Instead of sitting beside the bed, he found a soft couch opposite, smoothed out his robe, and then slowly sat down.
He waited in silence for who knew how long. Finally, Dugu Luanyue finished bathing and came out in a long silver - threaded phoenix - patterned dress of moon - white. Her hair was loose, cascading over her shoulders.
With raven eyebrows and jade - like eyes, her beauty was stunning. Even in a light - colored dress and without makeup, there was a hint of charm about her.
Huo Wei averted his gaze, not daring to stare at her: "Speak. What's the matter?"
Dugu Luanyue had been so angry just now that she had momentarily forgotten that she had something to discuss with Huo Wei. She sat down on the other side of the tea table and softly said:
"After spring begins, it will be the spring imperial examination in Northern Yan. Are you interested in being the chief examiner?"
Huo Wei was slightly stunned: "What do you mean?"
Dugu Luanyue pulled the woolen blanket beside the soft couch over herself. Looking at Huo Wei seriously, she said:
"You can't always be a general without any real power. A real prince with great power must have vice - generals who will follow him to the death on the battlefield and also have civil officials in the court who can help him manipulate the political situation.
If you don't personally select these capable people, do you want to watch the noble families of Northern Yan stuff their descendants into the court again, leaving you with no place in it?"
Hearing that Dugu Luanyue still wanted to interfere in his affairs, Huo Wei was full of resistance. His well - defined jaw tightened:
"Dugu Luanyue, I'll say it one more time. Don't get involved in the affairs of the previous dynasty. I won't go to the spring imperial examination. After spring begins, I'll only submit a memorial asking for troops."
Dugu Luanyue stared blankly at him, then lowered her eyes:
"I knew from the start that you wouldn't agree. But based on my years of experience as the crown prince of Southern Chu, this is the most feasible way.
It doesn't matter if you don't agree. I'll go to see the emperor in a couple of days. I'll do everything I can to make him happy. When he's happy, he'll surely agree more easily."
Huo Wei turned his head, his ink - colored sword - shaped eyebrows looking as if they were ignited by sparks: "What did you say? Do everything you can. Do you mean in bed?"
Dugu Luanyue nodded: "Yes."
Huo Wei pressed his lips tightly together, his expression tense. His black eyes were like ice, exuding a cold and sharp light: "Dugu Luanyue, do you believe that I'll kill you right now?"
Dugu Luanyue said: "I've thought about it. If I always ask you to make concessions or give up something, you won't agree.
After all, you've made great military achievements, and what you want must be a lot and very important.
Participating in the spring imperial examination as the chief examiner is to select talents for yourself and cultivate your own influence in the court of Northern Yan, so that you can display your abilities better in the future and won't be restricted like now."
Huo Wei put his arms on the tea table, leaned closer to her, and raised his eyes: "You just want me to give up the plan to go south, right?"
Dugu Luanyue looked at him frankly:
"I'm sure you don't really want the territory of Southern Chu when you attack it. It's always the emperor who wants the territory of a country. You just want power and troops.
I'll help you cultivate your influence in the court again. You give up the plan to go south. If I can't do it, then I won't stop you from now on."
Huo Wei sneered, and the anger in his eyes seemed to ignite the air: "You only care about Southern Chu, right?"
Dugu Luanyue slowly lowered her head:
"I love my country, and there's nothing wrong with that. I said I love you too, but you don't believe me.
I just want to find a balance between loving my country and loving you. It's just that you don't believe me, don't want to accept me, look down on me, and even mock me..."
Looking at Dugu Luanyue's delicate profile and her sad expression, a hint of heartache seemed to gather in Huo Wei's eyes:
"I don't look down on you."
Dugu Luanyue didn't waste any more words. She ordered: "Aunt, it's getting late. I've already bathed and changed. Arrange the phoenix carriage to take me to the Zichen Palace."
Huo Wei grabbed her slender wrist and angrily said: "You're not allowed to go."
Dugu Luanyue looked at him puzzledly: "The emperor was originally going to stay here tonight. He left because his mood was spoiled. Naturally, I have to go and apologize."
Huo Wei refused to let go, pressing his thin lips into a straight line: "If you don't go to serve the emperor, I'll agree to the matter of the spring imperial examination."
When Dugu Luanyue lowered her eyes, the corners of her eyes twitched slightly, and then she quickly composed herself. Then she hugged Huo Wei's narrow waist: "Huo Wei, are you jealous?"
Huo Wei's heart tightened suddenly. He had no idea how to explain this to Shen Guilan, but he had already made the promise.
His handsome features were still deeply contoured, but a storm was slowly brewing in his eyes. After holding back for a while, he said indifferently: "I'm not jealous."
Dugu Luanyue was stunned: "Then why are you stopping me?"
Huo Wei grabbed her neck and said fiercely: "Stop talking so much nonsense. It annoys me!"
Dugu Luanyue fell silent and rubbed her head against Huo Wei's chest, looking as lively as a little red fox: "Huo Wei, have you ever liked me even a tiny bit in your heart?"
Huo Wei glanced down at her and then looked away: "What makes you worthy of this prince's liking?"
Dugu Luanyue let go of him, took a few steps back, and her expression turned resentful: "I understand. I'll stay away from you from now on."
Huo Wei was about to step forward but then held back: "That's for the best."
Watching Huo Wei's departing back, Dugu Luanyue slowly let out a sigh of relief. She had managed to calm Huo Wei down for the time being.
Dugu Luanyue seemed to understand that if she kept seducing him and getting close to him, Huo Wei would be more on guard against her. But if she kept her distance and treated him coldly, Huo Wei seemed to want to get closer.
No wonder people say that men are such jerks. It's really true.
Su Rou was brought in by Aunt Meijiang. Su Rou slowly bowed: "Greetings to the empress."
Dugu Luanyue said: "Su Rou, how are the other nine beautiful concubines who came with you?"
Su Rou was a bit plump, exuding a seductive charm of a woman. She nodded: "They're all in the Music Bureau. They've been settled down."
Dugu Luanyue smiled:
"I'll personally arrange a place for you to live in the Music Bureau. But in the future, the only person you'll face is the emperor.
The songs and dances you perform are all vulgar and not suitable for the public. Can you accept that?"
Su Rou nodded: "I don't mind. When I was with the general before, he always taught me that the country comes first and then the family.
I'm not as brave and invincible as the general. I can only use these vulgar tricks. But it doesn't matter. As long as Southern Chu is safe, I and my late husband will be at ease."
Dugu Luanyue asked Su Rou to lead the other nine women to sing vulgar songs and dance while wrapped in some semi - transparent veils, looking alluring.
This special performance was prepared specifically for Murong Min to make him happy, paving the way for Huo Wei's participation in the spring imperial examination:
"The emperor is in a bad mood today. I'll ask you to come another day."
Dugu Luanyue's hand was still aching faintly. Murong Min really didn't treat her as the empress anymore.
Come to think of it, according to what Yuzan had said before, Murong Min was a bit perverted in bed and liked to abuse people.
If Yuzan hadn't replaced her to serve the emperor, it would have been her who was abused.
A couple of days later, Dugu Luanyue went to the Zichen Palace, and the ten beautiful dancing girls from the Music Bureau also went with her. The whole Zichen Palace was in an uproar for a whole day.
The door of the main hall was tightly closed, and the noise from inside never stopped.
Even Dugu Luanyue blushed when she watched this performance.