Chapter 2 Chapter 2 My sister looks so pretty when she smiles
According to the empress dowager, Pei Chengjue ascended the throne at a young age and was good at everything. The cabinet ministers all said that he was very similar to Taizu in governing the country, but he neglected the education of love.
This is not anyone's fault.
Before the death of the late emperor, Pei Chengjue was young and the empress dowager would certainly not consider these things. After the death of the late emperor, Pei Chengjue insisted on observing the three-year mourning period for the late emperor. As a result, the empress dowager did not consider this matter until he was seventeen years old.
It was just last year that the Queen Mother sent several pretty girls over, but Pei Chengjue rejected them all. "Your Majesty, there's no need to send them again. I have my own ideas."
When the empress dowager heard this, she thought he was pregnant and was relieved. However, half a year passed and there was no warm-hearted person by his side. He was only concerned with government affairs, so she became anxious. Together with the cabinet ministers, she advised Pei Chengjue to choose a concubine to expand the royal family.
Pei Chengjue was taught by the previous emperor and was busy with state affairs. He was buried in government affairs all day long and had no intention of doing this. All the memorials advising on the selection of concubines were put aside by him.
Until this year, Pei Chengjue went out of the palace and met Qiao Tang. When he returned to the palace, Qiao Tang's face kept flashing in his mind. Even when he was reviewing memorials, he was absent-minded. When he was discussing matters with the assistant ministers, he was distracted again and again.
He realized that he cared about Qiao Tang, so he immediately ordered a search for Qiao Tang and soon dug Qiao Tang out from the huge capital city.
On the day Qiao Tang entered the palace, she certainly didn't know how many eyes were watching her in the court, but now she understood everything.
The palace had been worried about Pei Chengjue for a long time, and she suddenly appeared and solved the palace's urgent problem. Seeing that she was so liked by Pei Chengjue, they gave her some respect so that she could play her role.
At this time, the palace maids in the hall slowly walked out, leaving only Qiao Tang and the Queen Mother. Qiao Tang knew that the truth had come out.
The Queen Mother lowered her voice and said slowly, "I wonder if Miss Qiao is truly willing to stay in the palace to accompany His Majesty?"
Qiao Tang was originally in a heavy mood, but when he heard this, an idea suddenly flashed through his mind.
She roughly understood what the empress dowager meant. The palace had already heard about her. How could an orphan who came to the capital from a remote area be worthy of the emperor?
Moreover, she has been married and divorced once. Although her ex-husband died unexpectedly after the divorce and has nothing to do with her anymore, there is no telling what rumors may affect her.
If the Queen Mother really didn't mind this, she wouldn't have asked. Qiao Tang guessed it and said, "I'll leave it to the Queen Mother's arrangements."
The Queen Mother also understood what she meant. "Your Majesty is young and has an unpredictable personality. He is unsettled. He likes this today and that tomorrow. He has never had anything lasting."
Qiao Tang was even more delighted by this, and he pricked up his ears to listen again. "You have been married before, so you have some experience. Just serve His Majesty well and let him open his mind and fulfill his desires. If he gets tired of me one day, I will choose a concubine for His Majesty, and then I will let you leave the palace."
Qiao Tang felt the situation had taken a surprising turn. "Thank you, Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother lowered her eyes and glanced at her, thinking to herself, no matter how beautiful a woman is, it is useless. Once a man has tasted the sweetness of a woman, especially a royal man, his interest will not last long. After all, there are more waiting to come.
The hall fell silent, and a singing voice came from the door, "Your Majesty has arrived——"
Pei Chengjue walked in, wearing a ochre-yellow round-necked robe with a red cross-collar locked at the neck. His steps were steady and powerful, and his expression was more calm than last night. Even his youth could not hide his majestic demeanor.
"Mother." He bowed to the Queen Mother first, then his eyes lit up surprisingly when he looked at Qiao Tang, "Miss Qiao is here too."
Qiao Tang smiled in his heart. She was indeed a lively and unstable person. Last night she was called "Sister", but today she was called "Miss Qiao".
Pei Chengjue asked, "Have you had breakfast?"
Seeing him staring intently at Qiao Tang, the Queen Mother's expression was indifferent. "I have used it before. I called Miss Qiao here early this morning, but she hasn't used it yet. Your Majesty must have just left court, so you can use it together with Miss Qiao."
Qiao Tang had no choice but to follow Pei Chengjue out of the Cining Palace. As he walked along the road, he lagged behind Pei Chengjue by two steps.
Unexpectedly, Pei Chengjue retreated and stood beside her, whispering, "Sister, I can't call you like this in front of outsiders."
Qiao Tang was startled by his approaching breath and slowly moved away before looking at Pei Chengjue. Seeing that his ears were red, she understood that he was embarrassed to call her sister in front of outsiders.
When Qiao Tang heard this, she was delighted for a moment. But in fact, she felt that calling her Miss Qiao was better, and calling her sister was too much.
However, she couldn't say it rashly. As the saying goes, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. The emperor has a good impression of her now, but no one can predict what will happen next.
Pei Chengjue's eyes flickered when he heard this. Qiao Tang had a bad feeling. Sure enough, he heard Pei Chengjue hesitate and ask, "Do you like me calling you sister?"
Can Qiao Tang say that he doesn’t like it?
It was obviously the emperor who liked her, but he asked her instead. She could only say with tears in her heart, "I like it."
If Pei Chengjue had some experience and could understand a girl's thoughts, he would have seen Qiao Tang's reluctance. Unfortunately, he didn't. He smiled for a moment, his eyes burning, "Then I will always call you sister in private."
Qiao Tang sighed inwardly, what a piece of wood.
Poor thing, she still needs to enlighten this piece of wood.
Qiao Tang suddenly felt desperate.
After returning to Taiji Palace for breakfast, she saw Pei Chengjue staring at her from time to time, and she couldn't help but sigh. Even if he liked her so much, he didn't have to stare at her even while she was eating.
After the meal, she heard Pei Chengjue say to the palace maid, "Have you remembered the dishes that Miss Qiao likes to eat?"
The palace ladies agreed.
Qiao Tang felt that this was a heartwarming piece of wood, and was thinking about how to lure Pei Chengjue into the trap.
She even felt that there was no need to lead him on. Pei Chengjue already had feelings for her. Wouldn't it be easy to make him react?
Pei Chengjue had finished his breakfast and was about to get busy, so he had to stay with her first. Unexpectedly, Pei Chengjue smiled and said, "Sister, come with me."
Before Qiao Tang could react, Pei Chengjue had already gone out and led her all the way back to the Qinzheng Palace.
After passing the partition with dark dragon carvings, Qiao Tang realized that Pei Chengjue wanted her to stay in this warm room.
She took a quick look around. Against the north wall was a long-legged bed with a bright yellow gauze curtain. A few steps in front of the bed, on the east side stood a plum blossom incense table with a cloisonné enamel incense burner on top. A wisp of light fragrant mist was emitted from the burning incense burner in the air. Books were scattered on the rosewood table under the window on the right, and there were armchairs on each side.
"Sister, please sit down."
Qiao Tang sat down in the armchair and saw Pei Chengjue sitting opposite him. He smiled and said, "I was in a hurry last night and didn't have a good chat with my sister."
Qiao Tang smiled.
She was born beautiful, with curved eyes, and when she smiled, she looked like a red lotus in a pond, slanting softly with the wind.
Pei Chengjue stared at her intently, his mouth suddenly dry. He raised his sleeve to take a sip of tea, but still felt it was not enough, so he simply said, "Sister, you look so beautiful when you smile."
“Ahem—”
Qiao Tang had just swallowed the tea when he was shocked by these words. Even if he didn't choke to death, tears would have come out of his eyes.
"I shouldn't have offended my sister." Pei Chengjue leaned over in panic and patted her back gently. After Qiao Tang recovered, she waved her hand to indicate that it was okay, but the hand on her back did not leave.
The spring shirt was not thick to begin with, and the warmth from her palm seeped into her body bit by bit through the shirt. Coupled with the words just now, Qiao Tang was surprised. Was she trying to seduce Pei Chengjue or was Pei Chengjue trying to seduce her?
She raised her eyes and looked at Pei Chengjue, and was even more shocked. His dark eyes seemed to be burning with fire. It seemed that the skin contact caused him to react.
Qiao Tang thought for a moment. This was her chance. She didn't have time to waste time, so she called out softly, "Your Majesty."
The tears in her eyes had not yet fallen, and she really looked like a delicate red lotus in the pond, being drenched by raindrops, which aroused people's pity for her.
Pei Chengjue responded quickly, and as if possessed by a ghost, he stretched out his fingers and slowly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She raised her neck and slowly moved closer, and the two of them got closer and closer.
Pei Chengjue's heart was pounding like a drum. He suddenly withdrew his hand and took a few steps back. "Sister, you choked. I ordered someone to call the imperial physician."
Qiao Tang watched him leave in a hurry in silence, then sat back in his chair and figured out a big problem.
This situation is not right. She originally thought that Pei Chengjue already had feelings for her, so wouldn't it be easy to seduce him?
But looking at Pei Chengjue's reaction, he couldn't resist the temptation. He ran away before it even started. Isn't it just like last night?
Soon the imperial physician arrived. Qiao Tang had just choked on her saliva, but it was not serious. The imperial physician took her pulse and said that she was in good health and there was nothing wrong.
That's natural. The most precious things to Qiao Tang are her life and her body. After all, her parents have passed away, and her ex-husband with whom she had a marriage relationship has also passed away. Only her close relatives and servants care about her. If she doesn't pay attention to them, she won't be able to live like this.
After the imperial physician left, Qiao Tang saw Pei Chengjue about to review the memorials, and she felt that there was no chance today, so she stood up and left, "Your Majesty, please be busy. I will not disturb you here."
"Sister, don't leave. I'll stay here today. If you're tired, go to bed and rest for a while." Pei Chengjue smiled and said something that could not be refused. "I'll come back to see you when I'm done."
Qiao Tang was shocked. This meant that Pei Chengjue was outside discussing matters and reviewing memorials, and she had to accompany him inside all the time. What a torture!
"His Majesty……"
Pei Chengjue had already taken two steps when he glanced sideways. His gaze didn't reach Qiao Tang, but Qiao Tang's heart trembled, and he changed his words and said, "Come back soon."
Pei Chengjue laughed, "I asked someone to send something to my sister."
After he left, several palace maids brought many novel toys and asked her to play with them for a long time. Pei Chengjue must have been very busy outside, and no sound came from him.
After a while, there was the sound of footsteps. Several ministers came in. She heard Pei Chengjue's cold voice, "Get up."
It actually made her shiver. Pei Chengjue always called her "sister" in front of her, seeming like a good-tempered boy, but it turned out that this was only one side of him.
The voices of Pei Chengjue and his ministers could be heard bit by bit. Qiao Tang clearly heard Pei Chengjue's emotionless voice, "Kill."
The fingers that were playing with the thing trembled a few times. Qiao Tang couldn't suppress her rapid heartbeat. She stood up and took a few steps. She felt that this warm room seemed to want to swallow her up. She didn't know whether to stand or sit.
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