Emperor Jingyuan knew that his elder brother had always disliked the harem and even less women. Everything he did was to consolidate the dynasty. Now that even the Empress's family had been eradicated, he probably had no more scruples.
But as soon as he entered, he saw a group of imperial concubines kneeling in the snow. What was going on? Why did Consort Shu say that?
When Consort Shu and the other concubines saw that the visitor was Prince Yuan, a man of integrity and incorruptibility, they quickly paid their respects.
Di Jingyuan looked around and frowned when he saw Mu Wanyu, who was tied up and thrown in the snow. "What's this?"
The clever eunuch behind him replied, "Your Highness, this is Consort Mu, formerly known as the Virtuous Consort."
Di Jingyuan glanced at the people kneeling on the ground and curled the corners of his lips: "Get up first."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"Eunuch Zheng, what's going on with all this fanfare?" Di Jingyuan asked.
“Your Highness, it is not appropriate for this servant to inquire about the Emperor’s affairs. However, Consort Mu trespassed into the Emperor’s palace, which enraged the Emperor, hence…” Zheng San said cautiously.
Di Jingyuan understood. This was something his elder brother disliked most—trespassing into his brother's palace. This was in line with his brother's temperament. However… after all, she was the daughter of a Grand Secretary. He hoped she wouldn't die.
"Eunuch Zheng, my brother has his reasons for doing things, but it would be best if no one died," Di Jingyuan said casually, glancing at the wooden concubine on the ground.
"Yes, Your Highness is right." Zheng San nodded repeatedly and quickly instructed the guards beside him to lift Mu Wanyu up and place her in the corridor where there was no wind or snow. Mu Wanyu opened her eyes again because of the guards' actions.
In her dazed state, she heard a man's voice, and now she could finally see his face clearly. It was Prince Yuan; he was the one who saved her, and she remembered it.
Di Jingyuan glanced at the crowd still kneeling and said nothing more. After all, he couldn't interfere with his elder brother's decision. As long as nothing went wrong, the most urgent thing was to see his elder brother.
And so the elegant and distinguished man departed amidst the respectful farewells of the crowd.
There was a distance in the corridor leading to the side hall study when Di Jingyuan seemed to become interested and looked at Cheng Yi behind him: "Cheng Yi, what's going on, Your Majesty?"
Cheng Yi showed little expression and respectfully said, "Your Highness, the Emperor has been doing well. You will know this when you see him."
Di Jingyuan smiled helplessly. Cheng Yi was always like this, just like his elder brother. He raised his hand and patted Cheng Yi's broad shoulder:
“Chengyi, you can’t be like your royal brother, always with a long face. You’ll never find someone you love.”
Cheng Yi's thin lips moved as he calmly said, "Your Highness is as gentle and refined as jade, yet you still haven't found a princess. Besides, the Emperor already has one."
Emperor Jingyuan was speechless, and even more heartbroken! However, the second half of what he heard was the key point: his elder brother had found his sweetheart!
Di Jingyuan ignored Cheng Yi and quickened his pace to see Di Jingcheng.
On the other side, passing through the long corridor to reach the side hall, opposite, in the inner hall which is farther away, Emperor Jingcheng is holding a little girl and talking intimately to her, he is so gentle.
Di Jingcheng recalled that afternoon in the front yard, when he turned around, he saw his little girl looking at him with a blank expression, her eyes filled with shock, helplessness, and a hint of evasion.
A tremendous fear rose in his heart, making him extremely afraid. He exposed his cold and ruthless side to her, and she was afraid of him!
Without saying a word, he went forward and picked her up, carrying her back to his bedchamber. The little girl nestled against his chest, looking very obedient, but the disappointment in her eyes was heartbreaking.
On the way back, Azi let him carry her without saying a word, raising her eyes and staring at him without blinking.
The man's expression was no longer as icy as it had been in the front yard; it had softened into a puddle of water. He gazed lovingly back at the girl in his arms, speaking to her from time to time. Although she did not respond, this eased some of his anxiety.
Back in the bedroom, only the two of them remained in the room. Zheng He and Qinghe were standing guard outside, their expressions serious.
Di Jingcheng held Azi in his arms as they sat on the magnificent dragon bed, and he lowered his head to affectionately rub his face against hers.
"Honey, were you scared just now?"
Azi came to her senses, nuzzled her head against his chest, shook her head, and then nodded.
Seeing her distressed expression, Di Jingcheng felt even more guilty. He held her tighter and patiently tried to persuade her to speak up, because he knew that if she kept it bottled up, he would only hurt himself.
He gently lifted the girl's face, and their eyes met. Azi pouted, looking extremely aggrieved, as if she was about to cry at any moment.
Di Jingcheng lowered his head and nuzzled her forehead, kissing the corner of her mouth, and slowly asked, "Baby, were you scared by me just now? Or by those women?"
After struggling internally for a while, Azi decided to speak out and express her feelings. She was certain that she really liked the man in front of her. She hadn't fully understood him before, and now was the perfect opportunity for them to open up to each other.
She was willing to listen to him.
So, under the man's longing gaze, she raised her slender arms and wrapped them around his neck, whimpering, "Cheng, I'm really scared. I see you have so many women, I'm scared..."
Ah Zi paused here, her eyes noticeably dimming, her long eyelashes drooping gently, casting heavy shadows on her eyelids. Her small face drooped even more, and her chin shrank further into the man's hand.
Upon hearing this, Di Jingcheng felt a little less uneasy. It was good that his little girl was willing to speak up and give him a chance to explain.
So he took the opportunity to pull the girl into his arms and hug her tightly, his hands gripping her slender waist and pressing her against his strong waist and abdomen, the two feeling each other's body heat.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
