novelraw Chapter 184
Chapter 184
There is no such thing as an airtight secret in this world. Besides, there was never a shortage of people in the imperial court and the inner harem eager to pass information to Yun Wan.
"An imperial draft?"
After reading the message on the slip of paper, Yun Wan casually tossed it into the charcoal basin. The scarlet flames instantly swallowed it whole, leaving only ashes behind.
Poking at the silver-thread charcoal with the tongs, Yun Wan fell into a slight daze.
Fuling had also heard rumors about this matter. She carefully peeked at Yun Wan's expression, hesitating again and again before finally speaking up to comfort her, "Please do not worry, Your Ladyship. His Majesty only has you in his eyes and in his heart."
Who among the palace servants did not know that ever since His Majesty stepped foot into the inner harem again, he had only ever stayed the night at Qiyun Palace and had never set foot in any other palace?
His Majesty's favor towards Consort Zhao could be called exclusive and absolute. However, such a reputation was not considered a good thing in the eyes of others, especially the ministers of the outer court. Therefore, the palace servants would never use those words in front of Yun Wan.
Yun Wan was the best master Fuling had ever served. She was always fair in dispensing rewards and punishments and never deliberately found fault with anyone. Thus, Fuling worried that hearing this news would make her feel upset.
However, Yun Wan merely smiled at her and asked, "Fuling, you have been in the palace for ten years. Do you know anything about this Lord Zhang Pingzhi?"
Fuling pondered for a moment and replied, "This servant has heard a little about him. It is said that Lord Zhang is old-fashioned and pedantic. Ever since his only son passed away, he has been very keen on urging others to take wives, concubines, and have children."
"In the past, Lord Zhang frequently petitioned His Majesty to resume the imperial draft to fill the inner harem, but without exception, His Majesty rejected him every time. Thinking about it now, someone must have seen how much His Majesty dotes on Your Ladyship and instigated Lord Zhang to submit another petition."
In other words, someone saw hope through Yun Wan, but at the same time, felt that she was an eyesore.
Since ancient times, men had always had three wives and four concubines, let alone the ruler of a nation. Yun Wan did not find it surprising that the court ministers would propose an imperial draft.
She touched her chest over her heart. Was she upset? Perhaps there was indeed a little bit of that.
Yun Wan found it hard to describe what she was feeling; she was just slightly flustered and agitated, unable to calm her mind.
So much so that she did not even notice when Emperor Jingxuan arrived. It was not until a shadow fell over her vision, the book in her hand that had not been turned for a long time was taken away, and the familiar scent of ambergris drifted into her nose.
"What is my wife thinking about?"
Emperor Jingxuan pulled the book from her hands, glanced at it casually, set it aside, and sat down next to Yun Wan.
The broad bench suddenly felt narrow and cramped, leaving no room. Yun Wan was pressed against his chest, their bodies fitted closely together.
Emperor Jingxuan smoothly pulled her onto his lap, resting his chin in the crook of Yun Wan's neck.
He never grew tired of this posture, thoroughly loving and enjoying the feeling of his wife being embedded and enveloped in his embrace.
Yun Wan could feel his masculine body, as scorching hot as an erupting volcano. She had to admit that the benefit of this was that she slept exceptionally warmly at night this winter. She never experienced waking up the next day with freezing hands and feet after sleeping through the night.
With her hands folded, Yun Wan slightly tucked her chin and lowered her gaze, her eyes fixing on the dragon embroidery on his cuff. She spoke in a languid tone, "This concubine heard that Your Majesty is going to resume the imperial draft?"
Her tone was flat and indifferent, as if she were just making casual conversation.
Emperor Jingxuan's heart sank, but he calmly replied, "That is pure fabrication. Who has been speaking such nonsense to my wife?"
First of all, he could rule out Sui, that little leaky sieve. Over the past few days, he had been keeping a close eye on him both openly and secretly, and the little sieve showed no signs of letting anything slip.
Because of this, Emperor Jingxuan felt even more disheartened, as it proved that he had indeed been played by a four-year-old boy the previous few times.
Naturally, Yun Wan would not say that it was the news sent by Lu Yuanduo through an informant.
She only said, "It has spread all over the palace and beyond. Lord Zhang Pingzhi submitted a petition hoping that you would take in more concubines to spread the royal branches and leaves. He has truly gone to great lengths."
Hearing this, Emperor Jingxuan's face instantly darkened. "What do they take Us for? A breeding stallion or a stud dog? It is not as if We are without sons."
Yun Wan: .........
Although the words were crude, the logic was sound. But wasn't this a bit too crude?
Especially coming from the mouth of the ruler of a nation.
Yun Wan: "Perhaps it is because your heirs are few, and the world always believes that more children bring more blessings."
Emperor Jingxuan sneered, "What do they know? They just flap their lips and say it is for Our own good, but they do not mention a single word about the principle that heirs should be valued for their quality, not their quantity."
Quality over quantity.
Yun Wan hesitated to speak. The point was, the Crown Prince and the Third Prince did not seem to be all that diligent and hardworking in their studies, did they?
Ultimately, she did not voice this question out loud. "So Your Majesty is unwilling to hold the draft solely because of this?"
His large hand enveloped her small one. Slender, fair, and as soft as if it had no bones, Emperor Jingxuan could not bear to let it go, playing with it affectionately.
Catching a glimpse of the confusion on her face from the corner of his eye, he said coldly, "The late Emperor had many heirs, including more than a dozen sons. And the result? Our brothers fought each other to the death for the throne."
He paused for a moment, his expression frank yet carrying a hint of arrogance. "Of course, that included Us as well. We were just like them; none of us would submit to the others."
If those useless fools could be emperor, why couldn't he? Thus, at the age of thirteen, he took the initiative to go to the northern borders to lie low, build his prestige, and win the hearts of the people.
Yun Wan raised her eyes and caught the high-spirited vigor between his brows. A faint smile rippled on her lips, and she actually felt a sense of shared pride.
"Having too many royal heirs instead plunged the Great Qi's empire into a precarious state. A major draft every three years and a minor one every year—how much manpower and resources were wasted for selfish desires? Who takes pity on the suffering of the common people?"
He sighed, his expression turning solemn.
His thick eyebrows drew together, forming a faint vertical crease between them.
Yun Wan's heart swelled with emotion. She raised her hand, attempting to smooth out the furrow between his brows.
Emperor Jingxuan lowered his head, his expression softening. He curled his lips and said, "Besides, We already have Our wife now. Out of all the waters in the world, We only wish to drink from one scoop—you."
Yun Wan froze for a moment. Her gaze rippled like water, her expression complex.
Emperor Jingxuan lowered his eyes. "My wife does not believe Us?"
Recovering her senses, Yun Wan gently shook her head, her tone gentle. "Your Majesty, it is not a matter of whether this concubine believes it or not. In the few decades of a person's life, anything is possible."
"Whether this concubine believes it or not, we are all living in the present. Who can say for sure what the future holds?"
His eyes flickering slightly, Emperor Jingxuan sighed. "In the end, my wife still does not believe Us."
Yun Wan could not refute this, only—
"If this concubine did believe it, since you are a man of your word, you would treat it as a promise to fulfill. Would that not become a kind of binding spell upon you?"
Saying this, she shook her head helplessly, a trace of melancholy flashing across her face. "If one day you break your promise, these words will turn into sharp blades between us. When that time comes, should this concubine blame you, or pretend that nothing happened?"
"Everything Your Majesty has done for this concubine, and all the goodness you have shown me, this concubine sees it all and remembers it in my heart. This concubine is not made of stone; how could I not feel it?"
If he could truly remain devoted only to her, Yun Wan would naturally know.
But if he could not, as an emperor, what use would his promise be? And what could she do?
If she clung to a promise, it would turn into an obsession in her heart, one she would never be able to let go of for the rest of her life.
Yun Wan admitted that she did not dare to give her heart away completely, nor did she dare to trust a man with all her being.
Taking in her timidity, Emperor Jingxuan wrapped his arms around her, let out a long breath, and said slowly, "My wife is wise and clear-headed. If we were commoners, we would surely be a deeply affectionate married couple."
Yun Wan slightly lowered her gaze and smiled warmly. "This concubine would not dare to overstep. Your Majesty's wife should be your Empress."