Chapter 40 An Accidental Kiss
Yun Zhao's heart tightened, and he instinctively didn't want to get involved in this matter.
But there was no one else in the hall, and outside it was raining heavily and thundering. It would not be appropriate to wake up the little eunuch who was napping outside and bring him in.
She hesitated for a moment, but finally sighed, quietly opened the gap in the partition door, and slipped in.
In the dim light, Xiao Jin was seen curled up in a ball on the dragon bed, his body trembling slightly, his forehead covered with fine cold sweat, his thin lips moving, and he was still mumbling, with an expression of panic and pain between his brows.
Yun Zhao's heart felt like it was gently stabbed by something.
She approached lightly, pulled out a clean handkerchief from her sleeve, and carefully leaned over to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.
As she moved, she subconsciously softened her voice, speaking with the same tenderness she'd used to comfort her younger brother: "It's okay... Don't be afraid... It's all over... Xiao Jin... You've endured so much hardship and finally found happiness... It's all over..."
Her voice seemed to have an effect. Xiao Jin's frown seemed to relax a little, and his mumbling became quieter. Just as Yun Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and was about to withdraw his hand, something unexpected happened!
In his dream, Xiao Jin suddenly grabbed her handkerchief-holding wrist with great precision! The force was so great that she was caught off guard!
Yun Zhao let out a low cry of "Ah" and lost his balance due to the force, falling forward violently!
She only felt a flash before her eyes, and then she felt a soft and slightly cool touch on her lips!
Time seemed to freeze at this moment.
She widened her eyes. Close at hand, they were Xiao Jin's tightly closed eyes. His long eyelashes cast a small shadow beneath his eyelids. His tall nose bridge almost touched her cheek. The touch of their lips was incredibly clear, carrying the slightly warm scent of his breath.
"Bang!"
A suppressed scream and the sound of something falling to the ground came from the door of the hall!
Yun Zhao looked up suddenly as if he was scalded by boiling oil - he saw Zhang Fuan standing at the door with a look of astonishment on his face. The whisk he was holding in his hand fell to the ground, and his mouth was open so wide that an egg could fit in!
The astonishment on Zhang Fuan's face instantly turned into a kind of enlightenment and ecstasy of "I understand". He reacted extremely quickly. Without saying a word, he didn't even bother to pick up the whisk. He took a step back quickly with agility that was inconsistent with his age. With a "bang", he actually pulled the partition door from the outside!
He moved so quickly, as if afraid of disturbing the "good thing" going on inside.
[It's over! Even jumping into the Yellow River won't clear it away!]
Yun Zhao's head buzzed, and he instantly felt numb from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!
Her first reaction was to get up quickly and stay away from the source of this trouble!
However, Xiao Jin still held her wrist tightly! He seemed to have grabbed a life-saving straw in his dream. Instead of letting go, he held on tighter, mumbling incoherently: "Mother... don't go... Jin... will definitely... avenge you..."
Revenge? It seems that the cause of Concubine Yang's death was unusual.
[Never mind. Royal affairs are not something I can get involved in. My life is more important.]
The sky was getting light, and the Zichen Palace was still filled with the damp smell after the rain.
Xiao Jin woke up before Yun Zhao.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I felt something warm in my palm.
Looking down, he found that he was holding Yun Zhao's wrist tightly, while she was lying on the edge of the dragon bed, her face resting on her arm, breathing evenly, and sleeping soundly.
The morning light filtered through the window lattice, softly outlining her silhouette.
With fair and delicate skin, long eyelashes and a straight nose, Yun Zhao, who had lost her usual sharpness and alertness, showed a rare tranquility and gentleness while sleeping.
Xiao Jin's eyes darkened slightly, and he did not move for a moment, looking at the defenseless appearance of this "favorite in front of the emperor" with interest, wanting to see how long she could sleep.
"Your Majesty, it's time for the morning court session." Zhang Fuan's deliberately lowered voice sounded at the door.
Yun Zhao suddenly woke up as if he had been pricked by a needle! When he looked up, he met Xiao Jin's clear and bright gaze!
When their eyes met, her pupils suddenly shrank, as if she had seen the god of plague. She jumped up with a "whoosh" and struggled with her wrist - she didn't know whether it was because Xiao Jin loosened his grip or because of her amazing explosive power, but she actually managed to break free!
She took three steps back, and her back hit the cold temple pillar with a "bang", instantly creating a distance that she thought was extremely safe.
Xiao Jin frowned fiercely, his heart inexplicably raging with anger at her venomous reaction. His voice was as cold as ice: "No court session today. I'll send a letter to Yanying Palace. Have those old men in the cabinet wait there!"
"Yes... yes..." Zhang Fuan responded repeatedly, his eyes quickly sweeping between the two of them. His old face wrinkled into a bitter melon, filled with regret: [It's over, it's over. This old servant has really ruined your majesty's good fortune.]
Silence returned to the hall, leaving only the slightly abrupt breathing sounds of the two people.
Xiao Jin looked at Yun Zhao, who looked as if he was facing a formidable enemy and wanted to hide himself in a pillar. The nameless anger in his heart grew even stronger. He said angrily, "Are you still standing there as a door god? Are you waiting for me to help you wash up?"
[Exempt from morning prayer? Then why don't you just lie down for a while longer! You're making me tired!]
Yun Zhao was complaining madly in her heart, but she forced a respectful look on her face: "I dare not." She rubbed her wrist which was numb from being gripped, and called out to the palace maid waiting outside the hall.
Toiletries were brought in one after another.
Several palace maids, holding copper basins and handkerchiefs, pierced Yun Zhao with gazes like poisoned needles, their jealousy practically solidifying—why was she allowed to stay in the inner hall all night?! Their eyes were filled with the desire to devour her alive.
Yun Zhao turned a blind eye and just watched the show.
She skillfully helped Xiao Jin rinse his mouth and wash his face, and promptly handed him a warm handkerchief.
When it was her turn to tie her hair, she picked up the jade comb, but her fingertips trembled slightly uncontrollably.
[Serving people is a technical job, but serving the emperor is hellish! How come his hair is so slippery?]
"What's wrong?" Xiao Jin caught a glimpse of her subtle nervousness in the bronze mirror. For some reason, the depression he had just felt dissipated a little, and he even felt like teasing her. His tone was deliberately filled with a hint of coldness and questioning, "A young lady from the Duke's Mansion can't even tie her hair?"
Yun Zhao paused, calming herself. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have the audacity to ask, since you are not attending court today, would you like to wear your hair in a more casual bun, or..."
"The rain has stopped?" Xiao Jin suddenly interrupted her.
Yun Zhao subconsciously looked out the window: "Your Majesty, it was a thunderstorm, but it has cleared up now."
"Hmm." Xiao Jin replied calmly, "Tie it tighter. I'm going to the Western Suburbs Horse Farm. Tell Zhou Si to accompany me."
Yun Zhao breathed a sigh of relief: [Great! I can finally take a breath and rest!]
Her hands moved more skillfully and she quickly tied her hair into a neat bun.
After changing into a dark and tight outfit, Xiao Jin had an upright posture, broad shoulders and a narrow waist, adding a bit of sharp heroism to his imperial majesty.
Yun Zhao stood with his hands hanging down, hoping that the giant Buddha would move away quickly.
However, Xiao Jin, adjusting his cuffs, glanced at her casually, his lips curling up in a faint, slightly malicious smile, "You're going too. I remember that Miss Yun's horsemanship is quite impressive among the ladies in the capital."
[What?!] Yun Zhao's eyes went dark. [Riding on an empty stomach?! Aren't there a bunch of ministers waiting for you in Yanying Palace?!]
"Yes, Your Majesty." Yun Zhao's voice instantly wilted, becoming weak and revealing a resignedness to his fate.
Xiao Jin said, "Go change your clothes and come to Yanying Palace after a cup of tea."
Yun Zhao was in a low mood: "Yes, Your Majesty."
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