Empress with no Virtue

Ye Zhen Zhen was someone that loves to read, but she was no scholar.

Because all the books that she read was those pictorial books that were popular in the capital, such as ‘Dong Zuo Lie Guo Zhi’, ‘Feng Shen Yan Yi’, “Journey to the west’ that sort of books. the book genre that she likes are very similar to what the common citizens would like to read.

There was a book that recorded the picture books that has been found so far, Ye Zhen Zhen searched for it, and after going through the book, she found out that there in within the different genres, stories about gods and demons, history and romance were the most published. In within the history stories, there were many about how they fought the barbarians and heroes that comes emerged.

That night, Ye Zhen Zhen’s inspiration got a boost, and within a night she completed a picture novel. Ji Wu Jiu accompanied her the whole night, sitting by her side, every page she wrote, he will read it, and organize her work properly, holding a thick stack in his hands.

The story from Ji Wu Jiu’s point of view was not very attractive, goddess visiting the earth, and then somehow war is involved, and what not. However, since Ye Zhen Zhen was writting it diligently, Ji Wu Jiu does not have the heart to hurt her, and in the end he stopped reading the novel, and focused on looking at her face—- which was way more attractive then the novel.

The serious Ye Zhen Zhen, has a very focused gaze, her black eye brows was tensed, sometimes appearing to be deep in thoughts, and sometimes realizing somethings. And because she did not sleep the whole night, her eye bags are starting to show, and bloodshots are starting to form as well, this made Ji Wu Jiu felt heartache.

As time passes by, the stack of paper got even thicker. Feng You De came in, and told Ji Wu Jiu “Your Majesty, it is time to attend court”

Ji Wu Jiu stood up, stretched and allowed the maid servants to help him change. Gently he patted Ye Zhen Zhen’s head and said “Zhen Zhen, I will leave first, after court i will come see you again”

Ye Zhen Zhen was too focused with her writing, so she did not paid attention to what he said.

Feng You De looked from the side, thinking that the empress was really a bit too brave, to have this sort of attitude towards the emperor, in the entire inner palace, there would be no one who would dare to do so.

Seeing her reaction, Ji Wu Jiu also did not find anything bad about it, he bend down and peck her cheeks, and left.

Ye Zhen Zhen only found out Ji Wu Jiu left, when she finally finished the story. When Su Feng saw that she finally placed her pen down, did she carry in some snacks, ” Niang niang, you must be tired? Why don’t you first refresh yourself and eat some snacks. While I ask someone to set up breakfast”

“No need” Ye Zhen Zhen yawned, and shook her head, “I want to sleep”

You finally remembered about sleep, Su Feng thought in her heart, while helping Ye Zhen Zhen to lay down on the bed, and left the room quietly.

It seems like the little Mynah also has a little compassion, it has not spoken a word ever since it woke up, and quietly stood at his own place trying to lower his existence, until Su Feng forget to take him out.

Ye Zhen Zhen slept till afternoon. Ji Wu Jiu dropped by earlier, but seeing that she was sound asleep, he didnt wake her up, turned and went back to Yang Xin Hall.

The moment Ye Zhen Zhen woke up, she felt very hungry, and was looking for food. It was coincident that this morning when Zhuang Concubine heard that the morning greetings towards the empress was cancelled, and thought that the empress was feeling unwell, so she visited in the afternoon along with some snacks and pastries that she prepared.

With regards to making pastries, if Zhuang Concubine admits to being number 2, no one dares to be number 1. Now it was early summer, the whole inner palace was filled with flower, and this provided her with many ingredients. Ever since she knew that Ye Zhen Zhen likes to eat her pastries, Zhuang Concubine has been doing her best to treat her well, even better than the emperor. She knew that the emperor was someone that was hard to boot lick, but the empress was different. The fate of the women in the inner palace halfly lies in the hands of the empress, furthermore Ye Zhen Zhen has always treated everyone kindly, so she can be considered a rather generous empress, therefore, as long as you treat her well, you would definitely not be disadvantaged.

After eating a few pieces of the pastries, Ye Zhen Zhen’s mood was very good. Then, knowing that Ye Zhen Zhen has woken up, Ji Wu Jiu went to visit her, after sitting down, seeing how appetizing she was eating the pastries, it made him kinda hungry as well, so he ate a few pieces as well.

Looking at Ye Zhen Zhen’s lips, there was crumbs around them, not at all how the mother of the nation should appear. Ji Wu Jiu could not help but to joke “Zhuang Concubine’s pastries were made for me, not it seems like it had all entered your stomach”

Hearing what he said Zhuang Concubine quickly said “Your majesty if you like to eat them, I will make more and send them to you”

“There is no need’ Ji Wu Jiu answered “Eating them at Kun Ning Palace is the same, there is no need to create extra trouble”

Doesn’t his words imply that the relationship between the emperor and empress was so good that they are of one? Zhuang Concubine thought that she has made a very good decision.

After eating enough of the pastries, she took a handkerchief to clean her mouth, drank a mouthful of tea, cleared her throat and said “Alright, it is time to listen to a story”

Zhuang Concubine was confused, and can only look at Ye Zhen Zhen calling over a few maid servants and eunuchs and proceeded to the main hall.

In the middle of the hall there was a platform, Ye Zhen Zhen sat on top of it and pointed towards the front of her, a row of stools, ” If anyone is going to watch, please have a sit”

Seeing that the eunuchs and maid servants all grabbed a stool Zhuang Concubine also found a stool for herself and sat down with her personal maid.

Ji Wu Jiu, also sat on the stool.

Zhuang Concubine immediately stood up, “Your majesty—-“. She has never seen this way of seating arrangements, the empress sitting on top and the emperor sitting below, together with a group of maid servants and eunuchs.

“Don’t worry, this has been discussed by me and the empress, sit down ~”

Hearing his words, Zhuang Concubine sat back down slowly.

And thus Ye Zhen Zhen started her story telling, “Today the story that i will be telling, is based on what really happened recently. It was like this….” (Attracting the attention of everyone there, looking forward to her story)

The entire afternoon, Ji Wu Jiu lead Zhuang Concubine, Feng You De, Wang You Cai, Su Yue, Su Feng, Zhuang Concubine’s maid servants as well as a mynah, to seriously listen to Zhen Zhen’s entire story telling. The 7 of them plus a bird was really immersed with the story, as though as there themselves were in the story, but only Ji Wu Jiu was listening how Ye Zhen Zhen’s silly face look like when she was trying to portray the story and characters in detail.

The story was about how the jade emperor, sending the 9th fairy down to earth to help a benevolent emperor in governing the nation. The human body of the 9th fairy married the emperor and became his empress, and went to war together, because the 9th fairy was clever in the arts of war, that is why she followed the emperor. The 9th fairy purposely changed her appearance and slipped into the enemy’s camp and lead the leader into wrong directions, as well as giving the important informations to the emperor to help him win the war. After that, the enemy found out the real identity of the 9th fairy, with a ill intention they purposely spread negative rumours to release their anger. After the Emperor found out, he thoroughly investigated the news and brought them forward to the 9th fairy.

That was roughly the main plot of the story, but of course in between there were more details. Such as, in order to portray the courage of the 9th fairy, a more powerful opponent will be provided, as well as providing a detailed background story of the opponent; and which many stories regarding their battle of wits and courage are included, but of course in the end the winner would be the 9th fairy; as well as arranging a battle for the 9th fairy that helps portray the thoughts of the common citizen.

The entire story was well written, with the necessary climax and plots, as well as the ups and downs, including the most recent word usage of the common citizens. Making the story close to the hearts of the citizens of Da Qi.

After Ye Zhen Zhen completed her story, she picked up a cup of tea and drank.

Ji Wu Jiu looked left and right, looking at how the people around him was full of expressions, that does not seemed to be faked, then only he found out, perhaps he was the odd one there.

The people finally clapped hard after they came to a realization that the story has ended.

Feng You De was curious and asked “Empress, you have purposely stated that this story happened in our dynasty, can I ask who is this 9th fairy?”

Wang You Cai answered, “Do you still need to ask, of course it is our Empress”

To beautify oneself to this extend, the empress really is shameless. Feng You De thought in his heard, but it was shameless yet..creative..

His thought represented almost everyone there.

The reaction received from the story was quite good, Ji Wu Jiu immediately ordered Feng You De to look for the most famous story teller in the capital, to meet him tomorrow.

Feng You De went to do his job. Now it was near dinner time, Ye Zhen Zhen asked Zhuang Concubine to stay for dinner, but Zhuang Concubine kept thinking that Ji Wu Jiu will feel that she is bothering them, so she didnt dare to eat dinner at Kun Ning Palace and ask to leave.

After dinner, and drinking some tea, Ji Wu Jiu did not return to Yang Xin Hall. He pulled Ye Zhen Zhen to sit on the bed, and smiled mischievously “Student heard that the 9th fairy is very well verse in the art of chamber, will she be able to help me answer a few questions?”

Ye Zhen Zhen frowned and answered “You did not sleep at all last night, it would be better for you to sleep earlier tonight”

“This was exactly student’s question” Ji Wu Jiu suddenly went closer, smiled and looked at her, “although i have not slept a whole night, but looking at the 9th fairy made me very awake, the whole body feels awake. What should i do now?” His voice ended roughly, filled with teasing and flirting. Lifting up her chin, he kissed the corner of her lips, and continued “Do you have any way to solve it, to use up my energy a little, so that i would be able to sleep well?”

After a little thought, Ye Zhen Zhen realised that everytime it was her energy that is used up? So she was alittle not willing to lose, but today since he did not sleep the whole night, then this time there would be a chance that she will win him…..

Ji Wu Jiu places Ye Zhen Zhen on the bed, stood up and closes the door properly. Before he could remove his clothes, he suddenly looked up and said “Wait for a while”

“What’s wrong?” Ye Zhen Zhen asks.

Ji Wu Jiu did not answer her. He left the bed and walked towards the window, lifting up the leg of the mynah, he opened the window and threw him out.

Ye Zhen Zhen heard a sound of “ai yo” coming from the window. “Nothing would happen to it right?” She asks.

“Don’t bother about the bird now” Ji Wu Jiu returned to the bed, holding on to her, biting her lips and slyly asks “Think of what to do with this bird first”, while brushing his body against Ye Zhen Zhen’s thigh.

***

Feng You De was very dependable, today, after court, he was able to see the story teller. This person was called Liu Jun Xian, 40 odd years old, slim faced and thin lips, it seems like he has talent with speaking.

A story teller’s status in the society was not very high, and was only able to be at best make some sort of friendships with the small local magistrates or rich merchants. Liu Jun Xian was the capital’s most famous story teller, and the highest ranked minister he knew was a 5th ranked one, but now to be suddenly been called upon by the emperor himself, he was so nervous until he no longer knows where to put his hands, even his words came out stuttering.

Ji Wu Jiu was a person who talks little, so he only took the story book and showed it to Liu Jun Xian. To see something of his trade, Liu Jun Xian’s eyes glowed, and read through the book in a glimspe, after that complimented the person who wrote the book.

Then, Ji Wu Jiu notified his purpose. Hearing that the emperor requires his service, Liu Jun Xian can’t help but to feel dizzy, furthermore it was to help the empress rid off the negative rumours, to be able to complete his task properly would of course be able to bring him honour, so he quickly agreed.

Ji Wu Jiu then further discuss a little details with him, and made sure he does not tell others about this matter, and also asks him to add a few blissful moments of the emperor and empress inside the story before letting him go.

After that, Ji Wu Jiu went to Kun Ning Palace.

At Kun Ning palace, Ye Zhen Zhen was in a daze. Ji Wu Jiu threw the mynah out yesterday, and has not return till now, perhaps he really fell to death.

Ji Wu Jiu consoled her after hearing this, “His wings was not used to swim, how can he die so easily. Furthermore, even if he died, there would still be a corspe, asks anyone, if they have seen the corspe.”

Ye Zhen Zhen asked around, and no one saw it.

Then, Wang You Cai came back from outside. On his shoulders was that pitiful bird.

“When i found it, he was standing at the imperial garden, singing!” Wang You Cai said, well lifting his shoulders, the mynah then flew back to his perch.

Ye Zhen Zhen then lightly and gently patted its head.

The little mynah suddenly stretched his head and said “The empress is pregnant! The empress is pregnant!”