CH 34

Zhou Min didn’t inquire further since she could feel those matters were bloody and dark. Anyway, what did that have to do with her? She only needed to know who was the mastermind that causes Lan Min’s demise.



“I heard there was a major event concerning the marshal stationed at the border. Imperial Brother, who are you going to send to replace him?”



Lan Ziyu took his time to answer. “I already arranged it. You need not do anything, just stay by my side. Don’t concern yourself over the rest since there is me…”



“Are you sure?” She frowned a bit as she couldn’t help but worry. She remembered during the time Lan Min died, the male lead’s power and influence at court have eroded through the female protagonist’s painstaking efforts. Aside from that, on the day of her death, Lan Ziyu met with assassins while outside. Although he survived the attempt, he was gravely injured, a first-ever since he sat on the throne. Even after his life was safe, his health never recovered to its peak. At present, there was no female protagonist to cause him harm since she couldn’t be more dead. Yet, Zhou Min noticed that the major events followed the same course unchanged as if the male lead’s bad luck resulted from a deeper conspiracy.



Unfortunately, she couldn’t let him know about her worries since it was impossible for her to explain without revealing her secrets. Therefore, she lifted her head and gave him a faint smile, acting her role as his sister. “I know. I believe Big Brother will protect our Lan clan’s empire!” She voiced out Lan Min’s most cherished wish. Zhou Min had guessed that on the day Lan Min died, she would also leave this world.



As long as the male lead can get through the ordeal on that day, his life would be smooth sailing from then on!



Lan Ziyu hugged Zhou Min tightly. “Yes. I will protect our empire!”



It’s only by protecting this empire that I would have the power to safeguard you. I will fight for this land because you are here; You are my reason and my everything!



Zhou Min nodded at him, but her exhaustion made her nestled in his embrace as she slumbered. He watched her asleep in his arms. His gentle gaze watched over her, then he hugged her as if this act would bring her closer into his world. Finally, he enjoyed that moment of serenity with the impression that nothing could be more beautiful than this instant.



Lan Ziyu held his lover tenderly and printed many gentle kisses on her cute and reddened face.



His slender fingers massaged her tenderly, easing the physical exhaustion he had caused her. Distress aroused in his heart when he saw her bruised and hickeys-dotted skin.



His fingers drifted on her skin, trailing down lower until he reached her lower abdomen. He massaged that part with great attention, using the right force to make her comfortable. At times, one of his hands would trail to her thighs, giving it a good rub while the other one continued to knead Zhou Min everywhere – from the shoulders to her back, from face to her hair.



Zhou Min was still muddleheaded from oversleeping, coupled with Lan Ziyu’s great massage techniques, she let involuntary gasps escaped from her cherry lips. The sounds were sweet enough to heat up anyone’s desires and rendered them powerless. Ah~! How comfortable… So good… Ah~ I feel like my soul is flying away…



He chuckled and shook his head with a pampering look when he noticed her tired and enjoyable look that gave no heed to her image. He bent down and nibbled on her earlobe before blowing into her ear. He shuddered with satisfaction as he felt her skin against his. He let out a quiet whisper, “My dear imperial sister, you are my world…”



At that moment, a sudden wind blew into the room, lifting the bed curtains. In an instant, his expression darkened. He continued to hug Zhou Min but had swiftly changed his posture. His movements were light and cautious as to not alarm his love. With a flip, he picked up his black satin robe and draped himself in it loosely. His hair remained disheveled; His appearance oozing of indolence, but with his temperament, it couldn’t suppress his tyrannical aura, giving him a devilish charm.



“What did you find out?” Without hurry, he walked to his dragon chair while rearranging his clothes. Then, with imposing grandeur, he sat on it.



Movements could be seen in the shadow before Qing Ge emerged, standing upright in the room. “Eunuch Tai is a spy for Prime Minister Yan from Lin Kingdom!”



“What?!” Lan Ziyu thought Eunuch Tai worked for another faction in the empire, but the thought had never crossed him the man was a spy for another country. Moreover, Eunuch Tai was a confidant of the late emperor and had stood to Lan Ziyu’s side since his childhood. What a deep and sinister man! If that accident between Lan Min and him didn’t happen and their misunderstanding persisted, he would have never discovered Eunuch Tai’s schemes and would have continued considering the man as his trusted confidant.



“Lin Kingdom had captured General Qin, provoking chaos at the borders because of the lack of leadership within our army. Meanwhile, Eunuch Tai is transmitting state secrets to our enemies, compromising your Majesty’s and the Princess’ safety. Fortunately, his messages have been intercepted!”



Qing Ge was unhurried as he spoke at a timed pace. There was no emotion in his voice as he reported monotonously everything. Lan Ziyu could tolerate Eunuch Tai’s betrayal, but it became a different matter when he heard the traitor had the intention to involve his treasured sister into the warfare of two countries.



His expression became subzero cold. “Had he already escaped?”



From his tone, it was more an affirmation than a question. Logically, if Eunuch Tai was still in the palace, Qing Ge would have already imprisoned the man.



“Yes! When I was intercepting his messages, I was discovered and alarmed him… It was my dereliction of duty! Please punish me…” He kneeled down on one knee with a wooden expression.



“Go to the Disciplinary Pavilion to receive 20 flogs. Then, make preparation for tomorrow. I suspect there will be troubles during morning court! As for the borders, I will personally go there to handle the liberation of our men. I’ll try to take back the Tiger seal and regain control over the army if given the chance…” A smile stretched across his face yet there was no warmth, only a terrifying coldness could be felt from it.



By the time Zhou Min woke up, well recovered from that day of debauchery, three days have gone by. She had slept very well and was in top condition. As soon as she woke up, 484’s voice rang impatiently inside her mind. “My dear ancestor, you are finally awake. You might as well just continue to sleep. Sleep until we failed the mission and get destroyed!”



“What are you talking about?” Zhou Min was startled. “Did something happen to the male lead?”



She didn’t forget that her mission goal was to protect the Lan clan’s dynasty which included the safety of the male lead! If Lan Ziyu perished, all will be lost and so is her life…



“250, I find that except for a mouth that could only jinx people, you have no other redeeming talent. Now, hurry and go to the borders. The male lead’s fate is at a crucial and dangerous juncture. There is a big war ongoing at the moment we speak!” 484 blurted out everything with urgency. It didn’t expect Zhou Min to sleep three days straight after her successful seduction attempt. What kind of alien is she?! It’s not like she was drugged, yet no matter how many times it made a racket in her mind, she slept like a pig! If it wasn’t because of the regular breathing, it would have labeled her dead.



“What did you say? Where is the male lead?!”



“The next day after having sex with you, he decided to lead the troops to the borders. The preparation was completed quite fast, and he left on the same day…”



Fuck! Damn him! He left without a word. Really…



Zhou Min didn’t dare to waste more time. Her heart was in a tumult at she got up at once. Time is the essence. Since she was sleeping in the emperor’s study room, after Lan Ziyu left, no one dares to step in without permission. So, Zhou Min ordered servants to prepare her meal. She needed energy since three days of fasting was taking a toll on her stomach.



After she ate, she prepared her travel bag, but it took her a while to leave due to the opposition of the people inside of the palace. Finally, she had to use her authority as a princess to silence everyone. With her status, no one dared to obstruct her again. When her imperial brother return, whoever’s head he wanted to take wasn’t any longer up to her.



Ever since Lan Ziyu pampered her to no end and retaliated in her stead all those years of bullying, all the concubines and servants in the harem received a deep trauma. Therefore, after a show of power, Zhou Min received blind obedience from them. She changed into man’s clothes, got out of the palace, and with the help of 484’s GPS, she spurred her horse on the trails of Lan Ziyu!



Unfortunately, she was two days later, even if she used all shortcuts and traveled without rest, she couldn’t catch up to him before he reached the barracks. The next problem was how she sees him considering the strategic importance of the army camp?



Anyway, there was a small town nearby. She would go there first and plan again!