Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Concubine Chun

Pure Concubine Extra 

On June 5th, Shen Qingqing and Li Zhi’s first little prince celebrated his one-month birthday.

After breakfast, Princess Channing took her two daughters to the palace to celebrate her nephew’s full moon celebration. Their carriage came to a halt at the palace gates, where the maids first helped the little princesses out before assisting Princess Channing.

As the carriage curtain was drawn back, Princess Channing leaned out and casually scanned the area. Her gaze landed on a tall, muscular figure emerging from the palace.

Dressed in a black official robe, he had striking sword-like eyebrows and fierce tiger-like eyes, giving him a heroic appearance. However, a long scar running from the corner of his right eye to his ear made him look quite intimidating.

Princess Channing recognised him as Gu Jichang, the cavalry commander and Marquis of Yong’an, who had played a key role in helping her brother ascend to the throne. The last time she had seen him, she was still the Noble Concubine of Emperor Qingde.

“Your subordinate greets the princess,” he said.

Just as Princess Channing was about to turn away, Gu Jichang approached the carriage quickly, stopping ten steps away to kneel and pay his respects.

Surprised, Princess Channing thought it unnecessary for him to kneel given their current standings.

“Please, no need for such formalities,” she urged, stepping out of the carriage.

At the sound of her voice, Gu Jichang rose and looked up at her.

The scar on his face was definitely intimidating. The two little princesses felt a bit frightened, especially the five-year-old, who quickly ducked behind her mother.

Noticing this, Gu Jichang immediately looked down.

Princess Channing smiled and guided her daughters into the palace.

Gu Jichang remained where he was until Princess Channing had walked a good distance away. Then, he lifted his gaze and watched her retreating figure with a mix of emotions.

He couldn’t pinpoint when Princess Channing started to remember him, but he would always recall the first time he laid eyes on her nine years ago. Back then, he was just twenty and served as a sword-wielding guard for Emperor Qingde. It was drizzling in Yangzhou City, and the emperor’s cruise ship was gliding slowly across the lake. He and the other guards stood under the boat’s awning, ready to protect the emperor. Suddenly, a boat carrying Li Zhi and his sister approached from the opposite direction, and the two vessels passed each other.

In that moment, Emperor Qingde spotted a girl in a white dress from Jiangnan on the other boat, and Gu Jichang noticed her too.

She was holding a green paper umbrella, and realising the guards on their ship were unusually tense, she followed Li Zhi to take cover. Yet, even as she turned, her profile captivated all the men who caught a glimpse of her.

Soon after, Emperor Qingde instructed his men to invite Li Zhi and his sister aboard his ship.

Who would dare to turn down the emperor’s invitation?

That was how Gu Jichang watched her transform from a notable guest of Emperor Qingde to becoming his woman. Gu Jichang felt a twinge of reluctance; after all, he was just a lowly guard with no standing to compete for her affection, let alone even wish for it. If anyone found out, it could cost him his life.

So, he buried his growing feelings deep down. Only when he was at a safe distance did he steal glances at her slender figure beside Emperor Qingde? In the quiet of the night, in dreams that were solely his, he would imagine pulling her close and savouring her presence.

Gu Jichang thought he would always have to admire her from afar. He never anticipated that Li Zhi would aspire to the throne or that Emperor Qingde would fall ill so soon. Loyal to Li Zhi, he knew that when the moment came to eliminate Emperor Qingde, he would act decisively.

He took the queen’s life himself and even provoked Emperor Qingde to his demise with his words. After the emperor’s death, she transitioned from being the previous emperor’s concubine to the eldest princess sister of the new emperor. The day she left the palace, Gu Jichang felt a surge of passion that only intensified with each passing day.

He wanted to marry her; he wanted her!

After the palace banquet, Princess Channing spent some time with the emperor and empress before leaving the palace with her daughters.

Li Zhi still had some government matters to attend to, so Shen Qingqing focused on looking after their two kids.

Once night fell, the wet nurses took the children away, giving the emperor and empress a rare moment alone together.

Today marked the little prince’s full moon celebration and also the day Shen Qingqing was finally out of confinement. Before Li Zhi arrived, she had a flower petal bath, letting her long hair cascade gently down her back. The lovely empress radiated a subtle fragrance.

As soon as Li Zhi walked in and saw her, he wrapped her in his arms. It had been nearly a year since they had shared any intimacy, and the longing between them felt intense, like dry wood igniting in flames. Shen Qingqing was eager and excited, but Li Zhi recalled her saying after giving birth to their daughter that she should rest in bed for two months.

But there’s always a way around things.

Half an hour later, they were both drenched in sweat, and Li Zhi carried the exhausted Shen Qingqing to the bathroom for a shower. Afterwards, they returned feeling refreshed and chatted while cuddling.

Suddenly, Shen Qingqing remembered something about Princess Channing.

“Guess what Niuniu asked me this afternoon?” she said softly, resting her head on Li Zhi’s chest. 

Li Zhi raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Shen Qingqing sighed, “Niuniu wanted to know when my sister would give her a little brother to play with.”

Li Zhi: …

Children really speak without restraint.

However, thinking of his 25-year-old sister, Li Zhi slowly frowned.

Shen Qingqing was unsure of her husband’s thoughts, so she decided to be straightforward. “The princess is still so young. It would be a shame to let her life go to waste like this, but…”

Even if Princess Channing wished to remarry, who would be brave enough to take on a concubine who was once favoured by the late emperor? Plus, since Li Zhi became emperor, he often made gestures to honour the previous emperor, trying to convince everyone that his rule was a continuation of the former emperor’s legacy. Although he faced backlash for changing his sister’s title after taking the throne, Princess Channing was indeed his sister, and it was reasonable to grant her the title of princess. If Li Zhi tried to marry off a concubine who had been so favoured by the previous emperor, it would be hard to silence the rumours.

Shen Qingqing felt a deep concern for the brother and sister.

Noticing her worry, Li Zhi gently brushed her delicate eyebrows with his finger and smiled. “Don’t fret. As long as my sister is on board, I have my ways.”

His confident smile suggested that he viewed his challenges as minor. Shen Qingqing pondered this and smiled back.

Her husband, the emperor, was incredibly shrewd. If he could seize the throne, surely he could help his sister find a way to remarry.

The immediate priority was to find a suitable man for Princess Channing, someone she could trust with her future.

Before Li Zhi could start searching for a match for his sister, someone approached him, eager to put themselves forward as a candidate.

Seeing his loyal minister Gu Jichang kneeling before him, Li Zhi carefully set down the red brush he had been holding and asked firmly, “Do you understand what you just said?” 

Gu Jichang’s face flushed with a mix of excitement and determination as he revealed a secret he had kept for a decade, feeling no regret. Over the past ten years, he had realised that his heart belonged solely to Princess Channing.

Under Li Zhi’s serious and piercing gaze, Gu Jichang stood tall and declared with conviction, “I understand. I also recognise that the eldest princess is like a phoenix perched high above, far beyond someone like me. Yet, I have been infatuated with her for ten years. Back when she was a revered concubine, I kept my feelings hidden. But now, I can no longer contain them! If my emperor does not approve, I will go to the border to monitor the barbarians for your Majesty. However, if there’s even a glimmer of hope for me, I will pursue it, no matter the conditions set by Your Majesty or the eldest princess, even if it means risking my life!” 

As he spoke, Gu Jichang’s passion grew, his voice rising until it was clear on his face that he would “rather die than not marry the eldest princess.”

As Li Zhi observed Gu Jichang, it hit him why Gu Jichang had jumped at the chance to join him after just a subtle hint. He also realised why Gu Jichang had eagerly taken on the most criticised role when he gathered his close associates to discuss significant matters. It wasn’t just loyalty driving Gu Jichang; he had been thinking about Li Zhi’s sister all along!

Li Zhi felt a twinge of annoyance at the thought of someone else having an interest in his sister.

However, Gu Jichang was a skilled fighter and brave and kept his distance from women, making him a solid choice for a brother-in-law. His only flaw was…

Li Zhi’s gaze fell on the scar marring Gu Jichang’s face.

Gu Jichang sensed the emperor’s scrutiny and felt a wave of discomfort. If even the emperor found his scar unattractive, how would the lovely princess feel about his looks?

He understood that the emperor’s approval hinged on whether the eldest princess had feelings for him.

With that in mind, Gu Jichang absentmindedly touched the scar, filled with regret. If he had known this would be the outcome, he would have been more cautious on the battlefield and avoided any injury to his face. After all, before the disfigurement, he had been a well-regarded, handsome general in the capital…

The remnants of his “handsome general” days were evident on his face. Li Zhi shook his head and told Gu Jichang to leave for now.

A few days later, while Gu Jichang was busy training new recruits at the cavalry camp, he received an unexpected summons from Li Zhi to meet the emperor in the Imperial Garden.

‘Why are you searching for me now? Has the emperor finally made up his mind? Or send me off to the frontier?’ Gu Jichang felt a mix of anxiety and hope, quickly making his way to the palace.

“Why are you sweating so much, my lord?” asked the young eunuch who was there to guide him, looking curious.

Gu Jichang wiped his brow and fibbed, “I was just practising with someone.” 

The young eunuch didn’t suspect a thing and continued to lead the way.

Gu Jichang followed him nervously into the imperial garden. As they rounded a cluster of flowers, he looked up and spotted Princess Channing sitting across from the emperor and empress in the pavilion!

Gu Jichang: ‘… Long live the Emperor!’

End of chapter 65

Have a nice day!