Just as Chu Chenyu reached the entrance of the Imperial Study, Eunuch De stepped forward to inform him.
“My Lord, His Majesty said that once you arrive, you may enter directly.”
Chu Chenyu nodded and strode inside.
The moment he saw that both the Minister of War and the Minister of Revenue were present in the Imperial Study, he frowned slightly.
“Royal Brother.”
Chu Chenyu stepped forward and bowed.
“A’Yu, you came at the right time.”
Chu Chenyu looked troubled.
“An urgent report has arrived from the western border. The northwest suffered a drought this year, and the autumn harvest was only a third of what it normally is. On top of that, Xia State has launched an invasion. The western border is on the verge of falling, and some civilians have already begun fleeing.”
“But because of the war in the north, the national treasury still hasn’t recovered. I fear we may not have enough resources to sustain the western campaign.”
“A’Yu, do you have any good ideas?”
“The south is a land of fish and rice, rich in grain production,” Chu Chenyu replied calmly.
“Your Majesty can send people south in advance to procure food supplies. During harvest season, the common people usually keep enough grain for themselves and sell the surplus for money. You can order officials to purchase grain directly from them.”
“Minister Wu, I’ll leave this matter in your hands.”
“This official obeys Your Majesty’s decree,” the Minister of Revenue answered respectfully.
“Minister Shen, do we have any suitable candidates to lead this campaign?” Chu Chenyu turned to ask the Minister of War.
“Reporting to Your Majesty…” Minister Shen wiped the sweat from his brow nervously.
“The northern war claimed many soldiers. At present, Nanxian no longer has a suitable commander who can take the field.”
“Ah…”
Chu Chenyu sighed heavily.
“To think mighty Nanxian cannot even produce one capable commander?”
As he spoke, his eyes casually drifted toward Chu Chenyu.
Seeing this, Chu Chenyu rolled his eyes internally, the corner of his mouth twitching.
If you want me to lead the army, just say so. Was all this acting really necessary?
He truly felt helpless toward his royal brother’s theatrics.
After a moment of thought, Chu Chenyu lifted his robes, knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and looked directly at Chu Chenyu with unwavering determination.
“Reporting to Royal Brother, this younger brother is willing to lead troops to reinforce the western border.”
“This… How could that be?” Chu Chenyu immediately put on a hesitant expression.
“The battlefield is dangerous. If you get hurt, how am I supposed to explain it to Mother?”
“In that case…” Chu Chenyu’s lips curved into a sly smile.
“This younger brother will honestly stay at the residence instead. Royal Brother should find someone else.”
Still pretending? Let’s see how long you can keep it up.
“I approve!”
Chu Chenyu blurted out at once, afraid he might actually leave and force him to summon him again.
“I hereby appoint you Grand Marshal of the Army. You depart tomorrow at dawn.”
“This subject obeys the imperial decree.”
Chu Chenyu accepted the order but did not rise.
“This subject also wishes to marry Murong Taifu’s daughter, Murong Qingxue, as a secondary consort.”
“You’ve finally thought it through?” Chu Chenyu looked delighted.
“But your principal consort is already gone. Why make her a secondary consort? Wouldn’t it be better to make her the principal consort directly?”
“No. Secondary consort.”
This was the responsibility he owed her.
At the same time, it was also punishment.
For someone as proud as Murong Qingxue, becoming a secondary consort was humiliation.
“This younger brother is about to leave for war, and who knows when I’ll return. I’ll trouble Royal Brother with arranging the marriage.”
“I understand. Go back and prepare.”
Chu Chenyu waved him away.
Whether principal consort or secondary consort, as long as Chu Chenyu was willing to remarry, it was enough.
Ever since Lin Luoluo’s death, he had truly feared that Chu Chenyu would spend the rest of his life alone.
Before leaving the palace, Chu Chenyu made a trip to Cining Palace to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager.
He also asked her to help bring Murong Qingxue into the residence and informed her that they had already become husband and wife in every sense.
When the Empress Dowager learned the truth, she was so angry that she scolded the Emperor fiercely.
Still, she repeatedly reminded Chu Chenyu to protect himself, avoid injury, and return safely.
After returning to Prince Yu’s residence, Chu Chenyu did not go to see Murong Qingxue.
Instead, he instructed the steward on several matters before heading straight to the military camp.
The next day, he departed with an army of one hundred thousand soldiers.
The imperial decree soon arrived at both Prince Yu’s residence and the Taifu Manor.
By the time Murong Qingxue received the news, Chu Chenyu had already left.
Holding the imperial edict in her hands, she stared at the words secondary consort.
She smiled.
Then slowly, she began to cry.
This is his punishment.
Punishment for drugging him.
…
Inside Hanyun Palace in the imperial palace—
“Princess, we’ve found out,” Lingyun Princess’s personal maid reported.
“War has broken out on the western border. Prince Yu has personally led the army to battle.”
“I understand. You may leave.”
After dismissing everyone, Lingyun carried her guqin to the pavilion in the garden.
Sitting down, she lightly plucked the strings to test the sound before beginning to play.
At times, the melody was fierce and uninhibited, carrying the freedom of galloping across open plains.
At times, it turned clear and ethereal, like a mischievous little spirit darting through the forest.
At times, it became lingering and graceful, like a butterfly dancing among flowers.
Then suddenly, sorrowful and resentful—like a wounded deer trapped with nowhere to escape.
As Chu Chenyu passed through the imperial garden, the sound of the zither reached his ears.
He paused and asked a palace maid who was playing.
Upon learning it was Lingyun, he headed toward Hanyun Palace.
Ever since Lingyun Princess entered the palace, Chu Chenyu had never favored her.
Several months had already passed.
It was about time he paid her a visit.
When Chu Chenyu appeared, Lingyun had just picked up her guqin and was heading back to her chambers.
The two unexpectedly collided.
“Ah—!”
The guqin slipped from her hands and fell to the ground.
Just as Lingyun thought she was about to make intimate contact with the earth, a large hand caught her.
The pain she expected never came.
Lingyun opened her eyes and found herself staring into a strikingly handsome face.
She blinked.
“Your Majesty?”
As if suddenly realizing something, she quickly tried to pull herself out of his embrace.
Chu Chenyu looked at her vivid, enchanting face and unconsciously tightened his hold.
The movement of his throat betrayed exactly what he was thinking.
“Your Majesty, you…”
“Mhm.”
He responded with a low sound before lowering his head and kissing her.
Seeing this, Eunuch De quietly dismissed everyone and withdrew.
Lingyun’s kiss was clumsy and inexperienced.
Only after a long while did Chu Chenyu finally release her.
His voice was hoarse and tempting.
“You little enchantress.”
With that, he scooped her up and carried her toward the palace chambers.
Lingyun knew she had succeeded.
After two months, she had finally become the consort of the Emperor of Nanxian.
As for what came next…
She would proceed slowly.
Earlier, when Murong Qingxue had bribed people from Jin Tower to carry out an assassination, Lingyun had secretly arranged for others to disguise themselves as Murong Qingxue’s men and add one more order—
Kill Chu Chenyu as well.
That way, the Emperor of Nanxian would lose one of his strongest supporters.
Unfortunately, Chu Chenyu had not died alongside Lin Luoluo.
And that Lin family was truly cunning.
They had left the capital before she arrived.
Otherwise, she would have made their lives a living hell.
She would have wiped out the entire family of the people responsible for her uncle’s death.
Sadly, they had escaped.
That was right.
Her uncle was the Mobei general who had perished together with General Lin in battle.
…
Inside Kuning Palace—
An elderly maid entered the hall and respectfully reported to the Empress.
“Your Majesty, Eunuch De sent word that the Emperor will be staying at Hanyun Palace tonight.”
Afraid the Empress would be heartbroken, the maid gently comforted her.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor is the Son of Heaven. Please try to accept it.”
“You still have the Crown Prince and the Second Prince to think about. You must take care of your health and not grieve too deeply.”
“I know, Nanny.”
“I always knew this day would come sooner or later.”
“I just didn’t think it would come so quickly.”
“When I was young, it was love at first sight.”
“I married him, went through so much with him…”
“And yet, we still ended up here.”
“Now, I only hope there is still a place for me in his heart.”
“Your Majesty, if you feel sad, lean on this old servant and cry for a while.”
“Nanny…”
The Empress quietly clung to her arm as tears silently slipped down her face.
After some time, she finally composed herself.
“Nanny, thank you for tonight. You may leave now. I want to rest for a while.”
“Yes, this old servant takes her leave.”
The maid gave her a heartbroken glance before quietly withdrawing.
Lying in bed, the Empress thought back on the moments they had shared over the years.
Bitterness filled her heart.
That man no longer belonged only to her.
Perhaps…
He never truly had.