Qin Sheng stayed in the Imperial Study for two hours. Just as she was about to leave at noon, Zhao Yi called her to stay and have lunch with him.
"Your Majesty, won't this break the rules?" Qin Sheng was somewhat flattered.
No concubine had ever had the honor of sharing lunch with the Emperor in the Imperial Study.
"Aren't rules made by people?" Zhao Yi looked somewhat weak.
“Sheng’er, every time I fall ill, I especially cherish the time I spend with you. As for those empty formalities, as long as I don’t blame anyone, I’ll have Li An twist their tongues if anyone dares to gossip!”
Qin Sheng was deeply moved by the sincerity in Zhao Yi's words.
She never imagined that she held such an important place in Zhao Yi's heart.
Li An came in once during the two's lunch.
He added incense powder to the two golden beast incense burners in the inner and outer rooms of the imperial study, then lowered his head and retreated outside, quietly guarding the doorway.
Qin Sheng was deeply moved by Zhao Yi's words. She felt the sincerity and deep affection in His Majesty the Emperor's words and her heart was filled with emotion. She had never imagined that she held such an important place in Zhao Yi's heart.
At Zhao Yi's insistence, Qin Sheng agreed to stay and have lunch with him. At the start of the meal, Li An, the loyal eunuch, entered once. He carefully added fresh incense powder to the golden beast-shaped incense burners in both the inner and outer chambers of the imperial study, then lowered his head, retreated to the doorway, and quietly guarded the entrance, not daring to make a sound.
The dishes on the table, though not elaborate, were all Qin Sheng's favorites, including delicate Jiangnan snacks and nourishing clear soup dishes.
Qin Sheng looked at the dishes, her eyes slightly reddening.
Even while Zhao Yi was ill, he was still concerned about her eating habits. But she, on the other hand, was plotting how to hasten his death!
Even a day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness! Qin Sheng felt more and more guilty as he thought about it.
While she was still in a daze, Zhao Yi personally served her a bowl of hot bird's nest porridge, handed it to her, and said with a smile, "Your body is also weak, you need to nourish yourself more."
That smile held a tenderness and doting affection rarely seen in everyday life.
Qin Sheng took a deep breath, took the bowl of porridge, and was even more moved. She lowered her head and took a small sip, feeling that the porridge not only warmed her stomach but also warmed her heart.
She looked up at Zhao Yi, her eyes glistening with tears, and said softly, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health and recover soon."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi nodded gently, his gaze tenderly fixed on Qin Sheng, as if he wanted to etch this moment into his heart forever.
The two sat facing each other and silently finished their lunch.
Li An sent people to remove the tableware and clean up the Imperial Study.
As Qin Sheng prepared to leave, Zhao Yi once again pleaded with her to stay, "Sheng'er, could you spend a little more time with me?"
His gaze fell on the soft couch beside him, indicating that Qin Sheng could sit on it and read a book.
Although Qin Sheng was puzzled as to why Zhao Yi was behaving so strangely today, she still followed his instructions and sat down on the soft couch, casually picking up a storybook to read.
Zhao Yi sat behind his desk, dealing with the mountain of memorials piled up.
He would occasionally look up from the mountain of memorials and glance at Qin Sheng, who was sitting on the soft couch reading a storybook.
Qin Sheng sometimes frowned in thought, and sometimes smiled, seemingly quite interested in the storybook in front of him.
However, not long after, Qin Sheng's eyelids began to feel heavy.
She gently closed the book, placed it aside, covered her mouth and yawned. Unable to resist the drowsiness any longer, she tilted her head slightly and leaned against the soft pillows on the couch.
Her hair fell gently over her shoulders, with a few stray strands clinging to her fair cheeks, adding to her charming and delicate beauty.
His breathing gradually became even and long, and his face was peaceful, as if he had let go of all his defenses and fatigue and returned to the most innocent childhood.
At this moment, Qin Sheng had lost her usual reserve and poise, and instead appeared more vulnerable and dependent.
The afternoon sun still shone gently on her, painting a serene and beautiful picture, as if time had frozen at that moment.
Zhao Yi put down the folded document in his hand, his gaze passing over the desk, staring intently at Qin Sheng's sleeping face, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
A slight ache ran through his heart: Had their childhood romance really come to this?
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