0p0 Chapter 123 You Bring Color to My Life
Chapter 123 You Bring Color to My Life
In the outer hall of Qingliang Palace, the Divine Martial Emperor watched Lan Shuren leave with his phoenix eyes without any emotion. He had a vague feeling in his heart, and he gently uttered the man's name: Lan Shuren——"
Emperor Shenwu handled government affairs for most of the day.
In the evening, a young eunuch came to the inner hall and reported: "Your Majesty, the queen has woken up."
Emperor Shenwu stood up and walked towards the inner hall of Qingliang Palace.
Lan Qingwu felt much more relaxed. After a good sleep for most of the day, she finally regained some energy. She sat on the bed, while Ruping knelt beside her and fed her half a bowl of porridge. Then Ruhan picked up a peach wood comb and gently combed Lan Qingwu's long hair.
When the Emperor entered the inner hall, Ruhan quickly bowed and took his leave. The Emperor supported Lan Qingwu as he tried to get up and said, "Since you're not feeling well, there's no need to be so polite."
Emperor Shenwu held Lan Qingwu in his arms, and the two of them leaned on the bed together.
Emperor Shenwu gently stroked Lan Qingwu's cloud-like black hair and said, "Ruoruo, why are you so stubborn? You stayed here without saying a word. Do you know how dangerous it is here with the remnants of the Deer King fleeing back and forth?"
Lan Qingwu whispered back, "Brother Heng, are you still angry?"
Lan Qingwu raised his eyes to look into the eyes of the Emperor Shenwu: "Wei Ruo was feeling a little unwell temporarily, so I stayed in the palace. After arriving, I found that many people had not left in time. Moreover, Princess Zhenxia was seriously ill, and Princess Yuhua was also here. So, we had no choice but to stay in the palace to look after them."
"They are all fine now. Only you are so sick because you are busy taking care of others."
Lan Qingwu chuckled: "Wei Ruo was worried about His Majesty. Now that His Majesty is back, I feel better."
Emperor Shenwu was a little helpless. "You! Zhenxia, Prince An has always neglected his three children. What about Yuhua? I heard that she wanted to stay?"
Lan Qingwu said awkwardly, "I heard from the princess that it was the prince consort who begged the princess to let a sick woman return to the imperial city first. Princess Yuhua is kind-hearted..."
Emperor Shenwu scoffed: "Kind-hearted? Or rather, lacking in common sense?"
Yuhua's recent actions have become more and more foolish. If Empress Dowager Li knew about this, she would be furious.
How could Lan Qingwu respond to this? She could only remain silent.
Lan Qingwu could only hear the Shenwu Emperor sigh: "These relatives of mine..."
Lan Qingwu's heart skipped a beat: "Your Majesty, the matter of the Deer King..."
Emperor Shenwu's expression was slightly gloomy. "Do you know, weakling, I have never been valued or loved by my mother since I was a child. The palace servants in Fengju Palace also act according to the mood of the superiors. Father... Father has determined that I am the only heir, and has given me far more guidance and experience than care. Prince An has always been decadent, Prince Kang is a dandy, and Prince Ding... is more grateful to me. The other brothers regard me as a thorn in their eyes and want to get rid of me as soon as possible. Since I was a child, I have not felt any emotions that normal people feel. There is only indifference, disregard, hatred, conspiracy, sadness and resentment. Now, I have been met with endless perfunctory hypocrisy, flattery, and intrigue!"
"Wei Ruo Ruo, I originally thought that my life would be spent like this, my whole life was colorless, but then I met you that year!"
When I met the lively and vivid you, you told me not to have such a cold face anymore, saying that seeing it would make me feel bad. You asked me to show you a sword dance, otherwise you would throw a tantrum and stop dancing for me. You asked me to play the flute for you, otherwise you would stop singing for me. You would drag me through the streets and alleys, and let me eat all kinds of rare and delicious food. You would let me be your thug and rescue some orphans and weak children. You would pity flowers and plants and tell me what they represent. You would let me teach you calligraphy, and you would tell me some strange and bizarre stories...
"Wei Ruo Ruo, you made me feel everything a normal person can feel. I can clearly feel your heartfelt respect and love for me... equality!"
Yes, equality! Emperor Shenwu sometimes found it incredible. He was the supreme ruler, a descendant of the Human Emperor. He had the most orthodox and traditional ideas of the Zhou Dynasty. The descendants of the Zhou Dynasty were extremely noble. Who in the world could be equal to the descendants of the Zhou royal family?
But - Emperor Shenwu cherishes this equal and sincere love, it is so rare and precious!
"You didn't treat me as some other person of status, you truly treated me as myself! Only you treated me as your husband. You brought color to my life. From now on, my life is no longer black and white! You are the only one who cares about me - am I sick? Am I hungry? Am I injured after returning from suppressing the rebellion this time?"
"Weak--" I will never let you leave me!
Lan Qingwu understood, heard the unspoken words, and her heart was filled with emotion. Respect, love, equality—that was how couples in the future world would get along, and it was also how Lan Qingwu and Yun Heng had interacted at the border. If… if she was destined not to be able to accompany the Shenwu Emperor until old age, then all she could do now was leave him with some memories.
Lan Qingwu leaned into the arms of Emperor Shenwu and gently kissed the man's thin lips.
Emperor Shenwu kissed back those tender lips without hesitation, and the two of them embraced each other like mandarin ducks, tenderly and affectionately.
Ever since Master Zhiyan's advice, Emperor Shenwu's heart has never settled down. Even though Master Buyu once said that Lan Qingwu's disaster was over, his heart was still floating in the air.
Lan Qingwu recuperated in Miaoling Palace for a few more days, and Emperor Shenwu stopped and headed back to the imperial city.
A few days later, Lan Qingwu finally recovered. She accompanied the Shenwu Emperor as he toured the various sights of the Miaoling Palace. She sang songs he had never heard before and danced dances he had never seen before. In the summer night, she danced behind a hazy gauze curtain, her ethereal form and delicate silhouette reflected in the curtains, like a dream, like clouds and mist...
On this day, Leng Qujing returned to Miaoling Palace from Ningzhou City to report to Emperor Shenwu.
Upon learning that everything was going smoothly in Ningzhou City, Emperor Shenwu finally put his worries to rest.
Emperor Shenwu reached out and pulled out a memorial. "General Qian, this is a memorial from the governor of Liuyun City in the south. Liuyun City lives by the sea, and its navy is struggling. Shipbuilding technology has not improved much, and the vast seas have always been a breeding ground for pirates and bandits. Liuyun City Governor Hai Lansheng has inquired about the Ministry of Works' shipbuilding technology and has invited me to review the naval exercises this summer. What are your thoughts?"
Qian Hui pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, you can order people from the Ministry of Works to accompany you, and bring some elite soldiers and generals with you. It would be great to have a look!"
The Shenwu Emperor threw the memorial on the imperial desk and said, "I think you want to bring your soldiers to compete with Hai Lansheng's marines!"
Qian Hui couldn't help but laugh and said, "Your Majesty, you've seen through all my thoughts!"
Leng Qujing also became excited: "Your Majesty, I am willing to follow you and protect your safety."
Emperor Shenwu thought for a moment and gave the order: "Order the Ministry of Works to prepare for the relevant matters. General Wei Yanting will stay behind to protect the imperial city. Prince Ding will govern on my behalf. Qian Hui, Leng Qujing, the Minister of Works, the Vice Minister of Works, and others will accompany him."
Qian Hui, Leng Qujing and others knelt down and accepted the order.
Qian recalled Concubine Yi, the woman who was waiting in Miaoling Palace for the emperor to return after suppressing the rebellion. She would definitely be by the emperor's side!