NFBE Chapter 436 Experiencing the Life of a Traveling Doctor in Advance
Chapter 436 Experiencing the Life of a Traveling Doctor in Advance
After the court session, the emperor summoned several trusted ministers to his study to discuss matters.
The discussion lasted for two hours, during which the emperor was clear-headed and quick-witted, even delaying his lunch.
It wasn't until 3:45 PM that the emperor reluctantly ended the meeting.
He stretched and suddenly asked, "What is Lady Zhaohua doing today?"
The eunuch hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager ordered people to prepare Your Majesty's favorite snacks in Yaoguang Palace early this morning, saying that..."
He stole a glance at the emperor's expression. "They say they're looking forward to Your Majesty's visit."
Upon hearing this, a hint of pleasure flashed in the emperor's eyes: "Then what are we waiting for? Prepare the carriage for the Yaoguang Palace."
As the imperial carriage passed through the many palace gates, the emperor's mood became increasingly pleasant.
Thinking of Lady Zhaohua's charming face, soft and gentle body, and the intoxicating fragrance in the palace, his heart involuntarily quickened.
How many years has it been since I felt this way?
As soon as the imperial carriage arrived outside Yaoguang Palace, Lady Zhaohua led a group of palace maids to greet it.
She wore a crimson gauze dress today, her features exquisite. Upon seeing the emperor alight from his carriage, she gracefully bowed: "Your Majesty, this humble servant greets you."
The emperor quickly stepped forward and personally helped her up, saying, "My dear consort, there's no need for such formalities."
His gaze lingered on her beautiful face, and his voice softened unconsciously, "Today, I commended your brother in court."
Lady Zhaohua covered her mouth and chuckled, "Your Majesty is biased. My brother received a reward, but I did not. I am unhappy."
As she spoke, her lips were slightly pursed, but her eyes were reluctant to leave the Emperor.
The emperor burst into laughter: "How could I possibly forget you?"
As he spoke, he had the people behind him bring over all the precious items: "Take a look and see if you like them?"
Lady Zhaohua said sweetly, "I like anything that His Majesty sends me."
The two of them were so affectionate, it was as if they had returned to their youth.
He unconsciously tightened his grip on Madam Zhaohua's hand: "Thank you for your hard work these past few days."
Lady Zhaohua gently placed her slender hand on the Emperor's chest. "Your Majesty is so radiant now; seeing this fills my heart with immense joy."
The emperor felt the warmth from her touch instantly transform into a raging fire.
He abruptly pulled Lady Zhaohua into his arms, his voice hoarse: "I will stay here tonight."
Lady Zhaohua lowered her head shyly: "Your Majesty, I could not ask for more."
That night, the fragrance of the Soul-Gathering Incense in the palace was so strong that it was almost impossible to dissolve, intertwining with the scent of lovers' intimacy, lingering in the cool breeze.
From then on, the emperor visited Yaoguang Palace even more frequently.
Sometimes they would go twice a day—to smell the fragrance during their midday nap and to stay overnight.
Yaoguang Palace has clearly gained the emperor's exclusive favor.
In the inner palace, the palaces of the other concubines became increasingly deserted.
Meanwhile, the emperor's affection for Lady Zhaohua and the fifth prince deepened day by day.
-
The turbulent waves of the imperial court crashed against the vermilion gates of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion, shattering into a few wisps of wind that were of no consequence.
Lu Jiangnian stayed at home with nothing to do but pester Yuan Wanru all day long.
The two often spent the whole day at Lingshui Residence, killing time.
That morning, as usual, Lu Jiangnian put his arm around her and insisted on reading that "military book" with her.
Yuan Wanru, however, refused.
He's practically worn out this book from reading it so many times lately.
He wasn't tired, but she was exhausted.
Yuan Wanru pried his arm away, stood up, and looked down at him: "Life like this is so boring."
A sly glint flashed in her eyes. "How about we become itinerant doctors beforehand?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Jiangnian also stood up, his warm fingertips touching her soft cheek: "I don't find it boring, but if my wife wants to go, then let's go."
He glanced at the sunlight outside: "Aren't you afraid of getting a tan?"
The "autumn tiger" is no joke.
Yuan Wanru looked at him with a smile: "I'm not easy to fool, but if we're not in the manor, wouldn't we be exposed?"
Lu Jiangnian smiled mysteriously: "Leave this matter to your husband."
He had two people with similar builds to the couple found. As long as they were kept in Lingshui Residence and didn't go anywhere else, the emperor's secret guards wouldn't dare get too close and naturally wouldn't notice that the people had actually been replaced.
He, however, had already quietly left the capital with his wife.
The two of them drove straight to a remote county town under the jurisdiction of the capital region. In a place called Dafeng Town that was not very prosperous, they rented a courtyard and settled down.
-
In the courtyard where the stove still retains its warmth, the morning mist, carrying the aroma of roasted sesame seeds, drifts over the threshold.
When Yuan Wanru got up early in the morning, Lu Jiangnian stuffed a scalding hot oil paper package into her palm. The freshly baked sesame cake was so hot that her fingertips curled slightly, and the sugar filling overflowed from the golden-brown crust like golden threads.
"Old Liu at the street corner is cooking a pot of food," he said, wiping away the sleep marks on her cheek with his fingertip. "That gluttonous cat has been talking about it three times yesterday."
Yuan Wanru's eyes lit up. She broke open the sesame seed cake, and the sugar strands stretched out in a golden arc.
She stood on tiptoe and held half a pastry to his lips, sugar granules staining his lower lip: "My husband, try it first—"
Before she could finish speaking, he turned his head away, saying, "I've already eaten. You eat quickly, or it will taste different when it gets cold."
With his dark, coarse cloth sleeves brushing against the edge of the table, he pushed the bowl of soy milk in the celadon bowl in front of her, the milky white surface swirling with osmanthus honey.
Yuan Wanru held her hand up without moving, so Lu Jiangnian had no choice but to open his mouth and take a bite.
"Is it sweet?"
She asked indistinctly while munching on a biscuit, the sugar stains glistening on the corners of her lips.
Lu Jiangnian suddenly leaned down, his tongue licking away the sweetness: "The last bite wasn't sweet, the one in your mouth is sweet."
The morning light illuminated the curve of his Adam's apple, and Yuan Wanru's ears flushed with a rosy hue. "Could you please stop teasing me all the time?"
Lu Jiangnian smiled indulgently, "Who's really teasing whom?"
He felt restless whenever she sat quietly there.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Jiangnian tapped the rim of the bowl with his fingertips: "Drink it quickly, it will taste fishy when it gets cold."
Yuan Wanru sat down, picked up a porcelain spoon and stirred the cloud-like substance in the soy milk. She took small sips and stole glances at him.
Lu Jiangnian sat upright, peeling a boiled egg. His long, slender fingers twirled the shell, and the white, jade-like egg white fell into her bowl: "Look again?"
He suddenly lifted his eyelashes, his dark eyes churning with turbulent emotions. "If you can't leave the house today, don't blame me."
Yuan Wanru suddenly buried her head in her soy milk.
The image of the two of them entwined in the house yesterday is still vivid in my mind—we had planned to go to the village below, but this person kept me on the low couch by the window for most of the day, and when I came to my senses, the sun was almost setting.
When the porcelain bowl was empty, a plain handkerchief appeared on her lips, "stained with bean curd."
Lu Jiangnian wiped her lips carefully, but his rough fingertips lingered on her lower lip for a long time.
Yuan Wanru held her breath, staring at his Adam's apple bobbing, when she suddenly saw him chuckle and withdraw his hand: "So good."
A peddler's cries came from outside the courtyard, and Yuan Wanru jumped up to grab the medicine box.
As she brushed past him, her wrist was grabbed, and Lu Jiangnian stuffed a peeled egg into her sleeve pocket: "Eat this, so you won't get hungry on the way."
A morning breeze swept through the hall, stirring up the fallen leaves in the courtyard.
The two left hand in hand, her apricot-red dress clinging to his black coat, their intertwined shadows stretching long on the floor like an unbreakable knot of hearts.