The marriage of Nan Gong Hao Xuan was a topic that most officials brought up recently; in fact, they had bothered her about it before, but it had become even more pressing lately.
Because in a few months, Nan Gong Hao Xuan would be twenty-three.
Let alone in a matriarchal society, even in a patriarchal one, a man of that age should already be a father.
The imperial clan also frequently urged Zhu Xian to quickly marry off her only beloved brother.
Otherwise, it would be letting down the late emperor.
Zhu Xian did not know what this matter had to do with a dead person. Since others were rushing her, she could only urge Qiao Yu, sending him some nourishing medicinal herbs and conveying her thoughts at the same time.
Although Zhu Xian had learned a lot about this world, she did not understand some of the "special products" of a matriarchal society.
For example, when a wife sends nourishing medicinal herbs to her male consorts, it actually carries a strong implication.
The person who delivered the message passed it on to the Imperial Hospital. In the eyes of the imperial physicians, it meant that His Majesty felt Qiao Ce Jun was not serving her well and needed replenishment.
Therefore, without a second word, they sent Qiao Yu many items whose names sounded elegant, but whose actual effects were difficult to describe.
Although Qiao Yu had been a Ce Jun for several years, his understanding of such matters was limited to a few words his father had spoken when he was still at home.
He understood nothing.
He genuinely took those tonics as Zhu Xian's well wishes for him, having them prepared into meals every day and treating the medicine as food.
This consumption led to problems.
His face became flushed, and he saw illusions in the eyes of the people in the palace. He looked around somewhat dazed. The people around him came forward to ask him what was wrong, but he couldn't explain anything.
"Get out, all of you! You don't need to serve me."
The attendants, not understanding, had no choice but to withdraw one by one.
After everyone in the palace had left, Qiao Yu eagerly removed his outer robe, wearing only his inner garment. The heat finally subsided a little.
But he still felt uncomfortable.
He wandered aimlessly around the palace a few times, panting helplessly.
His gaze fell on the tea on the table. He picked up the tea and drank it down in one gulp. Feeling it wasn't enough, he directly lifted the teapot and poured water into his mouth. After drinking a whole pot of tea, his consciousness became slightly clearer.
He was still hot.
His footsteps unsteady, he walked outside.
The attendants had all withdrawn, and he easily left through the side door of his palace.
There was a lake outside.
Water.
"Water."
He hummed softly and jumped in.
His feverish body immersed in the icy lake water, he sighed comfortably.
Just as he was wondering why he was having such a reaction, he suddenly heard someone shout not far away: "Someone has fallen into the water!"
It was a woman's voice.
Qiao Yu subconsciously tightened the few clothes he had left on. When the person reached him, he felt as though his earlier dip in the cold water had been in vain.
It was too unbearable.
After the woman's voice sounded, no other human voices appeared around.
The people in his palace had all been sent away.
He hugged the person close to him and unconsciously reached out to her.
The woman did not expect him to be so bold.
However, her status was acceptable. She was just a young man serving in the palace. She could find an excuse to take him away tomorrow.
Thinking of this, she took the initiative.
"Your Majesty!"
Zhu Xian was startled and looked up, her gaze fixed on the person at the door.
"Your Majesty, something bad has happened."
"What is it?"
The female official was extremely nervous: "Qiao Ce Jun, he is at Tai Yue Palace, committing an improper act."
Zhu Xian couldn't quite grasp what she meant for a moment.
She frowned and asked, "Committing what improper act? Worthy of disturbing me so?"
The female official had no choice but to explain: "They are in Tai Yue Palace, engaging in lewd activities."
Zhu Xian: "..."
She was so angry she couldn't speak.
Damn it!
Why?
She had been here for so long and hadn't yet slept with anyone. This was truly a Waterloo in her transmigration journey. Qiao Yu, in this place, had already broken his fast before her.
Why?
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
"Go."
"Yes."
In the female official's mind, the Empress must be extremely furious. Her own man in the harem was having an affair with another woman in the palace and was caught red-handed. This was simply slapping her in the face. Ordinary people would find it hard to tolerate, and as the ruler of a country, the Empress would likely be even more enraged.
Those two people were definitely going to die today.
Zhu Xian walked with a dark expression to the entrance of Tai Yue Palace.
"Her Majesty has arrived!"
The palace, which had been somewhat noisy, instantly fell silent as a pin drop.
Zhu Xian strode in and the first person she saw was Qiao Yu kneeling before her. Behind her, the "adulterer" was looking at her with a look of astonishment.
"Your humble subject pays respects to Your Majesty, Your Majesty lives for ten thousand years."
"Stop with the 'ten thousand years'," Zhu Xian grumbled inwardly. "If calling out 'ten thousand years' could truly make one live for ten thousand years, this throne wouldn't have fallen to me."
Especially with matters like this happening more often, let alone living for ten thousand years, she was worried she would be angered to death prematurely.
"This subject knows the crime and begs Your Majesty for punishment."
"Your humble officer knows the crime and begs Your Majesty for punishment."
The woman behind them also quickly knelt and paid her respects.
"Who are you?"
The person kowtowed and said earnestly: "Your humble officer is a guard of the Imperial Palace. Last night, while patrolling Tai Yue Palace, I saw the Ce Jun's graceful bearing, incomparable beauty, and was struck by her as if by a divine being. For a moment, I was bewitched and committed a grave error. Your humble officer knows my sin is deep and only asks Your Majesty to spare the Ce Jun. Your humble officer is willing to bear all consequences."
Zhu Xian sat on the upper seat. "Qiao Yu, and you?"
Qiao Yu seemed somewhat heartbroken and said with a sense of having nothing to live for: "This subject... has committed a crime, please Your Majesty punish me."
"Tell me clearly what crime you have committed," Zhu Xian said irritably. "Or do you not want to continue serving? Then leave the palace, so as not to be an eyesore before me."