Memories of the PalaceCh35 - Affection

“W-what?” Jin Xiyan stammered. If he understood Li Changyu’s meaning, then it meant that he wanted to reveal the fact they were switched. A slight panic seized Jin Xiyan’s heart.

How are you going to reveal this after being embraced so much!? 1oTnh7

The room was still quiet and confused, though Li Beidou was the one to move things along with a low bow. “Greetings to Your Majesty, may you live long and prosper.”

Li Changyu’s shoulders lifted and fell in a heavy sigh. He arched a brow at the rest of them. “I think we should all sit. The question is,” he peered over at Li Julong, “do you want your Wife implicated in what I am about to tell you?”

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Li Guangzhu, at the mention of his Wife Li Julong, narrowed his eyes. The Lieutenant General squared his shoulders, clearly anticipating a threat. “That depends, Your Majesty. You are acting peculiar, and if you are trying to dredge up old claims and slander that we’ve been cleared of…”

Jin Xiyan’s attention turned to Li Beidou’s soft whisper; “Changyu, what is going on?” pEXmVO

“…we should…” Jin Xiyan swallowed down his meek tone and spoke louder to interrupt Li Guangzhu “We should sit down. Li Julong, perhaps you should–”

Li Julong would not have it, however. He shook his head, “Where he goes, I go.”

Li Changyu must have taken that as some sort of permission because he came forward and started ushering Li Julong to one of the few seats.

“You need the chair most of all, and you,” Li Changyu jerked a thumb over at Li Beidou, “Old man, you need a seat.”

yAnWg3

A spark of recognition ignited in Li Guangzhu’s eyes and he looked between him and Li Changyu. His expression morphed into one of confusion, his lips wordlessly parted. Li Beidou had sputtered but was stunned silent at the direct insult. Jin Xiyan covered his face with a palm – it was such a bizarre image: a tall, regal monarch acting rude and moving about in a “stranger’s” home, and wearing steppe clothes and furs. He could tell that Li Beidou was questioning either “his” sanity, or his own.

“Father, why don’t you have a seat?” Jin Xiyan said, trying to smooth things over, but it didn’t work. Li Beidou looked at him now with the same confused, almost horrified look in his eyes.

With the encouragement from both of them, Li Beidou sat, as did Jin Xiyan. He set the gift down on the table and neatly folded his hands in his own lap as Li Changyu took control of the conversation. Li Changyu stood before them with hands on his hips.

“I’m only going to say this once, and you better believe me…” Li Changyu went on with the long, elaborate explanation of how he was framed for creating a private army and any plans to overthrow the Dynasty. With some exaggerated arm gestures, he told them about how he was attacked then poisoned inside the Cold Palace, and that Jin Xiyan had been poisoned, and finally, that they died and switched bodies. 0UFHhP

Two of the other members of the Li Family took this story in with bewildered stares while Li Julong’s slight smile never faded. Occasionally he would look to Jin Xiyan, but like his Husband and Father-in-Law, he was enraptured by this bizarre, but true tale.

“…and I wanted to come today because I need to tell you two about this, because I need more help in and outside of the Court.” Li Changyu ended with a sigh. After such a long winded speech, Li Changyu looked tired.

They were met with silence and long blinks. Li Guangzhu and Li Beidou gawked at Li Changyu, and Li Julong looked at each person before turning to Li Changyu last and beamed at him.

“Hi Changyu!” he said, perky and happy. Li Changyu smiled back and opened his mouth, but Li Guangzhu cut in. dchAoP

“You are just going to accept this crazy story?!”

Surprising Jin Xiyan, Li Julong showed no hesitation in answering back to his Husband. He batted his doe eyes up at Li Guangzhu, his tone sweet, “Why not? I have heard a lot more mystical things back home.”

Li Julong finished with a shrug, and Li Changyu mimicked it. “Yeah, Brother, what’s there not to believe? It’s partly your fault that we are in this situation!”

Li Guangzhu shot up to his feet, his scowl eerily familiar, “How did you come up with that conclusion!” x9LdNC

“It was your message that made Ping-shixiong get me,” Li Changyu accused with a point of his finger.

In a blink of an eye, the two Brothers were suddenly toe to toe, posturing to one another. Jin Xiyan stiffened in alarm, but Li Beidou was still frozen. Li Julong prevented him from rising by leaning closer to him and covering Jin Xiyan’s hands with one of his.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty,” whispered Li Julong. “They haven’t seen one another in a long time, this is inevitable.”

His words were less than reassuring. Jin Xiyan frowned, “They do this often…?” qU Ozp

“When they were stationed up North, and my Clan next to their camp, I saw them argue about…hmmm…” Li Julong tapped his chin in thought. “Five times a week?” Jin Xiyan’s eyes widened, then Li Julong hastily added, “But don’t worry! They only come to blows maybe once, twice, a month? Three at most!”

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

Suddenly, Jin Xiyan now understood just where his Wife got his fighting spirit. Jin Xiyan covered his face with both hands and groaned, suddenly feeling sick, but the shouting grew louder. He lifted his head to see them.

“It might have been my warning, but it wasn’t my intention for you to go riding off into battle!” Li Guangzhu stabbed Li Changyu in the center of his chest with his finger. “You were supposed to stay in the Palace!”

Li Changyu smacked his Brother’s hand away, his lips curled in a snarl. “Stay in the Palace? Do you think I could just sit by when there is an imminent threat?!” nlOpUC

“Well the joke’s on you, because you were tricked just as much as I was!”

“At least I am not a coward like some people!”

Li Guangzhu invaded the little space left between them, their noses almost touching. His voice lowered into a threatening growl, “If you really are Li Changyu, just because you have His Majesty’s face doesn’t mean I won’t hit you – how dare you call me a coward!”

Things looked like they were getting out of hand. Jin Xiyan couldn’t stand by the sidelines any longer, so he got up and wedged himself between the Brothers. He put a hand on both of their chests and pushed. 0Xb8iT

“You two, just–!”

“Ha!” Li Changyu threw his head back with a laugh. “Only a coward would lie and claim that a ghost ate my doll. I saw you break it with your training sword!”

Li Guangzhu reached over Jin Xiyan’s head and grabbed the front of Li Changyu’s shirt with one hand and balled up the fabric in his fist. “With which eye did you see me break it?!”

Li Changyu stepped forward, practically squishing Jin Xiyan between him and Li Guangzhu. He pointed at his own eyes with two fingers, “BOTH OF THEM! vX0 M2

Jin Xiyan’s heart pounded as Li Guangzhu and Li Changyu raised a fist. Stuck in between the quarreling Brothers, he ducked his head down and braced himself for the inevitable, but a loud resounding smack made them all freeze.

“Enough!” Li Beidou shouted. Li Beidou struck the top of the table with his palm so hard that the table rattled. Li Julong still did not look perturbed, and was the calmest of the bunch.

Li Beidou slowly rose and skirted the table to approach them. Li Beidou put a hand on both of his Sons’ shoulders and pushed them apart in one swift motion, freeing Jin Xiyan. Looking up at Li Beidou, he was overwhelmed with the feeling of being crowded by three large bodies. In his Wife’s body, he had to look up almost constantly, which was a strange sensation. His eyes flicked between the three, and the stark realization that Li Changyu’s existence was like this dawned on him. Despite his proclamations that he was tall for an omega, it was likely that Li Changyu was always the smallest wherever he went.

Jin Xiyan’s gaze settled onto Li Changyu, who pouted with his face turned away. Something twisted in his chest and Jin Xiyan thought to himself; Just how did you survive in the military like this? WE24eN

The men dropped their hands but continued to glare at one another. Li Beidou shot an equally scathing look at his Sons before looking down at Jin Xiyan, where his expression softened into a neutral, if not sad face.

“…Your Majesty?” he asked, almost tentatively.

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Jin Xiyan smoothed down the front of his shirt with his clammy palms and nodded. After a deep breath, he regained some confidence and spoke clearly.

“I am in fact the Emperor Jin Xiyan. As far as we know, everything Li Changyu said was the truth.” 6adZ7r

“Of course it’s true,” Li Changyu muttered and crossed his arms over his chest. Li Beidou turned to him and gave him a long stare before he flung his arms around Li Changyu. He looked just as surprised as Jin Xiyan was, as he didn’t expect Li Beidou to embrace his body in the same way he did with Li Changyu’s.

Li Changyu went rigid, but he quickly melted under his Father’s embrace. In his original body, Jin Xiyan stood at equal height to Li Beidou – and with Li Guangzhu, for that matter. Li Beidou held the back of Li Changyu’s head and cradled it towards his shoulder, making Li Changyu awkwardly hunch. Li Guangzhu even came around and patted Li Changyu on the back, though it looked a little more forceful than necessary.

It was a little uncomfortable seeing this affection, mostly because it was unsettling seeing it done to his original body. He just experienced Li Beidou’s hug, which wasn’t for him, and again he witnessed it now directed to his body, but…it still wasn’t for him.

Eventually, the men parted, but Li Julong sprang out of nowhere to give Li Changyu an awkward side hug. Li Changyu laughed and hugged him with one arm and playfully rubbed the top of his head with a set of knuckles. During this, Li Beidou watched Jin Xiyan with a sharp eye. 2e5PCd

Then, to Li Changyu, he turned and said, “There is no way we are telling your Mother and Jiuxing.”

“Of course not,” Li Changyu scoffed. “Why do you think I sent Shen Pei off with him so she could distract Mama?”

This confused Jin Xiyan. “Why don’t you want to tell them?”

“Have you met my Brother?” Li Changyu snorted. “Telling him is like telling the town crier. He’d try to bulldoze his way into the castle to find the culprit.” HPNhyv

“As for Mama…” Li Guangzhu visibly paled, then shuddered. “Let’s just thank the heavens that she doesn’t know.”

The four Li’s gave a resolute nod to that statement, and it didn’t really answer Jin Xiyan’s question, but it left him with an ominous feeling. Thinking back on his interactions with her, maybe it was best that Li Yuyan didn’t know about the current state of her youngest Son.

Or at least, not tell her where there are needles close by…

Li Changyu looked to his Brother. “Is your arm alright?” YhCcqL

Any tension between the Brothers dissipated in an instant. Jin Xiyan recalled the memorial that announced Li Guangzhu having been injured and sent back home. Li Guangzhu flexed the arm in question and rotated it a little bit.

“It’s stiff, is all. Li Julong has been taking good care of me by helping me with medicine and massage.”

“Of course he is,” Li Changyu smirked, “he’s ensuring an old man like you can keep up with him.”

“Don’t be like that!” Li Julong wagged a finger at Li Changyu. Turning to Jin Xiyan, he rested his hands on the shelf of his pregnant belly and explained. “I am nineteen, and Guangzhu is thirty. Changyu just likes to tease – he forgets I am the one that picked his Brother.” UzlvZr

 

“Picked?” Jin Xiyan blinked when Li Julong came forward and wove an arm around his and started directing him back to the table. “You picked your Husband?”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

“Several men fought in a competition my Father set up in order to select a Husband,” Li Julong smiled fondly and indicated Jin Xiyan to sit, but Jin Xiyan refused.

“Please, you take a seat first,” Jin Xiyan pulled one of the chairs for him. “You are pregnant and I am just a guest.” dtq36y

“Oh, silly.” Li Julong giggled and waved a hand, “I am not as fragile as Dashun omegas. Let me set the tea out.”

Jin Xiyan had no option other than to sit, so he did. As Li Julong bustled about while humming, he looked back to the remaining Li’s, who were in deep conversation.

“I’ll need your help on the outside,” Li Changyu went over the details with his Brother. “I have Ping-shixiong following up on the so-called Eagle bearers, but I need you to make an inspection in the barracks. Whoever did this had kidnapped some of my crew in order to pin this crime on me. If we can get direct evidence excluding me, the Court won’t be so angry at me all the time.”

Li Guangzhu nodded, and Jin Xiyan asked, “They are angry with you?” Bo9bfZ

Li Changyu responded with a roll of his eyes. “When are they not angry? I have to listen to their insufferable arguments all the time now. No wonder you have so many headaches.”

That reminded Jin Xiyan of something – he hadn’t been experiencing so many headaches. In fact, he went an entire week without one. Could it be from Li Yuyan’s medicine and care that helped, or maybe it was like Li Changyu said and that not having to deal with Court affairs lessened his burden?

“Papa, I’ll need you to agree with me about everything in the Court, even if it seems to go against me as Li Changyu.” He motioned towards Jin Xiyan, “While we are still alone, please coordinate with His Majesty on some possible strategies in dealing with a few thorny Officials.”

Li Julong piped in as he set down the tea tray, “We should ask Li Wangshu to help!” nX0BrZ

“Li Wangshu!?” Li Changyu’s lip curled and the corner of his eye twitched. “Since when are you so familiar with Li Wangshu?”

Jin Xiyan wasn’t familiar with this member of the Li Family. Li Julong clapped his hands together happily.

“Oh, he visits all the time! He even wants to be the baby’s Godfather.” Li Julong tilted his head and tapped his chin again. “I figured we should ask, because some Daoist priests visit his…” Li Julong’s voice trailed off and he glanced at Jin Xiyan before speaking again, “His shop. This seems like a magical problem to me, so why not find someone best suited for the matter?”

“That is a brilliant idea,” Jin Xiyan, for the first time in a while, felt a bit of hope well up. “We could go to the Imperial Astrologer!” ntXpS

“That quack?!” Li Changyu shook his head firmly, “Absolutely not. We will go with Li Julong’s suggestion, and send a message to Li Wangshu.”

Li Beidou plopped down in a chair beside Jin Xiyan. “I would recommend that we try to keep this away from as many Imperial Officials as possible, Your Majesty. Now, before we talk, why don’t you tell us what this is?”

Li Beidou nodded towards the package on the table, and Jin Xiyan welcomed the change of subject. Li Changyu and his Brother walked off to the other side of the room, leaving the three of them to the table. Li Julong poured tea for Li Beidou first, then to Jin Xiyan. It felt very…domestic.

“This is actually a present for you, Li Julong.” Jin Xiyan lifted the flat package and handed it to Li Julong. “I do not know how much you like Dashun fashion, but…” JCdYQ7

At the promise of a present, Li Julong squealed and took no time unfolding the tucked in sections of the waxed paper. Inside was the dress he had designed for Li Changyu, now with an added pair of jade and silver earrings. Jin Xiyan felt obligated to get Li Julong something other than a technical hand-me-down, so he took this small thing from the many treasures in the Palace.

Li Julong’s grin was the biggest one yet and he delicately set aside the earrings to lift the dress up. He ran his thumbs over the embroidered sections and shook his head.

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“Oh, Xiyan!” he gushed, “This is very beautiful! I know noble male omegas often wear women’s clothing, but I never really did. I just haven’t found something as nice as this!”

Jin Xiyan was momentarily stunned by the familiarity, but Li Julong’s twinkling eyes and large smile melted Jin Xiyan’s heart. Li Julong continued to ramble thank-yous and admire the details and craftsmanship of the dress, and Jin Xiyan nodded along. He was genuinely pleased with Li Julong’s reaction, and it was one he thought Li Changyu would have about the very same dress. Or for any of his gifts, really. A curious thought entered his mind and he glanced back at his Wife, who was leaning against the wall, huddled close with his Brother. 8RXGn4

What could I give you for you to look at me like that? Thinking of Li Julong’s reaction, he couldn’t help but wonder what Li Changyu would like, and how happy his Wife would look. The mental image made him smile.

“Your Majesty,” Li Beidou’s voice pulled him away from his daydreaming. “I would like to ask you a few questions.”

Jin Xiyan turned back to the conversation and nodded to his Father-in-Law. “Of course. But first…”

—– JmUdu

As Jin Xiyan talked with Li Beidou, he was unaware of the conversation between the two Li Brothers. Li Guangzhu had followed Li Changyu to the other side of the room, and he watched his youngest Brother carefully. Li Changyu turned his back to the wall nearest a garden facing window and leaned against it. The dull sunlight of the overcast day was enough to see the worn expression on Li Changyu’s face, and the accompanying bags under his eyes.

Frowning, Li Guangzhu was compelled to ask him directly. “Are you alright?”

Li Changyu gave him a sidelong look with a smirk. Then he inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh before crossing his arms. He turned his head to look out the window as he spoke.

“As alright as I can be, I suppose.” Li Changyu’s light tone shifted in his next words, “I need your help with something secret. Not even Papa can know about it.” T3wFGg

Warning bells went off in his head. He trusted his baby Brother with everything, and when Li Changyu was serious, it meant something. Yes, they butted heads, but they were loyal to one another. He would take any chance to protect his Brother, even though Li Changyu hated that.

“What is it?”

Li Changyu pulled a clinking sack out of his sleeve and handed it to him. He opened it and found silver taels and bank slips for large sums of money. Li Guangzhu tucked the satchel close and his eyes darted around to make sure no one had spotted the exchange.

“What is this?” he lowered his voice and asked again. BvYbHl

“Take this money and have Li Wangshu hire someone to open a business for us in their name,” Li Changyu lowered his head before continuing. “Something legitimate and easy funding for now. Something like furs – it’s getting colder, and it’d be a good first venture.”

“Changyu…” Li Guangzhu squeezed his fist around the sack, “Start making sense.”

Li Changyu raised his head and looked at him, for once at eye level. Even with a different face, he could see his baby Brother in his expressions. There was a haunted look in his eyes, reminding Li Guangzhu of the first set of battles they experienced together. Li Guangzhu was already seasoned at that point, but for his baby Brother, the outside world was vastly different from his time in the Palace. Over time, that look had gone away, but seeing it again chilled Li Guangzhu.

“Being the Emperor, I’m not so stupid anymore. I see how much influence our Family has, and I could see why we fell so easily for this trap, or whatever it is.” Li Changyu shrugged and looked ahead towards Jin Xiyan and their other Family members. “The Emperor and other Royal Family members mistrusted us. We were sitting ducks, and I will be damned if we still are. I want to make sure we have security if anything should happen, and having money that can’t be traced back to us would help with that.” Li Changyu glared at him next, “And before you ask, those are my own funds, not the Royal Treasuries’.” 26hfyO

Li Guangzhu was stunned by what he was hearing. It was something logical and expected of someone with a military strategic mind like his Brother’s, but it felt off somehow. Softening his voice, he reached out to squeeze Li Changyu’s shoulder.

“But the Emperor trusts you now, doesn’t he?”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

“Yes, but for how long? I’ve been told Emperors are fickle creatures.” Li Changyu rested his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. “He has to cooperate with me because I’m in his body, and I can’t expect him to be able to protect me, or our Family. This is the only way I can, for now.”

Li Guangzhu looked at his baby Brother in a new light. He remembered him as a small, tiny baby, and he grew into a lovely, beautiful man. Though they shared many victories and battles, Li Guangzhu had never seen Li Changyu as self-aware as he was now. There was a weariness about him that concerned him, but he knew from experience that fussing over his Brother would raise his hackles. tyZ zL

“Alright, baby Brother…I will help you.”

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39 comments

  1. Yay !! Thank you for the updates. This was really sweet. I do love the Li family, they are loyal, affectionate and the family who will help Li Chanyu and Jin Xiyan succeed in living. 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

  2. The Li family affection is so good. I love LCY interaction with his older brother and father. Julong is such a gem. Big bro is lucky to have him.

    Changyu changed, he is now alert and cautious than before. Which is good. I just hope nothing bad will happen to the Li family.

    Xinyan not getting headache must be because is away from QYZ who must have drugged him I was hoping that this is a good sign that his memories will return bit by bit

    Thank you for the updat!

  3. Yes! Yes! Yes! LC out here playing chess! When will this Emperor catch up?! Can’t even find shoes to throw.

  4. Oooooohhh!!! 2 updates! Thank you so much!! <3 I wonder if Julong has seen so many magical things in his life if he would recognize the necklace and know anything about it? Hmmm. The Li family’s love for each other is so sweet! I’m kind of sad for Jin Xiyan that he didn’t get to know love like that. Maybe he still can if he gets his memories back. On a side note, as a super short person, switching bodies with a super tall person sounds like a dream come true, LOL. I hope they will be able to solve the mystery of who is behind all this without more bad things happening. Thanks for the updates! <3
  5. JX should keep the Li family closely by his side because they are so loyal to each other. I wonder what will happen next.

    Thank you for these chapters and I can’t wait for next.. All the best for your final paper💪

  6. I hope Jin Xiyan can accept Li Julong’s easy friendship, and I hope his continues to get clearer. I’d he thinks about it a little more, he should remember how broken Li Changyu was to have all his martial arts gear taken away. Then he would understand what kind of gift makes a guy like that happy. Isn’t it funny that they both enjoy dressing up the other’s body while they can? I would have thought they’d rather look at themselves naked!

  7. LCY being more aware and weary kind of breaks my heart too, Guangzhu.

    Thanks for the double update! It’s good that more of the Lis know about the switch. LCY won’t be working alone in court now. (Beidou’s hugs were also a nice touch. A kind, caring father in an omegaverse??? Outstanding!)

    Also, Julong is a delight. If you want to write any extras about him and Guangzhu later I’d totally read it. I wonder if he has any connection to magic. Maybe his grand mother or cousin can help switch them back, or well, idek. But like I said, he’s a big Q-T. And I’m hoping their bb will be okay. 🤞

      • Yes, exactly! Most people do realize that I think. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place at the time. If he rejected the order the rest of his family would have vee punished or killed. So he did the least amount of damage. LCY knows that too fo sho.

        But I also see you didn’t answer the other parts of my comments. This totally makes me believe I’m 100% right and I have a chance. Julong us the key with his magic fam and so on and so on. Totes. Def. I will live peacefully with this thought process until the next update. 😎✌

        Also I saw others wish you luck on a paper. There aren’t any translator notes at the end of my chapters, but good luck!! You’ve got this!

        • Lol If you were expecting a firm answer, there is something otherworldly about Julong but he does not have anything directly tied to the magic. If you want hints, re-read the part where Grand Empress Dowager gives the necklace to Li Changyu. There are A LOT of hints if you can figure out who (or WHAT) gave the necklace over. (look up stories about true love 😉 )

  8. La familia de LCY es tan afectuosa. Lástima que su acceso al palacio esté restringido, pero ahora serán un gran apoyo para nuestro lindo omega. YZY aún no entiende sus interacciones, porque no tuvo suficiente afecto familiar. Espero que su memoria se aclare ahora que quienes lo controlan no saben del intercambio de cuerpos. Y el regalo que quiere darle, me parece muy tierno que piense en eso a pesar del momento complicado que están viviendo. Thanks for the two chapters!!😊🥰

  9. I really love Li family, it’s so refreshing to read about a family that loves, respects and supports each other so much, I was already bored of the stories where the mc has a horrible family that made him suffer from childhood and in the end he only depends on ml’s love

  10. LCY growing up and making sure his family is secure in future, big bro must be proud.

    JXY reaction to being treated with familiarity is adorable

  11. DAMNNNN SO OP!!!! A GENIUS!!! A BEAUTY AAAAARGGHHHEKKEKEJDKEKEKDJHDUI THIS CHAP MAKE ME LOVE LI CHANGYU MORE AND MORE!!! SIR DIVORCE YOUR PUNY HUSBAND AND MARRY ME KDJEJDHDJDKDJDJ- I’LL BE YOUR HUSBANDO FROM NOW ONNN yes u di the cooking yes i do the cleaning~ ♪┌|∵|┘♪ └|∵|┐♪

  12. This is so heartbreaking once a warrior and dazzling personality is reduced to the person with caution and weariness of the vicious palace. I can’t take it anymore. This is the very reason I like and not palace dramas cause they are extensive on a whole other level.

    GodDammit, when will we see love and peace between them and a dazzling LCY…

    😫😫😩

    Nevertheless, I came back to this amazing story and it’s still that great. Keep up the good work authornim.

    Glad to be back …

    🤩🤩🤩