Chapter 104: I’ll Just Hit You

Lan Wu opened her mouth, staring at him—was this really about liking or not liking?

Chu Mingheng had no idea how serious this matter was!

“I thought you’ve always wanted to return to Yilan Hall. Since Yilan Hall is so wonderful, how could I not let you have your way?” He looked at Lan Wu, his tone casual.

Lan Wu instinctively tried to pull back, but immediately realized she couldn’t make that move. She had avoided him all day long, and it hadn’t done her any good. So she stiffened her neck and faced Chu Mingheng directly, fuming, “You only let yourself bully me.”

Chu Mingheng suddenly chuckled, his fingers pressing against Lan Wu’s ankle, tightening around it, then stroking her calf. Feeling her still trembling, he lowered his head and said, “Just bullying you?”

“I don’t think so.”

He pointed meaningfully at her calf, which was quite thin, perhaps not even as thick as his arm.

Lan Wu flushed and tried to get down.

“Every time I try to talk seriously with you, you just… you just talk nonsense and don’t tell me anything—I… I won’t tell you anything after this either.” Lan Wu turned her face away.

“Alright, stop moving around, or you’ll be crying out in pain again.” Chu Mingheng held her down, not letting her get off the bed.

The surroundings fell silent for a moment until a breeze stirred outside the hall, and she heard Chu Mingheng speak.

“The night Consort Zeng entered the Cold Palace, I went to see her.”

Lan Wu was taken aback, recalling which day that was. Although Consort Zeng was already in the Cold Palace, she was still alive, barely clinging to life. She might not be capable of doing any more evil, but why did Chu Mingheng go to see her?

Chu Mingheng leaned closer to Lan Wu, carefully studying her delicate and enchanting face—every inch of it pleased him, softening his heart.

For some time now, he had been dreaming at night. In his dreams, there was nothing but spring drizzle. Even though it was spring, not a trace of sunlight could be seen. Everyone in the palace said Shuyi Lan had passed away.

Like a wandering spirit, he searched everywhere in Yilan Hall for a figure he could not find. From time to time, he could hear the palace servants talking about Shuyi Lan of Yilan Hall, saying she had taken her own life and that Consort Rou had ordered her body to be disposed of.

When he first heard these words, he found them absurd, but when he looked around, Yilan Hall was empty—where had the voices come from?

After waking from the dream, Lan Wu was still sleeping peacefully in his arms, but these dreams were too strange to ignore.

After all, he had dreamed of Lan Wu before he ever saw her.

For an imperial concubine to take her own life was a grave crime, but Lan Wu was so afraid of pain—how could she have done such a thing?

And where had he been at that time?

How could he have allowed Lan Wu to take her own life? Even if Lan Wu had committed the gravest of mistakes, he would have simply taught her a lesson and made her understand her wrongdoing.

It was impossible.

Thinking of Consort Rou, whom the palace servants mentioned in his dream, he went to the Cold Palace that night.

But dreams and reality were ultimately different. Consort Zeng was now struggling to survive herself.

Unexpectedly, however, he learned a secret about the Kunning Palace fire from Consort Zeng’s mouth.

It was strange—the Kunning Palace fire had been thoroughly investigated back then, and those who should have been punished had long since been reduced to scattered bones underground. Yet, according to Consort Zeng, there were still those who had escaped.

Consort Zeng tried to use this as a bargaining chip for her own survival, but now that Chu Mingheng knew about it, how could he let her hold onto that meager leverage?

This matter is truly difficult to investigate. Not to mention the many years that have passed, numerous palace servants died in the great fire at Kunning Palace back then. In the days leading up to the fire, due to transfers by the Inner Court Administration, another group of palace maids was sent to serve at Kunning Palace. Investigating them one by one now, many of those still alive have already been released from the palace and vanished without a trace.

Yet it is not entirely without leads. On the very day Lan Wu came to the Imperial Presence to deliver the pouch, it was also coincidentally the day when subordinates discovered a palace maid who had escaped the great fire years ago.

That palace maid was named Hanshuang. According to the records, she was already dead, but shortly afterward, among those released from the palace that year, a palace maid named Qiuhe appeared.

If the arson had nothing to do with Hanshuang, she would not have gone to such lengths to change her name and leave the palace.

Whoever could accomplish such a thing must have had accomplices behind them. Initially, it was only traced back to the remnants of Consort Wen’s influence, but now it appears far more complicated.

Once people have been released from the palace, finding them again becomes exceedingly difficult.

When the news was relayed to him, he found it almost laughable.

To have allowed these palace servants to leave the palace comfortably and live freely for so many years—his father truly had remarkable skills.

Chu Mingheng only told Lan Wu about the latter matter. As for the events in his dream, he feared that telling her might frighten her, so he decided against it.

“You asked if I want to lock you up. If I said yes, you would likely be too afraid to see me again.”

“There’s no other way. Only when you are by my side can I feel at ease.”

“Yet you are unwilling to simply spend more time with me, always running off to play elsewhere.” As he spoke, Chu Mingheng narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Lan Wu with a fierce and cold expression. “You just can’t stay put, can you?”

One moment they were discussing serious matters, and now he was talking about her again.

Lan Wu couldn’t help but defend herself: “That’s your fault—it’s your problem! Everyone else can go out to play. Besides, I’m not leaving the imperial palace—I’m just, I’m just leaving my own Yilan Hall. Aren’t I still within your territory?”

Who would dare to openly say such words as “the emperor has a problem”?

Lan Wu would.

She was determined to correct Chu Mingheng’s flaw, so she continued, “If you insist on locking me up, I’m not a bird. One day, if you push me too far, I’ll—”

Chu Mingheng tightened his grip slightly, staring at Lan Wu, waiting to hear what she would say. If she uttered something inappropriate, he would make sure she regretted opening her mouth.

Lan Wu was also somewhat alert. She cut her sentence short, seeing the look in his eyes, and reluctantly withdrew her boldness. She pursed her lips, unwillingly kicked him, and said, “I’ll hit you!”

Oh, so it was just a tantrum.

Chu Mingheng thought to himself, relieved that he hadn’t heard any talk of running away or dying. Otherwise, he would have had to lock Lan Wu in the small chamber within the secret room and teach her a proper lesson.

“Go ahead and hit me. I’m thick-skinned and rough. Just be careful not to hurt your hand, A’Wu.”

Lan Wu was so infuriated by his shameless attitude that she was left speechless. She glared at him with wide eyes, her chest heaving with anger. Her face flushed red and then paled. Struggling, she finally freed her feet from his embrace and stepped onto the palace carpet, preparing to stand up.

Her legs were still weak. She had truly overestimated herself and underestimated Chu Mingheng. In the next moment, unprepared, her knees buckled, and she stumbled forward.

“See? I told you to go to the couch.” Chu Mingheng was already prepared and caught her, carrying her as he turned toward the couch.

Lan Wu felt tired again. Fortunately, at that moment, a palace attendant outside reported that ministers had arrived at the Imperial Study.

She turned over on the couch, facing away from Chu Mingheng, and mumbled, “Your Majesty should go quickly. I want to sleep.”

Chu Mingheng was in no hurry. He covered her with the blanket, leaned down to kiss her forehead and cheek, and said, “I will return after handling matters. If you get bored, ask Luo Yun to bring you some books to read.”

“If you miss me, send someone to let me know, and I will come back.”

Lan Wu nudged him, urging him to leave quickly.