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Tsundere alert! And one last chapter~ I’m finally twenty today. One year closer to death~

第70章 打脸吏部尚书

Chapter 70: Face Smacking the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments

皇帝到底是怎么想的，他又想跟自己怎么坦白，让自己看到什么样的真相？

Just how did the Emperor’s mind work? Just how does he want him to be honest with him and let him see what kind of truth?

这般疑惑，凌萧不由快步走到了贤妃的宫殿门口。

While full of misgivings, Ling Xiao quickly arrived at the entrance of Concubine Xian’s palace.

宫女进门通报，凌萧紧跟而至。

The maid went in to announce his arrival, and he followed closely.

贤妃宫殿中，皇帝已经坐在了主位上，贤妃和红叶正装跪在皇帝的身前。

Within Concubine Xian’s palace, the Emperor was already sitting in the master seat while Concubine Xian and Hong Ye knelt in front of him in formal dress.

看皇帝的样子，似乎并没有叫她们起身的意思。

Looking at his current appearance, he did not seem to have any desire to let them up.

凌萧敛眸，走到皇帝身边，正待行礼，皇帝一把伸手拉过了他。

Ling Xiao maintained his composure as he walked to his side. Just when he was about to salute, the Emperor reached out and tugged him over.

“礼就免了。”

“You’re excused from the courtesy.”

他这般说着，手下一个用力，就将凌萧拉在了自己的怀里，让凌萧坐在了自己的大腿上。

While he spoke, he exerted some more power and pulled Ling Xiao into his embrace while sitting on his thigh.

凌萧一愣，想要挣扎，却也见下方两名偷瞄的女子，僵硬着身体，或怨或羡的看着自己。

Ling Xiao froze for a moment and wanted to struggle until he saw the two women below stealing glances at them, their bodies stiff. They seem to be complaining and jealous about him.

他微微一顿，心下便改变了主意，放松了身体，乖巧的坐在了皇帝的大腿上，顺从的伏在了皇帝的怀里。

He paused for a moment and changed his mind. He relaxed his body and cleverly sat on the Emperor’s thigh, obediently staying the Emperor’s arms.

皇帝微微挑眉，通透的眼睛在凌萧和跪着的贤妃、红叶身上滚了一轮，心下便明白凌萧的用意。

The Emperor faintly raised an eyebrow, his penetrating eyes sweeping pass Ling Xiao, the kneeling Concubine Xian and Hong Ye. He became clear of Ling Xiao’s intention.

瞧着这人面上一片的嘚瑟，以及那紧贴在自己胸口的脸颊，神情姿态宛如一只护食的猫，向敌人宣告着他的所有权。

Observing the prideful look on his man, as well as his action of sticking his cheek close to his chest, his entire appearance and attitude was like a protective cat, declaring to his enemies that he was his.

皇帝心情大好，一把搂过凌萧，在他诧异的目光下，轻柔的亲了他一口。

The Emperor’s mood turned for the better and he hugged Ling Xiao, gently kissing him under the other’s flabbergasted gaze.

凌萧身子一僵，抬眼便见皇帝温柔的表情，眉目带笑风华绝代，周身凌厉的气势，在自己到来的那一刻也顷刻柔化，宛如寒冬里的春风，吹佛开了一片冷意。

Ling Xiao’s body turned still and slowly looked up only to see the Emperor’s gentle expression. A trace of a matchless smile was on his face while the aura of power that was surrounding him instantly turned soft at his arrival. Like a gust of spring wind in wintry, it blew away all the cold.

凌萧的心遽然跳动，面上不由一阵发热，明明什么都做了，却还是宛如初恋情人一般，腼腆害羞。

Ling Xiao’s heart suddenly started to jump, a blush spreading across his face. They had obviously done pretty much everything, yet he was still like a novice to love, bashful and shy.

贤妃讶然的看着，黯淡的敛下了眉目，跟了皇帝许久的她从来没有看见皇帝这么不顾场合过，也从来没有看见皇帝这般温柔过。

Concubine Xian watched in shock, silently pushing down her reaction. She had been with the Emperor for so long and had never seen him disregard his surroundings like this, and she had never seen him so gentle.

这个人是真的走近了皇帝的心里。

This man really did walk into the Emperor’s heart.

她们无论是谁，都没有希望了。

No matter who they were, they no longer had a chance.

贤妃心中甚是明白，低顺的伏低了头，朝着凌萧行礼：“皇君康安。”

Concubine Xian came to realize it and lowly bowed, saluting to Ling Xiao, “Good greetings to King Consort.”

红叶紧跟着行礼：“皇君康安。”

Hong Ye quickly followed her example, “Good greetings to King Consort.”

TL Note: The greetings don’t translate well, they basically mean we hope you are well and healthy and all of that.

两声行礼，倒是把凌萧的神给唤了回来，他的视线忙从皇帝身上挪开，看向了贤妃与红叶。

The two greets quickly called back Ling Xiao to his senses and his line of sight moved away from the Emperor to fall onto Concubine Xian and Hong Ye.

贤妃低顺的样子在他视线下，一览无遗，而红叶带着不甘的姿态，也没有逃过凌萧的眼睛。

Concubine Xian’s obedient appearance was plainly visible, while Hong Ye’s unwilling attitude also did not escape Ling Xiao’s eyes.

“都起来吧。”皇帝开了口。

“You may both rise.” The Emperor finally addressed them.

凌萧抿唇，乖顺的坐在皇帝的怀里，等着皇帝给他呈现他想要自己看到的景象。

Ling Xiao pursed his lips, quietly sitting in the Emperor’s embrace, waiting to see what the Emperor wanted to show him.

“谢主子。”贤妃和红叶都应了一声，嫣嫣然的起身。

“Thank you Master.” Concubine Xian and Hong Ye both replied and got up elegantly.

凌萧微微皱眉，红叶唤皇帝“主子”，是因为她是皇帝的暗线，凌萧知道，但这贤妃怎么也跟着红叶叫皇帝“主子”？

Ling Xiao faintly frowned, Hong Ye called the Emperor “Master” because she was one of his secret guards, this he knew. But why did this Concubine Xian also call the Emperor “Master” like Hong Ye?

同样诧异的不仅是凌萧还有红叶，红叶疑惑的目光至始至终留在贤妃的身上，贤妃感受到了，微微一笑，淡然道：“这也是主子希望我如此的，妹妹不必惊讶。”

The one that was surprised was not only Ling Xiao, Hong Ye was also shocked. She turned her confused gaze onto Concubine Xian, who sensed it and faintly smiled, calmly saying, “This is what the Master wishes for me to do, younger sister does not need to be so shocked.”

红叶和凌萧听闻此话，皆是一愣，皇帝却似很满意一般眯眼叹道：“你终是理解朕的。”

When Hong Ye and Ling Xiao heard her statement, they were both grounded. The Emperor narrowed his eyes in satisfaction and said, “You understand what We want.”

说完，皇帝停顿了一下，微微缓和了神色道：“也因为此，朕让你当了这贤妃，而不是她。”

After he said that, he paused then eased his expression somewhat, “It is because of that, that We allowed you to be Concubine Xian and not her.”

皇帝冷眼看着红叶，红叶身子一僵，面上一片难过之色，眼中隐隐泛起了水雾。

The Emperor used his cold eyes to look at Hong Ye, who frozen. A layer of sadness was on her face, along with some mist in her eyes.

“但……终究妹妹才是主子您的未婚妻。”

“But…ultimately, it’s younger sister who is Master’s fiancee.”

“你见朕什么时候将这种虚妄的承诺当真过？”皇帝嗤了一声。

“When have you seen Us take this fabricated promise seriously?” The Emperor scoffed.

贤妃沉默了一会，轻轻叹了口气，转移了话题。

Concubine Xian fell silent, then quietly sighed and shifted the subject.

“主子，是想让皇君知道属下与妹妹的事吗？”

“Master, is it that you want King Consort to know this subordinate and younger sister’s situation?”

皇帝默而不语，贤妃明了，微笑道：“那请主子将皇君借属下片刻。”

The Emperor remained silent and it was enough for Concubine Xian. She smiled, “Then your subordinate asks Master to lend us King Consort for a moment.”

凌萧闻言，看向皇帝，皇帝朝凌萧轻轻点了点头。

Ling Xiao looked toward the Emperor when he heard that. The Emperor slightly nodded his head at him.

凌萧会意，皱眉起身，走到了贤妃的面前：“有什么事说吧。”

Understanding his meaning, Ling Xiao frowned but got up and walked in front of Concubine Xian, “Tell me what you want to tell me.”

贤妃淡淡一笑，有礼给凌萧让了一条道，道：“皇君与属下去御花园走走罢。”

Concubine Xian gave a faint smile, moving aside to give way to Ling Xiao. “King Consort, please go with this subordinate to take a walk in the imperial garden.”

凌萧回头看了皇帝一眼，皇帝轻酌了一口茶，舒了口气道：“去吧，朕有事跟红叶谈谈。”

Ling Xiao turned back to look at the Emperor, who poured himself a cup a wine and said to him in a relaxed tone, “Go ahead, We have something to say to Hong Ye.”

凌萧闻言，抿唇走到了前头，贤妃一直不紧不慢的跟在凌萧的后面。

Ling Xiao did as he said, pursing his lips as he walked ahead. Concubine Xian followed right behind him, neither fast nor slow.

凌萧一直等贤妃主动开口，但贤妃一直不曾开口，走到了御花园深处，她还是没有开口的意思。

Ling Xiao waited for Concubine Xian to speak the entire time, but she never took the initiative to speak. They walked to the depths of the imperial garden and she still wasn’t planning to speak.

凌萧忍不住的回头开口问道：“说吧，这个地方够远了。”

Ling Xiao couldn’t take it anymore and asked, “You can say it now, this place is far enough.”

贤妃见状轻笑了一声：“属下还在想，皇君能忍到什么时候呢。”

Concubine Xian lightly smiled when she saw that, “This subordinate was just thinking just how long King Consort was able to keep quiet.”

她这般说着，面上带了些微的促狭，凌萧见状，不悦的皱眉。

While she spoke, her face carried a trace of teasing that made Ling Xiao frown unhappily.

贤妃忙道：“皇君别生气，属下只是想知道您对主子是不是也像主子待您。”

Concubine Xian hurriedly added, “Please don’t get angry King Consort, this subordinate merely wanted to know if you cared about Master like he does to you.”

凌萧嘴抽了抽，冷眼瞥着她道：“你跟我走了一路，就能知道了？”

Ling Xiao’s lips twitched, coldly shooting her a glance, “You would be able to know that just by walking a distance with me?”

贤妃轻点头：“您面上忐忑不安，心中焦急万分，看得出，您很在意主子。”

Concubine Xian nodded, “Your face is restless and you’re very worried. So one can see that you care about Master a lot.”

凌萧微恼，他……有这么明显么。

Ling Xiao was a tiny bit angered, was he…really that obvious.

“很明显，皇君。”贤妃似是看出了凌萧所想，轻声说道。

“It’s very obvious, King Consort.” She seemed to have seen through his thoughts and softly said.

凌萧讶然的抬眼，贤妃自信道：“别惊讶，属下的观察力向来不错，正因为这个，主子才会让属下当这个贤妃。”

Ling Xiao raised his eyes to look at her in surprise, who confidently said, “Don’t be surprised, this subordinate’s observation skills has always been pretty good. It was because of that, Master had made this subordinate Concubine Xian.”

贤妃说着，目光越过凌萧放在了远处道：“属下是主子的暗卫，相信皇君也能想得到，在后宫中安排下我这名暗卫，是主子为了更好的控制后宫。”

As she spoke, her gaze passed by Ling Xiao to the distance, “This subordinate is Master’s secret guard, this subordinate believes King Consort can also understand why a secret guard like this subordinate is placed into the harem. It is so that Master can have a better control of the harem.”

“……”他是有所想法，但是由贤妃亲口说出内心还是很惊讶，皇帝的暗卫果然无处不在，上辈子的自己究竟怎么逃过皇帝的眼睛为莫绮谋事的？

“……” He had some idea of it, but to personally hear her say it still made him very amazed. The Emperor’s secret guards really were everywhere, just how did he get pass the Emperor’s eyes in his past life to do things for Mo Qi?”

或许，上辈子的自己和莫绮根本就没有逃过皇帝的眼睛，所以最后皇帝才会杀了莫绮……

Perhaps, the him of the past lifetime and Mo Qi simply didn’t escape from the Emperor’s eyes. As a result, the Emperor would Mo Qi in the end…

凌萧抿唇，便听得贤妃换了一副亲和的口吻说道：“即是暗卫，我与主子便只是主仆关系，表面的身份不过是掩人耳目，皇君可明白？”

Ling Xiao pursed his lips then heard Concubine Xian change to a more amiable tone, “Because this subordinate is a secret guard, our relationship is Master and Servant. The identity on the surface is just to fool people. Does King Consort understand now?”

“……”凌萧点头，问道：“我倒也不是想知晓你的底细，是红叶……”

“……” Ling Xiao nodded, and told her, “I wasn’t actually interested in your situation, but Hong Ye…”

贤妃低笑一声，打断了凌萧：“想想也是呢，我虽是贤妃，但主子从未‘宠过’我，皇君原本也不是小气的人……”

Concubine Xian giggled, interrupting Ling Xiao, “That’s true. Although I am Concubine Xian, Master has never ‘doted on’ me before. King Consort isn’t a petty man either…”

说着，贤妃叹了口气道：“红叶是我的亲生妹妹，我们姐妹原本是跟着先惠妃的。”

Then Concubine sighed, “Hong Ye is my blood related younger sister. We sisters used to followed Concubine Xian Hui.”

说着，贤妃一顿，怕凌萧不了解似得，解释道：“先惠妃是主子的母妃，红叶小时，曾救过先惠妃一命，主子还没有当上国君的时候，红叶便被感恩的先惠妃指给了主子当正妻，只不过主子做事向来有自己的主意，在先惠妃去世之后，就不曾履行这个承诺，倒是将属下‘带’了进宫。”

Concubine Xian then paused, as if afraid Ling Xiao would not understand, she started to explain, “Concubine Xian Hui is Master’s mother, when Hong Ye was young, she had once saved her. Back then Master had not taken up the duty of Emperor yet. Concubine Xian Hui had been grateful to Hong Ye and gave her to Master for him to take as a wife. But Master had always done things according to his own plans, so after Concubine Xian Hui passed away, he did not fulfill this promise. Rather, he ‘took’ this subordinate into the harem.”

凌萧闻言皱眉，这般说来，倒是明白皇帝为什么对红叶几次三番例外了，毕竟是自己的母亲留给自己的人，又是救过自己母亲的人。

Ling Xiao frowned a little after hearing the explanation. After she gave the backstory, it really did clear up why the Emperor let her be the exception time and time again. After all Hong Ye was the person his mother set aside for him, and she was also the one that saved hi mother before.

只不过，他好奇，怎么红叶就当了暗卫？

But he was curious, just how did Hong Ye end up as a secret guard?

“红叶心性单纯，对主子一心一意，主子还不是牧国君王的时候，要培养自己的势力，红叶首当其冲，主子正是用人之际，便没有拒绝，这一用，主子就用了红叶八年。”

“Hong Ye’s nature is simple, she was bent on the Emperor. When the Emperor still hasn’t taken up the mantle yet, he wanted to cultivate power for himself. Hong Ye went straight up to help him. Since Master needed servants at the time, he did not refuse her. That one time because eight years of using Hong Ye.”

带着叹息与感慨，贤妃苦笑道：“主子已经当上了国君，却也不曾将红叶唤回，反而将红叶送得更远，虽衣食不紧着红叶，但将红叶往外推的心思，已经是明面上的了，红叶心中明白，我也明白。”

Carrying a sigh and some regret, Concubine Xian made a bitter smile. “Master then took up the mantle of being the monarch, but he did not call Hong Ye back. Instead, he sent her even farther. Although he did not do anything bad to her and continued to support her, he had already pushed her out of his mind. It was clear on the surface, Hong Ye understands this in her heart, I do as well.”

“当主子找到自先惠妃去世之后，就一直默默守在陵墓的我，要我进宫当贤妃之时，无论是红叶还是我，都明白，在主子心里，选自己中意的妃子，没有喜欢之意，只有合适与否。”

“After Concubine Xian Hui passed away, Master found me who was always silently guarding her tomb to enter the palace and become Concubine Xian for him. No matter if it was Hong Ye or me, we were both clear that in Master’s heart, the concubines he chose weren’t because he liked them, just whether they were suitable or not.”

TL Note: The Xian aren’t the same character, the former has a meaning of “first, former, advance, etc” while the current Xian means worthy or virtuous person.

“因为没有喜欢，红叶并没有怨言，即使是我进宫，即使是后面冉妃、丽妃，诸多妃子进宫……”

“Because there is none he liked, Hong Ye did not complain. Even if I entered his harem, even if Concubine Ran, Concubine Li and many others entered the palace…”

贤妃说着，苦笑，微蹙的眉目下，眼神落在远处，载满了哀愁。

While she spoke, she bitterly smiled. With her wrinkled brows and distant eyes, sorrow was clear to see.

说话的语调明明是平缓的，但浓重的悲哀就像一根锤子，重重得砸在凌萧的心头。

The intonation of her speech was undoubtedly level, yet the dense sorrow was like a hammer, smashing into Ling Xiao’s heart.

凌萧轻叹了一声，贤妃闻言看了凌萧一眼，缓了缓面色，轻柔道：“皇君是个心善之人，红叶也曾与我说过。”

Ling Xiao softly sighed. Concubine Xian heard it and glanced toward him, slowly turning her complexion back to normal and gently said, “King Consort is a kind person, Hong Ye once told me that before.”

“红叶？”凌萧讶然。

“Hong Ye?” Ling Xiao was astounded.

贤妃微笑的点头，显得端庄有礼：“红叶与我说过，跟您在一起的那段时间，很真，他感受得到你对她的好，还说您的舞技天下无双。”

Concubine Xian smiled and nodded, appearing very dignified and polite, “Hong Ye told me that the time she spent with you was very genuine. She could feel your kindness to her, and even said your dancing skills were uncomparable under the heavens.”

凌萧皱眉敛眸：“即是如此，她还是……”

Ling Xiao frowned and looked away, “Even so, she still…”

贤妃闻言收敛了笑意，弯下了扬起的唇角，忧郁道：“是啊，即是如此，即是明白事理，她还是做了对您不好的事。”

Concubine Xian’s smile vanished, a frown tugging at her lips as she sullenly said, “Yeah, even so, even though she clearly understood, she still did something bad towards you.”

贤妃无力一笑：“的嫉妒心，是很难控制的东西。”

Concubine Xian powerlessly smiled, “A jealous heart is something very hard to control.”

“皇君。”贤妃唤了凌萧一声，回头望着凌萧道：“她即是做了错事，但也已知错，为了主子，她卖命八年，吃了许多的苦，如今，主子已经罚了她，还望皇君也不要再怨怼她。”

“King Consort.” She called out to him once, then turned to look at him. “Although she did something wrong, she also knows she has done something wrong. For Master, she threw away eight years of her life and suffered many years. Nowadays, Master has already punished her and hopes that King Consort won’t hold a grudge against her anymore.”

“罚？”凌萧本已心神动摇，红叶对皇帝所付出的，虽然令他心生不爽，但也同时让他佩服，一个女子能这般专情，终究是惹人怜惜的。

“Punished?” Ling Xiao’s mind was already wavering. What Hong Ye paid to help the Emperor, although he felt a bit unhappy, he also admired her at the same time. For this woman to focus all of her emotions onto this one person, it actually made people feel a bit of pity.

但说到罚，凌萧抿唇，皇帝哪里像罚她的样子？！

But speaking of punishment, Ling Xiao pursed his lips. Just how does it look like the Emperor punished her?!

贤妃将凌萧的复杂不满与疑惑看在眼里，她抿唇道：“皇君许是还在疑惑红叶呆在宫里的原因。”

Concubine Xian observed Ling Xiao’s complicated resentful and doubtful appearance and asked, “King Consort is still suspicious as to why Hong Ye is staying in the palace.”

说完，她不待凌萧说话，便自顾自的道：“这不是主子的意思，是我求得情，我们姐妹在红叶成了暗卫之后，便没有好好叙过旧，是我求主子答应，红叶来陪我几日的，主子给了我们一个月的期限，如今也只剩几天了。”

She continued to speak without waiting for Ling Xiao’s reply, “It was not Master’s idea, it was because I begged him. After we sisters became secret guards, we never had the chance to enjoy our youth anymore. I asked Master to agree to let Hong Ye accompany me. Master gave up one month’s time, now there is only a few days day.”

凌萧闻言一顿，心中茅塞顿开，原来这不是皇帝的主意，不是皇帝留下的红叶……

That suddenly cleared up everything for him. So it wasn’t the Emperor’s idea, it wasn’t the Emperor that was leaving Hong Ye behind…

贤妃暗中仔细瞧着凌萧的面色，见他神情微缓，知晓说对了话，不由再次开口道：“主子罚了红叶不能再留在暗卫部，也不能再留在宫中，您与主子的身边，所以这一个月后，红叶就会离开。”

Concubine Li secretly peeked at his face, seeing his face slowly returning to normal, she knew she said the right thing. She once more added, “Master’s punishment was that Hong Ye cannot stay in the secret guards, she also cannot stay in the palace, by yours and Master’s side. So after this month, Hong Ye will leave.”

“……如此……”凌萧心情一阵放松，一直压在胸口的石头没了，凌萧只觉得此时无比的想皇帝。

“…So it was like that…” Ling Xiao’s mind relaxed a lot, the stone within the chest was finally gone. He only really missed the Emperor a lot right now.

想看看他的眉目，想亲亲他的眉角，想告诉他，自己比原先又多喜欢了他几分。

He wanted to see his face, kiss his eyebrow and tell him, he liked him a bit more now.

这般想着，凌萧就似是迫不及待一般，转身往回走。

Ling Xiao impatiently turned around to leave once those thoughts entered his mind.

贤妃一愣，抬脚跟上。

Concubine stared at his leaving back then followed him.

到贤妃宫殿的时候，皇帝正从殿中出来，身后跟着萎靡的红叶。

By the time they arrived at Concubine Xian’s palace, the Emperor had just walked out with a dispirited Hong Ye following behind.

凌萧小跑了过去，快速的给皇帝行了一礼，便望着皇帝的面容，神情信赖又隐隐带着爱慕。

Ling Xiao jogged over, giving his a quick salute. The gaze he used to look at the Emperor was full of trust along with a faint adoration.

皇帝微微一愣，转而看了一眼后面跟上的贤妃，贤妃朝皇帝默不作声的行了一礼，微微点了点头，皇帝转头，轻笑一声，抬手揉了揉凌萧的发：“可都知晓了？”

The Emperor was a bit stunned, he turned to look at Concubine Xian who was catching up from behind. She silently gave him a salute, and nodded her head. The Emperor turned his head back to Ling Xiao, laughing once as he rubbed his hair, “You know everything now?”

凌萧乖巧的点头。

Ling Xiao lovably nodded.

皇帝双手背在身后，勾了勾唇角，便错身走到前头道：“如此，回去罢。”

With both hands behind his back, the Emperor curved up his lips and walked ahead, “If that’s so, then let’s go back.”

“嗯。”凌萧轻快的应了一声，快步跟在了皇帝的身后：“皇上，我是所有事都知道了，那您跟红叶说了什么？”

“Hm.” Ling Xiao spiritedly replied and quickly followed behind him, “Your Majesty, I do know everything now, but what did you talk to Hong Ye about?”

“怎么？还疑心？”皇帝挑眉，微微斜眼看着凌萧，面上带着不赞同。

“What? Still suspicious?” The Emperor raised an eyebrow, glancing at him from the side as his face carried disapproval.

凌萧摇头：“不是，我好奇。”

Ling Xiao shook his head, “No, I’m just curious.”

凌萧眨着湿润的双眼，眼下的信赖与爱慕，宛如一道曙光，照进皇帝的心里，让皇帝心中一暖，视线都不舍得从他的面上移开，但他面上的求知欲又如此明显，让皇帝忽视不能，皇帝微叹了口气，带了丝无奈的道：“朕让她明日离开。”

Ling Xiao blinked his moist eyes. With his trusting and adoring gaze that was like dawn shining into the Emperor’s heart, his heart warmed and he reluctantly moved his sight away. But with how strong his curiosity was showing on his face, the Emperor couldn’t ignore it and sighed, rather helpless telling him, “We are letting her leave tomorrow.”

凌萧讶然的瞪眼，疑惑的话就脱口而出：“可您不是才答应了贤妃，给她们一个月的吗？”

Ling Xiao widen his eyes in shock, blurting out his confusion, “But didn’t you promise Concubine Xian to give them a month’s time?”

皇帝闻言，停下了脚步，回身控诉一般瞄了凌萧一眼，那一眼似乎在说，这是为了谁。

The Emperor paused, giving an accusing glance to Ling Xiao. That glance seems to say, just who was it for?

凌萧缩了缩脖子，干笑了两声，他很想说，其实一个月也没有几天了，不必再急于一时，然而，见皇帝那阴沉的目光，凌萧终是没能开口。

Ling Xiao drew back his neck, laughing hollowly. He really wanted to say since there were only a few days left of the month, he didn’t have to be so impatient. But when he met those gloomy eyes, he kept those words in.

第二日，红叶还是走了，不管之前她抱着什么心思，出了这道宫门，凌萧也不可能再去怨怼她。

The next day, Hong Ye still left. No matter what thoughts she held, Ling Xiao couldn’t possibly hold a grudge against her after she walks out of the palace.

红叶走的时候，求见了皇帝，但皇帝那时正在凌萧的宫殿，宫女太监们也无人敢打扰通报，最后不了了之。

When Hong Ye left, she asked to see the Emperor. But the Emperor was at Ling Xiao’s palace then, so no maids or eunuchs dared to disturb them. In the end, she could only leave without anything settled.

唤醒皇帝的却也不是凌萧，而是一个冉妃宫殿的小太监。

The one to rouse the Emperor in the end, wasn’t Ling Xiao, but a eunuch from Concubine Ran’s palace.

他惊慌的进门，带来了一个令人震惊的消息。

He entered in panic, bringing along a shocking news.

冉妃自缢了……

Concubine Ran hung herself…

知晓这个消息，凌萧一直处于懵逼状态。

Ling Xiao stayed in dumbfounded mode ever since he knew the news.

据说冉妃接受不了自己容貌被毁而失宠的事实，便在昨夜上吊自杀了。

It was reportedly said that Concubine Ran couldn’t accept her appearance being destroyed and losing favor, she killed herself by hanging herself.

皇帝听闻这个消息，也只是命人将她下葬，并没有亲自到场，似乎在处理一个无关紧要的人。

When the Emperor heard the news, he merely ordered some servants to bury her and did not personally show up, like he was handling an insignificant person.

倒是凌萧，总觉得冉妃心机深沉，不该如此枉死，以她的心机来说，不太可能自缢。

On the contrary, Ling Xiao felt that Concubine Ran’s schemes are deep and shouldn’t just die so tragically. With the way she thinks, it was unlikely she would hang herself.

葬礼持续了三天，冉妃算不上皇帝得宠的妃子，她的葬礼，皇帝一切从简，下葬之后，皇帝赏赐了一些珍宝给吏部尚书，算是慰劳了冉妃的娘家。

The funeral progressed for three days. Because she was not the Emperor’s favored concubine, her funeral was simple. After she was buried, the Emperor bestowed some treasure to the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments. It could be considered his appreciation to Concubine Ran’s family.

这三天皇帝没有上早朝，算是对冉妃的祭奠，而实际上他却跟凌萧混了三天。

These three days, the Emperor did not attend the morning assembly and it could be considered his memorial service to Concubine Ran. But in fact, he tangled with Ling Xiao for three days.

只不过，这三天，凌萧都心神不宁的。

However, Ling Xiao kept feeling uneasy those three days.

见他如此，皇帝以为凌萧在自责，难得的开口劝道：“不必太过在意，这不是你的错，她终究是要去的。”

The Emperor thought he was blaming himself when he saw him so uneasy and in a rare act of comforting, he consoled him, “You don’t need to care too much about she. It is not your fault, she needed to go eventually.”

凌萧转头看向皇帝，他的面上一片平静，毫无波澜，似乎早已料到此事一般。

Ling Xiao turned his head to look at the Emperor, whose face was very tranquil without any change. Like he had long foreseen this.

思及此，凌萧浑身一震，琢磨般望着皇帝，皇帝那句终究要去的是什么意思？

Ling Xiao suddenly shook, pondering as he looked at him. What did the Emperor mean when he said she needed to go eventually?

凌萧正想询问皇帝，皇帝却抬手揉了揉凌萧的长发，起身道：“起吧，上朝。”

Ling Xiao had just wanted to ask the Emperor when the other rubbed his long hair and got up, “Let’s get up and attend the morning court.”

凌萧一愣，这才想起，今天是第四天，皇帝要上早朝，而他也答应了，和皇帝一起去上早朝来着。

Ling Xiao stared blankly for a moment until he remembered this today was the fourth day, so the Emperor needed to attend the morning assembly while he had also agreed to attend it with him,

但这冉妃刚走，上朝怕是有人会发难……

But this Concubine Ran had just passed away, so attending the morning court might have some people protesting…

比如，那冉妃的父亲吏部尚书——冉生酋

For example, that Concubine Ran’s father, the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments–Ran Shengqiu.

而他作为这件事的主要肇事者，恐怕会是被重点弹劾的对象。

And as the main offender of this matter, he would likely be the main target of impeachment.

思及此，凌萧有些退怯：“皇上，您说发生了这事，我是不是避避风头为好？”

Ling Xiao was a bit timid at the thought, “Your Majesty, say, after this matter, do you think I should lie low until the fuss is over?”

“你想避吗？”皇帝漫不经心的望了凌萧一眼，那一眼意味深长，延伸出的含义在凌萧心中打了一个转儿，便觉得皇帝似乎暗含鄙夷。

“Do you want to hide?” The Emperor indifferently gave him a meaningful glance, the meaning within it caused Ling Xiao’s heart to flip, like the Emperor was hinting his despise.

不服气一般，凌萧心中就像憋了一口气，那违反心意的话便脱口而出：“凌萧与皇上自是共同进退的，此番怎可独自一人逃避。”

Like he was not willing to accept such an action, Ling Xiao stifled a breath and blurted out, “Ling Xiao and Your Majesty will advance and retreat together, so how can this one escape alone?”

“很好。”皇帝满意的在凌萧额前落下一吻，起身率先走出了屋。

“Very good.” The Emperor landed a kiss on Ling Xiao’s forehead in satisfaction, then took the lead out.

“……”凌萧嘴角抽了抽。

“……” Ling Xiao’s lips twitched.

上朝还是第一次，皇帝给自己准备了官服，凌萧穿着站在大臣队里，似乎也像模像样。

This was the first time he had attended the morning assembling, the Emperor had prepared his governmental clothes for him. While wearing the attire, Ling Xiao appeared very presentable among the other officials,

只不过，他的到来，对这朝堂的某些人来说，当真是刺激太大。

But his arrival to this morning assembly was a great upset to some people.

吏部尚书首当其冲的朝着凌萧发难。

The High Official of the Ministry of Appointments took the lead and started to raise objections to Ling Xiao.”

“皇上，臣要弹劾皇君凌萧！”

“Your Majesty, your servant wants to impeach King Consort Ling Xiao!”

说完，他一脸愤恨的盯着凌萧，那表情就像要将凌萧吃拆入腹一般。

He turned to glare at Ling Xiao with a face full of hate after he said his piece. His expression looked as if he wanted to tear Ling Xiao into pieces then swallow him.

“身为朝中工部尚书，不以身作则，数日不曾早朝，目无法纪，身为皇君，不起头表率，反而为难冉妃，毁其容貌，致其身亡，可怜冉妃臣女枉死！皇上还请为老臣作主啊！”

“As the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments in the court, I will not serve as a model as someone who has no regard for law or discipline in the court. As the King Consort, not only did you not set yourself as an example, you embarrassed Concubine Ran, destroyed her appearance and sent her to her death. The pitiful Concubine Ran died so tragically! Your Majesty, your old servant asks you to make your decision!”

吏部尚书冉生酋说着，老泪纵横，一脸的悲痛，但眼中却时不时露出丝丝算计。

The High Official of the Ministry of Appointments, Ran Shengqiu spoke with tears, his whole face grieving. But in his eyes were traces of plotting.

他的女儿虽死，他却可以再给皇帝进献一个，但皇帝独宠凌萧，照这样下去，他毫无机会，必须不能让凌萧再独宠下去，唯一的办法就是借自己女儿之死，嫁祸到凌萧的身上，让他在皇帝心中的形象大打折扣，这般一来，即使不能拉下凌萧，但起码也能让他失宠。

Although his daughter died, he can offer another to the Emperor. But as long as the Emperor only favors Ling Xiao, he would have no chance at all. So to not allow Ling Xiao’s favor to continue on, the only way to drag him down was to use his daughter’s death, shifting the blame onto him and causing the image of him in the Emperor’s heart to receive a huge blow. If that happens, even if he couldn’t pull down Ling Xiao, he could at least make him lose favor.”

这般想着，吏部尚书冉生酋哭得更为真切。

While he plotted that, the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments cried even more vividly.

凌萧心头一震，微微抬头看皇帝，便见他似笑非笑的看着吏部尚书，他不曾反驳也不曾认同，紧抿的唇微微斜着，勾起了一个令人捉摸不透的弧度。

Ling Xiao’s heart shook and he slightly raised his head to look at the Emperor, only to see him smilingly yet not while looking at the High Official. He did not refute but he also did not acknowledge it. His lips were slightly tilted, giving him an appearance that one wasn’t able to see through.

面上的漠然的神情，在那双通透的眸子下，显得无所不知一般，望得下方臣子各个心慌，不敢多言半句。

That indifferent face of his paired with his penetrating eyes appeared omniscient, causing the officials below to become flustered under the gaze, not daring to talk.

瞬间朝堂之中，出列的就只有吏部尚书一人。

In a moment, the only to step out of the ranks was the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments.

吏部尚书微微皱眉，弯下的腰遮挡住皇帝的视线，眼神偷偷瞄过几个官员，那几人，身子一僵，在半响之后，便都出列，站在了吏部尚书的一边。

The High Official of the Ministry of Appointments slightly frowned and bent his waist down to hide from the Emperor’s line of sight. He snuck a few glances at a couple other officials, those who he looked at all went stiff, then after a while, all stepped out by his side.

看来，这是有计谋的弹劾。

It looks like it was a schemed impeachment.

凌萧敛眸，在这种不知情况的前提下，多说多错，凌萧安静的立在原处，想多看看情况。

Under a situation like this where one isn’t sure of the premise, the more one talked, the more mistakes one made. So he stayed quietly in place, trying to take a longer look at the situation.

“你们都觉得这是皇君的错？”皇帝终于开了口，轻轻淡淡的一句话，夹着龙威，从四面八方传进在场臣子的耳中，令所有人神情一凛，冷意便从脚底直升上发旋。

“You all think this is the King Consort’s fault?” The Emperor finally spoke, his soft and indifferent words carried some of his dragon might as it passed into everyone’s ears. Everyone there trembled with fear, a cold chill went up from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads.

无一人敢出口说话。

No one dared to speak.

皇帝冷笑了一声，正要开口，一人出列行礼道：“皇上，臣有话要说。”

The Emperor coldly smiled and was just about to continue speaking when someone walked out, saluted and said, “Your Majesty, this servant has something to say.”

“皇君乃是性情中人，定是冉妃不顾规矩在先，还望皇上明鉴。”

“King Consort’s nature is calm, it was Concubine Ran who first disregarded the rules, please think it over Your Majesty.”

这是为自己说话？

Was he talking for him?

凌萧一愣，微微抬头瞧了瞧前面之人，豁然是一身宰相官服的皇叔牧修甯。

Ling Xiao was a bit surprised and raised his to look at the person ahead. It was Imperial Uncle Mu Xiuning in the Prime Minister clothing.

凌萧诧异，这人不过与自己一面之缘，竟愿意相信自己……

Ling Xiao was flabbergasted, he had only met him once yet he was willing to believe in him…

“亲王此言偏袒之意未免太明显了，你说臣女不顾规矩在先，可有证据？光凭一句性情中人，就能让臣女枉死吗！”

“King Qin’s words are siding with him, it cannot be any clearer. You said this servant’s daughter who disregarded the rules first, but do you have any evidence? Just your line of him being of calm nature, how can that clear this servant’s daughter’s tragic death!”

“事实如何，皇上自有定夺，冉大人，丧女悲切，本王深感同情，但这不是污蔑他人的理由。”

“Whatever happens, it is the Emperor’s decision. Lord Ran, you are mourning the death of your daughter, this King sympathizes with you, but that is not the reason to slander another.”

“呵……臣想为臣女主持公道，就是在污蔑他人？臣女之死，说他凌萧没有错，当臣等都是瞎的吗！”

“Heh…this servants want to obtain justice for this servant’s daughter, and it’s slander? This servant’s daughter died, saying Ling Xiao did not do anything wrong, are you taking this servant as blind?!”

冉生酋情绪激昂的指着凌萧说道。

Ran Shengqiu pointed at Ling Xiao, completely worked up.

“……”凌萧敛眸，事到如今，他也不能再当缩头乌龟了。

“……” Ling Xiao held himself back from rolling his eyes. As matters stand right now, he couldn’t play dead anymore.

思及此，凌萧出列道：“冉大人，冉妃之死，凌萧也万般遗憾，但确实她上门挑衅在先。”

So he stepped out and said, “Lord Ran, Concubine Ran’s death also makes Ling Xiao feel sorry, but it is true that she came by and provoked this one first.”

“上门挑衅？臣女自幼知书达理，在你未进宫之前，可曾与其他妃子有半分摩擦，怎么一到你进宫，她就成了上门挑衅，忘了规矩的那一个了！”冉生酋咄咄逼人。

“Came by and provoked you? This servant’s daughter has always been educated and well-behaved since childhood. Before you have not entered the palace, she had never had conflict with other concubines. Why is it that the moment you enter the palace, she became the one that dropped by and provoked you, disregarding the rules!” Ran Shengqiu said aggressively.

凌萧皱眉，目含不悦的道：“怎么？冉大人是认定凌萧之错了？”

Ling Xiao frowned and unhappily asked, “What? So Lord Ran firmly believes that Ling Xiao is wrong?”

说着，凌萧不给冉生酋开口的机会，继续道：“那冉大人可知，皇上体谅凌萧，那几日，正是皇上让后宫妃子勿扰凌萧清修之日？冉妃能见到本君，难道不已经是‘忘了规矩’么。”

Ling Xiao didn’t give him the chance to respond as he continued, “Then does Lord Ran know, that His Majesty had forbidden the concubines of the harem to disturb Ling Xiao to allow rest those few days? For Concubine Ran to be able to see this one, is it not ‘disregarding the rules’?”

“你……”冉生酋指着凌萧咬牙切齿。

“You…” Ran Shengqiu could only grit his teeth while pointing at Ling Xiao.

凌萧坦然面对，强调道：“这个‘忘了规矩’还是忘了皇上定的规矩，这可比凌萧动手重得多了。”

Ling Xiao calmly confronted him and stressed it, “This ‘disregarding the rules’ or disregarding the rule His Majesty set down, is a lot heavier than what Ling Xiao has done.”

“凌萧！”冉生酋望着凌萧，似是要将凌萧五马分尸一般，怨恨得目光令凌萧心底发寒。

“Ling Xiao!” Ran Shengqiu stared at him like he wanted to swallow him whole, the resentful gaze caused Ling Xiao’s heart to chill.

“你在皇上的眼皮底下动用私刑，竟还如此理直气壮，你将皇帝放在哪里！”

“You dared to administer punishment without permission and still dare to be so confident, where do you place the Emperor?!”

“自是放在心里。”凌萧坦然说着，望向皇帝朗声道：“正是因为放在了心里，才会气愤冉妃不顾皇上的命令，竟上门挑衅，凌萧想替皇上分忧，便替皇上教训了她几分。”

“In my heart.” Ling Xiao calmly replied, looking at the Emperor this time, “It was because I place him in my heart that I would be so angered by Concubine Ran’s disregard of the His Majesty’s order. To drop by and provoke this one, Ling Xiao wanted to help His Majesty ease his worries and gave her a small lesson.”

“教训了几分？你明明是活活将她逼死了！”冉生酋信口雌黄。

“A small lesson? You obviously forced her to death!” Ran Shengqiu casually lied through his teeth.

“冉大人，刚刚你所说的话，凌萧原封不动的还给你，说话可是要讲究证据的。”

“Lord Ran, the words you said before, Ling Xiao will return them to you without change. You need evidence when saying such words.”

凌萧说着，沉声道：“你若再这样污蔑凌萧，那凌萧不介意说说冉妃所做秘事。”

Then his tone turned darker, “If you continue to slander Ling Xiao again, then Ling Xiao would not mind speaking about the things Concubine Ran does in secret.”

“臣女自幼知书知礼，在宫里安分守己，一直以来，是皇上的好妃子，臣女如何，皇上亲眼目睹，你休要在这里满口胡言！”

“This servant’s daughter has always been well educated and behaved. In the harem, she had kept to her place and has always been His Majesty’s good concubine. How this servant’s daughter is like, His Majesty could see for himself. Yet you dare to spout nonsense here!”

“我看满口胡言的是冉大人！”凌萧正色，冷声道：“凌萧从未要过冉妃的性命，你却将冉妃之死推在了凌萧的身上，那冉妃在宫中目无纪法，三番两次无视皇上下的命令，甚至算计起皇上，给皇上下药，心计如此深沉，你却说她安分守己！”

“I think the one that’s spouting nonsense is Lord Ran!” Ling Xiao unflinchingly and coldly retorted, “Ling Xiao nevered wanted Concubine Ran’s death. Yet you keep pushing Concubine Ran’s death onto Ling Xiao. That Concubine Ran is undisciplined, she has ignored His Majesty’s orders many times and had even plotted to drug him. This kind of deep scheming, and you say she knows her place!”

凌萧嗤笑：“冉大人不是信口开河是什么？眼瞎么？”

Ling Xiao sneered, “If Lord Ran isn’t speaking without thinking, then what are you? Blind?”

“凌萧！你个混账！”冉生酋气极，瞪圆了双眼，竟不顾场合的上前来拉扯凌萧，举着拳头要揍凌萧。

“Ling Xiao! You b*stard!” Ran Shengqiu was angered to the max, glaring widely with his two eyes, he actually walked forward to drag Ling Xiao despite the place and raised his fist to hit him.

凌萧没有料到冉生酋如此大胆，竟敢在皇帝面前动手，不由一愣，就错过了躲开的最好时期，眼看着拳头就要到砸在自己的脸上，凌萧一阵慌乱，突而，旁边出现了一只手，有力的握住了冉生酋的拳头，及时挽救了凌萧。

Ling Xiao hadn’t expect that Ran Shengqiu was so brazen as to do this in front of the Emperor so he stayed stunned in place, missing the best time to dodge it. He watched as the fist was about to smash upon his face when he began to panic. But then, a hand appeared from the side that powerfully gripped Ran Shengqiu’s fist, saving him just in time.

凌萧重重的松了口气，转头一看，才发现，是兰蔚，一位老熟人。

Ling Xiao heaved a sigh of relief, turned and finally saw his savior. It was Lan Wei, an old acquaintance.

凌萧朝他笑了笑，兰蔚微微抿了抿唇，拉着冉生酋远离了凌萧，冷声道：“冉大人，这可是在朝堂。”

Ling Xiao smiled at him while Lan Wei pursed his lips and dragged Ran Shengqiu away from Ling Xiao, coldly berating him, “Lord Ran, this is the court.”

冉生酋猛然醒悟，惊出一身冷汗，回头去看皇帝。

Ran Shengqiu suddenly came to his senses and cold sweat filled him, he turned to look at the Emperor.

却见皇帝目不转睛的盯着自己，冉生酋顿时觉得浑身冰凉。

What he found was the Emperor’s unmoving gaze on his body, he suddenly feel his whole body go cold.

“冉爱卿，当真是栋梁之才啊。”

“Beloved Official Ran, you really take Us as a ridgepole.”

讽刺的话，刺的冉生酋面色由红到白，他扑通一声，跪伏在地，哀凄道：“臣只是护女心切，还望皇上恕罪。”

His mocking words caused Ran Shengqiu’s whole face to pale. He fell to the ground with a thud and knelt, saying in a mournful voice, “This servant was just too impatient to for this servant’s daughter and asks for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

说着，冉生酋不忘拉凌萧下水道“是凌萧污蔑臣女，才使得臣失控，他不仅目无纪律，还胆敢替皇上动刑，实属大不敬，也是狼子野心，还望皇上明鉴。”

Ran Shengqiu also did not forget to drag Ling Xiao down the sewer while he spoke, “It’s because Ling Xiao slander this servant’s daughter causing this servant to go out of control. Not only is he lacking discipline, he dares to take Your Majesty’s place and administer punishment, a great disrespect. He has the ambition of wild wolves, please consider Your Majesty.”

凌萧闻言，恨恨得瞪了冉生酋一眼，这人真会找切入点，就看准了自己越过皇帝对冉妃动了刑，便说自己大不敬，便说自己浪子野心，皇帝本就多疑，要是对自己的喜爱和信任不够，说不定还真会怀疑到自己。

Ling Xiao hatefully glared at Ran Shengqiu, this man really likes to try and find weak points. He skipped right over how he was doing it for the Emperor and said he was being disrespectful, said he has the ambition of wild wolves, so he cannot be trusted. If his love to him really wasn’t high enough, perhaps he really would become suspicious of him.

凌萧也跟着扑通一声，跪在了皇帝的跟前：“凌萧如何，皇上您都知道，凌萧从未有过不该有的心思，还请皇上明鉴，还凌萧清白。”

Ling Xiao also knelt on the ground with a thud, saying to the Emperor before them, “How Ling Xiao is something Your Majesty knows. Ling Xiao never had thoughts one shouldn’t have, asking the Emperor to please understand, Ling Xiao is innocent.”

皇帝冷着面，琢磨不透的坐在龙椅上，周围静得可怕，硕大的朝堂只余“嘭、嘭、嘭”的心跳声。

The Emperor’s face was cold as he thoughtfully sat on the Dragon Throne. The surroundings were silent with fear, only the sounds of their thumping heartbeat could be heard.

一声声，带着节奏的宣告着时间的流逝。

Beat after beat, each beat declared the passage of time.

许久，皇帝终于开了口，望向的是冉生酋。

After a long time, the Emperor finally spoke and the one he was looking at was Ran Shengqiu.

“朕心知冉爱卿丧女悲痛，但凌萧所言，并非胡说，冉妃在宫，目无纪法，向朕下药之事，皆为属实。”

“We know that Our Beloved Official is grieving for your daughter, but what Ling Xiao has said was not nonsense. Concubine Ran disregarded the rules in the palace, and had attempted to drug Us, it is all true.”

说着，皇帝朝身后的太监打了个眼色，太监将手中之物交给了冉生酋。

After he spoke, the Emperor moved his gaze to the eunuch behind him who handed the item he was holding before to Ran Shengqiu.

“这便是冉妃死后，找出的证据，你自己看看罢。”皇帝一声冷哼。

“This is the evidence gathered after Concubine Ran’s death, you can take a look yourself.” The Emperor coldly snorted.

冉生酋抬头，结果太监送来之物，一看，面色瞬间变得苍白，他手里的是一种药——迷迭香。

Ran Shengqiu raised his head and took the item the eunuch handed to him. The moment he looked at it, his face went white. The item in his hand was–rosemary.

这药他自然知道，甚至是当初他让冉妃给皇帝下的，不会伤及皇帝的性命，只会提高皇帝的性趣，但对皇帝的身体有一定的伤害。

He naturally knew what this was, he had actually given this to Concubine Ran himself so she could drug the Emperor. It will not harm the Emperor’s life, it will only raise his interest. But it will harm the Emperor’s body to a sure degree.

只要对龙体有伤害，那便是谋杀之罪，株连九族啊！

As long as it can harm the dragon body, then it was a murder attempt involving the Son of Heaven!

冉生酋面色变的惨白，伏在地上后悔不已：“皇上饶命啊！”

Ran Shengqiu’s face turned death pale and endlessly regretted while kneeling on the ground, “Have mercy Your Majesty!”

皇帝沉默，龙威袭向冉生酋，让他抖动不止，他面上的汗水已经滴落在地，在地上形成了一方小洼。

The Emperor stayed silent, his dragon might attacking Ran Shengqiu who trembled without pause. The amount of sweat that was dripping from him was enough to make a small puddle.

“皇上，冉大人对朝廷奉献颇多，劳苦功高，还望皇上饶恕。”突而一人开口求饶，紧接着大半数的官员通通跪在了地上替冉生酋求情。

“Your Majesty, Lord Ran has dedicated much to the court and labored much, asking Your Majesty to please forgive him.” Suddenly, a man also started to ask on behalf of Ran Shengqui in which finally, half of the officials all knelt and plead for him.

凌萧沉默，早就听闻朝中势力倾向了冉生酋，今日一看，果然不假。

Ling Xiao fell silent, he had long heard that the power of the court was trending toward Ran Shengqiu, and from the looks of it today, it was true.

皇帝现在恐怕还动不得冉生酋。

He was afraid that even the Emperor couldn’t move Ran Shengqiu.

“众位大人所言并不无道理，冉爱卿确实劳苦功高，但朕曾说，皇君在你等面前，将等于了朕，可今日冉爱卿在朝堂对朕的皇君如此不敬，对朝堂如此不敬，这让朕如何饶恕？”

“Everyone’s words are not wrong, Beloved Official Ran has indeed labored much. But We had once said before that the King Consort in front of you all is equal to Us. Beloved Official Ran was so disrespectful toward Our King Consort while in court, being so disrespectful toward this court, how can We forgive him?”

说着，皇帝阴沉着面色，威压一波波袭向众位大臣，让求情的大臣只能诚服的颤抖，而说不出一句求饶的话来。

After he said that, the Emperor’s dark face and powerful pressure attacked all of those officials, those who plea for leniency could only shudder and accept it, they could no longer say another word.

凌萧跪在这群大臣当中，直到现在，才知道皇帝带他来朝堂的本意。

Ling Xiao only now understand the reason why the Emperor brought him to the morning assembly today.

他就是想让自己激怒冉生酋，让冉生酋对自己发怒，好找借口惩罚他……

He wanted him to infuriate Ran Shengqiu, so that the other would get angry at him and then he would be able to have a reason to punish him…

皇帝这样一说，加上冉生酋刚刚的表现，即使大半官员求情，皇帝又能依旧惩罚冉生酋。

The moment the Emperor said that plus Ran Shengqiu’s actions just before, even if more than half of the officials plea for leniency, the Emperor could punish Ran Shengqiu without a problem.

凌萧敛眸。

Ling Xiao restrained himself from rolling his eyes.

“来人，将吏部尚书押去大牢，听候审理。”

“Servants, take the High Official of the Ministry of Appoints to the prison and await for hearing.”

说着，皇帝转向凌萧，微微缓和了面色：“凌萧，你虽一切都是为了朕，却也如同众位大臣所说，对冉妃动了私刑，你也得接受惩罚，可有异议？”

The Emperor then turned to him, his face relaxed, “Ling Xiao, although you said everything was for Us, it was as the minister said. For acting against Concubine Ran, you also need to accept a punishment, do you object?”

皇帝不是罚过了吗？难道那是罚给后宫妃子看的，现在他在朝堂有官职，所以还要罚一遍？

Didn’t the Emperor already punish him? Don’t tell him it’s because that punishment from before was just for the concubines in the harem to see and now that he was sitting in his official position in court, he had to be punished again?

凌萧这般郁闷的想着，却不敢给皇帝摆脸色，他伏低了头，恭敬的应道：“凌萧无异议。”

Ling Xiao gloomily thought about it but did not dare to show it on his face against the Emperor and lowered his head, respectfully answered, “Ling Xiao has no objections.”

“很好。”皇帝眯眼满意：“那朕便罚你，一个月不许早朝，由原工部尚书代职。”

“Very good.” The Emperor narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, “Then We punish you to not being allowed to attend morning court. The former High Official of the Ministry of Works will take your place.”

“……”这罚跟不罚根本没区别。

“…..” This punish and no punish had no difference.

他本就很少上朝，尤其是每晚跟皇帝过后，早上因为身后那难以启齿的部位根本就起不来。

He didn’t go to morning assembly much in the first place, especially after spending the night with the Emperor, that too embarrassing to mention place would simply not allow him to get up.

凌萧行礼：“凌萧谢皇上隆恩。”

Ling Xiao saluted, “Ling Xiao thanks Your Majesty for your kindness.”

“起来吧。”皇帝说着，朝后使了个眼色，小太监机灵的上前，宣道：“退朝。”

“You may rise.” The Emperor told him then made a signal to the small eunuch behind him with his eyes. He quickly walked forward and announced, “Morning assembly dismissed.”

众人高呼“皇上万岁”。

Everyone loudly shouted a “Long live Your Majesty”.

皇帝并没有拉凌萧一起走，但这件事每个人心里都清楚了，凌萧在皇帝心中的位置。

The Emperor did not pull along Ling Xiao to walk with him, but after this event, everyone was clear on Ling Xiao’s position in his heart.

一时间，没人敢惹凌萧。

For a moment, no one dared to provoke Ling Xiao.

兰蔚见众人离去，没好气的上前，瞪了凌萧一眼。

After Lan Wei watched everyone leave, he unhappily went up to him and glared.

“还真是出尽了风头啊，皇君。”他讽刺般的说道，语气中却暗含了很多关心之意。

“You really are in quite the limelight, King Consort.” He mockingly said, but his tone implied his concern for him.

“听没听说过树大招风四个字？”兰蔚瞥着他问。

“Have you heard of the term, a famous person attracts criticism?” Lan Wei shot him a glance and asked.

凌萧嘴抽了抽，看了兰蔚一眼：“你想提醒我小心点就坦诚说，不要这样阴阳怪气的。”

Ling Xiao’s lips twitched, and looked back at him, “If you want to remind me to be careful, then just say so. Don’t say it in such a strange way.”

说着，凌萧往外走去，兰蔚连忙跟上：“哎，我说你别好心没好报，刚才要不是我阻止了冉生酋，我看你的脸也得跟那死去的冉妃一个样。”

Ling Xiao then walked out and Lan Wei hurriedly ran up to catch up. “Hey, I say, can you at least say something when someone helps you? If it weren’t for me preventing Ran Shengqiu, then your face would be the same as that dead Concubine Ran.”

“你诅咒我啊？”

“Are you cursing me?”

凌萧停住了脚步，在这里，他和兰蔚要分开了，他去的是后宫，兰蔚是要出宫。

Ling Xiao stopped his steps. At this place, he was going to separate from Lan Wei. He was headed for the harem while Lan Wei was heading out.

兰蔚也停了下来，一时间竟出奇的沉默：“你明知道我是关心你。”

Lan Wei also stopped and became rather silent, “You are fully aware that I am being worried about you.”

凌萧嗤笑：“你每次的关心都那么别扭。”

Ling Xiao sneered, “Your concern is always so awkward.”

“……”兰蔚撇头：“没有想到，今日会见到你。”

“……” Lan Wei turned away his head, “I didn’t think I would see you today.”

“想我？”凌萧调侃道。

“Miss me?” Ling Xiao teased.

兰蔚不自在的面上染上了一丝红润，出声抱怨道：“谁想你个蠢货。”

On Lan Wei’s uneasy face was a slight blush, he complained, “Who was missing you moron!”

凌萧嘴抽了抽：“我是蠢货？呵……”

Ling Xiao’s lips twitched, “I’m a moron? Heh…”

凌萧突然抬脚踹了兰蔚一脚：“你再说一遍试试？”

Ling Xiao suddenly raised his leg and kicked him, “I dare you to say it again?”

“……你……”兰蔚吃痛，捂着自己的脚气极，瞪着凌萧，凌萧一脸嘚瑟的看着兰蔚，宛如一只偷腥的猫，表情欠扁又让人心动不已。

“…You…” Taking the pain, Lan Wei held his leg and glared at him. Ling Xiao arrogantly looked at him, like a cat that stole something, his expression both annoying yet moving.

兰蔚抿唇，心不由加快了律动，他默默的转开了脸，心中酸胀难忍。

Lan Wei pursed his lips, his heart couldn’t help but speed up and he silently turned away his face, a hard to endure sour feeling in his heart.

“怎么了？”凌萧撇头去看他：“怎么突然这么沉默？”

“What’s wrong?” Ling Xiao tilted his head at him, “Why suddenly so quiet?”

兰蔚躲避着凌萧的视线道：“好了，你快回去罢，皇上该急了。”

Lan Wei hid from Ling Xiao’s sight, “Alright, you should quickly go back, the Emperor should be worried.”

“那我走了？”凌萧观察这兰蔚的神色说着，发觉他说这话的时候，兰蔚身子明显一僵，像是不想自己离开一般，朝自己的位置挪了一步，但一步过后，他又沉默的低下了头，并没有挽留的意思。

“Then I’ll leave?” Ling Xiao observed his expression, noticing that he had stiffen when he said that, like he didn’t want him to leave. He shifted his way to his direction a little but stopped after a step, then once again silently lowered his head, he did not make him stay.

凌萧皱眉，总觉得兰蔚有些奇怪，却又说不上哪里奇怪，他轻叹了口气，拉着兰蔚在台阶上坐下道：“好了，有什么话你就说，不要这么磨叽的，我看出了，你不想我走，哪必定就是有话要说，说吧。”

Ling Xiao frowned, he feels that Lan Wei is a bit strange, but he wasn’t able to point out where. He sighed and pulled down Lan Wei to sit with him on the steps, “Alright, if you have something to say, say it. Don’t dawdle so much. I can tell you don’t want me to leave, so you must have something you want to say. So say it.”

“……”兰蔚苦笑：“我没什么话说。”

“……” Lan Wei forced a smile, “I don’t really have anything to say.”

“真的？”凌萧询问。

“Really?” Ling Xiao asked.

兰蔚点头，凌萧撇了撇嘴：“那好，那我走了。”

Lan Wei nodded and Ling Xiao’s lips curled, “That’s good, then I’ll leave now.”

说着，凌萧站起身，转身果真不再留恋一般离去。

Ling Xiao stood up and turned around, not longer reluctant to leave.

兰蔚望着，不由自主的拉住了凌萧的衣袖。

Lan Wei watched his back and couldn’t help but pull at his sleeve.

“？”凌萧回头，疑惑的望着兰蔚。

“?” Ling Xiao turned back, looking back at him in confusion.

兰蔚连忙松手，掩饰般的道：“冉妃死的蹊跷，你自己小心。”

Lan Wei quickly released his grip, and said like he was covering something up, “Concubine Ran’s death is odd, you should be more careful.”

“你也觉得冉妃死得蹊跷？”凌萧讶然的望着兰蔚。

“You also think the way Concubine Ran died was odd?” Ling Xiao looked at Lan Wei in surprise.

兰蔚皱眉道：“她不像是会自杀的人，但皇上没有追杀真相，那你便当她是自杀的罢。”

Lan Wei frowned, “She did not appear like someone who would commit suicide, but the Emperor didn’t choose to investigate it, so you can just take it as her commiting suicide.”

“什么意思？”凌萧皱眉。

“What do you mean?” Ling Xiao frowned.

兰蔚琢磨着开口道：：“吏部尚书的势力一直在扩大，这是皇上不允许的，而冉妃死去必定对吏部尚书来说，是一大重创，那么你觉得谁最会希望冉妃死去？”

Lan Wei hesitated for a while before speaking, “The High Official of the Ministry of Appointment’s power has been constantly expanding, this is not something the Emperor would allow. And to the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments, Concubine Ran’s death is a great loss. Then who do you think wishes for her death the most?”

“皇……”凌萧瞪眼。

“His…” Ling Xiao widen his eyes.

兰蔚忙捂住了凌萧的嘴：“话不要乱说，皇上既然没有追杀真相，你便当皇上说的是真相便够了。”

Lan Wei quickly covered his mouth, “Don’t randomly talk about it, since the Emperor did not choose to chase after it, then you can just think of it as the truth.”

“……”凌萧点头。

“……” Ling Xiao nodded.

兰蔚微带着不舍的放下了手，紧握着还沾着那柔软红唇温度的手，黯然道：“皇上此刻处置吏部尚书不是明智之选，但他已然处置，怕是因为他冲撞了你罢，皇上待你是极好的了，如此……”

Lan Wei was reluctant to release his hand from holding that soft, warm and rosy cheeks. He dimly said, “The way the Emperor handled the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments isn’t a sensible way, but he had still done so because he was afraid the other would offend you. The way the Emperor cares for you is excellent, so…”

我便也安心了。

I would also be at ease.

兰蔚在心里默默的说道，凌萧奇怪的看着兰蔚问道：“如此什么？”

Lan Wei silently said in his heart. Ling Xiao looked at him strangely and asked, “So what?”

“没什么。”兰蔚甩头，转身道：“你不回去，我回去了。”

“Nothing.” Lan Wei shook his head and turned around, “You’re not going back, but I’ll be leaving.”

说完，他疾步快走，就像是有人在背后追赶他一般，一下便走了没影。

He quickly walked away after he spoke as if someone was pursuing him. In a moment, his figure was gone.

“……”凌萧默然，这兰蔚总是毛毛躁躁的。

“……” Ling Xiao was speechless, this Lan Wei was also so hot-tempered.

只不过，冉妃是皇帝赐死的吗……

It’s just that, did Concubine Ran commit suicide on the Emperor’s orders…

凌萧敛眸，皇帝确实有这样的动机。

Ling Xiao agreed, the Emperor did have that kind of intention.

朝堂的事，远比他自己原本想的要复杂的多。

The matters of the court were so much more complicated then he originally thought.

回去的途中，凌萧却在半路遇到了一个人。

On the way back, Ling Xiao met someone.

也是他所熟悉的人，皇帝的后宫妃子之一——丽妃。

It was also someone he was familiar with, one of the Emperor’s harem concubines–Concubine Li.

她带着一个小宫女慌慌张张的从他的宫殿方向跑出来，凌萧直觉有猫腻，不由跟在了她的身后。

She was followed by a maid running out from the direction of his palace in panic, Ling Xiao’s intuition told him there was something fishy, so he followed behind.

“主子，你跑什么呀？”一凑近她，便听得她身后的婢女如此说道。

“Master, why are you running away?” Her maid got closer to her and said from behind.

丽妃喘息着，捂着胸口，颤抖道：“皇……皇……皇上在……”

Concubine Li gasp for breath, holding her chest as she tremblingly got out, “His…His…His Majesty is there…”

“皇上在皇君的宫中，不是更好嘛？主子您去拜访皇君，还能见着皇上，这不是一举两得正是机会吗？您跑什么？”樱儿一脸恨铁不成钢。

“Isn’t it even better the Emperor is at the King Consort’s place? While you pay a visit to the King Consort, you can also see the Emperor. Isn’t this a two birds one stone opportunity? Why are you running away?” Ying’er felt resentful toward her for not taking such a great chance.

“我……”丽妃紧促着眉头，不语的摇头：“樱儿，我们回去罢。”

“I…” Concubine Li wrinkled her brows tightly, shaking her head. “Ying’er, let’s go back.”

“主子，您不见皇君了？”樱儿一脸诧异：“如今，皇君正得宠，若是他以您不去拜访为由，说您没有礼数，在皇上那告您一状，奴婢看您怎么办？”

“Master, you aren’t going to see King Consort anymore?” Ying’er’s face was dumbfounded, “Nowadays, the King Consort is the favored one. If you don’t pay him a visit and said you don’t have any courtesy to the Emperor, what will happen to you?”

“可是，樱儿，皇上先前下令不许前去打扰皇君。”

“But, Ying’er, the Emperor gave the order before that we’re not allowed to go disturb King Consort.”

“那是先前。”婢女皱眉道：“谁不知现在和先前已经不一样了，主子，那皇君先是给了贤妃一个下马威，让贤妃把红叶给送走了，而后，又是冉妃自缢，这是个厉害的角色！您不能不去拜会。”

“That is before.” The maid frown. “Who doesn’t know that now is different from before. Master, that King Consort first had showed his might to Concubine Xian, having her see off Hong Ye. after that, he had Concubine Ran hang herself, this is already a difficult person to deal with! You can’t not visit him!”

“可……”

“But…”

“没什么可的，主子，走吧，刚好皇上也在，兴许他见着您还能温存几许。”

“There is no buts, Master, let’s go. Luckily the Emperor is still there, perhaps when he sees you he may be affectionate.”

“樱儿。”丽妃一声呵斥，一脸为难的道：“你是知道的，我向来不擅长和皇上独处，我也并不和姐妹们争宠，平日里，贤妃也好，当初的冉妃也好，见我不争，不都没我什么事嘛，我相信如今这皇君也……”

“Ying’er.” Concubine Li berated, her face awkward, “You know that I am not good with spending time alone with the Emperor. I didn’t strive for favor among my sisters and usually Concubine Xian is fine, Concubine Ran back then was also fine when she saw I didn’t fight for his favor. Wasn’t I fine all that time? I believe that this King Consort would also…”

“这不是您不争就没有问题了的。”樱儿打断了丽妃：“这皇君和之前的不一样，您不争他早晚也会找上您的，您争上了皇上的宠爱还能自保一二，要是没有皇上的宠爱，您的处境可危险了。”

“This isn’t a matter where if you don’t contend with him then you’re fine.” Ying’er interrupted Concubine Li, “This King Consort is different from the one before, if you don’t contend against him then he would come for you sooner or later. If you fight for some of the Emperor’s love then you might be able to defend yourself a little. If the Emperor doesn’t favor you at all, then your situation would be dangerous.”

“……”凌萧将两人的对话听的一清二楚，不由抽搐了嘴角，他有这个樱儿说的那么可怕吗？

“……” Ling Xiao clearly heard the two’s dialog and his lips twitched, was he really as scary as that Ying’er said?

凌萧假装清咳了一声。

Ling Xiao feigned a cough.

樱儿立马戒备，将丽妃藏在了身后：“谁？！”

Ying’er instantly went on guard and hid Concubine Li behind her, “Who?!”

凌萧从藏身之处而出，淡然的看着丽妃与她的宫女。

Ling Xiao walked out into the open, indifferently watching the two.

今日丽妃穿了一身粉红色的纱裙，头戴粉色的头钗，化着淡妆，显得俏皮可爱，而他的婢女一身宫女装扮，紧紧的将丽妃护在身后，面上严肃表情尽显，显然是一个忠诚的仆人。

Today, Concubine Li wore a pink cotton skirt, a pink hairpin and light makeup, she appeared very charming and adorable. The servant girl beside her wore the maid adornment and kept Concubine Li closely behind her, her face was very grave. It was clear she was a devoted servant.

凌萧微微一笑道：“你们别紧张，我……”

Ling Xiao faintly smiled, “You guys don’t need to be so nervous, I…”

凌萧转了转眼瞳，怕自己说是皇君吓到她们，便谎称道：“我是刚下早朝的兰蔚，被皇帝召见经过此处，拜见丽妃娘娘。”

Ling Xiao’s eyes flickered, he was afraid he would scare the two if he said he was the King Consort, so he claimed, “I am Lan Wei who had just gotten off the morning assembly and was called here by the Emperor. I pay my respects to Your Highness.”

凌萧装模作样的朝丽妃行了一礼，心里却把自己骂了一个遍。

Ling Xiao placed his role and saluted to her, but he was inwardly scolding himself.

他的谎言四处都是漏洞，首先下朝的臣子被召见也只是去御书房等候，怎么会在御花园……其次兰蔚和丽妃根本没有见过，此刻见面就知晓了丽妃的身份还行礼了，这根本说不通。

There were holes all over his lie, first of all, if he was called by the Emperor then after court he just needed to go straight to the imperial study. How could he be at the imperial garden… Next, Concubine Li and Lan Wei never met before, yet he knew and even saluted to her right now. It simply did not make sense.

这能瞒住她们才是奇怪。

If it could be hidden from them, then that would be strange.

然而，丽妃睁着无辜的眸子，应声道：“原来是声名远扬的兰将军，快快请起，皇上就在皇君的宫中，你快去罢。”

However, Concubine stared with wide innocent eyes and answered, “So it’s the greatly famous General Lan, please get up quickly, the Emperor is in King Consort’s palace, you should go.”

“……”凌萧讶然的瞪眼，心中慢慢的不可思议。

“……” Ling Xiao stared with wide eyes, disbelief slowly spreading in his heart.

丽妃信了？

Concubine Li believed it?

凌萧抬头，便见婢女拉着丽妃的衣袖，似乎想提醒丽妃什么，但丽妃置若罔闻，只单纯的望着自己，抬手给自己指着路……

Ling Xiao raised his head, only to see the servant girl pulling Concubine Li’s sleeve. She seemed to be trying to remind the concubine something, but the other turned a deaf ear and only looked at him innocently, and then pointed at the path…

婢女比主子聪明，在后宫生存这么久，婢女功不可没。

The servant girl was more intelligent than the master, her contributions cannot go unnoticed after they had stayed in the harem for so long.

看来上辈子他看到的丽妃，都是这个丽妃装出来的假象了。

It looks like the Concubine Li he knew in his past life was completely a fake appearance assumed by her.

凌萧在心里下了结论，也没有再过多和丽妃牵扯，便谢过转身离去。

Ling Xiao made his opinion in his heart and did not bother to get involved with her again. He turned around and left.

“主子！”走远，还能听见婢女咬牙切齿的叫唤。

“Master!” Even when they walked farther away, he could hear the servant girl gnashing her teeth and calling out.

是对有趣的奴仆，凌萧轻轻一笑。

This was an interesting servant. Ling Xiao faintly smiled.

笑容满面的走进宫殿，便瞧见皇帝在案桌上批着奏折，见凌萧微笑的走近，漫不经心的问了一句。

With a smile across his face, he saw the Emperor sitting at the desk working on the memorials. When he noticed Ling Xiao’s approach, he absent-mindedly asked.

“什么事，这般开心？”

“What matter made you so happy?”

“遇到了两个有趣的人。”在私下，凌萧已经习惯了不朝皇帝行礼，便自然而然的走到了皇帝的身边，他也没对皇帝隐瞒，直白说道：“这其中一个，皇上您也很熟悉。”

“I met two interesting people.” In private, Ling Xiao was already used to not saluting to the Emperor and just walked to his side. He did not plan to hide it from him and frankly told him, “Your Majesty is quite familiar with one of them.”

皇帝并没有停下手中之事，接问道：“何人？”

The Emperor did not stop working the matter on hand and asked, “Who?”

“丽妃。”凌萧笑道。

“Concubine Li.” Ling Xiao smiled.

皇帝手下笔一顿，抬起了眼，看向凌萧：“她惹着你了？”

The Emperor’s brush stopped, raised his eyes to look at him, “Did she irritate you?”

凌萧挑眉，轻笑道：“没有，皇上您怎么这么问。”

Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow and smiled, “She didn’t, why are you asking?”

皇帝闻言，复而低下了头：“没有便好。”

The Emperor lowered his head again at his answered, “It’s good if she hasn’t,”

凌萧闻言一顿，心中一暖，壮着胆子俯身在皇帝脸颊吻了一口，便急忙起身，眼神躲闪道：“我去给皇上您看看早膳。”

Ling Xiao paused, his heart warming at his concern. Gathering his courage, he leaned over to land a kiss on the Emperor’s cheek and hurried stood back up, his eyes dodging away as he say, “I’ll go take a look at Your Majesty’s morning meal.”

站起的身影还能看见他耳根蔓延的红晕，皇帝勾唇一笑，伸手拉住了欲逃跑的身影，一把将他拉往了自己的怀里。

The Emperor could still see the blush that went from his face to his ears as he stood up and he smiled, pulling and preventing the figure from fleeing. He pulled him straight into his embrace.

“朕现在不想吃其他，只想吃面前的。”

“We do not wish to eat anything else but the one before Us.”

皇帝这般说着，倾身压来，轻嗅着凌萧身上的芬香，似乎是餐前检查食物的香气一般。

While he said that, he overturned and pressed down on his body, scenting Ling Xiao’s body like he was inspecting the food’s fragrance before his meal.

凌萧“轰”的面色变得通红，心跳遽然变快，放佛跳到了嗓子眼上，令人心生难耐。

Ling Xiao’s face instantly burned bright red, his heartbeat becoming extremely fast. He felt like a lump was in his throat, being a bit unbearable.

凌萧狠狠的咽了一口口水，艰难的唤道：“皇……皇上……白日宣淫……不……不是明智之……之君……啊~”

Ling Xiao swallowed down his saliva, calling out with difficulty, “Your…Your Majesty…doing such things in the daytime…isn’t…isn’t sensible of…of a monarch…ah~”

最后的话，因呻吟被皇帝隔着衣服轻轻的逗弄而破音，凌萧目光湿润，保持着最后的理智，想要劝诫皇帝。

The last of his words were cut off due to his moan from the Emperor teasing him through his clothes. Ling Xiao’s eyes turned moist, he kept the last of his rationality to try to admonish the Emperor.

但身体却做出了最诚实的反应。

But his body gave the most honest reaction.

它在皇帝的手下爽利的颤抖、羞耻得发烫、舒服的瘫软，任由凌萧怎么保持理智都控制不住追求快感的身体。

He trembled in pleasure under the Emperor’s hands, burned in shame and fell weak from the feelings. No matter how Ling Xiao tried to keep his rationality, he couldn’t control his body from seeking the pleasure.

凌萧咬牙，极力睁眼去看皇帝，眼中湿润的水雾却给面前的景象蒙上了一层水幕。

Ling Xiao clenched his teeth, forcing his eyes open to look at the Emperor. But the tears in his eyes fogged the scene before him.

朦朦胧胧的，带着缥缈，面前的皇帝也因此柔和了线条，而显得特别的美好。

Very hazily, appearing a bit like a dream, the Emperor before him also seem to contour, appearing especially beautiful.

让凌萧的心随之颤抖，而身体也因为视线的不清晰而更加的敏感。

Ling Xiao’s heart thereupon shook, his body becoming more sensitive because of his blurred sight.

稍加逗弄，便能颤抖的不能自己，吟哦也止不住的往外泄……

Just a bit teasing could make him tremble in spite of himself, moans continued to spill out…

意识一点点的飘离，爽利的感受却越来越清晰，渴求的欲望越来越浓烈，最后，凌萧伸出了双手，却已然不知是要迎合还是拒绝。

His consciousness floated away bit by bit as the pleasure became stronger and stronger and his desire stronger as well. Finally, Ling Xiao reached out both hands. But he had already lost the ability to know if he was trying to refuse or cater to the pleasure.

皇帝轻声一笑，望着下方失神的凌萧，轻柔的tian去他嘴角流溢出的银丝。

The Emperor quietly laughed and looked down at Ling Xiao who became despondent and gently licked the overflowing traces at the corner of his lips.

舔过他柔软的唇瓣，往下一点点，像是品尝什么美味一般，将下方的身体尝了一个遍。

After he licked his soft lips, he traveled down bit by bit, like he was tasting something delicious, thoroughly tasting the body below him.

“啊……皇……皇上……嗯……”

“Ahhh…Your…Your Majesty…hnnn…”

凌萧眉头微蹙，眼睛紧闭，失神的表情，宛如徘徊在痛苦或舒爽的边缘，一声声的吟哦宛如歌声一般起起伏伏，昭显着他所受的刺激。

With Ling Xiao’s knitted brows, closed eyes and despondent expression, it was like he was dithering at the edge of pain and pleasure, his voice continuously spilling out like a song that rose up and down, clearly expressing the stimulation he felt.

此番模样，像是极大的讨好了皇帝，皇帝目光暗沉，倏时间，已然埋身在凌萧体内……

His appearance felt as if he was trying to seduce the Emperor. His gaze darken and suddenly, he was already buried within Ling Xiao’s body…

啊……

Ahhh….

…………

………………

一室糜靡，等凌萧清醒的时候，皇帝已经不再身边了，身旁候着两名婢女。

When Ling Xiao woke up bearily, the Emperor was already no longer by his side, instead, two maids were.

凌萧微微动身，身后便是一阵酸痛。

Ling Xiao moved a bit and a burst of pain came from behind.

凌萧微红了脸，小心翼翼的坐起，两名婢女连忙服侍凌萧穿好衣物。

Ling Xiao’s face redden and carefully sat up, the two maids immediately attended to him into his clothing.

“皇上呢。”凌萧开口问道。

“Where’s the Emperor?” Ling Xiao asked them.

宫女恭敬的答道：“皇上去御书房处理政务了，他晚膳时候回来，让皇君您好生休息。”

One of the maid respectfully replied, “The Emperor went to the imperial study to handle governmental affairs. He will return during the evening meal and wanted King Consort to rest well.”

“恩……”凌萧轻声应着，回想起刚才的一幕幕，不由一阵脸红心跳。

“Hm…” Ling Xiao softly responded. He thought back to everything that happened just then and he couldn’t help the blush that appeared along with his speeding heartbeat.

“公子。”门口传来一声叫唤，凌萧微微仰头看了看，是暗香，他一愣，忙道：“进来吧。”

“Young Master.” A call from the entrance came through. Ling Xiao raised his head to look over, it was An Xiang. He stared blankly, then hurriedly let her in, “Come in”

“公子，丽妃带着婢女求见。”暗香为难的说道：“主子虽说让您好好休息，但丽妃坚持要见您，属下……”

“Young Master, Concubine Li with her maid wants to see you.” An Xiang awkward told him, “Master wanted you to take a good rest, but Concubine Li demanded to see you. This subordinate…”

凌萧哑然，回想起刚才那一对主仆，轻声一笑。

Ling Xiao was speechless. He thought back to that master and servant pair and then quietly laughed.

估计是那名叫樱儿的婢女将丽妃给劝来了。

That Ying’er maid probably persuaded Concubine Li to come.

思及此，凌萧问道：“她们来多久了。”

As he thought about it, he asked her, “How long have they’ve arrived?”

“皇上离去，她们就到了。”暗香回道。

“When the Emperor left, they arrived.” An Xiang replied.

这么准？

So accurate?

凌萧挑眉，看来是一直蹲在门口等着皇帝离去了……

Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow. It looks like they were waiting straight by the entrance waiting for the Emperor to leave…

“我睡了多久？”

“How long have I been asleep?”

“公子睡了有两个时辰了。”

“Young Master has been asleep for four hours.”

那他睡了有一段时间了，这对主仆难道一直守在门口站着？

Then he had slept for quite a while, yet this master and servant kept waiting at the door?

凌萧瞧了瞧外面的天色，可大的太阳，也难为这对主仆了。

Ling Xiao took a look outside. Such a bright sun, he also made things hard for these two.

思及此，凌萧难得的生了一股恻隐之心，便命令道：“暗香，你让人带他们去庭院的亭子里候着，我随后就到。”

A piece of compassion that he rarely felt rose in his heart, he ordered her, “An Xiang, have someone lead them to the pavilion in the courtyard to wait. I will be there in a moment.”

“公子您若不方便，辞了便是。”暗香见凌萧倦怠的模样，说道。

“Young Master, if it is inconvenient for you, you can decline them.” An Xiang observed Ling Xiao’s worn out appearance and stated.

凌萧摇了摇头：“难得她们有心，我便去见见罢。”

Ling Xiao shook his head, “So rare that they are so considerate, I will go take a look.”

“是。”暗香见凌萧不是真的勉强，便应声出去了。

“Yes.” Seeing that Ling Xiao wasn’t really forcing himself, An Xiang answered and left.

再次见到丽妃，她的面色有些苍白，许是在太阳底下晒过了头，凌萧让人去准备两碗酸梅汁，便挥退众人，只身出现在了丽妃的面前。

When he saw Concubine Li, her face was somewhat pale from being sun on for so long. Ling Xiao had someone prepare two bowls of pickled plum soup then have them leave, appearing alone in front of the two.

丽妃见到凌萧很是惊讶，脱口便呼道：“兰将军，你怎么还在？皇上都走了……”

When Concubine Li saw Ling Xiao, she blurted out, “General Lan, why are you still here? The Emperor already left…”

“主子，您还看不出来吗？这‘兰将军’进了这宫殿便没有出去，而且，他身上换了便服，在这里来去自如，也对宫中颇为熟悉，根本就不像是宫外的人，但宫里除了皇上只有一人敢穿便服，奴婢看，这‘兰将军’恐怕就是咱们一直要见的皇君吶。”

“Master, can you not tell? This ‘General Lan’ walked into the palace and never walked out. Furthermore, he wears informal clothing everyday and walks unobstructed. He is also rather familiar with the palace, he simply doesn’t look like someone from outside the palace. Plus, the only person besides the Emperor who can wear informal clothing, in this servant’s view, is this ‘General Lan’. I’m afraid that this person is the King Consort we have been trying to meet.”

樱儿拉着丽妃的衣袖，小声的说道。

Ying’er pull on Concubine Li’s sleeve, whispering to her.

丽妃愕然的瞪着凌萧，明显一副被吓到了的表情。

Concubine stared at him with wide eyes, she was clearly scared by him.

樱儿忙说道：“快行礼请罪。”

Ying’er quickly told her, “Quickly saluted and ask for forgiveness.”

丽妃立马跪在了地上：“皇君恕罪，臣妾并非有意冒犯。”

Concubine Li immediately knelt on the ground, “Please forgive this lady King Consort, this lady didn’t mean to offend you.”

将刚才樱儿的耳语看在眼里，凌萧猜得出她们说的是什么内容。

From observing Ying’er whispering to Concubine Li, Ling Xiao could guess the content of what they were saying.

这丽妃请罪的模样倒是和前辈子安分守己的丽妃有些相似，果然是奴婢教导出来的假象。

This Concubine Li’s appearance of asking for forgiveness was somewhat familiar with his past lifetime’s Concubine Li, who was content with her own place. As expected, the past appearance was a false one that her servant taught her.

凌萧慢斯条理的走过去道：“起来吧，我并没有责怪你的意思。”

Ling Xiao slowly walked over and said to them, “Stand up, I do not have any intention to blame you.”

凌萧友好笑了笑，坐在了凉亭中，不过牵扯到了身后位置的伤，面色有些僵硬。

Ling Xiao friendly smiled and sat down at the pavilion. But when it implicated his injuries from his behind, his face turned a bit stiff.

丽妃小心翼翼的站在身侧，咽了咽口水，樱儿将礼盒递给了丽妃，丽妃手忙脚乱的接过，有礼的朝凌萧笑道：“先前，臣妾身体不适，并未来拜访皇君，还望皇君不要怪罪，这千年人参是臣妾的一些心意，还请皇君收下。”

Concubine Li cautiously stood aside, swallowing her saliva. Ying’er handed a box to her and she flusteredly took it, then smilingly said to him, “Before, this lady’s body wasn’t too well and was not able to pay a visit to King Consort, please do not blame this lady. This is a millennium ginseng is this lady’s gift, please accept it King Consort.”

说着，丽妃将礼盒摆在了凌萧的面前，凌萧微笑的打开看了看，比起皇上赏赐他的，差了很远，但这大概是丽妃能拿出的最好东西吧，比起其他两妃，她本身就不太受宠。

Concubine Li placed the box in front of Ling Xiao who opened it with a smile and took a look. Compared to the things the Emperor bestowed to him, it was far inferior, but this was probably the best thing Concubine Li could take out. After all, compared to the other two, so was not too favored in the first place.

凌萧微笑的收下，示意道：“坐。”

Ling Xiao received it with a smile and indicated to them, “Sit.”

丽妃僵硬的坐下，面上惶恐万分。

Concubine stiffly sat down, her face terrified.

凌萧瞧着得趣，轻笑着问：“我有这么可怕吗？”

Ling gazed at her, a faint smile on his lips as he asked, “Am I really that scary?”

“……不……”丽妃正要回答，凌萧打断她，佯装生气的道：“实话！”

“…No…” Concubine was just about to reply but got interrupted by Ling Xiao who pretended to get angry, “The truth!”

“可怕。”丽妃苦着脸说道，被身后的樱儿撞了一下，又连忙改口：“皇君，您那叫威信。”

“Scary.” Concubine Li bitterly said, but was knocked by Ying’er from behind and quickly corrected herself, “King Consort, you are very trustworthy.”

“呵……”凌萧噗嗤一声笑了，这主仆两变换着脸太有趣了。

“Heh…” Ling Xiao burst out in laughter, this master and servant’s transforming faces were too interesting.

“公子，酸梅汤。”暗香端着饮品上前。

“Young Master, your pickled plum soup.” An Xiang brought forward the beverage.

凌萧示意道：“给她们二人吧。”

Ling Xiao indicated to her, “Give some to the two of them.”

“……”暗香一愣，瞧了瞧丽妃和她的奴婢樱儿，公子这是第一次对主子的妃子这般友好……

“……” An Xiang paused, giving a glance to Concubine Li and her servant, Ying’er. This was the first time Young Master was so friendly to any of Master’s concubines…

默不作声的将饮品放下，暗香恭敬的退下。

An Xiang silently placed down the beverage then respectfully left.

“尝尝，我宫里的酸梅汤，解暑解渴的好东西。”

“Taste my palace’s pickled plum soup, it’s a good thing for getting rid of heat and thirst.”

“好。”丽妃狠狠的咽了一口口水，看得出她很口渴，也对着酸梅汁很有兴趣。

“Okay.” Concubine Li fiercely swallowed, she was obviously very thirsty and was very interested in the pickled plum soup.

然而，被身后的樱儿撞了一下，却微微推远了酸梅汤，强笑道：“臣妾还不渴，皇君您喝。”

However, she was pushed a bit by Ying’er, so she could only pushed the bowl away, forcing a smile, “This lady isn’t thirsty, King Consort can drink it.

“……”凌萧沉默，望向了丽妃身后的樱儿，樱儿至始至终低着头，让凌萧瞧不见她的神情，但凌萧从她的姿态便能看出，她在戒备，浑身紧绷。

“……” Ling Xiao turned silent, turning his gaze onto Ying’er behind Concubine Li. She kept her head down from the beginning, so he was not able to see her expression. However, he was able to tell from her attitude that she was on guard, her entire person taut.

凌萧有些不悦，冷笑了一声，他有万种办法让这两人把汤汁喝下，威逼命令，胁迫诱导，但此刻他哪一种都不想用。

Ling Xiao was somewhat displeased and coldly smiled. He had many means to force these two to drink the soup, through a threatening order, coercing them, but he didn’t want to use any of those methods right now.

他伸手，端过了丽妃推开的那碗酸梅汤，仰头喝了一口，摆放在丽妃的面前道：“怕我下毒的话，现在可信了？”

He reached out to pick up the bowl Concubine Li pushed away and drank from it, then set it back down in front of her, “If you were afraid I poisoned it, you should believe in me now right?”

“…………”丽妃愕然，就连樱儿也不可置信的抬起了头，不知作何反应。

“……” Concubine Li was stunned, even Ying’er raised her head in disbelief. They both didn’t know how to react.

凌萧回望着樱儿，不悦的道：“怎么，你也要本君给你试毒吗？”

Ling Xiao looked at Ying’er, annoyed, “What? Do you need this one to test poison for you?”

樱儿惊了一跳，连忙摇头，端起酸梅汁，一饮而尽，随后跪在凌萧的面前求饶道：“皇君恕罪。”

Ying’er jumped a bit, quickly shook her head and picked up the pickled plum soup, draining it. Then, she knelt in front of Ling Xiao to beg for forgiveness, “Please forgive me King Consort.”

“起来吧。”凌萧皱眉：“我不喜欢有人总是跪着。”

“You may rise.” Ling Xiao frowned, “I don’t like people always kneeling in front of me.”

“谢皇君。”樱儿心有余悸的起身，却发现自家的主子，端起了那碗酸梅汁，一小口一小口的喝着，表情餍足。

“Thank you King Consort.” Ying’er got up a bit fearfully, yet found her Master drinking that bowl of pickled plum soup. She drank it sip by sip, her expression very satisfied.

而她的口正对着的是凌萧刚刚喝过的地方。

And the place she was facing was the area Ling Xiao had just drank from.

樱儿大惊，不由叫唤道：“主子！”

Ying’er was greatly alarmed and cried out, “Master!”

“恩？”丽妃回头单纯的望着樱儿。

“Eh?” Concubine Li simple mindedly turned to look at her servant.

樱儿嘴角抽了抽：“您……您……您……不能喝……”

Ying’er’s mouth twitched, “You…you…you…can’t drink it…”

丽妃眨了一下眼，似乎不明所以，但却听话的放下了碗，只不过表情显得很是留恋。

Concubine Li blinked her eyes, not understanding why she wasn’t allowed to. But she still did as she was told and placed down the bowl, but her expression was very reluctant.

凌萧方才的郁闷一扫而空，见此，大笑出声。

The depression Ling Xiao felt was instantly swept clean by the sight, he heartily laughed.

“真是太有意思了。”凌萧笑得不顾形象：“你家奴仆在为你请罪，你却在喝酸梅汁……你这主子当的是不是太不厚道了？”

“It really is too interesting.” Ling Xiao laughed in spite of his image, “Your servant is apologizing for you yet you are drinking pickled plum soup…aren’t you a bit too insincere as the Master?”

丽妃闻言，面色一红道：“皇君您不会伤害她的，而臣妾实在是口渴了。”

Concubine Li’s face redden, “You won’t injure her King Consort, and this lady was really thirsty.”

“刚刚不说着，不渴的么？”凌萧促狭的问。

“Why didn’t you say so earlier? Weren’t you not thirsty?” Ling Xiao teasingly asked.

丽妃脸色通红道：“是……是我们错了。”

Concubine Li’s face was very red as she said, “It…it was our mistake.”

“错怪皇君了，您跟外面传的不一样。”丽妃单纯的说道。

“We have wronged the King Consort, you are different from what is told outside.” Concubine Li simply said.

“主子……”樱儿有些担忧。

“Master…” Ying’er was a bit worried.

凌萧微笑道：“好了，樱儿，你不必如此防我，我对你们没有恶意。”

Ling Xiao smiled and said, “Alright, Ying’er, you don’t need to be on guard against me. I don’t hold any malice against you two.”

“你这么聪明，应该知道，我若是有恶意，你们早就被拖出去了。”凌萧意有所指的道。

“You’re so smart so you should know that if I held malice, you guys would have long been dragged out.” Ling Xiao pointed at them.

樱儿心中明了，行礼应道：“谢皇君不治之恩。”

Ying’er came to realize it and returned with a salute, “Thank you King Consort for your kindness.”

凌萧摆了摆手，望向丽妃道：“你这么蠢，究竟怎么在宫里活这么久的？”

Ling Xiao waved his hand, looking at her, “With how stupid you are, just how did you live so long in the palace?”

“我……”丽妃大概第一次被这么直白的说蠢，羞得满脸通红。

“I…” This was probably the first time Concubine Li was so bluntly called stupid, her whole face turned red from shame.

复而，才小声的反驳：“我不蠢……”

Then, she quietly retorted, “I’m not stupid…”

凌萧轻笑，丽妃道：“许是我不争，皇君，我不跟您争皇上，您能让我和樱儿好好过日子么？”

Ling Xiao lightly smiled, Concubine Li asked, “I will not contend with you, King Consort. I will not vie over the Emperor with you, so can you allow me and Ying’er to pass our days nicely?”

丽妃突然直白的说着，起身跪在了凌萧的面前。

Concubine Li suddenly frankly asked him and got up to kneel in front of him.

凌萧一愣，带着怀疑的问道：“真不争？”

Ling Xiao paused, his gaze a bit suspicious as he asked, “You really won’t vie for him?”

丽妃仰头点头，她面上一片坦然，眼中赤诚无比，怎么看都不像是撒谎的样子，凌萧心中一松，便扶起她道：“好，我答应你，只要你不争，我不会如何。”

Concubine Li raised her head and nodded. Her face was calm and her eyes utterly sincere. No matter how one looked, she does not look like someone telling a lie so he relaxed and helped her up, “Alright, I promise you, as long as you don’t vie me over him, I won’t do anything.”

“恩。”丽妃放松一笑。

“Hm.” Concubine Li relaxed and smiled.

突感头昏，便伏在了一旁的柱子上，凌萧一愣，伸手扶住了她：“你怎么了？”

Suddenly feeling dizzy, she leaned against the pillar beside her. Ling Xiao pause, then helped her, “What’s wrong?”

樱儿这时也上了前，见此，皱眉道：“皇君，主子许是中暑了……”

Ying’er also walked forward this time, saw the scene and frowned, “King Consort, Master is having heatstroke…”

“那快请太医！”凌萧挥手命令。

“Them hurry up and bring the imperial physician!” Ling Xiao waved his hand and ordered.

“……”暗香见此，微微皱眉的上前：“公子，天色已晚，即使请太医，也该让丽妃先回去，皇上快回来了，您与丽妃终究男女有别。”

“……” An Xiang slightly frowned at the scene and walked forward, “Young Master, it is already late. Even if you invite the physician, you should also let Concubine Li return first. The Emperor is about to return, in the end, you and Concubine Li are of different genders.”

凌萧一愣，暗香的话倒是给了他一剂清醒剂，让他想起了自己的身份，虽然他无意，丽妃也无意，但他们身份特殊，这般确实不妥。

Ling Xiao paused, An Xiang certainly cleared up his mind. It allowed him to remember his own identity, although he couldn’t do anything, Concubine Li also couldn’t do anything. Their identities were special, this really was a bit improper.

思及此，凌萧收回了手，叹道：“樱儿，你先送丽妃回去等着，我让人去找太医。”

After muddling in his thoughts for a while, Ling Xiao took back his hand and sighed, “Ying’er, send Concubine Li back first and wait there. I’ll go get someone to find the imperial physician.”

“是。”樱儿领命，一路搀扶着丽妃离去。

“Yes.” Ying’er accepted the order, helping Concubine Li as they left.

“暗香，你去帮她们叫名太医吧，你脚程快些。”在丽妃走后，凌萧转身对暗香说道。

“An Xiang, go get the imperial physician for them, make him come faster.” After Concubine Li left, Ling Xiao turned around and told An Xiang.

“……”暗香皱眉，默不作声的离去了。

“……” An Xiang frowned, but still silently left.

御书房内，皇帝望着一脸恭敬的暗咏，冷着面色说道：“你说，今日皇君见了丽妃？”

Within the Imperial Study, the Emperor was looking at a respectful An Yong, his face cold as he asked, “You say, that the King Consort had seen Concubine Li today?”

“是的，主子。”暗咏低头回道。

“Yes, Master.” An Yong replied with her head low.

“还和她相谈甚欢，举止亲密？”周围的气压急剧下降，暗咏颤抖着唇回道：“是的，主子。”

“He was even chatting happily with her, and very intimately?” The pressure of the room rapidly decreased and An Yong trembled as she replied, “Yes, Master.”

“他们共饮用了一碗酸梅汤？”皇帝的话放佛冰渣子坠落在暗咏的心头，令她浑身冰冷，她坚持着，回道：“是的，主子。”

“They drank from the same bowl of pickled plum soup?” The Emperor’s words were like ice landing into An Yong’s heart. Feeling entirely too cold, she persisted and replied, “Yes, Master.”

“哼！”一声冷哼，皇帝用内力将手中的毛笔震成了两段，甩袖起身，往外走去。

“Hmph!” With a cold snort, the Emperor used his inner force and broke the brush in his hand into two, then threw his sleeve, got up and walked out.