Chapter 12 His Majesty Returns to the Palace
The closer you get to the imperial city, the more you can feel the chill from the north. The south of the Yangtze River is already lush and green, but the branches in the north are still only covered with a few new green leaves.
Zen Zhen was standing at the bow, looking into the distance when a cloak suddenly fell from his shoulders. He turned around and met His Majesty's concerned gaze.
"The wind is strong on the river, be careful not to catch a cold."
It was just a simple expression of concern, but it warmed Zen's heart. This cloak clearly belonged to His Majesty; it was long and thick, and Zen had to hold it with both hands to prevent it from slipping off.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Chen Dingyao saw that she was wrapped in his cloak, with only her face slightly red from the river breeze showing. Her whole body was soaked in the scent of sandalwood that he usually used, as if he had finally completely embraced this person in his arms.
"What are you thinking about? Why are you looking so absorbed in it?"
Chan Zhen looked into the distance, a bit confused. "I'm wondering when we can reach the Imperial City. This is the first time I've left home and come this far. I wonder what the Imperial City is like. Is it more prosperous than Yangzhou, with taller towers?"
She frowned slightly, and her face showed all her anxiety, which made her little face look even more pitiful.
Chen Dingyao knew that she had always lacked a sense of security because of her background. Even though he had tried his best to show his love for her these days, returning to the palace and arriving in a new environment was like a frightened deer that accidentally wandered into the depths of the woods. The unknown dangers ahead forced her to stay tense and alert to everything around her.
This was her nature. She had reacted in the same way when she first met him in her previous life, and he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. To love someone, one must accept everything about her, including her timidity.
"The Imperial City is actually no different from other places. Once you've seen the scenery from the highest point, the rest will seem much the same. Chan Zhen, I'm by your side, don't be afraid."
One day, he would hold her hand and walk side by side with her to the supreme position.
Zen Zhen turned around to look at him and asked tentatively, "Then will Your Majesty always be by my side?"
She knew that her only support now was His Majesty, and only by relying on His Majesty's favor could she survive in the palace for a long time. Before, in Jiangnan, His Majesty had only her by his side, so it was not surprising that he loved and cherished her. But with so many concubines in the palace, would she be lost in the crowd after entering? Would His Majesty still protect her as before?
The best solution she could think of was to ask His Majesty for a promise, so that when His Majesty dealt with the dispute, he would remember his previous words and be a little more lenient towards her.
Knowing that her request was too bold, she did not expect His Majesty to agree easily. She just wanted to leave a mark on His Majesty's mind.
After not getting a response for a long time, Chan Zhen was afraid of seeing his cold and rejecting eyes, so he slowly lowered his head, but unexpectedly, he was embraced in a broad embrace the next moment.
His Majesty's firm voice rang out above her head: "I promise you."
…
The ceremony of His Majesty's return was extremely grand. Hundreds of guards holding various ceremonial weapons lined up on the shore. The magnificent imperial sedan was surrounded in the center like the moon surrounded by stars, and the surroundings were protected to the point of being impenetrable.
It was the first time for Zen Zhen to witness such a grand spectacle. He was totally at a loss and could only subconsciously follow His Majesty closely, not knowing where to proceed next.
Realizing her helplessness, Chen Dingyao held one of her hands and led her onto the imperial carriage in full view of everyone.
The curtains fell around him, blocking out the view from outside. Chan Zhen suddenly regained consciousness and found himself practically lying limply in His Majesty's arms. He was about to struggle, but His Majesty gently patted his shoulder to comfort him, "Don't be afraid, you'll get used to it."
When Zenzhen raised his head, his lips barely brushed against His Majesty's resolute chin.
"Your Majesty, am I very timid and useless?" Her face turned pale, and tears welled up in her eyes after being frightened. Her brows drooped slightly as if she was about to cry at the next moment.
Chen Dingyao's eyes dimmed as he caressed her face lovingly. His fingers felt a hint of moisture at the corner of her eyes, and the desire that had been suppressed in his heart suddenly showed signs of emerging.
But he was not a hot-blooded boy after all, and he controlled his unbearable desires very well without letting her notice.
He would no longer use coercion, but would want her to come to him willingly. Her fear and uneasiness would be the perfect catalyst for him. Driven by fear, she would subconsciously approach him, become dependent on him, and eventually become inseparable from him, just as she had relied on Yun Yi in her previous life.
Maybe it's a bit despicable, but he had been longing for this for too long in his previous life. The care and love he had shown her in this life still couldn't make her let down her guard. Perhaps this is the best approach.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here."
He hugged her tightly, gently pressing her head into his arms, and did not let her see the darkness in his eyes.
In his arms, Chan Zhen couldn't see any eyes from the outside world, nor could she hear any sound. She could only feel the steady and strong heartbeat coming from his warm chest, which gradually soothed her inner fear and anxiety. She clutched the corner of His Majesty's clothes tightly with one hand, as if that was the source of all her sense of security.
There is only His Majesty, she can only rely on His Majesty.
After the imperial carriage entered the middle gate, the concubines in the harem had been waiting there for a long time. When they saw His Majesty's imperial carriage coming, they all knelt down to salute.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you back to the palace!"
The three leading concubines were all dressed extremely formally, while the remaining concubines of lower and middle ranks were each dressed in their own vibrant colors, creating a dazzling display of pink and green. Concubine Yang, who had previously been quite favored, and others boldly cast their gazes toward the imperial chariot, hoping to be the first to receive His Majesty's response.
Unfortunately, I cannot see His Majesty's heroic figure through the curtain as I wish. I can only hear His Majesty's voice coming from it, which does not convey any emotion as usual.
"Stand up."
The virtuous concubine stepped forward first, smiling warmly, "Your Majesty, I have arranged a banquet tonight to welcome you."
Taking advantage of the fact that His Majesty couldn't see, Concubine Shu gave her a light look. It was clearly the three concubines who took care of it together, but she said it as if it was all the credit of Concubine Xian alone. Over the years, Concubine Xian's other abilities had not improved, but she had become more and more shameless.
"Well, thank you for your trouble, Concubine Xian." After all, she was an old lady who had followed him for many years, and Chen Dingyao usually would not lose face with her.
He lowered his head and saw Chan Zhen huddled tightly in his arms, nervously holding her breath, afraid that any noise would alert people to her presence. He inexplicably felt a little guilty and even a little distressed.
After all, he was many years older than her, and it was not up to him to decide when he would meet her. He had indeed indulged himself for a period of time when he was young, and the existence of these concubines was not something he could erase.
He could only promise that there would only be her from now on.
Only Zenzhen will pamper her and love her until the day he dies.
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