PMM - 26

When Nanny Liu saw that the general had actually followed the young lady back, apart from surprise, she was filled with great joy. She helped Lian Sheng take off her outer clothes and then helped her loosen her hair, instructing Xi Yu to prepare the bath.

Yi Qiancheng had excellent hearing. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Lian Sheng.

Lian Sheng asked him, “Husband, would you like to bathe first?” Wasn’t that what he meant? Yi Qiancheng smiled, his eyes and brows filled with joy. He cleared his throat, his gaze shining with emotion, and nodded in agreement.

Lian Sheng didn’t mind letting him bathe first. Yi Qiancheng had his own servants, so Xi Yu didn’t need to prepare it for him. While he was bathing in the next room, Lian Sheng sat at her vanity and began to remove her earrings herself.

“Miss, you should really seize this opportunity,” Nanny Liu whispered in her ear.

Lian Sheng smiled faintly, not wanting to disregard Nanny Liu’s good intentions. She held back a laugh and nodded. She and Yi Qiancheng both had their own objectives, and they wouldn’t really do anything, but it was always good to reassure Nanny Liu.

“Tomorrow, when the servants in the mansion find out that the general is staying here with you, they won’t dare treat you indifferently.”

Lian Sheng didn’t care too much, but she had to admit Nanny Liu’s point. In any lord’s mansion, the servants would always cater to the powerful and step on the weak. Lian Sheng had suffered cold treatment in Sandthorn before because the servants thought she wasn’t favored.

It seemed that Yi Qiancheng’s return was quite beneficial. Soon, he would set off for war, and she would have to stay in Sandthorn. She didn’t like having to assert authority, but the neglect and disrespect from the servants would bring many inconveniences. If Yi Qiancheng moved back in, at least after he left, she wouldn’t have to worry about these trivial matters.

Soon, Yi Qiancheng finished bathing. He didn’t glance sideways and said, “I’ll go handle the documents from Sandthorn.”

Lian Sheng responded with an “Mm,” and Xi Yu had everything prepared. Lian Sheng went straight in to bathe. Xi Yu sprinkled many petals in the bath, and Lian Sheng submerged herself in the water, feeling so comfortable that she almost sighed. Sitting in the carriage for so many days had left her body sore.

She reluctantly stayed in the bath for a long time, then wrapped herself in a robe and walked out. Nanny Liu was nodding off in a chair. She was old and couldn’t stay awake for long, quickly falling into a doze.

"Mama, you should rest," Lian Sheng said gently. "Lu’er and Xi Yu are here to help."

Nanny Liu shook her head. "You’ve traveled so much, Miss. You must be exhausted. Let me rub your shoulders before I go to sleep."

"Leave it to Lu’er. She’s good with her hands."

Lu’er quickly nodded and took the ointment from Nanny Liu’s hands. "Don’t worry, Mama. I can handle this."

Nanny Liu gave some last-minute instructions, and Lu’er listened carefully before heading back to her room. Lu’er held the ointment and looked a bit nervous. "W-would you like me to rub your neck and arms, Miss?"

Seeing that Yi Qiancheng hadn’t returned yet, Lian Sheng guessed that after traveling for so many days, he probably had a mountain of matters to deal with in Shaji, and it would take him a while to come back. Just in case, she instructed, "There’s no need to undress, just help me with my neck and arms."

Lu’er agreed, first washing her hands, then returning to apply the ointment. She began to rub Lian Sheng’s neck with just the right amount of pressure—her hands were indeed skilled.

Lian Sheng lazily closed her eyes, a touch of childishness in her voice. "Here."

She extended her right hand, and Lu’er carefully rolled up her sleeve. Her milky-white skin was like jade, soft and smooth to the touch. As a woman herself, Lu’er couldn’t help but feel that her mistress was truly beautiful.

Yi Qiancheng entered and saw this scene. Under the soft yellow light, the beauty was lazily closing her eyes, her delicate white arm exposed, catching the light in a glaring way. He stared silently, his Adam's apple moving slightly.

Lu’er was the first to notice him and quickly greeted, "General."

Lian Sheng opened her eyes upon hearing the voice. He had come back so quickly? In fact, she had guessed correctly. The administrative matters in Yingdong had indeed piled up, but Yi Qiancheng had only sat down for a short while before finding it hard to focus, so he decided to return. He didn’t expect to walk into such an intimate scene.

Lu’er quickly tidied up Lian Sheng’s inner clothes, and since Yi Qiancheng had returned, Lian Sheng decided to stop. She told Lu’er to rest.

Yi Qiancheng’s eyes were bright, and there was an unreadable glint in them. Lian Sheng spoke, "Husband, let’s set some rules."

"Set rules?"

"Yes, you’re worried about Hui’er’s health and want to fulfill her wishes, and I’m worried about Nanny Liu’s health. I know you had no choice but to return, but since we’ll be spending a long time together, let’s lay down our expectations so we can avoid conflicts."

After saying this, Lian Sheng noticed Yi Qiancheng’s expression darken a little. He flattened his lips and spoke in a tone that didn’t betray his emotions. "Oh?"

This seemed to indicate that he was letting Lian Sheng speak first. Lian Sheng wasn’t going to hold back. After thinking carefully, she said, "My requirements are simple. First, even though we’re sleeping in the same bed, I will never overstep my boundaries, and I ask that you don’t either. Second, I ask for the respect I deserve, and please don’t make decisions for me without consulting me. These are my only two requests. Now, husband, please tell me yours, and I will try my best to meet them."

His face revealed no emotions, but he stared at her for a while before letting out a light laugh and saying in an indifferent tone, "Who would want to touch you?"

"…" Lian Sheng knew he wasn’t interested, but now it was his turn to speak, so she didn’t expect this response.

Yi Qiancheng walked past her, his expression fully hidden in the shadows. "I haven’t thought of anything yet. Let’s just sleep."

"Then let me know when you’ve thought of something."

Yi Qiancheng was starting to get irritated. He bit his lip, unsure whether to be angry at his own sharp tongue or at Lian Sheng’s lack of sensitivity.

...

After Lian Cheng, the Lord of Lian, agreed to Lian Sihuan’s proposal, he began preparing to marry her off to the Second Prince.

If this plan succeeded, the benefits would be enormous, but it came with high risks. There were three key factors he had to consider. The first was the soldiers Yi Qiancheng had left in Yingdong. He couldn’t let them know he had changed his mind and was now returning to the imperial city.

The second was the Second Prince. Lian Cheng wasn’t sure if the Second Prince really wanted Lian Sheng, but thinking that the Second Prince had only met Lian Sheng a few times, he was somewhat reassured. While Lian Sihuan wasn’t as beautiful as Lian Sheng, she was still a stunning beauty, and her noble status should prevent any anger from the Second Prince.

The third factor was his eldest son, Lian Qi. If Lian Qi found out that he was planning to cooperate with the Second Prince, he would definitely disagree. Agreeing to cooperate with the Second Prince meant abandoning Lian Sheng. Yi Qiancheng already hated the Lian family, and they had broken their promise once—he would never let them off easily a second time. Lian Cheng couldn’t immediately attack Yingdong, but Lian Sheng was always by Yi Qiancheng’s side. If Yi Qiancheng grew angry, then Lian Sheng...

Lian Qi wouldn’t allow that. He valued Lian Sheng highly and would never allow her to fall into an irreversible situation. Once he found out, he would try to stop it.

Lian Cheng calmed himself. The most urgent task was to keep Lian Qi in the dark and take care of the Shaji general, Fang Mu. The Second Prince had already made a deal with him. Once Fang Mu was dealt with, he would send people to take Lian Sheng.

The Second Prince, Liang Zhen, ascended the throne the next day, changing the era name to Xuming and taking the title of "Emperor Xuming." He honored Fei Guifei as the Empress Dowager, while the other concubines of the late Emperor were all sent to accompany the late Emperor, following a "last will" issued a few days earlier.

Only the Empress and a few other concubines who had borne heirs remained alive. Liang Zhen smirked. "Send them all to the Cold Palace. I don’t want my mother to be upset."

Look at that—they fought for half their lives, but in the end, they lost. And the one who won in the end was his mother.

This action was not in accordance with the rules, but no one dared to criticize him. Officials without power were afraid to offend the new emperor, while those with status were well aware of his nature. When Liang Zhen was still a prince, he appeared gentle and kind, but secretly, he was devious and violent.

He would smile and accept any advice offered to him, but behind the scenes, he would quietly eliminate those who advised him. With the help of the powerful washed water (his loyal supporters), he now held most of the military power in the imperial capital and no longer needed to hide his true nature.

Upon receiving the letter of submission from Lord Lian, Liang Zhen laughed heartily. "That old man, his heart is truly vicious." Even so, Liang Zhen did not trust Lord Lian. He was naturally suspicious and saw Lord Lian as a dog who might bite at any moment. A dog that wagged its tail one moment could turn around and bite the next.

Liang Zhen did not want such a close subordinate, but he had devised a clever plan, killing two birds with one stone. Lord Lian would fall out completely with Yi Qiancheng, and even if Liang Zhen did not want Lord Lian as an ally, he did not want Yi Qiancheng to gain more support. Furthermore, he would finally be able to get his hands on Lian Sheng.

Liang Zhen casually tore the letter, and a little eunuch bent low and entered, fawningly reporting, "Your Majesty, the Hundred Beauties Palace is under urgent repairs."

Liang Zhen smirked slightly. "Good."

The eunuch, receiving praise, dared to mention another troubling matter. "Your Majesty, some of the consorts... are crying and asking to see you..."

Liang Zhen lowered his eyelids, his tone dismissive. "Those who are truly ignorant, deal with them according to the palace rules."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch’s back stiffened as he withdrew, trembling. The emperor was rebuilding a palace for his soon-to-be consort, but without blinking an eye, he had ordered the death of the women who had served him for many years.

No one knew how favored the upcoming consort would be.