The man had a strong grip, as if he were afraid of losing something. Lying against the pillow on
his side, this face showed a contented smile. His knitted brows had long smoothed out making
him appear somewhat childish and vulnerable. This was definitely not the Emperor she once
knew in the past!
Meng Sangyu controlled her breathing and carefully examined the man’s handsome features.
Her eyes followed the line of his jaw to behind his ears, trying to find traces of a disguise.
Although his wolfish actions told her that this man was the real McCoy, she couldn’t help but
doubt the other party’s authenticity because of his occasional irrational behaviour.
Little by little, she carefully stretched out a hand and felt under the man’s chin. The newly grown
stubble felt prickly and the coarse hairs tickled her delicate palm. It gave off a pleasing feeling.
There were no traces of makeup and he wouldn’t be able to grow a beard if he was wearing a
mask. She breathed a sigh of relief and moved to retract her hand.
Coincidentally, the man awoke just at this time. A pair of pitch-black eyes stared fixedly at her.
They did not contain any of the drowsiness or confusion from just waking up. He was extremely
vigilant by nature and it was easy for him to be startled awake, but Sangyu was a special
existence to him. His body automatically relaxed in her presence. Nevertheless, no matter how
sleepy one was, they would have no choice but to wake up after having their face touched
nonstop.
Noticing that the woman’s pretty face was so close within reach, it was almost as if the two of
them had returned to the time where they were together from morning until night, inseparable as
two peas in a pod. His eyes instantly sparkled with a terrifying brilliance. Just like he had done
every morning in the past, he held her face and licked and kissed her cheeks from her tender
lips to her snow-white teeth. [His tongue] pushed between her pearly white teeth to impatiently
hook her savoury, slippery tongue. Emperor Zhou’wu gave a satisfied sigh. This was
undoubtedly his most splendid morning since his soul returned to his body.
“Your Majesty, your honoured self’s shoulder is still wounded and this concubine’s body still has
not fully recovered!” After extricating herself from his feverish kisses, Meng Sangyu gasped for
breath as she called out a reminder. She could feel the man’s thick erection growing harder
against her leg.
1
Since her body remained unsullied, she could infer that she would monopolize Imperial favour in
the coming days. She didn’t feel any humiliation and instead slightly rejoiced. If something
happened to her father, the favour bestowed to her would let her mother and elder brother live
better and prevent the Meng family from falling into decline. It was an equal exchange, that was
all.
“Zhen’s injury is fine. When will your body recover?” Reluctantly pecking the woman’s alluring
scarlet lips once more, Emperor Zhou’wu asked with a husky voice.
“Imperial Physician Du said that it will improve after drinking a few more doses of herbal
medicine.” Meng Sangyu turned her head to evade and the man’s kisses fell on her delicate
pale earlobes. The man recognized the opportunity and used his teeth to gently nibble her
earlobe with an indulgent expression.
“How long is drinking a few more doses of medicine?” Seizing her chin and making her face
him, Emperor Zhou’wu persisted in his questioning.
“About seven or eight days.” Meng Sangyu had no choice but to meet his eyes. Facing the
deep, enigmatic emotion in his eyes, she suddenly felt somewhat apprehensive.
“In seven or eight days, Zhen’s shoulder will have fully recovered too. Just at the right time.”
Emperor Zhou’wu sighed deeply and tightly embraced the fragrant, bewitching, delicate body in
his arms. It was a while before he reluctantly let go.
“Your Majesty, it’s time to get out of bed. This concubine will help you change.” Seeing that he
finally stopped, Meng Sangyu imperceptibly let out a sigh. She sprang off the Imperial bed at
lighting speed.
“Mm.” The man gave a low reply. His voice sounded extremely happy. Noticing that her lapel
was slightly wrinkled, his body moved on its own to smooth it out and he conveniently planted a
kiss on her cheek. This scene so resembled how a couple would behave around each other in
modern times, affectionate with mutual respect, that Meng Sangyu was momentarily lost for
words.
In the short time she was absent-minded, Emperor Zhou’wu had already taken the clothes from
her hands and changed into them himself with a light smile. Meng Sangyu blinked and hastily
wrung a handkerchief for him to wash his face and hands.
“Your Majesty, would your honoured self still like this concubine to feed you?” asked Meng
Sangyu as she walked over to the [table] where a piping hot breakfast was prepared.
“Sit down and eat together with Zhen.” Emperor Zhou’wu smiled and pulled her to sit beside
him. Their seats were so close that they could feel each other’s body heat. This brightened his
2
This cat bows in thanks.
“They are all dishes that you love, eat more. You’ve lost a lot of weight these last few days.” He
served Sangyu while expressing concern over her slightly thinner cheeks after close
examination.
We haven’t seen each other for five months. How do you know that I’ve gotten thinner recently?
As expected, sweet and honeyed words are a scumbag’s God-given skill! Meng Sangyu
criticized him in her mind, but her face displayed a shy expression as she thanked the man and
focused on eating. Taking another look, she discovered that every dish on the table was, in fact,
food she normally loved to eat.
“Eat up, it won’t taste as good once it’s cold.” Emperor Zhou’wu smiled and added another piece
of pastry [to her plate] while he himself had only eaten a few bites. His pair of deeply serene
eyes were practically glued to the woman’s body with no sign of looking away. He missed these
commonplace but comforting moments too much.
Meng Sangyu already found a way to deal with the irrational Emperor, which was ‘Let him
thrash, the cool breeze brushes the hill. Let him go crazy, the bright moon illuminates the Great
River.’1 She only needed to be concerned with her own matters and he would return to normal
after a while.
Sure enough, after finishing breakfast Emperor Zhou’wu began to review memorials. The man
sat behind the Imperial desk with knitted brows and looked completely focused. [He was] the
picture of an awe-inspiring, hard-working, and conscientious monarch who showed promise.
There were no signs of the lovesick fool from just a moment ago. He had returned for no more
than three days but [the news of] several important matters had already broken out in the
Imperial Court.
The first was news that Gansu’s Provincial Commander, Xie Zheng’hao, had been
assassinated. Just before Great Zhou’s troops were heading into battle, they had switched
Generals and directly assaulted the Barbarian’s Imperial seat.
The second piece of news was that the commander(s) of the Imperial guards and the Forbidden
Dragon guards and the Provincial Commander of the Nine Gates were successively demoted
and were replaced by newly-appointed lesser-known officials.
1 This is a play on words on a line of poem from Jin Yong’s [Heavenly Sword and Dragon
Slaying Sabre]. The original text is: “他强由他强，清风拂山冈。他横任他横，明月照大江。”
Both mean to ignore the enemy - treat them like air - and only worry about your own matters. No
matter how strong or fierce an enemy is, their actions can’t affect you. Man’s greatest enemy is
worry, unease, weakness, ignorance etc. which all come from within.
3
Third, the Imperial Court will establish a new government office who will be known as the
Embroidered Uniform guards. Its authority would be leaps and bounds higher than the Six
Ministries and the Emperor would be the one to appoint a Commander. This would greatly
centralize Imperial power.
Fourth, a scandal broke out that Imperial Preceptor Shen who was in charge of the autumn
examinations2 had leaked the questions in advance. The results of this year’s autumn
examinations will be invalidated. Next year, the New Year and spring examinations will
be held at the same time.
Several major changes were decreed in succession and the negative effects of the previous
Fake Emperor’s incompetence and indulgence in women were thoroughly eliminated. The
imperial courtiers could see the wise, mighty and commanding monarch from the past. The
ministers who were loyal to the imperial family rejoiced; those who sought to benefit from the
confusion anxiously ran about like headless chickens; and the brown-nosing ministers who
simply followed the crowd began to worry.
Meng Sangyu sat erect in the seat to the right of the Emperor.3 She pondered over Emperor
Zhou’wu’s recent actions and couldn’t help but acknowledge that if Great Zhou didn’t have this
man at the helm, the country would surely fall into chaos.
Seeing that the man was wholly focused on governmental affairs, she stood up and curtsied to
excuse herself, “Your Majesty is busy with governmental affairs. This concubine will take her
leave first. Please remember to care for your health, Your Majesty, and take a break every other
hour.”
“Sangyu, don’t leave. Stay and keep Zhen company.” Having been accustomed to being in the
same room with Sangyu, Emperor Zhou’wu only just realized that this was Qian’qing Palace. If
he was busy with governmental affairs, Sangyu would appear very awkward with nothing to do.
“Help Zhen organize the memorials.” Seeing Sangyu clearly look over with questioning eyes, he
patted the stack of memorials beside him and spoke.
“How can memorials be something that this concubine can be allowed to see? This concubine
doesn’t dare.” Meng Sanyu hastily refused. A woman had almost robbed him of political power
and she didn’t believe for a minute that it hadn’t left a shadow in this man’s heart. If she so
2 秋闱 (qiūwéi) One of the three annual imperial examinations at the provincial level in
the Ming and Qing dynasties.
3 In ancient times, the left side was considered higher or more important than the right. This
applied to seated positions as well as governmental posts e.g. Left Chancellor > Right
Chancellor.
4
much as touched those memorials, in the future when this person is in a bad mood and brings
this free at Nyanovels. This cat bows in thanks.
Emperor Zhou’wu blanked out for a moment before immediately understanding her misgivings.
He held his forehead and couldn’t help but give a low chuckle. His Sangyu has always been on
guard like this, constantly looking a hundred steps ahead. It was true that he felt it was taboo for
women to meddle in state affairs, but this did not extend to Sangyu. He trusted Sangyu as much
as he trusted himself.
“Nevermind. In that case, help Zhen trim this bonsai then.” Not wanting to make things difficult
for Sangyu, he pointed at several small bonsai that were sitting on the desk.
“Yes.” Meng Sangyu agreed and picked up the bonsai and gave it an evaluating look. Suddenly,
she remembered a scene from when she was together with A’Bao. One pruned while the other
tidied, cooperating smoothly in complete tacit understanding. Those were her most fulfilling and
joyful days since she entered the palace.
Emperor Zhou’wu narrowed his eyes, clearly lost in some memory as well. He promptly took
away the bonsai and said in a low voice, “Once Zhen has some free time, Zhen will trim this
bonsai together with you. You……” He paused and his eyes brightened, “You sew a perfume
sachet for Zhen, you promised last time.”
“But this concubine does not have any tools or materials.” Meng Sangyu loosened her hands.
She was already immune to the man’s irrational behaviour.
“Chang’xi, head to Bi’xiao Palace and fetch Her Ladyship’s needlework box.” Emperor Zhou’wu
looked towards Chang’xi who had been standing quietly in the corner for a long time.
The needlework box was delivered to Meng Sangyu’s hands with the fastest speed. The man
rummaged around in the needlework box. He didn’t find a piece of cloth that suited his taste and
called Chang’xi over again to fetch a bolt of bright yellow brocade from his personal storage.
“Use this material and make two identical sachets. One for you and one for Zhen.” The man
gestured with his hands to show the size and shape as he enthusiastically made suggestions.
“Your Majesty~” Meng Sangyu grumbled flirtatiously. Her raised phoenix eyes made one’s heart
skip a beat, “This satin is bright yellow. Is Your Majesty trying to harm this concubine [by having
5
this concubine use material that exceeds her rank]?4 Here this man goes again, wanting to push
her into the heart of danger.
“How could that be?” Emperor Zhou’wu’s voice was hoarse and he had a bitter taste in his
mouth. The Empress of a nation was also entitled to use bright yellow, but if he said it outright,
would Sangyu believe him? She was too clever and precisely because of this, everything would
become more complicated. His attitude suddenly changed. Perhaps it could be seen as
harbouring ill intentions from her perspective! He truly did not know how he could make things
better and could only slowly wear down [her guard] bit by bit and gradually make Sangyu aware
of his feelings.
“It was Zhen’s mistake. Use this deep purple cloth instead and make the two of them exactly the
same.” Tossing the bright yellow brocade to one side, Emperor Zhou’wu’s smile faintly revealed
his bitterness.
“Alright, should the scents be the same as well?” Meng Sangyu was satisfied and asked with a
grin.
“Yes, and not ambergris but your favourite floral scent that you normally use.” Forcibly rousing
himself, Emperor Zhou’wu caressed her beaming face. Forget it, it’s fine so long as you’re by
Zhen’s side. Zhen has a lifetime to tear down your heart's defenses.
“Sit closer to Zhen. It’s warmer this way.” He pulled the woman to the vacant space beside him.
In the past, he was always directly nestled in Sangyu’s bosom and had gotten used to there
being zero distance between them. He wasn’t used to seeing Sangyu sit so far away. If it wasn’t
inconvenient for him to write with a person in his embrace, he wished he could hug Sangyu all
the time.
“Will [this concubine] disturb Your Majesty reviewing memorials?” Her buttocks were pressed up
against the side of the man’s strong thighs. Scorching hot bodily warmth could be felt through
their clothes. Meng Sangyu shifted uncomfortably. She discovered that the crazy Emperor really
liked to stick to her, as if he was starving for touch.5
“It won’t.” The man smiled and bent down to lick her soft lips. Only then did he start to read over
memorials.
4 There were restrictions for what everyone could wear in the Palace. Yellow or gold was
reserved solely for the Emperor and red was reserved for the Empress. The Empress might be
permitted to wear yellow as well in some cases. Anyone else could be punished for just having
that colour material in their residence, let alone working with it.
5 I learned that 皮肤饥渴症 (pífū jīkě zhèng) is a real condition and maybe something we’re all
feeling to some extent right now. Sending everyone a big virtual hug!!
6
Meng Sangyu was already quite composed in the face of the man’s surprise attack. She
gracefully wiped the wetness from her lips and lowered her head to concentrate on making the
perfume sachet. For a moment, the hall was so silent that one could hear a needle drop. A
strong sweet atmosphere lingered about the two of them.
Standing in the corner, Chang’xi stole a measuring glance at the two people who were wholly
absorbed [in their work]. He inwardly pondered: His Majesty and Virtuous Consort really have a
good relationship. Like this, they seem just like an ordinary old married couple.
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