CHAPTER 588: CHAPTER 567 FIRST UPDATE

"What does the Empress mean by that?" Ju Nanyi suddenly raised his head, looking directly at Zheng Nianru before him. What was she saying, and did she realize what she was saying? He had never expected that one day Zheng Nianru would actually voice such thoughts again, even though his status was no longer her husband’s and she was indeed the Empress of Nanzheng State. Yet, these words seemed to come out of her mouth as easily as if they were everyday chatter.

Ju Nanyi’s entire head suddenly filled with blood. He forgot, from birth to this status, no one taught her these things, not even the basic ethics and morality. Zheng Congyuan, with such dirty thoughts, how could he possibly tell her about these? Or perhaps, Zheng Nianru as she is now was all his doing.

Ju Nanyi sneered in his heart, and the expression on his face couldn’t possibly look good.

Zheng Nianru was somewhat puzzled. What’s wrong with Ju Nanyi? Was he angry? What was he angry about? Everything she did was for Nanzheng State, for Zheng Congyuan. Why sacrifice for things that could be handled without bloodshed? Moreover, she believed that what she had said was very sensible, at least it was a lot better than thinking only for herself in her past life.

Nanny Yun looked embarrassed. Lord Ju was an upright gentleman, a defender born from the teaching of proprieties. How could he tolerate listening to these things? The Empress was too inconsiderate. Some things could be done without being spoken. Don’t they see? Outwardly, the Empress of Nanzheng State was going to Bu Er Temple to pray, an entirely legitimate reason.

"Lord Ju, have some tea. The Empress only wants to sacrifice herself to preserve..." Nanny Yun hastily poured tea, signaling Fu Dong and the others to leave. What were they doing standing around? Didn’t they find it awkward?

Fu Dong, Nian Xia, and the others quietly retreated. They didn’t perceive anything unusual. Nanny Yun had said more than once that if the Empress could marry a good man like Lord Ju, her life would be smooth sailing.

But looking at the situation now, that was not only impossible, but they would probably have to take a detour if they saw each other in the future.

In that brief immersion, Ju Nanyi came back to his senses. He was the one who had pulled himself out of that mire; he couldn’t fall back in now, and he still had to pull her out as well.

Ju Nanyi seemed to have found the root of the problem. She just didn’t have those notions, nor did she care. Prince Duan couldn’t control her with his muddled mind, and Zheng Congyuan indulged her, selfish and shameful as it was.

Ju Nanyi took a deep breath, trying not to run out of breath while speaking next, even if it meant keeping a breath in his stomach to stabilize his figure.

"Empress, the words you’ve spoken are truly unbecoming of your status," Ju Nanyi corrected his expression, trying not to get lost in the entanglements of the previous generation, trying to think in terms of this lifetime’s mindset.

Zheng Nianru was first puzzled, but now she had an epiphany. Ju Nanyi’s reaction was too obvious; how could she forget that Ju Nanyi was a man fixated on principles?

"Lord Ju, I understand your point, but you’ve also seen the current situation in Nanzheng. The Emperor is helpless, there’s much to be done, and we’re under the control of Ghoul Ravine. Do you have any better suggestions, Lord Ju?" Zheng Nianru raised her eyebrows. "Only Young Master Yin He, I’ve spent some time with him. If there weren’t any certainty..."

"Empress, even so, with so many fine men in Nanzheng, it hasn’t come to the point where a woman has to lead the troops," Ju Nanyi abruptly interrupted Zheng Nianru, his mind filled with the fact that she knew that youngster and that he was quite good-looking, so was she indifferent?

Zheng Nianru scoffed. She had thought she was being paranoid, but now it seemed that it wasn’t her paranoia at all. She had lived with Ju Nanyi for so many years that she could tell, even without seeing, that Ju Nanyi was angry, rarely so obviously angry. Was it because he was no longer bound by his former status, and she was no longer the mother of his child, so that she spoke more recklessly?

He had been turned against!

"Lord Ju, if that’s your suggestion, then why not just send troops to surround Bu Er Temple and kill all those from Ghoul Ravine? Wouldn’t that be better? Or do you have the capability to do that, Lord Ju?"

Ju Nanyi’s face turned pale in an instant as he looked at Zheng Nianru.

"Your Highness..." Ju Nanyi tried to say something, but Zheng Nianru was already angry just looking at him, and with a clang, she smashed a decorative flower mirror to her left.

Ju Nanyi fell silent, his mind in turmoil, wishing he could punch himself in the chest.

"Lord Ju, remember your place. I do not need your permission to do what I intend. Besides, isn’t this the condition that you, Ju Nanyi, proposed yourself? All the civil and military officials know it. Now you’re suddenly talking about morality and virtue. Who gave you the courage to talk to me like this? Do you think that under the guise of offering prayers, no one knows what I am doing at Bu Er Temple?"

Nanny Yun became anxious. What else could Lord Ju do? If there was any other way, wouldn’t he take it? It’s not like the Empress wants to be like this. With the Emperor being the way he is, how can she sit comfortably in her position? Going to Bu Er Temple might be unavoidable. Perhaps it would make the officials overlook the fact that she and Zheng Congyuan should not have that connection, allowing her to sit securely on the throne of the Empress.

Ju Nanyi’s body swayed, nearly fainting. Of course, he remembered; he did not need her reminding him. Wasn’t he trying to find a way? He was hoping to fight it out until the very end; he didn’t want it to come to that final step.

If she didn’t choose him, he didn’t care whom she was with or why. It was utterly unreasonable and illogical.

"If that’s the case, this official..."

"Get out—" Zheng Nianru interrupted Ju Nanyi before he could finish, speaking coldly.

Ju Nanyi turned and left. Why should he care about her? He was meddling like a dog chasing mice. Yes, that was the outcome he wanted. He couldn’t stand the thought of her being with Zheng Congyuan. To leave her alone, completely, that would truly be giving her up.

Just like in his past life, she was so desperate to survive, daring to try anything on herself. Those medicines, those absurd things. And now, to say she did it for Nanzheng, how laughable.

"Your Highness..." Nanny Yun called out, but seeing Zheng Nianru’s angry face, she didn’t dare to speak further, quietly cleaned up the fragments on the floor, and retreated.

...

Inside the posthouse, two or three guards stealthily gathered together, quietly bringing out some liquor they found somewhere, two big jars of it. They were originally guards of the posthouse, but as postings became less frequent, many were reassigned to the Imperial Forest Guard. Passing through the posthouse this time, these familiar guards were considered first. One of them knew a place where liquor was buried in the old days. Going there, they actually dug up two jars— the liquor was fragrant and strong, good quality, and after so many years, it had become even more mellow.

"We’re in for a treat today." Three guards quietly called over a couple of friends from the old days. Five of them gathered together and began to drink.

They thought this trip would be a chore, but unexpectedly, the Empress moved so slowly, almost needing to rest every few steps, turning what should have been half a day’s journey into two days, and they ended up resting early at the posthouse. They were happy to have the leisure.