When Pei Yuanhui arrived at Yanxi Palace, he did not inform anyone, not even Consort Zhou in the main hall.
Because they knew that as long as Jin Yang spread the word, Consort Zhou would naturally come looking for them.
However, Pei Yuanhui really didn't want to see Consort Zhou at the moment, so he didn't let Jinyang announce his arrival and went straight to the East Annex Hall, Yanliang Pavilion, after entering Yanxi Palace.
Without any prior notice, Huo Qinghe naturally had no way of knowing that the Emperor had arrived.
Even Consort Zhou in the main hall was completely unaware of the Emperor's arrival, because she wasn't even in Yanxi Palace at the moment.
Early in the morning, she was invited to Cining Palace by Zhu Yu, who was by the Empress Dowager's side.
Even after speaking with the Emperor that day, the Empress Dowager was still somewhat uneasy. Consort Zhou was her own niece, and she knew her temperament best. Before, she could be described as charming and delicate...
However, after the incident involving the Spring River Delicacies, the shrewd Empress Dowager Zhou naturally figured something out. Before her birthday banquet, she had already been thinking about giving her niece Zhou Hengping a good talking-to.
Huo Qinghe knew that Consort Zhou had left the main hall early in the morning, and she was happy to have some peace and quiet.
After getting up, washing up, and having breakfast, she played and sang on her pipa for a while as usual. When she got tired, she drank some pear soup to soothe her throat. Since it was hot, she reminded He Yunzhong to take care of the two pots of peonies that looked like Yang Guifei after her bath in the corridor while she was reading in the pavilion.
When the emperor arrived, Huo Qinghe had just opened the flower window, and He Yunzhong had already watered the flowers.
She stretched out her arm and pushed open the window, amidst the gasps of the maids.
"Wife, be careful not to fall. There's a mosquito net outside..."
"His Majesty……"
The maids' conversations mingled together, and when Huo Qinghe looked up again, the Emperor was already walking towards her.
She was somewhat surprised, and her inner thoughts were written all over her face, her mouth opening slightly.
"Your Majesty...May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
Originally, the posture was half-kneeling on the soft couch, so this way of greeting was not considered improper.
After entering Yanliang Pavilion, Pei Yuanhui was amused by the fish tank by the door when he heard Huo Qinghe's voice, so he turned his gaze away and approached.
He walked to the spot outside the flower window under the corridor, and paused briefly as he passed the two pots of peonies under the corridor.
"You look quite well, not at all like someone who's been frightened." Pei Yuanhui rested his hand on the latticed window.
Huo Qinghe tilted her head shyly and stole a glance at the Emperor: "It was fine yesterday... Did Your Majesty find out about this little thing? Then everyone will know that I am timid."
That's a cute way to put it.
Pei Yuanhui smiled for a moment upon hearing this, and chuckled, "Why are you still kneeling? Who in this palace doesn't know you're a coward? You've taken good care of these two pots of flowers, though."
It's not very convenient to talk through the latticed window like this, so Pei Yuanhui started walking inside.
When Huo Qinghe saw that the Emperor had moved, she also got off the soft couch, slipped on her shoes, and went outside.
As soon as Pei Yuanhui entered the hall, he could see Huo Qinghe waiting for him with bright eyes.
Pei Yuanhui paused, and the two figures standing opposite each other cast long shadows through the west window.
"You're certainly being very attentive."
Huo Qinghe bowed gracefully, showing no embarrassment as she spoke: "This concubine has not seen Your Majesty for five days. Is it not allowed to miss Your Majesty? Is this considered being attentive? Green Locust, serve tea."
These pleasant words were indeed comforting and soothing to hear, and the Emperor chuckled softly once more.
"It's been a few days since I last saw you, and I notice you've gotten quite the smooth talker again. Serve your wife some bitter tea, to make her mouth taste bitter."
Kuding tea is the most bitter tea, and it only gradually turns sweet when you savor the aftertaste.
Huo Qinghe did not object upon hearing this: "The Dragon and Phoenix Tea that His Majesty bestowed upon me last time is just waiting for His Majesty to open and taste it."
Dragon and Phoenix Tea is a tribute tea, named for the dragon and phoenix shapes on the tea cake.
Huo Qinghe had never tasted this so-called tribute tea before. After receiving it, she simply told Luhuai and the others to keep it safe. Now that the officials have arrived, it's just the right time to open it and use it.
Pei Yuanhui didn't like drinking that, but when he heard Huo Qinghe's instructions, he remained noncommittal.
He went into the inner room and saw books on a small table set up on the soft couch.
"What are you looking at?"
He sat on the left-hand couch, and as he spoke, he picked up a book from the table.
Huo Qinghe had already read half of the book, which happened to be about the tea culture of the previous dynasty.
“The way tea was drunk in the previous dynasty was different from today, but the fondness for tea sets was the same.” Pei Yuanhui understood at a glance.
Just then, Green Locust brought in tea, and Pei Yuanhui glanced at the tea set Huo Qinghe was using.
Pei Yuanhui showed a look of disgust at just one glance.
Huo Qinghe noticed this but said nothing. Instead, she solicitously took the teacup and handed it to the official.
When the emperor was drinking tea, she would rest her chin on her hands, her elbows on the small table, and secretly trace his features with her eyes.
However, her gaze was too blatant, and she was caught by the officials in no time.
Caught red-handed, Huo Qinghe smiled shyly and asked, "Did I disturb your tea, Your Highness?"
Pei Yuanhui chuckled and put down his teacup: "You do have some self-awareness, with a beautiful woman adding fragrance to your life."
The official's words didn't sound like an insult; they were more like a joke.
Bathed in the sunlight, Pei Yuanhui gazed at Huo Qinghe's features with amusement. He leaned lazily against the large cushion, having indeed managed to steal a moment of leisure.
Not feeling sleepy at the moment, he closed his eyes slightly and casually asked, "What do you usually do when I'm not around?"
Huo Qinghe could easily see the faint bluish tinge around the official's jawline, which looked rather unsettling.
The official seems to be even less energetic than she is.
She was lost in thought, but her reply was thoughtful.
"When we can't see His Majesty, it's just... eating, talking, and settling him in for rest..."
Huo Qinghe finished speaking in a daze, then realized what she had said and hurriedly tried to make amends.
"I usually spend my time tending to flowers, reading, and playing the pipa." Perhaps because she had said something wrong, Huo Qinghe awkwardly smoothed her hair.
Pei Yuanhui looked at her silly expression, a fleeting smile crossing his eyes.
"You can play the pipa?"
Huo Qinghe picked up her teacup again and sipped it slowly.
Upon hearing the official's question, her eyes lit up slightly, and she nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice.
They practically had "I can play the pipa" written all over their faces.
She was beautiful; her captivating eyes could make anyone stare in bewilderment, even without any emotion. Now, her eyes were filled with expectation, making one's bones melt.
Pei Yuanhui bent his knees slightly and straightened the large cushion beside him, placing his hand on it.
In this situation, his wicked thoughts resurfaced.
"But I don't want to hear the pipa being played right now."
Huo Qinghe's face indeed showed a wronged and pitiful expression, her watery eyes were wet.
"Does Your Majesty really not want to hear this?"
Her voice was extremely gentle, and when she spoke clearly and sincerely, it was even more touching.
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