Chapter 5 Chapter 5
Yuan Mu's jaw was being pinched by the emperor, and her soft red lips were close to his thin lips.
If they were only half an inch apart, they would kiss.
But the eunuch's voice made Yuan Mu wake up immediately.
Her clothes were disheveled.
The only inner garment on her body was lifted up, revealing a large area of tender white skin at the base of her legs.
The snow-white shoulders trembled and the collarbones were slender.
Her cool and elegant face was lightly powdered, and intermittent hot air emanated from her tender lips.
Yuan Mu stretched out his hand and dodged backwards in rejection.
But the man's big hand grabbed her waist, leaving her nowhere to hide.
Yuan Mu bit his lip and panted weakly: "Sister is coming..."
Empress Yuan rarely comes here.
The servants in Qingning Palace are ostensibly Yuan Mu's people, but in reality, few of them obey her.
They are all the emperor's men, especially the four people in charge.
Yuan Mu didn't know how many times Queen Yuan had sent people, but he knew that the palace maids must have refused them all.
If Empress Yuan wasn't in a hurry, she wouldn't have come.
Although Yuan Mu didn't know what Queen Yuan was so anxious about, she actually came to her in person today.
Her eyes were half closed as the emperor held her by the waist and lifted her up.
He is in a good mood.
He didn't make things too difficult for her, nor did he deliberately mistreat her like he did before leaving Beijing.
When Yuan Mu saw the emperor take out a soft pink dress, his already flushed face became even hotter.
But she was held in his arms, with no room for refusal, and could only let him change her clothes himself.
The emperor was an expert at riding and shooting when he was young.
There was a thin layer of calluses between his fingertips, and just a light touch of his waist and buttocks made Yuan Mu break out in a sweat.
In the past, he seldom went to Qingning Palace often.
But I always have to come here every few days.
Yuan Mu's body was always prepared for him.
Three months passed in a flash, and except for that ridiculous incident a few days ago, they had not been close to each other for a long time.
Yuan Mu couldn't stand the teasing, and even though he bit his lips tightly, a low hum escaped from his lips.
She twisted her waist, trying to break free from the emperor's arms: "No need to trouble you, just let the maid do it..."
But the next moment, the man slapped her on the butt.
He didn't hold back his strength, and red marks immediately appeared on the soft white flesh.
The crisp sound of "pop" was especially clear in the silent palace.
Yuan Mu's face flushed red.
The emperor simply said, "Still moving around? Do you want to... go see your sister?"
His words were light and gentle, but the evil desire in his eyes was so clear.
Yuan Mu didn't dare to move at all.
Because the emperor can really do such a thing.
To him, she was more of a toy for bed than a concubine who gave birth to the royal heir.
Yuan Mu's back felt cold, and the heat that had just arisen gradually cooled down.
She lowered her head and remained silent.
The emperor was not a peaceful and easy-going person. He was the eldest son of the previous emperor and was named crown prince three days after his birth.
He is a true child of destiny, dignified and graceful, and indescribably noble.
Even if he had encountered some setbacks, they were nothing more than insignificant experiences to him.
It is rare to do things for others, and those being served are unwilling to do so.
The smile on the emperor's face also turned cold.
The ambiguous atmosphere between the two of them quickly dissipated, and the intimacy just now seemed to have never existed.
Yuan Mu got down from the emperor's arms.
She stood in front of the bronze mirror, smoothed the wrinkles on her skirt, and then followed the emperor out of the inner hall.
-
Empress Yuan had been waiting for half a quarter of an hour.
The maid brought her tea and said, lowering her brows, "Empress Zhaoyi caught a cold not long ago and hasn't recovered yet. She's afraid of passing the illness on to you, so she hasn't recovered yet."
Empress Yuan had a gentle smile and a composed demeanor.
But the long armor hidden in the sleeves was about to break the palm.
This was the first time she had waited for someone for so long.
"I know," Empress Yuan said with a gentle smile, "I came here this time to see how A'Luo is doing."
She held a porcelain cup, with a golden peony hairpin in her hair, looking elegant and graceful.
It seems that she still maintains a calm and elegant posture.
But there was already impatience between Empress Yuan's brows.
These are just polite words.
Neither the listener nor the speaker took it seriously.
But when Yuan Mu walked over, he was slightly stunned.
A Luo is Yuan Mu's nickname, which was given to her by her grandmother when she was still alive, and it matches her name.
Her original name was Yuan Mu, a name she took from the family tree.
Later, her father thought it was unlucky and changed it to Yuanmu.
Yuan Mu hadn't heard this name for many years since his grandmother passed away.
Yuan Mu's grandmother was a conservative noble lady.
She was solemn and dignified, and even as an old lady she still adhered to the old etiquette.
Yuan Mu was timid when he was young, and he did not please her. He was often punished to kneel in the ancestral hall.
It was at that time that she developed a fear of the dark.
However, Yuan Mu was still very grateful that her grandmother had saved her life and kept her by her side for several years.
She was born on the fifth day of the fifth month, an unlucky month and an unlucky day.
Moreover, he killed his biological mother as soon as he was born, causing the young Madam Yuan to die in childbirth.
This tradition has existed since ancient times.
Children born on the Dragon Boat Festival are unlucky for their parents and will drown.
It just so happened that Yuan Mu's birth time was particularly unfortunate.
The fortune teller was sweating profusely as he urged Yuan Mu's father, "My dear, this girl will bring misfortune to her father and mother. She will destroy the family foundation and the prosperity of generations. This is a fate of misfortune. You absolutely cannot let her stay."
Yuan Mu's father also wanted to do this.
But his grandmother stopped him and took Yuan Mu with her.
Yuan Mu was destined to die young. Her father could not disobey her mother, but he also did not expect her to grow up.
When I was five years old, my grandmother passed away.
Yuan Mu still remembers the relieved look on her father's face when he sent her to the carriage to Zhuangzi after the funeral.
He was dressed in mourning clothes, all white, but his eyes and brows were so bright.
He is surrounded by concubines, all of whom are very beautiful.
At that time, he was at the age of being a romantic and successful man. Even in mourning clothes, he was particularly outstanding. Some scholars said: He was unique and charming.
It's all very old stuff.
Yuan Mu might not even think of his father when he faces him.
But when he heard Queen Yuan call him "A Luo", some of his old memories came back to him.
There is no emotion at all.
Yuan Mu suddenly realized that so many years had passed.
Strangely, she did not die as early as the sorcerer said.
Yuan Mufu bowed and said, "Your Highness, I greet the Queen."
Her gaze towards Empress Yuan was calm, but Empress Yuan's expression when she looked at Yuan Mu was not so natural.
The emperor wore a dark robe with dark golden dragon patterns on the sleeves.
This is not casual attire, it is clearly formal attire worn when meeting court officials.
The morning court meeting did not go well, and after going to the inner hall for the meeting, they discussed for a long time but still could not reach a conclusion.
The emperor had a look of worry on his face when he left the table. The important officials in the hall knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe.
When Empress Yuan heard the news, she only thought of talking to Yuan Mu and then going to the emperor as soon as possible.
He was angry, and at this time he needed someone around him the most.
It would be best if it were a gentle and understanding flower.
Empress Yuan never imagined that the emperor would be on Yuan Mu's side, and it was unknown how long the two of them had been together.
It was she who pushed Yuan Mu into the emperor's arms with her own hands.
Childbirth is laborious and risky.
This kind of thing often happens among wealthy families.
Rely on blood-related sisters and nieces to give birth to children.
Empress Yuan had been frail and sickly since childhood, so she didn't dare take the risk.
Of course she knew that the emperor and Yuan Mu would be close, but facing her husband and sister being so close was still too much of a shock for her.
Empress Yuan's blood rushed to her head, and she felt as if anger was about to reach her brows.
But when she saw the emperor's cold and indifferent expression, she swallowed all the words that were about to come out of her mouth.
The emperor took his seat with Yuan Mu.
He picked up the cup and handed it to Yuan Mu, and asked casually, "What's the matter with you coming here at this time?"
Yuan Mu raised his wrist and took the cup.
Empress Yuan knew that she should look at the emperor at this time, but she could not take her eyes off the red mark on Yuan Mu's wrist.
Those marks must have been caused by a man.
What were they doing while she was irritated?
Empress Yuan couldn't help but think so.
But in front of the emperor, she couldn't show any emotion.
"My sister has been ill for many days," Empress Yuan said with a charming smile. "I just wanted to come and see you. If I had known you were here, I would have come again tomorrow."
She acts arrogant and noble in front of others.
But when she spoke to the emperor, she acted like a delicate little woman.
Yuan Mu had not seen his sister in this state many times, and for a moment he felt a strange and unusual feeling.
The feeling of being out of place when facing stepmother Mrs. Cui came back to her again.
She lowered her eyes, gently stroking the patterns on the cup with her knuckles, instinctively wanting to avoid the conversation between the emperor and the empress.
The emperor had strict requirements on etiquette.
He glanced at Yuan Mu, but didn't say anything about her distracted behavior.
The emperor said softly, "Next time you come, have someone tell me in advance."
"Qingning Palace is far from Yifeng Palace," he looked out the window, "it's not easy for you to come here."
The emperor's voice seemed to be filled with concern.
But Empress Yuan only felt a strong warning.
Cold sweat suddenly broke out on her back.
"No, Your Majesty!" Empress Yuan whispered, "I, I am..."
Her palms were covered in sweat and she desperately wanted to explain herself.
The emperor interrupted Empress Yuan indifferently.
"If there's nothing else," he withdrew his gaze from the window, "just go back early."
As the year draws to a close, many things are happening both inside and outside the government.
The emperor stood up gently and held Yuan Mu's shoulder as he tried to stand up with him: "It's still early, go back to sleep."
Yuan Mu takes a break at noon every day.
If the emperor had not come, she would still be asleep.
After briefly instructing the eunuch, the emperor left with Empress Yuan.
The two stood side by side, as if they were a perfect match.
No. They were husband and wife, a couple recognized by heaven and earth.
Yuan Mu stood there, the water in the cup in his palm gradually cooling down.
She should be happy that she finally got rid of these two uninvited guests.
But there was an inexplicable heaviness in my chest.
Yuan Mu lowered his head and gently touched the jade bracelet on his wrist.
This is a thin bracelet made of crude material.
The texture is ordinary and the color is ordinary.
It was as clear and shallow as pond water, without any of the greenness of jade.
Just like Yuan Mu’s eyes.
But Yuan Mu stayed where he was.
She did not hear the subsequent conversation between the emperor and the empress after they left Qingning Palace.
"If you have time," the emperor said softly, "send someone to the inner treasury to pick out a new set of tea sets."
Empress Yuan looked up in surprise.
Just as he was about to respond with a smile, he heard the emperor say calmly, "I didn't expect that either."
"The tea sets in Yifeng Palace," he said in a gentle voice, "can actually burn people."
The emperor's expression was natural and calm from beginning to end.
There seems to be no extra emotion.
But when Empress Yuan heard these words, she only felt a terrifying sense of fear.
If the maid hadn't just said it this morning, she wouldn't have remembered at all that Yuan Mu was scalded when Madam Cui came that day.
How could the emperor know so clearly about something that happened so long ago?
Empress Yuan's legs were shaking so much that she almost knelt down.
The emperor didn't look at her for long, and said softly, "This won't happen again."
After saying this, he got on his sedan chair and left.
Empress Yuan stood in the cold wind, her body stiff. After returning to Yifeng Palace, the emotions she had been suppressing gradually revealed themselves.
The maid came to comfort her, but she pushed her away.
The expensive porcelain vases on the low table were all smashed to pieces by Empress Yuan.
She gritted her teeth and when she looked at herself in the bronze mirror, she couldn't hide the viciousness in her eyes.
However, after venting, she could do nothing.
-
After what happened that day, Empress Yuan never came to see Yuan Mu again, nor did she send anyone to summon her.
The emperor was busy with government affairs and had no time to look for her.
Yuan Mu lived peacefully in the palace for a while.
But it was almost the fifteenth, and as usual, the concubines had to go to Yifeng Palace to pay homage to the queen.
It was when he saw Queen Yuan again that Yuan Mu finally understood what Queen Yuan was worried about.
Last time, Mrs. Cui brought two beautiful and noble ladies, who were her nieces from the same clan.
She was the third or fifth child in the family, so she was called Cui Sanniang and Cui Wuniang.
Both of them came from extraordinary backgrounds, were exceptionally beautiful, and had gentle and virtuous personalities.
They were originally of great use.
But he didn't expect that the emperor would assign them to his younger brother, the King of Chu.
The King of Chu is the younger brother of the Emperor. He is arrogant and proud. He just turned eighteen this year and is the most difficult of all.
He had a history of asthma and was raised in his maternal home in Jiangnan when he was young.
Even during the most turbulent times in the capital, the King of Chu was well protected.
The emperor treated this younger brother very well. Not only did he provide him with food and clothing, but he also treated him with unparalleled favor.
But the King of Chu, let alone achieving great things, could not even compare with ordinary men with his dandy temperament.
He is simply a fool among fools.
Over the years, he was far away in Jiangzuo, and his reputation spread as far as Jingzhao.
Yuan Mu had never seen the King of Chu, but had only heard of him.
To become a concubine of the King of Chu would mean sacrificing the daughter's entire future.
But the emperor happened to favor the King of Chu.
Without him saying a word, he was ready to give him everything that was best.
Yuan Mu listened for a while and suddenly realized that even good girls like Cui Sanniang and Cui Wuniang were not intended by the emperor to be the King of Chu's legal wives.
No wonder Empress Yuan was so anxious.
Aristocratic families believe in sharing weal and woe.
The relationship between the Cui family of Qinghe and the Yuan family of Luoyang was so close that they could be compared to the previous dynasties.
The interests of the Cui family are the interests of the Yuan family.
Empress Yuan was in a bad mood.
Everyone sat in the Yifeng Palace for a while, and suddenly a maid came over and said that the Queen had changed the place where she would hold court to the warm room next to the Plum Garden.
Not waiting in the cold wind for half a day.
The concubines were fine too.
After all, they all knew the queen's personality very well after being in the palace for so long.
Only Concubine De snorted coldly and finally walked out of Yifeng Palace.
Yuan Mu was rarely the last one to go out, so when he arrived at the plum garden, he was not too late.
It snowed for a long time some time ago.
It has been sunny recently, but the sky in Jingzhao is always gray in winter.
Under the gloomy sky, the crimson palace walls were dim and dull.
The cold wind blows, shaking the plum blossoms.
It is a desolate scene.
Even though there is a warm palace next to it, it cannot hide the decay of winter itself.
But a cold wind blew past, and a young man in red jumped down from the tree.
Yuan Mu had to admit that her eyes lit up.
Few people wear such thin clothes in winter. He is dressed in red, yet looks as flamboyant as the scorching sun.
Who is this boy who dares to be so bold?
Before Yuan Mu could figure out who this young man was, his eyes met with the man who suddenly approached him.
"Hi!" He waved. "Do you know how to get to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests?"
His posture was very much like that of a teenager of fifteen or sixteen, but his face had undoubtedly grown up and had the maturity of a young man.
This is a look between a teenager and a young adult.
Danfeng eyes and hanging nose.
Raised eyebrows, fair face.
Yuan Mu wanted to answer him, but the moment she saw his face clearly, she couldn't say a word.
This was the first time she had seen someone who looked so much like an old friend.
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