FIMA Ch133: The Empress

From the bright midday sun to the setting sun in the west, and then to the bright moon hanging in the sky.

At the very beginning, Xie Chenyun was still lively and energetic, having the strength to curse a few words and pinch Gu Siyuan a couple of times.

By the end, he was already like a ruined man, simply letting things be; no one could stop him from sleeping.

…

When he woke up once again, it was because of a slight icy coldness landing on his cheek.

Xie Chenyun slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the outer side of the bed completely cold and deserted; clearly, the person who had been sleeping there had left an unknown amount of time ago.

Hmph… men.

Xie Chenyun felt annoyed for a moment, then propped himself up on the bed and sat up. Although his body ached endlessly, overall it felt relatively comfortable.

He turned his head to look outside; the window hadn’t been closed tightly.

Bits of light filtered in, casting a hazy glow inside the room.

He raised his hand and pushed the window open wider, but was instantly stunned. The tree branches and ground in the courtyard were all blanketed in a shallow layer of pristine white.

The icy coldness that had just landed on his face was actually snow.

And with the faint morning light on the horizon, an entire day and night had already passed.

The north wind blew gently, and large snowflakes swirled through the open window, rushing against his face.

He raised his sleeve and waved it. A faint fiery-red palm wind flashed past, a puff of white smoke rose in mid-air, and the snowflakes vanished completely.

“Hm?” Joy appeared on Xie Chenyun’s face.

I can use my internal energy? Gu Siyuan unsealed my acupoints?

Hmph, this guy is somewhat trustworthy after all.

Right at this moment, a rustling sound came from the doorway.

Xie Chenyun turned to look, and that familiar, tall figure entered his vision.

Wearing a form-fitting, dark-gold dragon-patterned robe with arrow sleeves, he looked much sharper than in his usual wide-sleeved loose robes, further highlighting his cold, stern, and fierce temperament. Especially with a rustling layer of snowflakes resting on his hair and shoulders, he looked exactly like an Emperor of Ice and Snow.

Xie Chenyun was momentarily stunned by his striking appearance, but then his beautiful brows furrowed: “What are those guards getting paid for? Do they not even know how to hold an umbrella?”

Gu Siyuan strode through the door, smiling faintly: “Does Chenyun still not understand Zhen‘s cultivation? If I cared about these few snowflakes, I would have directly dried them off with internal energy.”

Hearing this, Xie Chenyun curled his lip, feeling somewhat annoyed at being outdone.

He puffed his cheeks before saying, “Then is it fun for Your Majesty to run out all alone early in the morning to get covered in snow?”

Gu Siyuan didn’t speak. He walked over and sat down beside him, bringing with him a distinct, chilling crispness.

Xie Chenyun’s mind instantly jolted, feeling as if all the exhaustion from last night had vanished completely.

“I was just making use of the ice and snow to calm my mind, that’s all,” Gu Siyuan’s smile gradually faded as he spoke faintly.

Xie Chenyun blinked.

Suddenly, his nose twitched. He smelled a faint metallic scent of blood, as well as the smell of gunpowder and saltpeter.

His expression changed, and he looked at Gu Siyuan, asking: “You went out before dawn and dressed like this. What exactly were you up to?”

Seeing his anxiety, the corners of Gu Siyuan’s mouth couldn’t help but curl up again. He said faintly: “Didn’t Chenyun just think of it? Going out before dawn. As the saying goes, a dark, windy night is the perfect time for killing. Zhen naturally went to kill someone.”

“…” Xie Chenyun.

Gu Siyuan continued: “It can be considered heaven doing us a favor. It started snowing halfway through the killing. By the time everyone wakes up, all traces will be covered by the heavy snow.”

“…” Xie Chenyun didn’t want to talk to him anymore.

He felt that this person seemed to particularly enjoy teasing him.

He changed the subject: “Your Majesty is quite trustworthy, unsealing my acupoints.”

Gu Siyuan raised an eyebrow.

The next instant, Xie Chenyun’s smile froze at the corners of his mouth.

Gu Siyuan’s palms struck several major acupoints on his upper body at an incredible speed, so fast he almost couldn’t react.

Xie Chenyun sank his Qi to his Dantian, testing it repeatedly.

Useless.

Not a single trace of internal energy flowed through his meridians; he had returned to his state from yesterday.

Gu Siyuan looked at the dumbfounded Xie Chenyun and said with utmost sincerity: “I must thank Chenyun for the reminder. Zhen almost forgot about this matter.”

“…” Xie Chenyun’s face flushed completely red with anger, almost burning like fire.

He felt like he was about to explode from rage.

He glared at Gu Siyuan, both ashamed and annoyed: “How can you be so good at bullying people?! Not only do you ‘eat and run’, but you even come back to rob the shop owner?!”

Gu Siyuan simply acted as if he didn’t hear him.

He even raised his hand, pinched the person’s white-tinged-with-red cheek, and said faintly: “Chenyun looking like this is truly like a red plum blossom dipped in snow—beautiful to the extreme, making Zhen‘s heart race endlessly.”

“Gu Siyuan, don’t push your luck.” Xie Chenyun slapped his hand away.

However, the next moment, his pale wrist was grabbed backhandedly by Gu Siyuan, and his entire body tumbled directly into that broad embrace.

Gu Siyuan wrapped his arm around the slender waist of the person in his arms, lowered his eyes, and said with a calm expression: “Had I known that upon my return, Beauty Xie would throw himself into my embrace, why would Zhen have needed to use the falling snow to calm my mind earlier? Wouldn’t a hearty and vigorous session in bed be even more beautiful, and also not disappoint the beauty’s great hospitality?”

“…” Xie Chenyun.

Xie Chenyun’s fists hardened.

Shameless!

He struggled hard, and struggled again.

However, the grip on his wrist and waist was like cast iron, making it impossible for him to resist even the slightest bit.

Gu Siyuan rubbed the pale, slender wrist in his palm: “Seeing Chenyun so full of vitality, it seems Zhen did not work hard enough yesterday. Then how about…”

Xie Chenyun’s expression drastically changed.

If we do it again, I’m afraid I’ll literally die on this bed.

Xie Chenyun immediately stopped struggling, leaned softly into Gu Siyuan’s embrace, gently hooked one arm around his neck, and exhaled softly like an orchid: “Your Majesty, Your Majesty was truly divinely martial yesterday. This concubine is still completely powerless all over right now. Please have pity on this concubine…”

A wise man submits to circumstances.

“…” Gu Siyuan was slightly stunned.

In his great career as a drama queen, he had finally met his match.

Xie Chenyun shifted his body again, pressing more comfortably into Gu Siyuan’s arms, while continuously spouting flattery from his mouth: “Your Majesty is truly the foremost great man in the world. Unfortunately, this concubine is truly incompetent and cannot bear any more of your favor today. Your Majesty, please dote on this concubine, do not drain the pond to catch all the fish…”

Even though Gu Siyuan was an extremely cold and aloof person, these words made his entire body stiffen.

His large hand clamped over the mouth of the person in his arms: “En, Zhen pities you. Beloved Concubine, rest with peace of mind.”

After saying that, he helplessly pressed both palms against the small of Xie Chenyun’s back and slowly began to massage him.

Xie Chenyun was thoroughly satisfied.

He leaned lazily against Gu Siyuan, a breathtaking smile curling at his lips.

Gu Siyuan was also thoroughly satisfied.

The ‘taking by force and plundering’ routine could continue. Anyway, his acupoints were sealed again, and the beauty was still in his arms.

…

After breakfast.

Gu Siyuan had to go to the large study to handle state affairs.

Xie Chenyun had stayed in the bedchamber all day yesterday; naturally, he didn’t want to stay there any longer today. But he wasn’t allowed to go anywhere else, so in the end, he could only follow behind Gu Siyuan.

When they entered the large study, several court ministers were already standing inside.

Upon seeing Gu Siyuan, everyone’s faces showed both reverence and joy. But upon seeing Xie Chenyun following closely behind him, their minds instantly cleared up. It seems His Majesty’s habit of loving beauties cannot be changed; he actually brought one along even on such an occasion.

Gu Siyuan led Xie Chenyun by the hand to sit down on a chair, then addressed the crowd: “Has everything been thoroughly investigated and cleared out?”

The Commander of the Shadow Guards immediately stepped forward: “As per Your Majesty’s orders, all personnel of the Purging Court have been accounted for. Among them, 472 who resisted were killed, 269 were imprisoned, and the rest have abandoned the darkness for the light.”

“En.” Gu Siyuan nodded, then looked at the Duke of Song: “What about the military?”

The Duke of Song reported: “Everyone in the military affiliated with Wei Zhengping has been taken down. Among them, 13 were guilty of heinous crimes, another 52 were guilty of bribery, and the rest were merely coerced momentarily or possessed by ghosts.”

Gu Siyuan said coldly: “The military must not fall into chaos. Later, Zhen will personally go and reorganize the troops.”

“Yes.”

Next came various other reports, all regarding the disposal of Wei Zhengping’s affiliated cronies and others.

Sitting to the side, the more Xie Chenyun listened, the more he felt something was wrong, and he couldn’t help but grit his teeth.

With Gu Siyuan making such massive moves, how could that old dog Wei Zhengping just sit still and wait to be captured?

He’s a Supreme Innate Grandmaster!

If he retaliates afterward, it’ll be incredibly troublesome to handle.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.

A dark, windy night for killing? Who did Gu Siyuan go out to kill last night?

Could it be Wei Zhengping?

It must have been Wei Zhengping; otherwise, it wouldn’t be so quiet outside.

Thinking that Gu Siyuan had actually hidden such a dangerous act from him, Xie Chenyun’s anger reached the absolute extreme.

Anger arising from his heart, his palm slammed against the tabletop. The blue-and-white porcelain cup held in his hands instantly shattered into pieces, clattering onto the floor.

This commotion caused the gazes of everyone in the room to turn toward him.

The court ministers frowned.

This Beauty Xie is far too presumptuous.

“What are you looking at? Never seen a good-looking man before?” Xie Chenyun rolled his eyes at the crowd, sitting in his chair seething with anger. He poured himself another cup of cold tea to drink and cool down his temper.

However, whether it was because the tea was too unappealing or because he was just in a foul mood…

Suddenly, with a violent thud, he slammed the cup onto the tabletop again.

Everyone flinched.

Gu Siyuan shot Xie Chenyun a helpless glance.

Then, he turned to the slightly stunned ministers and said with extreme flatness: “The Empress is likely expecting. His mood is slightly unstable. My beloved ministers need not take offense.”

“…” The ministers.

Uhh…

Your Majesty, although our requirements and baseline for you are very low, please do not have a daytime delusion and treat us all like idiots, okay?

In this world, who has ever heard of a man being able to get pregnant?

Because everyone was far too shocked, they even automatically ignored the word ‘Empress’.

However, as the person involved, Xie Chenyun naturally did not ignore it.

In an instant, all the gloom and anger in his heart vanished, completely transforming into boundless joy and smugness.

How is Gu Siyuan so good at coaxing people…

But a moment later, upon snapping out of it, he felt incredibly embarrassed and annoyed because of this smugness and joy.

Why am I so easy to coax?!

This guy Gu Siyuan, what right does he have to manipulate me so perfectly?!

This guy looks all cold, stern, and proper, but is actually incomparably cunning, coaxing him until he spins in circles like this.

Gu Siyuan’s expression remained unchanged as he addressed the crowd: “My beloved ministers, step down and prepare. The dragon fetus in the Empress’s belly is unstable; Zhen will go comfort him.”

“…” The ministers.

The Emperor has gone mad.

His Majesty just eliminated a massive treacherous faction from the imperial court. It should have been an immensely joyous occasion of political clarity.

But now, in order to make this demonic consort the Empress, His Majesty is calling a deer a horse, even making up nonsense about a man getting pregnant?!

For a moment, the crowd didn’t know whether they should be happy or worried.

However, right at this moment, someone highly skilled at flattery hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully offered congratulations: “May Her Highness give birth to a dragon son soon, bringing joy to Your Majesty’s knees (family life), and ensuring a successor for the Great Zhou’s rivers and mountains.”

“…” Everyone snapped their heads around to look at him.

Good for you, you shameless bastard.

You actually dare to flatter him like this?!

Gu Siyuan nodded at the man with satisfaction, praising: “Minister Wang is very thoughtful. Since that is the case, then the Purging Court shall be temporarily handed over to Minister Wang to manage!”

“…” The ministers’ eyes bulged out of their sockets.

The next instant, everyone swarmed forward in a rush.

“The Emperor and Empress joyfully gaining a dragon son is truly the fortune of Great Zhou, the fortune of the myriad people!”

“His Majesty joyfully gains a Qilin son, Great Zhou joyfully welcomes a dragon son!”

“When this minister stepped out today, I suddenly heard a heaven-shaking thunderbolt. It was because a dragon son descended into Her Highness’s belly; it is truly a sign of great auspiciousness!”

“Today truly is a double blessing for Great Zhou!”

…

Listening to the various, non-repetitive congratulatory words, and watching the crowd desperately vying to be first, Xie Chenyun was dumbfounded for a long time.

After a long while, he looked down at his flat lower abdomen, in a daze almost believing that there truly was a dragon son inside.

“…”

After the crowd had left.

Xie Chenyun looked at Gu Siyuan: “Why did you spout such nonsense just now?”

Gu Siyuan held his teacup, taking a leisurely sip: “Merely a type of psychological compensation effect. If Zhen directly said I wanted to make you Empress, I fear a few of the old fogeys among them would splash their blood across the Golden Luan Hall in protest. But now, letting them know Zhen is even crazier than they imagined—compared to a man giving birth, what does making a man Empress even amount to?”

“…” Xie Chenyun.

Although he truly felt extremely sweet and moved in his heart.

However, out of a sudden feeling of shared suffering, he faintly sympathized with the ministers. Everyone was just a pitiful human being manipulated by Gu Siyuan.

The salary they received wasn’t just for their daily administrative labor, but even more so, mental compensation for serving a crazy Emperor…

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

From a world of ice and snow to spring buds sprouting, it was but a fleeting moment.

Reinforcements from the major aristocratic clans, rushing from the north and south of the world, gathered outside Huangzhou City. Together with the city’s defending troops, they launched an active offensive against the Wu Family Army across the river.

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