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Hot Potato (1)
T/N: Translated by Jen on Broken Jinsei! Please do not repost my translations! All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Shen Lan Chi hadn’t seen Lu Qi Yang in a long time, and the first thing that happens upon their reunion was her catching him secretly eating cake.
Really don’t know whether she should laugh or cry.
She took out her handkerchief and helped Lu Qi Yang wipe the corner of his mouth, saying, “Just eat if you like to eat, why be so secretive about it? Acting like I mistreat you, not giving you anything to eat.”
Lu Qi Yang was somewhat embarrassed, letting out a cough and saying, “It’s like this……..”
“En?”
“In this recent half month, there hasn’t been any battles, so I haven’t been exercising much. During the daytime, I’ve mostly been sitting in the palace, chatting and discussing matters with Jing Hua and the others, so just somewhat……uhh, gained weight.” Lu Qi Yang was a bit uncomfortable, saying, “I’m very well aware of your love for beauty and dislike of ugliness, so figured I should eat a bit less, starving myself for a while. Just, unfortunately………..”
“But couldn’t hold yourself back?” Shen Lan Chi revealed a look of disbelief, muttering, “Say, Tiger, you’re really living far too exquisitely. This ability to maintain one’s beauty, fitness, and health is even more incredible than those noblewomen who have fled south Lu Zi Xiang.”
Lu Qi Yang: …….
——-Please shut up, you’re simply not complimenting me!
Having somewhat lost face, he angrily said, “Why should a grown man care about appearances? Being able to fight and excelling in battle is the most exceptional talent!” After saying this, he hooked the corner of his lips and said, “I won’t do this kind of stupid thing again.”
“Bravo! Applause!” Shen Lan Chi clapped her hands, expressionlessly saying, “Wangye is absolutely right!”
Shen Lan Chi was pregnant, so everyday, for more than half of the day, she all wanted to sleep. After chatting a while with Lu Qi Yang, she just went off to rest on her own. Lu Qi Yang tucked in the blanket for her, then stood by the bed staring at her in a daze, a rather quiet appearance.
The woman on the bed closed her eyes, her
her slender and long willow brows charmingly curved, appearing very loveable.
A while later, he reached out and lifted a lock of stray hair on her cheek, gently tucking behind her ear. As he tucked, he softly whispered, “Lan Lan, do you still want that seat of the empress?”
Faint breathing sounds came from the pillow, but there wasn’t the response he wanted to hear. Lu Qi Yang’s phoenix eyes slightly flickered, his movements becoming even more gentle. He recalled how Shen Lan Chi would repeatedly say that she wanted to become the empress in their childhood, his gaze becoming increasingly complicated.
Suddenly, the woman lying on the pillow opened her mouth.
“………I just want you.” She said.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
“En?” Lu Qi Yang didn’t hear very clearly, thus asking again, “Do you still want to be the most exalted woman in the world?”
“……..I said,” Shen Lan Chi didn’t open her eyes, “I just want you.”
I just want you.
This line, Lu Qi Yang finally heard clearly.
He let out a smile, a cheerful look appearing on his face.
The slightly opened window got lightly blown by the wind, making a subtle creaking sound. A few white snowflakes fluttered in the wind, soundlessly falling from the gray sky.
The winter snow of Tianqing year 3 arrived on this day.
• • •
The various matters of the capital gradually settled down. Regardless whether it’s Zhennan Wang’s subordinates, or the remaining ministers of the old court that have chosen to turn towards Zhennan Wang, they all hope that an emperor can be chosen from the capital soon, so as to pacify the people, and then campaign against Lu Zi Xiang in the south.
The voices were growing louder by the day. If they don’t make a response soon, afraid there might be unrest. Once the sky cleared, Lu Qi Yang hurriedly had Lu Jing Hua summoned to Cien Palace where he was temporarily residing.
As soon as Lu Jing Hua came, Lu Qi Yang just tightly grasped his hand and said, “Younger brother Jing Hua, you have to save your brother Qi Yang from the perils of fire and water.”
Lu Jing Hua kept feeling that the scene before him was a bit familiar.
In the past, when Lu Qi Yang was still pretending to be a wastrel, he once got chased after by the soldiers in the middle of the night during curfew. Somehow, he ended up dashing into Lu Jing Hua’s home, pulling Lu Jing Hua’s hand, wanting Lu Jing Hua to help him and let him hide for a while.
“If brother Qi Yang has any difficulties, Jing Hua will certainly help.” Lu Jing Hua said.
“It’s like this….” Lu Qi Yang earnestly said, “Your sister-in-law and I both aren’t interested in the throne. But, the country cannot be without a ruler. This throne ultimately still needs to be occupied by someone from the Lu family.”
When Lu Jing Hua heard, he was slightly shocked, saying, “Brother Qi Yang means…..”
“Jing Hua, I feel what Shen Ran said is right. This empire, it’s still best for you to watch over.” Lu Qi Yang patted his shoulder and said, “Look, the descendants of the Lu family have all fled south. Aside from you, who else can take on this heavy responsibility?”
Lu Jing Hua’s lips trembled, having a terrified look, saying, “Brother Qi Yang, I, I, I don’t have any real talent or abilities…..”
“You think I have real talent and abilities?” Lu Qi Yang pointed at himself and said, “I’m merely a wastrel who fears his wife. Aside from knowing how to fight battles, I have no other talent. You, for better or worse, still have a pair of discerning eyes, knowing how to use people, also having virtuous individuals skilled in governance such as Wu Xiu Ding under you. As for me, I just have a bunch of soldiers.”
Saying it like this, Lu Jing Hua also felt that he was right.
After getting persuaded by Lu Qi Yang, Lu Jing Hua already somewhat accepted his fate.
Lu Qi Yang left behind Lu Jing Hua to deliberate on his own, while he himself stepped out of Cien Palace.
The snow had just stopped not long ago, the ground covered in white.
He’d only taken a few steps when he heard a girl’s playful sounds come from the forest, delicate and charming, sounding very cute.
Hearing the laughter, Lu Qi Yang just furrowed his brows, feeling a bit confused——–The imperial palace at present still hasn’t been repaired, only allowing a few to reside here, merely just those generals that followed him into the capital as well as their family. Which family’s madam or young lady is this lacking in manners, running to Cien Palace to cause a scene?
As he was pondering, a young girl dressed in apricot-red ran out from the forest. This young girl was draped in a cloak trimmed with fox fur. Her snow white cheeks adorned with two cute soft patches of red, her eyes curved like the crescent moon. Seeing Lu Qi Yang, she revealed a slightly surprised look, hurriedly saying, “Greetings, older brother-in-law.”
Lu Qi Yang’s brows furrowed even tighter.
Brother-in-law……?
Shen Ran didn’t look like this!? Shen Ran got a new head?
He said, “This miss must have gotten the wrong person? My wife only has one younger sister, currently following by the Gentleman-in-Attendance’s side.”
That young girl shook her head, saying with a slight blush, “Wangye is indeed my brother-in-law. I’m a daughter of the Shen family’s main line, called Shen Xi. Thanks to older sister Lan Chi’s kindness, I’d just entered the palace a day ago to come under her care. If I have disturbed brother-in-law, then asking brother-in-law to please pardon.”
This complicated relationship made Lu Qi Yang headache very much.
“Since invited by wangfei, then just a guest, no need to be so formal.” Seeing on behalf of Shen Lan Chi, Lu Qi Yang gave her a bit of face, “Just, wangfei is currently pregnant and must rest quietly. No matter who, all not allowed to make noise in Cien Palace.”
Shen Xi revealed a remorseful look, tremblingly saying, “Brother-in-law, don’t be angry. I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”
Lu Qi Yang won’t argue with a girl, so said, “You may go.”
Shen Xi docilely watched him leave, like having gotten frightened. After Lu Qi Yang left, Shen Xi lifted her head, revealing a regretful look. Rubbing her palms, she saw that her palms had turned red from the snow and couldn’t help but bite her lips in frustration.
For the sake of waiting for Zhennan Wang to step out of Cien Palace, she has already paced around in the snow for a long time.
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