Chapter 24 Chapter 24 [VIP]
There was clear rejection in Yuan Mu's eyes.
But hidden deeper is fear and terror.
Because Yuan Mu had been sleeping, there were not many lights on in the inner hall, and the light was slightly dim. Her face was pale, with only a slight blush on her face.
The high fever had subsided a lot, but she was still weak, and her long eyelashes seemed to have no strength to lift up, and drooped down.
Thick eyelashes cast shadows on the eyelids.
As beautiful and gorgeous as butterfly wings.
The emperor's expression changed slightly, his raised arm dropped, and his body moved back a little.
The distance between the two people widened by half a foot.
But the strong sense of oppression from the emperor still follows Yuan Mu like a shadow.
Last night was too chaotic. The pain was beyond my tolerance. Even if I was held on the knees and kissed deeply, I wouldn't feel any happiness at all.
Yuan Mu got off the bed silently.
She walked barefoot on the diamond-shaped carpet and sat down next to the coffee table.
The maids looked at each other, not knowing what to do as they carried the dinner.
The emperor's almond-shaped eyes were lowered, and half of his handsome face was hidden in the shadows.
But after a moment he waved his hand, asked the maid to bring the meal to Yuan Mu, and then he sat down opposite her.
Yuan Mu had a poor appetite. Although she was a little hungry, she didn't eat much.
Her face was pale, and her knuckles were pale too.
It was even less bloody than the ivory chopsticks she was holding in her hand.
The half of the slender white wrist was exposed, and what remained were deep red marks that were not able to be removed even after a day and a night.
The robe was too loose, making Yuan Mu look so thin, as if a gust of wind could blow him away.
The emperor said nothing, he gently served Yuan Mu some food.
They were all her favorites, and she couldn't go wrong no matter how she picked them, but she didn't touch any of the ones he picked in front of her.
In fact, Yuan Mu did not dare to openly confront the emperor.
Even on New Year's Eve, when such a terrible thing happened, she only dared to cry and yell at him a few times.
Yuan Mu didn't even dare to lose his temper with the emperor.
Her resistance was always silent.
But the emperor seemed not to notice. He calmly picked up the porcelain cup and poured the cherry yogurt dumplings into Yuan Mu's small bowl.
It’s just a small bowl, and this is her favorite drink.
Yuan Mu held the spoon with a thin handle and drank it anyway.
No one in the world had ever been served like this by the emperor, not to mention that she didn't appreciate it at all.
But he didn't say a word. After Yuan Mu finished using it, he held up a handkerchief and wiped the corners of her lips.
After the meal, the imperial physician came in to greet everyone.
He is also Zhang Yuanpan's senior disciple.
The young man in blue was very polite and carefully took Yuan Mu's pulse through the gauze curtain.
"Your Highness is fine," he said gently, "Just be careful with your diet these few days and avoid spicy food."
The emperor agreed to all the requests and sent the people away.
Yuan Mu withdrew her wrist, and she lay on her back on the bed, her long eyelashes gently closing.
Someone must have bathed her while she was asleep.
Yuan Mu felt so weak that he didn't even think about taking a shower.
Her legs were hanging down, and she was holding a soft pillow in her arms, curled up slightly like a child.
She seemed to be waiting for the emperor to leave and for the inner hall to become empty.
But after the man remained silent for a moment outside the curtain, his slender hands finally lifted the curtain.
He was dressed in black, and the satin material was as cold as water. When it touched Yuan Mu's exposed snow-white skin, it reminded her of a snake lurking in the dark.
She wanted to pull her calves back, but her knees were separated by the emperor's legs and could not be brought together.
There was mist in Yuan Mu's eyes. Her illness had not yet healed, and her emotions were very strong.
She bent her knees and tried to move away, but the emperor held her slender ankles and she couldn't break free even if she struggled.
He was tall and there was a huge difference in their body shapes. In bed, Yuan Mu had no room to resist.
Whether it was a gentle kiss or a strong plunder, she could only endure it.
Yuan Mu couldn't hold back and burst into tears.
Her voice was hoarse: "Don't touch me..."
It was clearly a rejection, but because it was tinged with tears, it seemed so pitiful and helpless.
In fact, the emperor did not do anything excessive.
The wrinkles on his sleeves were not even a little messy, and a silver embroidered dragon silently coiled on his shoulders.
The emperor's voice was very low: "Let's talk, A Luo..."
But it revealed a dark and cold meaning, and the desire for possession and plunder was expressed in another way, making Yuan Mu feel even more insecure.
The emperor always looked like this before leaving Beijing.
He was undoubtedly a child of destiny. As soon as he was born, he was appointed as the crown prince. He was so noble that no one in the world could rival him.
It is noble, elegant, calm and warm.
But at certain moments, he was indeed pathological.
Yuan Mu would rather face Tai than face him like this.
, she raised her hand to cover her lips.
road.
Her face flushed unnaturally, and she said, almost unable to resist, "Rinse your mouth."
Yuan Mu's body was covered in sweat. She loved cleanliness, just like the bright moon hanging high in the sky, always wanting to remain pure and untainted by the world.
The emperor could actually pull her down.
But for some reason he couldn't explain, he never did so.
When Yuan Mu was carried to the bathhouse by the emperor, his thoughts were in a mess.
She wanted him to rinse his mouth, so why did he carry her to the bathtub?
After returning from the bath, Yuan Mu felt even weaker. The emperor's lips were slightly wet, and his voice was very low: "A Luo, let's talk, okay?"
He seemed to think that this would make her happy.
"What happened yesterday," the emperor murmured, "is not what you think."
He explained in a very soft voice, with a hint of apology in his words.
Maybe there is also some cherishing and loving.
The number of people who could be treated so tenderly by the emperor could be counted on one’s fingers, but even after hearing the whole story, Yuan Mu’s expression did not improve at all.
Her eyes were closed and her brows were slightly furrowed.
There was an expression of weariness and boredom that could not be concealed.
He shouldn't have done that. She was already tired, and now she was even more tired. She didn't want to hear another word.
The emperor also noticed Yuan Mu's fatigue. He held her in his arms, kissed her forehead and face lightly, and murmured, "What should I do to make you happy?"
Please take me out of the palace.
Yuan Mu's fingers tightened, then fell down weakly.
She repeated it in her mind countless times, but she still didn't dare to say it out loud.
Yuan Mu just said softly: "Don't let me see you, I will be very happy."
When she said this, the coldness in her eyes was exactly the same as the emperor's.
Yuan Mu didn't look up. She didn't see the emperor's expression, but it didn't matter.
Just as he said, even if she died, she had to accompany him into the imperial mausoleum.
So what is the meaning of her thoughts?
-
After the beginning of spring, the weather warmed up quickly.
It's not even February yet, but the dead branches outside have already sprouted new buds.
After the last incident, the emperor didn't come for two days.
Yuan Mu actually didn’t know whether he came or not. At least when she was awake, she had never seen the emperor.
She had been coughing for two days and drank a lot of pear juice. Only today did the low fever completely subside.
Yuan Mu was fiddling with flowers and plants in the hall. She had no interest in studying and spent a long time learning flower arrangement from the new gardener.
Spring is coming soon, and it will be the perfect time to take care of new flowers when they bloom.
When she had a severe fever the night before, Yuan Mu wished she would go to hell as soon as she opened her eyes. She vomited two or three times and felt palpitations even when she was lying down.
But today I am almost well again, and I feel that I can still survive for a few more days.
After the beginning of spring, more and more ladies of honor came to the palace.
The noble families like to visit each other in the spring, when it is warm and the flowers are in full bloom, so they can find reasons to visit each other.
One day, a few young ladies mistakenly walked into Qingning Palace.
They seemed to be friends. The young girls were dressed beautifully, with flowers in their hair and round fans in their hands.
It is both noble and beautiful, yet lively and agile.
Yuan Mu’s age is not much different from theirs, but every time he meets them, he always has the illusion of being the setting sun facing the rising sun.
"Do you think His Majesty will really hold a beauty pageant this year?" The girl in the middle of the question covered her face with a round fan, her cheeks flushed. "It's been almost three years, and His Majesty hasn't held a beauty pageant yet."
Newly promoted court officials and impoverished nobles were the most willing to do their utmost to send their daughters to the palace.
But young girls don't understand anything.
They seem to have infinite expectations for the future.
"According to tradition," the girl next to her said, "the talent show should have been held last year."
"My sister waited two years and finally got engaged reluctantly at the end of last year," she chuckled. "If the draft had happened this year, she would have been furious."
Another girl chimed in, "If it's really this year's draft, it should be soon."
"Stop laughing at your sister and treat the pimples on your face first," she said bluntly. "Even thick makeup can't cover them up."
No little girl would be happy to be told that.
But they were really good friends, playing and laughing loudly.
"You're so tall, you'll be taller than a man if you grow any taller," the girl said angrily, "and then you won't be able to get married!"
They were noisy and talking childishly.
Yuan Mu didn't mean to eavesdrop, but she was standing on the edge of the terrace, so it was hard for her not to hear.
She held a slender branch in her hand, her black hair was loose and tied behind her with a piece of silk. Her sky-blue coat was blown by the wind, and she looked so cool and beautiful that she seemed like a fairy from heaven.
Resolute and detached from the world, sparse and beautiful.
When the girls came up to her, they were all stunned.
It was only then that they realized that they had taken the wrong path.
The girl at the front asked hesitantly, "Excuse me, is this Yufu Palace?"
Originally, there was someone to pick them up.
But the person leading the way was confident that he had been to the palace many times and didn't need anyone to lead the way, but he didn't expect that he still went in the wrong direction.
Yuan Mu likes to be alone, so when the servants see someone coming, they rush forward.
She raised her hand, signaling the maid to leave it alone, and said softly, "You're going the wrong way. Yufu Palace is on the easternmost side."
There are not many palaces on the west side, and Qingning Palace is surrounded by distant mountains, so few people come here usually.
"Oh, okay, okay," the girl nodded repeatedly, "Thank you, sister."
They didn't know her and their eyes were full of curiosity.
But their status as noble ladies prevented them from asking questions like children.
Because he has a younger sister at home, Yuan Mu subconsciously has a little concern for younger girls.
"There are guards stationed here," she said softly. "If you walk a little further west, you'll see them. You can ask them to see you off."
The girls were delighted and kept saying thank you.
Even after they walked away, they couldn't help but talk in low voices.
"Which palace is this queen from?" the girl in the center asked curiously, "But I don't think I've ever heard of a queen living in such a remote place. I've never been here before."
"She doesn't look like that," the people around her said. "She looks so young, she looks about the same age as us."
Another person whispered, "I thought she was cold and difficult to talk to, but I didn't expect her to be such a gentle sister."
Several people were chattering and chatting non-stop.
Only one girl at the side remained silent until the very end, saying, "Don't you think she looks a bit like the Empress?"
Her words shocked everyone.
Yuan Mu stood in the sun, and his heart remained relaxed until they left.
Judge Zhang came here once yesterday.
He checked her pulse and said slowly, "If you have time, get some sun."
Maybe she really needs some sunshine.
Yuan Mu lowered her eyes and stayed in the sunlight for a long time, only leaving at noon.
But not long after, a nanny came over and whispered, "Your Majesty, those children are ignorant. Things like the selection of concubines are nonsense. Your Majesty is not prepared for this."
Whatever preparations Li Conglu has made have nothing to do with Yuan Mu.
He is the emperor, and others have always been expected to follow his heart. Why should he do what others say?
Yuan Mu has been recuperating for the past two days, and his thoughts are gradually becoming clearer.
She should have realized long ago that fate was something she could never control.
Yuan Mu couldn't even control his own destiny, let alone others.
But occasionally when she thought of Yuan Yin, she still felt a pain in her heart.
After lunch, Yuan Mu wanted to rest. As she was about to go back, the maid approached her and asked, "Your Majesty, the Queen has sent a letter asking if you are free to come over this afternoon?"
Yuan Mu hadn't left the palace for a long time, and she nodded.
Logically speaking, this requires the emperor's permission.
But he seemed to have relaxed his control over her.
When riding in a sedan chair to Yifeng Palace in the afternoon, Yuan Mu felt as if he was in another world.
She hasn't appeared for a long time, and even if her presence is low, it's hard not to pay attention to her.
Especially on occasions like New Year, Yuan Mu never showed up.
There were several discussions in the palace, but no one dared to speak too much in public.
However, when Yuan Mu appeared with his cloak gathered up, those doubts were dispelled.
It was almost February, but she was still wearing warm clothes and even holding a sleeve warmer in her hand. Her face was as pale as snow, and she must have just recovered from a serious illness.
Xizi looked so weak that she was almost as frail as Empress Yuan.
Even Queen Yuan didn't expect Yuan Mu to be like this.
Her emotions towards Yuan Mu have become increasingly complicated recently. Seeing her husband going crazy for her sister, few women in the world can tolerate it.
But Yuan Mu looked too weak.
Queen Yuan didn't know what had happened. She held Yuan Mu's hand tightly, pulled Yuan Mu to her side, and held Yuan Mu's face with pity.
"My dear sister, why have you lost so much weight?" Queen Yuan said exaggeratedly.
The golden armor she pointed at was so slender that it was almost touching Yuan Mu's eyes.
Yuan Mu is very averse to sharp objects.
She instinctively distanced herself from Empress Yuan and coughed twice.
Everyone else thought that Yuan Mu's cough had not yet healed, but Empress Yuan's expression looked a little grim. She clenched her fingers tightly, trying hard to hold back and not show it.
But there was a huge storm in her heart.
Could Yuan Mu be pregnant?
He hadn't shown up for many days, and suddenly he was so cold, and he had the audacity to be so disrespectful to her...
Empress Yuan had greatly hoped that Yuan Mu could become pregnant, but when this was about to happen, the first emotion that came to her mind was fear.
Yuan Mu was originally the vessel for giving birth to the crown prince.
But considering how much the emperor loves and dotes on her now, will he really bring the prince to Yifeng Palace?
Empress Yuan almost trembled.
When Yuan Muzhen gives birth to a prince and is favored by the emperor, will she still be able to keep her position as queen?
Empress Yuan almost lost her composure, but fortunately the concubines from Nangong came over and she regained her composure.
The reason why we are all gathered together this time is for the Flower Festival that will be coming soon.
The second day of the second month is the Flower Festival every year.
The people often held ceremonies to worship the flower goddess, and there were also various celebrations in the palace.
Because the banquet was held in Nangong, the concubines also came this time.
Yuan Mu had never had any dealings with the concubines.
The late emperor had many concubines, but there are very few concubines alive today.
When the palace riot broke out, all the concubines involved in the death of the former queen were killed by the emperor.
Killing your stepmother is not a good reputation.
So the emperor ordered them all to be buried alive with the late emperor.
This was a very cruel and brutal thing, but Yuan Mu didn't know how to say it because they also killed the emperor's mother.
She followed the crowd and walked down the hall to meet the concubines.
Unexpectedly, the King of Chu was also asking.
He was wearing a bright pink robe and had flowers in his hair, looking like a young girl in her twenties.
The King of Chu followed the crowd helplessly, repeatedly saying, "Aunt Zhou, Aunt Feng, could you please slow down a little?"
He was very popular with the elders, and even those stubborn old ministers rarely disliked him.
Yuan Mu raised his eyes in surprise and happened to meet the gaze of King Chu. His expression changed for a moment, but soon returned to normal. After standing still, he had that lazy posture.
Concubine Zhou smiled and said, "A Zhang is indispensable for the Flower Festival."
The afternoon sunlight was very bright, and everyone was sitting in the small garden behind Yifeng Palace, creating a warm atmosphere.
Yuan Mu has no right to participate, and she doesn't like to express herself.
But just listening to people discuss it is also very interesting.
The palace maids served snacks, and the concubines, who were tired of sitting, took the snacks and stood up to stroll in the small garden.
Yuan Mu also stood up for a moment.
As he walked around the flower vines, he happened to see the King of Chu.
He was dressed in pink. When he saw her, his eyes lit up, his mood changed slightly, and then he said softly, "Come here."
The King of Chu had not yet come of age.
When they first met, Yuan Mu always treated him like a younger brother.
But at this moment, the King of Chu was dressed in pink and spoke in a low voice, and he actually looked a bit like his brother.
Yuan Mu didn't have time to think and subconsciously walked up to him.
"I haven't seen you for several days." The King of Chu lowered his eyes to look at her. "Is everything okay?"
Yuan Mu raised his eyes to look at him and said softly, "I'm sick."
The three words were very simple, as if without any emotion, but when she gathered her sleeves, the King of Chu suddenly grabbed her wrist.
There are obvious red marks on the creamy white skin.
It has faded a lot, but it is still very eye-scorching.
Not far away were countless concubines and attendants. Yuan Mu had not expected the King of Chu to be like this. She let out a low cry, and her wrist bone was peeled out by him.
He closed his eyes, and his eyes darkened for a moment.
But Yuan Mu immediately withdrew his hand.
She withdrew her hand, but the faint fragrance on her clothes remained.
The King of Chu whispered, "Have you... encountered some difficulties?"
His words were very subtle, but the look in his eyes seemed to be burning, and Yuan Mu didn't even dare to look at him.
Reason told her to leave immediately.
But some inexplicable desire prevented Yuan Mu from taking a step forward.
Just like a long time ago, the emperor's doctors and guards asked her in low voices, and just like the fiancé she failed to marry looked at her with eyes that could not be more cautious.
Yuan Mu is a very incompetent person, she is extremely powerless about everything.
She can only depend on others, like a dodder.
After leaving Helan Zhen, Yuan Mu never fell in love with anyone again.
In fact, there are so many people who have whispered their love to her.
But Yuan Mu needs a little support to do what she wants to accomplish.
Her long eyelashes kept trembling, but in the end she still raised her watery eyes and looked at the King of Chu.
-
Today's affairs ended early.
The emperor started to deal with affairs early in the morning. He didn't even have lunch. He drank half a cup of strong tea and continued to discuss matters.
Before the Golden Crow sets in the west, the matter is almost over.
Everyone who serves nearby knows that the emperor loves the empress in Qingning Palace very much, and recently his love for her has almost reached the point of his heart.
It took a long time just to decide on the position of concubine.
The specific words used were carefully considered over and over again.
But for some reason, when it was almost the last moment, the edict was suddenly shelved.
But it shouldn't matter much, because the emperor's love and favor for Concubine Zhaoyi has not changed at all.
They seemed to have had conflicts these past two days, but every night, the emperor would still go to Qingning Palace and stay there for an hour or two, and occasionally leave just before dawn.
The older eunuch smiled and said, "Your Majesty, are you going to Qingning Palace today?"
"The Queen is feeling much better today. She even arranged many flowers this morning," he murmured. "It would be great if the Queen were in Ziwei Palace. It would also make our place more lively."
The emperor smiled and said, "Go to Yifeng Palace."
The eunuch looked surprised. The emperor rarely went there on his own initiative throughout the year. Why did he suddenly want to go to Yifeng Palace?
Then he thought that Yuan Mu was now in Yifeng Palace.
She has been unhappy recently, and going directly to Qingning Palace might make her disliked, but going to Yifeng Palace would be different.
When there are many people around, no matter how angry the Concubine Zhaoyi is, she will not vent it on His Majesty.
The group passed by like that.
Everyone discussed it for a long time. When the emperor arrived, many concubines were strolling and relaxing in the garden.
The concubines who were still sitting beside the queen immediately brightened up.
This is a godsend opportunity——
But when the emperor arrived, his brows furrowed slightly, and he whispered something to the attendants around him.
Empress Yuan, who was sitting in the center, was already smiling.
Seeing the emperor coming, she stood up and walked quickly forward: "Your Majesty, why are you here so suddenly?"
The emperor spoke in a low voice and only asked one question, but that one sentence was like cold water, extinguishing all the anger in Empress Yuan's heart.
He asked softly, "Where's Yuan Mu?"
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