Chapter 156: Hiding
Chen Kangan listened to these words in disbelief, thinking to himself that Guifei truly had, truly had the audacity to defy heaven itself.
But this boldness was also fostered by His Majesty.
“Your Highness, closing the palace gate so early—what if His Majesty comes later? What should we do then?” Chen Kangan’s expression was complicated, somewhat flustered and at a loss. “How should this servant explain it to His Majesty?”
Lan Wu smiled and said to Chen Kangan, “What is Eunuch Chen worried about? Just report my exact words to His Majesty. I imagine His Majesty, concerned that I might catch a chill, would be happy to indulge my wishes.”
“This… this…” Chen Kangan was left speechless and could only slink away with two junior eunuchs, hurrying back to the Imperial Presence.
No sooner had he stepped out of the gates of Yilan Hall than he turned back for a look. He saw the palace servants inside Yilan Hall promptly close the gates right after he left, with remarkable speed, as if afraid of being even half a step too slow.
“Eunuch, what does Guifei mean by this?” a junior eunuch asked, keeping close to Chen Kangan’s steps, bewildered and uneasy.
Chen Kangan clicked his tongue twice. “The two masters are sulking. I’ve never seen an imperial concubine dare to shut His Majesty out like this…”
Hearing this, the junior eunuch added, “Won’t His Majesty be furious then?”
“Furious about what!” Chen Kangan reached out and rapped him on the head. “That’s Guifei! What do you know, daring to speculate on the Emperor’s intentions? Keep your mouth shut!”
The junior eunuch, having been soundly thumped on the head, dared not reply and could only repeatedly assent, slinking along as he followed Chen Kangan back to the Imperial Presence.
The sky had completely darkened. When Chen Kangan rushed back to the Imperial Presence, he saw the Imperial Study brightly lit with candlelight. He was mentally rehearsing how to reply to His Majesty when, before he knew it, he had already entered the hall.
“This servant pays his respects to Your Majesty.”
Chu Mingheng reclined lazily on the dragon throne, listlessly flipping through a book in his hand. He grunted in acknowledgment and asked, “How is Guifei?”
Chen Kangan cautiously replied, “Your Majesty, when this servant arrived, Yilan Hall had already served the evening meal and was waiting for Your Majesty to come. This servant told Her Highness that Your Majesty was occupied with state affairs and couldn’t make it… Her Highness then said, she said…”
Chu Mingheng closed the book and stared at him. “Said what?”
“Her Highness said that Your Majesty is avoiding her.”
“Her Highness also said the night wind is cold and ordered the palace gates closed after this servant left. This servant tried to dissuade her, but Her Highness said Your Majesty would also be concerned for her, so the gates were still closed—”
After speaking, Chen Kangan cautiously stole a glance at His Majesty’s expression. Seeing his darkened face, he hurriedly knelt and said, “Every word this servant said is true.”
“Get out.”
Receiving the order, Chen Kangan hastily retreated.
Chu Mingheng closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking to himself: Lan Wu’s stubborn temper, who on earth did she learn it from?
But he really was avoiding Lan Wu. Huifan said Lan Wu should go to Changyong Mountain for three whole months—how could he possibly agree? Although he told Lan Wu to think it over carefully, there wasn’t really much to think about; he simply couldn’t agree.
It seemed Lan Wu had realized this, which was why she was angry with him.
The candlelight in the Imperial Study burned until midnight. Snow began to fall during the night.
Hearing movement inside, Chen Kangan immediately became alert and soon saw His Majesty emerge.
“Your Majesty, shall we return to Taichen Palace or…?”
Chu Mingheng shot him a cold glance. “To Yilan Hall.”
“Yes, this servant obeys.” Suppressing his surprise, Chen Kangan ordered preparations for the Imperial Carriage to head toward Yilan Hall.
Traveling through the night snow was inconvenient, and upon reaching the gates of Yilan Hall, the doors were indeed closed.
Chen Kangan glanced at His Majesty before stepping forward to knock.
The palace attendants guarding behind the doors, upon learning it was His Majesty, dared not delay and swiftly opened them.
Chu Mingheng entered and saw that the candles in the direction of the bedchamber had long been extinguished. His expression grew pensive, lost in thought.
The attendants attempted to rise and bow, but he stopped them, ordering them to remain silent.
“At what hour does your mistress retire?” Chu Mingheng asked one of them.
The attendant dared not lie and truthfully replied that she had just gone to bed.
As for why she had just retired, it was naturally because she had been waiting for His Majesty to arrive. However, after waiting in vain, Lan Wu, in a fit of anger, had stormed off to bed.
Just gone to bed…
Chu Mingheng pondered these words, thinking to himself that Lan Wu must still be awake.
He then rose and headed into the hall.
The door opened and closed, and the sounds from within could no longer be heard.
Upon entering the Inner Palace, though it was dark, a faint light seeped through, illuminating the bed.
Chu Mingheng immediately spotted Lan Wu lying on her side on the bed. She usually slept on the inner side but now occupied the outer side—his usual spot. Whether this was intentional or not, he couldn’t tell.
It must have been intentional.
Chu Mingheng felt a smile tug at his lips as he stepped forward, tugged at the partially open bed curtain, and leaned down to plant a gentle kiss on Lan Wu’s cheek.
The person on the bed couldn’t even be bothered to pretend, directly wiping away the kiss.
Chu Mingheng saw it clearly.
Not to be outdone, he kissed her again.
Lan Wu turned over and pushed him away.
“Still angry?” Chu Mingheng, having just returned from outside, had cold hands and refrained from touching her. Seeing her sulking, he couldn’t help but try to coax her.
Lan Wu ignored him, pretending not to hear.
Chu Mingheng removed his outer robe and went to the side chamber to wash up. When he returned, he found Lan Wu had drawn the curtains shut.
This was a clear sign she didn’t want him to sleep there.
Chu Mingheng pulled the curtains open, reached in to carry Lan Wu to the inner side, and shamelessly lay down on the bed.
Lan Wu finally reacted. In the pitch darkness, she reached out and touched something warm, even slightly feverish.
Her fingers paused as she realized what it might be, then continued to explore.
Chu Mingheng cleared his throat softly, encircled her hand, and rubbed it a few times, saying, “Don’t provoke me.”
A sharp slap followed his words, landing squarely on Chu Mingheng’s chest.
“Weren’t you avoiding me? Why come back now? What are you here for?” Lan Wu’s touch had been accurate—Chu Mingheng’s body was warm.
She knew he was feverish again and lowered her gaze, dejectedly wondering what else could be done.
Worried, her tone softened unconsciously as she spoke, devoid of any fierceness.
Chu Mingheng pulled her into his arms, holding her gently, and whispered, “I came to see if you were too angry to sleep.”
Lan Wu lay down gloomily, sighing.
“Will you agree? Even a dead horse can be treated as a live one,” Lan Wu urged him irresponsibly.
Chu Mingheng’s temple throbbed, and he closed his eyes, correcting her, “What dead horse or live horse? Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Then have you thought about it? Made up your mind?”
Chu Mingheng denied it, “It’s not that quick. Oh, right, tomorrow the court ladies will come to teach you etiquette. Don’t be afraid. I’ve given orders that they need not focus too much on trivial formalities.”
Lan Wu suspected this was intentional on his part, deliberately finding someone to divert her attention.
“Go to sleep now, I’m feeling rather tired,” Chu Mingheng said, closing his eyes.
Lan Wu looked at him skeptically, thinking to herself whether he knew that after a night’s sleep, he would transform into another Chu Mingheng.
But she couldn’t very well stop Chu Mingheng from sleeping, so she didn’t bring it up.