Chapter 123

Daybreak came, and the first light of dawn began to spread across the sky.

A hurried report shattered the original tranquility of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

“Report!”

“Your Majesty, the remnants of the Du faction have fled to Shu! Ruan Xiangsong, commander of the Southern Army stationed there, has raised an army in rebellion! He is holding the lives of half the city’s people hostage and demanding that Your Majesty personally lead an expedition to Shu!”

Yun Yaoyao frowned as she gathered her robe around herself. “He suddenly rebelled? What reason did he give?”

Her confidant replied, “They are still insisting that Consort Miao… that Her Majesty the Empress is a calamity-bringing demoness. Only now, they’ve added another explanation. They claim that when Her Majesty the Empress assassinated the emperor in public at that banquet, she used sorcery to switch your souls. In other words, the person inhabiting Your Majesty’s body now is Her Majesty the Empress, while the person inhabiting Her Majesty the Empress’s body is actually you! It’s utter nonsense and complete drivel!”

Yun Yaoyao: “…”

Damn it. That old bastard had actually guessed the truth.

“Continue.”

Her confidant went on, “The rumor that you and Her Majesty the Empress switched souls has spread throughout Shu. People are describing it with such detail that it sounds almost believable. They’re even using your drastically changed personalities, habits, and preferences as proof. Many people in Shu have already accepted the rumor, and it has even reached the capital. Du Guanliu and Ruan Xiangsong must be behind its spread!”

“The reason they give for raising their armies is to exterminate the demoness and rescue the true Son of Heaven!”

Yun Yaoyao’s brows drew tightly together. This was becoming rather difficult to handle.

Du Guanliu and Ruan Xiangsong had spread this rumor to shake the hearts of the court—and, more importantly, the hearts of the people. Their true purpose was to force her to personally lead an expedition.

Martial prowess was something that could only be developed over many years. Tu Shanjin was especially skilled in combat. If she personally led the campaign and was forced to fight, her disguise would certainly be exposed.

But Ruan Xiangsong had threatened the lives of half the city’s people. Whether the threat was genuine or not, if she refused to go, it would amount to tacitly admitting that the rumor was true.

What was more, construction of the Grand Canal was already more than halfway complete. According to custom, she would be traveling south after the new year to inspect it.

So she had no choice but to make this southern expedition herself.

While she was still thinking, a figure had already arrived before her.

The moment Tu Shanjin heard the news, he hurried over. He handed Yun Yaoyao a cup of warm water and carefully studied her expression.

“You want to go to Shu?”

Though his words sounded like a question, his tone was certain.

“Mm.” Yun Yaoyao accepted the cup and took a sip. Her throat was slightly hoarse from just waking up, and the warm water soothed it at once.

“I disagree. You aren’t skilled in martial arts, and the battlefield is dangerous. Even with a large force protecting you, the situation can change in an instant, and schemes are impossible to guard against.” Tu Shanjin’s tone left no room for argument.

Yun Yaoyao set down the cup and met his gaze. “I can deal with whatever they throw at me. I have to face the commander of the Southern Army sooner or later.”

“That isn’t the only way. Ning Shangshu and I can lead the expedition in your place…” Tu Shanjin stepped closer and took Yun Yaoyao’s hand, his grip tightening unconsciously.

Yun Yaoyao advanced as well. Their faces drew closer and closer, until they could both feel each other’s breath—quick, warm, and unsteady.

“Then we’ll be confirming the rumor as true. Even those who don’t suspect anything will start wondering whether we really switched souls.”

“Rumors can be countered with other rumors. Besides, you have an entire army of public opinion at your command.”

“But this time it isn’t merely a rumor. There’s a war involved as well. Tu Shanjin, you know perfectly well that personally leading the campaign is the best way to silence the rumors and suppress the rebellion…”

Their eyes met.

For the first time, they refused to yield to each other over a single matter, and neither could persuade the other.

Yet neither of them was wrong. Yun Yaoyao wanted to resolve the problem swiftly and decisively, even if it meant accepting a greater risk. Tu Shanjin wanted her to remain in an absolutely safe environment, even if that meant sacrificing other considerations.

The two of them stared at each other, each trying to convince the other.

Yun Yaoyao: “Let me analyze this for you… blah blah blah…”

Stubborn Consort Tu said blandly, “No.”

Yun Yaoyao: “Tsk. Fine, I’ll explain it from another angle… blah blah blah…”

Stubborn Consort Tu: “No.”

Yun Yaoyao lost her temper. “Are you a wall? All you ever say is ‘no’!”

Tu Shanjin looked puzzled. “Who is Da Bing?”

“Forget it. It doesn’t matter who he is. Just listen to my analysis…”

Yun Yaoyao: “No.”

“…”

When an argument reached an impasse, whoever had the louder voice won.

As they argued, the quarrel gradually turned physical. Then, as their hands wandered, their lips followed. Before long, they had both fallen onto the imperial bed.

Yun: “You only started kissing me because you couldn’t outargue me… Mmph!”

Tu: “Didn’t you start tearing off my clothes because you were embarrassed and angry?”

“When did I tear off your clothes? This… Mmph! This is me tearing off my own clothes!”

“Fine. Then I’ll tear off my own clothes too.”

“You shameless lecher!”

The imperial bed swayed, while the rustle of clothing hitting the floor mingled with the sounds of desire rising from both of them.

“Has your period ended?”

“It has.”

“The beast has awakened. You brought this upon yourself.”

Soon, the room filled with sounds that made one’s face burn and heart race.

Xiao Wuzi had just been about to enter and attend to His Majesty’s morning toilette when he heard those sounds. His little face instantly flushed bright red, and he hurriedly backed out, closing the doors tightly behind him.

As he retreated, he muttered, “May Your Majesty strike true on the first try, and may Her Majesty the Empress conceive a dragon heir…”

…

Yun Yaoyao had never imagined that being a man could feel so wonderful. It was as though her very soul were trembling, every drop of blood and every inch of flesh resonating in perfect harmony.

At that moment, if Tu Shanjin had said he wanted to see her heart, she would have been willing to cut it out for him.

Tu Shanjin had never imagined that a woman’s first time could be so painful. But afterward, a blissful delight floated across his cloudlike consciousness, and a faint flush of pleasure appeared on his pale face.

At that moment, the two of them truly embodied the phrase: lost in passion, oblivious to heaven and earth.

No one knew how much time had passed or how many times they had called for water before they finally came to a stop.

Afterward, Yun Yaoyao instantly entered a state of post-passion exhaustion and fell asleep.

“You… zzz…”

Looking at her sleeping face, Tu Shanjin smiled helplessly. He gently ran his fingertip over her cheek, wanting to give it a little pinch.

But the face beneath his fingers was his own.

Forget it. He wouldn’t pinch it after all.

Tu Shanjin was reminded once more of the matter weighing on his heart, and he let out a soft sigh.

He knew that once Yun Yaoyao became stubborn, not even ten oxen could drag her back. But personally leading an expedition was truly fraught with danger.

A thought surfaced in his mind.

Should he drug Yun Yaoyao unconscious and lock her up, then handle everything outside by himself?

No. She had said that they had to face everything together.

After turning it over in his mind again and again, Tu Shanjin still couldn’t think of a good solution. He was growing sleepy as well, so he pulled Yun Yaoyao into his arms, and the two of them fell asleep in an embrace.

It was nearly time for court when Xiao Wuzi’s cautious voice finally woke them.

“Your Majesty, it’s almost time for the morning court. Shall this servant come in and help you dress?”

“Mm.” Yun Yaoyao rubbed her bleary eyes and sat up in bed.

She spread her arms, but no one came over to dress her. Opening one eye, she said to Xiao Wuzi, “Come and help me dress.”

Xiao Wuzi wore a look of sheer horror. “Ah? Me?”

Yun Yaoyao: “Mm?”

Who else? Was she supposed to help him dress instead?

Xiao Wuzi shrank back nervously. “Your Highness, this servant had better summon Niu Xiu’er to dress you.”

Niu Xiu’er?

Wait…

Yun Yaoyao’s eyes widened, and she became fully awake in an instant.

He had called her… Your Highness?!