The rain intensified, and dull thunder rolled over the Forbidden City, making the glazed tiles of the Palace of Heavenly Purity shine even brighter. Xuanyuan Che braved the rain, water trickling down his sharp brow, soaking through his dark dragon robe, which clung to his body and highlighted his muscular physique. He hurried along, his boots splashing countless drops of water on the bluestone pavement.
He quietly pushed open the door to Chen Xiaoru's bedroom. Several palace lanterns were burning inside, casting a soft glow. Over the large carved nanmu bed lay a gauze curtain.
"Host, Xuanyuan Che is here." The system whispered.
Chen Xiaoru, already restless from sleep, faintly heard footsteps outside the palace, and then the system notification, completely awakened her. She hugged the quilt and tentatively called out, "Your Majesty, is that you?"
Xuanyuan Che was startled, not expecting her to wake up. He walked to the bedside and spoke softly through the curtains, "Xiaoru, why are you awake?"
Chen Xiaoru lifted a corner of the curtain, revealing half of her pretty face. Her skin, illuminated by the candlelight, looked even more delicate. She stared at him eagerly, her voice soft and tender, with a hint of coquettishness, "Your Majesty, I want a hug."
Xuanyuan Che looked down at himself. His dark robe was soaked through by the rain and was dripping with water. He was afraid of getting her wet, so he said softly, "Xiao Ru, be good. I'm soaked. Go wash up first and I'll be back in a while."
He turned and ordered the palace servants guarding the outer hall to prepare hot water, his voice filled with unquestionable majesty. The palace servants did not dare to neglect and immediately got busy.
"System, why is Xuanyuan Che here at this time?" Chen Xiaoru wrapped herself tightly in the quilt and asked curiously.
"He got evidence of collusion between the Prime Minister's Mansion and the Queen Mother and went to question her. The Queen Mother admitted it and told him that he was impotent because the Queen Mother secretly drugged him. Now the Queen Mother has been imprisoned in the Cining Palace. After he dealt with these things, he came to you." The system reported quickly.
Chen Xiaoru heard this, and a complex emotion passed through her heart. She murmured softly: "I didn't expect him to be so pitiful."
Soon, the palace servants prepared hot water. Xuanyuan Che shed his soaked robes and stepped behind the screen. Warm steam swirled around him, blurring his figure. He quickly washed off the cold and changed into moon-white nightgown. His dark hair flowed freely, his demeanor less imperial and more gentle.
He returned to the bedside and slowly drew aside the curtains. Chen Xiaoru was lying on her side in the soft quilt, her watery almond-shaped eyes gazing at him, like twinkling stars in the night sky. The candlelight danced in her eyes, illuminating her delicate face.
"Your Majesty." Chen Xiaoru called again, with a hint of grievance in her voice, like a kitten drenched in the rain, so adorable.
Xuanyuan Che's heart softened, and he lay down beside her, gently holding her in his arms. His warm body temperature penetrated the thin nightgown and dispelled the uneasiness in her heart. "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"
He asked softly, patting her back with his big hands as if comforting a frightened child.
Chen Xiaoru shook her head in his arms, rubbing her little head against his chest, looking for the most comfortable position. Until she was completely nestled in his warm embrace, she spoke softly, "I didn't have a nightmare, I just couldn't sleep. I missed you a little bit, and I felt empty inside, like I was missing something important."
As she spoke, she restlessly tugged at the front of his shirt with her little hands.
Xuanyuan Che knew that she was uneasy because of all the things that had happened recently. He tightened his arms, holding her petite body tightly in his arms, and gently rested his chin on her forehead. "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
His deep voice carried a reassuring power, like a tranquilizer, soothing all her anxieties.
"His Majesty"
Chen Xiaoru raised her head, her watery almond eyes filled with worry as she looked straight into his eyes. "Why did you come here in such heavy rain without an umbrella? What if you get sick?"
As she spoke, she stretched out her small hand and gently smoothed the few strands of wet hair that had fallen on his forehead, her movements gentle and careful.
Xuanyuan Che didn't expect Chen Xiaoru to care about him. He always thought that Chen Xiaoru hated him. When he heard her caring words, a warm feeling surged in his heart and his eyes softened.
"Xiao Ru, don't you hate me?"
He asked softly, his tone tentative and expectant.
"Before...I had some hatred."
Chen Xiaoru hesitated for a moment, but decided to be honest. She raised her head and met his gaze, her eyes clear and firm.
"But later I stopped hating her, and now... I even like her a little bit."
After she finished speaking, her cheeks flushed slightly, like a ripe apple, and then she buried her head deeply in Xuanyuan Che's arms, not daring to look at him again.
Xuanyuan Che chuckled softly, his chest trembling slightly, and the arm around her waist tightened a little.
"I like you too, Xiaoru." He spoke every word seriously and solemnly.
"His Majesty……"
Chen Xiaoru raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes gleaming with a moving light, like the brightest stars in the night sky. Xuanyuan Che looked at her delicate and tempting red lips, unable to restrain himself any longer, and lowered his head to kiss her.
It was a gentle and lingering kiss, a touch of exploration and cherishment. He gently sucked on her lips, rubbing them together as if savoring a precious treasure. Chen Xiaoru responded, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her body against his, feeling each other's warmth and heartbeat.
After the kiss ended, Xuanyuan Che still held her tightly, buried his head in her neck, greedily breathing in the faint fragrance from her body.
"Xiao Ru, it's great to have you." He murmured softly, his voice filled with satisfaction and relief.
"That's a must." Chen Xiaoru blinked playfully, with a hint of pride in her tone.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
