The Sickly Beauty Substitute Called It Quits

The surprise on the ministers' faces was evident and undisguised.

Even if there's only one favored person in the harem, that person is still just that—just a favored person. At most, they can be a deputy to the empress. Throughout history, the only ones qualified to ride together with the emperor are the empresses of the main palace.

What does His Majesty mean by this?

The ministers glanced at each other in secret. Could it be that His Majesty intends to bestow the title of empress upon Shen Yu?

Shang Junlin paid no attention to what these people thought. After carrying Shen Yu away, he exchanged a few words with the ministers and took her to his tent.

The remaining ministers looked at each other in confusion.

After a long silence, someone couldn't help but speak up, "His Majesty... no matter how much He favors the chosen one, it shouldn't go against ancestral traditions."

"Don't you understand His Majesty's attitude? Didn't His Majesty promise that there would only be one favored person in the harem, regardless of whether they are the chosen one or the empress? Is there a difference?" Another minister sneered.

"Are we just going to let His Majesty act recklessly?"

"We can't control what His Majesty wants to do. In my opinion, the Autumn Hunt is supposed to be a joyful occasion. Don't ruin your own happiness over trivial matters. Even if we offer advice, His Majesty will still do as he pleases."

These words received considerable support, but some conservative ministers still frowned. They truly couldn't tolerate such breaches of etiquette.

"Even if we understand the weight His Majesty places on the chosen one, as long as the chosen one isn't the empress, they should abide by the rules of the chosen one. Etiquette should not be disregarded."

"Are you suggesting that His Majesty should bestow the title of empress sooner?" The Minister of Rites furrowed his brow. "Perhaps you are unaware that His Majesty mentioned the idea of bestowing the title of empress once, but for some reason, it was put on hold. If you want His Majesty to bestow the title of empress upon the chosen one sooner, feel free to bring it up."

Now, several eager individuals showed hesitation on their faces.

Their goal was to suppress the chosen one's arrogance, not to push someone into the position of empress.

"Did His Majesty really discuss the matter of bestowing the title of empress?" After the ministers dispersed, the Prime Minister walked up to the Minister of Revenue and asked in a low voice.

"Could I lie about such a thing?" The Minister of Revenue shook his head. "It happened several days ago. I thought preparations for the coronation would begin soon, but for some reason, His Majesty only mentioned it that one time and hasn't spoken of it since."

The Prime Minister pondered, "We both know His Majesty well. Since he brought up the matter, he must have had such intentions. The subsequent change of heart is likely related to the chosen one."

"I, for one, don't oppose His Majesty bestowing the title of empress upon the chosen one. The things he has done would have been highly praised during previous dynasties. Others cannot compare his achievements. Besides, His Majesty has no intention of taking new consorts."

"Is His Majesty postponing the Great Selection for next year again?"

"His Majesty disliked the Great Selection even before the chosen one entered the palace, citing it as a waste of resources and people's efforts. Now that His Majesty has someone by His side, it's only natural to postpone it."

"The court will be lively when the time comes."

The Great Selection was an event that took place every three years, selecting women from the common people to enter the harem. During the reign of the late emperor, the Great Selection was always a highly anticipated event each year. However, after the new emperor ascended the throne, the fervor gradually subsided.

Shang Junlin declined the invitation for the first Great Selection, citing the need to go to war. The second time, he refused, stating that "the people need rest and there's no need to waste resources." The third time will take place next spring, and it remains unknown what excuse the Emperor will use this time.

"It's better if those women don't enter the harem. Otherwise, the power struggles from previous dynasties will become even more complicated."

Although that's what they said, the Prime Minister also knew that it was difficult to avoid such circumstances. Individuals like Shang Junlin were few and far between, a rarity. Throughout history, there was not a single emperor without a woman sent to the palace by the ministers.

The ministers needed to consolidate their own positions, and the emperors needed to seize the opportunity to win over the ministers.

But Shang Junlin was different. His methods of ascension were different from other emperors. He ruthlessly cut down those who tried to control him using ancestral traditions or similar reasons. Under his fierce methods, no one dared to overstep their boundaries again.

After years of adjustment, the court ministers also knew that causing displeasure to the emperor in certain matters would only bring displeasure upon themselves. Unless it involved their own interests, they generally wouldn't willingly seek trouble.

Shen Yu's etiquette was taken care of by the palace maids who swiftly tidied everything up.

"Your Majesty, where will I be staying?" After waiting for a while and not seeing anyone leading him to his own residence, Shen Yu became puzzled.

"Where else does Ah Yu want to go besides by my side?" Shang Junlin lifted a strand of hair that had fallen across Shen Yu's face.

"Riding in the same carriage with Your Majesty when I arrived was already attention-grabbing enough. Now Your Majesty wants me to stay here. Is it to test the ministers' tolerance?" Shen Yu's fingertip trailed across the man's chest.

Even though there were clothes between them, Shang Junlin felt as if the touched area was engulfed in raging flames.

Shang Junlin grabbed Shen Yu's hand and his other hand wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer. "That's their problem. What does it have to do with Us? Ah Yu and I are husbands, and we should live together. Or perhaps, is Ah Yu willing to leave his husband alone in an empty room?"

"I never said that," Shen Yu's eyes darted around. "I'm just afraid that they will gossip about me."

"Is Ah Yu worried about that?" Shang Junlin's eyes held a smile as he slowly leaned in, his low voice resonating near Shen Yu's ear. "Then, take good care of your husband, and I won't let them say a word. How about that?"

"Shouldn't Your Majesty solve the troubles you caused yourself?" Shen Yu spoke, and his earlobe was bitten lightly.

Not hard.

But a tingling sensation spread from his earlobe.

His teeth grazed against her earlobe, causing it to turn bright red.

Shen Yu's body trembled.

After enduring such teasing on his sensitive earlobe, it was finally released. However, instead of immediately retreating, the man's lips tenderly kissed the now glistening spot.

A shiver ran through him.

Shen Yu tightened his grip on the man's clothes, his body growing weak. If it weren't for Shang Junlin's arm supporting him, he might have slipped down already.

The kisses continued their descent, covering the fading marks one by one. Shen Yu's hand pulling on the man's lapel also exerted more force.

Before the situation escalated beyond control, Meng Gonggong's voice came from outside the tent.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister, and several gentlemen request an audience."

The romantic atmosphere was abruptly interrupted, and Shang Junlin frowned unhappily. Storm clouds brewed in his eyes.

Shen Yu glanced at the displeased man above him and couldn't help but smile. "Your Majesty, you should go quickly and not keep the Prime Minister and the others waiting for long."

Shang Junlin looked deeply at the person beneath him, unwillingly retracting his hand from under her skirt.

"No mentioning of other men, no schadenfreude," Shang Junlin warned in a fierce tone, biting Shen Yu's lips lightly. "Wait for me."

After tidying his clothes, Shang Junlin walked out.

Meng Gonggong followed behind him, wondering in his heart: Didn't he just arrive? Why does His Majesty seem to be in a bad mood?

Shen Yu lay on the bed for a while before slowly getting up and straightening his clothes.

Mu Xi, following Shang Junlin's instructions, came in to serve. When she saw Shen Yu, she paused for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Shen Yu spoke, only to realize that his lips were slightly sore. Subconsciously, he touched them.

"Young Master's lips are bleeding. I'll bring the ointment." Mu Xi spoke and left.

Their belongings were not yet completely organized; some of them were still outside.

Shen Yu put down his hand and indeed saw bloodstains on it.

He stuck out his tongue and licked it, tasting a faintly metallic and bloody flavor in his mouth. His lips also felt a stinging sensation.

Mu Xi quickly returned with the ointment. This ointment was different from the one used in another place. It was specially prepared by the imperial physician at Shang Junlin's request.

Applying it to his lips, it felt refreshing.

Shen Yu had intended to go out for a walk but reconsidered his current appearance and decided against it.

Instead, he picked up a book and sat down to read, planning to go out once the discomfort subsided.

Mu Xi was visiting this place for the first time and found everything quite fresh. Shen Yu had no intention of restricting her and waved his hand, allowing her to go out and enjoy herself.

Most of the people they brought with them this time were palace maids who served at the Yu Zhang Palace. Since Shen Yu's entry into the palace, Shang Junlin had not stayed anywhere else, and the people from Yuzhang Palace were more familiar and efficient.

Shang Junlin was quite busy.

The Autumn Hunt was both a relaxation event for the emperor and the ministers and also a unique assessment. Especially for young officials and military officers, capturing enough games was an excellent opportunity to showcase themselves in front of the Emperor.

They were eagerly looking forward to the upcoming hunt.

Before the hunt begins, as the emperor, Shang Junlin would deliver an encouraging speech, announcing rewards and shooting the first arrow to symbolize good luck for the year.

Among the participants are also the younger generation of ministers' families. If they can excel during the hunt and leave a good impression on the Emperor, it would be highly beneficial for them.

The youth always take the lead in competitions.

Shang Junlin is always generous, and the winners receive generous rewards.

Not only can they leave a favorable impression in the Emperor's eyes, but they can also receive substantial rewards. For the participants, it is a profitable opportunity.

As the legitimate heir of the Zhenbei Marquis, Shen Yu should have been eligible to participate. However, he has never attended before. Every time, he would be left at home by the Zhenbei Marquis, citing his "poor health" as the reason.

Well, Shen Yu self-mockingly smiled. How would his aunt give him any chance to rise? She wished for him to be ignorant and suppressed by her precious son at every turn.

Shen Yu stood not far away, watching as the man was surrounded by the ministers, his voice resonating powerfully and calmly through the breeze. A warm feeling ignited in Shen Yu's heart.

This man belongs to him.

Lost in thought, a shadow fell ahead of him.

Shen Yu looked up.

Shang Junlin had unknowingly ridden his horse in front of him, looking down at him.

"Would you like to join me, Ah Yu?" The man extended his hand, extending an invitation.

Images of the two of them fooling around on horseback flashed through Shen Yu's mind as he shook his head and declined, "Has Your Majesty brought my white horse?"

Shang Junlin studied him for a moment with a furrowed brow. "You won't accompany Us?"

"Riding on horseback with Your Majesty is the same as riding separately. Otherwise, Black Stallion will get temperamental," Shen Yu smiled.

Shang Junlin made a gesture, and soon, the familiar white horse appeared within Shen Yu's sight. Shen Yu took the reins and mounted the horse.

"I still prefer the feeling of riding side by side with Your Majesty."

Shang Junlin neither confirmed nor denied it, avoiding the topic of their previous encounter out of shyness.

"Has Your Majesty seen Shen Qingran during previous Autumn Hunts?" Shen Yu glanced at the man riding alongside him.

"That troublesome half-brother of yours?" Shang Junlin pondered. "Did the Zhenbei Marquis bring him before? We don't have much of an impression. But since We know now, let's deduct a few years' salary for each time he brought people."

Author's Note:

Thank you to the angels who voted for me or watered me with nutrient solutions

Thanks to the angel who threw a hand grenade: Mian Bao Tuan Zi, Wawa 1 each.

Thanks to the angels who threw a landmine: W Chang Gong Meitian Bu Shuijiao, Mian Bao Tuan Zi, San Zhi Xia Mi 1 each.