Chapter 7

Renshou Palace.

Two days ago, the Emperor suddenly went missing, and the Regent also disappeared while searching for the Emperor. The Empress Dowager publicly announced that the Emperor was unwell and that the Regent Prince had accompanied him to Fengmian Mountain to seek medical advice.

The capital was abuzz with rumors, and the Imperial Guards were mobilized. The gates of the Regent’s residence were tightly shut, leaving no doubt that they were searching for someone.

The Crown Prince of Yuexu, Zhang Huiji, was granted an audience in the palace, personally presided over by the Empress Dowager. The court banquet was held directly at the Renshou Palace, subtly signaling that this would be the new center of power.

Zhang Huiji presented a tribute and expressed his friendly intentions for diplomatic relations with the Da Chu.

After the lengthy ceremony, Zhang Huiji solemnly knelt down and placed his right hand over his heart, swearing, “I am willing to seek marriage with a noblewoman of the Da Chu as the Crown Princess, to be of one heart and one mind with her, and to build a lasting friendship between the Da Chu and Yuexu for a hundred years.”

His words shocked the audience. The ministers looked at each other in surprise. The diplomatic documents previously submitted by the Crown Prince of Yuexu did not include a marriage proposal.

It was well known that Zhang Huiji had over fifty consorts, and his reputation in Yuexu was extremely poor. Since the Da Chu did not have a princess, he was clearly proposing to select a noblewoman from the ministers’ families.

The only person present who remained unfazed was the Grand Empress Dowager Wei. She raised her voice and said, “If the Crown Prince Zhang has such sincerity, how can I refuse? Gentlemen, which noblewoman do you think can bear this honor? Hmm?”

The relationship between Yuexu and the Da Chu was far from amicable, and the two father-son pairs who held political power were known for their extravagance and licentiousness. Their words were unreliable, and it was uncertain when they might go to war.

No one was willing to send their daughter into such a dangerous situation, risking her reputation and future in the political arena.

At this moment, they couldn’t help but think of the Regent’s good reputation.

Only a small country would seek a marriage alliance with a larger one for protection. The Da Chu was powerful, and Zhang Huiji was nothing. His insincere words about being of one heart and mind were nothing but a facade. If the Regent were here, he would probably have sent Zhang Huiji back to Yue without hesitation!

But now, the one presiding over the matter was the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager Wei cast a contemptuous glance at the ministers below, and they carefully avoided eye contact. She smiled and said, “I believe that Xie Chaoyue, the daughter of General Xie Chaoyun, is a perfect match for the Crown Prince Zhang in terms of age and character.”

“What?”

“This… This is not appropriate.”

Xie Chaoyue was the younger sister of General Xie Chaoyun, the Commander of the Western Garrison. Their parents had passed away, and they relied on each other. General Xie cherished his only sister dearly.

On a deeper level, General Xie was the right-hand man of the Regent and had a life-and-death bond with him. He had been ordered to guard the western regions and had recently won a battle, defeating the enemy a hundred miles from the Da Chu’s border. They wouldn’t dare to invade again for the next twenty years. He was expected to return to the capital in five days.

If this marriage were to be arranged, Zhang Huiji would take Xie Chaoyue back to Yue, and her reputation would be at stake. Even if she wanted to break off the engagement, it would be impossible. At that point, Xie Chaoyue would be a hostage in Yuexu’s hands. If the two countries clashed, General Xie’s Western Garrison would pose a threat to Yuexu.

The Empress Dowager was willing to invite trouble, if it meant cutting off the Regent’s power!

The only ones who could refute the Empress Dowager’s marriage decree were the Regent, who was absent, and Xie Chaoyue’s uncle, Xie Libai.

The ministers of the Regent’s faction turned to look at the junior official at the end of the line, hoping he would step forward to refuse.

Xie Libai kept his head down, counting the tiles on the floor of the Xuanzheng Hall. It was clear that he was in agreement with the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was pleased. “Since the Xie family has no objections, then it’s settled. I will issue the marriage decree now—”

“Your Majesty, General Xie mentioned to me in passing that he had other arrangements for Miss Xie, possibly a private engagement with a young nobleman. General Xie will arrive in the capital in five days. Marriage is a significant matter, and it should be decided after consulting with the parents and the matchmaker. Moreover, as the eldest brother is like a father, it would be best to wait until five days later to make a decision.” The Assistant Minister of War stepped forward and spoke.

“Minister Li and others may wait, but the Crown Prince Zhang cannot. This morning, a letter arrived from Yuexu stating that the ruler is seriously ill and requires the Crown Prince to return immediately,” the Empress Dowager had prepared her response in advance. “The Xie family has been loyal for generations. If Xie Chaoyue represents our Da Chu in a marriage alliance with Yuexu, striving for a hundred years of peace for the people of both countries, General Xie would have readily agreed if he were here. Xie, what do you say?”

Xie Libai broke out in a cold sweat and approached hesitantly. “Your Majesty speaks the truth. My niece has never been engaged. It would be an honor for her to marry as you have decreed.”

With the highest-ranking member of the Xie family in agreement, the other ministers had little room to object. With the situation now shrouded in uncertainty, most chose to wait and see. After all, marriages arranged for women had been a tradition since ancient times.

A moment later, the marriage decree was issued, and the matter was settled.

The Empress Dowager’s eyes sparkled. “At tomorrow’s morning court, I will bid farewell to the Crown Prince on behalf of His Majesty. There will be other important matters to discuss, and none of you should be absent.”

“We respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty.” The officials knelt down in unison, thinking to themselves that the Empress Dowager would likely bring up the disappearance of the Regent and His Majesty at the morning court the next day. They dispersed to make the necessary preparations.

As the sun rose higher, Xiao Heng slept through the morning court for the first time.

The overnight downpour had wilted the begonias, and Chu Zhaoyou lay on the bed. Fortunately, due to his vigilance, his face remained fair and unblemished.

Beside him, Xiao Heng was like a vigilant wolf king guarding his territory. After a while, he lowered his head and stealthily kissed the corner of Chu Zhaoyou’s mouth.

Last night, Chu Zhaoyou had refused to be kissed on the lips, he felt that his valiant sacrifice should not be tainted by a kiss.

Xiao Heng had practiced all night but still couldn’t control his strength. At first, he couldn’t do it, and then he couldn’t stop. He almost knocked Chu Zhaoyou silly.

Chu Zhaoyou was worried about the effectiveness of the old man’s medicine and couldn’t sleep soundly, so the loud kiss woke him up.

He thought about wiping his mouth, but as soon as he moved his fingers, his muscles ached, so he gladly abandoned the idea.

He was wearing a mishmash of clothes and didn’t know when Xiao Heng had dressed him.

Chu Zhaoyou shifted, and Xiao Heng, like a large dog, squeezed over to support him by the waist.

“I’m thirsty…” His voice was hoarse and barely recognizable. Chu Zhaoyou’s flushed double eyelids creased as he slumped back onto the bed.

Chu Zhaoyou, who relied on his voice for a living, had never experienced anything like this before. In his previous life, his dining and entertainment had been restricted in many ways. Now, a small breach had been opened, and he couldn’t help but try more acts of rebellion. Pouting, he hummed, “I want a drink.”

Xiao Heng was at a loss upon hearing this. He felt that he should fulfill all of Chu Zhaoyou’s requests, but without Chu Zhaoyou’s guidance, he had no idea what to do.

With his eyes closed, Chu Zhaoyou said, “A drink is just flavored water, sour or sweet. I want a drink.”

Ignoring whether Xiao Heng could get a drink, he was now determined to drink something to retaliate.

The sound of fabric rubbing against fabric reached Chu Zhaoyou’s ears, and he opened his eyes to see Xiao Heng struggling with his belt buckle.

“Idiot,” Chu Zhaoyou sighed and beckoned him over. “Come here.”

There was no formal bed in the room, so Chu Zhaoyou lay on the dusty low platform bed. The light streamed in through the open window, casting a gentle glow around him. Xiao Heng knelt on one knee, and Chu Zhaoyou helped him fasten his buttons.

“Have you learned? No one else but you can undo your belt.”

“You can.”

Chu Zhaoyou blushed, his lips looking even redder and his teeth whiter. In this drafty adobe room, he looked stunning.

“Go find some water, and make sure to bring plenty.”

“Okay.”

After watching Xiao Heng leave, Chu Zhaoyou lay on the bed for half an hour, feeling like a dried fish.

He thought about many things, most of them about Xiao Heng, but the most prominent was the incident from the previous night.