These were threats, but Qiao Qiu actually liked them. If she could accept this emperor and have a relationship, as long as she constantly reminded herself not to reveal certain things, wouldn't it be alright? She hadn't betrayed him.
She knew it was risky, but wasn't liking someone inherently a risky thing? If the emperor ever wanted to harm her, with her abilities, leaving the palace would be a piece of cake.
Seeing that she still didn't speak, the emperor was somewhat disappointed. He sighed and turned to walk towards the glass zither.
Qiao Qiu looked up. "If I slashed the faces of your women, would you still be as calm as you are now?"
The emperor paused, turned to look at her with a puzzled expression, and found it somewhat unbelievable.
Qiao Qiu gritted her teeth, stomped her foot, and said resolutely, "If I were to become a jealous woman, would you dare to defy the world and protect me?"
The emperor laughed, walked over, and pulled her into his arms. "You can slash whose face you want. I will protect you. You don't even need to be afraid of the Empress Dowager. But you are not allowed to say 'your women' again. You are my only woman. In my heart, only you are worthy of me."
Qiao Qiu's eyes darted around, and she picked up a strand of his hair, slowly twisting it between her delicate, fair fingers. "Your Majesty, since that's the case, do you know what kind of husband I desire in my heart?"
What kind of is it?
"They indulge me, pamper me, and after we argue, they take the initiative to coax me. And they always put me first."
"That's a fresh idea of yours."
"An emperor like you is quite a novelty."
The emperor grasped her hand, squeezed her fingertips, and chuckled, "I can't argue with you, but I'm curious, what power has been able to tame your fiery temper for so long?"
"I'm also curious what kind of power makes you say such serious things to me so quickly." Qiao Qiu felt a flutter in her heart as he pinched her.
The emperor drew closer and closer, his breath growing hotter and hotter. "Qiu'er, don't you know what power I possess? I've dedicated all my power to you."
A magnetic yet feather-light voice brushed against Qiao Qiu's heart, making her feel a tingling sensation all over her body. Her face, as red as a steamed bun, turned bright red, and she grabbed his hand and bit down. "I've wanted to bite you for a long time, Zhao Yuce, you shameless bastard!"
The emperor's laughter was deep and long-lasting, and his eyes were full of smiles as he picked up Qiao Qiu and carried her into the inner room.
...
When the sun was high in the sky, Qiao Qiu sat in front of the dressing mirror, holding her chubby face and examining it closely. This face was exactly the same as her original face. When she smiled, as long as the corners of her mouth parted slightly, you could see her two little tiger teeth.
There's nothing special about her, and she's completely different from the stunning type like Qiao Dong. Don't men only care about looks and breasts? She's not as pretty as Qiao Dong, and her breasts aren't even as big. How could Zhao Yuce ignore Qiao Dong and fall for her?
Last night she pressed Zhao Yuce for an answer, and he told her that even if they both faked falling, she was more pleasing to the eye than Qiao Dong. Who would ignore someone pleasing to the eye and choose someone unpleasing?
Qiao Qiu was truly convinced by this reason, so much so that she wanted to bite him again.
"Honglan, come out with me."
"yes."
The two, mistress and servant, strolled around the Imperial Garden once again. It had rained the night before, so Qiao Qiu was not wearing a long, flowing dress. Instead, she wore a fitted, light red embroidered dress with a beautiful jade pendant hanging from her waist. She wore a pure white, wide-sleeved long robe over it, and a light red shawl was draped over her arm. The shawl was about the same length as the dress, reaching only to her ankles.
Qiao Qiu's hair was all tied up, proving that she was already a "woman". The tassels of her hairpin swayed gently, and her laughter filled the garden.
Behind the artificial hill, Qiao Dong found her happy smile irritating. Why should she, who abandoned everything to come to the palace, only end up alone in an empty room?
This outcome is worse than her previous life, so what's the point of talking about revenge? She's not reconciled!
Qiao Dong's beautiful and radiant face was almost distorted, and her hands were clenched into fists, trembling incessantly.
"Master..." Yu Ya was worried that she would scratch her palm, but when she opened her mouth, she didn't know what to say.
Qiao Dong loosened her fingers, a slight pain in her palm. Four small crescent-shaped marks were deeply embedded in her fair palm; any deeper and they would have truly broken. Broken, broken—that's right, she had one last move.
Qiao Dong's eyes lit up, and she smiled, a pure and innocent smile. She emerged from behind the artificial hill and walked briskly toward Qiao Qiu.
Qiao Qiu was holding the stem of an unknown little flower, inhaling its fragrance, completely absorbed in it, when she suddenly heard footsteps. In an instant, all her interest was ruined.
She straightened up, turned around, and said, "Honglan, let's go."
"yes."
"Sister, wait a minute."
Qiao Qiu knew what she was there for, but she wasn't that bored, so she strode forward without stopping for a moment.
Honglan overheard this too. She had always disliked this fourth young lady, and it was just as well that her mistress didn't associate with this woman.
Seeing that Qiao Qiu didn't want to see her, Qiao Dong gritted her teeth, lifted her skirt, and ran after her at the fastest speed she had ever run.
Qiao Qiu is not as tall as Qiao Dong, nor are her legs as long. She can't use her light-footed skills. If she were to run, it would be a clear sign that she doesn't want to be seen by anyone, and who knows what kind of rumors would spread. After all, they came from the Prime Minister's residence together, and she doesn't want to cause trouble for the Prime Minister's residence.
"elder sister!"
Qiao Dong finally caught up with Qiao Qiu in the pear orchard and stopped her.
It's the season for pear blossoms to bloom now. The entire field of white flowers looks like it's covered in snow, breathtakingly beautiful.
Qiao Qiu looked at her without any emotion and said coldly, "Qiao Dong, we have nothing to say to each other right now. You know my personality. If you don't want to live anymore, I can grant your wish anytime."
Qiao Dong swayed slightly, grabbed Qiao Qiu's arm, and looked at her with pleading eyes, "Sister, we're sisters! This palace is not like home. Someone could harm you at any time. Wouldn't it be better if we joined forces? Sister, it's better for us to serve the Emperor together than with others. Let's stop making trouble, okay?"
"Is that so?" Qiao Qiu brushed her hands away, looking at her with a half-smile, her eyes filled with disdain.
Qiao Dong fell to the ground, her face deathly pale. Yu Ya was so frightened that she rushed to help her up, scolding, "Third Miss, how could you push Fourth Miss? You're so heartless."
"Third Miss?" Qiao Qiu glanced at Yu Ya with icy eyes.
Yu Ya trembled in fright and dared not speak again.
Qiao Dong shoved Yu Ya away and fell to the ground again. She laughed maniacally and miserably. Her beautiful eyes were filled with sorrow, and her gaze towards Qiao Qiu was ruthless and resolute. She reached out and pulled out her hairpin, pointing it at her fair cheek.
Qiao Qiu's eyes lit up; the real show was about to begin.
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