The Ugly Empress by Yun Guo Shi Fei / 丑娘娘 by 云过是非

Chapter 18 - Male Wife

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Feng Ming hadn't attended the imperial court for almost a year, it was inevitable that today, many officials burst into tears.

Today, it had also happened Zhao Lu plead sickness and was absent from the morning court assembly. Minister Zuo, followed by most of the court officials, took the opportunity to file an open complain against Marquis Zhulu.

When Feng Ming returned to his residence, Rui Xue was waiting outside. She cautiously said, "Da Wang... Master is here. He is inside."

Feng Ming paused for a moment before stepping inside.

Marquis Zhulu was standing with his back to the door; seemingly appreciating the intricate ornaments. His posture was straight as if nothing was wrong with him . No matter how closely you look at him, it was clear he wasn't even sick.

Zhao Lu turned around and said with a smile, "Da Wang, you're back."

Feng Ming answered with just a single glance in his direction.

Zhao Lu strode closer and held Feng Ming against him. Feng Ming wasn't small; his black official attire emphasized his tall and robust figure. But standing next to Zhao Lu, Feng Ming looked thin.

Zhao Lu pinched Feng Ming's chin to lift his head. The jade beads of Feng Ming's tasseled crown felt cold against his forehead, but Feng Ming stubbornly refused to look at Zhao Lu; eyes looking away nervously.

"What?" Zhao Lu smiled, "Your Majesty has been getting closer to Minister Zuo these few day, and now you even don't want to look at me?"

"It's not that."

"Oh... It isn't?" Zhao Lu gently stroked Feng Ming's lips and said, "Are you tired of seeing this lowly subject? You even sent a messenger to Xue requesting the Grand Princess to come visit without informing me."

"..." Feng Ming opened his lips as if about to answer, only to close them without saying anything.

His silence seemed to infuriate Marquis Zhulu. Grabbing Feng Ming's waist, Zhao Lu dragged him to the inner room and threw him on the bed.

Rui Xue protested, "Lord Marquis! You..."

"Shut up!" Zhao Lu snapped at her and swept the ink stone on the table off to the floor. He shouted, "Get out! You are not allowed to talk here!"

Rui Xue sighed and reluctantly went out.

Zhao Lu pressed Feng Ming on the bed and laughed coldly, "When you were sick, I tirelessly took care of you. Hadn't I been good to you? Now you want to attack Xue Country, and you don't even talk to me about it first. Do I seem like an amusing game to you?"

"I don't want to have to lie to you."

Feng Ming's crown had fallen off and his hair spread messily in the blanket. Reaching out a hand, Feng Ming touched Zhao Lu's left chest saying, "Ask yourself honestly, haven't I been obeying you for years. If it isn't for the court officials filing a joint complain, I would never have to deal with the court... This Feng Country's foundation has been built for hundreds of years, I won't let it fall into ruins in my own hands!"

Zhao Lu laughed out loud and said, "So now you're blaming me?"

Feng Ming slowly said, "I don't believe you can't see it. All I've been doing is to protect you. If I don't send troops to Xue Country this time, do you think you could withstand many court officials trying to impeach you?"

"Then I ask you, what are you planning by sending a message requesting the Grand Princess to come back?" Zhao Lu caught Feng Ming's hand on his chest, not allowing Feng Ming to touch him, then he added, "Are you planning to assassinate the Grand Princess on her way here then put the blame on Xue Junliang, creating an excuse to send troops?"