Chapter 107: I have been dealing with you for a long time, I would rather be me...
Zhao Changning fell into the carriage covered with soft carpet, without saying a word.
The snow falls silently and the night is cold and bleak.
The cloth-wrapped carriage rumbled across the bluestone road, heading straight from Shui'er Lane to Zhuque Street. This is the most prosperous place in Yujing. The closer it gets to the end of the year, the more it becomes a city that never sleeps. There is no curfew, and people gather together all night long.
Zhao Changning was a little apprehensive. Why was he here? Was the emperor here? Why would he suddenly leave the palace?
It was obviously a bustling place, but gradually, it became silent, as if it had suddenly been cut off from the hustle and bustle, and entered a state of ecstasy, apparently leaving Suzaku Street again.
After an unknown amount of time, the man finally let out a sigh and said to the carriage, "Nu Shu Ling, we've arrived. Get out."
Zhao Changning took a deep breath, her whole body stiff with cold, and she lifted her skirt to get off the carriage. She felt determined in her heart, but at the same time, she couldn't help but worry.
Only then did she notice that she was wearing a new dress today, specially made by Xiaoshun. It was made of extremely precious off-white kesi material with festive koi water ripples on it. It shone brightly under the candlelight, and the five-point color brought out seven-points of the effect. This made her think of the surprise in Mingxuan's eyes when he saw it.
When they were leaving, Xiao Shun even praised her a few times, "Aunt, you look so beautiful in this, like a lady from a painting in a book."
But now, these clothes have undoubtedly become a big problem.
Zhao Changning got off the carriage and looked up to see a wide vermilion-painted gate. The two stone lions at the gate looked quite funny under the thick snow. A nanmu plaque on the door read "Chengxin Hall".
It implies a clear mind and a bright mirror hanging high, which is taken from the words "the sage has a clear mind and pure thoughts" in "Huainanzi", which is in line with the emperor's identity.
Zhao Changning just felt frightened.
Until now, she had no idea that the emperor had such a private residence. The heavy vermilion lacquer door looked like the mouth of a giant beast on a snowy night, waiting for her to fall into its trap.
Could she not go in?
cannot.
The man beside him spoke up at the right time to remind him, "Nu Shu Ling, the side door is open. Please go in. Don't keep the emperor waiting for too long."
Zhao Changning knew he couldn't avoid it, so he could only say softly, "Thank you."
She sighed, gathered her thoughts, and walked into the house with her head held high.
The flower hall was warm as spring, with bright candlelight and a blazing charcoal fire in the stove. Two wintersweets, as red as fire, were placed on the rosewood wooden table to the north. A Boshan stove nearby was emitting curling smoke and a jasmine fragrance.
The emperor was sitting quietly at the Eight Immortals Table in front of the wooden table. The rosewood official hat chair was large and heavy, and he sat upright. The emerald green ring on his thumb was taken off and flew flexibly between his slender fingers, but it also showed the owner's unhappy mood.
When he learned that she went to look for Mingxuan, he was already unhappy. Before he even reached Hanpin, he couldn't suppress the anger in his heart and turned around and left the palace.
They had been together for so many years, through thick and thin, walking together as confidants. Could it be that he was no match for a mere scholar who had won the imperial examination? What was so good about Mingxuan? Everything was given to him by him. What a nobody.
He couldn't figure it out.
When Zhao Changning's graceful figure appeared in the Chuihua Gate amidst the heavy snow, he understood a little. How could he not set his sights on her? Those vulgar men in the world only knew the surface of a woman, but not the things underneath. Zhao Changning had that, and it was what attracted him, so naturally it would attract others as well.
The emperor looked at Zhao Changning's new clothes, which he had never worn before. They were dazzling and graceful, and his heart felt as if it were immersed in sour water. If he had known this would happen, he should have hidden her in the deep palace and never let those people see her again.
His face was as cold as the snow on the mountaintop. He just watched Zhao Changning approach step by step. Seeing her hesitate, he said sternly, "Come in."
Zhao Changning pursed his lips and stepped over the threshold. The alternation of hot and cold sensation gave him goosebumps all over his body.
She was about to pay her respects when she heard the emperor's inexplicable sneer.
"My female secretary is really radiant today." The more the emperor looked at her, the angrier he became.
Zhao Changning knelt down upon hearing his tone, "Changning greets His Majesty. Long live the Emperor."
The door was closed, and the footsteps gradually faded away. The room was silent, with the faint scent of jasmine and the fragrant aroma of plum blossoms.
The emperor's narrow eyes were cold as he looked at Zhao Changning quietly.
He could go along with her and pamper her. Even if she didn't want to enter his tent, as long as she stayed by his side and accompanied him every day, he would allow her to benefit from it. He believed that this was an honor that no other woman had ever had.
But she shouldn't have any other intentions.
I heard you had other intentions, so I pulled them together and burned them. I burned them and scattered their ashes in the wind.
He even felt humiliated. He was the emperor, and he had all the women he wanted. How could Zhao Changning dare?
The emperor slammed his armrest and said angrily, "Don't you have anything to say to me?"
Zhao Changning kowtowed quickly, "Changning doesn't know what to say, please tell me, Your Majesty."
The emperor stood up suddenly, and the heavy rosewood chair creaked. His handsome face was full of anger. Seeing that she was still pretending to be stupid, he closed his eyes in anger.
This cunning woman.
"What's going on between you and Mingxuan?"
Zhao Changning's face was calm, but his eyes were filled with surprise. "I wonder why the emperor asks this? Mingxuan and I are ordinary friends. Today we are just discussing the affairs of the Maritime Customs. Now that merchants are suppressing farmers..."
The emperor stopped her, leaned closer, and carefully examined the expression on her face. He said angrily, "You were dressed in new clothes, so happy to meet him, and kissed him in the snow late at night. It was truly a scene of loving lovers. Changning, I gave you all this, not to let you fall into the arms of another man."
Zhao Changning's heart was pounding like a hammer. She kowtowed again and said in fear, "Your Majesty, Changning doesn't understand..."
"Don't play dumb." The emperor couldn't help but grab her hand, his eyes burning with fire. "It was because I believed your innocent and pitiful appearance that I allowed you to have a secret meeting with Mingxuan. Changning, you are betraying me."
Zhao Changning looked at the emperor who was so close to him. He was naturally handsome, but now he had become addicted to wine and women. He was above millions of people, holding power. As the emperor of the Celestial Empire, he had tough methods. He had long lost the caution and humility he had when he first ascended the throne.
She felt extremely uncomfortable, turned her head, and said in a trembling voice, "Mingxuan and I have a friendship of gentlemen, and have never done anything wrong. Your Majesty, Changning has no regrets."
The emperor didn't believe such words at this time. He saw Zhao Changning dodging uncomfortably, fearing that he would be close to her. It was not that he didn't understand, he clearly understood it very well.
He suddenly smiled, with a strange look in his smile, "Why? Mingxuan can touch you, but I can't?"
Before Zhao Changning could say anything, he pulled her up. Her wrist felt like it was clamped by a wire clamp. She cried out in pain, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it hurts..."
The emperor was not going to listen to her at this moment. He took her hand, angrily threw aside the bead curtain that was in the way, and entered the inner room of the flower hall. To the north was a large rosewood and gold-painted Arhat couch, on which was a small rosewood table. The room was separated from the reception area by only a landscape screen.
He angrily threw her onto the Arhat couch.
Zhao Changning was so shocked that he saw stars and his black hair was disheveled, shining softly in the candlelight.
She lay on the Luohan couch, breathlessly saying, "Your Majesty, Changning has always regarded you as a gentleman. Why are you so rude tonight?"
The emperor walked towards her, step by step, his steps heavy and ponderous. "Changning, I don't have to be with you, but you broke the invisible rules between us first. You played me around like crazy, how bold of you."
Zhao Changning lay powerlessly on the Arhat couch, tears in his eyes. He turned to look at the emperor and choked out, "Changning doesn't know any hidden rules, and he never dares to play tricks on anyone. Your Majesty knows that Changning has a lover at home, but he has never cared about it before, let alone been so disrespectful."
"That pretty fool?" The emperor thought of that fool Gao Cong and sneered, "How could you possibly have had anything to do with him? Even if you did, I don't care. But using your beauty to please others can't take away your heart or you."
"But Mingxuan is different." He paused and snorted coldly, "He does have a pair of good eyes. He actually saw you."
People in the world are so ignorant that most of them only see the surface. Unexpectedly, Mingxuan happened to be the one who could understand Zhao Changning. This made him very unhappy, as if a treasure that fools did not understand was recognized by the world.
Zhao Changning remained stubborn, "Mingxuan and I have no personal feelings for each other. I hope the Emperor will understand."
"You have such a sharp tongue that you still want to deceive me?" The emperor stepped on the rosewood footstool, leaned over, and leaned on the edge of the Arhat couch with both hands, just enough to hold Zhao Changning in his arms.
He whispered in her ear, "I have been with you day and night in the Qinzheng Palace. I thought I knew you well, but you dared to lie to me? Then you must understand your status. I can let you do what you want, but that doesn't mean I can tolerate so much."
Zhao Changning didn't flinch at all. She looked straight at him with tearful eyes and said word by word, "Changning dare not overstep the bounds."
When the emperor heard that she was still so tough, with the stubbornness in her eyes and eyebrows almost overflowing, he immediately laughed with a hint of sarcasm.
He raised his hand and carefully wiped away her falling tears, narrowing his eyes as if he were looking at prey. "Changning, do you know when you fascinate me the most? That painting still hasn't been painted. I have an idea now, but it's a pity that the painting is not with me."
Zhao Changning saw him lower his head and his lips were about to touch hers, and she was so scared that she pushed him away.
"We've known each other for much longer than he has." The emperor took a step back, his face filled with disbelief. "You actually pushed me away?"
Zhao Changning knew that he could no longer pretend, as the emperor was not so easy to fool.
She stood up and straightened her slightly loose collar.
The emperor saw her stand up, wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and return to her former self when she was by his side: calm, gentle, intelligent, cold, and arrogant.
This was why he was so patient with her. He couldn't take his eyes off her, but he couldn't help but get angry. "What? Nv Shu Ling is not pretending anymore?"
Zhao Changning sighed in her heart. It was really difficult. She had always been afraid of this matter. She and the emperor had been traveling together for so many years. She was cautious and afraid of causing such a thing.
She can have a lover and have romantic affairs, but she must never be emotionally involved with the emperor. This is why she always has to help the queen.
Once people outside the palace knew about this, all her efforts over the years would be wasted.
Those people would only say, "Oh, that Zhao Changning, he just relied on his looks to climb the imperial throne..."
I have been dealing with myself for a long time, and I would rather be myself.
Her eyes sparkled. "Your Majesty, how long will you favor Changning? One month, one year, or three to five years?"
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Author's words: Gao Cong: Me? Pretty trash? Thank you [angry][angry][angry]
Emperor: I’m sorry, I also admire the strong [burst into tears][burst into tears]
Mingxuan: Hiding and crying [poor][poor]
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