Chapter 286 Competing for Favor
Li Yuanzhao pulled Pei Huaijin to sit down beside him, and naturally took one of his hands, gently kneading it in his palm.
This sudden display of affection left Pei Huaijin momentarily stunned.
He lowered his eyes, his gaze fixed on their clasped hands.
Li Yuanzhao's palm was warm and dry, with a gentle touch that carried a reassuring strength, yet it made his heart pound like a drum, and even his breathing became a little erratic.
After a long pause, he finally spoke with difficulty, "Does Your Majesty find your servant boring and dull?"
Li Yuanzhao paused in his actions but remained silent.
Pei Huaijin's Adam's apple bobbed, a hint of melancholy welling in his eyes. His voice lowered further, "Your Majesty, I know I am not to your liking. I am dull and lack humor... Please tell me, Your Majesty, what I should do to make you happy..."
Before he could finish speaking, Li Yuanzhao suddenly pushed Pei Huaijin down onto the soft bed.
She braced one arm against his pillow, her figure completely enveloping him.
Pei Huaijin's heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at her.
Backlit, he couldn't see her expression, but he heard her deep voice above him: "Pei Huaijin."
The sound sent a tingling sensation through his fingertips, and his back trembled uncontrollably.
Li Yuanzhao leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against his earlobe: "You are my empress."
Pei Huaijin's eyelids twitched violently a few times, his mind went blank, and he couldn't answer a single word.
Li Yuanzhao raised his hand, his fingertips gently touching his lips, the touch slightly cool. "Whether you are dull and boring or lively and pleasing, you are the mistress of this harem, the empress personally appointed by me. No one can surpass you."
Pei Huaijin felt that the places she touched were burning hot.
He gazed at her silhouette so close to his, his eyes welling up slightly, and after a long while, he said in a trembling voice, "Your subject... understands."
Li Yuanzhao remained silent for a long time, gazing at him intently.
Unable to bear such a scorching gaze, Pei Huaijin turned his face slightly away and whispered, "If Your Majesty is sleepy, please rest early..."
Before he could finish speaking, Li Yuanzhao lowered his head and kissed his lips.
Pei Huaijin felt as if his soul had been instantly ripped from his body, and all his senses had been completely shattered by the sudden kiss.
He almost instinctively raised his hand and hugged her waist tightly, as if afraid she would run away.
He responded eagerly, and as their lips met, he poured out all the longing, grievances, and joy that had accumulated over the past few days into that kiss.
This wasn't the first time she had kissed him, but it was the first time he had truly felt that she had kissed him.
Only when both of them were slightly out of breath did Li Yuanzhao's lips slowly leave his, brushing past his forehead hair, moving to his ear, and whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Huaijin".
This affectionate call made Pei Huaijin's heart race uncontrollably.
"You must remember that you are the only one who can stand openly and honestly beside me."
Pei Huaijin's eyes welled up with tears; all the long-standing sense of loss was completely filled by her words at this moment.
He even felt that his heart was about to overflow.
He held her waist tightly, buried his face in her chest, and brushed his nose against her skin.
Li Yuanzhao reached out and pulled aside the loose, dark green nightgown on his shoulder.
The silk robe slid down her shoulders and neck, revealing a long stretch of her fair neck and sharply defined collarbones.
Her fingertips gently traced his collarbone, the warm touch sending a shiver down his spine, causing Pei Huaijin to tighten his arms around her.
"With Your Majesty's words, I am content."
Before he finished speaking, he leaned in and kissed the corner of her lips, taking a rare initiative and throwing all restraint and modesty to the back of his mind.
Their black hair intertwined on the pillow, swaying slightly with their owners.
Pei Huaijin's eyes reddened, his emotions even more intense than on their wedding day, and even his usually clear and gentle voice became somewhat hoarse: "Your Majesty..."
The curtains swayed gently, concealing the springtime atmosphere in the room.
The candle had burned more than halfway, and the glow had softened considerably, no longer so intense.
Pei Huaijin nestled her head in the crook of Li Yuanzhao's neck, her dark hair disheveled and spread over her shoulders, her hands still tightly wrapped around her waist.
He could clearly hear her steady and powerful heartbeat, like the most reassuring drumbeat, dispelling all his unease.
Li Yuanzhao's arms loosely encircled his shoulders, his palms resting on his sweaty back, his fingertips unconsciously caressing his delicate skin.
Pei Huaijin's breathing gradually became steady, but he still dared not move, fearing that this rare tenderness was just a fleeting dream.
He could feel Li Yuanzhao's chin resting on the top of his head, her breath causing his hair to tremble slightly, creating a subtle ticklish sensation.
After a long while, he finally dared to raise his head slightly, his gaze falling on her chin, and he said softly, "Your Majesty..."
Li Yuanzhao, "Hmm?"
Pei Huaijin opened his mouth, but in the end only asked softly, "Is Your Majesty hungry? Your servants have prepared a midnight snack."
Li Yuanzhao nodded slightly.
After the two finished washing up, they sat down at the table.
On the table was lotus seed soup, along with several small, delicate side dishes.
Pei Huaijin personally ladled out a bowl and handed it to Li Yuanzhao. Li Yuanzhao took a sip and said, "Not bad."
"I'm glad Your Majesty is pleased." Pei Huaijin smiled faintly, his eyes lowered.
At this moment, Tingxia, who was serving the two of them their meal, couldn't help but interject, "These lotus seeds were picked by His Highness himself from Taiye Pond, and he peeled them one by one by hand. He prepares them every day so that His Majesty can have them hot when he comes!"
Pei Huaijin quickly stopped her with a look, and Xia reluctantly fell silent.
Li Yuanzhao glanced at the audacious young eunuch and said to Pei Huaijin, "I know your intentions, but it's just lotus seeds. It doesn't matter who peels them. The Empress doesn't need to go to such trouble."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand." Pei Huaijin's smile faded slightly.
He lowered his head, not daring to look Li Yuanzhao in the eye, and silently scooped up the lotus seeds from his bowl.
Li Yuanzhao took a couple more sips and suddenly said, "This lotus seed soup is quite good. I imagine that Consort Chen is still reading his novel and must not be asleep. Have someone send him a portion as well."
Xia's face immediately fell.
Isn't Your Majesty slapping the Empress in the face?
These lotus seeds were peeled by His Highness himself and painstakingly prepared for the Emperor, yet now they are being sent to that person as well.
If he wants to eat, does the imperial kitchen lack his food?
Pei Huaijin was slightly taken aback, then said gently, "It is only right, Your Majesty is very thoughtful."
He instructed Xia, "Quickly send a portion to Chen Guishi, along with some of his favorite rose pastries and almond cakes."
Xia reluctantly retreated.
Li Yuanzhao put down his spoon. "You can handle the talent show."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."
"Oh, right, let Yun Dan go and take a look too." Li Yuanzhao added as if he suddenly remembered something. "He's been cooped up in Ningxiang Palace all day, he must be getting bored. Let him help take a look and pick out some that suit his taste."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Pei Huaijin almost imperceptibly: "So that some ignorant people won't bully him in the future."
Pei Huaijin smiled and said, "Your Majesty's consideration is very wise. Your subject will certainly make the necessary arrangements."
He placed a piece of dried meat into Li Yuanzhao's bowl, saying, "Your Highness is still young, so it's good to have a few more people to play with you."
Li Yuanzhao stood up, saying, "I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. You can continue eating."
Pei Huaijin was surprised that she didn't stay to sleep.
The intimacy just now seemed to be nothing more than a fleeting illusion, and it was about to come to an abrupt end.
But he dared not stop her, and quickly fetched an outer garment to drape over her shoulders, watching her figure disappear into the distance.
When Xia returned, she saw her master still sitting at the table lost in thought, and couldn't help but complain, "Your Highness, why do you have to wrong yourself like this..."
Pei Huaijin gently shook her head, "I don't feel wronged."
Xia felt even more sorry for him, "But Your Highness was the head of the Pei family before entering the palace, and now you are the Empress! There's really no need for you to tolerate that hostage from Tibet at every turn..."
"Enough!" Pei Huaijin interrupted. "Tingxia, you've said too much today."
Xia then realized he had spoken out of turn and hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground, saying, "This servant knows his mistake."
Pei Huaijin gazed quietly at the servant who had been with her since childhood. After a long while, she finally sighed softly, "My Kunning Palace is too small to accommodate you. Tomorrow... you will go to work in the laundry department."
"Your Highness!" Xia pleaded in disbelief, "This servant has served you since childhood, please don't send this servant away..."
Pei Huaijin had already turned away and was no longer looking at him.
As the empress, the emperor had already given him ample respect.
He could not, like an ordinary vice minister, vie for favor and complain, nor could he tolerate his subordinates stirring up trouble in the harem.
He displeased the emperor.
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