Just then, Qin Sheng, dressed in a dark red brocade dress, slowly stepped out from behind the screen.
She walked to their side, raised her hand to gently stroke Qin Wen's damp hair, and softly scolded, "Wen'er, your words, though sincere, were too abrupt. Besides, you are in the prime of your youth, and your destined match will come naturally in the future. Why rush things?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Wen's cheeks flushed slightly, and she stubbornly turned her face away, unwilling to say anything more.
Seeing this, Qin Sheng sighed softly, then summoned a palace maid and whispered to her to take Qin Wen to tidy her appearance, lest the cold seep into her body and harm her health.
After Qin Wen left, Qin Sheng slowly turned to Zhao Yi and said gently, "Your Majesty, Wen'er is young and ignorant, and her words may have been inappropriate. I hope you will not take offense. I am currently pregnant and have difficulty moving around, so I am unable to take care of Your Majesty. But Wen'er is different. Wen'er is young and energetic, and she admires you very much. Could you please consider taking her in?"
Zhao Yi's eyes narrowed slightly: "Let's discuss this later. Qin Sheng, you don't need to worry about these things for me. Taking care of yourself and our child is the most important thing."
Qin Sheng felt a warmth in her heart and gently helped him undress, no longer mentioning Qin Wen.
"Let me do it." When Qin Sheng leaned closer to Zhao Yi to undo his belt, Zhao Yi pressed her hand down.
Qin Sheng silently withdrew her hand and spoke of the winter banquet tomorrow, reminding Zhao Yi to take care of his health and not to overindulge in alcohol.
"Thank you, Sheng'er. I will be careful. It's getting late, let's rest."
The following day, the first rays of dawn broke through the winter chill.
Zhao Yi, dressed in a dragon robe and wearing a crown, walked steadily into the Chunhe Hall, preparing to hold a banquet to celebrate the Winter Solstice Festival with his ministers.
In the center of Chunhe Hall was a huge imperial banquet table, laden with all kinds of delicacies, steaming hot and fragrant, all carefully prepared by the imperial chefs to celebrate the winter solstice.
The seats for the ministers were arranged around the perimeter, each seat neatly and elegantly laid out, awaiting their arrival.
As the music began, the officials, dressed in court attire, entered the Chunhe Hall in order of rank to pay their respects to Zhao Yi.
Zhao Yi smiled and nodded frequently, displaying the demeanor of a monarch.
After the officials were seated, the banquet officially began.
At the banquet, the melodious sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments, along with graceful singing and dancing, added a touch of warmth to the cold winter day.
Zhao Yi raised his glass to address his ministers, his words filled with gratitude and high hopes for them. He thanked them for their hard work and loyal assistance throughout the year, and prayed for a prosperous country and a peaceful and healthy people in the coming year.
The courtiers also raised their glasses in response, wishing the emperor boundless grace and the nation peace and prosperity.
During the banquet, delicacies and fine wines were served one after another, and the officials chatted and laughed, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Shen Gan was drinking alone in silence when Zhao Yuan, seeing his gloomy appearance, sat down beside him with a wine cup in hand.
"Lord Shen, why are you drinking alone?"
"Lord Zhao," Shen Gan nodded in greeting.
He sighed and said, "I just remembered that around this time last year, Shen Hanshan, who had already been stripped of his title, argued with the resigned Grand Secretary over whether to eat the vegetarian or meat filling first when eating dumplings. At the time, I thought the two of them were stubborn and obstinate, but now I miss the time when they were together."
Zhao Yuan slowly exhaled, poured himself a drink, and said, "Yes. Those two are truly genuine. If Shen Hanshan hadn't broken off the engagement, their child might already be walking by this time next year. What a pity!"
The two exchanged a glance and focused their gaze on the dancer spinning in the center of the hall.
Not long after, Zhao Yi left the banquet.
As soon as he left, the civil and military officials who had families also left their seats one after another, eager to go home and reunite with their families.
When Zhao Yi left Chunhe Palace, dusk had already fallen.
He dismissed the crowd and strolled alone under the palace corridors, surveying the vast palace, and slowly the smile on his face disappeared.
He recalled Qin Sheng's suggestion from last night. It wasn't entirely impossible for her to take Qin Wen in.
Qin Wen is more beautiful than Qin Sheng, and more importantly, she is clean.
Thinking of this, Zhao Yi recalled that rainy night when he witnessed Song Jin and Qin Sheng making love.
If Song Jin were a responsible man, he might have considered letting them be together. But Song Jin is greedy for power, yet unwilling to bear the bitter consequences that come with it. In this world, is there such a thing as a free lunch?
Zhao Yi staggered, the cold winter wind making him dizzy. At that moment, he regretted not having Li An come with him.
He shook his head vigorously, and seeing Qin Sheng's palace right in front of him, he took a deep breath and continued walking forward.
Suddenly, he lost his balance and was about to fall to the ground when someone struggled to catch him.
A faint fragrance wafted to his nose, and Zhao Yi vaguely recognized it as Qin Wen's scent, so he couldn't help but look up.
"Your Majesty, are you drunk? Why are you alone? Where are your servants?" Qin Wen hadn't been drinking, but her face flushed with shyness.
"I...I didn't let those people who were in the way follow me," Zhao Yi muttered in dissatisfaction.
"Your Majesty, let me help you to my sister's place," Qin Wen whispered.
Zhao Yi stared blankly at Qin Wen, saying nothing. The alcohol had robbed him of his usual composure and self-control. Looking at Qin Wen's youthful face, a strange impulse welled up inside him.
"Wen'er..." Zhao Yi whispered, his voice filled with a hint of longing and yearning.
Qin Wen's heart skipped a beat when she heard this affectionate address.
She glanced around nervously, but no patrolling guards or palace maids were passing by. She mustered her courage and gave Zhao Yi a light, fleeting kiss on the lips before quickly moving away.
Her lips were soft and fragrant. Zhao Yi slowly lifted her chin, turning the tables and kissing her fiercely.
Their lips met tightly, as if time had stood still at that moment.
Zhao Yi's somewhat domineering kiss made Qin Wen's heart pound like a drum, and a shy blush rose on her cheeks.
She closed her eyes, inhaling the ambergris scent mixed with a faint aroma of alcohol emanating from Zhao Yi.
Zhao Yi gently stroked Qin Wen's waist; he hadn't felt this intense longing for someone in a long time.
The next second, Zhao Yi suddenly picked the person up and carried them towards a side hall.
Qin Wen buried her head shyly in Zhao Yi's arms, not daring to look up at the expression on his face.
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