Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 27

Fourth dream on the same couch

“Come here and change Our clothes.”

The hall was engulfed in silence with the exception of the sound of the water clock. As the deep darkness settled, Qin Ling’s back instantly stiffened.

Some habits could be changed, but some could not be changed.

Once she got caught up in darkness and couldn’t see her surroundings, she would become so nervous that her fingertips would feel cold.

Qin Ling held her breath and secretly rubbed the palm of her hands with the hem of her clothes. Then she walked to him with the help of the moonlight.

In recent days, Grand Princess Changning always looked at her chin in a trance and kept trying to probe her out. Now that she thought about it, it must be caused by the words of the consort dowager before her death.

The man opened his arms towards her.

Perhaps it was because all feelings in the dark would be magnified, as she seemed to be able to hear his strong heartbeat through the thick chest.

Qin Ling carefully wrapped her arms around his waist and untied his jade belt.

Immediately afterwards, she removed the dragon pattern robe.

Leaving only the middle clothes.

Qin Ling held her breath and raised her eyes to meet his gaze.

The man lowered his eyes to look at her, then abruptly lifted his hand to pin her hair to the back of her ear. With two fingers, he pinched her ear, not too light yet not too hard, and then followed along the outline before reaching the earlobe.

This movement made her tremble all over.

He seldom did this kind of thing before.

His naked gaze was restrained.

Every action, every breath, was like a game.

It seemed that if she retreated first, it would be that she surrendered first.

Qin Ling lowered her eyes, suppressing her heartbeat.

And said to herself: Rebirth is related to strange power that may cause disorder. As long as she denies it, what can he suspect?

However, at this moment, Xiao Yu took her hand and held the cold fingertips that were similar to the ones in his memory.

It was not in vain that they had been husband and wife for three years.

He said with a hoarse voice: “Ah Líng, look at me.”

[T/N: Líng from Su Líng]

“Look at me.”

The four eyes met again.

Qin Ling was distracted, but she had to force herself to focus. Gradually, she saw the man’s expression reflecting her past self.

As if seeing Su Líng from the past shaking her head.

The Su family’s eldest son disappeared into thin air, if the Su family’s eldest daughter was resurrected from death… Nobody would allow this kind of preposterous thing to happen in this world. Especially the emperor.

The Su family was guilty of treason, it was an unforgivable sin. His willingness to treat Xiao Yun was already thinking about their former relationship of husband and wife.

Ah Líng, this sentiment only exists on the basis that you’re dead.

Thinking of this, she reached out and hugged his waist.

Her soft, silky hair was stuck to his chest, and whispered like a blooming flower: “In the future, whoever is in Your Majesty’s mind is who chenqie is.”

These soft, flowery words were akin to pouring cold water onto Xiao Yu’s head.

Xiao Yu was reluctant to believe and was still unreconciled, but the rolling waves in his body were still like a pool of stagnant water after all.

Reason also returned to its place.

She would not talk to him in this way.

His Adam’s apple slightly moved. He waved his hand away, sat on the couch, and became silent again.

Qin Ling sat over, bit her lower lip, and looked as if she was filled with regrets for saying the wrong thing, “It was chenqie’s slip of tongue which has ruined Your Majesty’s mood…”

The emperor interrupted her in a deep voice: “Let’s settle down.”

“Yes.”

Qin Ling then turned around and exhaled extremely softly.

Saved.

The curtain fell down, and the two of them closed their eyes. After quite some time, the dream arrived.

***

36th year of the Yongchang era, the fourth day of winter.

Dongzhimen, Qin’an Restaurant.

Lu Ze and Xiao Yu were playing go at the other side of the table, and Yang Di, his advisor, watched the game from the sideline.

The game was very slow and tense.

Lu Ze squeezed the white pion in his hand and pondered over and over again. Before he made up his mind, he heard the little servant outside tapping on the door three times before handing in a letter and two scrolls.

Yang Di took it and was pleasantly surprised: “The person that Your Highness wants to investigate has been found.”

“Bring it over.”

Yang Di put the letter and two scrolls on the table. The top part was written with two words of “Suzhou”.

Regarding this matter, one has to return to three days ago.

Three days ago, Xiao Yu made great contributions by solving the disaster left by the empty seal case. The emperor was greatly pleased, and immediately made him the Imperial censor of the Capital Procuratorate. 

The Capital Procuratorate was responsible for investigating hundreds of impeached officials and supervising all the process, and the position of the Imperial censor can be considered the eye of the court. The emperor gave this power to Xiao Yu when the crown princes was not yet decided and Prince Cheng and Prince Yan had the upper hand. Naturally this matter was not that simple.

This was not all. On his first day in office, Xiao Yu received a secret letter—someone anonymously reported that Suzhou’s revenue and expenditure were fraudulent.

If someone made a report, the Capital Procuratorate would have to investigate. Xiao Yu ordered people to retrieve the records of Suzhou province’s income and expenditure for nearly ten years. At first glance, the income and expenditure details were very detailed, it seemed like there was no problem, but after a detailed comparison, an oddity was found.

Since the 14th year of the Yongchang era, the court tax revenue has fallen year after year. Coupled with the constant warfare at the border, all provinces were struggling to make ends meet. In the 26th year of the Yongchang era, headed by Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, the governors of various regions collectively presented a memorial to the court to reinstate official tax.

The so-called official tax meant that the Imperial court would publicly sell official titles where the wealthy could buy them, so the country could fill the financial deficit.

Official tax has had its pros and cons since ancient times. Although the emperor was worried that it would lead to bad officials in the long run, he looked at the empty treasury and finally nodded.

And the problem with Suzhou’s account books lies in the official tax!

In the past ten years, there had been continuous disasters in Suzhou, such as floods and plagues, and the population was deteriorating. However, the number of people who bought official titles has never been less.

Lu Ze then opened the letter and said: “The person in charge of the official tax in Suzhou is Jin Guang, the chief ambassador of Suzhou. This man studied at Wenxi Institute at the age of 8. From the performance appraisal point of view, he did a good job as an official, won the hearts of the people, and was appreciated by the governor. He was promoted to chief ambassador five years ago, but it is worth mentioning that he has half of Qi State blood.”

“Half of Qi State blood?” Xiao Yu said.

“Yes, his father’s name is Jin Lin. In his early years, he was also a famous painter in the Qi State. When Jin Lin was in his prime, despite the opposition of his clan, he married Yuan shi, a woman from our Great Zhou. The Yuan family had an ink shop, and the business has always been good. After the marriage, the couple had a good life until the 16th year of the Yongchang era, when a fire broke out in their home and killed Yuan shi, and Jin Lin’s many years of painting went up in flames. From then on, he went out of business and finally took root in Suzhou.”

Xiao Yu nodded thoughtfully, “I see.”

Lu Ze said: “His Majesty just handed over this position to Your Highness. Then shortly after, there are reports of income and expenditure forgery in Suzhou. Your Highness, Suzhou is the ancestral home of Prince Cheng, I’m afraid this is not so simple.”

At this time, Yang Di suddenly interjected: “This subordinate thinks that the person who reported this has no relationship with Prince Cheng. Prince Cheng is about to get married, this kind of affair is not worthwhile.”

Speaking of Prince Cheng’s marriage, Xiao Yu suddenly fell silent.

Lu Ze rubbed his eyebrows and looked at Yang Di.

They knew that Prince Jin’s silence was not because of the matters of the court, but because of Prince Consort Jin.

Recently, although the prince and his consort were no longer arguing endlessly as they did in the beginning, they had the posture of dividing the bridge and returning to their respective roads.

Others might not say, but between husband and wife, silence is often more serious than arguments.

Yang Di hesitated for a moment before speaking: “There is a saying, but this subordinate doesn’t know whether it is proper to say it.”

Xiao Yu indifferently said: “Speak.”

Yang Di: “Nowadays, His Majesty the emperor’s body is not as good as it was before. People in the capital have clearly started to make their moves. If it’s going to be like the carnage those years ago in Mancheng, Your Highness will need the power of the Su family.”

“The Su family not only has the strongest soldiers of the Great Zhou Dynasty,” Yang Di exhaled and continued, “Su Huai’an is also young and promising. It is only a matter of time before he enters the cabinet. Such a good marriage, even Prince Cheng has miscalculated it. Does Your Highness really want to give the princess consort a divorce letter? Won’t this be a deviation of Your Highness’s original intention?”

Yang Di noticed that Xiao Yu’s expression had a trace of relaxation, then said: “If Your Highness’s relationship with the princess consort is unstable, how will the Su family father and son serve you sincerely?”

Yang Di was so close to saying: For the sake of the great cause, so what if you have to lie to her?

Lu Ze poured a cup of water for Yang Di to show his approval.

Everything that needed to be said was already said, he didn’t need to say more.

Xiao Yu also knew which was more important.

He took a sip of tea and looked out the window.

The location of Qin’an Restaurant was excellent. Looking out from the supporting window on the fourth floor, at the end of the river was that majestic and imposing palace.

Boundless desire and power were intertwined between carved beams and painted buildings.

She did not want this marriage, he also did not want it.

But the world cannot be about what the people want.

Xiao Yu returned to the Jin Palace that night.

He went through the Chuihua Gate and went straight to Chang’en Hall.

Su Ling and Fu Ying were talking and laughing in the room, but when they saw him, the smiles on the corners of the mouth slowly receded.

A while ago, Xiao Yu was sent to Chengzhou, and it has been quite a while since he came back home.

Xiao Yu pursed his lips and stared at her, obviously having something to say.

Su Ling hesitated for a moment, and said first: “Your Highness has returned from Chengzhou?”

Xiao Yu let out an “mm.”

“I’ve returned.”

After speaking, there was a moment of silence. Fu Ying’s scalp became numb, and she quickly withdrew.

Xiao Yu walked over, sat on Su Ling’s side, and turned his head to look at her: “How has the house been lately?”

The sudden concern not only did not ease the atmosphere of this cold winter, but also made it more awkward.

Su Ling’s fine eyebrows knitted slightly, and she replied: “Everything is fine.”

Then they remained silent again.

“Have you eaten?”

Su Ling avoided his gaze and said softly, “Thank you for Your Highness’s concern, qie has already eaten.”

Another concluding remark.

Su Ling’s toes curled up inside her embroidered shoes. She glanced at him and said in her heart: It’s already past the three minutes mark, shouldn’t he go to the study? Why is he still here?

Su Ling was thinking about when he would leave, but Xiao Yu suddenly untied his outer robe, looking as if he wanted to stay there at Chang’en Hall for the night.

Su Ling bit her lower lip and said: “Your Highness, don’t you need to go to the study?”

Xiao Yu let out a “mm” and said in return: “I’m not busy today, and I’m a little tired, so I won’t go.”

Su Ling’s expression became tight in an instant.

The three words “you’re not welcome” were directly written in her eyes.

But this was the Jin Palace. If he wanted to rest in Chang’en Hall, Su Ling couldn’t throw him out.

Su Ling didn’t want to sleep on the same couch with him nor could she refuse explicitly. She could only do things covertly. She first spent half a shichen bathing, followed by half a shichen wiping her hair. The young lady groomed herself in the mirror, one by one strand. Even a cat licking its paws was faster than her.

In the meantime, Xiao Yu was watching her fiddling with her hair from the couch. For some reason, the more she dawdled, the more patient he became.

For once, he looked at his wife carefully.

Seeing that he had no intention of leaving at all, Su Ling couldn’t continue the one-man show. She put down the wooden comb in her hand, walked over slowly, and sat down.

Xiao Yu rectified his expression and suddenly spoke: “Three days ago, I received a transfer order to be the Imperial censor of the Capital Procuratorate.”

Su Ling: “Qie has heard about it. Congratulations to Your Highness.”

Xiao Yu lowered his head and held her hand, then he raised his head to look at her, getting straight to the point: “I came here because I have something to say to you.”

“What does Your Highness want to say?”

“The divorce letter that you want, I cannot give it. Not only I cannot give the letter, the influential House of Zhen will never receive it either.”

Hearing these words, Su Ling‘s tone turned cold: “What does Your Highness mean by suddenly saying this?”

The four eyes looked at each other, Xiao Yu solemnly said: “I came today to give you a promise. You will be the empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty in the future, on the other hand, you have to follow me, but I will give you freedom to you whatever you want to do.”

This was really straightforward.

But even if he didn’t say it, Su Ling knew it.

It was impossible for him to spit out the piece of fat of the Su family after holding it once.

“Qie understands.”

Su Ling wanted to take her hand out of the palm of his hand, but the man clasped it tightly.

“I’m going to Suzhou in two days. The journey is far away and the return date is uncertain.” Hearing that he was about to leave, Su Ling had just breathed a sigh of relief before she heard him say: “Princess Consort shall go with me.”