Chapter 86 Extra: Past Life (2)

Chapter 86 Extra: Past Life (Part 2)

The bright yellow imperial edict carried an unquestionable majesty and also brought Su Su's long-cherished wish.

She was granted the title of Imperial Concubine and was welcomed into the palace with a ceremonial honor second only to the Empress.

Holding the imperial edict in her hands, Su Su felt as if her heart was soaked in honey, trembling with sweetness.

She liked Li Qianche. Ever since she was a child, when she saw that aloof and handsome young man under the plum blossom tree, this feeling was like a vine, taking deep root and growing wildly with the years.

As Li Qianche grew up, he shed his youthful naiveté and gained the handsome and profound bearing of an emperor. He was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and his demeanor was naturally elegant. Not to mention her, how many young ladies in the capital secretly admired him?

Now, she can finally stand rightfully by his side.

She was well aware of the political situation and understood that he had just ascended the throne and his foundation was not yet stable. Her aunt, the Empress Dowager, and her maternal clan were very powerful, and the court officials were watching closely.

He only bestowed upon her the title of Imperial Concubine, not Empress, as a measure of balance and control. She did not resent it; becoming his Imperial Concubine was the closest she could imagine to him at the moment.

On their wedding night, red candles burned brightly in Yikun Palace, and the walls were filled with the fragrance of pepper.

Su Su, dressed in elaborate and magnificent imperial concubine robes and wearing a dazzling pearl crown, sat gracefully by the bed covered with a bright red brocade quilt.

The heavy gown accentuated her slender figure, making her even more breathtaking, and her stunning beauty was breathtaking in the candlelight.

With her bright, clear eyes, she looked around the palace that would soon be hers with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. The furnishings were magnificent and exquisite, all of which reflected the emperor's favor and the honor of a noble concubine.

Her heart pounded like a drum, filled with both anticipation and nervousness. Remembering the erotic picture book her governess had shown her with a serious expression before her marriage, and the subtle yet direct hints, Su Su's cheeks flushed uncontrollably, and even her fingertips curled slightly.

Li Qianche did not keep her waiting long. The respectful greetings of the palace servants and the steady footsteps approached from afar, and her heart jumped into her throat. She hurriedly and shyly lowered her head, not daring to look directly at the bright yellow figure.

He waved his hand to dismiss all the palace servants, leaving only the two of them in the vast inner hall.

He stopped and looked at the figure gently enveloped by the candlelight beside the bed.

The long-held obsession finally fell into his palm at this moment, stirring up a silent tremor. The little girl who had swayed on the branches of his memory for so many years was now dressed in the most solemn auspicious robes, waiting for him here as his imperial concubine.

Time has sculpted her into an even more breathtaking beauty. Beneath her magnificent attire lies a captivating, almost-ripened elegance. Her youthful innocence and allure are strangely blended by the jeweled crown and embroidered robes, making her so beautiful that he could hardly breathe.

He slowly walked around to her side and sat down beside her, carrying a faint smell of alcohol and his own unique, refreshing ambergris scent.

He didn't act immediately, but simply watched her quietly, his gaze deep, as if examining a precious treasure, or confirming the reality of a beautiful dream. After a while, a slightly cool finger gently lifted her delicate chin, forcing her to raise her head.

In the candlelight, she was forced to meet his gaze. Those eyes, which she had always thought were incredibly beautiful, were now as deep as a dark sea, churning with undercurrents she couldn't fathom.

Her large eyes were misty with nervousness, and the small cinnabar mole at the corner of her eye, illuminated by the candlelight, added a touch of breathtaking allure.

Her cheeks were flushed, as if painted with the finest rouge, and her full, moist cherry lips parted slightly. Finally, she timidly called out in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty..."

That sound, like a spark igniting dry tinder, instantly burned away all his restraint.

She instinctively tried to back away, but he pressed her against his firm chest.

The elaborate jeweled crown was removed, and her dark hair cascaded down like a waterfall. Her belt was loosened, and the heavy auspicious robes fell away, revealing the scarlet nightgown underneath.

After an unknown amount of time, the red candles burned out and the sky began to lighten, finally bringing this long wedding night to an end.

Looking at the exhausted and sleeping woman in his arms, Li Qianche belatedly felt a pang of guilt. He ordered someone to fetch a secret palace medicine and personally applied it to her skin.

In the following days, Li Qianche did not summon her to his bedchamber again.

Su Su felt uneasy, both afraid of his insatiable demands that night and feeling genuinely weak and uncomfortable. Yet, deep down, she also secretly longed for his arrival. Did he... find her not good enough?

That day, having heard that soaking in hot springs could soothe the body, Su Su went to the hot spring pool in the back hall of Yikun Palace. The rising steam dispelled the chill of early spring, and she immersed herself in the warm water, closed her eyes, and enjoyed this rare tranquility and comfort.

Unbeknownst to her, a bright yellow figure had already quietly stood by the pool.

Hearing the sound of water, Su Su opened her eyes in surprise. The familiar scent of ambergris wafted over, and she whispered, "Your Majesty...?"

He didn't answer, but lowered his head and kissed her. The hot steam blurred his vision and evaporated his reason.

The sounds of decadent music mingled together indoors, continuing for a long time until the sun set.

He thought he was probably under the spell of a curse called Su Su, and he probably wouldn't be able to quit it for the rest of his life.