Before Su Tiyue could refuse him, Xiao Heye said, "Your Majesty, please sit down."
Su Tiyue sat down reluctantly on the stone bench with a gloomy face. It was a cold winter day, and thick cushions were laid on the stone benches in the pavilion to prevent the nobles from catching a chill.
Xiao Heye sat down as well, and handed her a small, exquisite hand warmer, reminding her, "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself."
Su Tiyue took the sleeve warmer, holding it tightly in both hands, the warmth gradually spreading from her palms.
She didn't know what Xiao Heye was up to. Many times, Su Tiyue couldn't figure out his thoughts, so she simply stopped trying.
Xiao Heye poured a steaming cup of tea and placed it in front of her, then waved to dismiss the two people behind him.
The vast, empty lake surface only amplified the surrounding silence.
Xiao Heye held two pieces of chess, one black and one white, his attention completely focused on the chessboard, occasionally glancing sideways at Su Tiyue's every move.
Su Tiyue had no interest in appreciating the snow, nor could she understand Go. Bored, she lowered her head and played with the hand warmer in her sleeve.
Just then, some noise came from the direction of the back gate of the Imperial Garden.
Su Tiyue followed the sound and looked in that direction... She found that the Emperor and Consort Ji were chatting and laughing as they walked towards Jingxin Pavilion.
Su Tiyue suddenly panicked. She turned around and looked at Xiao Heye with a look of astonishment. Her breathing became erratic, and she was at a loss for what to do.
It turns out that Xiao Heye summoned Su Tiyue to Jingxin Pavilion because... he deliberately wanted her to meet the Emperor.
Su Tiyue glanced back at the road she had come from, which stretched as far as the eye could see. The road was deserted; not a single passerby was in sight. Running or fleeing now would be too abrupt, too deliberate. Besides, the Emperor and his entourage weren't moving slowly; they were almost upon them…
Xiao Heye also noticed the Emperor's approach, but he remained unmoved, leisurely placing a black chess piece slowly in the center of the board. He caught a glimpse of Su Tiyue's flustered expression out of the corner of his eye, and felt a secret sense of pleasure.
She quickly placed the sleeve brazier on the table, then pulled her hands over her cloak, trying to wrap herself completely in the thick, secure clothing.
Su Tiyue was stunned for a moment, then felt a slight chill on the back of her neck. She reached out and tightened the brim of her hat around her neck, not daring to expose even a little bit of skin to the air.
Xiao Heye found it increasingly amusing, and finally put down the chess piece in his hand, slowly saying to Su Tiyue, "Your Majesty is not seeing the Emperor for the first time, so don't lose your composure."
This tone carries a hint of unruliness and playfulness.
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