Chapter 79 - Zhen Er's Enlightenment

 [1]

Zhen er' is very confused.

I was only a small soldier in the army. Although I never retreated on the battlefield, and I was brave enough to kill the enemy, but I was always careful to preserve my life. Therefore, I have not made any great achievements and certainly have not rendered any meritorious service.

Who knew that when I came back, I will be promoted, moreover, directly to a second-class minister...it is too exaggerated.

The most shocking thing is that it was actually a civil position, moreover an Imperial censor!

I am very confused.

I...I have not read much and don't have much to say ah...

And... I didn't want to make irresponsible remarks to the emperor...The Emperor was openly raising a rabbit in the military camp and I had decisively stood up to the emperor. Who is the person who would dare to supervise the Emperor? Oh, maybe the Emperor took a fancy to my character and specifically appointed me as an Imperial censor...Nevermind, nevermind...I held my head, thinking, in any case, a government position is not bad...

Having said that, I have not seen the little rabbit...Tian Wei?

Thinking about it, he probably has been hidden inside the harem, and must not be exposed. I wonder how he is doing now, after all, we went to the battlefield together. He likes the Emperor, luckily for him, the Emperor took fancy to him, so he should be good now, but, I don't know if the Empress is torturing or abusing him.

My first day in Court, I was very careful and tried not to open my mouth. Anyway, there were so many officials. Every time I spoke, the Emperor raised an eyebrow as if saying "there is a fart, quickly release it", it seemed as long as I was honest, it is okay.

**(Basically means to talk fast, he must have been mumbling/stammering)**

Not long after returning, it was the Spring festival, and I thought I will not be qualified to participate in the Spring festival. Who knew that I was actually on the list...I was very happy and confused, and then suddenly I remembered Tian Wei - he should also, um...

Finally, on the evening of the Spring Festival, I saw Tian Wei sitting next to the emperor... No, that's not right, next to the emperor, isn't that the Empress?!

The Emperor and the Empress also looked my way, and then as if they had a tacit understanding, they revealed identical smiles.

...So that's how it is.

Seeing this, the clever Zhen er' immediately understood the truth of the matter.

***

After dinner and performances, we all went outside for a walk. Zhen er' walked toward the Emperor and Empress to apologize: "Emperor, you are not homosexual hahaha..."

Yun Jiao thought about the events in the camp and laughed.

Wu Min Jun: "You would have realized it had you not been so stupid."

Zhen er' scratched his head and said: "I thank the Emperor for the praise...However, where is Tian Wei?"

Wu Min Jun and Yun Jiao's smiling faces suddenly stiffened.

"What are you talking about?" Wu Min Jun looked at Zhen er' with an expression of disbelief.

Zhen er' blinked and said: "Since Tian Wei is the Empress's brother, shouldn't he be in the palace?"

"My brother?" Yun Jiao studied Zhen er' silently.

Zhen er' nodded: "Yes, Tian Wei is the Empress's brother, you both look very similar. He must have looked for the Emperor in the army under the instructions of the Empress to handle an important matter. The Emperor must have been worried about his identity being known and so pretended that they were a pair, isn't it?"

Zhen er' is not sure if he was seeing things, but it seemed like the Emperor and Empress's expressions both fell at the same time...

[2]

Zhen er' finally realized that "Tianwei = Empress", his face changed greatly, it felt very unreasonable.

Yun Jiao looked at him with a gloomy expression: "Is it reasonable to think that Tian Wei is my younger brother...?"

After a long while, he barely managed to say the word "Oh."

However, he did not dare to stay when he remembered all that he said to "Tian Wei" like, "the empress is a tigress" and so, his head was in pain... No wonder the Emperor appointed him as an Imperial censor!

Zhen er' sighed, and quietly walked to a corner, he found a woman sitting on a stone bench there, this woman was dressed in all-white, with black hair up to her waist, In the moonlit snowy night, she looked like a...

Zhen er' took in a deep breath, the woman was very sensitive, so she turned back in an instant. Zhen er' thought she was a very beautiful woman, looking at her eyebrows, it seemed she was not someone from the Central Plains.

She looked at him coldly and asked: "Who is it?"

Zhen er' straightened and said: "Miss, that question, should be what this official should be asking..."

The woman looked him over, and seeing him wearing an official outfit, she did not ask again but also did not reply Zhen er's question, and instead turned around and raised a jar of wine and took two gulps.

Zhen er' was somewhat puzzled, on this cold and snowy night, how can there be a woman dressed in white drinking in the Imperial Palace...

Maybe, it's not real...

Zhen er' felt cold and felt goosebumps, he swallowed and turned around to leave, then the woman unexpectedly suddenly spoke out: "Can I trouble you to go bring another jar of wine here?"

Zhen er' awkwardly replied: "Why should I help you bring wine...?"

The woman replied quietly: "Then I won't drink wine anymore."

Zhen er' was shocked - won't drink wine, then drink what? drink his blood?!

This woman is too terrible...

Zhen er': "Okay, ok, ok...I'll go bring wine."

Then he quickly turned and left, and went to the Spring Palace celebration to grab a jar of wine, on the way back, he happened to see Wu Min Jun and Yun Jiao, after some deliberation, he felt it was necessary to tell the Emperor and Empress, so he walked up to them and said: "Emperor, Empress, just now in the northwest corner, this official saw that there was a ghostly woman dressed in white..."

He had not finished his report when a woman's voice interrupted him: "Is it very ghostly?"

Zhen er' was shocked and turned around, his hand loosened and the jar of wine immediately fell, he saw a foot stick out and catch it before it hit the ground.

It was the woman.

She gently kicked the jar into the air and she extended her left hand and easily caught it, then coldly looked at Zhen er' in front of her.

The lights were much brighter here, and the woman doesn't look so scary, and she was very good looking, she should...not be a ghost.

Zhen er' was just about to apologize when he heard the Empress behind him say: "Hu Fu, didn't you say you are not feeling well? why aren't you resting yet?"

Hu Fu?

Zhen er' thought this name was somewhat familiar but could figure out from where. Hu Fu replied: "Nothing, just drinking is more comfortable."

Zhen er' was embarrassed and said: "Miss Hu, I have misunderstood, I saw you in a corner, dressed in white, so I thought you...are..."

Hu Fu: "..."

"And you still dared to go take wine to her?" the Empress smiled, "Your courage is not small."

Zhen er' was even more embarrassed and he said: "It was Miss Hu who said that if I don't bring wine, she will not drink wine anymore, I was afraid that she will drink my blood, so I..."

Hu Fu: "..."

Wu Min Jun who had been facing the crowd with a calm expression all night finally smiled. That night to the crowd of onlookers, Zhen er' was seen to have obtained the Xi Emperor's personal seal of approval - They are really thinking too much.

[3]

- I heard that Minister Zhen wants to take a wife.

- Which young lady is so unlucky to marry Zhen er'?

- Well, it seems like the person's backing is not small, she has some relations to the Emperor and Empress, her story is quite mysterious, only her surname is known, Hu.

- Hahahahahaha

-How funny

- Nothing, just thought that if you add Minister Zhen's name with that woman's surname, don't you get Zhen erhu hahahaha...?

- Your mind is ill, honestly.

**(Erhu is a musical instrument, it's shaped like a guitar but is played with a bow like a violin...Yun Jiao seems like the sort of person to give her kids funny names just for laughs honestly, she gets such a kick out of names)**

****

🎊🎊 🎉The End!!🎉🎊🎊

*********

MiraiSaesang's notes: Finally done!! My first translation project!! It has been a tasking but enjoyable journey...It seems everybody got a happy ever after, even Liu Ya (hopefully off-script), I'm happy Hu Fu could move on, Zhen er' will help her a lot in lightening up with his absurd theories, he should really consider writing novels, he has a very imaginative mind ...and our main couple are as adorable and hilarious as ever...

I hope you all enjoyed this story as much as I did!!🤗🤗

Some Recommendations: You should check out my other translation projects, "Meow Meow Meow", "Ambiguous Relationship" and currently, "Rotten girl"...I also recommend "Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes all thanks to a single moment of Impulse ", "Empress with no Virtue",  "Refusing to Serve me? Off with your head!"...The leads in these four novels have a hilarious dynamic and really adorable PLUS they are all completely translated, and so bingeable!... I have read them all multiple times!🥰...You can find them all on Novelupdates!

Please CHECK OUT my own novel, "CIRCUMVENTING FATE" - - it's a transmigration historical romance novel, the female lead is cool-headed, smart, witty and hilarious... She isn't an agent or anything like that, She's recent law school grad - so she's bold but not stupid/reckless...she's a quick thinker and a really good talker (Great at talking/BS-ing her way through things, courtesy of her profession of choice 😅). Unfortunately for her and her life plans, she gets roped into royal conflicts to her absolute dismay and annoyance. There's a lot more going on behind the scenes but that's the intro! DO CHECK IT OUT! THANK YOU!🤗.....Can be found on my profile page here or through the link below~

https://www.webnovel.com/book/13455346806916405/Circumventing-Fate

It's Over!😭😂 I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I did! Feel free to share a review on the Story's Main Page here --> What's Your Gender, Princess? 

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Chapter 78 - Wu Min Jun's Perspective

Wu Min Jun's life began on a sorrowful note. Since he was young, everything and everyone operated within his expectations, except for one person...

That person's name was Yun Jiao.

——Thoughts

My childhood memories are very vague, at most, I remember shadows of a wet and cold bed, a dark room with no light, food that was difficult to swallow, and an "elder brother" who bullied me.

At first, I didn't understand.

He had to study, I have to study as well, the teachers were stricter with him. I studied harder and better, but I never received a reward. Every time he came, he wore gorgeous and dazzling clothes, with a golden crown and he exuded a sense of pride and self-confidence. I didn't feel inferior, I just felt that there was a slight gap between him and me.

At that time, my thoughts were very simple. I thought the reason I was not living as good as he was based on the words "For the sky to open to sinners, they must first suffer...", then later I accidentally heard the two teachers conversing and then I realized it was because I came a little later, so all the benefits were taken by him and I could only be a substitute, who could die at any time, even put in a secret room without a name.

**(The line is from a poem by Meng Zi called "Born in Sorrow, Died in Peace" /生于忧患,死于安乐, the idea is to reach heaven and enjoy its luxuries, you must first suffer and struggle to get there...so he believed it was because he did not work hard enough...poor kid 😭)**

I am not suffering, not sad, not desperate.

Although life here is difficult, it is still decent.

And my brother seems to know about the issue too, and is more agitated than me, he believes that my existence is a threat to him, and therefore resents me.

It is really retarded.

I didn't hate him, yet he hates me.

However, after I went through all the tortuous punishments he put me through, I finally thought it through, although I don't think life here is too painful, but in any case, I do not intend to die, especially, to stupidly die of maltreatment like this.

So I killed him.

His martial arts is not good, and he is not diligent in studying. If I apply myself a little, he will be done for. At the moment of his death, I thought, fortunately, I am not him, or maybe I would be the one dead now. Living such a luxurious lifestyle will really make people lazy, seeing my father and brother, it is simply two tragedies.

Since then I became Wu Min Jun.

Or have I always been Wu Min Jun?

My father's heart is really easy to see, he obviously knows I killed my brother, although he is not sure exactly how, but what else can he do? He can only accept me and give me everything he used to give my brother.

I do not decline anything, but I also do not enjoy it.

After a few years, in a blink of an eye, I had adapted very well, from frugality to luxury, I should really thank my brother. Although I still did not dare to indulge in it or enjoy it.

Gradually, I found that I like fighting in wars.

Attacking territories to defend the country and expand our territory, holding a spear, I ventured into battle.

Whether it was leading a charge to break through enemy lines or planning strategies for decisive battles, I found it all very exciting.

I did not sympathize with the defeated countries, at most, I thought the people were pitiful, but what about it? The way of the world is the weak get suppressed by the strong.

I did not massacre the entire city, did not kill those who surrendered and did not allow the soldiers to arbitrarily break into the city and recklessly go about doing as they like. This is my kindness.

But if I don't attack, then that is stupid.

A gambling game between countries is what war is at its core.

That day, I had just led an attack to break through to Liucheng city in Dong country, when I suddenly received news that my father was seriously ill. Thinking of my uncle, I decided to go back first. Anyway, Dong was a dying country, it was only a matter of time until it was completely destroyed.

But I did not expect that there would be an assassination.

...especially with only one assassin.

Since I was young, I have always been a light sleeper, any little movement will wake me up. This time was no exception. I heard that person knock out the guards outside and then quietly creep in, thinking they were very quiet, not knowing that I had already discovered them.

Then the man approached me little by little.

I did not hesitate to get up and attack him. Unexpectedly this person's martial arts was not weak and was comparable to mine. Moreover, I found out that the assassin is a woman.

The battle ended up with us hitting our heads together. My last thought before passing out was...being overturned in the gutter.

**("overturned in the gutter" means for something to end in a miserable failure.)**

***

I woke up early the next morning and was greeted with my own face, I even thought I saw my brother for a moment...

But I could still tell the differences in my own face, so I looked down at my hands and clothes and found that it was indeed a woman's figure...although the chest was a little flat.

It's so funny, I actually became a woman, moreover, the female assassin sent to assassinate me.

She also woke up, and she looked shocked, at least more shocked than I was...I saw her dagger and realized that she was actually a Princess of Dong country.

A princess, sent to be an assassin?

Her life is also a tragedy...

... Looking in the mirror, I was more convinced of this.

Going to the bathroom, taking a shower...How can this woman be so horrible? My body must be in extreme pain...

***

Sheng'an came and caused a big fuss. This time, I didn't feel particularly annoyed, probably because Yun Jiao's expression was very funny.

We went to see my royal father, but unexpectedly, he died, and I was not at his side during his last moments, it must be Heaven's will.

I finally killed uncle, my heart feels relieved and comfortable.

The Emperor's throne is set.

This woman is going to be an empress, she is happy.

... Well, now I am the Empress.

***

Sheng'an is so noisy and annoying.

Accompanying Yun Jiao to mourn by the side of the coffin. What is she afraid of? The ghost should be afraid of her.

She said that she wants to find a man, in fact, I am the best man to find...how can this woman be so stupid?

***

Sheng'an is not smart...

She was easily deceived.

Yun Jiao, this woman is still awkward.

It's probably that I am too smart, ah, there's no other way.

***

I went with Yun Jiao back to Dong country.

It feels wonderful. Before I came here to attack, but now I am returning to my maternal family.

What's this?

The ministers of Dong are stupid, and Yun Jiao is not so stupid after all.

***

I was kissed by a man!

I really want to execute his whole family. What are you kissing me for?!

... not allowed to kiss Yun Jiao either.

***

Yun Jiao is so silly, just seeing a black-haired man dressed in white and her soul has flown away.

Am I not dark-haired? Don't I have a white dress on?

...oh, our bodies are currently exchanged...

How come Yun Jiao is so stupid? Can't she just wear white clothes and then look in the mirror?

Tian Wei...such a stupid name, that is, the Wu family has cropped up.

***

We ran into a little fortune teller and a little mouse, and she said that we would have a bloody disaster.

I didn't think much of it.

It turned out it was monthly bleeding.

I... this hurts.

***

Yun Jiao and I quarreled a little, she is too idealistic and does not make sense.

I will not comfort her, comfort once and there will be a next time, and another next time...

...Why is it taking so long?

***

Back to Xi country.

I fell into the secret room.

TaiFu is really stupid. What kind of stupid idea was this?

Yun Jiao is even more stupid to have touched the switch.

I am also a little stupid. How could I forget to tell her not to touch it?

Oh, stupidity can also be contagious. -_-)'

***

In the secret room, some bad memories were cropping up, but this time... there was a stupid woman with me.

We actually switched back.

It seems we can separate now.

Oh, for the sake of her stupidity, I will let Dong country off.

Why do I feel like I am a little stupid?

Leave quickly, leave quickly... or I will become dumber and dumber.

***

Stupid woman, no matter how I look, left and right. I remembered that there was wine buried in the ground, and so I went to dig it out.

I am drunk, been drinking.

She actually finished the last gulp, not good, of course, I have to get it.

Well, I didn't think much about it. The wine was very sweet...With how rough and coarse she is, unexpectedly, her lips were very soft...

...If she knows that I thought so, she will probably do more than just push me away...Ah, my head hurts, blood is coming out...this strange woman.

***

Since we are going to be separated, I am reluctant to take a good look at her and so I blocked the sun for her...In fact, I also want to reach out and block my own eyes.

It's so hard and serious, just this time.

... I don't know what to say, but we switched again.

I am especially quite happy.

It'll probably be very fun.

***

Must get married.

Later... She will be my Empress.

Damn, the crown is too heavy...

....What? She specifically ordered it?

She's a good student, I discovered that her scheming has improved by 10%...

... What? Am I not a good place to learn from?

No matter what, she cannot learn about her own outfit!

***

Yan Yu, that distressing fellow came again. I haven't seen him happy, always looking sad and staring at me...what are you looking at? Haven't you seen such an ugly woman before?

... well, it's not that ugly.

Wu Hao also came...I don't want to think about him, I haven't ever seen him normal.

... However, this tight clothing looks quite fun... I don't know what is wrong with his mind.

Let's trap him in the secret chamber and let him rot.

***

The nuptial chamber. Yun Jiao really does not understand anything, so stupid.

But if she understands, that is also not quite right.

In the end, when she realized, she became red-faced...I have never seen my face blush.

Woke up in the morning to find that she actually-...

Um, Yun Jiao, you are in love with me, aren't you?

***

I went to see Wu Hao trapped in the secret room and asked about Bei country's matters. In fact, all these I already knew before, it's not really challenging at all.

Only Yun Jiao, this stupid woman will look at me dumbfounded...she hasn't realized that my strategies rival that of Zhuge Liang?

These idiots cannot match up to me.

**(Zhuge Liang was a renowned military strategist and politician)**

***

I took Yun Jiao to go play outside the palace. She was very happy...she really hasn't made any progress.

We ran into the little fortune teller and her mouse. She was still looking for her Master and said that someone was going to die.

Is it me?

But when I die, Yun Jiao, will you cry?

... I asked you, if I die, will you cry?

***

The Bei Emperor died. That was the fortune teller's meaning.

Yun Jiao ran to inform Wu Hao but was being cautious as she was afraid of angering him...How come she talks back at me every time? I never thought that my temper was so bad, won't I get angry?

... I am not really angry.

I am furious!

***

Everyone wants to be a concubine, Yun Jiao is laughing at me...not thinking about it, later when we switch back, there will be others in the harem, she's so stupid, how will she cope?

... Although I will not let her struggle with others, it's better to avoid it altogether.

Huh?

I am thinking about after we switch back?

...Well, Yun Jiao, don't leave after we switch back...removing the Empress is too troublesome. It will be a huge matter for me. This kind of trivial matter, let's just leave it as is...

You understand, right?

***

It's true that Liu Ya is not pleasing to the eye, will kick her and let her fly.

***

Pingyang is actually pregnant, and she doesn't know who the man is.

... we found out it is a man of the Jianghu.

**(Jianghu means the martial arts world like those in sects e.t.c)**

Who cares? Anyway, he has to become my in-law...Lu Lu? That name is really horrible.

This person seems very rigid...Pingyang likes him, so that's it then.

***

People will always be human, we got drugged!

I almost had sexual intercourse with Yun Jiao, but it did not happen because we are still using each other's bodies.

... Is this nothing?

What is this?

... It seems that I don't have an issue with it.

Hm, I don't really dislike her...

***

Pingyang is married.

I like this sister very much, we have similar personalities...her marriage is also good, she can continue to come to visit the palace.

I was very happy during the Spring festival.

Yun Jiao, I have decided, you are the Empress of Xi...yes, for as long as I rule.

Regardless of whether you're happy or not, right?

Well, you must be very happy...

Look, your face is filled with smiles.

MiraiSaesang: 1 more chap!

Chapter 77 - The Great Escape 3

Pingyang and I have this idea, but we cannot tell the "living" people because of the rules, also there was also an inner feeling of quietly spectating and watching the show, so we all continued to remain silent.

After Pingyang's 'execution', we all dispersed to go to bed. I asked Wu Min Jun: "Did you see the murderer, who is it?"

Wu Min Jun said: "Don't you have the answer?."

I said: "Is it really Situ Youqing and Baozi? Wow, so powerful..."

Wu Min Jun:"...Oh."

I looked at him with suspicion and said: "Oh what?...actually...I have some suspicions I have not mentioned."

Wu Min Jun raised an eyebrow: "What? Say it."

I looked at Wu Min Jun skeptically and said: "Actually I've been thinking that maybe...first, you killed yourself, then will kill everyone else...this way you win, isn't it?"

Wu Min Jun showed a helpless expression and said: "Situ Youqing had clearly said that the murderer must be alive at the end to win."

"Oh, there is such a rule..." I continued, "Nevermind then..."

Wu Min Jun smiled and said: "Although, it could also be as you say. After all, this sort of chaos is also very interesting."

I: "..."

He was anxious to stir up trouble in any case...

The two of us returned to our palace and went to sleep. I have a strong feeling the murderer will have his next kill tonight, following his quick action so far. Tomorrow morning we will definitely wake up to see another dead person, I wonder who that person will be...

I could not guess who would die tomorrow and so the next day I impatiently hurried to the hall, only to discover that they were all well, unexpectedly no one was killed.

Everyone else was also obviously very surprised, and could not understand why the murderer suddenly stayed his hand, no one has died so they could not vote so everyone kept their thoughts to themselves as we ate breakfast. After breakfast, Wu Min Jun left to go deal with his matter. I, along with Situ Youqing and Baozi, went to see Xiao Sui with Pingyang.

The others went about their own business, for example, Wu Hao went to handle his clothing business, this time he came Xi country, he wanted to take the opportunity to expand his business, and so must, therefore, go settle the official in charge in the Xi country capital.

To express one is going to bribe an official in front of the emperor and empress, Wu Hao did not seem to have a brain, but these small bribes Wu Min Jun usually turned a blind eye if only it's money and flattery. If they do cheat or oppress the people and do not handle their duties, then Wu Min Jun will not be lenient...

Simply put, everyone wants to get money, but cannot demand money from the common people, Wu Min Jun has a calculator in his head that calculates people's actions, if they cross the line, they will die.

Feng You You seeing Wu Hao leave, also said that she wants to take a look at Xiao Sui, she had not gone yesterday and Wu Hao probably embarrassingly told her about the matter of being puked on, so she came with us. Therefore, after Feng You You, like Wu Hao was attracted by Xiao Sui smiling face gently held him and he accidentally puked on her face...

Feng You You shrieked, grabbed a cloth from the side and looked aggrieved at Pingyang, who couldn't stop laughing along with Situ Youqing and Baozi, Pingyang said: "Ah did not remember..."

Pingyang continued: "Sorry, was too slow hahaha..."

Feng You You said: "No wonder yesterday when my husband came back, he smelled of milk..."

"..."

Pingyang: "hahahaha ..."

Baozi was also laughing and his body was vibrating and the hair on his body was following suit. Xiao Sui noticing him stopped smiling and was staring at Baozi, Baozi made two "Chi~" sounds and went to Xiao Sui's side

Xiao Sui's eyes widened as he looked at Baozi beside him, Baozi: "Chi~, Chi~"

Xiao Sui's eyes opened even wider as if he had seen something he has never encountered...right, he indeed had not seen this before...Xiao Sui then imitated Baozi and surprisingly said: "Chi~...Chi~?"

Baozi seeing Xiao Sui replying 'hi' in his language, got excited and replied: "Chi!"

Xiao Sui actually lost interest, looked at him with a side eye, and then turned his back to him, showing Baozi the back of his head heartlessly.

**(LoL wonder what Baozi told Xiao Sui that upset him, babies sure are fickle..)**

Baozi: "..."

Baozi turned around sadly and jumped on Situ Youqing's shoulder, and sadly, "chi~"

Situ rubbed him and said: "Don't be sad, be good."

"..."

Xiao Sui's seems to be the fickle sort and enjoys messing with people, it seems he is really like Wu Min Jun...

I'm getting more worried about my future child with Wu Min Jun...what would it be like?

Thinking of this...I looked at Situ Youqing: "Situ, actually when can you find your master...I want to have a baby with Wu Min Jun."

Situ Youqing: "..."

"To have a baby? What does that...have to do with my master?" Situ Youqing asked somewhat embarrassed.

"..."

"It has a lot to do with it, okay...previously, when I watched Pingyang give birth, I thought it was too painful and so I hoped that Wu Min Jun would replace me and do it, and Wu Min Jun also tactfully agreed"

On the side, Pingyang was playing with Xiao Sui, hearing my words spoke up: "What, you want to make my royal brother give birth?"

I nodded: "You also know, last time weren't we-"

Exchanged ...

My words were not finished before Pingyang interrupted: "Even though royal brother can get pregnant, where will he give birth from?"

I: "..."

Situ Youqing: "..."

Baozi: "..."

Only Xiao Sui had a puzzled look...he was probably thinking it was strange, wondering how his mother could stun people into silence...

After a long silence, I explained: "Your royal brother can certainly not get pregnant, nor...can he birth a child. It's just that our bodies can be exchanged so he can bear all the pain..."

Pingyang was obviously shocked and said: "That's also possible!"

Then she made an aggrieved face: "Why didn't royal sister-in-law mention this earlier?! That, I will give it to Lu Lu! He will have eight children!"

"...that wouldn't be too good, right?" I had cold sweat, "If you want him to give birth, you can talk to Lu Lu about it...although, presently cannot exchange..."

I continued: "Moreover after taking the medicine, it only lasts for twelve hours, only for that period...the rest you will have to bear."

Pingyang looked shocked, said: "That I must bear with own body ..."

I nodded: "Yes ...."

Pingyang deflated completely: "Well, forget it, forget it...so upsetting."

Suddenly Situ Youqing perked up: "I'll remember to let you know if there is some other drug..."

"...Oh."

While I was discussing with Pingyang on the issue of being pregnant and giving birth, expressing joy and anticipation over our husbands giving birth, nearby Feng You You was quietly listening to the entire exchange, finally slowly said: "Um...remember to include this one...thank you..."

Me and Pingyang: "..."

Later we returned to the meeting hall to eat, as we came in Feng You You almost fell upon seeing Wu Hao who sitting in his chair dispiritedly, on his neck was an impressive ink mark!

Feng You You gawked at him and then rushed to him: "Husband! how..."

Wu Hao sighed and shook his head, following the rules he did not give anything.

I looked at my side and saw that Situ Youqing also had a very surprised expression, I suddenly remembered that Baozi left for some time, at that time I didn't think anything of it, but now that we're here, it is very likely that he left to go "murder" Wu Hao...

At this time, Situ opened her mouth and clearly said: "Alright someone has died again, let's discuss, who do you think it is?"

Liu Liang spoke up first: "This time it is obviously not his wife, she was with the empress and Princess Pingyang, and would not have had the opportunity to kill him."

Situ Youqing nodded and said: "Right, moreover it seems this murderer is very hateful, going after couples every time - killing the husband, so everybody will naturally think that it is the wife who did it, this way he can solve two people at once."

She looked around and continued: "It seems that the murderer may be dissatisfied with the married couples..."

Liu Liang smiled and said: "That, it seems like it should be Miss Liu, who has always liked the Xi emperor but has been rejected..."

As soon as Liu Ya heard this, she was gawked and protested: "No, It's not!"

Then she glared at Liu Liang and said: "I have long gotten over Xi emperor! The Xi emperor and empress have my heartfelt blessings!"

Liu Liang did not pay her any attention and said: "I vote for Liu Ya."

Situ Youqing nodded: "Me too"

Baozi naturally followed Situ Youqing and pointed to Liu Ya.

Liu Ya also got three votes in an instant, and she was so angry she wanted to cry. She pointed to Liu Liang and said: "You are so despicable, making false accusations...It must be you!"

There were only two votes left, Feng You You and Yan Yu. Feng You You bit her lip then said: "Miss Liu's feelings, I have also experienced before, but in any case, if you can't get it, she wouldn't want to destroy them..."

...then she looked at Liu Liang and said: "...it should be you."

Liu Liang gawked, now he has two votes, Liu Ya has three votes. The most crucial vote now is Yan Yu, Liu Ya looked at Yan Yu, Yan Yu said: "Miss Liu does not look like a wicked person...I vote for Liu Liang."

Liu Liang: "..."

Liu Liang and Liu Ya now have three votes each, and so they couldn't execute anyone. They could only disperse, for now, then wait for someone else to die and then come back and vote.

Yan Yu: "Oh, it's nothing."

Liu Ya: "General Yan, you should know how to strategize, you can definitely see the little tricks in this game You already know, right? Is it Liu Liang?"

Yan Yu thought and then said: "It shouldn't be."

Liu Ya was even more moved and said: "You, in order to save me, did not vote for the real murderer, but voted for Liu Liang..."

Yan Yu somewhat embarrassed said: "I don't know who it is...just said it casually..."

Liu Ya: "... "

I was secretly eavesdropping on them, hearing them talking, I smiled. Wu Min Jun at my side also smiled and quietly whispered to me: "Those drugs can come in handy..."

I: "..." -_-)'

"Not allowed, let nature take its course and let them develop naturally ..."

Wu Min Jun shot me a look: "Alright, will do as you say."

***

Liu Ya "died" that evening. When we came for dinner, we saw an ink mark on her forehead, which was particularly eye-catching. It seems the murderer could not wait for her to be executed...

Liu Ya's head was bowed and she was silent, looking very frustrated. Yan Yu came in and walked up to her: "Hey, how-"

Liu Ya looked up at him pitifully.

Yan Yu sighed and said: "Oh, you actually have an ink mark on your head..."

Liu Ya: "..."

...Yan Yu is too dense, how can he just point it out like that?

Now only Feng You You, Situ Youqing, Liu Liang, Yan Yu, plus Baozi are left and still have to vote for someone to be executed. Now that everyone is dying one after another, it is a bit scary, the murderer's plan is so deep...

Situ Youqing as always spoke up first: "Who do you think the murderer is?"

Liu Liang said: "I think the murderer is not a person."

Situ Youqing thought it strange and asked: "How is it possible there's only one murderer ah..."

Liu Liang laughed and said: "What I mean is, the murderer - is not human."

He pointed at Baozi on Situ Youqing's shoulder: "This little thing must also be taken into account. It looks astute, can understand our speech, and can express emotions like human beings. If it is the murderer, is it not convenient for it to kill people? It can just apply some ink on its paws and can easily kill people."

Situ Youqing sighed and asked: "Baozi?"

She held Baozi and asked: "Baozi, is it you?"

Baozi vehemently shook his head innocently, and then lay flat on the floor, with his paws and feet in the air, revealing his tender underbelly, to show that he did not dip his paws or feet in ink.

Liu Liang smiled and said: "It is quite cute...However, I choose it."

Feng You You and Yan Yu also chose Baozi, Situ bit her lip and said: "Will have to punish guilty family members, Baozi, you die."

Baozi sadly: "...chi~...chi~..."

Poor little Baozi was executed and took his draw stick out of the little purse that he carries with him and reveals it to be, "to be killed"

...Unexpectedly, Baozi was also falsely executed...

Situ Youqing lamented: "Baozi, I wish you wuwuwu..."

Baozi: "Chi~..."

Situ spoke up suddenly and looked at Liu Liang: "If you are not dead the next time, I will definitely choose you!"

Liu Liang not wanting to be outdone, piped: "Ha-ha, you are also very suspicious. You could be the murderer, and you instructed Baozi to do it, right?"

Situ Youqing: "At that time, everyone will naturally see."

After that, she then held Baozi who was pouting and left.

***

Situ Youqing is really a prophet, because the next morning, we saw an ink mark on Liu Liang's neck.

Liu Liang looked at Situ Youqing suspiciously.

Everyone else also silently watched Situ Youqing.

Situ Youqing: "..."

"It's not me...How can I be so stupid! If it was me, of course, I will go kill someone else and then blame Liu Liang. This way I can take out two." Situ Youqing explained, "You can definitely all see this!

Everyone couldn't refute it, so they were all silent. Feng You You spoke up first, although she did not seem very confident about it, and awkwardly stated: "Oh, because everyone will think you are the murderer, you wouldn't kill him, but then couldn't you also do the opposite and deliberately kill Liu Liang?"

Situ Youqing: "I, I will not take this risk."

Feng You You sighed: "There are not many people left, I will vote for you."

Yan Yu: "Me too."

Situ Youqing was "killed", she sighed, took out her own draw stick, and revealed it, it was still "to be killed."

Everyone was stunned.

Feng You You and Yan Yu looked at each other with uncertainty.

The murderer is actually between Feng You You and Yan Yu...so deep in hiding.

Situ Youqing sighed: "The game is over. The murderer only has one person left, then if he kills the other person, he will be the only one alive. Hehe...who is the murderer? Stand up, you win!"

Feng You You and Yuan Yu said at the same time: "I am not a murderer!"

After a pause, Feng You and Yan Yu pointed at each other: "This person is the murderer!"

The two then did not say anything, and at the same time brought out their drawsticks from their robes and revealed, "to be killed."

Everyone was stunned by this - is there something wrong, was there no murderer draw stick? But then how can be people have been dying?

Situ Youqing: "I know...if the murderer killed himself first...?"

When the words came out, everyone immediately shot a look at Wu Min Jun.

Wu Min Jun smiled and revealed his own draw stick, showing the word "murderer" in all its inky glory...

I was blown away: "It turned out to be you!!!"

The others also showed shocked expressions, they had guessed for so long, and could not think that the murderer was the first "dead" person.

...Wu Hao, Lu Lu, Liu Ya, and Liu Liang - the lucky ones who had seen the murderer's true face showed helpless expressions.

Wu Min Jun with an innocent expression: "What's wrong?"

Situ Youqing: "You, how can you do this?...You killed yourself, then you are a dead person..."

Wu Min Jun smiled and said: "But you only said the dead can't talk, you didn't say the dead can't kill."

Situ Youqing: "..."

I: "..."

I paused, then I said: "Do you want to talk about the process? All of it!"

Wu Min Jun thought for a moment and said: "On the first night, I pretended I had a meeting then committed suicide, so you could follow me the next day."

I: "..."

"After Lu Lu went on duty, I asked him to come to see me and killed him, then Pingyang was executed because of it."

Pingyang aggrieved: "..."

"After that, when Wu Hao went to see the official, I took the opportunity to kill him."

"As for Liu Ya and Liu Liang, I conveniently saw them walking around in the palace and so I killed them."

After Wu Min Jun finished his explanation, we were miserable, and the four people who were killed, especially Liu Ya and Liu Liang - who were just unlucky and were killed at random...were even more miserable...

"But, but this is not right..." Situ looked confused, "The murderer must be alive in the end in order to be the winner...You like this, you lost from the beginning."

Wu Min Jun smiled at us and said: "Did I say I wanted to win?"

Everyone: "... " -_-)'

... 

****

Mirai's Comment: LOL this dude, he just wanted them all to lose...technically a perfect plan as long as you are not aiming to win...Yun Jiao did catch on, a little too late though, but even she, could not have imagined that he was not thinking of winning...It takes a special kind of person to think like this LOL but he definitely made it more fun...

Also, I'm sure some of you have picked up on the fact that He Chen was never mentioned in the game but he was included on the list of players at the start. I, of course, just discovered this after getting to the end that he was not actually a player, I just assumed he was just quietly in the background voting...I guess the author meant to include him initially but then forgot about him ... 

Chapter 76 - The Great Escape 2

Wu Min Jun and I dying within the first twelve hours of the game, this was really unexpected. Especially, considering I was executed...How helpless.

Although Wu Min Jun and I were no longer in the game, the game was still in progress. We all ate together, and everyone was looking around, scrutinizing everyone else. After eating, they glanced at each other again and then went ahead to do their own things.

Pingyang's mind has been occupied with thinking about her little son - who will soon be one, but is still not named. Initially, Pingyang hoped Wu Min Jun would help name him, but Wu Min Jun came up with "Feng XX", that is Pingyang's last name, Pingyang did not dare to tell Lu Lu.

**(The Royals have title names, which are the names they are ordinarily addressed by, but their family/clan name is 'Feng')**

Therefore, for now, we all call him Xiao Sui. Anyway, it is not so abnormal for a child to be named later.

**("Xiao Sui" means "little year old")**

Because Pingyang and Lu Lu were called into the palace by us, they brought Xiao Sui along with them. I had nothing to do, so I went to see Xiao Sui with Pingyang. Feng You You went to sleep and Wu Hao followed me to see Xiao Sui, his own child was left in Bei country so he was missing his baby.

Xiao Sui looked like his mother, almond eyes, jade white skin, pink lips, growing up he will probably be a scourge like Wu Min Jun. His eyebrows were like Lu Lu's, thick eyebrows and nose are very attractive, very manly...looks full of heroic spirit, Heaven really provides. With this appearance...in the future, if he goes around wandering around, he will not need to be afraid.

Xiao Sui was not a shy child, seeing Wu Hao coming closer, he just stared at him with big bright black eyes and then his lashes fluttered and he smiled at him sweetly. Even if the smile was not directed at me, I felt warm in my heart, not to mention the new father Wu Hao, he stepped forward and carried him and softly called: "Xiao Sui..."

The words barely left his mouth, when milk came out of Xiao Sui's mouth and landed directly on Wu Hao's face.

Me: "..."

Wu Hao: "..."

Xiao Sui seemed to be reeling in glee and was giggling. Pingyang who had gone out of the room to give orders to the servants to prepare some things for Xiao Sui, heard the sound and ran in, saw me holding my laughter, Xiao Sui giggling, and Wu Hao smiling bitterly. Seeing Wu Hao's face, she figured out what happened and was shocked and said: "Oh, yeah, he was just fed milk, I forgot to burp him."

Wu Hao: "..."

Pingyang simply ignored Wu Hao's tragedy and happily said to Xiao Sui: "Didn't vomit on mother's body, really good."

Xiao Sui's eyes brightened and he smiled brightly

... This is not right, it's not right!

Lu Lu, where is Lu Lu?  Why isn't he here to manage this situation?! Pingyang teaching him like this, Xiao Sui will definitely become the second Wu Min Jun, cannot do well following Wu Min Jun's steps, it is not normal ah!

I was worried and said: "You, you can't teach a child like this, Xiao Sui-"

I didn't finish my words, Xiao Sui suddenly babbled my way, and then stretched out his two soft little hands, waving at me, seeming to be asking for me to hug him.

I could not say anything anymore and walked over and gently carried him and said: "Xiao Sui is the smartest..."

Xiao Sui howled with laughter and I was puzzled and said: "Xiao Sui what is funny?"

Xiao Sui can't talk and can only laugh and kept laughing. Finally, he poked my neck with a hand and I realized. This morning, after I was "killed", I also had to have my neck painted, to indicate that I was "dead"...Xiao Sui laughing was actually ridiculing me!

Me: "..."

Troublesome child...I silently put Xiao Sui back into his crib, he was still laughing. I told Pingyang to stop Xiao Sui from laughing, this child laughs too long. As a result, Pingyang also secretly started laughing.

Pingyang: "Oh..."

Me: "......"

What a mother and son pair...

I stayed at Pingyang for a while, in the afternoon Wu Min Jun also came. When Xiao Sui saw him, his eyes brightened and he perked up in his crib babbling Wu Min Jun's way, wanting to go to him. Wu Min Jun did not look at him and came up to me: "Let's go, I'm taking you out of the palace to play.

I quietly said: "Leaving the palace? Why are we going out today?"

"ba ba ba ba..." Xiao Sui anxiously babbled at Wu Min Jun who was ignoring him.

Wu Min Jun said to me: "We are both dead, anyway there is nothing to do in the palace."

"Wow, how can you say that with such a straight face, are you not worried about your face using such an excuse?!" I was stunned, this is...

Wu Min Jun: "It doesn't matter, there is nothing to do anyway."

I said: "Okay, let's do it."

Seeing that I agreed, Wu Min Jun was satisfied, he took my hand and we started to leave. Xiao Sui seeing Wu Min Jun leaving looked like he was about to cry, I couldn't stand it anymore and said: "You take care of Xiao Sui first."

Wu Min Jun paused, bowed his head at him, and revealed a complex expression: "Xiao Sui, you were here?"

I: "..."

Xiao Sui finally couldn't take it and burst into tears.

Pingyang hearing him cry ran in, saw Xiao Sui in his crib crying on the floor, Wu Min Jun and I went stiff and Wu Min Jun, Pingyang quickly picked up Xiao Sui: "Royal brother, royal sister-in-law, what did you do?!

I said: "Xiao Sui was begging for love, but was completely neglected."

Wu Min Jun: "..."

Pingyang tearily said: "Royal brother, you do not know that Xiao Sui, apart from his father, he likes you the most, yet you still ignore him all the time."

Wu Min Jun smiled took Xiao Sui and shook his arm to comfort him. Xiao Sui immediately became delighted and stopped crying, looking at Wu Min Jun with his big innocent teary eyes.

Wu Min Jun sighed: "I'm too likable."

I: "..."

Pingyang: "..."

I really don't want to bother with him...

I said: "Maybe Xiao Sui just perceived you as his kind."

Wu Min Jun looked at Xiao Sui and said: "The same kind? Well, this cannot be counted...but our children definitely...hehe."

I don't know where his confidence comes from. Xiao Sui must have been tired from crying, he fell asleep as we were talking. Wu Min Jun put Xiao Sui down on his bed, then reached out and squeezed his small cheek. I was just about to be touched by the warm scene between uncle and nephew, and then I heard Wu Min Jun quietly say: "Little brat, dare to laugh at my wife..."

I: "...... ..."

How did he know?! And even if he knows, he doesn't have to retaliate, right?! How can he be so childish ah?! Wu Min Jun, you said you and Xiao Sui are not the same kind, it is simply that Xiao Sui is much better than you!

***

Wu Min Jun and I went out of the Imperial Palace and idled around in the city. Wu Min Jun took me to eat all sorts of food, and then we went to the bridge to see some performances, we were both having fun.

Finally, when it was getting dark, with Wu Min Jun at my side, we leisurely walked back to the Imperial Palace. Suddenly I felt movement in my hair, so I stopped walking and looked at Wu Min Jun. He smiled at me and didn't say anything. Suspicious, I reached out and touched my hair, and touched a hairpin, it felt good, it was made of jade, and the shape seemed to be a plum blossom.

...I remembered. At that time when our bodies were still switched, while in Dong country he had wanted me to buy a hairpin for him to wear, it was this one.

My heart felt somewhat moved, I paused and asked: "You...you kept it?"

Wu Min Jun said: "I suddenly came across it yesterday, I can't wear it so I'll just give it to you to wear."

I: "... "

Wu Min Jun laughed and said: "It is possible... Well, it is for you."

I said: " Oh, thank you."

Wu Min Jun smiled, shook his head and didn't say anything.

However, after we returned to the palace, we found something that was very surprising - Lu Lu was "killed".

Everyone sat around silently looking at Lu Lu's forehead and then silently turned to Pingyang, who was fake crying and saying: "Which one of you killed my Fuma? Don't you know that a child that does not have a father will not live long?"

Everyone: "..." -_-)'

Lu Lu: "..."

He's really not dead...and it is inauspicious to say this kind of thing...However, Wu Min Jun and Pingyang don't care about those kinds of limitations.

**(LOL this family...)**

Situ Youqing said: "Well everyone let's discuss, who do you think might it be?"

Pingyang first said: "Either way it's not me, Lu Lu was on duty. When he came back to my palace, there was an ink mark on his face."

Everyone looked at Pingyang with eyes that said, "Who are you deceiving?"

Pingyang lamented: "...It's really not me."

Situ Youqing: "Well, I will go first, I think it is Princess Pingyang."

The others echoed her thoughts, and Baozi nodded again and again. So, everyone ignored Pingyang's defense and executed her mercilessly.

Oh, the tragedy of Pingyang.

In fact, I also think that it is her...

Pingyang revealed her draw stick with tears, seeing the words "to be killed" on it, everyone was silent...

Pingyang tearily rushed to me and said: "Royal sister-in-law, I finally understand your feelings!"

"...Thank you..."

As a result, after another 12 hours of the game, a total of four people have died. The murderer is really good...

Me, Wu Min Jun, Pingyang and Lu Lu, the four "dead people" huddled together and I said: "Every time Situ Youqing expresses her suspicions first, have you noticed it?"

Pingyang thought for a moment and said: "Yes, and that Baozi is always nodding at her side, and I also think it may be Situ Youqing."

I looked at Pingyang slyly and said: "What? Your suspicions are on Baozi..."

Pingyang: "..."

I suddenly thought of something and said: "Right, in fact...Wu Min Jun and Lu Lu's martial arts skills are so high, it was probably that Baozi put his feet in ink and then went to sneakily put the stroke!"

Moreover, no one would have guarded against Baozi.

Pingyang showed an enlightened expression, but the two people who knew the murderer, Wu Min Jun and Lu Lu were still silent...

Chapter 75 - The Great Escape 1

 Players: Wu Min Jun, Yun Jiao, Pingyang, Lu Lu, Liu Ya, He Chen, Wu Hao, Feng You You, Liu Liang, Yan Yu, Situ Youqing... and Baozi.

The Great Escape is a game thought up by Situ Youqing.

Wu Min Jun and I - especially me, thought up every way to find Situ Youqing, we wanted to find her to get a drug to switch our bodies, we finally found her, but Situ Youqing was dispirited and informed us that she had lost her master again, and so she cannot help us with that kind of drug.

I was not convinced - anyway, I have never believed in her master's existence...

However, Situ Youqing is considered a special guest, it's currently winter and the weather is cold, so I told her and Baozi to stay with us, this way, I will also have a companion. Situ Youqing has traveled to many many places, although her purpose was to find her master, she has had many unusual enccounters. She described them to me vividly as she ate snacks. Baozi was waving his small paws in the air trying to grab the snacks.

Soon it will be Wu Min Jun's 20th birthday. All the countries have sent envoys to express their congratulations. From Dong country, the dowager empress and my royal brother wrote a letter to me letting me know that they will be sending Yan Yu - it said that Yan Yu has still not gotten married, he did not listen to advice from last time at all. The dowager empress and my royal brother want me to try to persuade him, and that if there is a suitable woman in Xi country, I should just get them in bed together.

...the dowager empress and royal brother must think I am too idle...

Wu Min Jun accidentally saw the letter, he laughed and said that the dowager empress and royal brother's idea is good, and told a servant to go prepare some shameful drugs...I don't know what to say...

Wu Min Jun was born in autumn, the leaves have gradually withered, the scenery is not as good as spring or summer, but the leaves are very colorful, it can also be counted as beautiful scenery.

Wu Hao and Feng Youyou came from Bei country. Wu Hao seems to be living well, he has added more weight since last we saw him, also seemed livelier and happier. Yun Jiao thought that looking at the redness of his cheeks, he probably could go stand on the street and start dispensing money to people. Feng You You did not change much, probably because she just gave birth to a child, her face seems more gentle.

But then again, Pingyang also gave birth to a child, How come I feel that she hasn't changed at all? Only Lu Lu seems to have become more gentle, and is more compliant and seems to be glowing.

The most shocking thing is that the person Nan country sent was actually Liu Liang - he actually dared to come!

...In short, this person coming for Wu Min Jun's birthday, it was hard to trust that they are really here to congratulate. I was very distressed about what to do about the gifts they delivered, but fortunately, Wu Min Jun sorted it out for me, as for what the gifts were, I have no clue, but next time, I will definitely not need him to sort it out for me...

Since these people were not leaving soon, Situ Youqing who had been bored in the palace asked Wu Min Jun if we could forgo the rules, and let those people all play a game with us?

Wu Min Jun: "What?"

Situ Youqing: "Murder."

I: "..."

Wu Min Jun smiled and said: "Very good..."

I: "... I will kill you first, please shut up for me..."

Situ Youqing quickly explained: "It's not really killing people, it's just pretending. Out of all of us, one person will be assigned as the murderer, and then the murderer has to kill people without being caught. In this case, draw ink on a person's neck or forehead, then that person will be considered dead."

Situ Youqing seemed very cheerful, and I still had some misgivings: "Then?"

"The person that is dead is not allowed to speak and cannot give any clues as to who the murderer is."

Wu Min Jun had an expression of interest and said: "Continue."

"Every time there is a murder, everyone will discuss together and try to come up with who the murderer is and decide on someone. The accused murderer can try to argue against the verdict, but if their defense is unsuccessful, then they must die. After death, then they must say whether they are the murderer or not. If the murderer is still living till the end, then the murderer wins." After that, Situ Youqing looked at me with a face full of expectation and asked: "Empress, what do you think?"

I said: "It sounds quite interesting..."

Wu Min Jun pat his leg and said: "Then let's call them tonight."

I: "... "

It's really fast...

Sure enough, all of them were called and arrived that night, Liu Ya heard the news and also came, Wu Min Jun and I thought the more people the better, so we did not refuse her. After explaining the rules to everyone, we started to draw lots. All the sticks have the words "to be killed" except one, which says "murderer"...I drew my lot and looked at it, it was "to be killed".

...Okay! I want to see who can kill me.

Everyone glanced at their own sticks, and all had on guarded expressions, then we all laughed and said nothing. I swept my eyes through everyone and could not discern anything so I stopped looking at them. As it was already late, Wu Min Jun and I went back to our palace, Wu Min Jun nonchalantly asked me: "Are you the murderer?"

I also followed suit and nonchalantly retorted: "How about you?"

Wu Min Jun Laughed, said: "I hope I am."

I said: "Relax, I am not."

Wu Min Jun: "Well, rest assured, I am not."

Oh, actually, I highly suspect Wu Min Jun...

After Wu Min Jun and I returned to our palace, I let my hair down, took a bath and went to sleep. Although I suspect Wu Min Jun, I still needed to rest. Anyway, Wu Min Jun's skills and mine are pretty much equal, there is no way I wouldn't sense it if he tried to sneak an attack.

Wu Min Jun also came to bed quickly, after a while I fell asleep. Suddenly, I heard a subtle sound - the sound came from Wu Min Jun's side of the bed.

I kept my eyes closed, and I felt that he got up and left the bed - was he going to get a brush? I focused on his every move vigilantly and found that he got dressed and went out of the palace.

I opened my eyes, quickly put on my clothes, and secretly followed behind him, and saw that he went all the way to the royal study, had the lights lit, and began to review memorials.

That's right, he has had a lot of matters to handle these days, the memorials are probably just as much.

I looked through the window for a while, and then I heard a servant announce a visitor, I wondered who was coming to see him so late, but because I was afraid of being discovered by Wu Min Jun, I turned and returned to the palace.

When I woke up the next day, I collapsed. There was an ink mark on the neck of Wu Min Jun who was lying next to me.

Who is so daring on the first night to "kill" Wu Min Jun?! And the murderer actually succeeded!

I said: "Wu Min Jun...you...you..."

Wu Min Jun slowly opened his eyes and looked at me without saying a word. His face was very gloomy, he was probably very upset.

I said: "Who dares to kill you?!"

Wu Min Jun still said nothing, then I remembered that Wu Min Jun is a "dead man" and so cannot say anything, especially about the murderer...

I tapped his shoulder and said: "Don't worry, soon I will help you find the murderer."

Wu Min Jun smiled, got up and kissed my face.

I went to the meeting hall with Wu Min Jun, everyone was already there. When they saw the ink mark on Wu Min Jun's neck they all showed an expression that said: "It shouldn't be..." I thought the murderer should be amongst these people and said: "Who is it?"

Everyone looked at me at the same time.

Me: "..."

Situ Youqing cleared her throat and said: "We have to discuss it, to kill the emperor is not something just anyone can do..."

She immediately said: "I guess it must be the empress!"

I: "..." -_-)'

The others nodded at the same time.

Me: "..."

"It's not me!" I protested, "I swear it's not me! If it is me, why would I kill Wu Min Jun? It's too obvious! You guys think about it."

Everyone still looked at me silently.

Me: "...It's really not me, it's really not."

I blinked and looked at Liu Liang and said: "Liu Liang, you talk, is it you? Last night, the person who went to see Wu Min Jun in the royal study, that person must be the murderer, but I didn't see who it was - is it you?"

Liu Liang smiled and said: "How can it be me? If it were me, Xi emperor would not relax even a little bit and would be vigilant, right? Only against the empress will the Xi emperor not guard against."

"..." Not only did this move not remove suspicion from me, but it instead dragged me further down. It's really hard to swallow...

I lamented: " Wu Min Jun, you know it's not me, right?"

Wu Min Jun is of course very disciplined and is following the rules -and so did not express anything.

I was speechless.

In the end, I was elected as the murderer without any objections and was executed. I wanted to cry as I revealed my draw stick, which revealed the words, "to be killed" - I am really not the murderer!!!

Wu Min Jun sighed and said: "Pitiful Yun Jiao, obviously you are not the murderer."

I crumbled: "...would it kill you to have said something earlier?!"

Wu Min Jun: "Anyway, come with me. Let's be a ghost pair of mandarin ducks."

**(Pair of mandarin ducks is a popular metaphor for a pair of lovers)**

I was even more devastated: "Anyway?! You've been planning this since you died in the beginning, right?"

Wu Min Jun smiled softly and gently placed a hand on my lips and said: "We are dead, don't talk, be good."

"Be good- your - head - ah ~!"

Everyone: "......"

***

MiraiSaesang's notes: So who do you guys think is the murderer? I say it is Wu Min Jun - he faked his death, this is all part of his plan to eliminate his main rival Yun Jiao (not sure about how good Situ's skills are) without being obvious or doing anything at all, also eliminating the problem of him being suspected as she was his most obvious kill, just like he is for her...

He's playing all of them, as he's dead no one will suspect him...

...by the way, Liu Ya still hasn't learned to stay away from the royal couple, oh well, maybe she can pair up with Yan Yu and he can finally move on from our heroine...

Chapter 74

Although Wu Min Jun did not admit that he wants to help me have children, he also did not deny it. I was really excited and immediately began to look for Situ Youqing...

Regardless of whether Wu Min Jun and I are going to switch, there was also the issue with Liu Liang. We need to thank her very well. If not for her, I am afraid to think of what kind of situation we would be in.

Situ Youqing appeared quietly every time, or we met by chance, but looking for her, I actually could not find a trace at all. I guess she must have found her Master.

Now, although I am no longer bleeding, I was still worried about finding Situ Youqing, so I forbade Wu Min Jun from touching me. Wu Min Jun was silent for a long time and then said only one sentence: "Self-inflicted, cannot live."

After a while, Wu Min Jun suddenly mentioned that he found the little Marquis.

He was actually in Xi country.

Yicheng city in Xi.

Yicheng was not far from the capital, but the scenery was very good, even better than the capital. The place was surrounded by mountains and rivers, many poets love to go there to find inspiration. There it was like spring all year round, flowers always in bloom, although I have never gone there, I have also heard a little about it.

This was a very mysterious matter, to think that the little Marquis did not stay peacefully in Bei, but instead came to Xi. Even if he does not have any schemes in mind, Wu Min Jun may not necessarily think so.

Wu Min Jun said that maybe the little Marquis coming to Xi, perhaps it is because Yicheng has wonderful scenery.

Wu Min Jun actually made such a romantic speculation, it really surprised me. In the night, when he went to sleep, I sneakily took off his clothes. I wanted to check if there was any suspicious red dot on his body. The end result was that Wu Min Jun pressed me down on the bed, and through gritted teeth, he asked: "Do you know what you are doing?"

I said: "I, I am checking to see if you have a gu insect implanted..."

Wu Min Jun: "Oh? Then do I need to prove it?"

I nodded and said, "Yes... yes! "

Wu Min Jun suddenly smiled slyly and said: "I originally wanted to follow your will and wait until we find Situ Youqing... but now it seems that in order to prove that I am not being controlled by a gu insect, I have to show that my body is good."

I: "..."

What?!

I hadn't grasped the situation yet, and Wu Min Jun had already kissed me. I subconsciously wanted to push him away, but after putting my hands on his shoulder, I felt it was unnecessary. Anyway, in the future... it is he who will give birth to the child!

Okay!

Thinking of this, I suddenly felt that I was the winner, so I was relieved and my courage surged and I dove into the kiss, the result was I went in too hard and my lips hit his teeth and it hurt, tears stung my eyes. Wu Min Jun chuckled and then used his tongue to lick my lips, I immediately forgot the pain, it was such a head rush and I felt shy.

Like last time, Wu Min Jun was trailing kisses down my body, I was familiar with it and bit my lip with my eyes closed and feeling it all quietly, slowly my clothes were removed, I also stumbled over removing his clothes and on succeeding, I followed my last memory and traced my favorite groove.

Wu Min Jun gasped, and I felt his scorching breath across my body, I also gasped from it. When he got to an area I had never imagined, I froze a bit... I could only go along with it, I had no strength left...

We were entangled for a long time that night. When I woke up the next day, I had a backache, as if ten carriages had ridden over me. Wu Min Jun was gentle last night, but still, I felt it was...hard to endure.

As soon as I opened my eyes, Wu Min Jun's face was before me with a sly smile, he was obviously in a very good mood. He was lying sideways, with one hand holding his head and the other playing with a lock of my hair. I looked at him shyly and did not know what to say for a while.

Wu Min Jun's smile widened, and he leaned over and kissed my forehead: "Awake?"

I somehow got flustered and blushed when I heard his slightly husky morning voice, I could only stutter out using his old trick: "If not, then..."

Wu Min Jun's smile brightened and he said: "Um, nothing...I have already ordered people to prepare hot water, you can take a bath."

"...Oh."

My voice was so light like a mosquito's. I wanted to get up but found that I really didn't have the strength. Wu Min Jun laughed and got up from the bed. He seemed to have bathed and changed into fresh clothes, he reached down to pick me up, and I discovered that I was naked and screamed: "Stinky rogue!"

Wu Min Jun laughed and reached out and draped a piece of cloth over me.

Well, Wu Min Jun has fully proved who he is.

***

When I took a bath, my hands were very soft and tired, I was very happy that Wu Min Jun showed goodwill and helped me scrub my back. He also offered to give me a massage, I agreed without thinking. The result was, of course, that I was proved wrong...

Although Wu Min Jun was helping me massage... but he might as well have kept his hands to himself...

Stinky Rogue...!

***

Today was a day of rest, so Wu Min Jun did not need to go to Court, so he accompanied me in our palace to laze around. My body was still soft, and I had no strength. Wu Min Jun was reading a book on the side, often looking up at me with a smile...despicable.

Although it was despicable, it still looked good, it was indeed very attractive. I was currently lying on a soft couch and said: "Wu Min Jun, I just thought of something."

Wu Min Jun: "Mn?"

I said: "If we really find Situ Youqing, I want to try how it feels like as a man."

Wu Min Jun: "...What did you say?"

I seriously said: "I mean it! Look at you, yesterday.... I woke up today and I have a backache. I am sad, but you are in good spirits. Is this fair? Unless we find Situ Youqing, and switch, otherwise...cough, you must keep a distance in the future."

Wu Min Jun: "..."

After a while, he came over to me and comforted me saying: "Yun Jiao, it's mainly because it was the first time yesterday...the first will be somewhat uncomfortable, I guarantee it will not be like this later."

I was not satisfied. "You promise that my body won't hurt? Where do you get the confidence?"

Wu Min Jun smiled: "It is confidence in myself."

I: "..."

Still so shameless, this must be some kind of strategy...I was too tired to bother with Wu Min Jun's shamelessness. But later that night, Wu Min Jun actually catered to my feelings and very honestly went to sleep and did not try anything.

The next day, he also behaved himself, so I recovered well. The day after, he told me that he was taking me out.

I was skeptical, I didn't know where we were heading. I asked Wu Min Jun but he was being mysterious and refused to tell me.

We sat in the carriage and were headed to the South, so I probably guessed that we were going to Yicheng. Halfway through, the carriage suddenly stopped, and the driver got off and was replaced with a woman. She was wearing a bamboo hat with a black cloth hanging on it, covering her face, but it was very easy to recognize her, I knew at a glance that it was Hu Fu.

"Is she going to meet the little Marquis?" I already knew but still asked.

Wu Min Jun smiled: "Oh."

I thought it was a little strange. "You told Hu Fu directly, so why do we have to go there personally?"

Wu Min Jun opened the curtain, the cool breeze blew in and he said softly: "Yicheng's scenery is good."

I was bewildered, but I knew that Wu Min Jun probably has other intentions, so I no longer asked. Wu Min Jun rolled the curtains away, and surely the scenery along the way was getting more and more breathtaking as went along. The flowers were in full bloom along the trail, I saw that purple and blue flowers that I know blanket the ground, and the breeze blew their scent our way

Our journey from the Capital consisted of using only forest trails, I could guess that the little Marquis lived in the countryside of Yicheng. In the afternoon, we got off the carriage and began walking, walking was completely different from being on the carriage. The ground was soft to tread on, the sun was shining down warmly on us, everywhere was quiet, with only the horse occasionally neighing in the background, it seemed that the world was peaceful.

I walked along with Hu Fu and Wu Min Jun, just us three. Hu Fu deliberately slowed down and walked behind me Wu Min Jun, her head was lowered slightly, it seemed she must be deep in her thoughts, disturbed that she will soon be meeting the little Marquis. I was also a bit worried, I was unsure how things would unfold.

In the sea of flowers, not far away, there was a log cabin, that looked like it had just been built. It seemed out of place and stuck out from everything around it. Wu Min Jun stopped and said: "It should be here."

Hu Fu then perked up, then removed the bamboo hat and strode to the cabin.

I stood in place, I did not know if I should keep going so I didn't move. Wu Min Jun held my hand and smiled at me and said: "Let's go together."

I said: "They just met, if we go in, it won't be too good, right?"

Wu Min Jun: "It won't get in the way."

...Of course, you feel it won't, but others will definitely feel that we are in the way! -_-)'

I silently followed Wu Min Jun toward the log cabin. Hu Fu had pushed open the door and walked in. Before Wu Min Jun and I could reach the log cabin, Hu Fu walked out with a deep frown puzzled: "There is no one inside."

Wu Min Jun: "Oh, then he must have passed on."

Hu Fu and I were shocked, she said: "Passed on? What do you mean?!"

Wu Min Jun replied: "When my men found him, they found that he was severely ill, probably due to the injury you inflicted on him, he was not faring well, he was barely alive when he came to live here."

Hu Fu's eyes widened, she trembled and said: "You mean...he..."

Wu Min Jun nodded: "He died the day after I sent someone to inform you."

Hu Fu burst into tears, they ran down her face like a stream, glistening in the sunlight. She said nothing and ran back into the log cabin, looking around crazily for the little Marquis. I was worried and followed behind her, it seemed that she refused to believe that the little Marquis was dead and she was shouting something over and over in confusion, a name, I could not make it out, but I could guess that it was probably the little Marquis's name.

In the end, Hu Fu found a painting on the bed, she suddenly stopped crying and said: "It is her."

I said: "What?"

Hu Fu: "He was also holding this painting scroll at that time...he said, the painting inside is of the woman he loves most..."

The little Marquis was holding the image of another woman when he died. This blow was probably was very big to Hu Fu. She was so eager to find the little Marquis, only to find his only trace was of his love for another woman, it really was Heaven's will.

Hu Fu closed her eyes and said: "I want to see, who can make this heartless person be so enamored..." Then she gently rolled out the scrolled, the woman's ankles, dress imprinted with flowers, a graceful waist, bit by bit revealed in front of us.

In the end, we were shocked...

Because the woman's eyebrows, a pair of apricot eyes holding a short sword with a smile, looked exactly like Hu Fu.

Underneath was a line from a poem: At present, I am tortured by my illness, only dreaming idly but not the Lord's dream.

**(The line is from a poem by Yuan Zhen titled, 'Rewarding the day of  Dreams' (酬乐天频梦微之)in reply to his friend Bai Juyi 's poem to him, 'Small Dream' (梦微之)... They were two poetic friends separated by a long distance so could not meet and would communicate through writing poems, Yuan Zhen receives a poem where Bai Juyi writes that he dreamt about meeting him, and he replies back with the poem this line is from...My understanding is Yuan Zhen telling his friend that he cannot fulfill his dream as he senses he will die from this illness and so cannot uphold the pact they made when they were young to retire to the mountains together to become Taoist recluses after gathering enough money. He dreams idly/randomly but cannot see/dream of a future where they meet, it's quite sad as he did die from the illness, and Bai Juyi continued their poetic exchanges, writing Yuan Zhen's replies himself...)**

As Hu Fu held the painting, her eyes widened and her hands trembled slightly, as if the next moment she would be burned by the painting. She bit her lip and then said: "She..."

Although I was confused, I nodded and replied: "The woman in the painting is indeed you..."

Wu Min Jun stood on the side, not surprised at all and said: "The little Marquis has died of an illness, you don't need to kill him yourself. As for getting revenge against the country, you do it yourself in the future."

After saying that, Wu Min Jun reached out for me and turned to leave.

As I walked out of the cabin with Wu Min Jun, I couldn't help but look back at Hu Fu. She was still sitting there, holding the painting in her hands. She wasn't facing us so I could not see what kind of expression she had, I could only see her back was very rigid like she had become a statue.

I said: "How come it's like this?"

Wu Min Jun looked sideways at me and asked: "What?"

I said sadly: "They obviously like each other...but there were so many things in between them. Even if the little Marquis told Hu Fu that he actually likes her, they may not still have been together in the end."

I paused and then said: "It's like how we were at the beginning."

Wu Min Jun: "Our luck is better."

I was still in my thoughts and said: "Is it our luck that is better?"

Wu Min Jun smiled at me and asked: "Hm, what's wrong?"

I said: "Nothing, just thinking... um, what you said is right."

Wu Min Jun took me to the carriage, I was still worried about Hu Fu and he said: "Now it is impossible for her to leave. Later, I will send someone to come to get her...but she will probably still refuse to leave."

This was such a beautiful place, but it will be a sad place for her. I sighed in my heart as I looked out at the sea of flowers and the log cabin as we gradually moved farther and farther away and eventually out of the line of sight, I sighed.

Wu Min Jun patted my head and said: "That is someone else's business, don't think too much."

I: "Oh..."

Wu Min Jun leaned back on the seat languidly, I couldn't help but do the same, and then leaned closer a bit, then Wu Min Jun reached over and hugged me first and then said: "Now you know I'm good, huh?"

I laughed: "Yes, although your words are despicable, you're heartless, cruel..."

Wu Min Jun: "..." -_-)'

"But at least you are honest and have not lied to me about anything, including that you like me, you miss me, and you are even willing to give birth to children for me."

Wu Min Jun: "... "

He paused for a while and said: "This old husband reluctantly accepts your praise."

I laughed and said: "If you're an old husband... what am I then, an old mother?"

Wu Min Jun: "..."

He leaned over, kissed my ear, lingered, and said into my ear in a low voice filled with laughter: "Wife."

...Good.

I have lived for more than 17 years, since I was young I never knew my mother, my father did not love me, I worked hard and mastered martial arts, studying gives me a headache, I am slow and I look ordinary...

...but I guess, out of everyone, I must be the luckiest person.

***

MiraiSaesang's notes: This wraps up the main storyline, the tragic love story of Hu Fu x little Marquis, and the parallel between their story and Bai Juyi and Yuan Zhen's friendship made me appreciate the love between our main couple even more, as I am sure Wu Min Jun and Yun Jiao have also come to appreciate the other in their lives....there's a little life lesson there we could all use, treasure the time you have with your loved ones, as you never know when...

...We do get to see Hu Fu again in one of the side stories, so maybe that could help in closing their tragic chapter...

....Remember the story is not over, we have 5 more side story chapters to go!

Chapter 73

That night.

Inside our palace, the environment was clean and refreshing, with the soothing scent of the  'water of the gods' floating around.

Wu Min Jun approached me with a wide smile on his face

Remembering what happened at the military camp, I wanted to laugh a little. He came over and gently lifted my chin and kissed me.

I slowly said: "Wu Min Jun..."

Wu Min Jun: "Mn?"

I was a little embarrassed: "You haven't noticed that...since the day you left for war, it's been almost exactly four months."

Wu Min Jun: "... So?"

"So, sorry but chenqie is on her monthly bleeding period again..."

**(chenqie is a formal form of address for royal wives to use when speaking with their husband or sometimes family elder)**

"......" -_-)'

***

Pingyang has gone into labor.

When we received this news, Wu Min Jun and I were playing chess outside our palace.

I just started learning chess, so of course, I would be losing to Wu MIn Jun. Wu Min Jun was even arrogant enough to say that even if I had been learning chess for a long time I still wouldn't be able to beat him.

I had no way to refute him.

This time, Wu Min Jun was being lenient, and let me have three attempts, my left hand was on my chin and my right hand was holding a chess piece hovering over the board as I hesitated, studying the board. Suddenly, someone from the Pingyang's palace came to inform that Pingyang had gone into labor, the midwife and Imperial doctors were already there, Wu Min Jun and I immediately abandoned the chessboard and rushed to Pingyang's palace.

During Pingyang's period of pregnancy, she received great care from the Imperial doctors, had proper diet and exercise, but I was still worried. I looked at Wu Min Jun, his expression looked normal, I couldn't discern anything, but I was guessing he must be quite worried about Pingyang.

When we arrived at Pingyang's palace, I walked towards Pingyang's room with Wu Min Jun trailing behind me. When we got to her door, we saw Lu Lu standing in front of it. A few maids went in with golden water basins with white towels on them, then another set of maids came out with the same things, but the water and towels were stained with blood.

Lu Lu saw the water and the towels and his expression became very ugly, and there also came a scream of pain from Pingyang. I was terrified, and I was able to understand Lu Lu's feelings, he must be anxious as he could not be by her side or share her pain. Wu Min Jun stood at the door for a while and then probably out of worry for Pingyang, said to Lu Lu: "Look at the good thing you've done!"

I: "... Don't talk nonsense, Lu Lu's mood is already very bad. "

Lu Lu shook his head: "The Emperor is right, it is my fault. "

Me:" ... "

The three of us went to sit down close to Pingyang's room, only vaguely hearing Pingyang's screams, and the midwife telling her to "push" and "breathe" and other words, the maids were scurrying about back and forth with basins, making us feel more agitated.

Lu Lu was worried: "It's been a long time..."

I said: "How long?"

Lu Lu shook his head: "Half an hour."

I sighed: "This is a long time? It is said that for some childbirths take several days and nights."

Lu Lu's face darkened immediately.

I realized that I should not have said those words without thinking, I quickly comforted him: "I believe that Pingyang's will not be so long...don't worry."

Wu Min Jun did not say anything, but looking at his expression, he seemed to be deep in thought, I said: "Don't worry too much...there won't be any problems."

Wu Min Jun shook his head and did not speak.

These two big men were very worried, I was also very worried. I was not only worried, but I also have an association with this matter. Listening to Pingyang crying out so fiercely, I couldn't help but think about it, If Wu Min Jun and I... then if I really become pregnant, I will have to go through nine months of hardship and then finally get to giving birth to the child, won't I be just like Pingyang?

Although I practiced martial arts so my body was stronger, Pingyang's voice sounded like it was really painful and unbearable, I really don't know if I can stand it. Also, a woman's first night was also very painful too...

I fell into thinking all these disturbing thoughts, I focused my mind, I had to continue to worry about Pingyang. Like that, the three of us sat there the whole day until the evening and did not eat since, of course, no one had an appetite anyway. After all, the person who was going through the pain cannot eat...

Finally, in the middle of the night, I was a little sleepy, suddenly the sound of a baby crying broke through the quiet night, I suddenly woke up and saw Lu Lu shoot out of his seat as if someone poked into his butt, he wanted to rush inside but was stopped by the maids outside.

I rubbed my eyes and stood up along with Wu Min Jun. The three of us stood outside the door anxiously waiting again. After a while, the midwife came out with a baby, smiled at Lu Lu and said: "Congratulations Fuma, it is a son! Mother and child are safe!"

After that, she wanted to bow to greet Wu Min Jun and me: "Emperor..."

Before she could begin, Wu Min Jun waved her off: "No need to greet, be careful of the child."

Lu Lu carefully took the child, I also held my breath as I looked, the child was very small, his body looked purplish, look ugly, his eyes were not open, and he was crying. This was my first time seeing a child who was just born, I was really surprised and didn't dare to go too close. Lu Lu carried the child and walked inside, I quickly followed, and when I entered, there was a thick scent of blood. Pingyang was lying on the bed, looking weak, her hair was scattered and was wet with sweat and stuck to the sides of her face, she looked very distressed. There was also a trace of blood on her lips, she was very weak. Lu Lu went to her side and whispered: "Yang er'..."

Pingyang opened her eyes weakly and said: "I am dead tired..."

... It's really Pingyang!

Then she saw the little baby in Lu Lu's arms, and her eyes lit up: "Is this what I gave birth to?"

... What else?!

Lu Lu nodded: "En, it's a boy."

Pingyang showed a satisfied smile: "Well, that's good... Your Lu Clan will not be afraid of your name ending..."

Lu Lu: "..."

Lu Lu: "Yang er', Don't think too much, they went to go bring some soup for you, after drinking it you should rest.

Pingyang agreed with a weak voice, then she looked at me and Wu Min Jun: "Royal brother and sister-in-law..."

Wu Min Jun said: "Don't move needlessly, rest."

I nodded. "Oh, it looks so painful and tiring, you should have a good rest."

Wu Min Jun suddenly turned his head and looked at me meaningfully.

Me: "What?"

Did I say something wrong?

Wu Min Jun shook his head and said nothing.

It was really strange...

Pingyang drank the soup, and it didn't take long for her to fall asleep. The little child that had been crying, also obediently slept. Lu Lu, who had spent the entire day anxious could finally breathe easy now. On our way back, Wu Min Jun seemed to be deep in thought and was not talking. At first, I didn't care, later I couldn't help myself: "What's going on with you today? You seem to be troubled..."

Wu Min Jun suddenly turned his head and seriously looked at me: "Yun Jiao."

I: "Oh?"

He rarely called me by name, but hearing it, it was also quite good...

Wu Min Jun said: "Today... What do you think?"

I felt it was a bit strange, "What do you mean? Are you talking about Pingyang having a child?"

"Mn."

I thought for a moment and then replied: "I think it seems a little scary... It looks very painful... and Pingyang like this, is already considered to be good, I heard before that some concubines had difficult childbirths and died. Oh, it is a little scary."

Wu Min Jun: "Mm..."

I was puzzled: "Why are you asking me this?"

Wu Min Jun: "Nothing... I was thinking that first, we should find Situ Youqing."

"Look for Situ Youqing? For what?" I was confused, I didn't know how Wu Min Jun arrived at this conclusion.

Wu Min Jun did not speak.

I suddenly realized and looked at him with surprise: "What you mean is...you mean...you mean you want to give birth for me?!"

Wu Min Jun: "..."

I couldn't help but lean over and hug him: "Hey, Wu Min Jun, I really like you... Do you really want to help me give birth?!"

Wu Min Jun: "Either way, let go first."

****

Mirai's Comment: Hello everyone, we are coming to the end of the story!! I will miss this story very much, they have been so entertaining 😭... The next chapter is the last chapter of the main storyline, but we do have three more side stories that give us some insight into how our wonderfully hilarious couple and the others live on in their Happily Ever After.

There are 3 side stories: the 1st, 'The Great Escape', they meet Situ Youqing again along with Lu Lu and Pingyang and well, stuff happens LOL...the 2nd is about our wonderfully confused Zhen er' and his hilarious theories...the 3rd, I'm sure you will all love, is a chapter on Wu Min Jun's thoughts on events of the story since the day he met our heroine...

Chapter 72

The next day, we began the journey back to Xi's capital city. As to whether Wu Min Jun had sent people to look for the little Marquis, I did not ask and did not want to know. The matter between the little Marquis and Hu Fu, or more precisely, the matter between Hu Fu and Wu Xu was somewhat similar to the matter between Wu Min Jun, but my revenge plan was more direct, Hu Fu was alone, and was very beautiful so she could take the road of the beauty trap, as for me...forget it, don't even mention it.

On the journey back, Wu Min Jun forced me to stay with him. Now everyone believed that Wu Min Jun was truly raising a small soldier. Zhen er' also told me congratulations and told me that he heard that the Empress' martial arts skill was not weak and that she was a tigress so to be careful and docile.

He should be careful with his head.

I was so...I couldn't even smile.

It was also from him that I heard that, 'The Empress is mighty, the empress is strong' has been spreading all around the people, and the things that Wu Min Jun did when he was me were all counted on my head, and various rumors were spreading all with the same conclusion that the Emperor was tamed by the Empress.

I asked Zhen er': how to be docile?

The next day, Zhen er' came again with a mysterious smile: "Do you know that there was a time when the ministers wanted the Emperor to choose concubines?

I said, "I know, what happened?"

Zhen er': "It is said that after hearing this, the Emperor was very happy and was laughing for a long time in his palace, but the Empress had a sour expression for several days."

I: "..."

Yes, that was because I was taking pleasure in someone else's misfortune so I was laughing. Wu Min Jun had to spend a long time dealing with the concubines' list and was very impatient, so I found it funny.

Zhen er' continued: "Do you know Liu Ya of Minister Liu's family?"

I nodded: "Yes, I know."

"It is said that she arranged a meeting with the Emperor one night for a tryst, then the Empress showed up unexpectedly and kicked her into the Lotus pond, and the Emperor did not dare to say anything! Then later during the Spring festival, the Empress led Liu Ya to a trap and caused her to fall in a pit!" Zhen er' was wide-eyed as he narrated as if he witnessed it himself, "On that cold day, to fall in ice water, I heard that the servants brought ginger tea, but the Empress did not allow Liu Ya to drink it!"

I: "..."

Who arranged a meeting with Liu Ya...what can I say?! As for the Spring festival, Liu Ya's ginger tea, her falling, wasn't it Wu Min Jun who arranged it all...?

Zhen er's eyes gleamed: "I also heard that there was another time, don't know how the Emperor provoked the Empress so she was angry, the Emperor tried to appease her, and the Empress actually jumped in the Lotus pond with the Emperor!"

I: "........."

This was the strangest thing!

It was obvious that I first kicked Wu Min Jun in, so the rumor should be about the Emperor's abuse of the Empress! How... is it that I have to live with the reputation of a tigress my whole life...?

I wanted to cry out, Zhen er' patted my shoulder and said: "Rest assured, the empress may be willing to accept you."

"Huh?" I froze.

Zhen er': "You are a man ah, and so cannot give birth to children. How can you be a threat to the Empress' status? Rather than have other women in the palace vying for favor with her, she would probably prefer that the Emperor looks for men?"

When he finished talking, he looked at me proudly: "Relax, I am sure I am correct!"

I: "...aiya, ah, ah ah, ah..."

Zhen er' was confused: "Ah, why are you crying? Have I really misunderstood?!"

I was overjoyed, finally, Zhen er' has been enlightened, I eagerly nodded: "Yes!"

Zhen er' solemnly looked at me: "I didn't think that you were forced by the Emperor..."

I: "..."

Zhen er': "..."

Finally, he revealed a determined expression and grasped my wrists: "Otherwise, I, although I am not a broken sleeve, I think that you are very good. Let's tell the Emperor that the person you like is me and ask the emperor to step aside, this way you can be free."

I: "..."

How hasn't he died...ah?!

"Oh, step aside?" I suddenly heard Wu Min Jun's voice behind me, Zhen er' and I jumped.

Zhen er' unexpectedly actually nodded: "Yes, Tian Wei and I are really in love!"

"Oh, Tian Wei?" Wu Min Jun's voice became more gloomy, and I felt cold sweat form on my forehead.

Zhen er' did not sense anything and continued: "Emperor, I have great respect for you, but love, this thing, one must be willing in love... and he has been waiting on you for so many days, yet you actually do not know his name, this..."

Zhen er' was really not afraid of death, I was a little moved and did not know whether to laugh or cry. I turned around and looked at Wu Min Jun and said: "Emperor...cough, Zhen er' does not know anything, do not be angry...Also, this name, Tian Wei was just due to habit... as I had used it with Situ Youqing, I don't mean that I am Tian Wei..."

Wu Min Jun condemningly looked at me and finally said: "Forget it for now, after we return to the palace, you will see."

I: "... um."

Wu Min Jun hooked my face with a satisfied expression, completely ignoring the confused expression on Zhen er's face, then he turned and left.

Zhen er': "...What does this mean? You, you and the emperor seem to have known each other for a long time..."

I said, "There is no such thing."

Zhen er' let out a sigh of relief: "Oh."

I said: "Just about two years."

Zhen er': "..."

Since then, the young man named Zhen er' descended into confusion. He could not understand how Wu Min Jun and I could be related, so whenever there was free time, he would ask me, "What exactly is your relationship?" I only looked at him silently and laughed but never said anything.

Because it was a triumphant return, it was a happy and relaxed journey on our way back. When we finally arrived in the capital city, there were people cheering on all sides of the streets of the city. They came out to welcome the returning army, some of whom were looking out for their sons or husbands - looking anxious as they scanned the arriving soldiers with their eyes, and after they saw their own, they smiled, if they couldn't find them, they couldn't help but start shedding tears.

This was probably the reason why I don't like war, whether it was a loss or a win, the result was ultimately both.

War was a game between nations and a game for the powerful in society.

Wu Min Jun did as he did when they departed, and walked to the high platform and addressed the people: "...Nan has retreated, and have ceded five cities to Xi. Xi country is blessed by the Heavens!"

Everyone around happily cheered. Wu Min Jun came down from the platform with He Qin, I was standing below with the other soldiers. He approached me, and when he got to me, he took my hand and quietly said: "Let's go back."

***

After three months, I have finally returned to the Imperial Palace, the servants still cleaned our palace everyday, so it was clean and tidy as always. Wu Min Jun and I took a bath first then changed clothes and then Wu Min Jun went out to meet the ministers to go over the state affairs that have happened over the past few months. He will probably be busy for a while. Also, regarding the matter of the gu insects being planted, he was definitely going to punish He Chen and the others for it.

I was very tired, so I went to sleep first. After I woke up, I received a letter from Pingyang, saying that she hopes that I would come to visit her in her palace. She was probably about eight months pregnant now, she should be giving birth soon, so I went to her palace.

When I arrived at Pingyang's palace, Pingyang was taking a walk in the garden with LiLu helping her at her side. The two were walking around the yard and saw me coming, Pingyang's face brightened: "Royal sister-in-law!"

I quickly walked over: "Don't be too excited, your stomach is so big..."

Pingyang said: "It doesn't get in the way, it doesn't."

Lu Lu had a complicated expression: "..."

I said: "Why are you still moving? Isn't it the time to rest as much as possible?"

Pingyang smiled and said: "The Imperial doctor said to do some small exercise, otherwise it will be difficult during delivery." 

"Well, then keep walking." I don't know about pregnancy, hearing her words, I hurriedly agreed. The child in Pingyang's stomach was important, Pingyang was also important, both are very important.

Lu Lu was at her side accompanying her, I did not dare to go take her hand: "I will walk later, let's sit down, for now, I want to speak with royal sister-in-law."

Lu Lu nodded and helped Pingyang to sit down. I sat down opposite her and Pingyang started: "Royal sister-in-law, you are really bold, you actually went straight to the battlefield...I sent a letter to you, but I did not get a reply, I felt it was strange, so I grabbed He Chen, only then did I find out what was going on...Fortunately, you are fine, otherwise royal brother would have been worried."

I: "Something happened at that time, so I had to go look for your royal brother."

Pingyang asked: "Was the battlefield fun?"

Lu Lu shot me a look.

I quickly said: "Of course it is not fun, how can it be fun? It was nothing more than fighting and killing. My heart hurts seeing it; if it was not important, I would definitely not have gone."

Pingyang nodded and seemed not to be thinking up strange thoughts, I sighed and asked: "Will the child be born soon?"

Pingyang: "Yes, the Imperial doctors are here and every day, they come to check on me and take my pulse."

After that, she sighed: "This is really troublesome, royal sister-in-law will understand when you have a child in the future."

I said: "Oh, um..."

Pingyang shot Lu Lu a look and then said: "I am afraid there will be a second child in the future, it is really unfair. If I can choose, one is enough with Lu Lu."

Lu Lu: "..."

Pingyang saying this actually reminded me. I - I should find Situ Youqing, so we can switch again and let Wu Min Jun be pregnant for me, or at least let him give birth for me, so I don't need to go through the pain of childbirth...Oh, but this idea, I still have to discuss it with him...

Pingyang later asked me questions about life on the battlefield. I dare not mention anything too exciting, I only mentioned the boring parts of it. She listened and felt no interest in it, and stopped asking questions.

After staying at Pingyang's palace for a long time, I saw that the sky was getting dark so said my farewell. Pingyang had to rest early, so she did not stop me.

When I got back to our palace, Wu Min Jun was already there, with a thick stack of memorials. I walked over and asked, "Have you eaten?"

"Mm." Wu Jun nodded and suddenly said, "Today, I gave Zhen er' an official position."

I was surprised: "What position? Head of eunuchs?!"

Wu Min Jun: "..."

He smiled at me: "Good, tomorrow I will appoint him as the head of eunuchs. "

I hurriedly asked: "What position did you assign him to?"

Wu Min Jun: "Originally, I planned to raise him to captain saying that he had rendered meritorious deeds and so deserves to be promoted."

I nodded: "This way..."

This should be fine.

Wu Min Jun continued: "However, there are no wars to fight now, so I gave him a civil post."

"Civil post?" I said, "What?"

"Imperial Censor." Wu Min Jun smiled at me, "Because he dared to talk."

I: "..."

I think Zhen er' taking on this position will not be under too much pressure, right?