Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 223 Ohno Sora is only alright looking.

The night was long.

After the first half, Li Shuang moved to the court for the second half.

Yuan Mingyue's residence!

It had just rained, and the room was a bit stuffy.

Yuan Mingyue, dressed in a light robe and holding a fan, leaned against the railing of the waterside pavilion by the pond, gently waving the fan.

A night breeze blows, and the lights flicker.

Yuan Mingyue's body was fair and tender, and her thin, light clothes could not hide her fleshy figure. Sweat seeped slightly from her skin and stained her hair. Her elegant temperament revealed a seductive feeling, just like a fresh and ripe peach that made people itch with desire.

When Li Shuang arrived, Yuan Mingyue smiled sweetly.

"My husband is here!"

A small stove was boiling water nearby. Yuan Mingyue got up and brewed a cup of tea for Li Shuang.

"I really liked the poem my husband wrote last time."

Yuan Mingyue is a princess.

In terms of status, Yuan Mingyue was the granddaughter of Emperor Xiaowen, Yuan Hong.

Yuan Mingyue and her brother were implicated because of their father, Prince Yuan Yu of Lintao, who plotted a rebellion. However, after Yuan Xu ascended the throne, they regained their freedom and were reinstated as members of the imperial clan.

After gaining her freedom, Yuan Mingyue received the education she was entitled to without any delay.

Unlike women like Dugu Ru who came from the north, she excelled in poetry, literature, handicrafts, and cooking.

This was originally a required course for noble ladies in Luoyang.

"As long as you like it!"

Li Shuang and Yuan Mingyue sat to one side. Yuan Mingyue handed Li Shuang a white porcelain bowl containing freshly brewed tea.

“My husband, excessive drinking is bad for your health. This tea is just right to relieve the effects of alcohol.”

Li Shuang took a sip and immediately felt much refreshed.

Yuan Mingyue slowly spoke:

“My brother Yuan Baoju was recently granted the title of Prince of Nanyang by His Majesty. My sister-in-law is coming to Chang’an to handle some of the properties of the Yifu tribe in Guanzhong. May I ask her to stay with me for a while?”

"It doesn't matter!"

Yuan Baoju was frivolous and dissolute, indulging in wine and women, but his wife, Princess Yifu, was a great beauty.

In fact, the Yifu tribe is famous for its beautiful women, and women from the tribe often marry into the Yuan clan.

“My sister-in-law also brought several young women from the Yifu tribe. Husband, you may come and take a look.”

As soon as Yuan Mingyue finished speaking, Li Shuang frowned slightly.

"What does Madam mean?"

"My lord, it's time you took a concubine!"

"..."

Familiar words echoed in his ears, and for a moment Li Shuang felt as if he had returned to the moment before, and suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion.

"Don't you usually not care about these things?"

Yuan Mingyue said righteously:

"Times have changed. My husband is now in charge of Chang'an, but we have few children. We should take more wives and concubines to increase our offspring."

Then, Yuan Mingyue continued:

“If my husband doesn’t like the women from the Yifu tribe that my sister-in-law brought, I have other suitable candidates here. They are all noble ladies from prominent families, and their virtues and appearances are both outstanding. Although Chang’an is martial and has a lot of strength, adding a touch of gentleness will make it more balanced and harmonious.”

"What you say makes sense!"

Li Shuang and Yuan Mingyue talked for a while longer, but Yuan Mingyue left because she was pregnant.

Watching Li Shuang's departing figure, Yuan Mingyue revealed a smug smile.

"So what if I have three thousand Xiongnu warriors backing me up? They dare to bully me? My family has connections too!"

……

After leaving Yuan Mingyue's residence, Li Shuang did not return to his own main hall, but instead went to Liu Sixia's residence.

It was late at night, but Liu Sixia was still awake, engrossed in reading a book.

Liu Sixia complained when she saw Li Shuang arrive.

"Why are you here so late at night instead of sleeping?"

Li Shuang laughed and sat down next to Liu Sixia.

"I just wanted to have a chat with you!"

Seeing Li Shuang's expression, Liu Sixia said, somewhat annoyed, "You're asking me for a favor, aren't you!"

"It would have to be you!"

Li Shuang told Liu Sixia about how both Dugu Ru and Yuan Mingyue wanted him to take a concubine, and Liu Sixia was delighted.

"What's so strange about that? They're both in the inner palace, trying to build up their own power!"

The women that Dugu Ru wanted Li Shuang to take as concubines all belonged to the Northern Martial Arts Group.

The women that Yuan Mingyue wanted Li Shuang to take as concubines all belonged to prominent families in Luoyang.

Thinking of this, Li Shuang couldn't help but curse under his breath.

The feud between TM's Six Garrisons and Luoyang has extended to his inner palace!

Seeing that Li Shuang's expression was rather unpleasant, Liu Sixia showed no sympathy whatsoever, but instead sneered.

"Wherever there are people, there is a world of intrigue, and the same goes for women. Blame it on your own for being too fickle and marrying these two formidable women."

When Li Shuang heard Liu Sixia say that, a smile returned to his face, and he moved even closer to Liu Sixia.

"At least give me some advice on how to deal with the two of them."

Liu Sixia glanced at Li Shuang and said irritably:
"Putting aside the fact that Aru is my sister and it's a matter of siding with family regardless of right or wrong, besides, why should I help you!"

"I have a newly arrived ancient book that records the people and customs of Chang'an during the Han Dynasty. I'll give it to you!"

Liu Sixia raised an eyebrow, her heart fluttering, but she still kept quiet.

“I’m not the kind of woman who doesn’t know her place and just stands on the shore watching others make a fool of themselves. But it’s a deal, you can’t tell Aru about this.”

"I see."

“Neither Aru nor Yuan Mingyue are simple characters; the people they’ve won over must have been carefully chosen. Once you get them what they want, your household will be quite lively. The simplest way is for you to choose one of them.”

Li Shuang rolled his eyes.

"If it were that easy, would I need to ask you?"

Liu Sixia smacked her lips and said:

"It's not good for a man to be too greedy! But if you don't want an easy way, I have a more complicated one."

"You say!"

"The world of women is no simpler than that of men. They want to establish their own power in this inner palace, and so can you!"

Li Shuang was stunned.

"what for?"

"You should bring all the smart people around them to your side, like that Hebazhen. That way, even if they want to cause trouble, they won't be able to do anything!"

"Thanks for the advice!"

After Li Shuang left, Liu Sixia grumbled.

"That bastard is good-looking, but he's nothing!"

……

The sky is bright.

Liu Sixia was lazing in bed when she heard a knock on her door.

"Who?"

Liu Sixia opened the door sleepily and saw Dugu Ru standing outside, looking at her angrily.

"Aru, you were looking for me?"

Dugu Ru stormed into the house, sat down, and crossed her arms.

"Sister, we've been sisters for so many years, and you're actually helping outsiders against me!"

"what for?"

"Are you aware that your husband plans to build a women's quarters in the inner palace?"

"What women's quarters?"

"My husband wants to find some concubines in the inner palace to enter the women's quarters and help him with his paperwork."

He's quite smart!

Liu Sixia muttered to herself, then suddenly felt something was wrong.

He just left me, and the very next day he's talking about setting up a women's pavilion. Isn't that a clear indication that he already had a plan in mind and wanted to make me take the blame?

Ohno Sou, you tricked me!

……

(End of this chapter)