Chapter 279: A Bit of Daily Life

He then discussed matters of state and the people's livelihood with Wei and Fan, mostly with Liu Chengyou consulting them on national conditions, especially the policies he had recently issued, checking for gaps and making corrections—before they knew it, nearly half an hour had passed.

Seeing that the two were showing signs of fatigue, Liu Chengyou finally let them go, lightly raising his hand and instructing: "The night is deep; you two may withdraw. Once back at your residences, rest well!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! We shall take our leave!" Both men were also nearing forty, not endowed with Liu Chengyou's abundant energy. Seeing the Son of Heaven's interest in conversation waning, they rose in unison, made their bows, and expressed their gratitude.

After the two ministers withdrew, Liu Chengyou could no longer maintain his upright sitting posture. He rolled his shoulders, raised a hand to rub his sore, swollen eyes. Fatigue surged in like a tide—he only closed his eyes for a moment and no longer wanted to open them.

"Your Majesty, would you care to rest for a while? The evening meal is already prepared." Noticing Liu Chengyou's condition, Zhang Dejun stepped forward proactively and asked cleverly.

"Fetch me a robe—I feel a bit cold." Liu Chengyou yawned, waved his hand, then leaned back against the imperial throne, quickly drifting off to sleep.

"His Majesty."

A low, respectful voice sounded before the hall. Under the bright candlelight, the elder Lady Fu swayed her graceful figure as she stepped into the hall. Seeing the surroundings utterly still, she too lowered her footsteps. Approaching the throne, she happened to see Liu Chengyou lying sideways in an unseemly posture.

The black robe covering him had slipped down by a good portion, and a low snore sounded. Listening closely, it was actually somewhat melodious and lilting. Seeing this, an involuntary gentle smile appeared on Empress Fu's increasingly radiant face. Her steps grew even lighter as she stepped forward, carefully smoothing the robe back up to cover Liu Chengyou's body below the neck...

She withdrew with small steps, and the elder Lady Fu resumed a solemn expression. Sitting down on a chair, she glanced at Zhang Dejun and asked coolly: "How could you let His Majesty sleep like this?"

Her phoenix eyes carried authority, making Zhang Dejun, this palace eunuch, tremble inwardly. He hunched his body and answered in a low voice: "Since the western campaign, His Majesty has not slept properly for a long time. Returning to court today, he was utterly exhausted. Since he finally managed to fall asleep, this servant truly did not dare disturb His Majesty..."

"This is how you serve at His Majesty's side? You know not to advise him more?" The elder Lady Fu swept her gaze over Zhang Dejun, furrowing her delicate brows, and questioned him.

Facing this question, Zhang Dejun hurriedly knelt down, proclaiming himself guilty, offering no rebuttal at all.

Of course, with the elder Lady Fu's intelligence, she understood the reasoning—how could a mere palace eunuch possibly persuade such a strong-willed, self-assertive Emperor, and how would he dare to advise?

"Enough, rise!" Letting out a soft sigh, the elder Lady Fu said: "I am merely worried about His Majesty's health. I have wronged you—do not take offense!"

The Empress was so virtuous and magnanimous that Zhang Dejun's face immediately showed emotion, and he hurriedly kowtowed: "His Majesty speaks too gravely."

The slight awkwardness in his heart that he dared not let rise also completely dissipated.

Noticing the simple meal set on the side table, the elder Lady Fu knit her brows and asked: "His Majesty has not yet eaten?"

"Indeed. Before returning to the capital today, he only drank some porridge..."

"Zhang Dejun!" Suddenly, Liu Chengyou's loud call came from within.

"How long did I sleep?" Pressing his forehead and squeezing his eyes to relieve his blurred vision, Liu Chengyou asked.

Zhang Dejun, who had entered to attend him, quickly answered: "To answer Your Majesty, nearly a full hour."

"It's already the hour of Xu!" Yawning repeatedly, even squeezing a few tears from his eyes, Liu Chengyou sighed: "It feels to me like I only blinked."

"That is because Your Majesty has been working too hard lately!" The elder Lady Fu stepped forward, took the robe, folded it in a few quick motions, and handed it to Zhang Dejun to put away, speaking as she did so.

"Sit!" Liu Chengyou beckoned to his Empress.

Empress Fu leaned gently against Liu Chengyou, sitting with him on the imperial throne, her face full of concern as she advised him: "Your Majesty is a sage and enlightened ruler, diligent in governance—I know I cannot dissuade you. I only hope that while Your Majesty labors over state affairs, you will also take care of your body!"

"Once I finish this busy stretch, I'll rest properly." Liu Chengyou let out a breath, grasping the elder Lady Fu's hand as he spoke. The Empress's hand was soft and warm.

Soon, his hand moved to her waist, applying gentle force to draw her into his embrace. Liu Chengyou asked: "Just now, it was you who adjusted my robe for me, wasn't it?"

Though the hand on her willow waist was still relatively well-behaved, her private parts being touched still made a flush of crimson unavoidably rise on the elder Lady Fu's pretty face. Steadying her rapidly beating heart, she raised her head to look at Liu Chengyou and said: "Was Your Majesty awake just now?"

"Half-awake, half-asleep—I merely sensed it vaguely!" His hand moved slowly, and Liu Chengyou lowered his head, taking a deep breath amid Empress Fu's hair bun. Closing his eyes, his expression slightly intoxicated: "This fragrance on you—I know it all too well."

The sensation at her waist was quite distinct, and hearing Liu Chengyou's intimate words, the elder Lady Fu's cheeks grew hot, almost burning, with ripples of tenderness surging in her beautiful eyes. Liu Chengyou noticed this too. Seeing the Empress's charming, dazed, and shy posture, he smiled involuntarily, withdrew his hand, released her, and instructed outward: "I'm hungry—serve the meal!"

Hearing this, Empress Fu extricated herself from Liu Chengyou's embrace and said to him: "The food has gone cold and is not good to eat. I have already ordered a fresh portion prepared—please wait a moment, Your Majesty."

Liu Chengyou did not, as in the past, insist on eating cold food for the sake of frugality—besides, there was no one nearby with brush and paper recording his deeds at the moment. Gently stroking her hand, he sighed leisurely: "With such a virtuous Empress, what more could I ask for?"

"Your Majesty flatters me." The elder Lady Fu said modestly.

Seeing that Liu Chengyou's brows still carried heavy drowsiness, the elder Lady Fu suggested: "Would Your Majesty sleep a little longer?"

"No need—how could I bear to have you sit vigil beside me?" Liu Chengyou raised his hand.

Removing his boots and sitting cross-legged on the imperial throne, he said to Empress Fu: "For nearly two months now, with no one close to confide in, it's been hard to bear. Stay and talk with me!"

"Yes!" To this request, the elder Lady Fu was naturally more than happy to comply.

The Emperor and Empress sat by the bronze table, leaning close and murmuring softly—the atmosphere was rarely so warm. For the most part, it was Liu Chengyou speaking: state affairs, personnel matters, personal matters—he talked about almost everything. Outsiders would likely find it hard to imagine that this Emperor was actually so "talkative." Of course, the elder Lady Fu was somewhat surprised too, but she listened and absorbed it all meekly, helping Liu Chengyou relieve his stress and emotions. This was probably the first time she had truly stepped into Liu Chengyou's heart.

Only when the meal was served and he had eaten his fill did Liu Chengyou regain his spirits.

"Your Majesty, this consort takes her leave." Having accompanied Liu Chengyou for this while, the elder Lady Fu obediently took the initiative to bid farewell, but was called back by Liu Chengyou.

Meeting Empress Fu's questioning gaze, Liu Chengyou said: "I had thought to summon my ministers to discuss the examination matters, but since it's already this late, never mind. Come—tonight I'll lodge at your place!"

The elder Lady Fu was both surprised and delighted. Attended by the palace staff, the two left Chuigong Hall together, quite the picture of marital harmony. Another entry was added to the imperial diary:... That night, the Emperor favored the Empress.

At the crowing of the rooster, Empress Fu awoke from her dreams. Feeling the arm pressing upon her, she turned her jade cheek and observed Liu Chengyou at close range.

Her hair bun had come loose; raising a hand to smooth the strands clinging to her cheek, the elder Lady Fu bit her red lips. Last night, she had returned to the bedchamber with Liu Chengyou full of expectation, bathed together with him—and then Liu Chengyou had held her and fallen asleep.

She let out a faint sigh. She had been married to Liu Chengyou for over half a year now, and her belly still showed no sign. As Empress, if she could not conceive, the pressure was considerable. Unfortunately, Liu Chengyou was busy with state affairs, and the number of times he had favored her was truly few.

Last night's hard-won opportunity had been missed again.

Perhaps she was lonely. Liu Chengyou lay right beside her pillow, the man's presence still lingering. As she thought and thought, Empress Fu's mind drifted to certain embarrassing, hard-to-speak-of matters, and a flush crept over her face...

Just as her wanton thoughts were stirring, Liu Chengyou suddenly moved, pressing her beneath him with strength and force...