Chapter 1081: Sacrificing Himself
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Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Yin Huaixi was sleeping soundly when he was suddenly woken up by the sound of a crowing rooster. He subconsciously hugged the delicate body in his arms more tightly.
“The rooster is already crowing. Don’t make a fuss. It’s time to go to court.” Yu Youyao turned around and muttered with her back facing him.
Yin Huaixi refused to budge. He wrapped himself around her from behind. As he bit her ear, he asked vaguely, “Why is there the sound of a rooster in the palace? I must have heard wrongly.”
Yu Youyao was so annoyed by him that she fell asleep. “I was the one who asked someone to capture it into the palace.”
“Why did you capture a rooster into the palace?” Yin Huaixi’s breathing was a little turbid as he asked vaguely, “Is it too boring in the palace? I’ll bring you out to play in a few days.”
Yu Youyao was angry. “You still have the cheek to ask. Isn’t it because of you? You lie on the couch every morning and refuse to get up. As a result, Eunuch Zhu has to come over to invite you. I’m too ashamed to face anyone.”
She made it seem like he was the source of trouble. It was really embarra.s.sing.
Yin Huaixi was not ashamed. Instead, he was proud. “The hibiscus tent was warm overnight. It’s just a pity that spring nights are short. We’re newlyweds. It’s only human nature for us to be deeply attached to each other.”
Yu Youyao rolled her eyes at him. “This rooster will crow twice every morning. The first crow will be at 3:30am, and the second crow will be at 5:00am. I heard that no matter if it’s windy or rainy, even if it’s in the dead of winter, it will crow 360 days a year. Not only does it crow every day, but it also crows at the same time.”
If the rooster crowed too many times, Yin Huaixi would not be able to rest well. If it crowed for too long, Yin Huaixi would be vexed as it was too early. She was worried that it would disturb Yin Huaixi’s good dream.
A rooster like this that only crowed twice in the morning was a veritable “lazy rooster” in the farming world. It was relatively rare. It took a few days to find this one in the villages near the suburbs of the capital.
She had put in a lot of effort.
Yin Huaixi rubbed his forehead and laughed. “To think you could think of that.”
Yu Youyao said, “From today onwards, from now on, the rooster will sound twice a day. Get up consciously. Don’t let Eunuch Zhu urge you anymore. Otherwise, I’ll capture 180 roosters and bring them into the palace.”
Imagine a 180 roosters crowing at the same time.
Hmph, couldn’t she deal with him?
Yin Huaixi did not know whether to laugh or cry. Those of them who had gone to the battlefield could still snore like thunder even though the killing sounds in front of them were earth-shattering. Did she really think that 180 roosters could scare him?!
Yes, it really worked.
“Alright, I’ll listen to you.” He was not afraid of noisy chickens and would never let her suffer with him.
Yes, he had sacrificed himself for her.
Therefore, it was not too much to collect some interest!
“Oh, what are you doing…”
“Isn’t it just the first crow? It’s still early. There’s still an hour before the second crow. There’s enough time…”
“Oh, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d…”
This ordeal lasted until five o’clock.
At dawn, the second rooster crow sounded punctually.
Yin Huaixi hugged the delicate and weak person in his arms tightly. He reached out and brushed the wet hair on her face behind her ear. Then, he left the inner hall and instructed Chun Xiao to get some water.
Chun Xiao drew the water and reported softly outside the curtain.
Yin Huaixi lifted the curtain and brought the water into the inner hall. He gently helped Yu Youyao clean up. He couldn’t help but feel a little restless. He couldn’t help but wrap around her and kiss her lips, causing Yu Youyao to mutter weakly.
“Alright, I won’t disturb you anymore. Once I go to the morning court a.s.sembly, you can sleep well and wake up anytime.” Yin Huaixi looked at her flushed face. It was like a burning peach blossom, full of beauty. There was a hint of spring in the corners of her eyes and eyebrows. His heart itched. He felt smug and sighed.
How could he have enough doting on such a delicate and soft person?
In answer, Yu Youyao turned around.
It was obvious that she despised him for being annoying and long-winded.
As she turned over, the blanket also slid down, revealing her round shoulders. She had a beautiful jade-like back with two b.u.t.terfly-like bones. It was as if she wanted to spread her wings to fly. The beauty spread to her waist. She was so beautiful that it was almost soul-stirring.
Yin Huaixi’s breathing was a little chaotic. He quickly pulled up the blanket and wrapped her tightly.
This girl was delicate, but she did not notice it at all. She kept putting on an act, causing the control he was so proud of to collapse.
Yin Huaixi stood up and left the inner hall to the side hall.
Eunuch Zhu arranged for him to wash up and lead a group of eunuchs to wait in the side hall.
The new emperor did not like to be served close by. He did everything himself. It only took him half an hour to clean himself and wear it. He was simply swift and decisive.
After putting on his clothes, Eunuch Zhu brought over breakfast.
The Empress’s heart ached for the emperor, who woke up early and still had to discuss matters with the court officials. Every night before going to bed, she would personally prepare porridge and medicinal cuisine and ask the emperor to eat some medicinal cuisine before going to court every day.
In the spring and winter seasons, the morning court session started at 6:15am and ended at 8:15am.
The court session would start earlier in summer and autumn. It started at 5:30am and ended at 8:30am.
When the court session ended in the morning, it happened to be time for breakfast.
While Yin Huaixi was eating with Yu Youyao, he suddenly said, “Song Mingzhao has been back in the capital for a while.”
Yu Youyao stopped eating and said nothing.
Yin Huaixi stared at her hand for a while. “The Marquis of Zhenguo died for the country. The glory of the Zhenguo Marquis Residence in the past has also disappeared with the destruction of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The Song Clan was blessed by the Great Zhou Dynasty and is also bright on the surface. Very few people hold important positions in the court. The Great Zhao Dynasty has just been established, so we have to hire capable people. The talents of the Song Clan are not obvious, so few people were employed again.”
The old n.o.bles looked glorious, but because they were deeply rooted and involved complicated interests, the emperor was most likely unwilling to put them in an important position.
This was unless a particularly talented junior in the family was recognized by the emperor and could protect the family’s prosperity.
Song Mingzhao was such a person.
Yu Youyao understood immediately. “As the eldest grandson of the Song family and the most outstanding disciple of the Song family, Song Mingzhao is carrying the rise and fall of the Song family. He wants to enter the capital to seek a future for the family.”
After Song Xiuqi’s death, the Song family established a cenotaph for him in Xi’an. When Song Mingzhao went to the capital, Second Young Master Song had to stay in Xi’an to mourn for Song Xiuqi.
Yin Huaixi nodded, as if he had thought of something. He said, “Previously, when you were still in Jinzhou, Song Mingzhao stayed in Xiangping for a while.”
Yu Youyao had some impression of him. “I heard from Brother Shande that there seemed to be a problem with his health. He came to Xiangping to seek treatment. After all, they’ve been friends for many years and are cousins by marriage. I asked Brother Shande to send over a greeting card from the Immortal Master of Mount Wanjun.”
Seeing her ignorant expression, Yin Huaixi was silent for a moment. Suddenly, he pitied Song Mingzhao a little. “He originally planned to go to Jinzhou, but at that time, there was a battle at the front line. Jinzhou was located at the border and was under full martial law and lockdown. Other than those with the doc.u.ments of the Imperial Court and the token of the Yue Fei’s Residence, no one was allowed to enter or leave.”