Chapter 94

"Eighteen times in one night? Bed five women in a single night?"

"Want to overpower and knock out the son of Magistrate Li?"

"On the chaise lounge? In the Imperial Garden? In the Xuanzheng Hall? In the hot spring?"

"And even have a painter sketch the whole thing down?"

Tu Shanjin let out a faint, cold snort. "Yun Yaoyao, you really are something else."

The distance between the two shrank smaller and smaller, until their noses were almost brushing against each other. Warm breath fanned across each other's faces, bringing a tingly, slightly itchy sensation.

Yun Yaoyao's gaze darted about nervously, and she gave a forced dry laugh. "I did all that to help you recover, you know? Look at you, why are you taking it all seriously?"

Tu Shanjin just stared at her, until the suppressed affection deep in his eyes swelled into an overwhelming tide. Only then did he turn his head aside and cough softly. "Don't ever use that kind of talk to provoke me again."

He knew full well all those claims were fake, yet they still made him so angry his heart felt on the verge of bursting. Sourness and discomfort washed over him all at once, like a giant hand squeezing his heart ruthlessly.

After this whole episode, Tu Shanjin clearly realized that Yun Yaoyao had already taken an increasingly important place in his heart.

So these past days, he had either been on the verge of fainting from rage, or was on his way to that very state.

Yun Yaoyao tilted her head slightly, looking at him in confusion.

This tyrant is acting really weird this time...

But now that her comrade-in-arms had woken up, after fighting alone for so long, of course she had to share all the good news she had gotten during this time with him!

"The Ning family has already switched sides to my camp... blah blah blah..."

"The Yan family is completely under my control, no loose ends at all... blah blah blah..."

"As for Prince Ze, I just poisoned him to death not long ago... blah blah blah..."

The little imaginary figure in Yun Yaoyao's heart was standing with its hands on its hips cackling wildly, brimming with pride. "Hahaha, how's that? Don't you think having me around is such a blessing for you? Are you shocked? Surprised? Touched?"

Tu Shanjin nodded, responding to each of her points one by one. "Shocked, surprised, touched. Having you is my greatest blessing."

"But what I care more about is how hard you've worked all this time..." The heartfelt, tender words he was about to say were on the tip of his tongue, ready to flow out naturally.

Only to see the person in front of him suddenly twist her face in pain. "You know how hard I've worked, so why don't you get off me right now? You're squishing my crotch!"

The sincere, heartfelt confession he was just about to say was abruptly cut off by that utterly shameless line.

Especially when he saw the person using his own body rubbing her crotch while huffing in discomfort, Tu Shanjin's eyelids twitched. He closed his eyes, and all the little pink bubbles of romance in his heart instantly shattered to pieces!

Fine, fine. Humans and the Book of Life and Death walk different paths, it's totally normal for the Book of Life and Death to not understand human emotions!

It's also normal for the Book of Life and Death to act so shockingly unrefined and eye-searing!

Everything's normal!

It's no big deal. If I fell in love with the Book of Life and Death, all these silly things are just my own lot to bear!

Besides, the days ahead are long. He and the Book of Life and Death already share the closest bond possible, so sooner or later they will make it all the way to a happy ending!

After this round of self-comforting and brainwashing, Tu Shanjin's mood steadied again.

Imperial Physician Shan rushed over upon hearing the commotion. Seeing that the emperor had truly woken up, he couldn't help but exclaim immediately. "This... this is simply a medical miracle! Your Highness, the Empress, is truly blessed by fortune. In just a few short days..."

Tu Shanjin cut him off. "No more talk. Diagnose." Any more words would just bring tears to his eyes.

Imperial Physician Shan finished his examination, prescribed medicine, gave a few instructions, then hurried off again.

Niu Xiu'er quickly brought over a bowl of thin congee. Yun Yaoyao took the bowl, dismissed all the palace servants, and fed it to him with a bright, smiling face.

"Imperial Physician Shan said you just woke up, so you can only eat light food like thin congee for now, and take plenty of rest. Later I'll help you outside to get some sun."

Tu Shanjin swallowed a mouthful of congee. "There's no need. I've laid in bed for so many days already. Later, I'll go with you to the Qianqing Palace to go through the memorials."

Yun Yaoyao said, "Isn't that a bit too much? Can your body handle that? Maybe you should rest a little longer first?"

"I would have believed you were genuinely worried about me if you didn't have such a big grin on your face while saying that."

"What do you mean by that? Am I, Yun Yaoyao, the kind of person who would make a sick patient work like a mule to go through official documents? That's pure slander!"

"Fine, fine. I, the Emperor, volunteer to go be a workhorse and handle the memorials."

After narrowly escaping death, why did his temper suddenly get so good?

Meeting his gaze, which was filled with helplessness and an affection that was anything but innocent, Yun Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat, and it felt like something warm was about to surge up and spill out all at once.

She panicked and quickly stuffed a spoonful of congee into his mouth. "Just drink more plain congee, will you!"

After finishing the congee, the two of them headed for the Qianqing Palace.

The Qianqing Palace, which had been quiet for quite some time, was bustling again. Tu Shanjin threw himself into processing government affairs nonstop, sorting out court matters, while Yun Yaoyao alternated between eating, reading storybooks, and eating some more, then did a set of exercises to keep her abdominal muscles in good shape, just for her own enjoyment.

The Diligent Empress and the Idle Emperor duo were back in action!

After what felt like a long time, Tu Shanjin put down his brush, and his eyes met Yun Yaoyao's.

Both of them broke into a mischievous, scheming grin at the exact same time.

Their next plan: take down the Du family!

Meanwhile, in the Du family's study.

"The dignified Du family can't even dig out a single storyteller? What good are all of you for!!!" The sounds of smashing objects and furious shouts echoed out from the study.

Behind the screen, Du Guanliu was heaving with rage, his face twisted into a vicious scowl.

His several sons and trusted subordinates all bowed their heads respectfully, taking his scolding without a word.

The whole mess started some time ago, when the Emperor, during a private incognito visit, personally exposed the dark secrets of child trafficking and abuse hidden in the orphanage.

After that, the storyteller known as Mr. Fugui started secretly targeting the Du family.

Not only did he write stories mocking the Du family for bullying men and forcing themselves on women, oppressing the common people and committing all kinds of evil, he even hinted that the Du family was plotting a rebellion, brimming with wild ambitions!

The Du family had been so domineering and privileged for generations that no one had ever dared to stand in their way. Naturally, they couldn't tolerate this Mr. Fugui, so they immediately issued an order to hunt him down and kill him.

But after all this time, they didn't even figure out if this person was human or a ghost!

Second Young Master Du respectfully stepped forward toward the screen. "Father, this person is far too cunning. After days of searching we still haven't found a trace of him. Either he has a huge power backing him, or he's got a powerful patron. In the whole capital, the only people who dare to go against the Du family... could it be related to the Emperor?"

Du Guanliu's cold, harsh voice came from behind the screen. "If the Emperor is protecting him, that explains everything."

Eldest Young Master Du disagreed, and also stepped forward. "Father, from what I've heard, Mr. Fugui also wrote stories criticizing the Emperor before. He not only mocked the Emperor as a tyrant, but also slandered him as a lecherous homosexual. The language he used was so sharp and vicious that even the Emperor would fly into a rage and execute his entire clan if he saw it..."

Silence fell behind the screen. Du Guanliu thought about it, and realized that did make a lot of sense. He waved his sleeve. "Enough. No matter who he works for, find him and kill him."

"Yes," the group replied in unison.

When they moved on to the most critical matter, Du Guanliu summoned only his most trusted people to stay.

"What's the situation with Yun Yanyan?"

Eldest Young Master Du said, "Father, I've already taken Yun Yanyan out of Prince Ze's Mansion, and hidden her in a secret place. As for the Prince Ze's Mansion, I arranged for a pregnant woman with the same due date and figure as Yun Yanyan to take her place, and faked the scene where she burned herself to death. Every possible trace that could leave a hidden danger has been completely wiped out."

Du Guanliu nodded in satisfaction. "I've always trusted that you get things done properly. Send people to take good care of Yun Yanyan and make sure she gives birth. If the baby isn't a boy, secretly swap it for a male heir!"

"Who knows what unexpected situations might arise in the future," Du Guanliu stroked his beard, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "This child carrying the Tu family's imperial blood will become an extremely powerful card for us to play then!"

Du Guanliu summoned Du Xiucheng over again. This man was not his biological son, but a highly capable clansman from a collateral branch of the family. He had long been valued by Du Guanliu, who had put great effort into mentoring him, and Du Xiucheng had now risen to the position of Vice Minister of Justice.

"Xiucheng, the Yan family plotted to assassinate His Majesty. Yan Qinghong is doomed to die, and the post of Minister of Justice is now vacant. This is a rare, golden opportunity for you. Tomorrow in the imperial court, I will have people lend you their support. Before His Majesty, you must put up a good fight for the position!"

Du Xiucheng said, "I will certainly live up to your trust, my lord!"

After giving several more critical instructions, Du Guanliu had Second Young Master Du Du Boxian stay behind in the study alone.

Du Boxian pulled a confidential letter out from his breast pocket, his face solemn as he respectfully presented it.

"Father, this is a secret letter from the commander of the Southern Army. A new rebel force has risen in the Shu region, and they are extraordinarily fierce and skilled in battle..."