Chapter 336

…

Speaking of it, Liu Mingjie being adopted by Liu Qingjing—no one knows whose fortune it truly was.

It was Liu Qingjing’s complete and unreserved instruction that allowed Liu Mingjie to master her skills, enabling her, despite Zhao Yu’s many women, to still hold a place beside him, bearing him three sons and one daughter, making her a definitive victor among Zhao Yu’s harem.

Yet on the other hand, even now that Liu Mingjie has become Zhao Yu’s Virtuous Consort, she still must obey Liu Qingjing.

Worse still, the daughter Liu Qingjing bore Zhao Yu is officially registered under Liu Mingjie’s name and must be raised by her.

Crucially, whenever Liu Qingjing has any matter—big or small—in the harem, she sends Liu Mingjie to handle it, especially matters concerning Zhao Yu. Liu Qingjing knows Zhao Yu doesn’t care for her, the woman who threw herself at his bed, so when she wishes to see Zhao Yu or needs his help, she sends Liu Mingjie to summon him—this greatly increases her chances of success.

—Liu Mingjie can persuade Zhao Yu more effectively not because he obeys her blindly, but because she is exceptionally skilled at speaking, always hitting exactly what Zhao Yu desires.

At this moment, Liu Mingjie told Zhao Yu: “With Empress Meng and Empress Zheng watching over our Empress, how would she dare harbor any improper thoughts? But Your Majesty has been on a personal campaign for over seven months, leaving our Empress without her anchor. Meanwhile, Princess Yikang has reached the age to be betrothed. Thus, Your Majesty’s humble servant has been sent to inquire whether Your Majesty has time…”

Liu Mingjie’s words all conveyed that Liu Qingjing was not forcing Zhao Yu to take her as a consort, but rather deeply dependent on him—missing him terribly after so long without seeing him—and that Princess Yikang, Zhao Xu’s daughter, had reached marriageable age and needed Zhao Yu’s counsel, nothing more.

Liu Mingjie also made clear that Empress Meng and Zheng Xiansu were keeping Liu Qingjing in check, so she would cause no trouble.

Hearing this, Zhao Yu considered for a moment and decided to meet Liu Qingjing. After all, she was one of the widows left behind by the previous emperor; her status and position were undeniable, and leaving her neglected and perpetually unsatisfied was inappropriate.

Thus, Zhao Yu followed Liu Mingjie to her small courtyard.

Liu Mingjie personally cooked carp-baked noodles for Zhao Yu, using carp he had brought back from the Yellow River.

In the entire harem, Zhao Yu ate only the meals prepared by a few women, one of whom was Liu Mingjie.

Liu Mingjie not only learned superb cooking from Liu Qingjing, she also personally sought out Yuan Qingcheng as her master to study culinary arts.

Thus, when Yuan Qingcheng had no time to cook for Zhao Yu, she would sometimes send Liu Mingjie in her stead.

After dining at Liu Mingjie’s, Zhao Yu summoned several women and played two rounds of Ye Shi Yun’s “invented” game of Bandit Kill (in reality, Werewolf).

When night fell, Zhao Yu retired as usual, letting Liu Mingjie and one of her original palace maids attend him.

After their exchange, Zhao Yu dismissed everyone else, including the new young wife, declaring that he wished only to hold Liu Mingjie as he slept that night.

Everyone in Liu Mingjie’s palace knew that whenever Zhao Yu visited, he slept only holding Liu Mingjie; thus, even though the new young wife was reluctant, she could only leave with three steps backward and frequent glances over her shoulder.

Once everyone had left, Liu Qingjing, dressed in a sheer garment as thin as a cicada’s wing that revealed her figure faintly, eagerly crawled out of the secret passage.

—Zhao Yu’s harem contained several secret tunnels, built deliberately by Zhao Yu during the construction of Yanfu Palace: five led to five Shenzhi Army camps (the Shenzhi Army knew nothing of these tunnels), and two connected the old palace to Yanfu Palace—one of which ran from Chong’en Palace to Liu Mingjie’s quarters.

The moment Liu Qingjing emerged from the tunnel, she immediately climbed onto the bed in an exquisitely seductive pose.

Then she began sniffing upward from Zhao Yu’s toes, her face filled with pleasure.

When she reached his face, she moved to kiss him.

But Zhao Yu tilted his head back, avoiding her kiss.

Seeing this, Liu Qingjing did not grow angry; instead, shamelessly, she wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his chest, her voice soft and sweet: “Your Majesty has been gone seven months. Your humble servant has waited, longing day and night, until finally you’ve returned. Your Majesty does not know—since you left, I have fasted and recited sutras daily, praying to the Buddha for your safe return…”

Hearing Liu Qingjing’s “confession of affection,” Zhao Yu was half-skeptical, yet showed no sign on his face. He merely patted her hand resting on his waist, his voice calm, tinged with barely perceptible distance: “I know you miss me. This campaign was fraught with trials, but I have returned safely. Do not worry further.”

Liu Qingjing, however, seemed not to hear the coldness in his tone. She clung tighter, her voice tender: “Since you left, I dream every night of your return—only to wake to an empty palace. The agony is unbearable.”

As she spoke, she began to weep softly, tears welling in her eyes, ready to fall.

‘Actress!’

Zhao Yu, growing impatient, said: “Enough. Don’t cry. I’m back, safe and sound.”

Hearing this, Liu Qingjing stopped crying, lifted her tear-blurred face to Zhao Yu, her eyes brimming with devotion: “I do not ask Your Majesty to achieve glory unmatched through the ages—only that you live long and safe, so I may always see you.”

Looking at her, Zhao Yu thought: ‘I still prefer the way you were—defiant and unyielding at first.’

“Enough. Get to the point. No more sentimental talk,” Zhao Yu said slowly, attempting to shift the subject.

But Liu Qingjing had no intention of letting it go. She traced circles on his chest with her index finger, her voice laced with coquetry: “I know Your Majesty is burdened with state affairs, but I simply cannot help missing you~!”

Zhao Yu knew Liu Qingjing’s greatest talent was offering emotional value and pleasing men—if he indulged her, it would never end.

So he redirected the conversation again, saying: “Princess Yikang is no longer young. It is time she marries a prince consort. Which noble family’s son do you favor? I shall arrange it for her.”

Hearing Zhao Yu bring up her daughter’s marriage, Liu Qingjing ceased her flirtation and quickly seized the opportunity: “The fifth son of Grand Tutor Cai, and the eldest grandson of Grand Tutor Su are both suitable.”

One from the Chancellor’s family, one from the Chief of the Privy Council’s—both with deep scholarly lineage. Liu Qingjing truly dared to choose.

Yet from her selection, it was clear she had withdrawn from politics entirely: Cai Jing was New Party, Su Shi was Old Party—had she still been involved in politics, she would not have ignored factional alignment and chosen solely on power.

But then again, emperors are inherently suspicious, and Zhao Yu was no exception. He replied without expression: “A daughter cannot marry two husbands. Choose one. I shall issue the imperial decree.”

Liu Qingjing knew Zhao Yu disliked her meddling in politics.

Moreover, since Zhao Yu’s ascension, the New Party had ignored her, the fallen empress of the previous reign—she was now completely detached from politics.

Under these circumstances, Liu Qingjing boldly declared: “I have always admired Grand Tutor Su’s literary talent.”

Seeing Liu Qingjing choose to marry her daughter into the Old Party, Zhao Yu nodded inwardly and said: “Su Shi is robust and energetic—he could serve another three or five years as Chief of the Privy Council. He is a master of poetry, calligraphy, and painting. His grandson will surely be exceptional.”

As he spoke, Zhao Yu—who had been indifferent to Liu Qingjing all along—finally reached out and wrapped his arm around her slender waist.