Before nightfall, Chu Xiao was already restless, his mind filled with the text of the secret report, eager to go to Liuxia Palace to question her. However, considering his status, rushing over to confront her would make him appear like a man catching his wife cheating, which would be beneath him.
Chu Xiao waited until just before dinner before setting off for Liuxia Palace.
Yun Chaoxi was surprised that the emperor would come to dine with her. When she saw the emperor stride into the hall, Yun Chaoxi hurriedly instructed Zhu'er to prepare a set of bowls and chopsticks.
Chu Xiao sat at the table with a cold face, not even glancing at her, exuding a chilling aura.
Yun Chaoxi couldn't understand why he was acting like he was on fire today; he was perfectly fine when she had lunch with him.
She called softly, "Your Majesty, did something unpleasant happen this afternoon?"
"Another minister has submitted a memorial requesting that I adopt a son as the crown prince, recommending the heir apparent of Prince Yu and the heir apparent of Prince Jing. What do you think of these two?" Chu Xiao tapped the table lightly with his long fingers, posing a question.
Yun Chaoxi's heart jumped instantly. She didn't think her relationship with the emperor was close enough to discuss the next crown prince. Chu Xiao's sudden question probably meant he knew something.
"This is a matter of state affairs. Before entering the palace, I stayed in my residence and dared not speak recklessly."
Chu Xiao: "I allow you to speak."
"Whom does the Emperor favor more?"
Chu Xiao lifted his eyelids to look into her eyes, "I believe that the Prince of Yu's heir is capable of undertaking great responsibilities."
He was watching her expression closely. If she showed even the slightest hint of joy, he would withdraw his gaze from her, turn away, and leave her like any other woman in the palace.
He doesn't need her!
Yun Chaoxi was only slightly surprised, then spoke slowly, "I have only met him a few times and we are not familiar with each other."
The next instant, the emperor's face grew even colder, dark as a storm cloud, "Not familiar?"
Yun Chaoxi immediately guessed that the emperor knew a lot and had most likely already sent people to secretly investigate her and Chu Yansheng; it was impossible to hide it from him.
She spoke in a sweet voice, "I've only been to the market once, the lantern festival once, and written a few letters. When I asked for a peace charm, I bought him one as well. He gave me gifts a few times, and I returned the favor out of politeness."
She looked at Chu Xiao with an expression that said, "This is no big deal."
Chu Xiao almost laughed in exasperation, "This isn't considered familiar?"
Yun Chaoxi gently bit her lip. "Your Majesty, I have always been concerned about you, but Your Majesty is too far away for me. I dare not dream of such a thing. My acquaintance with the Prince of Yu was purely accidental. He was so persistent that I felt embarrassed to refuse him, so I thought I would try to get to know him."
"Only after getting to know him did I realize what it means to know someone's face but not their heart. I discovered that the Prince of Yu's son has another confidante, and his relationship with me is only because he covets my family's good background. Therefore, I have broken off all contact with him."
Yun Chaoxi looked at Chu Xiao with her clear eyes, "Your Majesty, I guarantee that I have had no dealings with him since entering the palace, except for the last time when he stopped me outside the Imperial Study, which I ignored."
Chu Xiao's anger subsided a little, but there was still a lump of anger stuck in his chest. He didn't believe Yun Chaoxi's words that she cared about him at all. Let alone the fact that they had never met before, would someone who truly cared about him have any dealings with Chu Yansheng?
He finally understood that he was Yun Chaoxi's second-best choice.
How ridiculous! He, a dignified emperor, was merely a candidate!
"Your Majesty?" Yun Chaoxi glanced at him discreetly.
"Alright, let's eat." Chu Xiao couldn't accept it for a moment, so he picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
She picked up her chopsticks, ate a few bites hastily, then put them down dejectedly, pouting and shedding tears of grievance.
Chu Xiao was both angry and heartbroken to see her cry, so he forced himself to hold back and not go over to wipe her tears. He only asked in a cold voice, "I didn't scold you, why are you crying?"
Yun Chaoxi's tears flowed even faster, rolling down her cheeks like pearls. Her voice choked with sobs, and she could barely speak. After a moment of relief, her eyes brimming with tears, she sobbed, "His Majesty didn't scold me, but he's still angry with me... Look, the way he looks at me is so cold..."
"If Your Majesty really minds... Waaah, then please send me back to the Prime Minister's residence. Anyway, I have never served the Emperor since I entered the palace."
After saying that, Yun Chaoxi could no longer hold back. She ran out of the hall crying and locked herself in the side hall, sobbing uncontrollably.
Chu Xiao instantly realized that things had gotten out of hand, and his heart clenched with anxiety.
He had never seen Yun Chaoxi cry like this before. Even when she was worried that he would neglect her, she never had the thought of leaving. Now she actually said that she wanted to go back to the Prime Minister's residence.
I already regretted my cold words earlier.
Chu Xiao got up and chased after her, only to find that she had already locked the side hall door from the inside.
"Yun Jieyu, open the door!"
His response was Yun Chaoxi's sobs, followed by a thud as something heavy fell to the ground, and the sobs stopped abruptly.
Chu Xiao panicked, "Xi'er, open the door!"
She turned and glared at the stunned Eunuch Liu. "What are you all standing there for? Go find someone to break down the palace gates!"
Before Eunuch Liu could run far away, the palace door creaked open slowly.
Yun Chaoxi lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry. I accidentally broke the incense burner in the palace. Please take me home and let my father replace it for you."
Chu Xiao breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she was alright. He stepped into the hall, took her hand, and led her inside.
"Go home? No one is allowed to leave the palace without my permission."
Seeing that Yun Chaoxi was about to burst into tears again, Chu Xiao softened his tone and lowered his head first, "It was my bad attitude just now, don't cry. I don't blame you, that's all in the past."
"Don't say that you two had nothing in the past. Even if you were engaged, once you enter the palace, you are destined to have nothing to do with him. You can only be my woman."
Yun Chaoxi stopped crying, raised her hand, placed his palm on her chest, and choked out, "Whether Your Majesty believes it or not, you are the only one in my heart."
The heart beneath my palm pounded powerfully.
Chu Xiao paused for a moment, then pulled her into his arms. "I believe you."
No matter who the person in her heart is, she can only be by his side.
Yun Chaoxi leaned against him, recovering from her grief. Her mind began to wander again, and she shyly asked, "May I serve you tonight?"
After saying that, Yun Chaoxi buried her head in Chu Xiao's arms, feeling extremely embarrassed. This was the first time she had said something so bold, and she was incredibly shy.
Chu Xiao froze, unsure how to respond.
The first time he sent An Yi, she saw through his plan, but luckily she escaped, otherwise he would have killed An Yi by now! The second time, he only played one game of chess with her.
What excuse will they come up with this time?
Chu Xiao gently stroked Yun Chaoxi's soft, cloud-like hair. "No rush. This is your first time serving me. How about I use other methods to help you get used to it?"
Yun Chaoxi, “…” Ha, isn’t it because he’s no good!
He wanted to stall, but she didn't want to wait.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
