PM - 49

The Chancellor’s body was like a vast expanse of territory. Fu Wei advanced step by step, planting her flag wherever she claimed victory. After several rounds, there were few areas left where he retained autonomy.

“Good,” she murmured—what exactly was good? Seeing him surrender resistance only fueled her desire to tease him further. Releasing his feet, she glided closer, resting against his shoulder. Her long eyelashes brushed lightly against his cheek, deliberate or not. “Ru Chun, do you like me this way? Not as an emperor, but simply as a woman?”

It was difficult for the Chancellor to answer. Naturally, he wished for it—if possible, he would prefer her to remain in the inner chambers, tending to family and children, rather than constantly standing at the forefront of political storms, enduring wave after wave of power struggles. Wishes were often beautiful, but he knew they could never come true. On one hand, it was hard to back down once committed; more importantly, she loved power, loved the ability to shape the world with a flick of her wrist. They were cut from the same cloth. Only rivals truly understood each other, so he comprehended her ambitions. Words spoken in passion were merely fleeting comforts—not to be taken seriously. If you believed them, you lost.

His face tingled where her lashes had grazed. She wanted to play, and he let her. “I admire Your Majesty as you are now—holding the reins of heaven and earth, reigning supreme over all. If you were just an ordinary girl, I might not have given you a second glance. That’s the truth.”

Her expression immediately soured. “You always think I’m ugly—I know it! You said before that you’d only marry someone of unparalleled beauty, implying I wasn’t worthy. Do you still think that after taking advantage of me?”

He realized she excelled at framing him unfairly.

“I have never taken advantage of Your Majesty.”

She pouted, her face elongating. “Then what was that earlier? You touched me with your feet, and you yourself admitted I look good. Are you denying it now? Regardless, I am still a girl. Do you think what happened just now was appropriate? The most disgraceful thing a man can do is enjoy something and then refuse to take responsibility. You take advantage of my youth, leaving me unable to speak up about my grievances. You’re worse than those lords!”

His jaw dropped at her words. “Your Majesty is the sovereign!”

“If the regent indulges in inappropriate behavior toward the ruler, what crime does that constitute?” Knowing he remained unconvinced, she reached under the covers to find his hand. “If you didn’t enjoy it enough earlier, I’ll allow you to try again—with the other hand.”

He felt utterly bewildered, having never encountered such tenacity in anyone before. The tide of emotions surged forward like honey spreading, threatening to drown him. He struggled twice but couldn’t break free. By the time he regained awareness, his palm had already settled on the budding peak beneath her clothing.

“Ru Chun...” she sighed softly. “In the past, you were my royal uncle. I couldn’t address you as ‘Chancellor’ without adding the word ‘Father,’ to show respect. Deep down, I didn’t want to, but to please you, I had no choice.”

Her soft whispers tickled his ear. Dazed and overheated, he absentmindedly murmured, “Actually, the word ‘father’ sounds quite similar to ‘husband’...”

She froze, marveling at his words. “Are you saying fate decreed it long ago? That I’ve been calling you ‘husband’ for over a decade?”

If that were true, he hardly qualified as human—being predestined since the age of five, how could he walk upright under the open sky? Yet he couldn’t deny it. How much virtue must one accumulate in a past life to deserve being her partner in this one? Though he couldn’t give her a proper wedding, every part of him—his body, mind, and soul—belonged entirely to her.

The silk fabric of her undergarment was soft, and through it, he could vividly imagine the delicate curves beneath. She blushed deeply, yet her eyes remained clear as spring water. Perhaps her thoughts weren’t as bold as her actions—this was her way of showing affection, striving to be closer, more intimate… But his mind filled with unseemly images, leaving him ashamed.

He tried to withdraw his hand, but she wouldn’t let him. “Earlier, I warmed your feet; now let me warm your hands. You need to recover quickly and stop making me worry.”

Even his breath trembled. “A Ying, you can’t do this…”

Her fingertips stealthily slipped beneath his hem, stroking his back. “Uncle is sweating. Physician Jin’s medicine is indeed effective.”

In such a situation, who could remain dry? He bit his lip, silent, while her mischievous smile hovered inches away. “If you’re sick, this method can also heal. Hmm? Actually, I’m your medicinal catalyst. As long as I’m here, you’ll recover quickly.”

The temperature inside the canopy kept rising. Her fingers wandered, sinking into this realm of tenderness. Even if she remained here forever, she would willingly accept it.

The strings of his body vibrated intensely. Clenching his teeth, he pulled his hand away and pressed it firmly against her lower back. She looked at him in surprise, then seemed to understand his intent, pressing herself even closer, offering herself completely.

He struggled to steady his breathing. “Your Majesty knows I am a man.”

She nodded. “I know.”

“I am a normal man.”

She laughed at his earnestness. “If you weren’t normal, what use would you be to me?”

“Then why are you doing this—are you trying to worsen my condition? Who mentioned sympathizing with my supposed lack of restraint? If that’s the case, don’t provoke me. Can’t you let me rest and recover?”

She gasped. “Alright, alright, finally speaking the truth! So who was it—you were inappropriate with Lady Wei or the maidservants in your residence? You’re heartless! I’ve been abstaining for you, and you’ve been fooling around in your estate!” She covered her face dramatically. “You’re despicable! I should send you to the northern frontier to entertain the soldiers!”

Once again, she resorted to irrational tantrums. He was utterly powerless against her. “I told you I haven’t done anything. Why won’t you believe me?” She continued kicking and thrashing on the bed. He managed to restrain her arms but not her legs. Seeing tears well up in her eyes, his frustration flared.

“But spoiling you has made you so unreasonable!” Frustrated, he rolled over, pinning her beneath him. “If I weren’t sick right now, I’d…”

Fu Wei secretly rejoiced. “You’d do what? I already know you’ve harbored improper thoughts about me. Beneath your composed exterior lies a depraved mind. Are you using this as an excuse? Then go ahead—I’ll bear your heir.”

Bearing an heir—one night of pleasure—but dealing with the aftermath wouldn’t be so simple. In the eyes of others, this was the moment when their power struggle should be at its fiercest. If the young emperor suddenly disappeared, who could guarantee Prince Chu wouldn’t lead twelve armies into Zhangde Hall demanding answers? The image of a heavily pregnant young emperor nearing motherhood was unimaginable. The worst-case scenario might end with heads rolling—the empire painstakingly built by generations of Yuan emperors could never fall into the hands of a woman!

She was childishly eager, her face full of anticipation as she shyly opened her collar, revealing her exquisite collarbone. That porcelain-like skin scorched his gaze. He found himself unable to look away, struggling for a long while before finally releasing her in defeat. Frustrated, he wrapped himself tightly in the brocade quilt, cocooning himself.

Fu Wei grew displeased, sitting up indignantly and tugging at her collar. “I understand your concerns, and I know the timing isn’t right, but it’s not irreparable…”

Did she mean using medicine? He glanced back at her. “Your Majesty knows too much—and is far too immodest.”

She was momentarily speechless, forced to admit he had a point. Yet her dissatisfaction lingered, and she glared at him accusingly. “If I were reserved, would we even be here today? You’re so rigid, always lecturing me on propriety, never showing me any affection.”

He frowned deeply. “How can you say I don’t care for you? This is for your own good.”

Her eyes flickered downward. “So you took all the blankets and left me to sleep outside?”

She didn’t understand—he needed time to cool down. If she discovered anything, wouldn’t it be embarrassing? She wasn’t like ordinary girls. A girl who could dominate the world could easily grasp the secrets of the body without guidance.

He took a deep breath and reluctantly opened his arms. “Come here.”

She wanted to pretend she was still angry, but when he smiled at her, she couldn’t hold back. Soon, she nestled obediently into his embrace.

The Chancellor felt it necessary to set some boundaries. “We can talk for a while, but no inappropriate touching. Do you promise?”

Talking while lying in the same bed—how naive of him! But he was still feverish, and if they got carried away and he caught a chill, that would be disastrous.

She hummed in agreement, pressing her hands against his chest and grinning at him. “I’ll behave.”

He sighed, lifting her gently. After all, she was still a child—her body soft, light, and warm.

“Your Majesty, I want to discuss Lord Nie...”

Before he could finish, she immediately protested. “Don’t even mention sharing a wife between two husbands—I won’t allow it.”

Sometimes, prioritizing the greater good wasn’t appealing. She was always afraid this love would fade like a fleeting flower. Last night, she dreamed of ten years later—she remained unchanged, but he had married someone else and had children. They passed each other on a path; as their bodies brushed past, he merely nodded lightly and said, “Your Majesty now holds the world in her hands—surely there’s nothing left unfulfilled?”

She looked at him, both familiar and distant, as though they had never loved each other, and everything before was just her imagination. Disoriented, she muttered, “Is Father Chancellor well?”

“I am well,” he replied lightly. Then, two children shouted “Father” from afar, and he bowed slightly to her before walking away. She remembered the scene vividly—it haunted her. She feared he might abandon her, so when he earnestly brought up Ling Jun, she felt a twinge of fear.

His gaze grew resentful, tinged with surprise. “Two husbands sharing one wife—what a lovely thought! Has Your Majesty wavered? After all, your interactions with Lord Nie haven’t been few.”

She averted her eyes, muttering, “Nonsense. I’ve never wavered—it’s you who’s jealous. Do you know the phrase ‘lifting a stone only to drop it on your own feet’? If I had known things would turn out this way, I should have married the daughter of Huangyue and spared myself these troubles.”

At the time, he indeed considered arranging Ling Jun for her. But hindsight was 20/20—if he had known how things would unfold, he would never have allowed another person to come between them. There was no use crying over spilled milk; since it had happened, they could only try to fix it as best they could.

“From tomorrow, limit his access to the imperial chambers. It’s where the emperor handles state affairs. His frequent visits as empress will invite criticism and cloud his judgment.”

Fu Wei agreed. “I’ve already spoken to him. From now on, he’ll feign illness. He once mentioned that the empress nominally has a younger brother and hoped I’d appoint him as an attendant for future service to the court.”

The Chancellor gave a faint smile. “Does he wish to serve the court, or does he simply want to stay by Your Majesty’s side? What are Your Majesty’s thoughts?”

Fu Wei replied, “I’ll follow your advice.”

“To deceive heaven requires permanently eliminating future risks. A temporary excuse might work for a moment, but if he parades around every day, sooner or later, the truth will surface. Leave this matter to me entirely—you need not concern yourself further.” He furrowed his brow. “Also, avoid visiting Changqiu Palace unless absolutely necessary.”

“But I must attend to the empress, or people will say I’m incapable!”

He gave her a look that screamed, “You’re asking for trouble.” “A young lady like you—where does this vanity come from? Do you think proving your capability to others makes you truly capable?”

She smiled ingratiatingly. “Of course not. I’m only capable if you say I am.”

Slightly placated, he continued thoughtfully, “The records of imperial favors are kept in the Red Ledger. How they are documented isn’t immutable. Rest assured, I’ll handle it. Your Majesty need not worry about this matter.”

This meant banishing the empress to the cold palace. Indeed, rivals showed no mercy. She hesitated. “Isn’t this too unfair to Ling Jun? It feels like burning bridges after crossing the river.”

He looked down at her. “Does Your Majesty truly intend to appoint him as an attendant? Is it worth taking such a huge risk just to compensate him?”

She clicked her tongue. “Lying in bed with me, yet speaking as if we’re in court! Fine, I’ll follow your instructions fully.” As she spoke, she checked his forehead—it was much cooler. No wonder he had regained the strength for long-winded speeches.

“One more thing—I heard that Attendant Shangguan brought Princess Gai into the Marquis of Guannei’s residence.” Seeing her nod, he asked again, “Does Your Majesty think this is a good development?”

It certainly wasn’t a positive one. If the Princess Dowager had uncovered her secret, she might have confided in Princess Gai. At nearly thirteen years old, the princess was far from ignorant. When Fu Wei was thirteen, she had already schemed to reclaim the power of red-batching documents from him. Even if Princess Gai were innocent, a single slip of the tongue—such as revealing the emperor was a woman—could spell disaster.

“I’ve stationed trusted eunuchs to guard the Marquis of Guannei’s residence day and night. Due to official duties, the newly built mansion lacks sufficient servants, so I’ve assigned reliable attendants to assist. Princess Gai entered the residence alone, and I’ve even replaced her governess—it should be fine.”

He gave a faint tug at the corner of his lips. “Your Majesty remains sentimental. Princess Gai is still young, so we must endure this situation for now. But once the truth comes out, it will unleash a storm. Have you thought about how you’ll face it then?”

She stared at him, her eyes filled with panic. “Are you suggesting we eliminate her completely?”

“That has always been my stance, but alas, you never listen to me.”

Fu Wei wasn’t indecisive by nature, but when it came to Langlang, she couldn’t bring herself to act. “Let’s wait a couple more days. Once we hear news from the Princess Dowager, we’ll decide.”

She wanted to delay, but he cut straight to the heart of the matter. “Once Princess Dingyang passes away, Princess Gai will observe a three-year mourning period, and her marriage to Shangguan Zhao will inevitably be postponed. By then, the Marquis of Gai will likely take her back to Shuofang. Will Your Majesty have a reason to keep her here?”

This revelation left her utterly dumbfounded. Stammering, she admitted, “I hadn’t thought of that… Now it seems there’s no way out.” Frustrated and anxious, she pounded on him several times. “You’re so annoying, making me so uneasy!”

He endured the blows, rubbing his chest and sighing. “My circumstances worsen by the day. In the past, you wouldn’t dare treat me this way.”

“This is the difference between outsiders and insiders.”

He frowned again, protesting, “What insider? Who’s the insider?”

Fu Wei had intended to say “you,” but fearing it might anger him enough to leave for the chancellor’s residence, she humbly pointed to herself instead. “I’m the insider. I am.”

This behavior resembled the unconditional compromises of a weak emperor to a favored concubine—except this “concubine” held immense power, and she relished flattering him.

With one arm around her, the Chancellor gazed fixedly at the canopy above, musing for a while. “It’s best to prepare early. Things will come to light soon, and without a plan, we’ll be left vulnerable.”

“I’m only worried about what the Marquis of Gai will think once both the Princess Dowager and Princess Gai pass away.”

He sneered. “Throughout history, countless people have died in power struggles. How many have truly sought justice? Whoever dares to act rashly gives the court an excuse to revoke their fiefdom. Even if the Marquis of Gai is powerful, he’s but a drop in the ocean compared to the entire nation.”

Indeed, the worst-case scenario was mutual destruction. But upon reflection, all the blame lay with her. “If I had been more careful, so many lives wouldn’t have been sacrificed in vain.”

Seeing her self-reproach, he smoothed her hair and consoled her gently. “Your Majesty shouldn’t think this way. Blame lies in everyone’s selfishness. Had the Princess Dowager chosen to ignore the matter and not rushed back to her fief, she wouldn’t have invited a fatal end. We walk a precarious path, where one misstep means annihilation. Everything we do now is for survival—there’s no right or wrong.”

His voice resonated through his chest, the vibrations grounding her. She tightened her arms around him, holding him close. Unbeknownst to them, their legs became entangled, their loose trousers rolling up to their knees. She rubbed against his calves and teased, “Father Chancellor, your legs are so hairy!”

He chuckled. “Silly girl!”

She tilted her face upward. Most of the candles outside the canopy had burned out, leaving only a dim glow. His features gradually blurred into obscurity. Squinting, she tried to make out his face. “Ru Chun, are you feeling better?”

It seemed their closeness accelerated the medicine’s effects. Testing himself, he realized his headache was gone, and his breath no longer felt scorching. He hummed in affirmation. “I should recover fully by tomorrow.”

The steady dripping of the water clock echoed through the chamber. She swallowed, a soft sound escaping her lips—a primal yearning akin to the hunt. His heart skipped a beat. “What’s wrong?”

She said nothing was wrong. “I should probably get up. Spending the night like this... it wouldn’t look good if word got out.”

Reluctantly, she untangled herself from his embrace. Though she longed to stay, she knew they couldn’t be too reckless. For a moment, the Chancellor felt a pang of melancholy. Reflecting on it, their relationship had progressed unnaturally fast—too fast to feel natural.

He started to rise from the embroidered heap, but she stopped him. “Stay down.” Slowly, she began putting back on the garments she had removed, styling her hair, and retrieving her ceremonial crown. Turning back to look at him, his vague silhouette still lingered in the dimness. Suddenly, she bent down and kissed him, her lips lingering hungrily against his. This instinct required no instruction—it came naturally. Then came the dizzying intensity, deeper and deeper, until her legs gave way, and she collapsed back onto him.

Breathless, he gasped, “I’m not fully recovered yet.”

“Even if I catch your illness, I’ll gladly take it.” Her hands clasped behind his neck, golden sleeves swaying as she whispered, “Kiss me again, like you did just now.”

No longer content with superficial touches, kisses revealed their many forms. The Chancellor, having tasted its sweetness, pursued her almost greedily. She secretly delighted in his fervor—it contrasted sharply with his usual demeanor in court, and she adored it.

Intoxicated, she couldn’t help but sigh softly. He moved his lips to her neck, and for a moment, she thought things might progress further—but they didn’t. His breathing grew rapid, then slowly steadied. Likely embarrassed, he released her with a final warning, his tone fierce despite his flushed cheeks. “Your servant isn’t someone to be trifled with.”

Shyly, she covered her face. “My purity is gone.”

He paused, his eyes tender in the dimness. Brushing aside her stray strands of hair, he kissed her earlobe. “I’ll take responsibility. Please rest assured, Your Majesty.