts other people’s attention, many people came and went, but they always looked over at him, and that person was only absorbed in his own world like he had lost his soul.

Empty wine bottles already piled up on his table, he felt dizzy and light-headed, he was almost unconscious, as if he could a little girl lovably demand by his side, “Older brother, hug me!”

“Older brother, I want to eat sugar-coated Chinese hawthorn!”

“Older brother, you’re the best!”

“Older brother, should I marry you when I grow up?”

Eh recalled that thin and weak little girl slowly growing up, becoming a bright girl, with the sunshine of early spring, standing under the blooming plum blossom tree, sweet and fair in stature, dainty features, even more fragrant than the blooming plum blossoms, at that time she mischievously tugged at his sleeve lovably demanding, “Older brother, tell me should I marry you?”

At that time he only felt both shy and angry, he said, “But you are my younger sister, don’t talk nonsense.”

“But I was brought back by daddy!” She pouted rather resentfully, as if she was very unhappy,

“Anyway you cannot take assistant minister Zhao’s daughter as a wife, I don’t like her.”

So lovable and completely unreasonable like this, but with a completely unconcealable dependence and trust in him, making him chest feel unexpectedly sweet.

The scene changed, she already changed into a slender and elegant young lady, her face however no longer held the fondness she held for him, only a coldness like the ice of winter.

“Let me go, my older brother has long ago passed away.”

Thinking up to here he felt an incomparable heart-break, she was getting married today, becoming the most respected woman in the great Zhou, he ought to be happy for her right? But why did it feel like a hole had been cut out of his heart, no longer able to heal.

When the man swayed and staggered out of the wine shop, he saw wearing Feiyu uniform, two men with an imposing manner and sternness stare at him, one of the man walked over saying, “Lord Xianjun, long time no see.”

Zhuang Qing seemed to have foreseen this, naturally and unrestrained he said, “So it’s Lord Su, indeed it has been a long time.”

Su Qing Chen saw that even though Zhuang Qing was hazily intoxicated, but did not lose his unwavering manner, an appreciation flashed through his eyes, thinking such a pity for someone so talented…, actually taking the wrong step in life, he said, “Xianjun, didn’t you agree with His Majesty before that you cannot take a step onto the mainland while you lived?” When the Tiangui sect was revolting, enveloped in the flames of war, the emperor was fully occupied with no spare time, in order to make sure Zhao Jin Yu was absolutely safe, while he campaigning strong soldiers, on the other hand he reached an agreement with Zhuang Qing, so long as he was willing to protect Zhao 

Jin Yu completely, he would grant him a wish.

So in the end Zhuang Qing escaped unscathed, gathering his remaining forces and hiding on the island was also because of the emperor keeping his word.

“It is I who broke the agreement.” Zhuang Qing tightly hugged the bundle in his arms, a memorial tablet was inside it, he thought of the words his mother said before dying, “Son, I want to see your father, even in death I want to die by his side…,” the rim of his eyes were red, he said, “I want to see my father.”

Up until now Zhuang Qing did not know why he had persevered for so long? At the start it was to save his father, then later it was because he was forced into the position of Xianjun and had no option. But in the end it was all futile, he lost the younger sister he truly loved the most, he lost his mother who loved him dearly, and father was still in prison, without freedom.

Waiting until the carriage imprisoning Zhuang Qing disappear at the end of the road, Su Qing Chen turned his head to glance at Qin Hong saying, “Drink with me?”

Qin Hong looked at Su Qing Chen with his arms crossed over his chest, somewhat mockingly he said, “What? You want to make your worries disappear with wine?” Qin Hong naturally found out why Su Qing Chen was sent to the cold north, he knew…, this Su Qing Chen seemed incomparably astute, however when it came to feelings he tumbled and fell head first, surprisingly his heart moved for Zhao Jin Yu, he was simply courting death!

Luckily however Su Qing Chen knew when to submit, promptly he explained his innoncence to the emperor, and the emperor clearly also believed him…, or so it’s said, His Majesty the emperor simply knew according to Su Qing Chen’s loyalty, he would not dare to have any fluttering feelings.

Otherwise the person chosen to go to Hangzhou to escort the empress would not have been Su Qing Chen but him. But…can feelings be set aside so easily?

Su Qing Chen laughed haha, however some loneliness was in his smile, he stepped forward hooking onto Qin Hong’s shoulder, he said, “I always flaunt myself as intelligent and outstanding, who knew I would faily miserably, but I still haven’t thanked you for your pretty words in front of the emperor, if not I might still be finding some snow lotus herb.” Su Qing Chen did not think the person who ultimately extended a helping hand was actually Qin Hong who he usually did not get along with much, this made him feel shocked, and felt he owed Qin Hong a favour.

Qin Hong uneasily pushed Su Qing Chen away, turning his back he said, “Don’t touch me, making a mess of my clothes.”

Su Qing Chen moved away just in time, but he still almost fell to the ground, he scowled helplessly, saying, “Petty, wasn’t it just a little touch, zeze, every day you…” Su Qing Chen looked Qin Hong up and down, without a hair out of place, perfectly ironed straight feiyu uniform, and spotless boots, nothing was actually out of place on his body, and with his beautiful facial features, it really was dazzling, he said, “Look at you dressing up every day like a woman, only a woman would care about their appearance in this way.”

Qin Hong expression changed, shaking Su Qing Chen off, he icily said, “That’s right, everyone knows we eunuchs are neither men nor women, you only know now?”

Su Qing Chen naturally knew he had spoken wrongly, however he couldn’t bring himself to apologise, until Qin Hong had almost gotten into the carriage did he then chase after him, pulling on his hand he said, “Don’t be like this, it’s older brother’s fault.”

“Let go!” Qin Hong watched Su Qing Chen tug on his hand.

Su Qing Chen let go in embarrassment, but he lingered unwilling to go, he said, “Our job has been completed, the person has been sent to Fahua temple as well, we’ve been terribly tired from rushing about these last few days, older brother will treat you to drink, I know a wine shop with a beautiful 

Arab female entertainer, supposedly her eyes are blue, older brother will take you to a novel experience?”

“Lord Su you seem to have forgotten I’m an eunuch.”

Su Qing Chen smiled brazenly, saying, “Are you an amateur? There are many ways to appreciate beauty, it doesn’t have to be…, en, that sort of dirty thing you thought of.”

Qin Hong rolled his eyes, saying, “Let’s just say I misjudged, if you like go by yourself, I want to go home to be with my wife.” At first he had thought it was not easy for Su Qing Chen to have feelings, he was on the verge of death because of His Majesty the emperor’s grand wedding today…, it turns out he was worried for no reason.

In the end Qin Hong still went to the wine shop with Su Qing Chen under his perseverance, it mainly seemed like Su Qing Chen had less and less sense of shame, surprisingly he coldly said something like, if I die from intoxication in the wine shop, you would control the Embroidered Uniform Guards by yourself, wouldn’t you be happy?

Qin Hong would never tell Su Qing Chen, when he wasn’t there, he had to rush about doing two people’s jobs, suffer two people’s punishments…, damn it even if he was beaten to death he wouldn’t want to experience this feeling.

Of course, Qin Hong also absolutely would not admit he was soft-hearted.

There was indeed a blue eyed beauty in the wine shop, big chested, white skinned, so beautiful there was nothing comparable, however what astounded Su Qing Chen was what Qin Hong ultimately asked him, “Do you think her skin is paler or mine?”

At that time the two had already finished several large jugs of wine, not lightly intoxicated, Su Qing Chen pulled up his sleeve without a trace of politeness, looking at it a few times under the candle light, and stroking it with his hand, he said laughing foolishly, “You’re paler, very soft.”

Qin Hong shrugged his shoulders pleased with himself, saying, “Of course, you don’t know that I rub rose flower water on every day.”

“Rose flower water? Are you a woman? Tell me did you even have that thing growing before?” Su Qing Chen groaned.

If this was the usual Qin Hong he would have definitely fallen out with Su Qing Chen, but at this moment he was intoxicated, he couldn’t help say, “I’m telling you, I really am not a man, hehehe.” Qin Hong giggled.

“I know, you’re a eunuch.”

“You’re the eunuch.”

“I’m an eunuch? I’ll let you taka peek at my thing and see if I’m an eunuch or not…” Su Qing Chen wanted to take his clothes off regardless that he was outside.

The beautiful and enchanting blue eyed foreign female entertainer truly could not stand these two people touching each other on the wine couch, she said, “We have rooms in our wine shop, it’s only two silvers for a night, why don’t we set one up for you two?”

Early morning, after Su Qing Chen woke up to see the empty bed he felt as if something had happened, but again he couldn’t recall it, yesterday he dragged Qin Hong along to drink, but his memory was missing from when they drank the second jar of wine, he couldn’t remember anything afterwards.

He seemed to have slept with a beauty?

Could it be he finally have slept with the foreign beauty female proprietor he had drooled after for a long time?

When Su Qing Chen had urgently arrived at the Embroidered Uniform Guards office, his subordinates respectfully said, “My Lord, His Majesty’s grand wedding, amnesty across the land, fifteen days of holidays.” The meaning was you came today for no reason.

Su Qing Chen then felt the hurt hidden in his heart once again rush forth, it was fine when he didn’t think about it, when he did the pain was in all four limbs, he absent-mindedly sat under the wutong tree outside the Embroidered Uniform Guards office, who would have thought he who considered himself to be unconstrained and outstanding, would actually be in the palm of such a girl as Zhao Jin Yu, hehehe.

At that time he had thought she was merely the daughter of a guilty official, taking her as a concubine would be adequate, who would have imagined he was simply carried away by his own wishful thinking.

In just a moment snow again began to flutter down, Su Qing Chen tightly wrapped himself in his big cloak returning home one step at a time.

***

The emperor also had marriage leave from his grand wedding, he could not attend morning court for half a month, ever since the emperor had a taste, Zhao Jin Yu felt like she had become the most tasty dish, at every moment she would be dismantled by the emperor and into his stomach, the two passed their half a month of marriage leave in such an intimate way, when the vacation ended without a choice they began their busy lives, the emperor needed to go to morning court and Zhao Jin Yu needed to start managing the matters of the harem.

Before Zhao Jin Yu entered the palace many matters in the palace were managed by the former consort Yu, but before Zhao Jin Yu had entered the palace consort Yu had been ordered to commit suicide by the emperor for throwing the harem into chaos.

Only fortunately there were never a lack of people in the palace, many people offered their services, Zhao Jin Yu very quickly understood these matters well and knew how to control it, furthermore she once again organised the list of names in the harem, imperial consorts and concubines, palace maids, palace eunuchs and so on.

Ever since consort Shu discovered Zhao Jin Yu could influence the emperor… she finally seemed to have found her backbone, every day she brought the princess to pay respects, everything was under the effect of Zhao Jin Yu, Zhaoyang princess also began to like this empress mother who was not afraid of emperor father, because at her place she could do a lot of things she wanted to do, the new empress mother was not like auntie consort Shu, no to this, no to that, she would always allow her to go try herself, she felt it was really meaningful.

Zhao Jin Yu always thought after entering the palace she would have to start enduring it, who knew entering the palace would be the start of her new life, her days went by very smoothly and contently, consort Shu docile and obedient, the princess became closer to her, the emperor treated her ever more dearly, practically afraid of her breaking in his hands, afraid she would melt in his mouth, granting whatever she asked for.

The days passed slowly, the emperor and Zhao Jin Yu passed a year together in the palace, then it was the Spring Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar year.

It was different from previous years, this time many rewards were given this time, nevertheless they were directly sent to each official’s official residence, because the palace did not welcome outsiders.

Zhao Jin Yu decorated the imperial garden, all kinds of lanterns spread over the place, in the middle was placed a feast but only with the emperor, and Zhao Jin Yu, consort Shu and Zhaoyang princess the four people.

Zhaoyang princess was wearing a ginger short jacket, travelling back and forth the lanterns like a little butterfly, her natural giggles touching people, consort Shu watched with a smile on her face, the emperor taking Zhao Jin Yu’s hand watched the scene from outside the lanterns, only feeling a heart full of tender setiments.

---

[1] A holy man who has left behind all earthly desires and concerns and attained nirvana

[2] The central pavilion of the Forbidden City.

[3]  点翠凤冠

[4] 11pm – 1 am