Chapter 20 He deliberately said, "I'm sorry, I'm going to soil Madam's handkerchief."...
Meng Hanzhou was actually unwilling to act rashly and appear reckless, but after talking with his mother, when he returned to his study to review his lessons, he was unable to calm his mind. The image of that beautiful woman kept flashing through his mind. When he came to his senses, he saw a page full of the two characters "Wen Miao".
That was the lady's name; his writing it that way was utterly offensive.
The usually composed heir of the Duke of Wei blushed, hastily crumpled the paper, and was about to burn it with the candle flame when he inexplicably changed his mind. Instead, he carefully unfolded it and secretly tucked it into a page of a book.
Meng Hanzhou tried to calm himself down, so he took out a blank scroll and thought he would draw some flowers, birds, fish and insects. But when he put pen to paper, he had already sketched out a plump and beautiful blurry figure. But if you look closely, it also contains a few more seductive and charming features.
Meng Hanzhou sighed deeply, revealing his restlessness.
...He wanted to go see Madam Wen.
The impulsive young master couldn't suppress his feelings, and since it was the first time he had ever liked someone, he was extremely restless. After a moment, his reason gave way, and after carefully inquiring about Madam Wen's whereabouts, he got up and went from the garden path to the pavilion.
Fearing that his actions would cause trouble for his wife, Meng Hanzhou did not bring any servants with him. He hurried along and soon arrived at the place the servants in the courtyard had indicated.
Sure enough, the two maids who had been with the lady earlier were standing not far away.
The pavilion had lowered its outer bamboo curtains and gauze curtains, and dappled sunlight slid down from between the branches. The gauze curtains were shrouded in a pearly luster, obscuring the view inside. When the wind blew, the light gauze below fluttered slightly, revealing half of a warm yellow skirt that meandered across the bamboo mat.
The young man, whose mind was filled with all sorts of thoughts, blushed as soon as he caught a glimpse of the hem of a skirt. He hurriedly lowered his head and asked if Madam Wen was resting in the pavilion.
After hearing the confirmation, Meng Hanzhou clenched his fists and bowed forward.
"I am Meng Hanzhou, the heir of the Duke of Wei. I was honored to see you, Madam, on the Dragon Boat Festival and have never forgotten you. Today I humbly request an audience and hope that you will grant me your favor."
The warm summer breeze in the waterside pavilion seemed to stop for a moment. Shi Cui and Wan Bi looked at each other in bewilderment. The sound of a teacup breaking in the pavilion was crisp and jarring, followed by the sound of fabric rubbing together.
Meng Hanzhou wanted to go forward to check on the situation, but he was afraid of offending Madam Wen, so he could only ask hurriedly, "Madam, are you injured?"
"No, nothing."
The gauze curtain swayed gently, and the sounds coming from inside the pavilion were somewhat muffled, even tinged with panic.
Meng Hanzhou felt even more guilty, believing that his reckless behavior today had displeased Wen Miao, and he only asked that the lady not dislike him from now on.
He couldn't help but say, "It's all my fault for being so rude today, but... but after seeing you that day, I was so happy and couldn't contain myself. I know you can't forget your late husband, but I'm willing to wait. I just ask that you give me a chance!"
Because of his youthful passion, the Duke of Wei's words revealed his feelings, like a puppy wagging its tail. His admiration and desire were real, but so was his impulsiveness. He was swept up by his emotions, briefly forgetting his status and the age difference, wanting only a response from Wen Miao.
However, he clearly forgot that the other party had the right to refuse.
The pearly white curtains swayed again, and the glimpse of the skirt was gradually pulled back.
Meng Hanzhou watched the warm yellow light disappear, his eyes lowered, his heart filled with unease, when he heard Madam Wen's soft voice, a gentle reply indeed—
“I understand the young master’s thoughts, but this is inappropriate. I will pretend I didn’t hear what you said today, and the young master should forget about it as well. Compared to me…”
The voice from behind the curtain paused, then trembled slightly.
“Your Highness has better options than me.”
Meng Hanzhou was stunned, raised his head blankly, and murmured, "Mrs. Wen, I'm sincere..."
The young man thought that having sincerity would get him everything.
"Your Highness." A voice from inside the pavilion interrupted his outpouring, gentle yet helpless, so soft that it brought tears to Meng Hanzhou's eyes. "...Please stop talking."
Why is it that some people can even say no in such a way that makes people's hearts soften?
Meng Hanzhou's expression was blank, his gaze fixed blankly on the pearl-white curtain. For a moment, the curtain was lifted a little more by the wind, and he caught a glimpse of a dark yet elegant black color on the warm yellow hem of the skirt.
He pondered blankly; it seemed that the lady hadn't been wearing dark-colored clothes today...
Before Meng Hanzhou could ponder this further, he heard the voice that haunted his dreams once more—his beloved wife said, "Let's go back."
A gentle breeze stirred on the lake. Meng Hanzhou didn't quite remember how he left in a daze after being rejected for his first love. As the distraught young man walked away step by step, a crisp slapping sound came from the pavilion, which was covered by bamboo curtains and gauze curtains.
Upon hearing the noise, Shi Cui and Wan Bi exchanged glances and nervously stood guard outside, fearing the Emperor's wrath and also thinking of rushing in to protect the Lady at any moment.
Inside—
Wen Miao's hair was slightly disheveled, her chest heaving, and she used one hand to support her body as she retreated until her back was pressed against the stone pillar of the pavilion, with nowhere left to go.
She bent her knees, her face panicked and flushed, her eyes slightly angry, and her body trembled involuntarily. Her slender fingers pressed tightly against the cool bamboo mat, but an abnormal red color began to spread from her fingertips upwards.
—It seemed to be a little bit, kissed out while being held in the mouth.
Not far away, Emperor Qianyuan's head was still tilted to the side, and his once cold and stern face, which had been battle-hardened for many years, was slightly red, with a faint finger mark visible on it.
After the Duke of Wei's heir left, Wen Miao used almost all her strength in that slap, yet it only left a very faint mark on the emperor's face.
It will disappear quickly, and it won't even hurt much.
Emperor Qian Yuan lowered his eyes, his gaze still fixed on Wen Miao's trembling, red fingertips.
It's warm and fragrant, gently tugging at the seams of the bamboo mat.
It was also tugging at his heartstrings.
"lady."
He sighed softly and called out, and saw the beautiful woman, her temples and neck damp with fine, fragrant sweat, tremble slightly. Her skirt, spread out on the bamboo mat, also moved, like a flower in full bloom, pulling and revealing half of her embroidered shoes.
Emperor Qian Yuan approached, unconcerned about the slap that had landed on his cheek, or the wound on his palm from crushing a teacup in jealousy. As long as his wife didn't leave, he was willing to let her beat and scold him, and even wanted to kiss and lick her reddened palm.
He's so dog-like, why can't the lady like him a little more?
The pearl-white gauze curtains fluttered in the wind, silently striking the bamboo curtains on all four sides of the pavilion. Wen Miao breathed heavily, biting her lower lip tightly and remaining silent.
Emperor Qianyuan slowly raised his hand and, under Wen Miao's tense gaze, took down the two peony flowers that he had seen many times and which only made him feel irritated. He casually placed them on the small table, then gently smoothed the trembling stray hairs and tucked them behind his wife's ear.
He was very careful with every movement, even making sure his fingers never touched Wen Miao's skin, just as if he wasn't the beast who had held Meng Hanzhou's hand and leaned down to kiss her fingertips when he confessed his love not long ago.
“Madam,” he called softly again, his tone revealing his burning desire.
"The heir of the Duke of Wei is in love with the lady, but all he has is the legacy of his ancestors. Nowadays, there are few wars on the border of the Great Chu. Even if he wants to earn an imperial title for the lady, it will take seven or eight years. Moreover, the Duke of Wei only has him as his son. If the lady marries him, she will have to bear children. Giving birth is a dangerous process for women, as it is a life-threatening experience."
"We can't let the lady be high and mighty, enjoying all the riches and glory. She still needs to stay in the inner quarters to support her husband, raise the children, manage the household, and participate in social engagements. She can't do whatever she wants. What's the point of marrying such a useless person?"
In the eyes of others, the heir of the Duke of Wei was already considered the best. He was handsome, came from an outstanding family, and although he was born into a noble family, he never indulged in promiscuity. His harem was also very clean and tidy. Naturally, he was considered a good choice for a husband.
But Emperor Qianyuan looked down on such a greenhorn. At eighteen years old, he had accomplished nothing. How dare he approach his wife? Just because he was still young?
Wen Miao was initially angered by the emperor's previously taboo behavior, but after hearing these words, her anger subsided somewhat, and she couldn't help but retort, "Does marrying His Majesty mean I don't have to bear children and raise them as a wife and mother?"
This was the fate that women of the Great Chu should accept—to marry according to their parents' wishes, bear children for their husbands, and manage their homes. But for some reason, Wen Miao felt a little terrified whenever she thought about it.
Furthermore, who doesn't know that the emperor's wife is expected to be a model of virtue for the nation? As the mother of the country and the head of the harem, the empress is responsible for managing the affairs of the harem, maintaining its order and tranquility, and also for bearing children to continue the royal bloodline. What's the difference?
"Need not."
Wen Miao was stunned for a moment, "What?"
Emperor Qian Yuan, who was almost kneeling in front of her, had deep-set eyes and a calm yet passionate gaze. He looked at the beautiful woman whose lower lip was bitten red and said in a hoarse voice, "Madam, I say it's not necessary."
What do we need?
Having children or being a good wife and mother?
Emperor Qianyuan reached out and stroked the hem of Wen Miao's skirt, as if his heart had been captivated. He gently grasped her ankle, leaned down little by little, and placed his lips on the woman's bent knee through the thin summer fabric.
His wife smells so good...
As Wen Miao's breath was being suppressed by the burning sensation of those lips, Emperor Qian Yuan, who was kneeling between her legs, spoke: "My lady does not need to bear children or raise them. I cannot bear to let her go through that ordeal."
It's already a great blessing that the lady was able to marry him.
Even the affairs of the inner palace could be handled by him on behalf of his wife. As for his wife... all she needed to do was be happy.
Wen Miao stood there stunned, forgetting to dodge. So, after his lips lifted from her knees, he carefully moved forward and, with a half-distance between them, kissed a strand of Wen Miao's black hair that had fallen down again.
In the pavilion where the white gauze curtains swayed in the breeze, he said, "My lady, from now on, continue to learn to accept me."
...
The summer banquet for the female guests continued, with young ladies swinging on swings and admiring lotus flowers, while married ladies chatted and drank tea, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
The Duke of Wei pondered the Emperor's intentions in his study, waiting to ask his eldest son that evening if he had done anything outrageous recently; in the garden, the Duchess of Wei kept watching Xie Mengjun, who was playing with Meng Jingqiu, hoping to bring about this marriage.
Unaware that his mother had misunderstood his intentions, Meng Hanzhou returned to his courtyard in a daze and sat there for a long time. Meanwhile, Wen Miao, in the waterside pavilion, sat on a round cushion with a cold face and pursed lips.
But Emperor Qian Yuan, who should have been sitting opposite the small table, did not return to his seat.
He sat beside Wen Miao, holding her wrist with his uninjured hand, and slowly applied ointment to the tips of her fingers that he had kissed red.
His injured hand was still bleeding, but it received no attention from its owner.
Xu Sheng, who rushed to deliver the medicine from outside the pavilion, remained silent, as did Shi Cui and Wan Bi.
Inside the pavilion, Wen Miao stared at the blood droplets that were about to fall. Finally, she broke free from Emperor Qian Yuan's grasp, took out a handkerchief from her sleeve, carefully wiped the blood, and silently bandaged the wound.
The sight of that blood-red color made her feel uncomfortable.
She just can't stand seeing people get hurt in front of her.
The handkerchief was a soft, moon-white color, carrying a warm fragrance hidden in the lady's bosom. The edges were embroidered with delicate branches, but because they were stained with the emperor's blood, they looked like several clusters of red plum blossoms.
A smile appeared in Emperor Qianyuan's eyes.
He said, "I'm sorry, I'm going to soil your handkerchief."
But he was clearly doing it on purpose.
A note from the author:
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Emperor: (Pretending to casually criticize the crown prince) What's the point of marrying such a useless person?
In ancient settings, children are rarely depicted, given the limited medical resources. Especially after the emperor witnessed Wen Miao's experience with the "advanced and safe" methods of another world, he was even more reluctant to subject Wen Miao to such risks. As for the issue of succession, the emperor's past experiences meant he wouldn't care much about bloodline inheritance; he only cared about Wen Miao. He was simply a super-sized romantic brain [sunglasses].
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