Chapter 16
She had seen countless beauties in this palace, but all the beauties in the six palaces combined could not compare to Xiao Wu's smile.
But Xiao Wu is still young and has no ambitions, so she absolutely cannot enter the palace.
"Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!" Bai Qingchu was helped up by Emperor Song Jue.
"Rise." The man's voice was low and husky, carrying an indescribable air of authority.
Ling Wu stood up without looking up, and had no desire to know what the emperor of the Great Sheng Dynasty looked like.
However, Song Jue's gaze bypassed Bai Qingchu and landed on Ling Wu.
Before he could speak, Bai Qingchu smiled gently, her smile as bright as spring, and asked, "Why has Your Majesty come to my palace?"
Song Jue withdrew his gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Is there some place I cannot come to?"
His words, which sounded both joking and somewhat oppressive, did not frighten Bai Qingchu.
Bai Qingchu said slowly and gently, "The whole world belongs to Your Majesty, so Your Majesty can go wherever you want. However, my palace did not prepare in advance. If I had known earlier, I could have made some of Your Majesty's favorite dishes."
"No need," Song Jue said, patting Bai Qingchu's hand reassuringly. "It's almost noon, so I ordered the imperial kitchen to send it over."
His implication was that he wanted to dine with the three of them.
Dining with the emperor should have been a great honor.
Of the few people present, only Song Jue thought so, and the next moment Song Jue's gaze went straight to Ling Wu.
"Chu'er's younger sister is now famous throughout Shengjing, and even my imperial sister talks about her every day. This makes me curious as well."
After he sat down, he looked at Ling Wu's lowered eyes and said in a deep voice, "Raise your head and let me see you."
"Your Majesty, my younger sister is introverted and somewhat shy." Bai Qingchu remained neither humble nor arrogant, refusing to budge an inch.
If Xiao Wu were to raise her head, he would surely go to great lengths to bring her into the palace.
Song Jue chuckled, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Then would I eat people?" Though he laughed, his tone was somewhat cold.
This was the first time his virtuous concubine had refused him in this way, which only made him more curious.
Bai Qingchu lowered his head slightly and gritted his teeth where Song Jue couldn't see.
Although he was the emperor, it should have been an honor for Xiao Wu to look up at him.
But her sister was so pure; how could he, a filthy man with a large group of concubines, possibly covet her?
Bai Qingchu cursed the "dog emperor" under his breath again!
"That's not what I meant, Your Majesty is just too imposing..."
As Bai Qingchu finished speaking, a flippant female voice rang out from outside:
"Hmph! I think my brother is more than just capable of eating people; he could practically devour this entire room whole! Let me warn you beforehand, if you frighten my only friend, I'll make a scene for three days and three nights straight!"
Anyone with eyes could see the extent of Song Leyuan's meticulousness and dedication.
As soon as she finished speaking, she entered, lifting her skirt. She wore a long, fiery red dress with an elaborate and luxurious design.
Upon entering the hall, he did not bow, but instead reached out and pulled Lingwu behind him.
Ling Wu smiled faintly.
When Song Leyuan felt the woman's cool and soft touch in her hand, her eyes crinkled with a happy smile.
She saved her again!
Thinking of this, Song Leyuan became so pleased that she unconsciously rubbed Lingwu's fingertips together.
A slight itch came over her, making Lingwu want to pull her hand back.
Song Leyuan sensed her resistance and clenched her fists tightly, but after that she dared not make any further small movements.
However, his face showed a look of satisfied pleasure.
But when he looked up at Song Jue, his eyes were full of hostility!
Song Jue was so angry that her back molars started to itch.
This Miss Bai is quite a character. As an emperor, he wanted to catch a glimpse of her face, but was prevented by his own concubines and sister.
Thinking of his younger sister's antics, Song Jue rubbed his temples, feeling pain all over his body, especially in his temples!
"Alright, I have other matters to attend to. I'll come see you later." He waved his hand at Bai Qingchu, so annoyed that he didn't even want to glance at Song Leyuan.
But he stopped at the door and looked back in Ling Wu's direction.
Even with the obstruction, only a side profile can be seen.
Song Jue's eyes darkened, and he suddenly curled his thin lips into a smile.
No wonder even his sister, who indulged in pleasure all day long and disregarded the lives of others, fell for her.
After Song Jue left, Song Leyuan still held Ling Wu's hand tightly, reluctant to let go, and breathed softly into her ear.
His voice held a hint of smugness, "You'd better repay me properly next time!"
Song Leyuan's heart was filled with excitement and exhilaration, as if it were ingrained in her very bones, making her feel both unfamiliar and not unpleasant.
Bai Qingchu was stunned. This once arrogant and heartless princess was actually, as the recent rumors had it, exceptionally fond of her obedient younger sister!
However, Bai's mother sensed something was amiss, but it was too shocking, and she nipped the thought in the bud as soon as it arose!
In the end, all I could do was sigh: Rumors are harmful! Princess Mingming is kind-hearted, she's just a bit too outspoken.
In response, Song Leyuan confirmed Bai's mother's guess.
"I heard that you and... Wu'er." Song Leyuan couldn't help but feel a little nervous when she first called Ling Wu "Wu'er".
She then coughed lightly, "I heard that you and Wu'er came to the palace to visit Consort Xian. I was also missing Wu'er, so I came without informing you in advance."
"I have a deep friendship with Wu'er. I was thinking that if I had the time, I would definitely visit you at the Bai residence! Who would have thought that you would enter the palace? So I will take a break and come to the palace of Consort Xian to see you."
"I came in a hurry and only brought some small gifts. I wonder if Madam Bai will like them." Song Leyuan's eyebrows were charming, but at this moment she appeared obedient and polite.
Bai Qingchu frowned slightly, especially when the princess mentioned "Wu'er" with a subtle, lingering tenderness, which made her somewhat confused.
I feel like something's not right, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
Bai's mother was stunned by these words and did not notice anything amiss in Song Leyuan's words.
Bai's mother hurriedly prepared to bow, wanting to thank Song Leyuan for the gift, but Song Leyuan quickly stopped her.
"Please don't be so polite. Although I am slightly older than Wu'er, I am still a junior in front of you. If you act like this, how can I play freely with Wu'er in the future?"
Bai's mother was speechless. Seeing this, Song Leyuan then said to Ling Wu, "What do you think, Wu'er?"
Song Leyuan was overjoyed by the repeated calls of "Wu'er".
Seeing the composure in Song Leyuan's eyes, Lingwu knew her temperament and smiled and nodded: "Your Highness is not concerned with trivial matters, so Mother should not refuse."
As Bai's mother looked at the boxes of expensive headdresses, jewelry, and utensils, her expression changed from initial astonishment to numbness.
Finally, he and Bai Qingchu both looked bewildered.
Is this what you call a meager gift?
For a moment, she almost thought this was the betrothal gift sent by the other party when Wu'er got married!
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