**Chapter 67: My Lord, Why Did You Come So Late?** - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

**Chapter 67: My Lord, Why Did You Come So Late?** [As per custom, when the female attendant went inside to announce your presence, and you waited outside the imperial study, you took out two gold leaves to inquire with the two eunuchs.] "Eunuchs, did His Majesty exhibit any unusual behavior yesterday?" [One of the eunuchs replied immediately.] “Lord Su, I heard from the attendant Xiaohong that His Majesty had a nightmare last night.” “The Emperor was startled until midnight before waking up.” “After waking, he couldn’t fall back to sleep.” “Lord Su, you should be cautious this time.” [The two eunuchs stood aside afterward without further comment.] [The two gold leaves could only get them to say so much.] [Hearing the eunuchs' words, you started contemplating about why Emperor Xiao had summoned you today.] [With a restless heart, you waited quietly for Emperor Xiao to call you inside.] [However, you waited for a long time, and even when dusk turned to night, you saw no sign of being called. Your legs grew numb from standing, and two shifts of attendants had already changed out.] [When night fully set, under the moonlight and starlit sky, the female attendant finally approached gracefully.] "Lord Su, thank you for your patience.” “His Majesty was resting but has now awoken.” [Upon hearing this, you couldn’t help but start to complain internally.] [Resting, indeed.] [It was clearly a form of revenge against you.] [But you didn’t let any of this show in your expression.] “Thank you.” [With that said, you moved your stiffened legs and slowly made your way to the study.] [Standing still for so long was truly torturous.] [Upon entering the study, you found it seemingly empty, as there was no sight of the Empress.] [Just as you were puzzled, a waft of sandalwood incense drifted over, leading you curiously toward the inner chamber.] [The inner chamber of the imperial study was a Buddhist shrine.] [At this moment, Xiao Huang knelt devoutly in front of a Buddha statue, clad in plain attire, her hands clasped, her eyes gently closed.] [Today, her attire was especially snug, highlighting her enchanting curves — from your angle, a slender waist and alluring hips.] [As you approached, Emperor Xiao showed no reaction, seemingly deep in meditation, reminiscent of a sacred Buddha in the glow of candlelight.] [Courageously, you moved closer, realizing belatedly that Emperor Xiao’s neck was flushed crimson, and her jewelled earlobes emitted a faint pink glow.] [You heard her breathing, initially soft, gradually becoming rapid.] [At first, you thought there might be someone else in the shrine, but tracing the sound, you discovered it emanated from Xiao Huang.] [At this moment, she seemed to be in an inner conflict, perspiration dotting her forehead, hair, and neck.] [What do you choose to do?] [Option One: Approach the Empress, complimenting her beauty.] [Option Two: Quietly retreat, not disturbing the Empress.] [Option Three: Remind the Empress why she summoned you today.] … Feeling vexed by the interrupted scene, Su Mo encountered the options and felt irritated. Hesitating over what? Option one, of course! … [You selected the first option.] [You walked slowly to stand behind Xiao Huang, gently caressing her earlobe.] [You felt the surprising heat radiating from her ear; Xiao Huang, whose eyes were initially half-closed, now shut them tightly.] [Seeing this, you leaned closer.] “Your Majesty, you are so beautiful.” “I have never seen a woman as stunning as you.” [Your words shattered her restraint like a flood breaching a dam. Xiao Huang suddenly turned and embraced you.] “My lord, why did you take so long…” [From Xiao Huang, you sensed a thousandfold intensity compared to Yu Luoning.] [Even a man of iron would melt under such passion.] … In reality, Xiao Huang clutched the bedpost with all her might, her fingertips whitening… Seeing his triumph, Su Mo felt bewildered by the Empress’s transformation. … [Before dawn broke the next day, Xiao Huang awakened you.] [Flushed and brimming with charm, her every gesture had a ripened allure, casting an enthralling spell.] [She seemed anxious to avoid discovery.] “Su Lang, you should leave here quickly.” [When she spoke, Xiao Huang avoided touching you, fearing losing restraint again.] [Understanding her concerns, you obliged.] “Yes, Your Majesty.” [Reluctantly, you took the calligraphy set Xiao Huang prepared for you and left the imperial study under the cover of night.] [Outside, Xiao Huang’s trusted female guards awaited, indoctrinated since youth with loyalty to Xiao Huang, executing orders flawlessly regardless of understanding.] [Efficiently, you were escorted out of the palace back home, the guards promptly returning thereafter.] [Yu Luoning, who hadn’t slept all night, greeted your return with excitement.] “Husband, how did it go?” “Did Xiao Huang bow beneath your prowess?” [You massaged your stomach, recalling the long hours of exertion on merely breakfast and some honey nectar. Returning home, hunger overwhelmed you.] “Let’s not talk about that now; I’m starving. Is there any food?” “Of course, husband, plenty.” [With that, Yu Luoning brought forth a delightful array of food from the kitchen—roast chicken, beef, pastries—everything kept warm in the pot.] [You dived in without a notion of decorum.] [The reward of delicious food after a satisfying triumph brought unprecedented joy.] [After filling your belly to capacity and sipping a cup of tea, you finally paused.] [Yu Luoning knelt beside you, her insatiable curiosity evident.] [As you finished, she hugged your arm, playfully shaking it.] “Tell me, husband, what happened next?” [After picking your teeth, you recounted the events in detail.] [Yu Luoning was thrilled.] “With this, I’m at ease!” “With my support, that Empress will be at your mercy, to perhaps bear many hearty sons.” [As she spoke, Yu Luoning sank into her own fantasies.] [Seeing her like this made you feel helpless too.] [Feeling drowsy after a hearty meal, you decided to take a nap.] [Still lost in daydreams, Yu Luoning hastily called after you.] “Husband, let me warm the bed first…” [Days passed without a summons from Xiao Huang, spent leisurely reading, practicing calligraphy, and sharing studies with Yu Luoning.] [You became proficient in various arts, preparing for future encounters with Xiao Huang.] [Over the weeks sans communication from her, concern began to brew.] [One day, while studying, Yu Luoning noticed your distraction and proposed from your embrace.] “Husband, do you miss the Empress?” [Instinctively, you replied insincerely.] “Impossible, when I have you.” [With this, you playfully nudged, eliciting Yu Luoning’s giggles.] “Enough, darling. I know you too well.” “Men always want what’s not in their cup.” “Fine, I’ll have White Ghost take a look. Given his royal aura from past life, he can safely assess the palace without dissipating.” [Her suggestion intrigued you.] “That might suffice.” “However, it mustn’t overextend the White Ghost.” “No worry, he’ll be quick.” [After dressing, Yu Luoning summoned White Ghost, whose immediate fear of the palace was evident.] [As a hub of national fortune, the palace promised significant harm even to him upon entry.] [Faced with Yu Luoning’s command, White Ghost dared not resist and transformed into a wisp of smoke, setting off for the palace.] [Approximately the time it takes to burn one incense stick later, White Ghost returned, noticeably more translucent than before.] [Seeing his return, Yu Luoning quickly inquired.] “Old Bai, what did you find?” “What is the Empress up to now?” [White Ghost answered truthfully.] “I don’t know. I was blocked by the gate guardians before getting close, but I gleaned some information from the eunuchs and palace maids.” “They mentioned that the Empress's uncle proposed that she should marry, suggesting that she’s no longer young and needs a man’s care.” “Oh, and there’s another thing. With tensions escalating at the border, the Empress's uncle has taken a large army to suppress the Hun barbarians.” “It’s said that the Empress is overwhelmed with a multitude of affairs.” [Learning about all that Xiao Huang has been dealing with, a pang of worry struck your heart.] “Alright, that’s enough. You should go and rest.” [Upon hearing this, White Ghost promptly vanished into a wisp of smoke, in dire need of recuperation.] “My lord, what do you intend to do?” [Noticing your anxiety, Yu Luoning asked with concern.] “This…” [You hesitated.] [Currently, you possess no power capable of influencing the court proceedings.] [Worrying now is only causing futile distress.] [Seeing this, Yu Luoning nestled into your embrace, gently massaging your temples.] “My lord.” “Patience is a virtue; perhaps it’s best to wait and see how things unfold.” [Feeling touched, you held Yu Luoning’s delicate hand.] “Thank you, Yuniang.” “My lord, it’s what I ought to do.” [Just as you were about to reward Yu Luoning, an urgent knock interrupted from outside the room.] [Yu Luoning closed her eyes, attuning herself to the scene beyond the door.] [Afterward, she slowly opened her eyes, displaying some surprise.] “My lord, it seems the Empress has come to see you…” (End of Chapter)