Chapter 474: I Married a Good Empress, and I Regret It

Every intimate moment they had ever shared flashed through Zhao Mingyan’s mind.

"That time in Zhaoyang Hall, you only agreed to Le Xi’s plan to offer yourself as the cure because you learned it would increase the national fortune."

"You insisted on coming to the Northern Border, and you initiated things so many times in the military camp... that was also because..."

His voice grew quieter and quieter, until it was a hoarse whisper that trailed into silence.

Ji Qingwu quickly looked up and saw that Emperor Wu Su’s face was devoid of expression, like a cold, unfeeling statue.

"That’s not it," she denied.

But under his frigid gaze, Ji Qingwu had to admit that without the national fortune bonus, she wouldn’t have been so bold. The system had indeed been a motivating factor.

She stammered, "It’s not entirely like that."

Zhao Mingyan released her hand. Staring at the corner of the table, he said coldly, "We have truly married a fine Empress, one who puts the people before all else."

Ji Qingwu heard the sarcasm in his voice and got off his lap.

"Why must Your Majesty speak like that? If not for this ability of mine, Your Majesty would still be eating dust in the Northern Border, and you certainly wouldn’t have been able to marry me."

Her words were, unfortunately, irrefutable. It was the truth.

Without Ji Qingwu, the war between Beili and Xijin would not have been won so easily, nor would the Emperor have returned to court and installed an Empress with such speed.

Zhao Mingyan’s lips twisted into a smirk. "Yes, the Empress’s abilities are truly unmatched. We are humbled by Our inferiority."

His words stung, making her heart ache, and his cold expression made her head spin with anger.

"If Your Majesty regrets this—"

Zhao Mingyan suddenly lifted his gaze to hers, fury coloring his face. He looked as if he wanted to devour her whole.

A shiver went down Ji Qingwu’s spine. She steadied herself against the table and said, "It’s too late for regrets. We’re already married, and the entire realm has been informed."

"We do regret it."

Hearing those words, Ji Qingwu froze.

’How could he actually regret it?!’

Ji Qingwu stared at his lips.

Then the Emperor also rose to his feet, looking as if he was about to storm out in a fit of anger.

But she had misjudged.

The shadow cast by Emperor Wu Su’s wedding robe enveloped Ji Qingwu.

He said grimly, "We regret not tying you to the bed sooner. That way, We wouldn’t have to exhaust Ourself handling court affairs. We would only need to serve Our Empress well, and everything would be perfect, wouldn’t it?"

’So that was the regret he meant.’ Ji Qingwu felt a bit better, but in the next instant, he seized her, slung her over his shoulder, and tossed her onto the bed in the inner chamber.

Although Ji Qingwu was no longer afraid of Emperor Wu Su’s icy expression, with him this furious, she would be the one to suffer later.

Ji Qingwu tumbled to the foot of the bed, dizzy and disoriented. "We can talk about this!" she said hurriedly.

Zhao Mingyan stood before the bed, pulling off his jade belt. "The Empress is so concerned with the foundation of the state, offering herself to Us. It is only right that We cooperate."

He said coldly, "Not for any other reason. Let us just say it is for the people of the realm."

His words left Ji Qingwu speechless, unable to explain. A moment later, her lips were silenced as well.

「When the drums for the fifth watch sounded.」

The three-foot-tall intertwined dragon and phoenix lotus candles, having burned all night, now resembled twin flowers on a single stem.

The dragon candle, cast from red gold, raised its head toward the west.

The phoenix candle, of chased and layered silver, bent its neck toward the east.

The dripping wax tears pooled and merged on the jade candlestick, shimmering with the color of dawn.

Chening Hall fell quiet.

The brocade mattress beside Ji Qingwu was still warm, but her eyes were unfocused and dazed.

Fanghua slipped quietly into the hall. From outside the beaded curtain of the bedchamber, she whispered, "Your Highness, shall I come in to attend you?"

Ji Qingwu’s lips parted, but her throat was so raw she could barely make a sound.

"Co... come in."

Fanghua pushed aside the beaded curtain. As she drew closer and saw the person lying on the bright red brocade quilt, she drew in a sharp breath before slowly approaching.

"Your Highness, this..."

Fanghua was a veteran of the palace. Seeing the bruises that covered Ji Qingwu’s body, she frowned. "How could His Majesty be so rough? But you must also cherish your own body, Your Highness. You should have tried to restrain him a little."

’Emperor Wu Su may have been angry, but he didn’t neglect his duties. And he was much rougher than usual.’

’How could I have dared to stop him? If I had really tried, I think I would have fallen to pieces.’

’Fanghua would never understand my predicament.’

’If I played along, Emperor Wu Su would just assume I was doing it for the national fortune, that my motives were impure. But if I refused, the cold-faced man would only torment me more intensely.’

But it wasn’t as if Ji Qingwu hadn’t found any pleasure in it.

’The Emperor’s face was expressionless, his jaw tight. But no matter how cold his expression was, his body was hot, and when his sweat dripped onto my chest...’

Even now, Ji Qingwu blushed at the memory.

With Fanghua’s help, she drank a cup of warm water. After regaining a little strength, she made her way to the bathing chamber to wash, hissing in pain with every step, like the Little Mermaid walking on knives.

It was the first time she had ever needed to clean herself afterward. He had just left, completely uncaring. Ji Qingwu pouted, feeling wronged.

On the second day of her marriage, she had official duties to attend to.

As Empress, the Queen of the Central Palace, she was required to receive homage from the imperial concubines and other titled noble women.

With just over two hours left, she didn’t have much time to recover, but at the very least, walking should no longer be a problem.

「7 a.m. to 9 a.m.」

In the main hall of Chening Hall, the eight vermilion-lacquered doors were opened by Palace Attendants, revealing Han Baiyu floor tiles that reflected the hall’s ceremonial red decor.

The hall was already filled with people. There were more than twenty imperial concubines, and including the noble women, the total came to around sixty people.

In the inner chamber, Fanghua and Lan Zhi were helping her with her hair and makeup.

A Palace Attendant entered and announced, "Your Majesty the Empress, everyone has arrived."

Ji Qingwu picked up her powder box and dabbed a little more on the side of her ear. She inwardly cursed the Emperor’s penchant for biting her earlobe. The mark was still visible, so she could only try to cover it with powder.

"Let’s go."

When the Empress entered the hall, everyone knelt to greet her.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty the Empress! May Your Majesty live for a thousand, a thousand, ten thousand years!"

Ji Qingwu walked to the Phoenix Throne and sat down. Raising her wrist, she said with a beaming smile, "Everyone, please rise."

On either side of the Phoenix Throne were displayed the golden book and golden treasure, as well as a twisted branch peony jade ruyi.

Ji Qingwu was dressed in a ceremonial red court robe of satin embroidered with golden phoenixes. Her collar was adorned with seven East Pearls, a Tibetan Turquoise Bead Collar pressed against her front, and she had switched to a lighter phoenix crown.

For the first three days of an imperial wedding, during the newlywed period, the Empress was required to wear her wedding attire and phoenix crown. Furthermore, the Emperor was expected to spend every night in the Empress’s chambers.

After the wedding period, the first and fifteenth of every month were also days when the Emperor and Empress were to sleep together.

Ji Qingwu gazed at the people filling the hall.

To her left were the imperial concubines, led by Princess Consort Wei. Aside from Wei Liru, who was a stunning beauty, the rest were of average appearance. They were all staring at her with a mixture of nervousness and curiosity.

Princess Consort Wei’s head was lowered, her expression unreadable.

Ji Qingwu’s gaze swept to the other side.

To her right were relatives of the Imperial Family, led by Princess Yong. Behind them were numerous other titled ladies.

Ji Qingwu’s eyes met Tao Wanxin’s. She curved her lips into a small smile and asked, "Is the Princess Consort feeling well?"

Tao Wanxin rose, supporting the small of her back. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This servant and the child are both well."

Ji Qingwu nodded. "Sit down, quickly. There is no need for such ceremony."

Afterward, each person came forward in turn to offer their greetings and bow. Ji Qingwu committed most of the unfamiliar faces to memory.