Upon hearing this, Jin Yang withdrew.
Huo Qinghe brought the sweet water to the official: "You've just woken up, have a cup of sweet water to soothe your throat. Please don't be angry..."
Pei Yuanhui accepted the cup and drank it, showing courtesy: "Didn't you just come yesterday?"
Huo Qinghe waited expectantly for the Emperor to finish drinking before taking the cup: "I saw Your Majesty yesterday, so can't I see Your Majesty again today?"
Pei Yuanhui looked at her holding the small cup, without saying whether she could or couldn't: "You'll only cause me trouble."
It took Huo Qinghe a couple of seconds to roughly understand. She subconsciously turned her head to look in the direction where Consort Zhou had left before looking away.
"It was all my fault, Your Majesty. Please don't be angry. If you are really angry, then punish me."
Pei Yuanhui looked at her: "Did you sleep well last night? And you're here again now? Have a seat."
Huo Qinghe waited two seconds before sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"I'm late, but it's alright. Is Your Majesty sleeping well? I'm sorry to have troubled you."
The two of them were naturally talking about what happened last night.
Pei Yuanhui was indeed not very energetic after waking up. He gave a soft "hmm" and said, "If you keep hanging around in front of me, I really won't be able to sleep peacefully."
Pei Yuanhui did not sleep well after Huo Qinghe left last night. After all, he was aroused by Huo Qinghe and took a bath during the night despite Jinyang's advice. No wonder the imperial physician came to take his pulse this morning and was puzzled as to why the emperor still had a high fever after a night.
Huo Qinghe whispered in her defense, "This concubine did not."
Pei Yuanhui leaned against the large cushion behind him: "Next time, you are not allowed to act on your own. If someone sees this and seizes on your weakness, I will not protect you."
Upon hearing this, Huo Qinghe turned to the side, placing her hands on the edge of the bed as well: "Are you really, really not going to protect your concubine?"
The beautiful woman stared at the person with a fixed, uneasy look.
Her tone of voice was tender, and she deliberately paused on the word "really," which made the beauty sound even more uneasy.
She didn't care at all about being discovered; all she cared about was whether the officials would protect her.
Pei Yuanhui, with a mischievous glint in his eye, leaned closer to take a look, and the distance between the two of them suddenly closed.
Huo Qinghe blinked shyly, "Your Majesty?"
Pei Yuanhui simply raised his hand and patted Huo Qinghe's shoulder: "Something fell on you."
Huo Qinghe turned her head to look, but saw that the official's hands were empty, so she didn't point it out.
Pei Yuanhui withdrew his hand: "Where are your eyes? If I hadn't protected you, would you still be standing here?"
It's unclear whether the first half of the sentence means that Huo Qinghe didn't notice what was on her shoulder or something else.
Huo Qinghe naturally understood that the Emperor was still protecting her.
But she also knew that the Emperor's anger earlier was not necessarily because of her, but more because of his dissatisfaction with Consort Zhou's behavior. The only thing related to her was what happened last night. How Consort Zhou knew was obvious to anyone.
Huo Qinghe pursed her lips: "I have no way to repay Your Majesty but to serve you day and night."
Pei Yuanhui could easily see through her little scheme, and he said directly, "Trying to play tricks again."
After Huo Qinghe finished speaking, she asked, "The gentlemen outside are still waiting. It's still so hot today; if this continues, I'm afraid they'll get sunburned..."
Pei Yuanhui laughed: "They're not waiting in the sun. You're so virtuous and considerate, yet you still have time to worry about others."
Upon hearing this, Huo Qinghe pursed her lips, as if feigning concern to defend herself: "I am not virtuous, but I often hear people say that affairs of state are of utmost importance. Although I do not understand those things, I only think that my own life is not important, but other matters are..."
Pei Yuanhui looked at her with some surprise: "Are you trying to persuade me?"
Hearing the Emperor's words, Huo Qinghe shook her head again: "I have said that, but in all matters, Your Majesty's wishes should be the most important. You are still recovering from your cold, so you should take extra care of your health..."
But since several high-ranking officials have come, the Emperor will probably still meet with them. However, Huo Qinghe's words at this moment are just polite formalities.
The important thing is to let the Emperor know that what she cares about most is everything related to him.
Pei Yuanhui laughed: "You're quite good at saying nice things to please me. You'll be out in the sun anyway, so go sit in the side hall and go back later."
After hearing the first half of the official's sentence, one can know that Huo Qinghe was not wrong.
Huo Qinghe nodded slightly, then reluctantly stood up: "Your Majesty should still take care of your health."
Pei Yuanhui nodded slightly. In his memory, Huo Qinghe always seemed to look back three times before leaving.
"I will come to see you as soon as I recover from my illness," Pei Yuanhui promised.
Huo Qinghe turned around upon hearing the voice, her eyes sparkling like stars: "I am very happy that Your Majesty is in good health. Of course, I also look forward to seeing Your Majesty more often."
Pei Yuanhui remained noncommittal; it was obvious to anyone who looked at him.
However, Huo Qinghe stopped in her tracks: "Your Majesty, today I'm wearing another pair of earrings that you bestowed upon me..."
She only said half of what she meant, but Pei Yuanhui still understood.
It was naturally pleasing to meet a beautiful woman who had dressed up so meticulously, especially since Huo Qinghe was now showing off her treasure.
Pei Yuanhui followed the conversation down to Huo Qinghe's earlobe. It was after he had given Huo Qinghe those ruby earrings that he had Jinyang send them back to her.
The delicate chain on her earlobe swayed gently in a slight arc as she spoke, a sight that was pleasing to the eye.
If things continue like this, Pei Yuanhui will truly have to avoid seeing those senior officials waiting in the side hall today.
He simply lowered his eyes.
Huo Qinghe called out "Your Majesty" again before finally leaving.
The smile on her face had almost completely disappeared by the time she left the Funing Palace.
Consort Xie and Consort Fu were waiting outside.
Upon seeing her emerge, Consort Xie rose, fanning herself with a round fan, and said, "It must have been hard for you to serve me inside, sister. Is His Majesty asleep?"
Huo Qinghe glanced at the side hall and said, "I'm afraid it's difficult."
Consort Xie understood her gaze: "At least Madam Zhou has gone back to change her clothes, so let's wait outside."
Consort Fu glanced at the side hall a couple more times before finally speaking, "Then let's go wait there. We can't do anything standing here."
Huo Qinghe had achieved her goal for today's trip, and she nodded in agreement with whatever Consort Xie and Consort Fu said.
After arriving at the side hall, Huo Qinghe sat for a quarter of an hour before Lü Huai stepped forward and said, "Madam, you didn't have breakfast today, and now it's past lunchtime. I'm afraid your body won't be able to handle it..."
As soon as she spoke, Consort Xie and Consort Fu naturally advised Huo Qinghe to go back and rest.
Whether it was for Huo Qinghe's health or to reduce the number of people in the imperial court.
Huo Qinghe took advantage of the less intense sunlight and left Funing Palace with Lvhuai and the others.
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