Chapter 158 The Lecherous Emperor’s Vile Thoughts
Her black hair was in a Feitian Bun. She didn’t have a hairpin on but wrapped an emerald ribbon around her hair. A silk ribbon wrapped around her forehead. Her long hair poured over her shoulders. The emerald ribbon intertwined throughout her hair and moved with her every move. She looked gentle and elegant.
Now that everyone saw her face, they were further stunned speechless.
Xuanwu Emperor was about to be forty years old. His fortieth birthday celebration would be in May of this year. The lecherous Emperor had ascended the throne at the age of twenty one year. He had seen many beauties, but had to admit that they were missing something compared to this beauty in front of him.
Let’s not talk about her makeup, grace, and charm. But just her pair of bright purple eyes was enough to hook his soul.
She had not reached marriageable age yet and was already so magnificent. When she grew up and turned from a bud to a beautiful flower, how beautiful would be?!
Since they had met in the palace hall to discuss about the formation of the female medical team, it had only been four months. The little yatou seemed to have grown taller. Her posture was more upright and she looked more beautiful.
It was said that her mother was a beautiful woman. It seemed that the rumors weren’t false. No wonder his sons and nephew wanted to propose marriage. It seemed that other than Old General Mu’s military power, they were coveting this little yatou’s outstanding appearance.
The Emperor stared interested at Zi You and didn’t say anything for half a day. This alarmed Old General Mu. He imperceptibly leaned his body over and blocked the Emperor’s line of sight. “Emperor, what are your commands to summon Chen and Chen’s granddaughter?”
The Emperor was reminded by Old General Mu and returned to his senses. He smiled as he said, “You were ordered to form a female medical team. It is Great Yan’s first female medical team. It affects the safety of thousands of soldiers. You’er, this yatou, is only twelve years old and so young. Zhen is a bit worried. So Zhen called beloved official and You’er here to ask how the female slaves are doing.”
No flaw could be picked out from the Emperor’s words. But his “You’er” and “yatou” were very intimate, surprising Old General Mu and Zi You.
After all, they had only seen each other once. They were not familiar to be on such intimate terms.
Zi You was sensitive to some abnormality. In her previous life, she had hardly seen this Emperor. She only knew that he governed the country very averagely.
In this lifetime, to protect her family, she had thoroughly studied this lecherous Emperor.
First: He was suspicious. He didn’t trust anyone. He didn’t even trust his sons, brother, and women, much less his subjects.
Second: He was lecherous and dissolute. He had a lot of women in his harem. He had five feis. One of them was Liu Guifei, Duke Anguo’s cousin and the Empress Dowager’s niece.
He had four other feis: Xian Fei, Shu Fei, De Fei, and Hui Fei. Xian Fei was Third w.a.n.gzi’s Mufei. Hui Fei was Shangguan Lingluo and Fourth w.a.n.gzi’s Mufei and from the Empress’ camp. She was dead already. The current Hui Fei was Minister of Appointments’ Di daughter, Qin Lanlan.
Other than one Empress, one Guifei, four feis, and the other Jieyus, Zhaoyis, Meirens…… There were more than 200 people.
Third: He wanted to achieve extraordinary things. He wholeheartedly wanted his achievements to surpa.s.s his ancestors.
Zi You thought of this Emperor’s character and deliberately smiled in admiration. “Emperor, Chennu is young, but has Emperor’s constant care. Chennu will not blacken the female medical team. Chennu will use Emperor’s glorious achievements to motivate them.”
Sure enough, the words “glorious achievements” made the Emperor extremely happy. He asked, grinning, “Oh? What glorious achievement does Zhen have?”
Zi You revealed a little girl’s cuteness and pretended to mischievously tilt her head. She counted on her fingers as she said, “Does Emperor want to test Chennu? Chennu is female, but how can Chennu not know about the glorious achievements of the country’s monarch?
“Since Emperor has ascended to the throne, Emperor has done a lot of great things. Grandfather told Chennu that Emperor strengthened centralized state power and made iron, salt, wine, and other businesses under the control of the state. Emperor prohibited private forging and selling salt to centralize the power.
“Emperor attaches great importance to martial arts, but also Confucianism. Emperor specially found a Confucian school in the capital, Taixue, to nurture talent. A lot of poor students could pursue their studies. While promoting Confucianism, Emperor also adopted statutes and laws to consolidate the authority of the imperial authority to bring officials and citizens together.
“Our Great Yan is thriving, but Emperor did not neglect the government. Emperor adopted the policies and still focused on the development of military power. Of course, Emperor’s most brilliant achievement is to agree to forming the female medical team. Since the ancient times, females are not valued. Emperor believes in Chennu, which means that Emperor is great! Broadminded……”
“You’re still talking?” Old General Mu pretended to deliberately reprimand her. He immediately apologized to the Emperor. “Chen didn’t teach her well. This child is talking nonsense. Chen asks Emperor to mete out punishment.”
“Haha……” The Emperor laughed in a good mood. “Beloved official has taught his granddaughter so well. What punishment?”
He looked at Zi You and said, “Definitely worthy of being a military family’s descendant. Your courage is extraordinary. A lot of people are afraid of Zhen when they see Zhen. But why aren’t you nervous?”
Old General Mu sweated for Zi You.
This question was not easy to answer. If she said that she was afraid, then she was clearly scolding the Emperor for being cruel. If she said she wasn’t afraid, what subject wasn’t afraid of the Emperor? Wasn’t that tantamount to saying that the Emperor was not mighty enough to frighten her?
Old General Mu looked worriedly at Zi You. He saw her smile. “Chennu is the commander of the female medical team. How can Chennu lead the females to treat wounded soldiers on the battlefield without having some courage?
“Chennu is not nervous seeing Emperor, because Chennu knows that Emperor is a wise ruler. As long as Chennu is loyal to Emperor and not make mistakes, Emperor will not treat Chennu badly. All the citizens in the world are Emperor’s. Chennu is like Emperor’s child. Which child is afraid of her own monarch father? There should only be respect.”
Everyone liked listening to pleasant words. Xuanwu Emperor was not an exception. Of course, if Old General Mu said these words, he would only believe about 30%. But these words were spoken by a naïve and cute little girl. Also, this girl was as beautiful as a little fairy. The Emperor fully believed her.
“Ha……” Xuanwu Emperor was very happy. He looked more and more interested in Zi You.
Xuanwu Emperor secretly thought of how the thirty a.s.sa.s.sins’ bodies disappeared at Yunwu Mountain last time. According to Mu YingYi’s report, they were all thrown into a deep pool. The pool was too deep, so no one could go down and fish them out.
That had made him suspicious. Why would you throw the a.s.sa.s.sins into a pool? What were they hiding? Did Mu Zi You have some magical ability like her mother? He had secretly investigated. Dier was said to be able to revive the dead. Who knew if that was true?
If it was true, then did Mu Zi You have such skills like her mother? If he could bring her over to his side, then he didn’t need to be afraid of anyone.
The Emperor thought of this and smiled as he said, “At the end of the banquet, bring your female medical team here and demonstrate what they have learned in these four months. They will be greatly rewarded if Zhen is satisfied.”
“Yes.” Zi You replied, with a flash in her eyes.
The Emperor was happy, so he had Old General Mu and Zi You sit down. Then he asked about Zi You’s hobbies and finally about w.a.n.g Yiping and Mu YingRui.
It seemed that the news of them being harsh to Zi You and Dier’s ghost teaching them a lesson had spread into the Palace.
The Emperor said meaningfully, “Did your mother and father enter the Palace today? Zhen wants to see what kind of woman is able to make a biological father treat his daughter so coldly. Old General Mu, your oldest son is not taught well. Ai! Zhen is guilty! Because you have been stationed long-term at the border and not at home, your child lacks fatherly discipline.”
How could Old General Mu dare to blame the Emperor? He hurriedly bowed. “Chen doesn’t dare. If Emperor says that, then Emperor is looking down on Chen. Protecting one’s home is the duty of a soldier. Emperor must not blame yourself. That makes Chen ashamed.”
“Yes.” Zi You naively comforted the Emperor. “Emperor, don’t feel guilty! In fact, this is also not grandfather’s or Emperor’s fault. It’s like a large number of saplings planted together. They could grow differently even if they’re watered and trimmed. You can’t blame the gardener, right?
“Take a look at uncle. He’s younger than father and grandfather didn’t stay beside him either, but he is loyal and righteous. Oh, Chennu is not saying that father is not loyal and righteous. But father and mother are newlyweds. Being protective of mother is understandable.
“Chennu understands and does not blame him or mother. Mother is young and a Shu daughter in her maiden family. Her birth yiniang is an actress, so her discipline may be a bit worse. Plus, Chennu is not birthed from her, so…… She will guard against Chennu. Chennu understands. Father and mother did not enter the Palace today. They…… They are feeling unwell.”
How pitiful. She was bullied to such an extent by her father and stepmother, but still spoke out to protect them. Even the Emperor felt pity for Zi You. However, whether there were any insidious intentions contained within the pity, only the Emperor himself knew. He looked at Zi You full of love in his eyes.
Then he said to Old General Mu, “Zhen remembers that your new daughter-in-law doesn’t have a t.i.tle yet. Zhen thinks we’ll forget it! How can such a small-minded, petty person be t.i.tled a fourth-rank furen?”
After saying this, he carefully observed Zi You. Old General Mu had mentioned this to Zi You before. Now the Emperor said it in front of Zi You to test her. He wanted to see if she was really as naïve and innocent as she portrayed herself to be. It must be known that a man, especially a monarch who wanted to control everything, didn’t want his women to be as scheming as the Empress. He wanted someone caring, who thought for him and his well-being, was simple, and easily manipulated by him.
Being simple and kind didn’t mean that she would be foolish. She should be very intelligent, but could not fool him or scheme against him.
In her previous life, Zi You did not know what the Emperor was thinking. But in this lifetime, she was very clear.
Thus, she frowned, hesitated, and struggled for a long time before looking up at the Emperor. She cautiously said, “Emperor, is Chennu very unfilial? Chennu knows that Chennu should plead for mother. But Chennu…… really doesn’t want to. Chennu doesn’t blame mother, but really feel that mother should not get that honor. Ai! Forgive Chennu, Emperor! Chennu should not…… should not……”
She didn’t finish speaking, but two bright tears fell down from her eyes and rolled down her porcelain-like face.
Xuanwu Emperor had seen countless women cry. But he had never felt that a woman crying could be described with “pear blossoms in the rain.” However, today, he had finally witnessed it. No, Zi You was more like a lotus and stronger than pear blossoms. She had a refined and aloof charm which caused people to pity her more.
Xuanwu Emperor didn’t know that his voice had softened. His words held a touch of doting. “Silly yatou. If you feel aggrieved, then say it. Don’t worry! You are Zhen’s conferred commander of the first female medical team. Zhen will not let you suffer any grievances.”
“Chennu thanks Emperor.” Zi You immediately curtsied. Her beautiful face was elegant like a lotus out of the water. The Emperor was startled again. He immediately made a decision in his heart.
He turned to Old General Mu and said, “Zhen really likes You’er. Bring her into the Palace often! Zhen heard that the yatou cured Duke Yongnan Shizi’s skin ulcer. It seems like her medical skills are improving very fast. So, let her take care of the Empress Dowager’s body from now on.”
Old General Mu was frightened. He knelt down hurriedly with Zi You. “Please forgive us, Emperor. The Empress Dowager’s phoenix body is precious. Chen’s granddaughter’s medical skills are not suitable. Chen is afraid that she is not up for this important task and will fail to live up to Emperor’s expectations.”
Zi You also hurriedly declined. “Emperor is benevolent. Chennu is currently focusing on learning about external injuries. That is why Chennu luckily cured Duke Yongnan Shizi’s skin ulcer. But Chennu will certainly not be as good as the imperial doctors regarding nourishing the body. Chennu is afraid to let down Emperor’s trust.”
She knew what the Emperor was thinking better than her grandfather. This lecherous Emperor had once admired a courtesan. After going out incognito, he fell in love with her at first sight. He had repeatedly snuck out of the Palace to meet the courtesan. Finally, regardless of the Empress Dowager’s opposition and the Empress’ dissuasion, he had changed the famous courtesan Qiu Guanguan’s ident.i.ty to bring her into the Palace. She was the current Wan meiren. This lecherous Emperor’s interest in beautiful women was as strong as his interest in his empire.