Chapter 598: Returning to the Capital and Consummating with the Empress

As for Bumbutai's words, Zhu Youxiao only listened half-heartedly.

Some matters she had no say in, and she had even less ability to decide them.

Under such circumstances, it was enough to just talk about it. If she could pass the information to Wukeshan, then the purpose would be served.

However, Zhu Youxiao no longer wished to stay long in Liaodong. He was returning to the capital; the remaining matters were beyond his control.

When he left, spring had not yet arrived; by the time he returned to the capital, it was already high summer.

This trip of Zhu Youxiao's had indeed taken a great deal of time.

Compared to the coolness of Liaodong, the capital was somewhat hot.

Gazing at the capital's city gates, a smile spread across Zhu Youxiao's face.

The carriage procession slowly passed through the gate tunnel.

The surrounding area had long since been cleared. Commoners who wanted to see the imperial procession could only watch from afar; there was no way to get close.

Scenes like those in later-generation films and dramas, where some nobody tries to assassinate the Emperor, simply did not exist.

Even if the Emperor left the palace in grand style, it was impossible for anyone to ambush him from taverns on either side. Even arrows shot from a very great distance could not possibly reach the Emperor's carriage procession.

Zhu Youxiao's carriage soon arrived at the imperial palace.

Empress Zhang led all the people of the palace, great and small, in welcoming him. Of course, Zhu Youxiao's sons and daughters were there too.

Looking at them all staring at him with eager eyes, Zhu Youxiao truly felt that time flowed like water. He hadn't expected that after transmigrating over, he would already have sons and daughters.

Stepping before Empress Zhang, he reached out and helped her up, then said with a smile: "You've worked hard."

"This is all this humble one's duty." Empress Zhang replied: "Your Majesty has traveled all the way—nothing untoward happened, I trust?"

Zhu Youxiao shook his head, reached out to take Empress Zhang's hand, and said with a smile: "What could happen to Us?"

"Along the way they attended to Us well; Our body is fine, no need to worry. Rather, it is you all whom We missed."

"Your Majesty need not worry. Everything in the palace is in order, and everyone is healthy." Empress Zhang also said with a smile.

After the husband and wife had spoken for a while, Zhu Youxiao then had the other consorts rise, spoke a few comforting words to them, and sent them back to their own quarters.

This trip had brought back two more women, who still needed Empress Zhang to arrange. But this matter was nothing major—there were already not many women in his palace.

Still, he estimated that if he kept going out and bringing some back each time, the palace would soon be filled with people.

Thinking about this matter, Zhu Youxiao truly had a bit of a headache.

But for now he couldn't worry about that—he needed to go bathe with Empress Zhang first.

There's a saying that goes: a brief separation is better than a new marriage. This time was the same principle. Looking carefully, his own pearl was still the most beautiful, making him like her to no end.

Zhu Youxiao took Empress Zhang to bathe—this had already become a necessary ritual after he returned to the palace.

At first it was out of longing, but now it had become somewhat routine. Not doing it was not an option; the entire palace was watching.

Zhu Youxiao had used this matter to shape the image of his favor toward Empress Zhang. If he did it every time but skipped it this once, the direction would shift somewhat—it would make those below uneasy, and would give some who had no ideas ideas they shouldn't have.

Zhu Youxiao pulled Empress Zhang along to bathe, and he enjoyed it too. After the fatigue of the long journey, soaking in a bath was a comfortable pleasure—and with Empress Zhang accompanying him, engaging in some wholesome exercise beneficial to body and mind was an even better thing.

Empress Zhang's pretty face flushed slightly as she let Zhu Youxiao pull her along.

She naturally knew the benefits of this.

That the Emperor expressed his favor toward her in this way was known to all. Besides, bathing truly was comfortable, and she was willing to go.

Chen Hong and Wei Chao attended at the side.

Inside the bathing pool.

Zhu Youxiao leaned back against the pool wall.

Empress Zhang lay at one side, propped against Zhu Youxiao's chest, a smile on her face. Because of the steam, her pretty face was slightly flushed.

It was clear that the water really was a bit hot.

"Arrange things well for these two Mongol women brought back this time." Zhu Youxiao looked at Empress Zhang, playing with her silky hair in his hand as he said: "Don't give them any special treatment just because they are Mongols."

"At the same time, keep an eye out—don't let the people in the palace bully them. Treat them ordinarily. You must pass this down and not let those below deceive you."

Zhu Youxiao held Empress Zhang close, his expression serious as he spoke.

He couldn't afford to be indifferent to Da Yu'er and the others—this was a show he was putting on for outsiders. Just like the model rooms people in later generations made, of course one had to be meticulous, and if the materials used were better, the effect would be even better.

Some would even cheat, making the furniture eighty or even seventy percent of its original size to make the room appear larger.

But for himself, there was simply no need to cheat. The Mongols wouldn't stir up any trouble either. Therefore, under such circumstances, he only needed to treat Da Yu'er and the others ordinarily.

Zhu Youxiao was also worried about another matter—that Da Yu'er and the other one might end up dead.

With more and more people in the palace, competition was growing fiercer, and some matters were becoming harder to handle. With more people came more trouble; if someone made a move against them, it would be truly difficult for him to investigate.

"Your Majesty need not worry. Such a thing definitely cannot happen in this palace. This humble one will certainly arrange everything well." Empress Zhang took Zhu Youxiao's hand, her face brimming with confidence.

Having been Empress for so many years, she knew the score well. Besides, over these past few years, Zhu Youxiao had always showered her with favor, and she had a son.

Within the palace, Empress Zhang's position could be said to be extremely stable, and she had cultivated quite a number of subordinates. Throughout the entire palace, great and small, high and low, there was no position where Empress Zhang did not have her people placed.

The palace maids and eunuchs were the same—no one dared to offend Empress Zhang. Her power was immense; it could be said that the entire palace was filled with her eyes and ears.

She was like a great spider perched in Kunning Palace; any sign of movement anywhere would reach her.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Empress Zhang and could only nod, saying: "As long as you know the score, that's fine."

Empress Zhang also nodded, her eyes seductive as silk as she looked at Zhu Youxiao. Naked, she emerged from the water and crawled onto Zhu Youxiao's body, just quietly gazing at him.

The two exchanged a look, then moved again, the pool water rippling in layer upon layer of waves that spread outward.

Two hours later, Zhu Youxiao walked out from within, leading Empress Zhang.

Empress Zhang's smile was radiant, her face glowing with vigor.

But for Zhu Youxiao, his waist was a bit sore.

Glancing at Wei Chao standing not far away, Zhu Youxiao decided to have him handle a matter.

"Your Majesty, should a family banquet be held this evening? This humble one will go prepare." Empress Zhang looked at Zhu Youxiao and asked with a smile.

Zhu Youxiao could not object to this matter—it had basically become a rule of the palace. So in the face of this matter, everyone was accustomed to it, and this request was merely going through the motions.

"Fine, go make the arrangements." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said.

Empress Zhang smoothed out Zhu Youxiao's clothes and said with a smile, "Then I'll go attend to my duties."

"The younger sisters in the palace have been waiting for Your Majesty with eager eyes. While you have this moment, Your Majesty could go visit them. I imagine they'd be delighted, and it would give Your Majesty a chance to see them as well."

Zhu Youxiao shot Empress Zhang a glare.

If he made that whole round, would this old life of his even survive?

Back when there were only three, he could still hold on. But now he couldn't anymore. And on top of that, Empress Zhang had just asked for a bit too much, so he simply couldn't manage it.

Zhu Youxiao said irritably, "Go on, get to your work. Keep this up, and next time I won't come to your chambers at all."

With that said, Zhu Youxiao clasped his hands behind his back and turned to leave.

Was there no end to this?

Wasn't he himself a tsundere emperor too?

Empress Zhang watched Zhu Youxiao's retreating figure and burst out laughing.

She didn't chase after Zhu Youxiao. Instead, she took her people to prepare the evening banquet. This matter was rather important — one could call it a gathering of the imperial family, especially since the Emperor had been away for quite some time this trip.

There was also another matter: this time there were two newcomers. These two would also be joining the palace.

Under such circumstances, this also counted as a welcoming ceremony, and being too careless simply wouldn't do. Empress Zhang took these matters quite seriously.

Back at Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youxiao glanced at Wei Chao and asked, "Are there any palace maids in the palace skilled in massage? If not, have someone go to the Imperial Academy of Medicine and find two imperial physicians to teach them."

Upon hearing this, Wei Chao quickly replied respectfully, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant will immediately arrange for people to search. Even if there are suitable ones, I'll also have the Imperial Academy of Medicine provide instruction."

"That's good then." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said.

This matter had to be put on the agenda right away. Later he would instruct the Imperial Academy of Medicine to get this sorted out as soon as possible. How could there be no massage and acupressure?

And also foot-soaking and foot massage.

He had bathed but hadn't had a foot treatment, and that left him feeling unsettled.

Wei Chao already understood in his heart. He planned to go to the Imperial Academy of Medicine later to see if they could come up with something. He would also instruct the Imperial Kitchen to prepare more nourishing foods when cooking for His Majesty.

Wei Chao had witnessed His Majesty's daily routine over this period and knew that His Majesty's consumption was quite high — he truly needed to replenish himself.

Zhu Youxiao hadn't done anything else. Though traveling wasn't overly exhausting, it wasn't easy either. After returning, he'd been dragged by Empress Zhang and squeezed dry twice, so he was genuinely a bit weary.

He found a spot, leaned back comfortably, and fell asleep directly in his clothes.

Chen Hong gently fanned Zhu Youxiao with light, careful movements.

No one else in the deep palace knew the Emperor was sleeping — in any case, no one would dare come looking for him at that time.

The Emperor had just returned — what did you want to do?

The Emperor had just returned — he belonged to the Empress, not to anyone else.