Chapter 41 Affection Arises, the Ruler's Heart Is Unfathomable
Chapter 41 Affection Arises in Secret, the Heart of the Ruler is Unfathomable
Early morning, outside the Su residence.
Su Jizhi, dressed in a brand-new uniform as a military officer, looked even more upright. The gloom that had accumulated between his brows due to being framed in recent days had completely dissipated, and he exuded a more heroic and composed air.
He was about to mount his horse and head to the palace to take up his post when he heard a soft, hesitant call from behind him.
"Young Master Su...?"
Su Jizhi turned around upon hearing the sound and saw an elegantly decorated carriage parked not far away. The curtain was lifted by a slender hand, revealing a beautiful and delicate face, which was none other than Pei Yunxi.
Today she wore a light blue dress, with only a simple jade hairpin in her hair, which made her look even more elegant and refined.
"Miss Pei?" A hint of surprise flashed in Su Jizhi's eyes, then he quickly walked over, cupped his hands in greeting, and asked, "Miss Pei, what brings you here?"
When Pei Yunxi saw him approaching, she quickly got off the carriage with the help of her maid.
She stopped in front of Su Jizhi, tilted her head slightly to look at him, and a blush involuntarily rose on her cheeks. Her voice was soft but filled with sincere concern: "I... I just happened to be passing by and saw that Young Master Su was safe and sound, so I was relieved."
She paused, as if gathering her courage, and continued, "Since that day... after being rescued by you, I inquired and learned that you are the young master of the Su family. Some time ago, I heard that you were wrongfully imprisoned, and I... I was really worried. Now that I have seen you are safe and sound, I can finally put my mind at ease."
Her words were gentle, yet each one struck Su Jizhi's heart. He had never expected that Miss Pei, whom he had only met a few times, would be so concerned about his safety.
Looking at the faint blue lines under her eyes and the lingering blush on her face, Su Jizhi felt a surge of warmth inexplicably, and an indescribable flutter quietly spread through his chest. The soft morning light bathed the two of them, as if casting a hazy and beautiful halo over their quiet conversation.
A gentle smile unconsciously appeared on Su Jizhi's lips as he said, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Pei. The fact that this injustice has been redressed is also thanks to General Pei's risky return with the irrefutable evidence. I am deeply grateful."
Hearing him mention his brother, Pei Yunxi blushed even more, lowered her head, and whispered, "I'm so happy that my brother can... can help Young Master Su."
Her heart was pounding. Thinking of the worries of the past few days and the joy at this moment, and recalling her brother's occasional praise of Su Ji, an unprecedented courage suddenly surged up.
She suddenly raised her head, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Su Jizhi, her voice soft yet exceptionally clear: "Young Master Su, may I... may I invite you... to go boating on Mirror Lake outside the city today?"
The moment the words left her mouth, she was startled, her cheeks instantly burning hot. Raised with proper etiquette since childhood, she had never so proactively invited a man out. But after experiencing this life-or-death situation, she suddenly understood that some people, if missed in this life, might become a lifelong regret. She didn't want to just watch from afar and worry silently anymore.
Su Jizhi was taken aback by what he heard. Looking at the woman's eyes, which were filled with a mixture of shyness, expectation and desperate courage, his heartstrings were plucked hard.
However, bound by his duties, he could only say with a hint of apology, "I am deeply grateful for Miss Pei's kindness. But... I must go to the palace for duty today, I'm afraid..."
Seeing that he seemed about to refuse, a fleeting look of disappointment and gloom crossed Pei Yunxi's eyes. Her courage seemed to have been punctured and quickly dissipated. She forced a smile: "Yes... I was presumptuous. Young Master Su, official business is important..."
Seeing her dejected expression, Su Jizhi felt a pang of anxiety and blurted out almost without thinking, "Tomorrow! I am not on duty tomorrow. If it is convenient for Miss Pei, I would be honored to meet you at Mirror Lake."
Pei Yunxi suddenly raised her head, the gloom in her eyes instantly brightened like fireworks bursting in the night sky. She nodded vigorously, a bright and radiant smile spreading across her lips: "Okay! Then... then see you tomorrow!"
Seeing her finally smile, Su Jizhi couldn't help but smile too, his heart pounding.
………………
That night, candlelight flickered in Yongshou Palace, emitting a tranquil, warm glow.
Su Su was sitting on a soft couch by the window, intently embroidering a purse by the bright lamplight. The purse was made of indigo brocade, embroidered with bamboo patterns in silver thread, clearly intended for a man.
Her expression was serene, her slender fingers holding tiny silver needles as they moved gracefully through the fabric.
Just then, a eunuch announced from outside the hall: "The Emperor has arrived!"
Su Su paused in her needlework, then immediately put down the embroidery hoop, stood up to straighten her clothes, and stood respectfully with her head bowed. Li Qianche stepped in, his gaze immediately falling on her and the unfinished purse beside her.
As he approached her, he could clearly sense that she still exuded that deliberate, impeccable submissiveness and aloofness.
"No need for formalities." His voice was calm, but his gaze did not leave the purse. "This purse... was it embroidered for me?" He remembered that a long time ago, he seemed to have mentioned asking her to embroider a purse, but then there were many troubles, and he himself had forgotten about it, and she had never mentioned it.
Su Su thought to herself, "Oh no!" She had completely forgotten about this; this was specially embroidered for her brother to celebrate his promotion.
She showed no sign of it on her face and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, once I finish embroidering this one for my brother, I will immediately embroider a new one for you."
Li Qianche's eyes darkened slightly. Finished embroidering this? So, this wasn't meant for him at all? Does she truly not care about him at all now? Even a purse has to take a backseat to her brother?
He suddenly reached out, pulled her close, and without a word, sat her on his lap. Caught off guard, Su Su gasped, her body instantly stiffening.
Li Qianche held her soft yet cool hand, feeling the tension in her arms, his tone unreadable: "I promoted your father and brother, are you happy?"
Su Su was even more surprised. Why did he suddenly ask this? She carefully chose her words and answered cautiously, "Your Majesty's great favor has deeply moved my father and brother. If I could use my meager talents to serve Your Majesty and the court, I would naturally be happy for them."
Her answer was impeccable and perfectly proper, but it wasn't what he wanted to hear. He wanted to hear her true feelings, to see even the slightest genuine joy or dependence in her eyes because of his kindness, not this virtuous and demure gratitude tinged with distance.
A nameless anger mixed with a strong sense of frustration welled up in her heart. Li Qianche suddenly picked her up horizontally, and the sudden movement startled Su Su, who instinctively hugged his neck tightly.
Seeing him stride towards the bed in the inner room, Su Su was first startled, then a chilling sense of helplessness washed over her. Fine, if he wants it, let him have it. Since she still needs the status of a noble consort, matters of the bedchamber are her duty.
She closed her eyes and thought to herself: Just consider it as... being served by him once. Anyway, I didn't lose out in this matter.
He placed her on the soft brocade quilt and eagerly covered her, capturing her slightly cool lips. His kiss was deep and heavy, carrying a sense of punishment and declaration, as if only in this moment, when she was confused and panting, could he briefly grasp the image of Su Su, who had once been completely devoted to him.
His hand skillfully slipped inside her clothes, his slightly calloused fingertips tracing her smooth, delicate skin, kneading her full, soft breasts. He always seemed to have little resistance to her body.
He seemed to want to vent all the unhappiness of the day and the complex emotions he felt at this moment in this exhilarating love affair.
The bed rocked rhythmically, emitting a continuous, ambiguous creaking sound that was particularly clear in the silent palace, mixed with the woman's uncontrollable moans and the man's heavy breathing, lingering for a long time.
Outside the hall, Chunlan and Qiuju stood with their heads bowed, listening to the sounds coming from inside, their cheeks involuntarily flushing red.
Shen Gaoyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense shoulders relaxed as well—no matter what, as long as His Majesty was willing to come and the Imperial Concubine was willing to let him stay overnight, the sky in the palace had not collapsed again.
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