Chapter 369 Yongtai returns to the palace

In the small tea room on the side of the hall, the clear water in the copper kettle on the stove was bubbling and emitting wisps of white steam.

Qingzhu skillfully took out the finest tea leaves, brewed a cup of tea for Eunuch Yongtai who had been waiting for a long time, and handed it to him respectfully.

"Eunuch Yong, please moisten your throat."

Yongtai had just finished handing over all the affairs of the National Protection and Fund Raising Office last night and rushed back full of anxiety.

He wished he could go and pay his respects to His Majesty the Emperor, whom he had not seen for a year and whom he missed day and night.

Who would have thought... His Majesty simply didn't give him this opportunity, and spent the entire night in the bedroom with the Imperial Concubine.

Never mind, there’s no need to rush.

Compared with Yongtai's calmness and Qingzhu's peace, Liu Qing, who was standing beside them, seemed particularly uneasy.

She felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles, and she kept secretly looking up at the closed palace door, then at the brightening sky, and then quickly lowering her eyes.

In her opinion, the time from last night to now seemed to be stretched to an extremely long length.

After an unknown amount of torment, a deep, majestic, and slightly hoarse voice finally pierced through the heavy palace door and came out clearly:

"Come, prepare some water."

As soon as the voice fell, Yongtai took action almost instantly.

He flicked his wrist, and the whisk drew a sharp arc in the air, and he repeatedly ordered: "Quick! Bring water in! Be careful!"

Several eunuchs who had been waiting there immediately took action.

Yongtai took a deep breath, straightened his robe, and quickly followed in.

Qingzhu signaled Liu Qing to follow.

Liu Qing quickly held her breath and imitated Qingzhu, lowering her head and following closely.

The eunuch carefully pushed the heavy palace door open a crack.

A rich, warm scent mixed with the warm fragrance of lust and ambergris hits your face, making your cheeks slightly hot and your heartbeat accelerate.

As far as the eye can see, there is a shiny golden brick floor, reflecting the faint candlelight inside the hall.

Not far ahead, layers of brocade curtains hung low, completely blocking out the scene inside.

There were a few pieces of clothing scattered on the ground.

A corner of a dazzling bright yellow dragon robe, a simple and elegant snow-white chiffon nightgown, and... an apricot-colored bellyband embroidered with delicate pear blossom patterns...

The bright color was torn in two, and it stood out in the dim morning light.

Outside the curtain, a man with a posture as straight as a pine tree was adjusting his collar and sleeves with his back to the door.

The back figure already exuded an awe-inspiring air that could not be violated.

As Yongtai stepped into the inner hall, his eyes met the familiar bright yellow figure, and his eyes instantly turned red.

He stepped forward quickly and knelt down at Yan Shixu's feet with a plop. His forehead pressed against the cold gold brick, his voice choked with sobs, filled with uncontrollable emotions:

"Your Majesty! I... I am finally able to see you! For the past year, I have been thinking about you day and night!"

He raised his head, his face full of sincerity.

Liu Qing was stunned by Yongtai's sudden and emotional performance that was almost inappropriate. She forgot Qingzhu's warning for a moment and looked up subconsciously.

Qingzhu was quick-witted and quick-handed, and quietly pulled her sleeve hard.

Liu Qing suddenly came back to her senses and hurriedly lowered her head even lower.

Yan Shixu turned around and looked at Yongtai, who had grown up with him since childhood.

He looked much thinner, and his weathered look was hard to hide.

Yan Shixu naturally knew that this year Yongtai was arranged by Li'er to take charge of the affairs of the National Defense Fund Raising Office, which was a heavy burden.

He reached out and gently patted Yongtai's shoulder, his voice gentle: "Thank you for your hard work this year."

This simple sentence made Yongtai's heart boil.

He kowtowed deeply, his voice resonant: "Your Majesty, your words are very sincere! Being able to serve Your Majesty and Your Majesty and share your worries is a blessing earned by several lifetimes, and I am happy to do it."

Yan Shixu was somewhat moved and helped him up personally.

"No need to kneel, wait for me to bathe."

"yes."

Yongtai hurriedly followed Yan Shixu to the bathroom.

Liu Qing thought they also had to serve, so she stepped forward to follow, but Qingzhu grabbed her arm.

Qingzhu shook her head slightly and said in a low voice, "When the emperor bathes, he never lets the palace maids serve him."

After saying that, she bent down and cleaned up the messy clothes on the floor.

After being slightly surprised, Liu Qing hurriedly followed her to clean up.

After Yan Shixu came out of the bathroom, Yongtai walked to the dressing table again and picked up the warm jade comb with great respect.

"Your Majesty, allow me to tie your hair for you."

Yan Shixu nodded slightly, walked to the dressing table and sat down.

The bedroom was very quiet, with only the subtle rustling sound of the jade comb sliding through the inky black hair.

Yongtai's movements were extremely familiar and smooth, as if he had practiced them thousands of times, with an almost pious concentration.

He deftly straightened and tied up Yan Shixu's thick long hair, and firmly put on the nine-dragon golden crown that symbolized the supreme imperial power.

During the whole process, Yan Shixu closed his eyes and rested without saying a word.

However, the laziness and leisure of contentment that emanated from him was intertwined with the deep and restrained imperial pressure, and permeated the air like an invisible tide.

The entire space seems particularly stagnant and heavy.

Liu Qing held her breath, stood solemnly beside the green bamboo with her head lowered, her hands nervously folded in front of her, not daring to even breathe, only feeling her back stiff.

"Your Majesty, it's done."

Yongtai took a step back and reported softly.

Yan Shixu slowly opened his eyes, faced the mirror, and straightened his crown with his hand.

He stood up, strode to the bed, and put his upper body into the low-hanging brocade curtain.

The light in the tent was dim, and a delicate figure could be vaguely seen sleeping soundly in the soft quilt.

Yan Shixu leaned over and placed a very light and gentle kiss on the smooth forehead. Then he stood up and gave a solemn instruction to Qingzhu who was standing beside him:

"Take good care of your master and don't disturb him."

After he finished explaining, he turned around and strode out of the Bixi Palace with Yongtai.

…