Chapter 106: Rewards and Reveries (Please Subscribe)

Chapter 106: Rewards and Fantasies (Please Subscribe)

Several days later, notices were plastered all over the city: The eldest daughter of Chancellor Lu, Lu Xueqing, renowned for both talent and virtue, was officially bestowed the title “Princess Huixian.” On the sixteenth day of the first month next year, at the hour of the dragon, she would be personally escorted by Minister Zhan Lun and Prince Jun Ruo Han of the Kun Kingdom to Night City to marry the new emperor of the Night Moon, Yu Jinglan.

Suddenly, the entire Moon City was abuzz with rumors. From bustling streets to quiet alleys, from casual conversations to tea gatherings, all spoke of Lu Xueqing—the “Princess Huixian”—and the declining prestige of the Chancellor’s residence, which was now second only to her name in notoriety.

An Ran, carrying her medicine box and cradling a little fox, strolled slowly through the streets. The voices she heard all revolved around Lu Xueqing—how she was this or that, the heiress of the Lu family, the Princess Huixian—and the Chancellor’s mansion’s downfall. A cold smirk curved on An Ran’s pale face. Lu Xueqing was nothing more than a depraved woman who had lain with countless men!

On the broad street, it seemed as if An Ran were the only one detached from the commotion, entirely unaffected by the lively atmosphere. Jun Dingyue’s actions were truly baffling—he had the audacity to bestow the broken flower Lu Xueqing the title of princess and marry her off to Yu Jinglan as consort. Was this not a slap to Yu Jinglan’s face? The proud new emperor of Night Moon was forced to wear a worn-out shoe, one that had already been worn by the enemy king and his son. If Yu Jinglan found out, he surely would not let this pass quietly; it would inevitably spark a war between the two nations.

Could it be... An Ran suddenly stopped in her tracks as clarity dawned upon her mind. She understood Jun Dingyue’s true intentions. So that was it—he was playing such a cunning game. Jun Dingyue was indeed an old fox.

Yu Jinglan had broken the treaty first, yet actively proposed a marriage alliance. At Jun Dingyue’s advanced age, the princesses and noblewomen of Night Moon would never be married off to the Kun Kingdom or to him. The reason was simple: Jun Dingyue was already past sixty, with limited years left, so this alliance had no real significance. Moreover, Yu Jinglan’s ambitions were never about peaceful coexistence or friendly relations. No matter whom Kun sent to marry him, it would not stop his desire to annex the Kun Kingdom.

Jun Dingyue, however, saw through his scheme. He deliberately elevated Lu Xueqing—a woman with a broken body and ruined reputation—to princess to marry into the alliance. On the wedding night, Yu Jinglan would inevitably discover her flawed condition and erupt in fury, likely killing her on the spot. Jun Dingyue no longer cared about Lu Xueqing’s fate; he only cared whether Yu Jinglan would immediately order troops to invade the border of the Kun Kingdom, allowing Jun Dingyue to act first in the conflict.

“Whoever initiates the war first, regardless of victory or defeat, loses the hearts of the people first,” as the old saying goes, “water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.” The common folk are the water that carries the boat—capable of supporting it on a voyage or overturning it to destruction. Jun Dingyue’s mindset was to provoke Yu Jinglan into premature action, shattering the current status quo and winning the people's loyalty at the outset.

But was Yu Jinglan truly as reckless and useless as Jun Dingyue imagined? That was doubtful.

An Ran reached the palace gates and presented her permit to enter. Without effort, she passed through the gates. There, at the entrance, stood Eunuch Fu, already waiting.

Upon seeing An Ran approach, Eunuch Fu’s face lit up with a broad smile. He hurried a few steps forward, waving his dust whisk and bowing: “Your humble servant greets Imperial Physician An!”

Now, An Ran entered and exited the palace under the identity of an imperial physician.

She nodded coldly, radiating an aura of detachment. Her clear, cold eyes scanned Eunuch Fu before she asked in a chilly voice, “Eunuch Fu, do you have business with me?”

Eunuch Fu smiled and nodded, his voice sharp and thin: “Yes, the emperor has commanded me to await Imperial Physician An here and escort you to the imperial study. The emperor wishes to see you.”

An Ran lowered her eyelids slightly, her eyes flickering silently in agreement, and followed Eunuch Fu toward the study.

A premonition stirred within her. Jun Dingyue’s summons was either about Jun Mo Li’s illness or Lu Xueqing. The former was understandable; the latter, she could not fathom. She and Lu Xueqing were enemies through and through—how could they reconcile?

Arriving at the study’s door, Eunuch Fu bowed: “Imperial Physician An, please wait here while I report to His Majesty.”

An Ran nodded, but her keen hearing caught faint indecent sounds from within the study. The noise was low and barely perceptible—Eunuch Fu surely did not hear it.

She stood quietly at the door, observing the four eunuchs and two maidservants stationed there. Their breathing was even and controlled; these were no ordinary attendants but skilled martial artists. Jun Dingyue was indeed a sly old fox—he even assigned martial eunuchs to guard the study’s entrance, clearly wary of a coup attempt by one of his sons.

Yet, Jun Dingyue shamelessly indulged in such debauchery in broad daylight within the study. Was he not afraid that visiting ministers might overhear? Was it senility or arrogance?

Soon Eunuch Fu returned, but his face bore an awkward expression. He bowed awkwardly and glanced at An Ran before quietly saying, “The emperor requests that I escort Imperial Physician An inside. However, he fears the little fox you carry might disturb the sovereign, so please leave it outside.”

“That’s fine,” An Ran replied. Not wishing the unsightly scene to taint the pure eyes of her little fox, she gently stroked its head, and it scampered off happily.

“Imperial Physician An, please,” Eunuch Fu said.

“Lead the way, Eunuch Fu,” An Ran replied respectfully—a rare show of courtesy.

Eunuch Fu’s heart soared as he hurried to lead her in.

Inside the study, in the northeast corner, a dragon bed had been added, large enough for several people. The canopy was bright yellow, draped with sheer silk curtains, through which the silhouettes of several men and women could be faintly seen—including a naked Jun Dingyue.

The air was thick with licentiousness. An Ran frowned, her cold expression growing icier as a sharp light flashed through her eyes. Jun Dingyue must have grown too complacent and wanted someone to “entertain” him, daring to summon her to witness his living brothel.

A chill radiated from An Ran’s body. Eunuch Fu, standing close, trembled slightly at her imposing aura. He could not understand why the emperor summoned an unmarried young woman at such a time. For a sovereign to act so disgracefully was truly unbecoming.

An Ran stood there, seemingly unfazed by the scene inside. Her calm and composed demeanor in the face of such depravity was astonishing. Any other young lady would have been terrified, wailing and desperate to escape.

Peering through the silk curtains, An Ran clearly saw three men and four women on the bed. She snorted coldly, stepping back a few paces and sitting on a chair to watch. Since Jun Dingyue invited her to watch this debauchery, she would indulge him… but once he was done, she would make him regret his actions.

Half an hour later, the revelry finally ceased. With a roar, Jun Dingyue pushed away the woman limp in his embrace, wiping the sweat from his brow with a silk handkerchief and waving dismissively at the others. Except for the exhausted woman, the rest quickly donned long robes and left.

“Useless!” Jun Dingyue shouted furiously at the woman still on the bed, then kicked her off. Naked, she fell right before An Ran’s feet, but An Ran disdainfully refused even a glance.

The woman spat blood, struggling weakly to get up. After tending to three men for three hours, she was utterly spent—her whole body ached, especially her private parts, as if torn apart. Every inch of skin trembled. This living hell might finally have come to an end.

“Someone, carry her away!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

At Jun Dingyue’s command, two eunuchs entered and effortlessly dragged the woman away by her limbs. Her legs scraped the cold marble floor like a dog being hauled out.

Once the scene cleared, Jun Dingyue, clad only in a bright yellow shirt and trousers, rose from the bed. His slightly shriveled hands stroked his graying beard. Despite the black and white hair, he showed no signs of weariness; instead, he appeared spirited and vigorous.

“Since I took your medicine, I’ve never gone a day with fewer than ten women attending me. Your concoction is truly miraculous! Tell me—what do you desire? I shall reward you!”

Jun Dingyue suddenly beamed, his aged face flushed with satisfaction. Such contentment was rare, and it was all thanks to An Ran.

An Ran snorted coldly, a flash of displeasure in her eyes, and boldly said, “Did Your Majesty send Eunuch Fu to wait for me at the palace gate just to let me know how potent the miracle medicine I prepared for you is?”

Jun Dingyue paid no mind to her tone and waved dismissively. “Not entirely. I had Little Fu wait for you to commend you. Speak—what do you want?”

Jun Dingyue, in high spirits, felt unstoppable. An Ran had given him a single pill, restoring his manhood and vigor, enabling him to impress women and make other men envy him. Recently, he gathered the male attendants to compete in strength and endurance. With his renewed stamina, he had reclaimed his lost dignity.

After fifty, he had never personally experienced the pleasures of the new concubines in the palace; they were all used by the male attendants before him. Now, thanks to An Ran’s medicine, he regained confidence and nightly passion—the women’s screams were not only physiological satisfaction but spiritual triumph.

Thus, he vowed to reward An Ran handsomely…and assign her new tasks.

An Ran was stunned by Jun Dingyue’s twisted mind. How could a man be this depraved? She could no longer view him with normal logic—he was a complete madman, utterly insane!

“Your Majesty, is it true you would grant any request of mine?” An Ran’s voice softened slightly, hiding her disgust beneath calm eyes.

At this moment, Jun Dingyue was proud of his virility and unhesitant in granting any request not threatening his throne. An Ran was merely a young girl—what could she possibly ask for? Wealth and jewels, no doubt.

“Of course, as long as it’s within my power and doesn’t cross my limits. Speak!” Jun Dingyue waved at Eunuch Fu, who hurriedly bowed and withdrew to avoid delay.

“The lives of Lu Anrong and his wife.”

An Ran’s voice was cold and laced with fierce hatred. Lu Anrong was worthless to Jun Dingyue; demanding someone worthless should not be refused.

Jun Dingyue abruptly stopped laughing. His sharp eyes scrutinized An Ran with imposing authority. After a moment, he burst into loud laughter filled with dark satisfaction. “You have my old spirit—willing to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals. Parents are nothing; if they obstruct the way, mercy is forbidden. Kill without pardon!”

After his laughter died down, Jun Dingyue’s eyes darkened as he told An Ran, “That worthless Lu Anrong won’t live long even if you spare him. Since you want him dead, consider it done.”

A flicker of emotion appeared in An Ran’s steady gaze. After years of waiting, she would finally see Lu Anrong and Leng Yiyun’s torment end. The pain they had inflicted upon her son would be repaid with every cut made by her own hand.

“Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty,” An Ran said sincerely, then fell silent before adding, “Rest assured, the deaths of the chancellor and his wife will be justifiable.”

“That’s best!” Jun Dingyue nodded. His eyes caught the figures of several young women behind Eunuch Fu. His gaze lingered on their bare flesh, his breath quickening, voice hoarse: “Leave now. Once it’s done, just make Lu Junyi believe your reason.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

An Ran had already noticed those young women and was pondering how to handle Jun Dingyue. In her mind, she was already imagining Lu Junyi’s fate. Any child born of Leng Yiyun and Lu Anrong would not be spared.

They would all die to atone for her poor son.

Passing by the young women, all of whom silently pleaded for help, An Ran ignored their gazes and exited the study. Moments later, the study was again filled with sordid sounds.

The little fox, playing hide-and-seek, leapt into An Ran’s arms upon seeing her. It nuzzled her chest excitedly.

An Ran’s expression darkened. Where had the creature learned such behavior? It was daring to make advances on her! Though the two little beings were spiritual creatures, they would never evolve into humans. Then she suddenly realized—the little fox must be entering its heat cycle. With Xue Rong gone with Wanxia, what now?

Calculating the days, she expected Wanxia to return soon.

“Imperial Physician An! Imperial Physician An!” Eunuch Fu hurried after her, gasping for breath.

An Ran stopped and turned, waiting until he approached before asking, “Eunuch Fu, is there more?”

Eunuch Fu nodded rapidly, panting: “Imperial Physician An, the emperor requests you visit Bihua Palace to examine Lu Xueqing’s whip wounds and see if there is ointment to prevent scarring.”

Although Jun Dingyue had bestowed the title of princess on Lu Xueqing for the marriage alliance, the previous night he had tormented her again—physically and otherwise—leaving her half-dead and isolated in Bihua Palace.

“She is already a princess for the alliance. Could the emperor...” An Ran was surprised by Jun Dingyue’s actions but, knowing his twisted nature, understood his mind.

Eunuch Fu nodded and whispered, “Imperial Physician An, no one in the palace knows of this. Please accompany me once more.”

An Ran snorted coldly, her eyes flashing with ruthless resolve. Jun Dingyue, don’t be too pleased yet. After dealing with the Lu family’s vermin, you will be next.

“Let’s go.”

Inside Bihua Palace, as Eunuch Fu said, there was not a single maid or eunuch. The vast palace was dead silent and oppressive. Just crossing the gate brought a suffocating feeling.

An Ran now held newfound respect for Lu Xueqing, living alone in such a grim, terrifying place and still surviving. Truly, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

“Imperial Physician An, you may enter. She should be in the main hall,” Eunuch Fu said, bowing at the entrance.

An Ran nodded, pushing open the heavy doors and stepping inside. Every footfall echoed crisply in the empty hall. The polished marble floor reflected her graceful figure. Yet a lingering stench from the previous night made her nauseous.

Bypassing the main hall, she entered the inner chamber and saw a bedroom door ajar. Silencing her breath, she tiptoed closer and faintly heard a man’s voice from within.

“Qing’er, don’t you wish to become my future empress? If you can captivate Yu Jinglan, I will immediately declare war on Night Moon. Once I seize their realm, my father will crown me heir and I shall ascend the throne.”

“Qing’er, why do you not speak? Know that the consort and empress positions I desire belong to you. If you help me ensnare Yu Jinglan, the throne of Kun will be mine. Besides, father is old and won’t live long. Endure a little longer and you will escape suffering.”

“Qing’er, do you know that Jun Ziao has completely relinquished the throne? Jun Mo Li’s days are numbered. They no longer threaten my claim. Soon, you will be my beloved empress...”

An Ran absorbed Jun Ruo Han’s words, realizing that she had underestimated his foolishness. She thought Jun Ziao’s schemes were too clumsy to deceive anyone, yet Jun Ruo Han actually believed them. He intended to use Lu Xueqing to charm Yu Jinglan and create an excuse to attack Night Moon. He was hopelessly stupid.

Even if Lu Xueqing had the means to beguile Yu Jinglan, Jun Dingyue would never dispatch Jun Ruo Han to lead the army. The commander leading the campaign was already decided—only Jun Mo Li, the great general, could hold that post.

Jun Ruo Han’s naive ambitions doomed him to never ascend the throne. At this moment, Lu Xueqing, no matter her choice, was merely a discarded pawn sent to die in the Night Moon alliance.

“Your Highness, do you not disdain Qing’er’s broken body?” Lu Xueqing lowered her gaze slightly, her hollow eyes flickering with a faint hope as a tear slid down her cheek.

Seeing Lu Xueqing’s emotional stirrings, Jun Ruo Han felt a spark of delight. If she agreed to his terms, he would bind her with the promise of empress. No woman would resist such a coveted throne. Lu Xueqing would surely try to charm Yu Jinglan and disrupt Night Moon’s court.

“From the moment I first saw you, Qing’er, you were the most beautiful in my eyes. Your current misfortune is my failure. Rest assured, once I ascend the throne, I will keep my promise and hold the empress title for you until your return!” Jun Ruo Han whispered tenderly, making Lu Xueqing’s heart bloom with desire.

Once resigned to death, Lu Xueqing now rekindled fierce ambition and longing. If she helped Jun Ruo Han seize the throne, she would become Kun’s future empress, the mother of the realm, shining with glory. Then crushing An Ran, the little wretch, would be easy.

“Your Highness, Qing’er does not ask for the empress title. She only wishes that, once you ascend the throne, you will keep a place for her in your heart,” Lu Xueqing’s words dripped with tender sweetness. Such an understanding soul was truly wasted.

Jun Ruo Han silently mocked Lu Xueqing. Fortunately, she knew her place; otherwise, the day he sat on the throne would be the day of her death. A ruined flower could never mother the realm. His empire was to be shared only with a worthy woman—Lu Xueqing was unfit.

“Qing’er...” Jun Ruo Han’s voice trailed off, his expression tightening as he said in a low tone, “Someone’s coming!”

Hidden behind an artificial rock, An Ran heard hurried footsteps and immediately concealed herself deeper.

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P.S. I recommend my friend Hong Tiao Jianjian’s completed work, *The Defiant Daughter, Proud Yin-Yang Master*. It’s finished and great for fans of xianxia. Really good!

Today, I almost lost my manuscript—terrified to death. I scarcely have time to write, and I can’t break my update streak at the exclusive platform. Please send me some comfort! Recently, I’ve been having bad luck. I already lost a manuscript a few days ago. Sob!