Chapter 194: You Can Hit Me
Yizhen had once told Lan Wu that noble ladies loved keeping cats and dogs.
But after all, these were creatures with wild instincts. Though they usually appeared affectionate and eager to please, if starved to the extreme, they could drool with saliva and gaze with burning eyes, as if capable of devouring people.
So they must not be starved.
Only now did Lan Wu deeply understand the meaning of those words.
Tossed and turned until her limbs grew weak and she could muster no more strength, she slept until dark.
She was awakened by Chu Mingheng.
Chu Mingheng helped her up to eat.
Lan Wu was still dazed, her thoughts unclear. Seeing Chu Mingheng about to lift her, a single thought flashed through her mind in that instant—she struggled urgently, murmuring, “No more.”
Chu Mingheng kissed the stray hairs by her ear, coaxing softly, “No more. I’m taking you to eat.”
Reassured by his reply, Lan Wu visibly relaxed and fell back asleep in the space of a breath.
Chu Mingheng had no choice but to dress her himself, then ordered the evening meal set on the table before dismissing the servants.
He carried Lan Wu out and, upon sitting down, woke her again.
“Awu, you must eat something. It’s not good for your health otherwise,” he said, pinching her soft cheek to rouse her.
A spoonful of warm porridge was brought to Lan Wu’s lips. All she needed to do was open her mouth, take a few bites, and swallow.
Lan Wu obliged by opening her eyes to look, allowing him to feed her some. But the more she ate, the sleepier she became, until she finally turned her head and drifted off again.
Chu Mingheng had no recourse. Seeing the bowl still half-full, he tried once more to wake Lan Wu.
Lan Wu frowned, on the verge of displeasure.
Chu Mingheng did not press further, instead tucking her back into bed.
They were unable to depart the next day.
Lan Wu slept until nearly noon.
When she awoke, she saw Chu Mingheng sitting nearby, flipping through a book, and felt a momentary daze.
“Awake?” Chu Mingheng noticed her open eyes and set aside what he was holding to approach.
Every part of Lan Wu ached. Seeing the bright light outside, her mind muddled, she realized something and angrily swung a fist at Chu Mingheng’s shoulder.
She had little strength left; after one strike, finding it too hard, she withdrew her hand and rubbed it herself.
“This emperor ordered yesterday that we delay our departure by a day,” Chu Mingheng said, seeing her discomfort, and reached out to massage her waist.
From morning until dusk, they remained entangled. Lan Wu dared not call anyone in to attend to her, unwilling to utter a single word. Even looking at Chu Mingheng made her head ache.
“Get up and eat something. This emperor thinks you must be hungry,” he said. She had barely managed some porridge yesterday and eaten nothing this morning. Waking at this hour was just right for the midday meal.
Chu Mingheng called for water to be brought in.
When the palace servants entered with the items and were about to assist Lan Wu in rising, they heard His Majesty order everyone out.
They exchanged glances but dared not hesitate, withdrawing at once.
Chu Mingheng looked at Lan Wu and smiled faintly. “Awu, this emperor will attend to your washing and dressing.”
Seeing that he truly intended to do it himself, Lan Wu instinctively clenched her fist.
Chu Mingheng lowered his gaze, observing her cautious demeanor, then bent down gently to meet her eyes. “Do you want to hit this emperor, Awu?”
As if encouraging her, he took her wrist and said slowly, “You can hit me.”
But who would feel the pain if she did?
Lan Wu glared at him awkwardly, then wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice hoarse. “Hurry up and dress me.”
“As you command.”
For the entire day, Lan Wu did not see any palace attendants except when necessary, and Chu Mingheng stayed by her side without leaving for a moment.
Early the next morning, the imperial procession descended Changyong Mountain and began heading toward the imperial city.
To be honest, three months wasn’t particularly long, but Lan Wu always felt that the three months on Changyong Mountain were exceptionally lengthy, as if half a lifetime had passed. Now, the thought of returning to the palace felt somewhat unfamiliar.
It wasn’t until the fifth day of the return journey that Lan Wu saw Yizhen.
The procession stopped to rest in a small town along the way. Most people remained outside the city, while Lan Wu and Chu Mingheng shared a room. She mentioned wanting to go out for some fresh air, and as Chu Mingheng happened to have matters to attend to, he finally allowed her to leave his sight.
Not long after stepping outside, she spotted Yizhen.
Yizhen looked somewhat listless, but the moment her eyes met Lan Wu’s, they lit up with energy. She hurried over to her.
Yizhen glanced around, and upon not seeing Chu Mingheng anywhere, she relaxed and began complaining to Lan Wu.
“Ever since my imperial brother arrived, I haven’t been able to see you at all. He guards you like a treasure, not letting anyone else take even a glance.”
Lan Wu thought about Chu Mingheng’s behavior and found it understandable. After all, they had been separated for three months, and when they reunited, she had been severely ill. It was only natural for him to be concerned.
“Well… things should get better from now on,” she softly reassured her.
Upon hearing this, Yizhen gave her a strange look, inexplicably shook her head, and clicked her tongue twice.
“What’s wrong?” Lan Wu asked her.
Yizhen continued shaking her head. “Husband sings, wife follows.”
“What are you talking about!” Lan Wu quickly interrupted her, glancing around nervously, her face flushed as she urged Yizhen to stop.
Yizhen waved her hand dismissively, thinking it was no big deal. She leaned in and whispered to Lan Wu, “It won’t be long before I have to call you imperial sister-in-law.”
Lan Wu was even more at a loss for how to react.
Although Chu Mingheng had previously mentioned making her Empress, how could it happen so quickly?
“Who told you that?” Lan Wu asked in surprise, thinking that Chu Mingheng wouldn’t have discussed such matters with her.
“I figured it out myself. Isn’t it obvious?” Yizhen said with a look of utter certainty. “It’s about time, isn’t it? You prayed for my imperial brother’s well-being for three whole months—three months! Copying scriptures and chanting sutras day after day at Wuji Temple on Changyong Mountain—it pains me just thinking about it.”
“Let alone my imperial brother.”
“Since you prayed for his recovery and he got better, the court and the inner palace are surely spreading the word. That means your appointment as Empress is practically set in stone.”
“Lan Wu, you truly are a fortunate person,” Yizhen said, genuinely believing it.
Although Lan Wu lacked a prestigious background, for the imperial family—especially given the current situation—having someone like her as Empress would help maintain stability in the court.
“Besides, most importantly, my imperial brother adores you so much. How could he not make you Empress?” Yizhen finished her thought, adding, “Once you become my rightful imperial sister-in-law, it’ll be much easier for me to visit you in the palace.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll bring you some storybooks from outside the palace regularly,” Yizhen said with a sense of camaraderie.
Lan Wu listened in astonishment, her reaction slightly delayed. “Well… thank you, then…”
“No need for thanks. Shall we take a walk over there? Sitting in the carriage has left my back and legs sore…” Yizhen led her further ahead for a stroll.
The imperial procession made its return journey at a faster pace than the outward trip, reaching the vicinity of the imperial capital in less than ten days. They were expected to return to the palace just before sunset.