Forced to Marry the Enemy Prince

Chapter 106 – Final

As days passed by, South Liang heard that Xian Sheng had given birth to a child. They wrote many letters conveying their regards and also sent many small clothes and toys.

Emperor Jin is simply addicted to Liu Liu. Although his feet were bad, he would run here and there with his crutches. If his legs were any better he would have run more diligently. Every day at the Crown Prince’s Mansion, he would have lunch and play with his little grandson.

As the saying goes, hard work pays off, now he can carry Liu Liu all by himself. Even if he can’t see Xian Sheng for a while, he won’t cry.

Emperor Jin was very relieved and said to Eunuch Liao: “Look at this baby, my grandson, my little grandson.”

He kissed Liu Liu and was filled with infinite satisfaction: “After sometime, I will be able to hold him and play with him.”

He was at ease while Zhan Zhen was so busy during this time. He couldn’t finish the work in the barracks and Emperor Jin kept handing all the memorial over to him. It is said that this old man goes to bed with his grandson after playing every day. Allegedly he was ready to abdicate.

Recently, there are carriages to be seen in the prince’s residence. They are palace members who come to discuss things with Zhan Zhen. Since Emperor Jin does not care they have no other way than to come find the Crown prince.    

Zhan Zhen felt the pain of being an emperor even before he could sit on the throne. He buried himself in the mountains of government affairs and heard the voice of the Emperor Jin coaxing his child in a trance.

He has been sleeping in his study for several days in a row. He has too many things to deal with. He often just sleeps for a while before dawn.

There was movement at the door. He raised his eyes and his sight fell on a slender body. Xian Sheng approached slowly, put the food on the small table and said: “Have something to eat.”

He looked at Xian Sheng’s face and opened his hands. Xian Sheng pursed his lips and paused. Then he smiled, walked towards him and sat on his lap.

During this time, he was inseparable from the child every day and he smelled like milk. Zhan Zhen buried his head and took a deep breath, sighing: “Is he trying to teach me or trying to torture me……”

Xian Sheng touched his hair and said softly, “Can you handle it?”

“That’s not the problem but there is a lot of accumulated work. For how long had he given up on government affairs that there is so much accumulated work?”

“I guess, it must be after he sprained his foot.”

“…great.”

“All right, eat first and take your time.”

He got off Zhan Zhen and gently pulled his hand. Zhan Zhen didn’t move and looked at him with a sad face. Xian Sheng held him with both hands and kissed him on the face: “My husband has worked hard.”

Zhan Zhen immediately became energized.  He hugged Xian Sheng and moved to one side: “I want to eat together with Sheng’er.”

“I want Sheng’er to feed me.”

“I want to hold you.”

Zhan Zhen was finally satisfied.

He hugged Xian Sheng until he was full. Until a few moments ago, he was tired but now he seems to be able to spirit up and get back to work. 

Suddenly there was a movement and someone said, “Master Li of the Ministry of Industry is asking to see you.”

Zhan Zhen ‘s face changed in a second. He let go of Xian Sheng, helped him organize his clothes and said, “I’ll find you after I’m done with my work.”

Xian Sheng nodded, walked out and came face-to-face with the older man outside the door. The other party hurriedly greeted him. He smiled, “Mister, you can go in.”

“Your Royal Highness, the Crown Princess, take care.”

When Xian Sheng was leaving, he heard a cold and steady voice from inside: “Come in.”

From the first meeting, to being forced to marry far away, to revealing his identity and confessing to each other, for more than two years, he witnessed Zhan Zhen’s change with his own eyes. 

*

He didn’t go out. He only knew that he was tired of being at home. Recently,  various officials came to the Crown Prince’s mansion often and he found that Zhan Zhen was still that same old Zhan Zhen.

He is still the same man who commanded battles before a thousand armies without  raising his eyebrows and crossed his sword and was full of vigor.

Only in front of Xian Sheng, he took off that strong exterior and showed Xian Sheng his softest side.

Just like Emperor Jin.

Xian Sheng stood in the shadows and looked around. Emperor Jin’s temples were a little gray and his body showed signs of aging.  At the moment, he was teasing the child in the yard. In fact, he was no different from an ordinary grandparent.

It’s hard to imagine that he ever wanted to kill Xian Sheng.

People have thousands of faces. Xian Sheng is very fortunate to be the one on the apex of Zhan Zhen’s heart, he will also put Zhan Zhen on the apex of his heart. Even if he can’t recover his body in this life, there is Zhan Zhen and the child and there is no regret.

Years later, when Emperor Jin was fifty-two years old, he announced his abdication, and it was natural for Zhan Zhen to ascend the throne.

Although Xian Sheng is a princess of South Liang, at the moment the two countries were at peace. Since he had submitted to the state of Jin and added to his mysterious physique, he became the unrivaled Empress. 

After the imperial edict was passed, the Ministry of rites immediately began to prepare for the accession to the throne and Zhan Zhen and Xian Sheng moved into the palace together.

Many customs in the northern kingdom are the same as those in the southern kingdom. Although the Empress is granted the title of the main palace, she can also live in the same palace with the emperor.

Jin palace is more magnificent than Liang palace, but not as exquisite as the Liang palace. The good thing is that for Xian Sheng, it’s just like a family is changing the location of their house. 

Although he thought it that way, after settling down in the palace, Xian Sheng still couldn’t sleep all night.

He was lying on the dragon bed, opened his eyes and heard the voices of conversation outside. It was some ministers who were discussing some matters. He could hear them talking and Zhan Zhen occasionally saying a few words. He couldn’t hear it clearly, but it was basically decisive words.

After some time, those people dispersed.

There was the sound of footsteps. The eunuch who served was someone Zhan Zhen was used to using when he was in the palace. Later he left the palace with him to the Crown Prince Mansion and now he has come back to the palace with him

Zhan Zhen asked, “Is the Empress asleep?”

The Eunuch replied: “She has been asleep for a while.”

“He’s quite adaptable.”

The eunuch smiled and said, “The Empress is a person who has seen the world, so she can adapt quickly.”

 “I have not yet adapted to it. Does this mean that I have not seen the world?”

The eunuch’s expression changed, “That is not what the servant meant.”

Zhan Zhen smiled and walked in. The eunuch wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked people to close the door.

Xian Sheng listened and suddenly felt that something was different in his heart.     Zhan Zhen said that he didn’t fit in but he was scaring the servants and making them revere him. It was obvious that he had entered the role in his heart.

Zhan Zhen is still Zhan Zhen, from the crown prince to the son of heaven, he has already begun to secretly exert power.

Zhan Zhen walked lightly, came to the bed, gently pulled the curtain of the bed and saw Xian Sheng lying flat with his hands folded on his abdomen. Suddenly he smiled: “Sleeping so soothingly, why pretend otherwise?”

Xian Sheng opened his eyes.

Just as Zhan Zhen spoke, he turned his head to look at him. Zhan Zhen crouched beside the bed and kissed his lips gently and said, “I knew you were not asleep.”

Xian Sheng looked at him and asked: “Do you think there will be any difference after you become an emperor?”

“A little bit.” Zhan Zhen said: “I claim to have changed, I still have to listen to people’s reports every day and I can’t talk as freely as before… They say it’s good to be an emperor, but in fact, after I sit on the throne, I understand that this identity actually puts a shackle on oneself, that is, the title is more noble.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because when I became the emperor, every word I say, they may go back and forth to ponder what I mean. Therefore, in order to prevent them from thinking wrong and having crooked thoughts, I have to think carefully every time I speak.”

He kissed Xian Sheng again: “I can be free in front of you.”

Xian Sheng’s eyes softened. He reached out and touched Zhan Zhen’s chin and said, “What is the first thing you want to do after you become an emperor?”

“I think….” Zhan Zhen’s mouth twitched, he rushed towards him and said: “Since you are in the dragon bed….”

Xian Sheng blushed, he pushed Zhan Zhen and his eyes became softer: “You don’t want to gather all the beauties in the world?”

Zhan Zhen frowned: “Why do you have such a thought?”

“I think it’s going to turn out like that..”

“I don’t want to.” Zhan Zhen said fiercely, pressed his forehead against him and said, “I will be with you, in this life, I will only be with you.”

*

Preparing for the enthronement ceremony includes making dragon robes and phoenix robes. It stands to reason that the shape and pattern should be first selected by the emperor and empress but the people in the ritual department haven’t drawn the pattern yet, but someone has already sent the drawing.

This was drawn by His Majesty himself and was told by him to make the robes accordingly.

The female official in charge of the royal garment looked at it, then nodded and said with a smile, “His Majesty is skilled in both martial art and culture. This painting skill is really powerful.”

When she removed the first one and looked at the second drawing, she was stunned: “This phoenix robe. It’s different from the previous ones.”

“His Majesty has ordered, you do as you are told.”

 The day of the enthronement was chosen by the Qin Taijian. The clothing department delivered the clothes in advance. Xian Sheng personally tried it on Zhan Zhen and said to him: “If there is something that must be changed in advance, change it immediately and don’t wait till the day of enthronement.”

The dragon robe was large and heavy and Xian Sheng felt tired when he picked up the robes. Zhan Zhen opened his arms and let several palace maids kneel down to tidy up the hem.

Xian Sheng tidied his belt and said, “No wonder the emperor has to be waited on when he wears his clothes and he can’t do it alone.”

Zhan Zhen looked down at him. Xian Sheng’s face was exquisite. It was even more beautiful because of the beauty in the eyes of his lover. His heart started to itch and suddenly he got up and hugged his waist.

Xian Sheng, who was suddenly hugged, pushed him and said: “Why are you making trouble again?”

“You are so beautiful, I can’t help it.”

Xian Sheng looked away and asked all the palace people around him to leave. Then he said, “You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”

Zhan Zhen smiled, kissed him again and said, “You also try on the phoenix robe.”

Xian Sheng was in a bad mood and said: “Women’s clothing is a bit troublesome, so I don’t want to try.”

“Try it.”

Xian Sheng glanced at him and suddenly felt a little flustered. He knew that after he had a child, he would never have the chance to recover his identity as a man again in this life and he really didn’t want people to know that he was pregnant as a man. Before Zhan Zhen promised him that he would rectify his name after he became an  emperor but now he doesn’t even mention it. He just wants Zhan Zhen to set an example, otherwise he will have to follow in the footsteps of the previous empress. 

Wearing the dragon Robe, Zhan Zhen pushed his shoulder and walked on tiptoe behind him: “Look, how nice this dress is.”

In order to prevent wrinkles, the clothes worn at the grand ceremony were hung and covered with a red cloth. Xian Sheng walked over, still looking a little aggrieved.

Zhan Zhen urged him: “Take off the cloth and take a look.”

Xian Sheng refused and his tears were about to come out.

He can wear women’s clothes and he can have children, as long as Zhan Zhen can understand him. As long as Zhan Zhen understands, he can do anything. He could do it. But now he thinks Zhan Zhen doesn’t understand him.

He didn’t move. Zhan Zhen looked at his expression from behind and was stunned for a moment. He immediately stopped talking. He stepped forward to reveal the cloth and said, “I… I don’t want you to wear women’s clothes, Sheng’er, look, I drew the patterns in this robe, it’s different from before.”

Xian Sheng’s eyes were hazy with tears, his lips pursed and he raised his hand to wipe his tears and only then did he see the robes in front of him.

From the pattern, it is undoubtedly a Phoenix robe but the shape is somewhat different from that in the past. It is much less feminine and concise.

To say it’s women’s clothing, is not exactly right but it’s not possible to say it’s men’s clothing either. 

His nose was red and he didn’t speak.

Zhan Zhen said: “I have thought about it a lot. Now that we have a child, if we tell the world that you are a man, it will undoubtedly increase talks among the people. They will definitely definitely say bad things about it but then I can’t let you feel wronged.  I thought for a few days and designed a set myself. In fact, I don’t really want to differentiate the gender. This is a very personal matter for you.”

Xian Sheng’s eyes are redder and Zhan Zhen is a little anxious. : “Don’t, don’t cry, I’ll order them to make another set, if you want to be a man, then be a man. I’ll comply with whatever you want.”

Suddenly, Xian Sheng hugged him.

Zhan Zhen was stunned and after a while, he slowly hugged him back.

Xian Sheng said, “I thought you forgot everything you said.”

“I won’t forget.” His voice was so aggrieved and it made Zhan Zhen’s eyes hot. He gently hugged him: “I know that your current identity scares you but I remember what I said. I won’t be like my father Emperor.”

“I believe you.” Xian Sheng sniffed and said, “But you have to say it often. If you don’t say it, I’ll start to think that you are tired of me.”

“Don’t you always dislike me for not being reserved?” Zhan Zhen whispered: “Why are you so fickle?”

Xian Sheng hit him and Zhan Zhen had no choice but to say: “Okay, I will say it often in the future.”

He put his arms around Xian Sheng and shook him like a child: “I like you, I love you, I want to live with you forever… I promise that you will be the only one in my life.”

Xian Sheng stopped crying and smiled. He was embarrassed and said, “There’s no need to be so mushy.”

“See, you said it again.”

“That’s who I am…” Xian Sheng said aggrieved: “I just want to hear it and feel mushy, so what should I do?”

“Okay, okay” Zhan Zhen pretended to be reluctant: “When you say you don’t want it means you want, I understand.  In the future, if you scold me and call me ugly, I’ll show you how ugly I am….”

 “Do you still remember that?” Xian Sheng tilted his face up and said discontentedly, “Are you still holding a grudge ah?”

 Zhan Zhen looked down at him and made the same disgruntled expression.

Xian Sheng stood on tiptoes and kissed him and asked: “You really remember?”

He stood on tiptoes and kissed him again: “Still remember?”

After being kissed several times, Zhan Zhen finally smiled. He kissed Xian Sheng and said, “Don’t remember.”

He took Xian Sheng’s hand and said warmly: “Do you still want to hear them?”

Xian Sheng asked: “What?”

“Sweet words.”

“Hmm… as you wish.”

“Then I won’t say it.”

 Xian Sheng glared at him.

“Well, let me see… “

“Please believe me.” Zhan Zhen gazed at him, reached out and wiped the water droplets on his cheeks and said seriously: “Because, I really like you.”

“Really, really, really, really like you.”

“From the very first moment I saw you.”