Chapter 60: Empress Dowager Forces Marriage (3)

Lou Xiyan and Xuan'er were a pair in everyone's eyes; this was something everyone in the court knew. The Emperor bestowing a woman upon him was also understandable. Men of their status, who didn't have three wives and four concubines? She couldn't be bothered to care. It was just that she didn't expect that the usually gentle Lou Xiyan would actually find excuses to refute this marriage! No wonder Xuan'er couldn't bear it and sought death!

Lou Xiyan looked like he had lost his soul to Qing Ling; it was impossible not to let him marry. She didn't want to tear her face with him now either. The Western Empress Dowager's face changed slightly, suppressing the anger in her heart, and she said coldly, "Alright, since Prime Minister Lou insists on faith and righteousness so much, I also admire your character very much, so I won't make things difficult for you. Xuan'er and her will enter the mansion together, with the status of equal wives, not distinguishing between big and small. This shouldn't wrong her or violate Prime Minister Lou's promise, right?!"

A woman from a small country, being equal to a princess, she had already made the greatest concession! If Lou Xiyan still didn't know what was good for him, then don't blame her!

From "Xiyan" to "you" to "Prime Minister Lou," the Western Empress Dowager's patience seemed almost exhausted, and the tightness in Lou Xiyan's chest became more and more obvious. After secretly adjusting his breath for a long time, Lou Xiyan still couldn't speak.

"Prime Minister Lou doesn't speak, I will take it as you agree?" Knowing that Lou Xiyan wanted to refute, the Western Empress Dowager still went her own way. She had already lost one son and could not lose another daughter, absolutely not!

Panting slightly, Lou Xiyan could feel the pain in his chest and had no intention to continue dealing with it. Lou Xiyan said bluntly, "There is only the etiquette of monarch and minister between the princess and me, no love between man and woman. I am afraid I cannot take good care of the princess and delay the princess's lifelong happiness. Empress Dowager's kindness, I really dare not accept."

"You—" He actually publicly rejected this marriage. The Western Empress Dowager bit her teeth lightly, just about to get angry, when Yan Hongtian, who had been cold and silent, suddenly spoke: "Xuan'er's body has not recovered yet; regarding the marriage, we will discuss it later. It's not early, you go back and rest first."

Xiyan was very wrong. If it were normal, he should be able to handle such things with ease, but today he seemed a bit impatient. The thin sweat on his forehead and his overly low voice all revealed that he was enduring pain. His illness wouldn't have flared up again, would it!

The Emperor was indeed still on Lou Xiyan's side; Xuan'er was his own sister! Seeing Lou Xiyan turn around and about to leave, the Western Empress Dowager's eyes darkened, and she suddenly said, "Your Majesty, there are many people in the palace, and this matter, I don't know how it will be talked about. Xuan'er is too sensitive, and the palace is really not conducive to Xuan'er's recuperation. In my opinion, the Prime Minister's Mansion is quiet and elegant, which is very suitable for recuperation. Why not let Xuan'er recuperate in the Prime Minister's Mansion."

After hearing this, Lou Xiyan's raised foot froze instantly, and he said urgently, "I think it's inappropriate."

The Western Empress Dowager's usually kind face had already become cold and frozen, and she snorted, "Why, Xuan'er is a princess of a country, and it wouldn't be worthy for her to recuperate in your mansion!"

"I dare not. It's just that this will damage the princess's reputation. The Lou family has another villa, which is very suitable for recuperation; the princess can go there." If the princess were allowed to recuperate in the mansion, not to mention that he couldn't explain it to Ling'er, he was afraid that the Western Empress Dowager would later say that the princess had been in the Prime Minister's Mansion for a long time, damaging her reputation, and force him to take responsibility. At that time, he wouldn't know how to push it off!

The more he didn't want Xuan'er to go, the more she wanted her to go, preferably with a cooked rice and raw rice situation! The Western Empress Dowager sneered in her heart, but her face was the opposite of the coldness just now, and she smiled low, "Xiyan doesn't need to worry about these. The Prime Minister's Mansion is not only inhabited by Prime Minister Lou; Xiwu and Xuan'er are of similar age, so it's good for Xuan'er to have a companion; furthermore, you said there is no love between man and woman with the princess, so take advantage of these days to cultivate it well. If you still can't cherish each other, I won't force you anymore."

After speaking, the Western Empress Dowager specifically looked at Yan Hongtian on the side and asked, "What does Your Majesty think?"

Yan Hongtian pondered for a while, and finally ignored Lou Xiyan's cold eyes and said in a deep voice, "Approved."

Xiyan was his best friend, his best minister, and also his best opponent. He hadn't forgotten that when he was a child, after Xiyan's mother passed away, Xiyan once told him that he promised his mother he would only marry the woman he loved and only have one wife in his life. He had always thought Xiyan was just saying it casually; looking at it today, it didn't seem so. He also wanted to see how long he could insist on this matter!

Xuan'er was the sister he had always loved. Just now, seeing her lying on the bed pale, he was also very heartbroken. He still hoped that Xiyan could fall in love with Xuan'er and become his brother-in-law, but based on his understanding of Xiyan, he was afraid it would be difficult.

The Western Empress Dowager was happy in her heart and said, "Early tomorrow morning, I will personally send the princess to the Prime Minister's Mansion. It's late, Prime Minister Lou, go back and rest." She didn't believe that her daughter would be inferior to that woman whose appearance was ruined. Even if she really was inferior, she would make her wish come true.

"Minister takes his leave." Everything was a foregone conclusion, and Lou Xiyan knew he had no way to oppose it. Leaving a cold sentence, Lou Xiyan's thin back disappeared quickly before their eyes.

A stream of light flashed in Yan Hongtian's eyes; Xiyan was angry. Interesting.

Tonight's moonlight didn't seem very bright, and the lake looked black, without the azure purity of the day. Such vastness made people look a bit afraid. In front of Lanyue Lou, the lotus leaves were already very dense, and the lotus flowers were just small buds. They couldn't see their beautiful appearance at night, only hearing the wind rustling through the lotus leaves.

The night breeze caressed, and the lotus leaves were charming. Zhuo Qing lay on the stone table, slightly tipsy, her brain still very clear, but her eyes didn't want to open.

Lou Muhai's words kept echoing in her ears—You will harm him.

She might really harm him. But if asked if she would let go, she could reply without hesitation—NO!

She despised all behavior of giving up without making an effort.

"Didn't I tell you to sleep first?"

Immersed in her own thoughts, the low murmur with a bit of helplessness and doting rang out gently. Zhuo Qing opened her eyes suddenly and saw Lou Xiyan standing by her side, his hand naturally brushing the hair behind her, playing with it at his fingertips. It seemed he particularly liked this game now; as long as they were alone, he would always rub her hair.

Standing up, pulling back her hair, Zhuo Qing held his hand and replied, "I'm not sleepy, your face is very bad, let's talk inside." His current appearance made people feel heartache from exhaustion.

Lou Xiyan let her lead him, and the two returned to the inner chamber.

Pulling him to the edge of the bed, pressing his shoulders, and letting him sit down, Zhuo Qing said softly, "I'm relieved that you're back, rest early, good night."

After speaking, she turned to leave, but suddenly her waist tightened, and she was circled into Lou Xiyan's arms again. She was standing, Lou Xiyan was sitting, and looking at him from this angle, his face shape was more perfect and even more handsome. His slender hand gently supported her waist, and Zhuo Qing heard her heart beating wildly again.

"Don't you want to know what the Empress Dowager said when she summoned me to the palace?" Raising his eyes slightly, he gazed at her bright eyes. He wanted to know what she was thinking.

Zhuo Qing nodded honestly and replied, "I want to. But in my heart, your body is more important." Didn't he know his face was pale to the point of transparency? Perhaps she should find some time to study Traditional Chinese Medicine; maybe she could come up with a treatment method combining Chinese and Western medicine.

He liked her honesty and authenticity, so he didn't want to deceive her. Lou Xiyan pondered for a while and said concisely, "Princess Zhaoyun did something stupid because of me, and the Empress Dowager demanded that I marry the princess as my wife."

Zhuo Qing raised her eyebrows slightly; this was basically within her expectations.

Zhuo Qing didn't say anything, and Lou Xiyan hurriedly continued, "I refused."

Zhuo Qing just nodded, indicating she knew. Lou Xiyan couldn't figure out if she was happy or angry, but he still had to continue: "The Empress Dowager requested a decree to let the princess recuperate in the Prime Minister's Mansion, and the Emperor has approved it. I couldn't refuse this."

Zhuo Qing nodded again and asked, "Finished?"

"Hmm." Lou Xiyan nodded slowly. Although he covered it up well, Zhuo Qing still saw that he was a little nervous.

Lightly patting his handsome face, Zhuo Qing still smiled and said, "Rest early."

Before her words had even faded, the hand around her waist tightened again, and Lou Xiyan glared at her rarely.

Zhuo Qing found it funny; it turned out he also had times when he couldn't control his panic. Wrapping her arms around Lou Xiyan's neck, her bright eyes met his deep eyes like a vast sea, and Zhuo Qing said in a low voice, "I'm not angry. I know you've tried your best for our future. If she wants to come, let her come. I'm not a dodder flower; I don't need to rely on a tall tree to survive, nor do I need to hide behind you and let you shelter me from the wind and rain. I want to stand with you; do you understand what I mean?"

"Ling'er." He chose to tell her, so he was prepared to accept any reaction from her. It was normal for her to be angry. Although he was very exhausted tonight, he was also prepared to comfort her with his heart, but he didn't expect her to answer him like this.

I want to stand with you...

Leaning his head gently on her, breathing the faint fragrance on her body, Lou Xiyan couldn't explain his mood at this time, but his hands tightened more and more, holding her tightly in his arms. This woman would be the person to accompany him through his life, and he would never let go.

His head was just at the position of her chest, and Zhuo Qing felt a bit awkward, moving twice. His hands tightened more, and his face pressed against her chest and rubbed gently. Zhuo Qing blushed rarely in a hundred years.

The name he called was not her name, which made her feel uncomfortable. She didn't want him to always call another woman's name every time they were intimate! After thinking about it, Zhuo Qing said in a low voice, "Call me Qing, my nickname."

Lou Xiyan raised his head slightly and asked, "Has your memory recovered?"

Oh no, how could she forget about the amnesia? She was indeed not suitable for lying. Shaking her head, Zhuo Qing hurriedly said, "No, Qing Mo told me. I am very familiar with the name Qing, and I like it very much."

Lou Xiyan nodded and replied, "Alright, Qing'er."

"..." Zhuo Qing was speechless; would he die without the "er" character...

Wisely not arguing with him, Zhuo Qing tried to move her body again and said embarrassedly, "It's very late, your body has just recovered a bit, sleep, I'm leaving first."

Her blushing and eager-to-escape appearance made Lou Xiyan in a good mood. A trace of cunning flashed in his eyes, and when he raised it again, it was a pitiful face. Lou Xiyan murmured, "Aren't you afraid that I will suddenly have a flare-up at night?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 61 =====