Six months after the new emperor ascended the throne, he issued a decree naming his empress: the newly titled Marquis of Yong’an.
The capital erupted. Some were astonished, some openly scandalized, while others felt only that the news confirmed what they had suspected all along.
Men marrying men was ordinary in this dynasty. But no emperor had ever named a man as empress. It was not forbidden; the problem was that a male empress could not bear an imperial heir. Appointing one meant there would be no child born to the emperor’s principal spouse. Throughout history, the highest rank a man in the imperial household had held was Imperial Noble Consort.
A male empress was unprecedented.
Still, the Marquis of Yong’an was of high standing, and the retired emperor had given his approval. A few voices objected, but they were quickly quieted.
Lu Yinghuai did not finally allow Shen Ci’an to return to the Yong’an estate until three days before the wedding. By then, the former marquis had returned to the capital as well.
Lu Yinghuai took Shen Ci’an there himself. Shen Ci’an, however, would not let him stay. As soon as they reached the gates, he sent the emperor back to the palace.
Xiao Qi followed his master with a blank expression. He was thoroughly used to seeing Shen Ci’an wave Lu Yinghuai away with a hint of impatience.
When Shen Yang came out to welcome them, he caught only a glimpse of the departing emperor. He showed no particular reaction. Xu Rou came forward and took Shen Ci’an’s hand. She had missed him dearly during their time apart.
“I thought that since you didn’t want an official post, you could come to Yangzhou with us. It seems that won’t happen now.”
Shen Yang sat down, his expression complicated. He had been in Yangzhou when word reached him that the new emperor meant to make Shen Ci’an his empress. He could hardly describe his shock.
He had thought Shen Ci’an’s lack of interest in office was a good thing. Their family had spent more than ten years apart. Now that Shen Yang had retired to Yangzhou, Shen Ci’an was the one person he worried about most. He had been overjoyed when his son said he would join them there in six months.
Shen Yang had never needed his son to make a name for himself or wield power over the court. None of that mattered to him. He wanted Shen Ci’an to be free to choose his own life.
Instead of entering government service, Shen Ci’an had entered the palace.
And with Lu Yinghuai, of all people…
Shen Yang had always believed their relationship was simply that of ruler and subject. How had it changed so completely in the short time since he left for Yangzhou?
Palace life would restrict Shen Ci’an even more than an official post. An official could at least come and go freely. An empress could not visit home whenever he wished.
Xu Rou had likely thought of that too, but she was more willing to adapt. “If Ci’an can’t come to Yangzhou, we can move back to the capital. I lived here for decades. I’m used to it.”
There was something else she worried about, though. She hesitated. “Ci’an, you and His Majesty…”
She did not finish, but Shen Ci’an understood. “We love each other.”
He knew that, as far as Shen Yang and Xu Rou were concerned, his heart still belonged to Lu Jiayan.
His parents exchanged a look and both breathed easier.
Shen Ci’an had once gone to such lengths for Lu Jiayan. His devotion had seemed so deep that they could hardly grasp how, only half a year later, he was about to marry Lu Yinghuai.
Shen Yang knew his son was exceptional. It would be no surprise if anyone fell for him, even the emperor. That was precisely why Shen Yang had feared Lu Yinghuai might be forcing Shen Ci’an into marriage. His son’s answer reassured him somewhat, though he was still puzzled.
“You said you were coming to Yangzhou. It hasn’t even been six months, and now… When did you and His Majesty become close?”
Shen Ci’an set down his teacup and looked at both his parents. His voice was gentle and composed.
“After you left for Yangzhou, I asked His Majesty for permission to leave as well. He told me how he felt. As we spent more time together afterward, I came to feel the same.”
It was the explanation Shen Ci’an had prepared long ago, and Shen Yang and Xu Rou believed him.
Shen Yang heard the quiet tenderness in his son’s voice when he spoke of Lu Yinghuai. He knew then that Shen Ci’an had chosen this for himself. As he said, the two of them loved each other.
That put Shen Yang and Xu Rou at ease. If this was what their son wanted, what more could they say?
The three of them had not been together in a long time. Shen Yang and Xu Rou kept Shen Ci’an talking until dusk before they finally had dinner brought in. When Shen Ci’an returned to his room, he made no hurry to wash and retire. There was something important to do tonight.
Balala came online with a burst of celebratory fireworks. “Congratulations on marrying the Lord God for the second time, Lord Shiqing~”
“…”
You can congratulate me, but the fireworks are unnecessary…
“Get to the point.”
Shen Ci’an rubbed his brow. Of all the systems Lu Yan could have chosen, why had he picked this excitable, careless one?
Oblivious to the criticism, Balala reported happily, “You were right, Lord Shiqing! Lu Sihe and Lu Jiayan are working together. Lu Sihe has a unit of covert guards, and he was the one who sent Lu Jiayan the information about the love gu. Good thing you told me to investigate. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known that someone carrying the gu develops a red mark on their wrist. Hee hee.”
When Shen Ci’an had taken Lu Sihe’s pulse, he had deliberately let him see that tiny red mark.
He pulled back his sleeve. His slender, pale wrist was perfectly smooth. There was no red mark to be seen.
“Lu Sihe’s men are outside the Yong’an estate now. Would you like me to activate the drug-blocking function?”
Shen Ci’an propped his chin on his hand. The night before, Lu Yinghuai had been displeased when Shen Ci’an insisted they could not see each other during the three days before their wedding—and that he would return to the Yong’an estate. Lu Yinghuai had worn him out, and he was terribly sleepy now. His voice was languid.
“No need.”
He might as well take the chance to rest.
Shen Ci’an waited with his chin in his hand. Before long, a faint fragrance reached him. He could not hear so much as a footstep outside. Lu Sihe’s covert guards were clearly not to be underestimated.
At the same time, a letter appeared on Lu Yinghuai’s desk, accompanied by a scrap torn from Shen Ci’an’s sleeve.
When Shen Ci’an slowly came to, he found himself in a lavishly furnished residence that felt cold and utterly devoid of life.
The Prince of Yue’s residence?
“Lord Shiqing, this is the home of Lu Sihe’s mother’s family.”
Oh.
I see…
Shen Ci’an had not been tied up or gagged. Nothing physically restrained him, but he had no strength in his limbs.
Now Balala’s drug-blocking function finally had a reason to be used.
Lu Jiayan had been watching him closely. As soon as Shen Ci’an woke, he hurried forward to help him sit up. Shen Ci’an turned away, leaving Lu Jiayan reaching for empty air. His expression darkened.
“What is the meaning of this, Your Highnesses? What have I done that the two of you felt the need to abduct me from the Yong’an estate?”
Lu Jiayan’s face changed. Shen Ci’an’s voice and expression were frighteningly cold. This was wrong. Shen Ci’an was supposed to look at him with warmth and affection.
It was all Lu Yinghuai’s fault. That shameless man had somehow obtained something as sinister as the love gu, then kept Shen Ci’an hidden away in the palace.
If Shen Ci’an had not returned to the Yong’an estate before the wedding, Lu Jiayan might never have had a chance to tell him the truth before he became empress.
“Ci’an, you can’t marry Lu Yinghuai. You—”
A tremendous crash sounded at the door before Lu Jiayan could finish. Lu Yinghuai kicked it open and strode in, his gaze murderous.
The sight of Shen Ci’an safe and unharmed eased the suffocating pressure around Lu Yinghuai’s heart. But then Lu Jiayan and Shen Ci’an both turned to look at him, and fury surged through him again.
Lu Sihe’s expression turned dark when he saw Lu Yinghuai. It stripped every trace of beauty from his face. Though the features were unchanged, Shen Ci’an could no longer find anything appealing in them.
“How dare you!”
Lu Yinghuai stood where he was. If Shen Ci’an had not been there—if Lu Yinghuai had not feared putting him in danger—he would have torn both men apart to satisfy his rage.
The sight of Lu Yinghuai’s fury—and his reluctance to make a move—sent Lu Sihe into a fit of laughter. He clapped his hands like a madman. “Well, well, Lu Yinghuai. You really do love Shen Ci’an to death. Who would have thought someone as coldhearted as you would one day be willing to die for the person he loves?”
Die?!
Shen Ci’an’s beautiful eyes widened. He hurried to get off the bed, but his legs were too weak to hold him. Lu Jiayan caught him just in time to keep him from falling.
Struggling to stand, Shen Ci’an pushed Lu Jiayan away. He turned to Lu Sihe, who was laughing so hard he was nearly in tears. “What are you planning to do, Lu Sihe?” he asked coldly.
It took Lu Sihe a while to stop laughing. He regarded Shen Ci’an with open mockery. “Surely the Marquis of Yong’an is clever enough to work that out. I’m going to kill Lu Yinghuai, of course.”
“Oh, and I should thank you. I thought I’d never have a chance to avenge my mother. All I had was the unit of covert guards she left me before she died. Then you came along. Hahaha! It must be fate. If Lu Yinghuai hadn’t fallen so madly in love with you, I never would have had this chance.”
Lu Yinghuai was barely listening. The affection in Lu Jiayan’s eyes as he watched Shen Ci’an was enough to make rage surge through him.
When Lu Jiayan saw Shen Ci’an sway, he reached out to steady him again. Before he could, Lu Yinghuai pulled Shen Ci’an into his arms.
Lu Sihe’s smile faded a little when Shen Ci’an leaned fully against Lu Yinghuai. “Then again,” he went on, “with Shen Ci’an’s face and his nature, it’s hardly surprising you’re obsessed with him. Jiayan adores him too. Who wouldn’t fall for a beauty like this?”
Shen Ci’an took Lu Yinghuai’s hand, feeling the veins stand out beneath his fingers, and gave a small shake of his head. He was telling him not to act rashly.
“Lu Sihe, you said you wanted to avenge your mother, but you’ve got it wrong. She tried to assassinate the empress and murder her child. She deserved her fate. Calling this revenge will only make you a laughingstock. How does the saying go? Like mother, like son?”
Shen Ci’an had so little strength that he had to lean against Lu Yinghuai, yet his expression was proud and disdainful. His words cut straight into Lu Sihe.
The wild laughter vanished from Lu Sihe’s face. He was clearly furious, though he kept himself from acting on it.
“Shen Ci’an, you and Lu Yinghuai are at my mercy now. What good will a sharp tongue do you? I’ve given you Seven Losses Powder, and I have the antidote. Only one of you can leave here alive today. If you want to live, he has to die.”
Oh? There was something besides the sedative? Well, whatever it was, it wouldn’t work on him~
Lu Sihe knew his covert guards stood no chance against Lu Yinghuai. The emperor’s shadow guards were always close by. He needed Lu Yinghuai to go willingly to his death.
He drew a dagger from inside his robe and slowly approached.
“The choice is yours, Lu Yinghuai. Will you die, or will Shen Ci’an?”
Lu Jiayan looked at Lu Yinghuai, his brow tight with worry, his heart in his throat.
Lu Yinghuai looked back at him, his expression thick with scorn. “Your love comes cheap, Lu Jiayan. If I choose to save myself, will you stand there and watch him die?”
There was no doubt who him meant.
Without the love gu, Lu Jiayan never would have joined forces with Lu Sihe. But things were different now. As long as Shen Ci’an carried the love gu, Lu Yinghuai was bound to sacrifice himself for him.
Once Lu Yinghuai died, the love gu inside Shen Ci’an would be broken.
Lu Jiayan and Lu Sihe had struck a bargain: Lu Jiayan would have Shen Ci’an and the throne, while Lu Sihe would have Lu Yinghuai’s life.
Lu Jiayan’s face darkened. Being mocked in front of Shen Ci’an stung all the more. He gave a cold laugh and said through clenched teeth, “You put a love gu in Ci’an, Lu Yinghuai. Now it’s come back to ruin you. He’ll be fine. Once you’re dead, he’ll still be empress. He should have been mine from the beginning. Today, I’m taking back everything that belongs to me.”
Lu Yinghuai’s expression shifted. His eyes went instinctively to Shen Ci’an.
“What love gu?”
Shen Ci’an looked confused, but he kept a firm hold on Lu Yinghuai’s hand.
Lu Yinghuai went pale. How had Lu Jiayan and Lu Sihe found out about the love gu? He had been so careful to keep it hidden.
Seeing the change in his face filled Lu Jiayan with satisfaction. “What’s wrong? Are you afraid now? You used a trick like that to get Ci’an. Did you think the truth would stay buried forever?”
He turned to Shen Ci’an, his expression softening into delighted tenderness. “I’m only putting things back the way they should be. Ci’an, I’m the one you love. Once Lu Yinghuai dies, the love gu inside you will be broken. Then we’ll marry. Your smiles, your feelings, everything about you will belong to me.”
Shen Ci’an looked at him. He felt Lu Yinghuai’s fingers growing colder in his hand, and suddenly he laughed. His bright eyes curved with amusement. The weakness that had left him barely able to stand seemed to vanish as he straightened to his full height.
“Lu Jiayan, I know it’s nighttime, but isn’t that a little too perfect for a dream? You really are… hilarious.”
P.S. Thank you all for the monthly votes! We made it into the top ten. Now we just have to hold our spot until the voting event ends this month. If you have any votes to spare, please think of me~ Hahaha!
Ps: This arc is nearly over. What would you like next: a beautiful little merman or an aloof general in an interstellar setting?
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