Chapter 1256: Helan Minyue Knows How to Compete for Favor

The brocade curtains hung low, casting shadows on the sunlight outside the window, letting in only a few streaks of golden light that fell on the red skirts scattered beside the couch.

The tent was still filled with a faint fragrance of orchids, mixed with a warm and ambiguous atmosphere, and even the air had a sticky sweetness.

After a tender moment, Fu Yuxue leaned softly against Lin Lang's chest, her cheeks still flushed, her hair disheveled and clinging to his neck, her fingertips gently tracing the skin of his chest, her voice soft and coquettish.

"Your Majesty...you're so mean! You promised to treat me gently, but you were so rude instead."

Lin Lang held a cigarette between his fingers, the flickering flame highlighting the languid look in his eyes.

He took a drag, slowly exhaling a smoke ring. The smoke, mixed with the warm fragrance inside the tent, diffused, blurring the features of both of them.

Lin Lang lowered his head and rubbed Fu Yuxue's sweaty forehead, teasing her with a smile: "My beloved concubine says no, but her body is more honest than anyone else's."

Fu Yuxue's cheeks flushed, and she reached out to pinch Lin Lang, but she had little strength; instead, it sounded like she was being coquettish.

"How annoying! Your Majesty is making fun of me again." She glanced at the cigarette between Lin Lang's fingers and frowned slightly. "Smoking this all the time, be careful not to harm your health."

"It's alright." Lin Lang took Fu Yuxue's soft, boneless hand, kissed it, and stroked her delicate palm with his fingertips. "My beloved concubine, you are so beautiful!"

Fu Yuxue was delighted to hear this and snuggled in Lin Lang's arms, asking, "Your Majesty, am I more beautiful, or is Helan Minyue more beautiful?"

Lin Lang replied without hesitation, "Of course you're beautiful! In my eyes, you're the most beautiful!"

"Hmph, Your Majesty is just trying to flatter me. You would definitely say that Helan Minyue is more beautiful in front of you."

Lin Lang's gaze swept over the messy brocade quilt on the couch and the phoenix hairpin lying to the side. His smile deepened, and he changed the subject, saying, "Just now, my beloved concubine's voice was probably heard outside the palace."

Fu Yuxue, blushing, burrowed into Lin Lang's arms and mumbled, "It's all because of His Majesty... making a scene in broad daylight..."

As the two were cuddling, the light footsteps of a palace maid suddenly came from outside the palace, followed by a respectful reply: "Your Majesty, lunch is ready."

"Her Majesty the Empress said that the Imperial Uncle Chu and the Imperial Clan are already waiting in the side hall, just waiting for His Majesty to come and dine together."

The ambiguous atmosphere in the tent seemed to dissipate somewhat with this report. Lin Lang raised an eyebrow, stubbed out his cigarette, casually tossed it into the enamel ashtray beside him, and said loudly, "I understand."

Upon hearing the words "Chu Guojiu" (the Chu state's brother-in-law), Fu Yuxue couldn't help but ask curiously, "Chu Guojiu? How come I've never heard of this person before?"

Lin Lang replied, "The Empress's only brother is named Chu Tiannan. He just arrived in Chang'an from Shanghai today. The Empress ordered someone to buy a large house for him in Chang'an so he can stay there for a few days."

"I see. Then who is Zang Guoming?" Fu Yuxue pressed.

Lin Lang lied and said, "Zang Guoming is a close friend of the Empress's brother. He's a movie star in Shanghai. Haven't you seen the movie 'A Chinese Ghost Story' starring him?"

Fu Yuxue said with an exaggerated expression, "Oh, the one who played the weak scholar Ning Caichen?"

Lin Lang replied with a smile, "That's right."

Fu Yuxue shook Lin Lang's arm and said coquettishly, "Your Majesty, I've watched all the DVDs you brought back from Shanghai. When are you going to bring me some new movies to watch?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Lang immediately took out a DVD of the historical drama "Legend of Lu Zhen" from his personal space and handed it to Fu Yuxue, saying affectionately, "Here, I happen to have a TV series set in the Northern and Southern Dynasties."

Fu Yuxue smiled happily at first, then looked at Zhao Liying in ancient costume on the DVD cover and asked curiously, "Your Majesty, I don't think I've seen this actress from Shanghai before. Are her dramas good?"

Lin Lang replied, "This 'Legend of Lu Zhen' is a script I wrote myself. The female lead, Zhao Liying, is my imperial concubine in Shanghai. A TV series starring her must be good!"

Upon hearing this, Fu Yuxue immediately became jealous, pouting and saying coquettishly, "Hmph, even Zhao Liying with her chubby, round face isn't as pretty as me!"

Lin Lang chuckled softly, "Zhao Liying is only 19 years old now. Her baby fat hasn't completely disappeared yet, but she's still very cute and innocent. In a few years, she'll become more womanly and more and more beautiful!"

"Hmph, I'm not happy!"

Fu Yuxue said coquettishly, "Your Majesty always stays in Shanghai for longer periods of time. Is it because the imperial concubines there are more favored?"

Lin Lang pinched Fu Yuxue's chin, lowered his head and pecked her lips, his tone teasing: "Don't be jealous, my beloved concubine. You gave birth to my precious Ling'er, so you will always be my most beloved imperial concubine."

Fuyu Xue nestled in Lin Lang's arms and said emotionally, "Your Majesty, you are my everything. If I do anything wrong, you must tell me, and I can correct it. Please don't distance yourself from me, okay?"

Lin Lang gently stroked Fu Yuxue's fragrant shoulder and coaxed, "Don't worry, my beloved concubine, even on the day the earth is destroyed, you will not fall out of favor."

"Hehe... Your Majesty, you are so good to me!" Fu Yuxue couldn't hide her joy and kissed Lin Lang on the cheek.

"Alright, I can't be so affectionate with you anymore. The Empress and the Imperial Uncle Chu are waiting for me to have lunch."

Fu Yuxue hummed in agreement, sat up from the bed and helped Lin Lang get dressed, her eyes full of tenderness.

After Lin Lang finished dressing, Fu Yuxue immediately got out of bed and knelt on the ground to help him put on his shoes, gently trying to please him.

Lin Lang bent down and helped Fu Yuxue up, placing a tender kiss on her forehead.

Fu Yuxue smiled sweetly, reluctantly hugging Lin Lang tightly, her cheek rubbing against his chest, her voice as soft as spring water: "Your Majesty, please walk slowly."

Lin Lang held the soft, delicate body of Fu Yuxue in his arms, watching her pout her lips reluctantly, her moist lips still lingering in his body with the afterglow of their tenderness.

"Mmm." Lin Lang's voice was low and husky, filled with an irresistible tenderness, as he leaned down and covered Fu Yuxue's lips with his.

This kiss wasn't as passionate and intense as before, but it was filled with endless tenderness. As they lingered and caressed each other, Fu Yu Xue leaned against Lin Lang's chest, even more reluctant to let him go.

The sun shone through the gauze curtains outside the tent, casting dappled shadows on the two figures embracing each other. The phoenix hairpins scattered on the bedside and the disheveled brocade quilt became the backdrop for this farewell kiss.

Fu Yuxue returned Lin Lang's kiss with such tenderness and initiative.

After a deep and sweet kiss, Lin Lang slowly stepped back, his eyes full of smiles.

"My beloved concubine, if you keep kissing her, the Empress and the Imperial Uncle Chu will probably be starving in the side hall."

Fu Yuxue's cheeks were burning hot. She buried her face in Lin Lang's arms and refused to look up. Her voice was muffled, like a mosquito's hum: "Then...then Your Majesty, drink less wine at lunch and don't overindulge."

Lin Lang gently patted Fu Yuxue's beautiful back and coaxed her softly, "Hmm, don't worry, my beloved concubine. If I keep hugging you, the Empress will probably get impatient and order the palace maids to urge you again."

"Very well, Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off." Fu Yu Xue reluctantly let go of his hand, curtsied to Lin Lang, her eyes filled with longing.

"Goodbye, my beloved!" Lin Lang turned to leave, but she grabbed his clothes again.

He turned around and saw Fuyu Xue tiptoe and quickly peck him on the corner of his lips. She then blushed and withdrew her hand, like a kitten that had stolen cream, and whispered, "This is a farewell kiss for His Majesty."

Lin Lang felt a warmth in his heart, bent down and returned Fu Yuxue's sweet peck kiss before striding out of the bedchamber.

The sunlight outside the palace was a bit dazzling. Lin Lang was in a good mood, humming a little tune. He hadn't gone far when he heard a little boy's childish voice calling out from behind him, "Father!"

Lin Lang turned around at the sound, and the sunlight was falling on the small figure under the corridor.

It is his son with Helan Minyue, Lin Anhe.

The little one, just over three years old, was exquisitely beautiful, with fair and tender cheeks glowing with a healthy rosy blush. His jet-black hair was tied into two topknots, and he wore a reddish-brown prince's robe embroidered with cloud patterns, the hem of which fluttered as he ran.

The little guy took quick, shuffling steps, clutching a bamboo-framed, paper-made windmill in his hand. When the wind blew, the red and green leaves spun loudly, making his big, dark eyes sparkle.

“Father——!”

The soft, sweet voice of a child, carried on the wind, rushed into Lin Lang's ears. Before Lin Lang could even bend down, Xiao Anhe had already thrown himself into his arms, his strong little arms tightly hugging his thighs.

Xiao An looked up at Lin Lang with her little face and said in a childish voice, "Father, hug me!"

Lin Lang's heart melted. He quickly bent down, picked up his son, pinched his soft cheeks with his fingertips, and kissed him several times on the forehead and cheeks, making the little guy giggle and spin the pinwheel in his hand even more enthusiastically.

"You brat, running so fast, what if you fall?" Lin Lang said, feigning annoyance, but his eyes were full of undisguised doting affection.

Xiao An hugged Lin Lang's neck, buried her milky-smelling head in the crook of his neck, and mumbled, "Father, look, Mother made me a windmill!"

Lin Lang smiled and praised, "Your mother is so skillful."

As soon as she finished speaking, two slender figures hurriedly followed. They were Helan Minyue's personal maid, Xiao Cui, and another palace maid.

The two women, panting from running, immediately bowed deeply upon seeing Lin Lang, their voices respectful yet tinged with panic: "This servant greets Your Majesty."

Xiao Cui glanced up and saw Xiao An snuggling in Lin Lang's arms, feeling relieved. She quickly explained, "Your Majesty, please forgive us. The young prince heard that you were going to the side hall for lunch and insisted on coming to see you. We couldn't stop him..."

Lin Lang, however, was very fond of his and Helan Minyue's son, and replied with a smile, "It's alright."

Xiao An hugged Lin Lang's neck and whispered in his ear, "Father, Mother misses you. Will you have lunch with Mother and me?"

"You brat, is this what your mother taught you to say?"

Xiao Anhe nodded and giggled, "Mother also said that as long as I say this to Father, he will definitely come."

"Haha... Your father is completely under your thumb, you little rascal." Lin Lang kissed Xiao An and his chubby cheeks again.

"Hehe..." Xiao An smiled sweetly with her little mouth.

Lin Lang snapped his fingers, summoning an invisible clone that went to the side hall to have lunch with Chu Tiannan and Zang Guoming, catch up with them, and celebrate Chu Yiren's birthday.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Lang carried the soft little Anhe in his arms, playing with his son as he walked towards Helan Minyue's palace.

Along the way, Xiao An and Lin Lang made them laugh and giggle, creating a heartwarming and happy scene of fatherly love and filial piety.

Xiao An's innocent laughter was so healing that it made Lin Lang forget all his troubles, and he just wanted to spend more time with his son and play with the little guy.