Chapter 58: Empress Dowager Forces Marriage (1)

Zhuo Qing and Gu Yun walked side by side on the quiet street. The cool night breeze felt very comfortable, and the bright moonlight enveloped them, making them look somewhat hazy. After a long silence, Zhuo Qing suddenly said in a low voice, "Yun."

"Hmm?" Gu Yun hummed, waiting for what she had to say.

After another silence, Zhuo Qing finally smiled lightly, "I... am preparing to marry Lou Xiyan."

"Really?" Gu Yun's footsteps paused, then she smiled, "It hasn't even been three months; your speed of flash marriage is truly fast enough."

Zhuo Qing raised her eyebrows slightly. She hadn't expected it to be so fast either; perhaps it was because that person was Lou Xiyan.

The joy that Zhuo Qing couldn't hide between her brows made Gu Yun understand that she had truly fallen in love. Lou Xiyan was very good and matched Qing well, but there was a realistic problem. Not wanting to pour cold water on Zhuo Qing, Gu Yun still had to ask, "There is a question, have you thought about it? If I find the Bagua Pan and we have a chance to go back, are you going to stay? At that time, the choice might not be the worst; I'm just afraid that it will be like last time, inexplicably bringing you back to your original life trajectory. Have you thought it through?"

Qing might feel a bit cold due to her work habits, but she was actually a person who valued relationships and had a soft heart. If she fell in love and married Lou Xiyan, and then was suddenly torn apart, I'm afraid...

Zhuo Qing turned her head slightly, looking at Gu Yun's worried face, and replied firmly, "Yun, there are too many uncertainties in the future. I don't want to lose the happiness I can grasp now because of those uncertainties."

Is that so? Forget it, her emotional intelligence was relatively low, and in terms of emotional issues, Qing was much braver and more mature than her. Since Qing had already thought it through, all she could do was offer her blessings.

Lightly patting Zhuo Qing's shoulder, Gu Yun smiled softly, "Happy wedding."

"Thank you." She was very happy to receive Yun's blessing. Yun was her best friend, and she hoped to share this joy with her.

The two chatted and walked together toward the Prime Minister's Mansion, but they saw a tall figure walking on the cold street. Gu Yun stared guardedly at the front, and Zhuo Qing narrowed her eyes to look; that person was...

"Mo Bai?" Why was he here?

Mo Bai walked up to them, still with that cold face, but his voice sounded somewhat urgent: "The Master's illness has flared up again."

Thinking of Lou Xiyan's rapid breathing and pale face when his illness flared up, Zhuo Qing panicked and said urgently to Gu Yun, "I'm leaving first."

"Alright."

Watching Zhuo Qing's fast-walking back, Gu Yun sighed secretly, Qing is probably trapped this time...

Fortunately, it wasn't far from the Prime Minister's Mansion. After running all the way, Zhuo Qing arrived at Lou Xiyan's Lanyue Lou in a while. A group of people was already standing in front of the small courtyard. This time, perhaps because Lou Muhai was also there, Lou Xiwu and Xue Xianxin didn't quarrel again.

Zhuo Qing, who rushed straight into Lanyue Lou, became the focus of everyone's attention. Xue Xianxin saw the deep disgust in Lou Muhai's eyes as she wished, and she was secretly happy in her heart. At this time, Zhuo Qing was about to pass in front of her to enter the inner room. Xue Xianxin stretched out her hand, blocked her way, and shouted, "The Imperial Physician is busy inside, stop adding to the chaos."

With her heart set on Lou Xiyan inside, Zhuo Qing was in no mood to deal with this woman who caused trouble, and said coldly, "Let go, I don't have time to talk nonsense with you now."

Pouting, Xue Xianxin looked at Lou Muhai with a grievance and said, "Old Master, look at her, she has no upbringing at all!" She must not let this wild woman sit in the position of the main wife, otherwise, how would she have a good life in the future!

Now was not the time to discuss upbringing. Zhuo Qing patted her hand away and walked straight toward the inner room. Xue Xianxin still wanted to clamor, but Mo Bai's tall figure blocked her.

"Second Madam, she can cure the Master's illness." The cold voice and azure ice eyes made Xue Xianxin fearfully retreat to Lou Muhai's side involuntarily.

Lou Muhai stared at that slender back. What was so special about this woman that even Mo Bai treated her with such respect?!

Zhuo Qing gently pushed open the door and walked into the inner chamber. Afraid of disturbing the Imperial Physician's diagnosis, she just stood by the screen to observe Lou Xiyan's situation.

He was half-leaning on the edge of the bed, his eyes narrowed, wearing only a thin single garment. His chest and back were already soaked with sweat, his chest heaving, and his breath still disordered.

The Imperial Physician was packing up his needles; he should have just finished treating him. Zhuo Qing walked up slowly and sat gently on the edge of the bed, but didn't dare to make a sound to disturb him.

At this time, Lou Xiyan slowly opened his eyes. Seeing the woman with a solemn face by the bed, Lou Xiyan stretched out his hand and held hers.

His palms were wet with sweat, but his fingertips were cold without any temperature. Holding his slender ten fingers tightly in her palms, Zhuo Qing looked at the man in front of her who was tortured by illness until he was pale and haggard, and a burst of strange pain came from the depths of her heart.

"This official will go to decoct the medicine first. Prime Minister Lou, speak less and try to rest." The Imperial Physician glanced at the two with their fingers intertwined in front of the bed and retreated tactfully.

Zhuo Qing's worry and heartache were transmitted to Lou Xiyan's heart through their intertwined hands. Gently rubbing her palms, Lou Xiyan took a deep breath before saying with difficulty, "I... am fine."

Under the candlelight, his eyes were as gentle as water, but his face was as pale as paper. Lowering the panic in her eyes, she didn't need Lou Xiyan to rack his brains to comfort her at this time.

Still holding his hand tightly, Zhuo Qing's face had returned to normal, and she called out in a low voice, "Mo Bai."

After a light sound at the door, Mo Bai's tall figure appeared in the inner chamber.

"Cut down the kapok trees in the courtyard later." She should have solved those kapok trees long ago, but she had been busy dealing with the Golden Case recently, and it was her negligence. Once the kapok flowering period was over, it would be full of flying catkins. This fine fiber was most likely to trigger asthma; it was her carelessness.

Mo Bai didn't move but looked at Lou Xiyan, who was half-lying on the bed. Lou Xiyan pondered for a while before saying in a low voice, "Those were bestowed by the Western Empress Dowager."

So what if they were bestowed?! Zhuo Qing was angry and shouted, "Those kapok flowers will cost you your life."

Because of her anger, Zhuo Qing's face was a bit flushed, and her beautiful eyes glared at him, but what flowed in her eyes was the panic she couldn't hide. The ten fingers were tightly clasped, and warmth was constantly transmitted from her palms; she was worried about him.

Lou Xiyan suddenly smiled and replied in a low voice with a faint doting tone, "The hostess has spoken, so cut them down." It had been so many years; let what should come, come. His body was increasingly unable to bear the flare-ups that were heavier than the last, and he couldn't bear it either. His Ling'er was worried about him every day, and he had already made enough concessions.

Since Lou Xiyan had said so, Mo Bai turned and went out to prepare to cut the trees. After walking a few steps, Zhuo Qing called out again, "Wait."

Mo Bai looked at her in confusion, and Lou Xiyan also gazed at her gently. Zhuo Qing thought for a while before saying, "Don't cut them down; find someone to pick the catkins off the kapok flowers, and pick the flowers every year when they bloom."

"Yes." Mo Bai hesitated for a while, but finally took the order and left.

What the so-called imperial reward meant was not important to her, a modern person. But for the Lou family, it might be very important. The complicated relationships in the imperial court and the mutual scheming and conspiracies—although she didn't know them well, she also knew that one wrong step could lead to eternal damnation.

After the anger, reason should return. Gently wiping the thin sweat on his forehead with her sleeve, Zhuo Qing sighed in a low voice, "You have your reasons for keeping those flowers, but I cannot watch them threaten your life."

God was not unkind to him, sending such a woman to his side. Holding her busy hands tightly in his palms again, Lou Xiyan said seriously, "The prayer ceremony is about to begin, and I am a bit busy during this time. After I'm busy, we will get married, and I will give you a grand wedding."

Zhuo Qing smiled and shook her head, replying, "I don't care if it's grand or not; just remember the promise you made."

With fingers intertwined, Lou Xiyan said in a deep voice, "I wish to be with you as a couple for a lifetime."

The voice, as clear as the low chanting of an ancient zither, promised the most beautiful vow she had ever heard, and the deep affection in his phoenix eyes was enough to drown any woman. Her heart beat wildly again, and her slightly dry lips were not moist, but they were right in front of her, attracting Zhuo Qing to lean forward again and again.

"Although I really want to, in my current state, I probably can't be... romantic with you." The beauty offered a kiss, and Lou Xiyan was happy to accept it, but as soon as she approached, her fresh body scent made his already disordered breathing even more turbid. Especially with her soft body leaning in his arms, the graceful figure by the hot spring pool kept flashing in his mind, which would make him suffocate again in his current state.

"You..." Looking at herself leaning lightly in his arms, looking like she was asking for a kiss, Zhuo Qing's face was flushed, and she couldn't help but curse in her heart, male beauty was indeed a disaster! Hearing Lou Xiyan's intermittent words clearly, Zhuo Qing was suddenly dumbfounded; he wouldn't think that the so-called romance meant kissing, right! Oh my god! How was she supposed to explain this beautiful misunderstanding...

Just when Zhuo Qing was extremely embarrassed, Jing Sa's unique gloomy voice sounded outside the door: "Master."

Lou Xiyan reluctantly let go of the hand holding Zhuo Qing's fragrant shoulder, hating Jing Sa's lack of tact for the first time, and replied listlessly, "Come in."

Without entering the inner chamber, stopping only outside the screen, Jing Sa replied, "The Western Empress Dowager's decree, asking you to enter the palace."

"What happened in the palace?" Lou Xiyan frowned slightly. It was already the Hai hour; why would the Empress Dowager still issue a decree to summon him? Furthermore, he had just had a flare-up; if it weren't an important matter, Jing Sa wouldn't come in to bother him.

Through the screen, Jing Sa glanced at Zhuo Qing, who was sitting on the edge of the bed with her fingers intertwined with the Master, and after a while, replied somewhat puzzled, "Princess Zhaoyun hanged herself tonight."

"What?" It wasn't Lou Xiyan who cried out, but Zhuo Qing, who was sitting on the side. She remembered that the princess was a beautiful girl who wouldn't be forgotten after just one glance, dignified and quiet; why would she commit suicide?

Looking at Lou Xiyan beside her, there was no surprise on his face, and he asked in a low voice, "Is the princess alright?"

"The palace maid discovered it early, so she should be alright. The Imperial Physician is still consulting."

Fortunately, she was alright. Zhuo Qing could feel Lou Xiyan let out a long sigh of relief. He knew the reason for the princess's suicide?! Staring into his eyes, Zhuo Qing asked, "Why did she commit suicide?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 59 =====