Chapter 56: Break
Chu Yi lay on the bed, feeling that the surrounding scents were making him uncomfortable. He barely managed to speak, “Did you two release your xìnxiāng?”
Chu Rui stood by the bed with his arms crossed. Seeing Sheng Qianheng completely shielding his younger brother in his embrace, he could only pretend to say casually, “It’s your husband’s xìnxiāng that’s so strong~”
Sheng Qianheng unconsciously “tsked” before immediately retracting his xìnxiāng. He held Chu Yi’s hand and said with concern, “Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
Chu Yi closed his eyes, unwilling to bother with the two of them. “The xìnxiāng is too strong! You two, restrain yourselves!”
Sheng Qianheng didn’t know if Chu Rui knew about Chu Yi’s pregnancy and didn’t dare to speak.
After entering the room, Imperial Physician Xu didn’t even dare to breathe. He was drenched in sweat while taking the pulse. He looked up at Sheng Qianheng, not knowing whether he should speak.
Chu Rui saw the two of them exchanging glances and said, “How are my younger brother and my little nephew?”
Sheng Qianheng looked up at Chu Rui, in disbelief that he already knew. Since he already knew, he still wanted to take Chu Yi away?
Only then did Imperial Physician Xu say, “Your Ladyship is fine. It should be due to the stimulation from His Majesty’s and the King’s xìnxiāng. A pregnant person cannot withstand a Qianyuan’s overly thick xìnxiāng, let alone the xìnxiāng of two Qianyuan.”
Chu Yi withdrew his hand and signaled for Lianfang to open the window.
After Lianfang and Imperial Physician Xu had withdrawn from the bedchamber, Chu Yi looked up at the two men standing at the head and foot of the bed.
He didn’t know much about his older brother, but he seemed to love his younger brother very much. And Sheng Qianheng, as his husband, was naturally good to him, but this goodness also seemed to bring a lot of resentment and jealousy.
What he wanted had never changed: one person for a lifetime. This was a concept he had always followed as a modern person. It just happened to coincide with the customs of Qianlin.
He sighed, looked at Sheng Qianheng, and asked, “What were you trying to say just now?”
Sheng Qianheng immediately summoned Liu Deshan from outside and handed the drafted edict to Chu Yi.
Chu Yi looked at Sheng Qianheng in confusion. What was the meaning of this?
Sheng Qianheng signaled for him to open it and take a look.
Chu Yi slowly unfolded the imperial edict.
By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims. Zhen has received the mandate of heaven and inherited the throne, and by the grace of the heavens, I bestow this celebratory gift. Consort De of the Su family is virtuous and talented, a descendant of a noble family, born with pure beauty, and greatly pleases Zhen’s heart. She is hereby enfeoffed as the Empress, with the authority to manage the Six Palaces. Given the golden seal and golden treasure. May you respectfully receive this great mandate, forever enjoy blessings, assist in promoting civilization, and extend the celebration to the pepper-painted walls.
By Imperial Decree!
Chu Yi’s gaze was like a sieve, carefully examining each word. He had originally thought that this was an edict to make him the Empress, but when the words “Consort De of the Su family” came into view, he realized it was not so. It turned out that this was an imperial edict to enfeoff that Princess Zhaoning as the Empress. In an instant, he felt his breathing become stagnant, as if he were tightly bound by invisible shackles.
He raised a hand to clutch his chest, as if his heart were bleeding. The pain surged like a tide, making it difficult for him to control himself.
What was Sheng Qianheng’s meaning in showing him this imperial edict? Was it to tell him that a man could not be made the Empress?
He slowly rolled up the imperial edict, his hands trembling unconsciously. In the end, he couldn’t overcome the anger in his heart. He raised his hand and threw the imperial edict to the ground, asking, “Your Majesty, what is the meaning of presenting the imperial edict to enfeoff Consort De as the Empress before this concubine? Is it to warn this concubine not to covet the position of Empress anymore?”
Sheng Qianheng was puzzled. This was an edict to enfeoff Chu Yi. Why would Chu Yi react like this? He picked up the edict and took a look.
How could this be? Who had touched the edict he had personally written! Was it that Princess Zhaoning or someone else?
He quickly explained, “A-Yi, that’s not what I mean. The edict was not originally written like this! Zhen was going to enfeoff you as…”
Liu Deshan, like a machine, entered the room again and handed over a second imperial edict.
Chu Rui’s brows were tightly furrowed. Seeing that something was wrong, he immediately snatched it, unfolded it, and read it.
He snorted coldly and asked, “Was this the one you wanted to show Yi’er? You gave him the wrong one? He wants to enfeoff you as the Imperial Noble Consort. Da Mo has never had a male Empress. How could he make our Yi’er the Empress? The Imperial Noble Consort is already the highest rank. Although he doesn’t like Princess Zhaoning, only she is worthy of this harem.”
Sheng Qianheng snatched the imperial edict from Chu Rui’s hand, then tore it to pieces and roared, “Someone must be behind this! A-Yi, you have to believe me! The position of Empress has always been reserved for you!”
Chu Yi’s eyes were filled with tears. He raised his sleeve to wipe away the tears that were about to fall, then said in a calm and soft voice, “But this is clearly Your Majesty’s handwriting. Who in the world can imitate it so vividly?”
Sheng Qianheng squatted down, wanting to take Chu Yi’s hand, but he was dodged. He calmly analyzed the situation, “Anyone can imitate handwriting. The edict Zhen personally drafted was only for you to be the Empress! Believe me!”
What a pale explanation, just like when he had been framed as an assassin.
At that time, when General Wang had presented the letters of his collusion with the rebels, he had also defended himself in this way.
Chu Yi closed his eyes, forcing himself to suppress the chaotic thoughts in his mind, and slowly opened his lips, “Your Majesty, I want to be alone for a while.”
Sheng Qianheng knew that the situation was not good at the moment, and that it would be difficult for Chu Yi to listen to his words. So he stood up and said, “A-Yi, you should rest well. Zhen will go and investigate who dared to alter Zhen’s imperial edict.”
After seeing Sheng Qianheng leave, Chu Rui leaned down and looked at his younger brother’s already reddened eyes, his heart aching. The younger brother he had personally raised as a child had suffered for many years in this Da Mo, and now he had to be bullied by a brat.
He reached out to caress Chu Yi’s cheek and said softly, “Don’t cry for that heartless man… Why don’t you go back with your older brother?”
For some reason, Chu Yi suddenly burst into tears. He raised his hands to wipe the tears from his cheeks several times, but the tears flowed like a spring, and his vision became more and more blurry, never clearing up.
He knew that Sheng Qianheng had probably been secretly set up, which had led to this situation. But he couldn’t remain indifferent. Even if Sheng Qianheng had not made him the Empress, it would have been fine. He had never cared about these empty titles…
He still spoke up for Sheng Qianheng, “Older brother, he definitely didn’t mean to do this.”
Chu Rui was truly disappointed but also helpless. Matters of the heart could only be figured out by oneself.
He rubbed Chu Yi’s eyes with the pad of his thumb and whispered, “Yi’er, think about it. Who else knew that he had personally drafted the imperial edict?”
Chu Yi pressed his lips together, not saying a word.
Chu Rui wanted to pull his younger brother into his embrace, but they hadn’t seen each other in years. He knew that if he hugged him rashly, it would only make his younger brother uncomfortable. He could only comfort him softly first, “Yi’er, don’t cry, okay? Crying too much is not good for the child.”
Chu Yi’s shoulders trembled from crying, and he sobbed uncontrollably. But hearing Chu Rui’s words, he had no choice but to hold back his grief. After a long while, he gradually calmed his breathing.
He knew that his eyes must be red and swollen and didn’t want Chu Rui to see. “Older brother, did you come to Da Mo this time just to take me back?”
Chu Rui nodded. He explained in detail that a few months ago, when several countries had come to Da Mo for an audience, the envoy had passed on the information that Chu Yi was still alive back to Qianlin. But their father, not only was he unwilling to come and save his own son, but he even wanted to attack Da Mo and seize its territory.
Chu Rui had long been dissatisfied with his father’s actions and had secretly poisoned him, finally waiting for him to take the throne. Of course, he would not tell Chu Yi this. He only needed to know that his older brother still cared about him, still loved him.
Chu Yi was not in high spirits and didn’t know what to talk to Chu Rui about. He could only cover his lower abdomen, feign discomfort, and say, “Older brother, let me think about it for a few days before I reply, okay? I want to rest early today.”
Chu Rui raised a hand to rub his younger brother’s head and said softly, “Alright. If Yi’er has anything on his mind, you can always talk to your older brother. Your older brother will always be your older brother.”
That night, Chu Yi lay on the bed, his thoughts unusually clear.
He repeatedly thought back to that imperial edict. “Consort De is virtuous and is a good choice for the Empress.” Was it because he was a man that he was not worthy…
But he also couldn’t believe that Sheng Qianheng would inform him of his intention to enfeoff Princess Zhaoning as the Empress in such a way.
Even if he was forced to enfeoff Princess Zhaoning as the Empress, he should have discussed it with him, not like today, piercing his heart so nakedly.
He recalled Sheng Qianheng’s past actions. At the time of the marriage alliance, Sheng Qianheng had apologized to him several times. There must be something strange about today’s matter!
He really couldn’t lie still. He stood up and went to the clothes rack, intending to get dressed again.
Hearing the movement, Lianfang asked, “Your Ladyship, what are you doing?”
Chu Yi looked at Lianfang, smiled charmingly, and asked, “Are my eyes still swollen?”
After Lianfang stood up and lit the candle by the bed, she looked up at Chu Yi and said softly, “The swelling has mostly gone down. Your Ladyship, where are you going at this hour? It’s already the hài hour. It’s late.”
Chu Yi only wanted to find out the truth now and had no intention of sleeping. “Help me change. I’m going to find His Majesty.”
Lianfang was puzzled but could only do as she was told.
When Sheng Qianheng returned to Yangxin Hall, he threw the two imperial edicts to the ground and asked everyone in the hall, “Who touched the imperial edicts?”
Everyone in the hall knelt on the ground and said in unison, “This servant/official does not know!”
Sheng Qianheng looked at the beads of sweat on Liu Deshan’s forehead and asked, “After I drafted this imperial edict, I ordered you to keep it safe. Now that something has happened, Head Eunuch Liu, why don’t you tell me?”
Liu Deshan: “Your Majesty, don’t you remember that you personally drafted two imperial edicts?”
Sheng Qianheng laughed in anger. Why would he write two imperial edicts? He had only intended to enfeoff Chu Yi as the Empress. Where did this second imperial edict come from?
“Alright, none of you are willing to tell the truth. Then drag them all out and give them twenty strokes of the cane!”
In an instant, the sound of begging for mercy filled Yangxin Hall.
Before Liu Deshan was dragged out, Sheng Qianheng squatted in front of him and asked again, “Was it Consort De who forced you to do it? Head Eunuch Liu, as long as you tell Zhen the whole story, Zhen will naturally forgive your mistake.”
Liu Deshan repeated, “Your Majesty, you personally drafted two imperial edicts three days ago…”
Sheng Qianheng naturally didn’t believe him. It was clearly an imperial edict written by his own hand. How could he not know! Although he had been exhausted that night, he remembered everything he had done, without a single mistake!
He heard the continuous wails from outside the hall and only felt a terrible headache. What on earth was wrong with him? Why had this happened!
Chu Yi walked slowly. When he stepped into Yangxin Hall, he saw that everyone outside was being caned. The blood of several people had already seeped through their clothes. Chu Yi couldn’t bear to watch and could only raise a hand to cover his eyes. He saw that Head Eunuch Liu was not being punished outside the hall and walked straight into Yangxin Hall.
Liu Deshan had received twenty strokes and was kneeling on the ground with difficulty. He said tremblingly, “Your Majesty, even if you ask this servant several times, this servant only knows that you personally told this servant three days ago that you wanted to enfeoff Consort De as the Empress…”
Hearing Liu Deshan’s words, Chu Yi’s steps paused. He felt that all his previous guesses had been overturned.
Lianfang’s hand, which was supporting Chu Yi, also froze. She looked at Chu Yi’s face and felt that something was wrong.
Sheng Qianheng was sitting on the dragon throne, redrafting an edict. He raised his hand and threw the brush at Liu Deshan.
Chu Yi immediately entered the hall. He looked at Sheng Qianheng and smiled faintly.
He slowly walked to Sheng Qianheng’s side, caressed his shoulder, and asked, “Why are you so angry?”
Sheng Qianheng panted, took Chu Yi’s hand, and said, “Zhen is investigating who altered Zhen’s imperial edict.”
Chu Yi’s gaze unconsciously fell on the unfinished edict on the desk. After seeing it clearly, he immediately withdrew his hand, trying his best to hold back his tears. “Your Majesty, this edict must have been written by you personally.”
Sheng Qianheng nodded. This was the imperial edict he had rewritten to make Chu Yi the Empress.
Chu Yi took several steps back and pressed again, “Then no one can tamper with this edict again. This concubine has never wanted the position of Empress. Your Majesty need not act out a scene of deep affection with this concubine anymore. This concubine has no complaints about the matter of making Consort De the Empress… This concubine will take my leave!”
Chu Yi turned to leave but was grabbed by the waist by Sheng Qianheng, who had strode forward. He pried at Sheng Qianheng’s fingers, choking back tears, and roared, “Let go of me!”
Sheng Qianheng was puzzled. Why was Chu Yi suddenly so angry!
He looked at that imperial edict. How could it still be for enfeoffing Consort De?! Impossible! He had clearly written Chu Yi!
He stammered, “Chu Yi, believe me. I wrote you!”
Chu Yi raised a hand and pointed to the words “Consort De,” looked at Sheng Qianheng with cold eyes, and asked, “Can you not write ‘Imperial Consort Hui’ or can you not write ‘Chu Yi’? Tell me!”
Sheng Qianheng also didn’t know how to explain. He could only hold Chu Yi tightly in his embrace, and in his panic, he said, “A-Yi, you write it! I’ll let you write the imperial edict. You write it yourself!”
Chu Yi let out a cold laugh. “No need, Your Majesty. This concubine is just an Imperial Consort and has no right to interfere in politics. This concubine is tired. Can Your Majesty let go of this concubine?”
Sheng Qianheng held him tightly, begging for his forgiveness over and over again.
Chu Yi only felt a chill in his heart. He clearly didn’t care if he could be the Empress. But now, he was heartbroken because of this position. He had, after all, fallen in love with someone he shouldn’t have…
Sheng Qianheng was the emperor. Everything he did was a choice after weighing the pros and cons, the decision that was most beneficial to Da Mo.
How could he have believed that he loved him? Even if it was true that he liked him, it was ultimately impossible for him to dote on him alone.
He let Sheng Qianheng hold him. He didn’t know how long had passed, long enough that he could no longer feel the pain in his heart.
He said in a low voice, “Sheng Qianheng, I’m tired. Can you hold me and let me sleep for a while?”
Sheng Qianheng immediately dismissed everyone, picked up Chu Yi, and walked toward the rear hall.
He hesitated for a long time before speaking, “A-Yi, I know you don’t believe me. But I really only want you to be my Empress!”
Chu Yi forced a smile. “I believe you! I was just being emotional just now.”
Sheng Qianheng slowly took off Chu Yi’s clothes, and then the two of them lay on the bed, neither of them speaking.
Chu Yi nestled in Sheng Qianheng’s embrace, smelling the scent on him, and raised a hand to cover his lower abdomen.
He thought that since he had been pregnant, he had been constrained by the child. A momentary love had trapped him. Escaping from Sheng Qianheng’s side was his original intention when he came to this world.
Translator’s Notes
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Shura Field : This is a Buddhist term, referring to the realm of the Asuras, who are known for their constant fighting and jealousy. In modern Chinese slang, it’s used to describe a tense, conflict-ridden situation, especially one involving romantic rivals.
