Chapter 42. His desire turned to her. ...
Yuan Chaolu leaned against the slippery tree trunk to get up, rainwater sliding down her wet hair. She never imagined that when she was lost in the forest, she would encounter the Emperor himself coming to find her.
Having not seen each other for several days, inappropriate images floated through my mind.
Yuan Chao suppressed his anger, his voice trembling slightly, "Thank you for coming, Your Majesty."
Xiao Zhuo's horse snorted, and the golden lion shook its fur in the rain. He looked up at the faint firelight in the woods behind her and said in a deep voice, "The road out of the woods is too far. There's an abandoned palace ahead. Let's go take shelter from the rain first."
Yuan Chaolu staggered to the front of the horse and said, "I will follow behind Your Majesty."
The emperor gave a soft, cold laugh. Before Yuan Chaolu could speak, she felt a tightness around her waist as his arm pulled her up and, in the blink of an eye, she was placed on the horse's back.
The horse galloped through the mud into the depths of the jungle, raising dust as the golden lion followed nimbly, weaving through the bushes.
Almost the instant their figures disappeared into the woods, torchlight appeared in the darkness behind them, and someone was walking towards them.
Yuan Chaolu sat stiffly on the horse's back, feeling the rise and fall of the horse's back. Her soaked clothes clung to her skin, making every nerve in her back exceptionally sensitive, allowing her to clearly perceive the curves of each other's bodies.
As he breathed, his broad chest rose and fell, making Yuan Chaolu's body stiff as a statue. As the horse moved, she could even feel the muscles in his thighs working, tightening and relaxing at her sides.
Yuan Chaolu shifted her body slightly, trying to create some distance, but the slight movement only brought her closer together, and the arm gripped her waist even tighter.
"The roads are slippery when it rains, so you have to be careful when you walk." The emperor's breath brushed against her ear. "Don't move around."
Yuan Chaolu unconsciously tugged at the horse's mane with his fingertips.
Before long, they arrived at the abandoned palace.
When Yuan Chaolu stepped into the ruined hall, rain was falling down the broken eaves, and the floor tiles were covered with moss. She found a dry corner and sat down with her knees drawn up to her chest.
Before long, Xiao Zhuo and Jin Ni walked in together, each carrying a tree branch they had picked up.
When the branches caught fire, Yuan Chaolu finally felt the heat source and subconsciously moved closer to the campfire, reaching her hands towards the flames.
Jin Ni strolled over to her and slowly sat down. Yuan Chao placed her hand on its head, and seeing that it did not show any resistance, she gently rubbed it.
Throughout the entire process, she avoided facing the emperor directly and never uttered a word.
The atmosphere inside the hall was subtle and eerie. The shame and indignation she felt from accidentally breaking the painting in his hall that day still churned in her heart from time to time.
The dim light of the campfire shone on the young woman's face. After a long while, Yuan Chaolu finally turned to look at him: "I got lost in the forest and didn't know what to do. I never expected Your Majesty to come. I am truly grateful for Your Majesty's rescue."
Upon hearing this, the person opposite slowly raised their head, their eyes glowing in the firelight.
In the quiet night, the man's deep voice rang out: "No need for thanks. But I have something to ask you. A dozen days ago, when you came to my palace to offer incense, did you see a painting?"
"Painting paper?" Yuan Chaolu pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "It happened ten days ago, and I don't remember it clearly. I should not have seen it before. May I ask Your Majesty what the painting paper contained, so that I can recall it?"
Her eyes were clear and honest, as if her words were not false.
Xiao Zhuo gazed at her with his phoenix eyes, their eyes meeting for a long time, his gaze never leaving her, as if trying to discern the slightest detail from her face.
Yuan Chaolu's eyes were like water: "But is that painting paper extremely important?"
Xiao Zhuo smiled and said, "Yes, the person in the painting is extremely important to me."
Yuan Chaolu's eyes showed worry: "Then we must ask Zhong Gong to search carefully. Since it is so important, he will surely keep it safe. However, I did not see any painting that day."
“It’s alright,” he replied casually. “It’s just an ordinary painting. I’ll paint a few more next time.”
Yuan Chaolu looked at the faint smile on his lips, her mind already in turmoil. She lowered her head and continued to stroke the golden lion. The golden leopard was suppressed by the suddenly increased force and let out a "woof" as if dissatisfied. It got up and sat down next to the emperor.
The emperor stood up. Yuan Chaolu then looked up and saw that he had his hand on his belt and was beginning to unbutton his robe.
Yuan Chaolu said, "Your Majesty?"
Xiao Zhuo looked outside the palace and said, "I don't know when the rain will stop. If you want to wear wet clothes, I will naturally not care. Just don't catch a cold tomorrow morning."
The campfire cast his tall figure against the wall, swaying in the wind. He unfastened the swords at his waist one by one. Yuan Chaolu avoided looking at him, but could hear the sound of the jade belt clashing with the jade pendants and swords.
He placed the jade belt on the brick floor, and the crisp sound echoed. Although Yuan Chaolu did not look directly at the emperor's face, the shadow on the wall would occasionally leap into her peripheral vision.
The silhouette of her broad shoulders and narrow waist was particularly clear in the firelight, and the rustling of her clothes seemed to be right next to her ear.
He took off his outer robe, sat down again opposite the campfire, and said, "You don't need to be reserved in front of me, Yuan Chaolu."
When he called her by her full name, his voice was deep. Yuan Chaolu's hands, which were resting on her knees, slowly clenched the damp fabric. He said there was no need to be reserved, but how could Yuan Chaolu act as usual?
"When you marry, I will prepare a dowry for you. I previously sought out renowned teachers for you, and later summoned you to the Imperial Academy, showing you much care. Besides your engagement to the Prince of Yan, there is actually another reason—"
Yuan Chaolu slowly raised her head, and then he slowly said, "I will treat you as my younger sister."
The emperor possessed an otherworldly air and a cool demeanor, often causing people to overlook the handsomeness of his face. When he spoke these words, even without wearing an outer robe, he exuded elegance and made people feel that he was not to be offended.
If Yuan Chaolu hadn't personally witnessed the painting depicting her and him entangled in bed, she probably wouldn't have been able to tell whether his words were true or false.
The girl's thick, jet-black hair cascaded down her sides, while her face was fair and beautiful. "Your Majesty treats me like a younger sister?"
"nature."
"After I get married, will His Majesty treat me like a younger sister, just as he has always done?"
Xiao Zhuo said, "You killed someone, and I helped you dispose of the remaining corpses. Tonight, I even went into this forest to look for you. How can that not be considered taking care of you?"
Yuan Chaolu met those smiling eyes. No matter what, she couldn't afford to offend this powerful figure.
She looked somewhat flattered and said, "Your Majesty has treated me so well; I truly do not know how to repay you."
The emperor gracefully stroked the golden lion beside him, looking out of the hall. The rain gradually subsided, and at that moment, the sound of crisp footsteps came from outside the hall, which was particularly clear due to the loneliness of the night.
"Morning dew!"
The newcomer was Pei Xi, who was accompanied by soldiers who were also calling out, "Miss Yuan the Second?"
Yuan Chaolu subconsciously looked at the emperor, then stood up and said, "Lord Pei has come to see me, so I will take my leave now."
She hurriedly stubbed out the candles with her foot, and the light in the hall dimmed instantly. The pitch-black night enveloped Xiao Zhuo. Such a hasty action was simply an attempt to cover up her presence, as if she was afraid that outsiders would notice.
The two exchanged a glance, and Yuan Chaolu lifted her skirt and quickly walked out.
Faint conversations could be heard outside the hall through the rain, and Xiao Zhuo slowly stroked the fur of the golden lion with his fingertips.
If she truly had a clear conscience and saw nothing in his bedchamber that day, why would she have left in such a hurry, as if afraid of being seen by her fiancé?
Xiao Zhuo chuckled and lowered his head, exchanging a glance with the golden lion beside him.
The rain outside the palace had completely stopped. Yuan Chao, having just emerged from the gate, saw Pei Xi on the mountain path steps and hurriedly went to greet him, "Lord Pei!"
Seeing that she was alright, Pei Xi's tense face finally relaxed. "It's good that you're alright. We saw a light coming from afar, so Luo Zhi and I immediately came here to find it."
Yuan Chaolu raised his head and noticed that the Prince of Yan was standing behind him.
Xiao Luozhi's face was pale from being drenched by the rain, like morning dew.
Yuan Chaolu bowed to him and said, “I am truly ashamed that Your Highness Yan has come to find me so late at night. I just found an abandoned palace here and came to take shelter from the rain.”
Seeing Xiao Luozhi gazing towards the palace, Yuan Chaolu hurriedly said, "Your Highness, let's go."
Pei Xi put on the cloak he had brought, Wei Yuan Zhao Lu, and the group went down the slippery stone steps.
Yuan Chaolu slowly turned her head. In the darkness of the night, the palace was hidden in the shadows. In a daze, she seemed to see that tall figure still standing behind the dilapidated window, gradually blending into the night.
**
As night deepened, the dew finally ceased around 11:45 AM. Although her clothes had dried, the dampness that permeated the palace made it difficult for her to sleep.
She understood the emperor less and less, who actually addressed her as his younger sister. The few days she had managed to maintain a semblance of contact with him were merely a gamble that this seemingly untainted emperor, out of respect for his status, would not do anything to her…
The next morning, she dressed and prepared herself early, intending to find Pei Xi and thank him again for what happened the night before.
The grass in front of the tent was still damp. Yuan Chaolu walked to Pei Xi's tent and was about to call someone to announce his arrival when the curtain was suddenly lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles.
A stranger emerged with a smile. His dark brocade robe accentuated his handsome face. As he chatted and laughed with Pei Xi, they were startled to see Yuan Chao standing outside the tent.
Pei Xi introduced the two: "This is my fiancée, Miss Yuan the Second."
The unfamiliar man smiled and said, "So you are Miss Yuan the Second. I am Lu Changli, the Minister of Revenue."
Upon hearing this name, Yuan Chaolu's pupils contracted slightly. The man before her had gentle features like a bright moon, and a warm smile on his face. It was hard to imagine anyone who saw such a face as the ruthless, cold-hearted person who had betrayed his elder sister.
Yuan Chao smiled as she looked at the face that disgusted her, and bowed slightly, "So it's Lord Lu."
Lu Changli's gaze fell on Yuan Chaolu's cheek, patted the shoulder beside him, and said with a teasing look in his eyes: "Lord Pei and the Second Miss are about to get married. As a good friend, I will definitely send a generous gift to congratulate you two on your wedding."
Yuan Chaolu said, "How could I dare to trouble you, sir?"
Lu Changli smiled and bid farewell to the two. Yuan Chaolu stood in the blazing sun, his smile completely vanishing until it was no longer visible.
She followed Pei Xi into the tent. Pei Xi poured her a cup of tea and sat down with her behind the table: "What brings you here, Chao Lu?"
"It's to thank Lord Pei for what happened yesterday." She had prepared many words of gratitude before coming, but now she couldn't say any of them.
"The person I just saw was Prime Minister Lu's son? He seemed like a very easy person to get along with, but I've never heard of such a close relationship between you and him, sir?"
Pei Xi brought the teacup to his lips and said, "We had frequent contact during the war years and worked together under His Majesty to handle government affairs. We were like brothers who had been through thick and thin together, and our relationship was indeed very good."
The rising steam from the tea blurred Pei Xi's face.
Yuan Chaolu murmured, "Is that so?"
The person opposite suddenly spoke up: "Don't worry that I will mention Lu Yu to the Lu family. I will take care of Lu Yu's body for you, so I am naturally on your side."
Pei Xi was indeed perceptive, able to sense the turmoil in Yuan Chaolu's mind.
Yuan Chaolu was never sure how long Pei Xi had stood outside the palace when she killed Lu Yu that day, or how much of their conversation he had overheard.
Does he know about the affair between his elder sister and Lu Changli?
Because of this sudden change, Yuan Chaolu suddenly felt uneasy about the man she was about to marry.
Unfortunately, he and Lu Changli had a life-and-death bond, and she and the Lu family were destined to be mortal enemies. Which side would Pei Xi stand on then? She could temporarily use his influence to avoid Lu Yu's affairs, but there was a long time to go. What choice would he make in the future?
Yuan Chaolu picked up the blue teacup and waited for the scalding hot tea to enter her throat before she felt a bit of warmth, which dispelled the bone-chilling cold.
Only after leaving Pei Xi's tent did she completely shed her feigned smile, a hint of worry appearing in her eyes.
The more time she spent with him, the more she could sense his almost frightening calmness and restraint. To reach such a high position, he must have relied on extraordinary decisiveness and the ability to weigh pros and cons. Apart from the occasional gentleness he showed her, this powerful minister was mostly like a finely operating machine, exuding a cold and businesslike demeanor.
Knowing this, Yuan Chaolu felt that her marriage was shrouded in mystery, and she could no longer see the way forward.
She walked toward her tent and saw a palace maid standing there, seemingly having waited there for a long time.
Yuan Chaolu stepped forward, and the other party bowed: "Greetings, Second Miss. His Majesty requests your presence at Xile Palace."
Xile Palace was the emperor's palace in the forest garden.
Yuan Chaolu clenched her fists.
**
Amidst the rolling mountains, palaces stretch endlessly, one of which is Empress Dowager Lu's sleeping quarters in the forest garden.
Inside the hall, the gilded Boshan incense burner emitted wisps of incense, weaving a fragrant mist throughout the space.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager was nowhere to be seen in the palace; only the Emperor was leaning against a table, resting his head on one hand with his eyes closed.
Yesterday, the Empress Dowager sent someone to summon the Emperor to come at noon for a chat and a meal. However, the Empress Dowager was still at the Prince of Yan's place and would not return until later. So the Emperor waited here quietly.
All the palace servants were sent outside, and the palace was empty except for the sound of the water clock dripping.
In the stillness of the night, the beaded curtain suddenly swayed gently. A slender hand reached inside and carefully parted the curtain.
The woman held her breath and waited until the beaded curtain fell silently before lifting her skirt and slowly entering. Her skirt rustled across the ground as she walked very slowly and lightly, afraid of making a sound that might disturb the peace of those inside.
Gao Yurong quietly approached the Boshan incense burner. Seeing the emperor asleep with his eyes closed, she picked up the golden chopsticks on the table, lifted the lid of the incense burner, and gently stirred the incense ash inside.
In an instant, a sweet, warm fragrance spread like smoke and mist, gradually permeating every inch of the air in the hall.
All Gao Yurong had to do was wait patiently. The incense gradually took effect. She placed her hands together in front of her abdomen, and fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on her palms under her wide sleeves. A deep blush of rouge spread from her ears to her neck, making her skin appear even more like snow.
Bang bang.
She heard a huge echo thumping in her chest, but afraid of disturbing the person in front of her, she dared not move. She didn't know whether it was the effect of the incense or her inner tension, but she felt heat seeping out layer by layer from her open pores.
No one would come to this place all afternoon to disturb her and the emperor.
The sultry wind, coming from who-knows-where, stirred up the desires deep within people's hearts.
Seeing the emperor slightly open his eyes amidst the fragrant mist, Gao Yurong immediately knelt down.
In the hazy light, what came into the emperor's view was a woman's extremely gentle and charming face. She leaned down and called softly, placing her hands on his sleeves.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty." Her red lips parted.
After a moment of listening, Xiao Zhuo vaguely heard Yuan Chaolu say, "Your Majesty, your humble servant is here to help you change your clothes."
Xiao Zhuo smiled as he looked at the enchanting face. The other person seemed to notice his relaxed expression and became bolder, moving closer.
That face resembled her, yet it wasn't her.
In the midst of desire, when the aphrodisiac incense takes effect, his desire is Yuan Chaolu.
He reached out and gripped that slender wrist tightly.
The woman gradually felt the pressure and cried out in pain, her face paling, "Your Majesty!"
Xiao Zhuo saw it clearly; that face gradually turned into a listless expression. He asked, "Did the Empress Dowager send you?"
The emperor's imposing aura was chilling. Gao Yurong knelt tremblingly beside him. When the emperor's sleeve swept across the room and he straightened up, she dared not look directly at him. Sweat had already seeped onto her forehead.
"Go and receive your punishment yourself. Get out of here."
Gao Yurong trembled all over, kowtowed and took her leave: "Yes."
"Wait." The emperor's languid voice came from behind, as if the road had taken a sudden turn. Gao Yurong turned around and looked up in bewilderment.
"Go and collect the remaining spices for me."
Gao Yurong was stunned. She saw the emperor resting his forehead on his hand by the table, and said with a half-smile, "Did you understand?"
**
Yuan Chaolu waited for a long time at Xile Palace, his knees gradually becoming sore and weak. While waiting, he could only gaze at the scenery outside the window. The place was hidden among the mountains, with mist swirling around the window and lush forests, like a fairyland in the heavens.
Then, footsteps could be heard outside the hall.
Xiao Zhuo stepped into the hall, the curtains opened and closed and fell again, bringing with them a mountain mist and a gentle breeze.
Yuan Chaolu's skirt fluttered in the wind as she bowed, hands clasped together, and said, "Your Majesty."
He smiled slightly, and after entering, he went straight to the incense burner. He played with a gilded incense box in his palm, slowly opened the incense burner, and began to add incense.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Morning Dew: This is how His Majesty treats his good younger sister.
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