After the guards left, Zhou Changling returned to Bai Lingxi's side. The woman on the dragon bed was sleeping soundly, her rosy cheeks even more stunning and beautiful under the illumination of the night-shining pearl. Zhou Changling's gaze softened.
Bai Lingxi seemed to sense something, and reached her small hand towards the bedside. As if sensing a familiar presence, she began to move towards the bedside. Seeing this, Zhou Changling quickly caught Bai Lingxi as she rolled towards him.
With a smile in his eyes, he gently brushed away the stray hairs from her face, kissed her eyebrows and eyes with utmost tenderness, then pulled her into his arms and fell asleep contentedly, an endless smile still on his lips.
The next morning.
Because of his long-standing habit of attending the morning court, Zhou Changling woke up very early. When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the stunningly beautiful face of the person in his arms.
Bai Lingxi was sleeping soundly, her red lips slightly parted, revealing a faint glimpse of her delicate tongue. Perhaps she was a little warm from sleeping, as her chest was partially exposed, which was the most alluring part of her body. She was covered in the fragrance of peach blossoms, which may have been due to her sweat, filling the room with a sweet aroma.
Zhou Changling's throat bobbed as he felt the strange sensation beneath him. He dared not look at such a beautiful woman with such allure any longer, after all, he still had to consider Bai Lingxi's eight-month-old belly. In fact, he inexplicably felt a bit of affection for this child. If he was a promising talent, he should groom him to be the crown prince.
System OS: Of course I have feelings for him, he's your kid, just another version of you.
A low voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, it's time to get up."
Zhou Changling responded, his voice just loud enough for Li Lin outside the door to hear. Li Lin then realized that the Emperor was indulging in the gentle embrace of Consort Rong. He wondered if the Emperor would give the Consort a legitimate status in the future. Oh well, this was not something a servant like him should worry about.
Li Lin didn't remain in a daze for long. He beckoned the eunuchs to come in and serve the Emperor as he washed and dressed, instructing them, "Keep it down, don't disturb the Empress, or you won't have enough heads to chop off."
When Zhou Changling saw the eunuchs enter, he knew it was no longer appropriate to delay. He got up quietly and gently, without waking the person sleeping soundly in his arms.
The eunuchs served him with exceptional care, making not a sound. Zhou Changling gave Li Lin an approving look, and then cooperated with the palace servants to put on his court robes.
Zhou Changling donned his dragon robe, exuding an imposing and awe-inspiring presence that commanded respect. Before departing, he instructed Li Lin: "You stay here and take good care of my Empress. Don't let anyone dare to offend her."
Li Lin was terrified, but on the surface, he remained as respectful as ever, accepting the decree: "This servant understands, Your Majesty, please rest assured."
Li Lin watched Zhou Changling's retreating figure, still thinking about the Emperor's words. He never expected that the royal family would produce such a romantic. It seemed that the Emperor's decision was not just a passing fancy, but that he was willing to marry Bai Shi as Empress. The situation in the harem was about to change!
However, none of this mattered to Li Lin. He had watched the Emperor grow up from childhood and live a difficult life in the palace. Now, he had finally found someone he truly loved and protected like the apple of his eye. Li Lin felt deeply gratified. It seemed that he would truly serve the Empress as her mother in the future.
Thinking of this, and seeing that the Empress showed no signs of waking up, he dismissed everyone and instructed the imperial kitchen to prepare some delicious food so that the Empress would not be hungry after she woke up.
Li Lin: "Bai Lu, Bai Shuang, wait indoors. Report to me immediately if the Empress makes any moves."
Li Lin: "The woman inside is the future Empress. Don't neglect her, or the Emperor will punish you, and your entire family will be executed."
The Empress is now eight months pregnant, and the Emperor clearly values this pregnancy highly. Given her current condition, she cannot be left alone. If it weren't for the fact that it was really inappropriate for a senior eunuch like Li Lin to stay by the Empress's bedside, he would have been the one to watch over her.
However, although the people in front of him had passed his rigorous tests, the power was tempting, and Li Lin was afraid that they would have inappropriate thoughts, so it would be better to give them a warning.
Li Lu and Li Shuang: "Yes, we thank you for your guidance, Eunuch."
Li Lin then let the two of them go inside to wait, while he stood guard outside the door to make sure he could hear any movement inside.
The two women inside dared not venture into the inner palace, lest they disturb the Empress. They dared not be careless, for this was a figure cherished by two emperors. Indeed, having served in the palace for so long, they naturally had their own ways of dealing with such matters. Recalling the recent rumors in the palace, they quickly realized that the new emperor's newest beauty might be Consort Rong, renowned for her beauty.
The fact that Eunuch Li Lin is now allowing the two men to serve the Empress clearly shows that he is not afraid of what the two men might say; on the contrary, it serves as a warning.
After an unknown amount of time, the two remained dutiful, waiting cautiously to the side, not daring to make the slightest sound, standing almost stiffly.
At this moment, the woman on the dragon bed let out a soft "ooh," a sound that made the two exchange a glance, realizing that the Empress was about to wake up.
Li Shuang went inside, while Li Lu went to inform Eunuch Li of the news.
Li Shuang moved very carefully. She stopped outside the curtains of the dragon bed, listening intently for any other sounds. Sure enough, she heard a woman's voice from inside: "Husband~"
The woman's soft, sweet voice was melodious and captivating, melting hearts. Li Shuang was also momentarily stunned by the voice, and after a brief pause, she quickly said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has gone to court and instructed us to attend to you properly."
Li Shuang waited a while before hearing the woman inside ask in a coquettish tone, "Who are you?"
Li Shuang: "My name is Li Shuang. I was originally a palace maid who served flowers and plants. I was fortunate enough to be promoted by Eunuch Li to serve Your Highness."
Li Shuang: "Does Your Highness wish to have a meal? This servant will assist you with your washing and grooming."
Bai Lingxi poked out her round little head and replied with a "good". Li Shuang came closer, and when Li Shuang saw Bai Lingxi's face, it was as if thousands of flowers were blooming before her eyes. She was like a fairy princess, so beautiful that she was stunned.
Bai Lingxi: "Are you Li Shuang?"
Bai Lingxi looked at her curiously. She was still not used to being stared at like that. After all, Zhou Changling had been with her ever since she woke up. Given his possessiveness, he naturally didn't want outsiders to see her. Therefore, this was the first time Bai Lingxi had come into contact with a palace servant.
Li Shuang, under Bai Lingxi's gaze, inexplicably blushed and stammered, "Yes, Your Highness."
Li Lu came over at this time, carrying the toiletries in her hands. She was puzzled as to why Li Shuang was not moving at all. Wasn't she afraid of being blamed by her master?
Li Lu was afraid that her master would be angry, so she quickly stepped forward to remind Li Shuang not to be so out of control.
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