Chapter 31: Fulfilling the Promise Last Night… Was it once, or twice? …
Today's dinner is more exquisite than usual.
The shad slices were translucent, and the goose breast was shiny with oil.
Even the stewing pot for soup was replaced with cloisonné enamel.
Is it because her period just ended?
Shu Yao paused holding the chopsticks and looked up at Xiao Chengjing.
He calmly scooped up a spoonful of crab meat tofu and put it into her bowl.
The white porcelain spoon made a clear sound when it touched the edge of the bowl.
"Use more." He looked at her, his eyes gentle, his voice so low that only she could hear, "You look pale, you should take some supplements."
Shu Yao bowed her head in thanks, but couldn't help but murmur in her heart.
There must be supplies before a big battle, the game really doesn't deceive me.
Thinking of this, her ears felt slightly hot, and she felt that the Longjing shrimp in her mouth had lost its flavor.
Xiao Chengjing was so perceptive, how could he not see that she was feeling uncomfortable?
His eyes curled up slightly, but he deliberately didn't point it out. He calmly reached for his chopsticks and gently placed a piece of plump, juicy shad belly in front of her. "The shad is in season, and the bones have been picked out. Eat it while it's hot."
The candlelight in the hall was bright, making the cups and plates sparkle, and also making her nowhere to hide.
Shu Yao followed her instructions and ate the food in small bites, each bite bringing out a sense of the tragic grandeur of a final meal before execution.
at night.
He rested one arm on her ear, and there was a delicate tooth mark on his shoulder, which was watery.
"Heh..." A low laugh rolled out of his throat, making her heart numb.
Her breathing hitched slightly as she watched him place his other hand over the tooth mark.
The fingertips slowly rolled over the depression, as if creating a mark, and the intimacy that could not be told to outsiders was recalled in the bottom of my heart.
She tilted her head and closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, but he pinched her chin and turned her back.
His warm lips touched her ear, and he heard a half-whimper from her as he wished.
She is indeed ticklish.
He chuckled softly and continued to ask, "Where's the energy you used to bite me just now?"
The light of heaven seeps into the gauze tent.
Shu Yao woke up feeling tired after a night of sleep.
As soon as I moved my body, I found that Xiao Chengjing had already woken up.
He leaned sideways to support his chin, his pair of black jade-like eyes fixed on her face.
Just as she was about to turn her back, she heard him chuckle softly, and with a little force he pulled her back.
The warmth from his palm slowly seeped into her shoulders.
He leaned forward and moved closer, and a shadow fell over him.
"Yaoyao said..." He leaned close to her ear and whispered the second half of the sentence, his breath lingering on her, "Last night... was it counted as one time, or two times?"
Jiang Shuyao quickly raised her hand and pressed it against his chest.
The texture of her fingertips was firm and burning, and she curled her fingers unconsciously.
She managed to calm herself down and put on a fake smile, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. You should attend the morning court." Her tone was gentle, "I will help you change your clothes."
But he refused, and gently lifted her chin with his fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"Are you sending me away now?" He asked slowly with a smile in his eyes.
What else?
Shu Yao was secretly annoyed, but did not show it on her face.
She lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes hiding her true resentment, and her voice was tinged with deliberate timidity: "How dare I. It's just..." Her face was slightly hot, and she gently pushed his chest, "Your Majesty is not tired, but I am. You should let me rest for a while." The words were light and airy, somewhat true and somewhat false.
Hearing this, Xiao Chengjing's smile deepened. He slowly withdrew his hand, saying lazily, "Forget it, I'll let you go this time."
Thank you so much.
Shu Yao's eyes almost rolled up to the sky.
After he left, Shu Yao immediately called Chun Tao and Yun Xiu.
After quickly finishing her makeup and hair, she went to the palace of the two concubines to pay her respects in the morning.
I really don't want to stay any longer in this palace filled with his aura.
After the morning inspection, the three of them moved to a side hall to have tea.
After spending a few days together, the three of them became much more familiar with each other and became more casual when talking and laughing.
The little palace maid skillfully arranged several delicate items and quietly retreated to the corridor.
Zhao Wan held the celadon teacup, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the wall of the cup.
His eyes wandered, quietly sweeping across the red marks on Shu Yao's neck, and then dropped down.
Two blushes spread from Zhao Wan's ears and gradually spread to her cheeks, just like the newly blooming rouge peony.
She pursed her lips, wanting to say something but stopping herself. In the end, she lowered her brows and remained silent. She just held the teacup tighter and tighter, until even her knuckles turned slightly white.
Shu Yao picked up a piece of hibiscus cake, tasted it, and some icing sugar stained the corner of her lips.
Suddenly she felt that it was unusually quiet beside her, so she turned to look.
Seeing Zhao Wan busy fiddling with the teacup, he leaned closer and, smiling, tapped Zhao Wan's wrist with his fingertips: "What's wrong with you, Wan? You look like a gourd with a sawed mouth."
Zhao Wan was so startled by her touch that her hand trembled.
The tea created ripples in the green cup.
She hurriedly lowered her head to cover it up, but the corner of her eyes uncontrollably glanced towards Shu Yao's neck.
At this glance, her earlobes were even redder.
She stammered, "Sister Ayao... I... I just want to ask... Is His Majesty... very... very troublesome?" Her voice grew softer and softer, her head almost buried in her chest.
Jiang Shuyao was startled by her question and almost crushed the lotus cake between her fingers.
As if she was choked by pastries, she covered half of her face with a cough, and then covered the side of her neck.
The other one picked up the teacup and took a sip. While putting the teacup down, he calmed down and said angrily, "You little girl. Why did you suddenly think of asking this?"
Zhao Wan raised her face, blinked her pair of clear almond-shaped eyes, with an innocent look that showed she was ignorant of the world: "Father, mother, and the maids all say that this is a great favor from heaven." She frowned slightly, and put on a confused look, "But I look at you, sister Ayao. Every time His Majesty stays overnight, although you smile in front of others, there is always fatigue between your brows. It doesn't look like you are happy, but more like... you just came back from a battle." She spoke very seriously, and was actually sharp.
Shu Yao burst out laughing when she heard that, and quickly raised her hand to cover her lips, but her shoulders couldn't stop shaking.
The depression that had been accumulating for days seemed to dissipate a little with this smile.
"My dear Awan." She stretched out her hand, gently poked Zhao Wan's forehead, and said in a long tone, "What good things did your father, mother and maids teach you? They even made us, a little girl who doesn't know the feeling of worry, start to worry!" She shook her head as she spoke, but there was an unconcealable curve at the corner of her lips.
Hearing this, the blush on Zhao Wan's face, which had just faded, suddenly became brighter again.
She hesitated and refused to say anything more.
Seeing her like this, Jiang Shuyao felt like teasing her. She moved closer, lowered her voice, and said with a sly smile, "Good Awan, did Mammy... show you some book? Come on, take it out and show it to me, so I can broaden my horizons."
"Sister Ayao!" Zhao Wan was so embarrassed that she almost jumped up and raised her handkerchief to hit her. "You are so mean! What's so good about a fight between villains?! It's so embarrassing!"
When Jiang Shuyao heard the villains fighting, she could no longer hold back. She leaned her forehead against her arms, leaned over the table, and laughed so hard that her shoulders shook.
Seeing the two of them laughing together, Shen Jingshu, who was standing by, couldn't help but cover her lips with her silk and said, "I used to think Ah Yao was a dignified girl, but now I know that you actually have such a mischievous nature in your bones."
After the laughter, Shu Yao's smile gradually faded.
She gently tugged at the corner of Shen Jingshu's sleeve, moved closer, and asked, "Ah Shu, do you know where in the palace I can find some storybooks to relieve my boredom?"
Shen Jingshu pondered for a moment, then raised her eyes and smiled, saying in a gentle tone, "There is a library in the palace, and it has always been visited by the Xu sisters."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuyao's eyes lit up with joy, and she quickly found an excuse to say goodbye to the second concubine.
After leaving the palace, he unconsciously quickened his pace and went straight to the library.
Who knew that just as she reached the door of the library and was about to lift her skirt to go in, a cold light flashed before her eyes.
Two iron halberds crossed in front of him.
The guard bowed his head respectfully and said, "Your Majesty has ordered that the Concubine Shu is not allowed to enter."
Shu Yao felt a pang of distress.
He knew that she loved reading the most.
Back in the palace, he took the initiative to pass the book to her to read.
Now acting like this.
It was obvious that they had dug a pit and were waiting for her to jump into it.
Shu Yao returned to the palace in disappointment, becoming more and more convinced that Xiao Chengjing had done it on purpose.
Normally at this time, he should have come to her place to report in, but today there was no news.
The hall was quiet, perfect for concentrating and thinking of countermeasures.
She knew that she couldn't escape on impulse; it required intelligence, lots of it.
It now seems that there is still a glimmer of hope hidden in the library.
But what should I exchange for this hope?
My heart felt a little bitter.
Then he changed his mind.
For the slim chance of contraception, she endured being close to him three times a month.
What else can't be tolerated?
Taking a deep breath, she suppressed her surging emotions and warned herself: A little impatience will ruin a big plan, and she cannot fail here.
Having made up her mind, she called Yunxiu over and instructed, "Go find Chief Steward Cui for me and tell him that I'm requesting an audience with the emperor."
Soon, a eunuch came to lead the way.
Shu Yao said nothing and followed him to the side hall where Xiao Chengjing was.
When he entered, Xiao Chengjing was working at his desk reviewing memorials.
He didn't look up, only the corners of his lips curved in a knowing smile as he said, "Huh?" His voice was filled with just the right amount of surprise. "What brings Yaoyao here today?" After she came to the desk and bowed, he leisurely put down his pen and rubbed his forehead in feigned fatigue. "To be honest, I was busy with official duties today and couldn't spare the time, so I couldn't go with you."
Shu Yao narrowed her eyes and cursed inwardly.
Pretend! Keep pretending!
An overly sweet smile spread across her face, and she bowed gracefully, "Ah, it seems I've come at an inopportune time. Your Majesty is so busy with affairs, how dare I bother you?" Her voice was soft and gentle, her tone impeccably sweet. "I'll take my leave now and come back later."
She made a gesture to leave, and as expected, he tried to keep her, "Since you're here, why rush to leave?" Then he changed his tone and continued slowly, "The imperial kitchen has just served some new and delicious snacks. Yaoyao, please stay here with me for a while." It was as if he saw through her little trick of retreating to advance.
After thanking him, she sat down peacefully.
The palace maid brought a plate of almond cakes and placed it next to her.
She picked up a piece and tasted it slowly, but her eyes were leisurely looking up.
Whenever Xiao Chengjing looked up from between memorials, he would always meet her unabashed gaze.
She even raised her eyebrows deliberately, and her eyes were full of cunning.
His thoughts were clearly written on his face, it was obvious.
She just refused to beg him right away and asked him to wait.
Strangely enough, Xiao Chengjing approved the memorial very quickly that day.
There was still a little cake left on her plate, and he had already closed the last book and stretched his arms leisurely.
Shu Yao glanced at the sky outside the window.
It was actually half an hour earlier than usual.
The subtle pleasure of regaining a point quietly rose up.
In the past, he always took her by force, but today, the situation has changed and he has to spend her time in vain.
So, she raised her eyes slowly and got to the point with a smile: "Your Majesty, are you done with your work now?"
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The author has something to say: [Small Theater]
Male protagonist: Beg me.
Female lead: Guess when I'll beg you? Wait!
Waiting for comments every day is like an arsonist returning to the crime scene, who understands [Joker]
I like you guys to discuss with me in the comment section, except those who scold me [狗头]
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