Chapter 35 Yuan Chaolu: "Your Majesty, don't go..."

"Would you like to...?" she asked.

He was not in his own body in the dream, and Xiao Zhuo could not break free.

Xiao Zhuo saw his hand rise uncontrollably and cover the woman's knees, which were spread apart as she knelt. The skin beneath his palm was as soft as jade.

In response to her question, "Whether you're willing or not," the man suddenly exerted force, her neck tilted back, her face flushed with heat. "Third Brother is reckless and doesn't know how to treat women with any tenderness."

She placed her hands haphazardly on his strong shoulders and back, biting her red lips: "Is this how you repay me? Are you still angry with me, upset that I lied to you before?"

She was truly in agony, digging her nails into his shoulder muscles to relieve the torment of being rubbed against her: "Everything I did was to leave my husband. Besides, didn't I come here today to coax Third Brother?"

Xiao Zhuo gently placed her on the brocade pillow, her dark hair spreading across the couch. He leaned closer and saw that, with his touch, the soft sounds from her lips became clearer.

A vivid expression he had never seen before appeared on that beautiful face: her eyes were tinged with a faint blush, her pearly teeth gently bit her lower lip, and her brows furrowed and relaxed intermittently.

This sight deepened his gaze, and he pressed closer, eager to see what other captivating expression could grace that face.

Yuan Chaolu frowned slightly, unable to contain herself. She raised her arms to wrap around him, her red lips parting slightly as if to kiss him, but Xiao Zhuo grabbed her slender neck with one hand and pressed her heavily back onto the brocade pillow.

"You come to me when you need me, and discard me when you don't. Am I your plaything? Yuan Chaolu."

Beneath his palm, the woman's neck was taut, its graceful curve extremely fragile, as if it would bend at the slightest touch.

Yuan Chaolu took a deep breath, "So what exactly does Third Brother want from me?"

Xiao Zhuo gazed at her, beads of sweat sliding down his forehead, past his high nose, and dripping onto her sweat-drenched collarbone. Yuan Chaolu trembled as if burned, her throat tightening, and the sweat beads reflected a glistening trail in the light.

Yuan Chaolu's neck was grabbed by him, the thin veins on his slender neck were clearly visible. He said, "At this moment, all the princesses and noble ladies are in the Empress Dowager's palace talking with her, while I have avoided everyone and gone to His Majesty's dragon bed. Is that not enough? If you feel that I am not sincere enough, I will come to see His Majesty once every five days from now on."

With a salvo of attack, Yuan Chaolu, his long hair swaying, was forced to say, "Then how about three days, Third Brother, okay?"

She opened her long, moist eyelashes. "Your Majesty has no Empress. I have no reason to secretly meet Your Majesty under the pretext of entering the palace to speak with the Empress. How can I enter the palace?"

She spoke haltingly, sometimes whimpering, sometimes choking back sobs, taking a long time to piece together a single sentence.

Xiao Zhuo controlled her breath, "In a few days, during the autumn hunt, I will have your husband accompany you. At that time, you can come to my tent."

She spoke with difficulty, “His Majesty has left too many marks on me. Every time I go back, I have to take a long bath to wash away His Majesty’s scent. I’m really afraid that he will notice. What time is it now?”

Her wrists, resting limply on the edge of the bed, slowly parted a crack with her damp fingertips, letting in the rosy light. She squinted, as if sensing the approaching night, and tried to sit up, but he flipped her over in an instant. She let out a soft cry and buried her face in the pillow.

Her fingertips gripped the blankets so tightly they turned white: "It's getting late, Your Majesty..."

The man behind her, with his strong and tall body, loomed over her with the imposing strength of a tiger or leopard. "The most powerful man in the world, you've used him as a stepping stone. What a clever scheme."

"Your Majesty..." she called out to him as if begging for mercy.

This sound did not arouse his pity, but instead fueled Xiao Zhuo's desire to punish her. His slender, jade-like hand moved up along her waistline, through the woman's black, silky hair, and pressed his palm against the back of her neck.

He said lazily, "Yuan Chaolu, call my name."

...

As dusk fell, the rosy light streamed in through the latticed windows. Zhong Changjun entered the palace and saw that the emperor had woken up at some point. The heavy shadows of the curtains cast shadows on his face, obscuring his expression.

Abbot Yinghui stepped forward and asked, "What dream did Your Majesty have?"

Xiao Zhuo said in a low voice, "Leave first."

Ying Hui keenly sensed that the emperor did not want to talk about the dream, and after hesitating for a long time, she did not ask any more questions.

Xiao Zhuo's body had not yet recovered from the dream. Although it was a vague and absurd dream, when he was in it, it was as if he had personally experienced such things, and the aftertaste still lingered in his body.

The delicate touch of my fingertips brushing through her hair, the warmth emanating from her skin in my palms… all of these memories are so vivid.

Xiao Zhuo was quite annoyed. He asked Ying Hui to interpret his nightmare twice, but the result was the same each time, so he was naturally dissatisfied.

In the last dream, it was just a fleeting scene: rain pattering against the west window, a meditation room in Chanxu Temple, a gentle woman leaning over him, confiding in him about her husband's faults. In this dream, it seemed that a long time had passed since then.

The two spent the entire afternoon entwined in that small space, their breaths mingling with each other until they became indistinguishable.

Xiao Zhuo could feel his body reacting strangely. He closed his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. However, the lingering emotions accumulated in his dream had nowhere to be released. They surged in waves, like giant waves crashing against his body.

The surge continues unabated.

**

Beside Taiye Pond, the tides surged continuously, with waves lapping against the embankment in layers.

Yuan Chaolu kept her appointment and stood under the willow tree, watching the water surface reflecting the shimmering glow of the sunset.

The question of who the man in the pavilion was last night lingered in her mind like a shadow. She pondered several possibilities but dared not think too deeply, for further contemplation would be futile. So she came here early, deciding it was better to ask the Prince of Yan directly for the answer.

Inside the pavilion, two tall, slender men were already waiting. They were talking in hushed tones with their backs to the pavilion entrance. One of them, a young man, was dressed in a black close-fitting outfit with a jade belt around his waist; the other was dressed in a scarlet official robe, with a distinct profile that looked somewhat familiar.

Xiao Luozhi turned around and saw her first. He immediately stopped talking and quickly stepped forward to greet her, "Zhaolu."

The man beside him also turned around, revealing a handsome face.

Yuan Chaolu's gaze fell on the newcomer, and he immediately recognized who it was. He bowed and greeted, "Lord Pei."

The last time she was at the military parade ground, it was this Lord Pei Xi who relayed a message to the Emperor, giving her the opportunity to tame the celestial horse. She hadn't had a chance to express her gratitude before, and now she was surprised to meet him here.

Xiao Luozhi said, "This is Minister Pei Xi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He is also the tutor my elder brother invited for me to teach me about court affairs. Chaolu, do you recognize Minister Pei?"

Yuan Chaolu smiled and said, "Has the Prince of Yan forgotten that I was falsely accused in Penglai Palace that day? It was Lord Pei's sister who came to my rescue. I am truly grateful to Miss Pei for speaking up for justice."

Pei Xi nodded, his voice steady, "My younger sister was talking to me about the academy a few days ago. It's her duty, so there's no need for further thanks."

He had deep-set eyes and a high nose bridge. Although he was dressed in the civilian clothes of a civil official, his demeanor exuded a sharp and heroic air, which was the result of his early experience on the battlefield.

Xiao Luozhi watched the two of them start talking naturally and said, "The pavilion is quiet, you two can chat. I've left something behind, I'll go check on the way here."

Yuan Chaolu tugged at his sleeve, and he leaned down and whispered, "You must have heard of Pei Xi's reputation, right? Why don't you spend some time with him first and see? If you need anything, just call me."

Xiao Luozhi's robe slipped from between her exposed hands, and she could only withdraw her hand and look at Pei Xi.

When Pei Xi's facial features are taut, he looks like a cold, imposing mountain; but when his expression softens and he smiles, even his eyebrows become gentle.

Pei Xi said, "I didn't know that the Second Miss Yuan mentioned by the Prince of Yan was Miss Zhou. On that day at the horse farm, the Second Miss's taming of the heavenly horse was exceptional, and I still remember it vividly. It is truly fortunate to have witnessed it with my own eyes."

Yuan Chaolu said gently, "I was able to control the heavenly horse without your help, sir. But it's been a long time. How is the heavenly horse doing now?"

Pei Xi smiled and said, "Tianma is still in the stables at the military review ground. Every day after court, I train the city gate soldiers there for Your Majesty and also take care of Ta Xueju."

Yuan Chaolu asked in surprise, "That Snow-Treading Steed is actually being raised by an adult?"

"It was also His Majesty's order that I take good care of it for Miss." The two walked down the pavilion side by side. Pei Xi raised his hand to describe the recent condition of Taxue to her. His gaze on her was calm, neither disrespectful nor overly inquisitive, just like that of an ordinary junior, so gentle that it made people feel close to him for no reason.

"Ta Xue is now healthy and well-cared for, but its temperament is still fierce and it needs to be tamed a few more times. If Miss has time another day, how about we go to the martial arts training ground to see Ta Xue again?"

Yuan Chaolu readily agreed. Seeing his serious expression as he inquired about her methods of taming horses, she patiently answered his questions.

Yuan Chaolu was grateful to those who had helped him, and his sister had also spoken up for him. It seems that the family had a good tradition of integrity and that the elder brother had taught him well.

Pei Xi's temperament was not like that of the young Prince of Yan, who was sharp and edgy, nor was it like that of the emperor, who was aloof and cold, with an air of unapproachability. Instead, it was like still waters running deep, revealing the composure and calmness of a mature man.

The two started talking about horses, and the conversation gradually became more varied.

Under the willow tree in the distance, Xiao Luozhi took in the scene of the two chatting and laughing. Although the man and woman were more than five years apart in age, the woman was beautiful and charming, while the man was gentle and calm. Their auras were extremely compatible, and they looked like a perfect match from a distance.

There are many talented young men in the court, but it is not easy to find someone who is young and promising, unmarried, and holds great power, so as not to fall into the trap of the Prince of Yan.

Pei Xi is the descendant of a former official of the previous dynasty. He broke his ties with the Xiao family and served under the emperor's brother, in charge of the army and assisting in all government affairs. The administration of land, salt and iron, and finance all came from his hands. Now he has risen to the position of "Deputy Minister" and Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He will surely be ranked among the Three Dukes in the future. He can be said to be an indispensable pillar of the court.

When it comes to marriage, Xiao Luozhi couldn't think of anyone more suitable for Yuan Chaolu than his teacher.

If Yuan Chaoluo marries him, she will surely become the wife of a first-rank civil official.

Xiao Luozhi stood in the shadows of the corridor, watching the two chatting happily. A faint smile appeared on his lips, but as he watched, his lips gradually pursed, and the smile in his eyes faded away.

When Ye Shu arrived at his side, she saw that Miss Yuan Er had already bowed to Lord Pei to say goodbye. The two figures disappeared into the depths of the flowers and trees for a long time, but His Highness Prince Yan was still standing in the same place.

"I should be happy for her."

This statement was completely unrelated and lacked context.

Before Ye Shu could ask any more questions, the Prince of Yan had already composed himself and put on his usual gentle smile, "Leave the palace."

**

It was past dusk when Yuan Chaolu hurriedly headed towards the Xuande Hall.

She met Pei Xi in the evening, but they didn't talk for long. Firstly, evening classes were approaching, and secondly, although neither she nor Lord Pei had explicitly stated the purpose of their meeting, they both knew that this was a matchmaking arrangement made by the Prince of Yan. Despite her inner turmoil, she maintained the proper etiquette of a noble lady and chatted with Pei Xi for a while.

If you were to ask Yuan Chaolu's opinion on Pei Xi, what would he say?

Pei Xi is in charge of the civil officials group and his power is comparable to Helan Yi's, in no way inferior to him. Compared to the youthful impetuosity of the Prince of Yan, Pei Xi is more composed and prudent. If she marries Pei Xi in the end, in addition to having this support, she can also take advantage of the Prince of Yan's guilt and make the Prince of Yan one of her protectors.

In this way, it seems far wiser than forcing oneself to marry the Prince of Yan and ending up as a resentful couple...

Yuan Chaolu raised his head, and in the distance, the outline of the eaves of Xuande Hall gradually came into view in the night.

In the past, around dusk, the palace servants around the emperor would come to remind her to go to Xuande Hall on time in the evening, but tonight Yuan Chaolu did not ask for leave, and the palace servants did not come to urge her.

It seems that the King of Yan has not yet informed the Emperor of his intention to dissolve the engagement with her; until then, everything will continue as usual.

Behind the heavy curtains of Xuande Hall, Yuan Chaolu walked softly into the room and soon saw the man she had just parted ways with.

"Lord Pei?"

The voice reached inside the tent. Xiao Zhuo looked up and saw a woman standing outside the tent in a long, flowing crimson dress amidst the heavy lamplight, her hair adorned with shimmering pearls and jade.

Xiao Zhuo looked at Zhong Changjun, who was leading the way for her. Zhong Changjun silently shook his head at the Emperor, saying that he had already followed the Emperor's orders tonight and should not summon the Second Miss.

The second young lady came on her own.

"Minister Pei." The emperor's summons came from behind the curtain.

Pei Xi bowed and greeted him, when a deep voice came from behind him, "I am unwell and unable to see anyone. Tonight, I would like to trouble you to tutor Yuan Chaolu in her studies. Do not be stingy with punishments; teach her however you see fit."

Pei Xi was taken aback: "Your Majesty ordered me to tutor the Second Miss?"

Xiao Zhuo was too lazy to open his eyes: "Go, check her recitation of the 'Treatise on the Qin' that she learned last time in the outer hall."

Pei Xi agreed, and the footsteps went towards the outer hall, leaving an echo. Xiao Zhuo leaned against the pillow and closed his eyes again.

An absurd dream in the afternoon ignited an invisible fire within him, causing not only his energy to be severely depleted, but also his body to be repeatedly tormented.

The fire, which had been suppressed, was reignited by the arrival of Yuan Chaolu.

Xiao Zhuo pressed his long, slender fingertips against his forehead, his jade-white face half-lit and half-shadowed by the dim candlelight. He listened quietly to the woman's voice coming from outside the hall. She was softly reciting scriptures, occasionally interjecting with, "What does Lord Pei think?"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." Her soft voice kept echoing in his ears in his dream.

Pei Xi, in a deep and mellow voice, patiently explained the "Treatise on the Qin" to her. Yuan Chaolu sat behind the table, listening intently, when she suddenly heard the sound of the beaded curtain clattering. She looked up and saw that the emperor had been leaning against a pillar in the palace, his gaze sweeping over her casually.

"Is this how you taught her, so indulgently?" The Emperor's voice resounded deeply in the hall.

"Your humble servant acknowledges his guilt," Pei Xi said, rising to his feet.

"Go down first." The emperor said no more.

As the palace doors gently closed, the emperor's robes brushed the ground as he walked step by step toward her.

He wore a loosely draped snow-white robe, his long, unbound hair cascading like ink, and he was enveloped in the dim candlelight. Looking up at him from this angle, his features appeared even more aloof and refined, as if he had stepped out of an ancient painting.

Yuan Chaolu had never seen the emperor so languid. Knowing it was inappropriate for her to stay, she rose to take her leave. Her fingertips had just touched the edge of the table when he pressed her wrist down.

"Did you understand everything Pei Xi said just now?"

When Pei Xi was by her side, Yuan Chaolu was still able to remain calm and composed. But now that the emperor had arrived, she felt that the table and desk had become much smaller, almost too small to accommodate another person.

He flipped through the zither text she was reciting with his fingertips and said, "You recited it very quickly the other day when you went to meet the Prince of Yan. Why are you being so perfunctory today?"

“This subject has not been perfunctory.” Yuan Chaolu sensed that the emperor was unusual today. There was an indescribable restlessness around him, but upon closer inspection, his eyes remained cold.

Who was that man in the pavilion last night? The pavilion was dark and pitch black at the time. When she kissed the Prince of Yan, she closed her eyes for fear of meeting his gaze. Now she truly regrets it.

Just as Yuan Chaolu was about to ask about the events of the previous night, she heard the person beside her say calmly, "I am not feeling well, so do not ask about anything else. After you finish teaching this piece today, you may leave."

Yuan Chaolu responded softly. Judging from her previous offense at Chanxu Temple, if he had truly been the emperor last night, given his ruthless style, he would have punished her on the spot. How could he have allowed her to be so presumptuous for so long?

Perhaps it was because Yuan Chaolu's gaze was too intense, Xiao Zhuo looked at her.

She smiled and said, "Your Majesty is unwell, yet you still took the time to instruct me. I truly do not know how to express my gratitude."

She lowered her arms, took off the silver sachet with floral and bird patterns from her waist, and presented it to him with both hands. "This sachet contains fragrant wood from the Western Regions, which has a remarkable effect on calming the mind. I used this incense when I had nightmares before, and it was quite effective in relieving the pain. I noticed that Your Majesty's eyes are bloodshot, so I suppose you haven't had enough rest. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, I hope you will accept it."

She raised her arms in the air and brought them towards him, saying, "It really works."

Xiao Zhuo lifted his gaze from her hand, and as his eyes met her face, he seemed to realize something. He frowned slightly, looked away, and took the sachet.

Yuan Chaolu thought he was displeased, so she pursed her lips and didn't say anything more.

"I understand. You may play the zither."

Yuan Chaolu turned around, her fingertips landing on the strings, and tried a few notes. If she encountered anything she didn't understand, she would ask the Emperor, who would answer her questions one by one.

She was completely absorbed and gradually entered a state of bliss, her long black hair facing him, revealing a section of her snow-white nape.

A small blue mole adorned it, faintly visible in the candlelight.

In a daze, the dream reappeared before his eyes. When Xiao Zhuo pressed his palm against her neck, the small mole appeared and disappeared among her black hair, swaying in front of him with her breathing.

The delicate fragrance emanating from the girl's snow-white skin was exactly the same as the scent that lingered around her in my dream.

He couldn't help but think of the scene at Chanxu Temple when he performed acupuncture on her. At that time, he faced her body without a single impure thought. But now, all he could think about was what it would be like if she were like a zither string trembling under his fingertips.

She asked a question, completely absorbed in her piano lesson, but Xiao Zhuo didn't even hear what she said. He simply hummed in response and placed his hands on the strings.

"Your Majesty, how should this sound be pronounced?"

Her warm breath brushed against his earlobe with a soft "clang."

His piano playing was disordered.

The sudden rise in pitch sounded like a mocking tone, and Xiao Zhuo's thoughts cleared instantly, his fingertips resting on the zither.

He sneered inwardly, silently mocking himself. As he was about to get up, he heard her ask again, "Your Majesty, how should this sound be pronounced?"

Xiao Zhuo had no choice but to bend down and demonstrate. The clear and melodious sound of the paulownia wood zither echoed in the hall.

Yuan Chaolu tried several times, but still couldn't get the hang of it. She looked up at him again, asking for his guidance. But every time she moved slightly, her slender waist would inadvertently brush against his arm.

Unable to bear it any longer, Xiao Zhuo suddenly stood up.

"Your Majesty, please don't be angry."

Suddenly, a hand reached out and grabbed his sleeve. Xiao Zhuo lowered his head and saw the girl kneeling in front of him, her upturned face showing a hint of coquettishness. "Don't be angry. I will study hard. I wasn't distracted."

Xiao Zhuo shook his head and used his other hand to pull her fingers apart one by one, but she only intensified her grip and grabbed his wrist again, saying, "Third Brother."

Third Brother.

Xiao Zhuo stopped in his tracks, lowered his eyes to look down, his gaze unfathomable.

“Your Highness Prince Yan calls me Third Brother, so may I also call Your Majesty Third Brother? In terms of kinship, my cousin and I are distant relatives, so it seems appropriate for me to call Your Majesty Third Brother.”

As her red lips parted, she uttered the exact same coquettish tone as the woman in my dream.

"Third Brother, don't go."