PM - 43

“Since he is unwell, it wouldn’t be right to make him meet me while sick. I should visit him personally.”

His illness was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of him. If she couldn’t defeat or outwit him when he was well, now was her chance for revenge. With this thought, Fu Wei felt invigorated and turned to instruct Shangguan Zhao: “The Attendant will escort Princess Dingyang and Lady Langlang on my behalf. What I mean is, it would be best if Aunt leaves Langlang behind. She’s still young, and the long journey would be exhausting. It would be better to leave her in the palace under the empress’s care—they are around the same age, so they can look after each other. I wanted to suggest it earlier but feared Aunt might misunderstand. It would show deeper affection if you, Attendant, were to persuade her.” She smiled again, her crimson sash softly hanging over her chest—most of the time, she appeared kind and harmless.

But Shangguan Zhao felt a heavy burden. He bowed his hand solemnly. “Understood.”

“If you feel it’s inconvenient to keep her in the palace, bringing her back to Lord Guan’s residence is also an option. Since their marriage has been arranged, and they’re cousins, your personal care would not be inappropriate,” she said with a smile, then waved at Hulü. “Prepare the carriage—we’re going to the prime minister’s residence.”

Having the Attendant around had greatly facilitated her travels. Before, when she ventured out alone, she often felt uneasy, fearing assassins might emerge from the crowd. The prime minister had repeatedly urged her not to act recklessly—”Whenever you go out, there must be an escort,” which was quite troublesome. Now, with Shangguan and Hulü by her side, she could travel lightly without worry. Power truly had its perks—this was the joy of being emperor.

The neighborhood where the prime minister lived had celebrated exuberantly the previous night. Despite the servants’ cleanup, bits of red paper still littered the ground. Descending the wooden steps, Fu Wei looked up at the prime minister’s gate: Chancellor Hou’s Residence ... The plaque had remained unchanged since Emperor Wen’s era. Truly, the prime minister was a nostalgic man.

The steward was astonished to see the young emperor arrive and quickly led the servants in greeting. The emperor was usually good-tempered, so the steward dared to exchange a few casual words. “Why does Your Majesty honor us with a visit today?”

The emperor turned her gaze and smiled. “For three days after marriage, one should remain indoors—that is proper, isn’t it?”

Rebuked, the steward hastily waved his hands. Fu Wei glanced toward the direction of the prime minister’s bedroom. “Today, the chancellor is unwell, so I’ve come to visit. How is he? Any better?”

As the steward led her inside, he replied, “Last night, the physician examined him and administered medicine, but there’s been no improvement. When I went to check on him earlier, Lord Hou was too exhausted to open his eyes. Perhaps Your Majesty’s presence will comfort him, and his condition will improve—it’s possible.”

This steward, ever since that night when she stayed over at the chancellor’s residence and he had to arrange hot water and bedding, always regarded her interactions with the prime minister with a knowing look. Likely, he had mentally replayed countless scenarios of their supposed intimacy. Such restraint from the prime minister, yet such dramatic flair from the steward—it wasn’t ideal. But Fu Wei didn’t feel repulsed; instead, she sensed a welcoming warmth from the steward’s gaze, something even the prime minister couldn’t provide.

She amused herself. “Why did the prime minister fall ill?”

The steward replied, “He caught a cold from staying up all night reviewing official documents.” Of course, he wouldn’t dare tell the young emperor that the prime minister had gotten drunk the previous night and slept on the corridor, catching a chill.

The emperor nodded and paused before the bedroom door, calming her emotions before entering.

She knew there were servants in the prime minister’s residence, but upon rounding the screen into the inner chamber, she immediately felt displeased. A beautiful maiden dressed in white silk with red borders stood by the bed, tending to the sick prime minister. Her unadorned black hair cascaded down her back, and her graceful curves were enough to make any man swoon. Seeing the prime minister feverish, she rolled up her sleeves, revealing slender, pale arms, and fetched a cool towel to place on his forehead. Her devotion was so touching that even Fu Wei felt moved.

Turning her head, Fu Wei gave the steward an inquiring glance. “Who is this?”

The steward trembled and pointed outside. “A beauty from Wei sent by the Chancellor of Wei as a gift to our lord...”

Fu Wei snorted coldly. King Wei was certainly repaying favors—he had received two concubines from the prime minister years ago and still remembered to reciprocate. This steward was truly foolish to bring her here without permission.

“How dare you make decisions on your own while the prime minister is ill? You have quite the audacity!”

Terrified, the steward dropped to his knees. “It was my oversight...” The commotion drew the maiden’s attention, and the steward gestured urgently. “Quickly, bow to His Majesty!”

The maiden was startled, but her alarm only made her appear more pitiable. Twisting her delicate waist, she rose and hurried to the door, bowing deeply with her hands clasped before her forehead. Her pale face framed rosy lips like fresh blood, and her voice was soft and melodious. Kneeling, she said, “Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years in happiness and prosperity.”

Fu Wei glared at her for a long moment, refusing to grant her permission to rise, her expression accusatory, as though catching them in the act. After glaring at the woman, she turned her gaze to the “adulterer” lying on the sickbed. He lifted his head slightly to glance at her, then collapsed back onto the pillow, closing his eyes in despair.

Maintaining composure, Fu Wei finally tucked her hands into her sleeves. A eunuch beside her saw her nod and announced loudly, “The emperor decrees: it is permitted.”

In the presence of the emperor, all others naturally had to withdraw. The Wei maiden thanked her and rose. As her pristine feet crossed the floor, her toes gleamed delicately. Fu Wei felt another pang of displeasure and deliberately averted her gaze. Once inside the chamber, she removed her shoes and climbed directly onto the prime minister’s bed.

“Father Prime Minister enjoys great fortune,” she teased, her tone laced with acidity. “It’s the second day of my wedding, and Father Prime Minister avoids the palace to nurse an illness at home?”

The prime minister’s headache was severe, and he weakly raised his hands in greeting. “Please forgive me for not being able to welcome you properly.”

“Dealing with the sovereign is exhausting. If I were you, I’d rather lie here and let a beauty tend to me.” She vented her frustration, but seeing him frown without responding, she leaned forward to scrutinize his expression. “Did she warm your hands for you?”

The prime minister opened his eyes a crack and glanced at her indifferently. “What do you mean by that?”

“A human hand warmer,” she snapped. “Placing your hands in a beauty’s bosom to warm them—how romantic and sensual!”

How much she knew! The prime minister inwardly criticized her knowledge, grateful she was a woman. If she were a man, she might rival the infamous debauched rulers of history.

“I don’t understand this reference, nor do I have such refined tastes.”

“You really don’t?”

Impatiently, he turned his face away. “No.”

Satisfied, Fu Wei felt somewhat balanced. But since he could still speak, it proved he hadn’t fainted earlier—so why tolerate an unknown woman in his private chambers?

An emperor’s jealousy couldn’t be too overt. She sighed dramatically and said leisurely, “With lords gathering in the capital, the situation is complex. Father Prime Minister should be cautious. You are the pillar of the state and my right arm. If anything happens to you, I’d lose a limb, making even binding my chest inconvenient. That wouldn’t do! But nearing thirty, having a concubine or two is understandable... What about that beauty? Do you intend to promote her?”

She prattled on endlessly, irritating the already weakened prime minister. Every word he spoke required careful consideration, draining him completely.

What was she doing here? Newly married, instead of resting in the palace, she came to torment him! The prime minister furrowed his brows, his thoughts growing heavier. “The emperor favored Empress Nie last night—the sounds of intimacy echoed continuously. After a brief rest, they resumed, counting twice...” Then the “two” was crossed out and replaced with “three.” The records were so detailed. Young couples had boundless energy—last night, they hadn’t rested at all. Suddenly, he regretted his assumptions. He had thought his carefully tutored student wasn’t frivolous or reckless. Who knew gratitude couldn’t compete with human nature? Even Lingjun, whom he trusted, had caught him off guard.

Feeling disillusioned, he didn’t know why he felt this way—just that everything seemed futile, and he no longer cared. Men were supposed to marry and establish households. Why couldn’t he have a woman or two?

“The beauty from Wei—she seems fine to me...”

“What’s fine about her? Her seductive demeanor and forced coquettishness—I disapprove!” The young emperor cleverly masked her jealousy with righteousness. After a pause, she added, “The dominance of the lords is a lingering issue from Emperor Xiao’s reign. We need to address this together. Father Prime Minister mustn’t be swayed by the Wei maiden and forget our earlier resolve.”

The prime minister opened his mouth. “I...”

“Don’t agree? Fine, I’ll bring her into the palace. The Northern Palace is empty anyway. Whoever catches your eye, I’ll appoint as a concubine. That’s settled.”

The prime minister protested, “Your Majesty shouldn’t push too far. Must I remain alone all my life?”

She didn’t respond, merely giving him a chilling smile before roughly replacing the towel over his mouth.

Is this how you care for the sick? Helpless, the prime minister adjusted the towel himself, placing it on his forehead, and tightly closed his lips, refusing to speak further.

“Why can you have companionship while I’m doomed to solitude? If I can’t climb out of the abyss, Father Prime Minister will wait for me at the bottom.”

He stared at the cloud-patterned carvings on the bed canopy, refusing to look at her. Accustomed to imperial tyranny, he simply said, “Please, Your Majesty, take care of yourself. Pregnancy is not advisable at this time. You know the reason.”

Fu Wei was momentarily stunned. So he truly believed she had consummated with Lingjun. Was he heartbroken? Surely he was! Yet she chose not to clarify, remaining ambiguous. “Father Prime Minister’s information is so accurate—pity you can’t plant spies in my chambers... I’ve come to consult you about another matter. Princess Dingyang visited the palace today to bid farewell, claiming Marquis Gai is gravely ill and intends to return to Shuofang with Lady Langlang. What should I do, in your opinion?”

If everything were normal, why would the princess be in such a hurry to leave the capital? Her urgency suggested she felt unsafe in the capital and wanted to retreat to her fief. The prime minister gazed at the ceiling, his eyes weary. “She must not return to Shuofang. Only three or four days have passed since Your Majesty was exposed. To ensure safety, the princess would not send letters, so I assert the news hasn’t reached Marquis Gai yet. But once they reunite, the consequences... I dare not imagine. Among the Yuan clan, many could replace Your Majesty. If you don’t wish to relinquish the throne, eliminate Princess Dingyang and her entourage to prevent future trouble.”

Though Fu Wei had anticipated this advice, implementing it felt too cruel.

“Could we... spare Lady Langlang?”

The prime minister turned his head weakly, displeased. “Is this for Shangguan Zhao again?”

“No,” she denied. “Marquis Gai has guarded Shuofang for years—it’s impossible to remove him immediately. If we keep Lady Langlang as leverage, even if he learns the truth, he won’t dare act rashly.”

After listening, the prime minister laughed. “How naive, Your Majesty! Imperial ambitions cannot be compared to a teenage girl. If you detained Marquis Gai’s eldest legitimate heir, perhaps it could be discussed. But sparing an insignificant young girl betrothed to a powerless marquis... Do you think Marquis Gai will let Princess Dingyang’s death slide?”

Fu Wei was speechless. Their discussion, if overheard, would seem like a conspiracy between wolves and tigers. Princess Dingyang was her late father’s sibling, her own aunt, and yet they casually decided her fate—utterly devoid of humanity. But this was the imperial family. Compared to power, familial bonds were thin. No one sought deep kinship ties. Ascending the throne was a ruthless competition—only the strongest survived.

Lowering her head, she remained silent for a long while. Seeing this, the prime minister propped himself up and summoned the household secretary. Coming to her senses, she pleaded, “Let’s think of another way—I can’t bring myself to do it...”

He firmly refused. “Do you intend to sow the seeds of disaster and drag me down with you?”

Her lips trembled as she stammered, “I’ve already instructed Attendant Shangguan to persuade her. If Lady Langlang stays, she may live. But if Princess Dingyang insists on taking her, then... eliminate them.”

This answer clearly didn’t satisfy him. Propping his aching head, he nodded in disappointment. “If I were as sentimental as Your Majesty, I wouldn’t have survived this long.”

Immediately, she tried to placate him, pushing him back down and dismissing the secretary. In a soft voice, she asked, “What if we act when Princess Dingyang’s carriage reaches King Jing’s fief? Rest assured, I know how to protect my own life. If it comes to the worst, I won’t hesitate to kill anyone. Do you doubt me, Father Prime Minister?”

Hearing this, he indeed felt reassured. She wouldn’t hesitate to kill—who could doubt that? What worried him was her timing. If she waited until things spiraled out of control, it would be too late. Since her mind was set, nothing he said would change her decision. So he let her be, resigned to cleaning up afterward if necessary.

She nestled close to him like a small beast. The prime minister shifted uncomfortably. “Your Majesty should return to the palace.”

Resting her chin on her hand, she gazed at him. “You’re sick—I want to stay and care for you.”

No one could endure the emperor’s tenderness. He said, “I have people to care for me. I wouldn’t dare trouble Your Majesty.”

“You mean that Wei maiden?” She toyed with the cords of her crown. “Last night was my wedding night. Were you heartbroken, Father Prime Minister? Is that why you brought in a Wei maiden to provoke me?”

The prime minister closed his eyes. “You’re overthinking.”

“Am I?” She leaned closer, sniffed deeply, and detected the scent of alcohol. “I smell wine. Did you drown your sorrows last night?”

Unwilling to respond, the prime minister pulled the blanket over his face. But she dug at the edges, soon poking her head in. “Admitting you love me—is it that difficult? I know you think one mountain cannot house two tigers, but a male and female tiger can coexist peacefully. Father Prime Minister, who else in this world is worthy of you? Do you really prefer those women who rely on beauty, singing ditties and offering their rouged lips?”

The cramped space under the blanket left little room for breath. The prime minister dared not exhale heavily, fearing he’d pass his illness to her. Covering his mouth, he murmured, “Your Majesty overestimates me. I am but an ordinary man.”

“Not ordinary at all. I’ve loved you for years. Anyone capable of inspiring such feelings in me is extraordinary.”

Her hand reached out, brushing his cheek. His skin burned, while hers was cool—a refreshing stream flowing into his heart. He turned his face away. “Your Majesty, don’t get too close...”

She ignored him. “I will! Last night, I learned some skills from Empress Nie...” Grinning mischievously, she quickly climbed atop him, startling him as she loosened his collar and kissed his feverish chest.

The prime minister erupted in fury. “Your Majesty!”

“Hmm?” Her tone was unfriendly. “If you resist, I’ll tie you up. You’re sick—you can’t possibly overpower me.” After intimidating him into submission, she softened her approach, kissing his cheeks and the corners of his lips. Whispering teasingly, she said, “Father Prime Minister is like honey laced with poison to me. I know I shouldn’t get close, but I can’t help it. What should I do?”

To him, she was no different. The small world beneath the blanket trapped them both. He had no choice but to endure her sweet nothings, his heart secretly blooming, yet unable to face it openly—far more torturous than being sliced apart.

“Father Prime Minister...” She gently shook him and kissed his lips again. “When will you love me? Give me a deadline! You’ve done so many... intimate things with me. Why keep avoiding it?”

What intimate things? Hadn’t she been the one incessantly kissing him? Her kisses spread like wildfire, threatening to reduce him to ashes. He had always prided himself on his self-control, but apparently, he couldn’t withstand her tender persuasion.

His body burned intensely, clouding his thoughts. “Last night... who kissed whom?”

Fu Wei paused, realizing he was still hung up on her earlier lie. She chuckled softly. “Does it really matter?”

The prime minister grew upset, abruptly throwing off the blanket and refusing to speak further.

Fu Wei sat up, sticking out her tongue. “Angry again? Why are you acting like a woman?”

Torn internally, he sighed helplessly. “Your Majesty, I’m ill. Could you allow me to rest quietly? Teasing me like this turns the bed icy. Do you expect me to recover?”

She hurriedly covered him with the blanket and knelt properly beside him, smiling. “Then sleep. I have nothing to do today—I’ll stay and watch over you, Father Prime Minister.”

The prime minister knew he couldn’t chase her away. He could only wait until she grew bored and returned to the palace. But this young emperor was cunning and patient. She sat by his side, occasionally changing the towel and softly asking, “Ru, are you thirsty? Shall I pour you some water? Ru, are you cold? Let me warm you...”

The nickname “Ru” was unbearable. Finally, the prime minister interrupted, “Your Majesty, I have a given name!”

She knew he had a childhood name, but since assuming regency, no one had dared mention it. He was her elder, and the name was bestowed by Emperor Wen. Fu Wei hesitated to use it without his permission.

And now? Had he relented? Perhaps he was gradually acknowledging her feelings! Overjoyed, Fu Wei rested her chin on his shoulder. “Can I call you that? Ruchun?”

He gave up resisting and nodded resignedly. “It’s better than ‘Ru,’ at least.”