Chapter 896: Chapter 896: Empress Overlooking the Rivers and Mountains (38)
Commander Qu left feeling frustrated.
Chuzheng instructed Mu Mian to take the person to Jiangyue Pavilion.
Mu Mian: “…”
Send him to Yann Shijun?
Mu Mian dared not question Chuzheng’s decision and delivered the person, along with the barrel, to Jiangyue Pavilion.
–
Commander Qu didn’t know how Chuzheng dealt with Ning Yao, anyway, he never saw Ning Yao again thereafter – nor did he see the corpse.
Ning Yao just disappeared like that.
With Ning Yao gone, the faction supporting Ning Yao held out for a while, but eventually couldn’t continue.
Whether sincerely or pressured by the circumstances, the date for Chuzheng’s ascension was set.
“Xiao Zheng.”
“Father.” Chuzheng called.
Wen Wu entered: “You’ve been quite worn out recently, haven’t you?”
Wen Wu looked noticeably older, with gray hair at his temples.
It’s heard he’s been at the Empress’s side during this time.
“It’s been alright.”
Wen Wu brought some food and laid them out for Chuzheng one by one.
“Try this; I haven’t made it in a while, so I might be a bit rusty.” Wen Wu smiled kindly: “Don’t be picky.”
Chuzheng tried some: “It’s pretty good.”
Wen Wu shook his head with a smile, watching Chuzheng eat.
“Father has something to tell you.”
“Hmm.”
Wen Wu spoke gently: “Her Majesty is going to the mountains for quiet recovery; Father plans to accompany her.”
With Her Majesty the Empress abdicating, Wen Wu certainly knew the inside story.
Now, Her Majesty the Empress cannot remain in the Imperial City.
Chuzheng looked at him.
Wen Wu gave a small smile: “After so many years of marriage, at this time, besides me, probably no one else would accompany her.”
He couldn’t bear for that person to live alone in such a desolate place.
Chuzheng put down the chopsticks, resting her chin on one hand: “Why does she hate the Wen Family so much?”
Wen Wu sighed: “It’s quite complicated. Her Majesty’s father… was sort of forced to death by the Wen Family. Her Majesty’s father was caught having an affair… but back then, even without the Wen Family, there would have been the Li Family or the Zhang Family; the Wen Family just happened to be the ones responsible for this matter.”
Wen Wu didn’t go into details.
Because of this, the Empress resented it her whole life.
At that time, the Empress liked Wen Wu.
But because of this incident, the Empress never showed a kind face to Wen Wu again.
When Wen Wu later entered the palace, the Empress just let him live in a cold and deserted palace.
Apart from arranged days, she never visited his place.
Wen Wu said, there was no choice.
But really, there was.
Before entering the palace, he had a choice, his father and mother all advised him not to enter the palace, they could have sent someone else from the Wen Family instead.
Yet he still chose to enter the palace.
Choosing to spend a lonely and long life torturing each other within these palace walls.
Wen Wu shifted the topic: “Xiao Zheng, I heard you really like Yann Shijun?”
Chuzheng didn’t deny: “Yes.”
Wen Wu sighed: “Then treat him well, no matter what may happen in the future… don’t neglect him.”
Wen Wu raised his hand, perhaps intending to pat Chuzheng’s head, but thinking she’s grown, he just patted her shoulder.
Chuzheng escorted Wen Wu out.
As soon as she turned her head, she saw Yann Ge standing nearby, not knowing how long he had been there.
Chuzheng waved him over, Yann Ge obediently approached.
“Your Highness.”
“Why didn’t you come in?”
“You were talking with your father.”
Chuzheng hugged him and gave a kiss, Yann Ge blushed and glanced around, relieved seeing no one was watching.
“Your Highness, after you ascend the throne, will you have other… men?”
Chuzheng looked at him.
The young man clutched her clothing, his clear eyes brimming with a watery light, showing inexplicable grievance.
“No, only you,” Chuzheng said.
The young man didn’t care if it was true or false, slowly smiling.
Like splendid blossoms in spring, dazzling and enchanting.
–
Chuzheng hadn’t officially ascended to the throne and still resided in Ziwei Palace.
Due to numerous matters, the time Yann Ge spent seeing Chuzheng was also reduced.
For someone clingy, this was fatal!
“Is Your Highness back?”
“Young Master, this is the tenth time you’ve asked today; Your Highness will come over first thing when back, so please stop asking, alright?”
“Nonsense.” The young man huffed: “Last time she came back, went straight to the study, by the time I went, she was already asleep.”
He Zhi: “…”
You’re making it really difficult for me.
“What’s happened to Yann Shijun?”
Mu Mian entered from outside, sensing the unusual atmosphere, cautiously asking.
Yann Ge sat to the side, silent.
He Zhi had to step forward: “Shijun misses Your Highness.”
Mu Mian chuckled: “Your Highness has been busy lately.”
She gestured, and someone brought in a zither.
“This was specially found by Your Highness, would Shijun like to take a look?”
Yann Ge turned his head, looking at the zither in the person’s hand.
At first, there was no emotion, but soon he stood up abruptly.
He stood in front of the zither, studying it for a long time.
“This is Qian Yin.” Yann Ge caressed the strings, slightly excited: “A thousand-year-old zither, long lost, where did Your Highness find this?”
“Your Highness had people look for it. It’s good Yann Shijun likes it,” Mu Mian said: “Would Yann Shijun like to try it?”
Yann Ge had them set the zither down and eagerly tried tuning it.
The sound was crisp and lingering, seemingly able to travel far.
This is where the name Qian Yin comes from.
Mu Mian left.
“Miss Mu Mian, what about these zithers?”
The palace attendants waiting outside were still holding several zithers, and anyone with a discerning eye could see these were renowned instruments.
However, compared to the Qian Yin inside, they were slightly inferior.
Your Highness feared Yann Shijun wouldn’t like Qian Yin, so prepared these as backups.
“Just leave them for now.” Mu Mian didn’t know how to handle them.
The palace attendants carried the zithers away and only dared to whisper when distant.
“Your Highness is truly kind to Yann Shijun.”
“Allowing Yann Shijun to choose from so many famous zithers is truly unique in the world.”
“No, the fact that Your Highness found so many zithers is the impressive part.”
“I’m really envious of Yann Shijun.”
“What’s the use of envying, sigh…”
–
Chuzheng came back a little late.
She opened the door and was immediately embraced, nearly kicking the person off.
Reining in her restless foot just in time, she hugged Yann Ge: “What are you doing up so late?”
“Your Highness, thank you for the zither you sent.”
“Do you like it?”
“I like it.” Yann Ge nodded: “Qian Yin, I had only ever read about it, never thought I’d own it someday.”
“What else do you want to have?” I’ll fulfill your wish.
Yann Ge’s voice carried a smile and two parts timidity: “I want to have Your Highness.”
Chuzheng leaned against the door, letting Yann Ge lean in her embrace: “You were always mine.”
Yann Ge’s ears turned red as he took the initiative to kiss her.
Chuzheng held him, not moving, just kissing him.
For quite a while.
Yann Ge released her: “Your Highness, what made you think of sending me a zither?”
“Didn’t I break your zither last time? Consider it compensation.”
“It was just an ordinary zither…”
So ordinary it wasn’t worth much.
Yann Ge was eager: “Your Highness, shall I play a piece for you?”
“No playing.” Chuzheng lifted him up arrogantly: “Let’s do something else.”
Yann Ge: “…”
Yann Ge dared not struggle, letting Chuzheng carry him to bed.