Chapter 177 You'll Always Be Number One
That day, Lu Zhaoxing came to Chengqian Palace and talked to Lu Zhaoxue about Pei Yuanzheng. She twisted the handkerchief in her hand and said with a hint of embarrassment, "Ever since he... came back from the dead, he's completely like a different person..."
Lu Zhaoxing paused, her cheeks slightly flushed, "He... often pretends to be pitiful, and sometimes... Minghe chased him away several times, but Pei Yuanzheng remained unmoved, saying that he just wanted to..."
At this point, Lu Zhaoxing suddenly stopped, his ears turning blush.
Seeing Lu Zhaoxing's expression, Lu Zhaoxue naturally understood most of the situation. She covered her lips with her sleeve, chuckled softly for a while, and then said gently, "Zhaoxing, ultimately, you have to make the decision yourself. However, whatever decision you make, I will support you."
Upon hearing this, a warm feeling appeared in Lu Zhaoxing's eyes, and she said softly, "Sister, I understand, thank you."
...
As night deepened, moonlight shone through the window lattice.
Lu Zhaoxue nestled in Chu Siheng's arms, chatting with him about Pei Yuanzheng. After listening, Chu Siheng smiled slightly: "I've known about Pei Yuanzheng's thoughts for a long time, but I didn't expect him to say something as absurd as 'male concubine'."
Lu Zhaoxue couldn't help but laugh out loud, shaking her head and sighing, "He really went to great lengths to stay by Zhaoxing's side, but what about Minghe..."
As Lu Zhaoxue's eyes darted around, she was completely unaware that the gaze of the person beside her was deepening. Chu Siheng suddenly lifted Lu Zhaoxue's chin, looked at her quietly, and said in a slow, deep voice, "Ah Xue, with such sentiments, could it be... that you've already had other thoughts?"
Lu Zhaoxue was taken aback upon hearing this, then immediately detected the jealousy in Chu Siheng's words. Her eyes widened instantly, and her cheeks flushed slightly: "Chu Siheng! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Chu Siheng sighed softly, then pulled Lu Zhaoxue closer, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice tinged with grievance: "Sigh, after all, you see my face every day, Xue, so I'm afraid you'll get tired of it."
As he spoke, Chu Siheng slightly raised his eyes and looked at her with a somewhat pitiful expression.
Looking at him like this, Lu Zhaoxue felt a mix of tenderness and longing in her heart. Chu Siheng, now the emperor, was decisive and dignified in the court, yet he always seemed to show such a shameless and pitiful side in front of her.
Lu Zhaoxue's mind stirred, and she deliberately raised an eyebrow, mimicking Chu Siheng's tone as she sighed, "Alas, I'd like to as well, but I wonder if His Majesty is so magnanimous as to find some male concubines for me, the Empress, to relieve my boredom..."
Before he could finish speaking, Chu Siheng's eyes suddenly darkened, a dangerous undercurrent surging within them. He raised an eyebrow. "Ah Xue, you're finished today."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Siheng leaned down and kissed Lu Zhaoxue's lips fiercely. His warm fingertips skillfully traced her clothes, and the silk ribbons fell off, while her plain white undergarment slid loosely off her shoulders.
Chu Siheng then turned to kiss Lu Zhaoxue's rounded shoulder. Lu Zhaoxue froze, clutching his clothes with both hands, her voice soft and pleading: "Siheng... I... I was wrong..."
Chu Siheng's kisses moved from her shoulder to Lu Zhaoxue's slender neck, gently kissing her and his breath warm against her ear.
After Chu Siheng stopped, he asked hoarsely, panting, "Ah Xue, what did you do wrong?"
Taking advantage of Chu Siheng's momentary pause in breathing, Lu Zhaoxue quickly reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering in a coaxing tone, "I was wrong about what I said before."
"In my life, Lu Zhaoxue will only stay by Chu Siheng's side. In my heart, there will only be Chu Siheng."
Chu Siheng suddenly paused, staring intently at Lu Zhaoxue, his emotions growing stronger, a thin layer of red suddenly appearing at the corners of his eyes, and his eyes becoming slightly moist.
Chu Siheng pressed his forehead against Lu Zhaoxue's, his voice solemn and hoarse: "Ah Xue, I love you, I love you..."
"Siheng, I love you too." Lu Zhaoxue raised her hand again and gently traced Chu Siheng's eyebrows and eyes.
Lu Zhaoxue straightened her expression and asked again, "Siheng, do you still want another child?"
Chu Siheng shook his head and kissed Lu Zhaoxue's lips again. "I have you and Zhaozhao, that's enough for me. I don't want you to go through the pain of childbirth again."
...
The moonlight outside the window was like water, the red candle inside the tent flickered, and the brocade quilt swayed. The enchanting atmosphere inside the tent gradually dissipated as dawn broke.
Lu Zhaoxue was awakened by the birdsong outside the window. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes. Chu Siheng's arms were still tightly wrapped around her waist, and his chin was resting on the top of her head.
Lu Zhaoxue stirred, trying to pull her hand away to rub her eyes, but Chu Siheng held her even tighter. Chu Siheng's voice was languid and hoarse: "Ah Xue, you're awake?"
Lu Zhaoxue rubbed her cheek against his clothes, recalling the absurdity of last night, her ears burning, and she patted Chu Siheng's hand reproachfully.
"It's all your fault! You've been making a fuss for so long, why don't you get up and go to the morning court?"
Chu Siheng chuckled softly, the vibrations of his chest transmitted through their pressed skin. He deliberately tightened his arms, holding Lu Zhaoxue even closer.
Then, Chu Siheng rubbed his nose against the red mark on Lu Zhaoxue's neck, his tone tinged with a hint of roguishness: "I won't be attending the morning court today. What's more important to the country than my A-Xue?"
"Nonsense." Lu Zhaoxue glared at Chu Siheng. "You are now the Emperor, how could you..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chu Siheng gently pecked her lips again. He then smoothed the stray hairs at Lu Zhaoxue's temples and said, "In my heart, you will always be number one, always."
As Chu Siheng spoke, he suddenly seemed to remember something, raised his hand and pinched Lu Zhaoxue's cheek, a mischievous smile in his eyes: "I wonder who said last night that you only have me in your heart and eyes?"
Lu Zhaoxue's face instantly turned red. She reached out to push Chu Siheng away, but he grabbed her hand and they intertwined their fingers.
Suddenly, the sound of palace maids' footsteps came from outside the palace. After reaching the palace door, they asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress, would you like to get up and wash?"
Chu Siheng kissed Lu Zhaoxue's cheek again, his voice slightly softer: "No need, you may leave now."
The palace maid responded and withdrew.
Lu Zhaoxue sighed helplessly, reached out her hand, and gently drew circles on Chu Siheng's chest with her fingertips, saying softly, "Siheng, you're getting more and more unserious."
Chu Siheng lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on Lu Zhaoxue's head, his voice tender: "Then I'll only do this for you."
"Since I'm not attending the morning court session today, let's do it again."
As dawn broke and the red curtains were half-drawn, the room was filled with tender affection.
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