Chapter 122
The Noble Womans Guide On How to Tease Ones Husband Chapter 122
Translated by: Oinkoink
This novel is only hosted on Foxaholic, copies found elsewhere are either stolen or plagiarized.
On the seventh day after the massacre of the common people at Qinyang Pass, Qiuci kingdoms zhizi*, Wu Lun was taken to the execution ground to be executed. As the prisoner cart passed through the streets and alleys, the sound of cursing and weeping were incessant while he was smashed with a head-full of bruises and bled by those filled with indignation, and was almost half-dead even before he got onto the guillotine platform.
[T/N: (Zhz) a prince sent to be held in a neighboring state as a hostage in ancient China]
At the beginning of the tenth month, Shen-ce Army arrived at Qinyang Pass. The two significantly strategic border cities were taken back in one fell swoop with the amazingly rapid troops dispatchment.
In the middle of the eleventh month, Chu Zhenghe seized Mengcheng county first, wiping out 30,000 enemies and took 8,000 prisoners while the remaining troops defected the other two cities which redoubled the pressure. At the same time, Wei Tang led 3,000 light cavalry to lure the enemies into the deep canyon and buried alive nearly 10,000 people relying on the dominant position of the terrain. Greatly wounded, the enemy forces retreated to the city and didnt come out again, and fought a defensive warfare with the Shen-ce army.
Hence, the progress of the battle was stalemated. Reports would come every now and then, sometimes even arriving at Wangdu in the middle of the night. Not daring to delay, Zhuo Jin hurriedly sent it to Taiji Palace. When Chu Jinglan turned over to get out of bed, Ye Huaiyang would follow and wake up too. Since she couldnt sleep soundly worrying about Ye Huailis safety, she would simply drape her clothes to help him moisten the brush and grind the ink stone in front of the imperial table, and paying close attention to the situation in the frontline at the same time.
Thus, she would eventually feel a little sleepy during the day. Though the imperial harem was not busy, there was still a little monster who often pestered her. She would take advantage of his nap time to rest, so that she would have energy to play with him when he woke up.
Since Lu Heng would be coming to check on her lumbar spine today, she didnt sleep. Leaning idly on the beauty couch, she was holding a bowl of papaya harsmar soup that was still steaming with curling vapor while Yueya massaged her legs and feet by the side. Unwittingly, they chatted about something else.
Nubi was just passing by and didnt hear all of it. It was said that her days are not very good after she returns to Meng mansion. Being a widow is nothing but mainly because she was expecting the surviving child of that man, the common people outside call her a national traitor after knowing it. She already bitterly hated this child, hence without demur she aborted it.
Since being a mother, Ye Huaiyang inevitably frowned when she heard this kind of thing and said, She has always been selfish and indulgently self-serving. So its also not surprising for her to do so, but pity the child, after all, it was also half of her flesh and blood and she actually didnt hesitate in the least bit.
Whats not, even God couldnt stand idly and watch. You didnt know, she suffered massive hemorrhaging after consuming the drugs and almost lost her life. The physician who treated her said she might not be able to conceive again in the future.
Ye Huaiyang was slightly startled, but she didnt say anything more.
If it was in the past, she might be rather apathetic about such things. But since she has Chu Xiang, she could profoundly feel how wonderful it is to have a child who inherits her own and her lovers flesh and blood. Despite his daily mischief, she just loves him to the marrow of her bones. Hence, in her opinion, Meng Chen, who is doomed to have no children in this lifetime, is really woeful.
Well, its heavenly samsara, so who can explain it clearly?
After finishing the bowl of soup, Ye Huaiyang took out the handkerchief to wipe her mouth and recalled that Chu Xiang had had a little diarrhea these past few days, so she must ask the imperial kitchen to make something light and fresh for him tonight. Lu Heng arrived while she was pondering.
This Minister pays respect to Niang-niang.
Ye Huaiyang waved her hand then turned her body to the side and lay down as usual. Two palace maids pulled up a piece of plain-colored silk satin from her back then stripped her clothes straight to her abdomen. Half kneeling by the side, Lu Heng touched her waist through the silk satin that was the size of a large screen and accurately found the location of the lumbar spine a few seconds later.
It is still not fully recovered yet, mainly because it was hurt badly during the birth of Chu Xiang.
As Lu Heng pressed the affected area, he would ask Ye Huaiyang the extent of the pain which she answered one after another and it didnt take long for Lu Heng to have the definite idea. He then retreated to the outer room to wait for her to put her clothes back before continuing to talk.
How is it? Is it better after changing the corrective contraption this time?
Lu Heng told the truth, The effect is more obvious than before, but it still needs to be worn for a while longer.
That doesnt matter. Ye Huaiyang smiled breezily, seemingly not taking that several pounds thing seriously at all, As long as theres an effect, it will be easier for you and I to report back to His Majesty.
She is not worried about whether her injury can be healed, rather worried about the anxiety that afflicted Chu Jinglan for worrying about this every day.
Lu Heng responded helplessly, This Minister not only has to report to His Majesty, but also has to be responsible to you and cant wreck my own reputation. If word gets out that this Minister cant even heal a waist malady, this Minister doesnt need to head the Imperial Hospital and better resign before it is too late.
There are many different types of waist malady too. I sustained this injury when I was young and now that the bones are set, how can it be easily rectified? It can be said to be a hard-to-treat case, so you dont have to put too much pressure on yourself.
Only with pressure will there be progress. This Minister will definitely be able to heal your injury since this Minister has promised His Majesty. Lu Heng paused before repeating his previous advice, You just dont overexert yourself. Dont sit or stand for too long and also dont carry His little Highness too often.
Ye Huaiyang suddenly shot him a glance and pulled up a teasing smile when he mentioned these, I am not going to fish all night for a jade pendant in King Lan mansion, so how can I be tired?
Physician Lu, who previously was still educating the patient in dead earnest, was instantly confused.
How could she even know this!
Ye Huaiyang winked at him, Anyway, did you retrieve the love token. Sister Yun didnt ask people to chase you away this time, did she?
Not even previously! The moment this was mentioned, Lu Heng had cast all the rules and etiquette to the back of his mind and almost jumped up.
Oh, then I must have remembered wrongly. The smile on Ye Huaiyangs lips was even profound, apparently teasing him intentionally, I wonder when I will be able to drink Physician Lus wedding wine?
This was a phrase that stabbed his Achilles heel.
Lu Heng felt void suddenly. He lowered his face and said in a low voice, There is still something to do in the Imperial Hospital, this Minister will retreat first.
Ye Huaiyang knew he might not be able to hold it any longer if she kept teasing him, so she waved her hand very kindly to let him go, but she couldnt help convulsing with laughter when she thought of his before-and-after emotional contrasts.
Thinking of him at that time and then looking at him presently, this stumble of his was really hard and not knowing when he is able to get up again.
But after all, it was someone elses business and soon, Ye Huaiyang put it behind her mind. Seeing that it was almost time for Chu Xiang to wake up, she got up and went to the side hall.
Once the setting sun glowed with the remaining warmth, Chu Jinglan heard the peal of familiar laughter as soon as he pushed open the door that was mottled with sunlight and shade.
Little rascal, with a mouthful of food you still want to kiss. Mothers face has been dirtied by you!
Ye Huaiyang was feeding Chu Xiang when he leaned forward cheekily and the mashed fish around his mouth was rubbed on her face just as Chu Jinglan walked in. One big and one small looked at the threshold at the same time with surprisingly similar expressions and the mashed fish still likewise suspended which immediately made him not know whether to laugh or cry.
Are you guys eating or fighting?
As soon as the words faltered, Chu Xiang waved his chubby arms with extreme excitement and kept making the hu~hu sound. The un-swallowed food spurted everywhere. The table and the ground were completely reduced to a battlefield which was a total mess.
Ye Huaiyang laughed in spite of herself before pulling his face back to wipe it clean and then corrected him, Its Emperor Father, not hu~hu.
Hu~hu. Another lump of the sticky mashed fish flew to her face.
The imposing figure sat down next to him and a serious reprimand immediately followed closely, Sit still and dont talk while eating.
Although a certain meatball might not understand what Chu Jinglan was saying, his ability to observe others every mood was first rate. He immediately stopped the reckless enunciation and spewing of rice, and was so well-behaved compared to before. Except for the bulging cheeks that were arduously eating, the pair of big eyes were rolling to look around at the same time and looked ingeniously adorable that Ye Huaiyang couldnt help but smile looking at him.
As it happened Yueya came in to clean up the battlefield, so Chu Jinglan threw Chu Xiang to her then walked into the room with his arms around Ye Huaiyang.
What did Lu Heng say after he came to see you today?
He said the recovery was good and that it would be fine wearing it for a while more.
Chu Jinglan hummed lightly while his gaze swept from the distant Chu Xiang and unobtrusively constricted, Doesnt he have a moment of break. You dont circled around him all day, otherwise how can you recuperate well?
I know. I will listen to you. Ye Huaiyang responded softly, then suddenly mentioned a matter, The person in charge of ceremony was here today and ask me what to do with Xiangers first birthday ceremony.
Chu Jinglan raised his eyebrows slightly, There are still three more months, what are they so anxious about?
Ye Huaiyangs lips curled up a cold smile, Arent they here to test the probe.
The previous full-moon feast and the hundred-day banquet were not held. First was due to Ye Huaiyangs poor health and second was because they both didnt like to be extravagant and to entertain. But in the eyes of some people, this became the evidence where the Emperor and the Empress were at odds while the prince was not being favored. Hence, they acted on hearsay evidence and merely hoped to substantiate this matter, then their familys girls would have hopes to enter the palace for the concubine selection.
It was not wonder that these people stuck a pin whenever there was room* as a large number of talents emerged in this years imperial examination and many of whom were from the poor faction. Chu Jinglan has long wanted to make a large-scale replacement for the royal court. As it happened, he could use this as a pretext to totally draw out all the vermin in the Six Ministries and the three divisions. It can now be described as an entirely new ambience, but on the other hand, the power of the prominent families is nothing like before. Hence, they cant wait to consolidate their position through marriage.
[T/N: (Jin fng ch zhn) metaphor for seizing every opportunities.]
At the moment, the Empress dominates the imperial harem with the backing from the Ye family and the little prince. They dare not risk sending someone to the Emperors pillow and can only use this kind of method to beat around the bush. If even the first birthday feast is done in a slipshod way, it can be seen that the Emperor really doesnt like the little prince, then it will be safe to send people in.
Chu Jinglan immediately understood the meaning after her cue and couldnt help but snorted stiffly, They are really gutsy to even reach out to the imperial harem!
Ye Huaiyang feigned anger coquettishly, Its still your fault. You are always so stern to Xianger and terribly fierce too. Dont mention how the outsiders groundlessly think so, even Yueya said that if Xianger doesnt looks extremely like you, perhaps no one will discern that you are both father and son should he be brought outside!
He tires you out every day. Its already not bad that I dont smack him.
Ye Huaiyang smiled mischievously upon hearing these, Is Your Majesty feeling distress for me or being jealous?
Chu Jinglan looked askance at her leisurely before suddenly rolled over to press her to the bed and said, The Empress can experience it yourself.
After finishing the words, the thin lips covered her mouth like lightning, carrying a dominant and powerful aura straight into the depths. Before Ye Huaiyang could react, the softish bosom had already firmly gathered by the scalding long fingers and the tip was accurately pinched through the clothing. Unexpectedly gasping with shock, she wanted to bend her knees to push him away but who knew he would predictably weighed them down while the tip of his tongue and his fingers moved down slowly, continuing to ignite her.
Ye Huaiyang vocalized with difficulty, Jinglan, dont
Dont stop?
Chu Jinglan deliberately misinterpreted her words. She was feeling shy yet she couldnt get rid of the shackles on her body and had to bury her face in the quilt while biting her lips to endure waves of pleasures brought by the surprise attack. Chu Jinglan laughed upon seeing this before leaning over to kiss the stamen and even gently grinded it with his teeth. Trembling suddenly, a delicate moan immediately escaped.
The touch stimulated the ignition.
The two bodies intertwined tightly while her lower body gently rubbed against his waist, and his hand tore at her girdle. There were unending panting and moaning like the sound of two string instruments that played in perfect harmony. Just when they were about to get rid of all their clothes, a childish laughing voice suddenly came from under the bed.
Hee hee.
All movements stopped in an instant when the two people turned their heads stiffly and shockingly found a little person on the ground, who had crawled in along the thick carpet at some unknown time without making a wee bit of sound and at this moment, was smiling at them with dripping drool.
Pushing himself away then stood up, Chu Jinglan, who was stripped to the waist, picked Chu Xiang up.
He has to throw this stinky brat out today!