Chapter 249: And Her Majesty Does Not Belong to Him...
After waiting for more than a year, Your Majesty had finally awoken. Song Junzhan’s gaze locked onto her, unwilling to look away for even a moment.
More than a year. Over four hundred days and nights.
Every day, he came here only to see her in a coma. Every day, he had to check to make sure she was still breathing before he could bring himself to attend court.
Night after night, he couldn’t sleep. When he finally did, he only hoped to see her in his dreams, but he never did. Not once.
He had fantasized about this scene—sitting across from her, just talking—countless times. At long last, it had come true.
Xiao Li sighed inwardly. ’I must have scared him.’
"Hong Yue, it’s getting late. Have the meal served."
To protect the comatose Xiao Li, Hong Yue and the others had set up a kitchen in the back, strictly screening anyone who entered. So even now that Xiao Li was awake and calling for a meal, no one outside would notice a thing.
The two of them dined at a single table. The spread was not extravagant.
Song Junzhan took over Hong Yue’s duties, personally serving Xiao Li her food. Only after Xiao Li had picked up her chopsticks did he begin to eat.
The moment felt so warm that he even had the illusion that he and Your Majesty were husband and wife.
’If only it were true... I would have no other regrets in this life.’
But he knew perfectly well that while he was prepared to dedicate his entire life to Your Majesty, his Majesty did not belong to him...
A bowl of soup appeared before him, served by Lou Yan, who had appeared from who-knows-where.
Lou Yan’s gaze was full of hostility—dark, grim, and brimming with murderous intent. It might as well have been a sign that read, "I poisoned this."
Song Junzhan: ’...How childish.’
He picked up the bowl and drank the soup casually.
He almost wished Lou Yan had actually poisoned it. That way, he could eliminate this formidable rival without lifting a finger.
But obviously, Lou Yan wasn’t that foolish. After finishing the soup, nothing happened.
Lou Yan moved to stand by Xiao Li’s side and began serving her, completely blocking Song Junzhan from having any chance to do the same.
Hong Yue and Lan Yue: "..."
’Day in and day out, this is so annoying! We’re the ones who should be closest to Her Majesty!’
’It’s one thing for them to fight for her favor, but why are they pushing us aside?’
Song Junzhan stayed in the palace until the sky was completely dark, still reluctant to leave.
But without Your Majesty’s permission, he could not stay the night.
"Your Majesty..."
He wanted to say something, but the words died on his lips.
Xiao Li looked at him. "Yes?"
In the end, Song Junzhan was too reserved to say anything too brazen. He could only lower his head. "Please rest well, Your Majesty. Your subject takes his leave."
How could Xiao Li not know what he was thinking? But she said nothing, simply watching him go.
Once he had disappeared, she reached for her tea, only to touch a warm hand instead.
She turned her gaze to see Lou Yan respectfully offering her the tea.
Xiao Li took it and had a sip. He didn’t speak, and she didn’t acknowledge him.
She had Yang Jun bring in the memorials. She finally had time to look them over.
Lan Yue tried to dissuade her. "Your Majesty, you’ve only just woken up. You shouldn’t overexert yourself. Perhaps you should let the Imperial Physician examine you?"
They were still worried about Xiao Li’s health. After all, she had been asleep for over a year.
Xiao Li pinched her cheek. "It’s fine. I know my own body."
No one knew her condition better than she did.
Though she had been in a coma for over a year, they had taken excellent care of her. Her injuries had healed, her complexion was healthy, and she hadn’t even lost any weight. What could possibly be wrong?
Seeing that she couldn’t persuade her, Lan Yue fell silent. She was only concerned, but she couldn’t force Your Majesty.
𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
The memorials would allow Xiao Li to quickly catch up on court affairs. Although she had never cared much for the empire, watching this great enterprise be built and prosper gave her a sense of accomplishment.
She had known something would happen to her, so she had set the nation’s course long ago. Song Junzhan had developed it almost exactly as she had envisioned. Two years had been enough to lay a solid foundation.
Xiao Li saw a memorial from Wang Yizhu. She was the only official for whom Xiao Li had laid out a fixed career path.
After the last imperial examinations, her position was seventh-rank compiler. From there, as long as she performed well, she would be promoted to Ministry of Revenue Chief, then Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and finally, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs.
Xiao Li planned to promote her step-by-step, allowing her to accumulate enough experience and ability.
The Ministries of Rites, Personnel, and Criminal Justice—this was also to lay a foundation for the women who would come later. Women were not limited to civil administration; they could work in any department. The capable would hold the positions.
Vice Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs was the highest position Xiao Li had set for her, but it was not Wang Yizhu’s own limit.
Whether she could climb higher, to the first or second-rank positions, was entirely up to her.
And now, she had already become Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
Beside the memorials was a register dedicated to female officials. There were thirty-four in total. Apart from Wang Yizhu, who held the highest rank, the rest were all minor stewards in various workshops.
It detailed their ages, backgrounds, duties, as well as their personalities and performance.
Xiao Li had a good idea who had compiled this register. Flipping to the last page, she saw she was right. The name "Wang Wanqing" was written there.
Wang Wanqing led a team of secretaries responsible for organizing and categorizing memorials. For now, they were still akin to the previous female officials, not true court officials.
Xiao Li planned to promote Wang Wanqing during the next imperial examinations. Such a promising candidate had to be given a proper, official position.
After reading for more than an hour, Xiao Li had learned most of what she wanted to know.
Just as she was feeling a little tired, a pair of hands rested on her neck and began to massage it with just the right amount of pressure. Xiao Li instantly closed her eyes in comfort.
Once the soreness subsided, Xiao Li patted the hand. "That’s enough."
Lou Yan withdrew his hands and leaned forward. "Does Your Majesty wish to bathe?"
Xiao Li turned her head slightly, only to be met with the magnificent view of a broad chest.
His collarbones were defined, the lines of his muscles distinct. He seemed to have just bathed. A drop of water rolled from a dangling strand of his hair, slowly tracing the contours of his skin until it disappeared into the unseen depths beneath his robes, sparking the imagination.
Xiao Li’s gaze was involuntarily held for a moment before she spoke with perfect propriety, "Lou Yan, fix your clothes."
Not only did Lou Yan not fix them, he bent over even more brazenly, generously exuding a carnal allure.
His actions were a blatant seduction, yet his expression and attitude were the very picture of submission. "This servant belongs to Your Majesty. Your Majesty may look anywhere you please."
*Cough!*
Xiao Li’s face was stern. "Behave yourself."
’I don’t want to look anywhere!’
With that, she turned and left. "Hong Yue, prepare the bath."
Although she had bathed that morning, she still wanted to wash up before bed.
Lou Yan followed her, rushing ahead of Hong Yue to bend down and remove Xiao Li’s shoes and socks.
Seeing that he was about to kiss her foot, Xiao Li kicked out in exasperation.
"That’s enough."
She didn’t use much force. Lou Yan caught her foot and pressed it against his chest.
He looked up at her, his face seemingly obedient, but his eyes held an irrepressible aggression.
"Your Majesty, the floor is still a bit cold this time of year."
Xiao Li narrowed her eyes, her gaze menacing. "Lou Yan, don’t make me slap you."
The next moment, Lou Yan leaned in and pressed his face directly against her hand.
Xiao Li: "..."
"Is Your Majesty not going to slap this servant?"
He looked at her with feigned confusion. The next instant, he pressed closer, his voice a brazen temptation. "What about like this?"
He was half-kneeling, his kisses trailing upward—a posture of humility, yet a demand of dominance.
"Your Majesty..."