Super-Fertile Darling: Forced to Marry the Heirless Tyrant

Mrs. Qiao had a knowing look on her face and nodded. "Xiao Wu, no matter what you heard, just pretend you didn’t."

’It seems Father has reached his limit this time.’

Mrs. Qiao said meaningfully, "Your father’s words can be quite moving sometimes. Perhaps your grandmother was touched by them."

Ji Qingwu was no child; she naturally understood Mrs. Qiao’s meaning and nodded, suppressing a laugh.

Mrs. Qiao held the sachet under her nose and asked, "What do you think of this scent?"

Ji Qingwu took a few light sniffs and said, "It’s e’duo and mipi. A soothing and tranquil aroma. Mother, your skill with fragrances is getting better and better."

Mrs. Qiao nodded. "A long illness makes one their own physician. I never sleep soundly, but hanging a sachet on the corner of my bed each night helps a little."

Ji Qingwu knew her mother slept poorly and had to drink a calming broth before bed, the root of a problem that had plagued her for years. She took the sachet and brought it closer, inhaling the scent carefully.

"Mother, there’s a faint but unique scent in here. It’s like fruit, but also like medicine. I can’t quite place what it is."

Mrs. Qiao said, "You have such a sharp nose. I also added some incense ash from Master Liao Ran of Hanshan Temple. That’s where that unusual fragrance comes from."

’From Master Liao Ran?’ Ji Qingwu found the scent somewhat familiar, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

She placed the sachet back on the small table and pleaded, "Mother, could you make one for me, too?"

Mrs. Qiao asked, "What do you want this for? Are you having trouble sleeping, too?"

Before Ji Qingwu could even speak, her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.

Honestly, last night had been the best sleep she’d had in nearly a month—dreamless and carefree, right until dawn.

Mrs. Qiao could see how happy she was, and watching her daughter’s smile, she began to smile as well.

"Are you this happy just knowing your father is thinking of you and protecting you?"

Ji Qingwu didn’t deny it, smiling as she said, "I was just thinking that if I ever can’t sleep, I’ll place it by my pillow. Smelling your scent, Mother, I’m sure I’ll sleep soundly."

*

The atmosphere in the Diligent Governance Hall was oppressive.

Emperor Wu Su had fallen silent ever since receiving a certain letter.

Lu Juan stood in the hall, his gaze lowered. The Su Fengyue case had implicated so many officials that the morning court assembly now looked quite empty.

He bowed and stepped forward. "Your Majesty, there are few capable men left in the court. Should we perhaps hold another special imperial examination to recruit new talent?"

Emperor Wu Su looked up from his long desk, his tone indifferent. "There’s no need. With the great families vying for power, another examination will hardly produce more men like Li Chengxun."

Lu Juan swallowed his words.

’The roots of the great families were deep and tangled. Though the Liu and Wang families had recently fallen, in time, other houses would simply rise to take their place.’

’The Emperor was right; Li Chengxun was certainly a remarkable figure.’

’For a man from a humble background to achieve greatness was harder than ascending to heaven. Li Chengxun, however, saw this with perfect clarity. He knew to latch onto powerful patrons, first seeking a benefactor in the Qiao Family, then throwing himself at the feet of Princess Qingyun. Those two ensured his path to the palace examinations was clear, leading to his eventual selection.’

Lu Juan frowned. "However, the vacant positions must be filled."

"There is no rush," Emperor Wu Su said.

Seeing the Emperor’s expression, Lu Juan sensed he had other plans and quietly stepped aside.

Before long, Prince Yong arrived to report on his assignment.

"This younger brother greets you, Imperial Brother."

After rising, Zhao Minghong even gave Lu Juan a nod.

Recently, Zhao Minghong, a Prince of the blood, had finally stopped spending his days in leisure and had begun to volunteer for official duties.

"How did it go?" Emperor Wu Su asked.

Zhao Minghong replied, "After Su Fengyue and Yu Wen Tianqing were paraded through the streets, both were publicly beheaded at the Meridian Gate."

"Any disturbances?"

Zhao Minghong replied, "No one attempted to interfere with the execution, nor did any suspicious individuals appear. Everything went smoothly."

Emperor Wu Su’s hand rested on the edge of his desk. "It seems Yu Wen Tiancheng has truly abandoned the brother who would have walked through fire and water for him."

’The trap we set was all for naught. Then again... it wasn’t a complete waste.’

Zhao Minghong paused for a moment before asking, "Imperial Brother, won’t this act infuriate the soldiers and people of Xijin? After all, Yu Wen Tianqing was the Fourth Prince of Xijin."

"Infuriate them? I’m only afraid that Xijin has no temper to speak of."

Emperor Wu Su tossed a letter across the desk. Being closer, Zhao Minghong caught it. He took one look at the sender’s name on the envelope and sucked in a sharp breath.

It was a letter from Wei Ting, sent from the Northern Border.

Zhao Minghong’s eyes darted about before he handed the letter to Lu Juan.

"Mr. Lu, my eyes are aching after overseeing the execution all day. This Prince will have you read the letter."

’Sore legs or a sore backside would be understandable excuses for overseeing an execution, but sore eyes? What on earth was that about?’

Emperor Wu Su was not surprised by Prince Yong’s reaction. Zhao Minghong had always been one to shrink from difficulty and trouble, even as a child.

’He probably wouldn’t dare read this letter anyway.’

Lu Juan looked down at it, his brow furrowing even tighter.

He inwardly wondered what Wei Ting could be writing at such a critical juncture. If it were a formal military report, it would have been submitted as a memorial to the throne, not scribbled on ordinary letter paper.

’This meant it was highly likely a private matter, not an official one.’

Lu Juan shot Prince Yong an irritated glare. Whatever it was, it surely wasn’t good news, but he couldn’t very well refuse to read it.

After opening it and reading only a few lines, he immediately dropped to his knees. "Your Majesty, this is out of the question!"

"I, on the other hand, find General Wei’s proposal quite reasonable," Emperor Wu Su said, his face devoid of expression.

With an anxious look, Lu Juan pleaded, "I beg Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Seeing the ever-composed Princely Heir Lu looking so frantic, Zhao Minghong fidgeted anxiously, regretting that he hadn’t peeked at the letter’s contents.

"It is enough that you are aware. Remain in court and begin preparations at once."

Emperor Wu Su took out a Turtle-shaped Gold Seal and said calmly, "Lu Juan, come forward and receive your seal of office."

Lu Juan lifted his head, and when he saw clearly what the Emperor was holding, he was visibly stunned.

It was the great seal of the Prime Minister.

Throughout all the dynasties, there had never been a prime minister under the age of thirty. Even with the current lack of officials, there were still many senior dukes and ministers with far more experience.

Lu Juan hesitated for a moment before declining, "This humble subject is not yet worthy...’"

"Ziyou," said Emperor Wu Su, "if you have shortcomings, you will overcome them."

At these words, Lu Juan looked up at the Emperor’s face.

He saw Emperor Wu Su toying with the golden seal, a smirk playing on his lips. "Take it or leave it. I will not force you, but I am only giving you one chance. If you miss this one, there will not be another."

Lu Juan’s gaze steadied. He kowtowed and declared loudly, "This humble subject will not fail his mission."

"Go, then. You do not have much time to prepare."

Lu Juan departed, the Prime Minister’s golden seal tucked in his robes.

Zhao Minghong looked at the Emperor eagerly. ’These past few days, if I haven’t earned merit, I’ve at least put in the effort,’ he thought. ’I should be getting something, too.’

"Ming Hong," said Emperor Wu Su.

"Your younger brother is here," Zhao Minghong replied.

"Close the main doors on your way out."

Just as the dejected Prince Yong turned to leave, Emperor Wu Su spoke again. "Ming Hong, there is one more thing."

Zhao Minghong’s head snapped up, his expression hopeful. "Imperial Brother, please, say what you will."

A sword was tossed to him, its scabbard carved with nine dragons.

"Take it."

Stunned into silence, Zhao Minghong held the heavy sword in both hands.

"Imperial Brother..."

"Yuan Heng, with you watching over things, I can be at ease."