Married Thrice to Salted Fish

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The next day, Liang Shi made a ‘full recovery’ from her illness.
She handed in a request to enter the palace and after receiving the Empress’ permission, she sent someone to deliver a message to the Blue Wind Pavilion, asking Lin Qingyu to ready himself to enter the palace with her.

Lin Qingyu thought it simply ridiculous, “I, a man, am unexpectedly allowed to visit the harem’s palace.
It’s simply unprecedented.”

“You can’t say that.” Lu Wancheng, who was lying on the bed, said, “Those imperial physicians who treat the concubines can also enter and leave the harem.”

Lin Qingyu glanced at him.
“You sure know how to talk.” 

Lu Wancheng said quietly, “Qingyu, I want to go with you.”

Lin Qingyu thought he wanted to see his aunt and said, “There will be other chances in the future…”

 

Given the honorable identity of the master of the palace, people who were sick were not allowed to enter, lest they bring in with them the aura of illness.

Lin Qingyu normally dressed very plainly but when entering the palace to give his thanks, he needed to put on more extravagant clothes.
Lu Wancheng watched as Huan Tong tied a jade belt around his waist.
He couldn’t help thinking that he could circle Ling Qingyu’s waist with his two hands – by that, he meant using his original hands, of course. 

Once Lin Qingyu finished getting dressed, the grand Chinese robes appeared not the slightest bit bulky, rather, it made him appear untainted by the world.
The more Lu Wancheng looked at him, the more uneasy he felt.
When Lin Qingyu was about to head out, he couldn’t help but blurt out, “Qingyu, why don’t you not go? Just say you’ve a suddenly fallen ill…”

“I have no objections but can you give me a reason?” Lin Qingyu always knew that Lu Wancheng was hiding something from him.

Lu Wancheng paused and said, “I don’t want the crown prince to see you.”

“Why?” 

After a moment of hesitation, Lu Wancheng pretended to be all relaxed as he said, “Isn’t it because you look too good? I’m afraid that grease-ball of a prince might take a fancy to you.
Oh, aside from the crown prince, you’ve got to watch out for the Emperor too.
Old men like young and beautiful…”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

Seeing Lin Qingyu’s expression of “the f*ck I believe you”, Lu Wancheng chuckled and said, “Qingyu, I really am afraid.”

Lin Qingyu was quiet for a while and then said patiently, “After the Mid-Autumn Festival, is the Imperial hunting party.
Right now, the crown prince and all the other princes should be out in the hunting grounds, accompanying the Emperor.
I won’t run into them.” 

Hearing this, Lu Wancheng felt a little relieved.
“Are you sure?”

“En.” Every year in autumn, his father would be part of the accompany retinue.
This, he remembered very clearly.

Lu Wancheng breathed a sigh of relief.
“Then, go.
Make a good impression in front of the Empress and come back quickly.”

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Lin Qingyu and the mother and daughter pair shared a carriage to the palace.
It was not difficult to see that Liang Shi and Lu Niantao had both dressed up very meticulously.
Liang Shi had swept away her former disheartened state.
She was dressed in official court clothes; refined, graceful and poised.
Lu Niantao wore smoky blue skirts of silk.
She was like a Lotus flower just appearing above the water; appearing fresh and clean enough to move those who saw her. 

The carriage came to a stop the gate of the palace.
They had to go the rest of the way on foot.
Lin Qingyu looked up at the plaque high atop the palace gate — A year ago, he never would have imagined that the first time he would be entering the palace would be as a male wife.

The three followed after the eunuch who was leading the way to Fengyi Palace.
Eunuch Feng, whisk in hand, was there to greeted them.
“Madam, Shaojun, Young Miss, you’re all here.
Please follow this servant in.”

In the main hall of Fengyi Palace, Lin Qingyu met the mother of the Dayu, Empress Wen.

Empress Wen and Liang Shi were similar in age.
Though getting on in the years, but as the mother of the country, her imposing manner was unmatched by anyone.
She invited the three of them to sit and she exchanged lukewarm greetings with Liang Shi before she turned her focus on Lin Qingyu. 

With such features and bearing, though he was born ordinary, he did indeed make a good match for her sister’s only son.

Empress Wen said, “I heard that Wancheng’s body has improved a lot since you married into the Hou’s Mansion.
It seems my request to the Emperor to bestow this marriage upon you two was not made in vain.”

 

Like it was some great favor.

In his heart, Lin Qingyu was absolutely disgusted.
But he knew that the palace was different from the Hou’s mansion, and right now, in front of the Empress, the only thing he could do was to endure. 

Empress Wen spoke again, “Are you the one looking after Wancheng’s health now?”

Lin Qingyu caught a whiff of the unique incense of Fengyi Palace and said, “Yes.”

Empress Wen nodded approvingly.
“As expected of the son of Lin Yuan Pan.”

Empress Wen’s words all revolved around Lu Wancheng.
Save for the initial courtesy, she never said a word to the mother and daughter pair.
Mother and daughter were left out in the cold, but they had to maintain respectful smiles on their faces. 

As they were talking, Eunuch Feng came in and reported, “Empress, His Royal Highness, the crown prince, is heading towards the Fengyi Palace.
He must be coming to pay his respects.”

Lin Qingyu frowned slightly — Why would the crown prince appear in Fengyi Palace at this time?

Empress Wen too had the same question.
“Didn’t the crown prince go hunting with the Emperor?”

Eunuch Feng said, “The Emperor accidentally caught a cold and returned early.” 

Although the crown prince was borne by Concubine Chen, the Empress was his dimu, after all.
When he returned from going out, he naturally wanted to come to Fengyi Palace first to greet her.

Lin Qingyu was not at all afraid of seeing the crown prince but since Lu Wancheng didn’t want him to see him then he wouldn’t.

Lin Qingyu got up and said, “Since the crown prince is here, we shall be taking our leave first.”

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Lu Niantao opened her mouth, as though to say something.
Empress Wen nodded in agreement and asked Eunuch Feng to guide them out of Fengyi Palace. 

Walking out of Fengyi Palace, Lin Qingyu saw a young man, with a jade crown on his head and donning dark-colored dragon-pattered robes, coming from a distance.
He immediately picked up his pace.
Lu Niantao, who was with him, said, “Why is Sister-in-law in such a hurry to leave? The Crown Prince is right in front of us.
Would it not be rude if we don’t go to greet him and pay our respects?”

Lin Qingyu said coldly, “And you, an unmarried girl, taking the initiative to greet him, would be considered polite?”

Lu Niantao was shamed into silence, her face flushing red.
And yet, it was as though she had grown roots under her feet and she was unwilling to take another step.
Because of her delay, the crown prince had already arrived in front of them and Lin Qingyu was left with no choice but to salute with Eunuch Feng.
“Greetings to Your Royal Highness.”

The prince possessed an outstanding appearance.
He was handsome and refined.
Moreover, as the heir to the throne, he had a distinguished status.
It was no wonder that Lu Niantao has such designs. 

Towering above them, the crown prince looked down at them.
His eyes swept past Liang Shi and Lu Niantao, falling on Lin Qingyu.
“Who are you? How are you able to visit the imperial harem?”

Eunuch Feng said, “Your Highness, this is the Nan’an Hou Mansion’s Shaojun, Lin Yuan Pan’s son, Lin Shi.”

 

“Shaojun,” the prince narrowed his eyes, “That male wife?”

“Exactly.” 

The crown prince said with great interest, “Look up.”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

“Didn’t you hear me talking to you?”

I can’t hear you; go away. 

Lin Qingyu took a deep breath.
Eyes lowered, he slowly raised his head.

The crown prince caught sight of the teardrop mole at the corner of his eye and his pupils suddenly shrank, his breathing becoming rapid.

Eunuch Feng has been in the palace for many years and he was accustomed to discerning a person’s thoughts from their body language.
He reminded quietly, “Crown Prince, the Empress is waiting for you.”

It was as though the crown price woke up from a dream.
He realized his gaffe, but his eyes remained firmly locked on Lin Qingyu.
“What is your name?” 

“…Lin Qingyu.”

“Lin Qingyu.” The corner of the crown prince’s lips ticked up and he said with a half-smile, “I’ll remember you.” After saying so, he turned around and entered the Fengyi Palace.

Suddenly, Lin Qingyu felt that Lu Wancheng’s “Qingyu is my entire passion.” didn’t sound so greasy.