Chapter 52 Follow Her
Hearing footsteps, Song Luoning turned around in confusion and met a pair of burning eyes.
"..." Song Luoning's breath hitched.
Why did she come along too?
Song Luoning pursed her lips and lowered her eyes: "Why did you come, husband?"
Xiao Yu touched his nose, his face slightly flushed: "Didn't my wife agree during the day?"
You agreed?
What did I promise her?
Song Luoning was surprised, wondering what she was up to now. With a puzzled look, she pursed her lips and opened the closet. On the nightgown was the round fan she had bought that day. Her hand paused. She hadn't expected that her casual remark would be taken seriously. What a fool! Song Luoning smiled and took out the nightgown.
"Which matter are you referring to, sir?" As she spoke, she had already gone behind the screen.
Um?
Song Luoning hasn't forgotten, has she?
Xiao Yu asked anxiously, "What did my wife say at noon? That it would be okay tonight."
Song Luoning paused in changing her clothes, her cheeks suddenly burning. The room fell silent; through the screen, it seemed only the two of them could be heard breathing, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Her fingers slowly tightened. She remembered that she had only given her casual reply because she was afraid that the woman would do something inappropriate. Who knew that this lecherous woman would remember it? Her thoughts suddenly drifted to the round fan that was carefully treasured in the cabinet. She closed her eyes.
What a greedy and lustful scoundrel!
She was with herself...
A look of confusion appeared in Song Luoning's eyes, especially after hearing what her older brother said today. Would she really treat him the same way she does now, or in the future?
She neither wanted to be a caged bird nor share her husband with another man.
"My lady, are you done yet?" Having waited for her to speak for a long time, Xiao Yu became a little anxious, took two steps forward, and slowly approached the screen.
"Almost... okay, don't come in..." Song Luoning collected her thoughts, afraid that she would come in, and hurriedly quickened her movements.
"Okay, hurry up!" Xiao Yu urged, and really didn't move any further.
Seeing that she really didn't come any closer, Song Luoning breathed a sigh of relief, changed into her nightgown, calmed herself down, and walked out from behind the screen.
“Wife…” Xiao Yu opened her mouth.
"I'm a little tired, I should get some rest." Song Luoning interrupted her hastily, lowered her brows and walked past her, leaving behind a faint fragrance.
Xiao Yu: "..."
What does "Miss" mean?
I've changed my mind!
No, we clearly agreed, how can you go back on your word? Xiao Yu was unwilling to give up and followed her to the bedside, sat down on the edge of the bed, and looked at her with a wronged expression.
Ignoring the burning gaze, Song Luoning pinched her fingertips and took a deep breath: "Husband, you must be tired after a long day, so get some rest." With that, she lifted the thin blanket and lay down.
This won't do.
"..." Xiao Yu was unwilling to give up. He turned over and got into bed, his face darkening as he pulled Xiao Yu and the blanket into his arms.
“Husband…” Her delicate body trembled slightly, and Song Luoning subconsciously clenched her palms: “What are you doing…” Her breathing was a little rapid and she seemed to lack confidence.
"My wife promised me, are you going to go back on your word now?" Xiao Yu tightened his grip, flipped over and pinned her down. The dim candlelight shone through the bed curtains, casting a faint light that revealed their silhouettes.
"Husband...I..." Song Luoning gripped the bed sheet tightly.
"Don't be afraid." The voice brushed against her ear, and the warm breath fell on her. Song Luoning trembled, her eyes glistening, and she bit her lip and murmured a soft "Mmm," revealing a hint of fragility. Her heart suddenly raced, and a wave of emotion surged within her, a mixture of shyness, nervousness, and a hidden anticipation.
After a long while, Song Luoning slowly loosened her clenched fingers and gently closed her eyes.
Let her be...
The next morning, before the two were even awake, there was a knock on the door.
"Miss, young master," Cuizhu called out in a low voice.
Song Luoning stirred, opened her eyes, and was about to get up when she found herself in a soft embrace. Her cheeks flushed instantly. The two had only rested for a short while, and the spring in their eyes had not yet faded. She gently nudged the person beside her and whispered, "Husband."
"Mmm~" Xiao Yu opened his eyes groggily, looking completely satisfied, and buried his head in her neck.
Song Luoning stiffened: "Husband..."
"Um."
"Stop fooling around..."
Xiao Yu chuckled foolishly, took a satisfied breath, and then looked up.
"Miss, young master," Cuizhu's voice came again, slightly louder than before.
“Usually Cuizhu wouldn’t keep calling out, there must be something wrong. Husband, please let go of Luo Ning first.” Song Luo Ning pushed away the arm on her body and was about to get up when a soreness came from her lower body. She closed her eyes and the scene from last night flashed through her mind, making her cheeks even hotter.
I should have known better than to let that lecherous scoundrel run wild.
Her voice turned colder, and she kicked the girl's shin in embarrassment and annoyance: "Get up now."
Seeing that his wife was angry, Xiao Yu dared not delay. He hugged her tightly and kissed her soft, jelly-like lips. "You worked hard last night, my wife. Lie down for a while longer. I'll go see what's wrong." Without giving Song Luoning a chance to be shy, he got up, got out of bed, and took his outer robe from the screen to put it on.
Upon opening the door, Cuizhu immediately curtsied and greeted him as "Young Master."
"What happened so early in the morning?" Xiao Yu asked.
"It's someone from the palace, and they've brought quite a few armored soldiers. They want you to go and receive the imperial decree," Cuizhu said truthfully.
People from the palace?
Xiao Yu was taken aback. What did someone from the palace want with her?
Cuizhu shared the same question: "The young master doesn't seem like anything special, so why are people from the palace looking for her?" The maid glanced at her young master and couldn't help but ask, "Young master, do you know the Emperor?"
Xiao Yu glanced at him: "Didn't the people outside say what it was about?"
"They didn't say anything. A eunuch delivering an imperial decree has arrived and is waiting in the front hall." It seemed her question had been asked in vain, and Cuizhu sighed.
"Okay, I'll be right there." Xiao Yu turned and went back into the house. Song Luoning had already gotten up and asked softly when she saw her return, "Did something happen?"
"They say the eunuch from the palace is waiting in the front hall, and I need to go there now." Xiao Yu took her hand and helped her to sit down in front of the dressing table.
Song Luoning was startled and asked urgently, "Did they say what it was about?"
"He didn't say the specifics; we'll only know when we get there," Xiao Yu said, pausing for a moment before adding, "Have Cuizhu come in and serve me; I'll go take a look."
Even as a modern person, Xiao Yu knew that the people sent by the emperor could not be neglected unless they were tired of living. She reluctantly let go of Song Luoning's hand.
"Wait a minute, I'll go with my husband." Song Luoning pulled her back.
The young lady wants to keep me company?
Xiao Yu touched his nose and smiled, "Okay, then I'll wait for you."
"Mm." Song Luoning nodded: "Husband, go and have the maids come in to serve me."
"good."
Before long, the maids filed in, and Xiao Yu stood aside to wait. Song Luoning quickly finished washing up, and the two of them came to the front hall together.
The eunuch who came from the palace to deliver the imperial decree said to Xiao Yu, "Why don't you quickly receive the decree?" His voice was high-pitched and somewhat strained.
Xiao Yu dared not neglect the people in the mansion and knelt down on the ground.
"By imperial decree, Xiao Yu is to be summoned to the palace," the eunuch relaying the order said.
After everyone stood up, the eunuch who delivered the decree continued, "Let's go, Young Master Xiao, don't keep the Emperor waiting."
The incident was sudden, and Xiao Yu was somewhat surprised. Why would the emperor want to see her? Although the original owner was a member of the royal family, she did not have a title and lived far away from the capital. Even if she came to the capital, it was not to the point that the emperor would take the initiative to see her, was it?
Out of natural trust, Xiao Yu subconsciously looked at Song Luoning.
The young lady's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. Although she didn't show much expression or say a word, Xiao Yu could still sense her worry and unease.
She hid her unease, not wanting the young lady to worry, and smiled, "My lady, I'll be right back."
Song Luoning didn't speak, but looked up at her.
"Young Master Xiao, let's go," the eunuch urged.
Xiao Yu squeezed Song Luo Ning's hand, then quickly let go, and followed the imperial eunuch out of the main gate. The carriage that was to pick her up was parked outside the mansion, with two rows of armored soldiers holding halberds guarding the left and right sides, making the audience somewhat solemn.
The eunuch who delivered the decree flicked his whisk and gestured for him to enter: "Please, Young Master Xiao."
Xiao Yu hesitated for a moment, then stepped onto the carriage using the stool. Turning her head, she met Song Luoning's gaze, the young lady's face full of worry.
Xiao Yu moved her fingertips and climbed into the carriage.
The procession of carriages, carried in with great fanfare, entered through the Donghua Gate and was led by two eunuchs through a series of palace gates before stopping outside the Zichen Hall.
One of the eunuchs led the way into the hall, while Xiao Yu and another eunuch stood outside. The hall doors were open, and faint sounds of string and wind instruments could be heard coming from outside. Xiao Yu took a deep breath.
Not long after, the eunuch who had led the way returned: "Young Master Xiao, please follow me."
Xiao Yu glanced at the magnificent hall and followed him inside.
Inside the hall, however, was a completely different scene. In the center of the hall, six dancers swayed their hips, while musicians played instruments below, creating an atmosphere that was out of place in this solemn and dignified hall.
Xiao Yu didn't dare to look up. She lowered her head and secretly glanced at the man on the dragon throne. She was stunned for a moment. The man was thin and his cheeks were sunken. He looked completely hollow.
The emperor was actually like this?
That makes sense. With three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines, it would be strange if the emperors in TV dramas were all portrayed by later generations. If they all looked like that, how would later generations speculate about their health?
The person seated to the emperor's lower right...
The male lead?!
The male lead also came to the palace, and he met the emperor...
Xiao Yu was startled.
The novel says that the male protagonist raised an army under the pretext of "purging the court of corrupt officials," eventually captured the capital, and ascended the throne as emperor with the support of the officials.
Judging from the current situation, the way the male protagonist and the emperor are drinking and exchanging toasts doesn't seem like what's described in the novel.
But who can say for sure? After all, the throne is really tempting.
Will the male lead's presence here be detrimental to me? He previously tried to arrest me because of my father-in-law.
Before he could think it through, he had already walked up to the emperor. The eunuch who led the way bowed respectfully, keeping his head down, and stepped aside to wait.
Xiao Yu didn't know the palace rules, so she followed his example and bowed.
Emperor Xiao Cheng'an sized her up, his eyes filled with disdain, and said, "You are Xiao Yu?"
Xiao Yu dared not be negligent and respectfully replied, "This humble subject is Xiao Yu."
Is this the person Father was worried about?
“Emperor Taizu’s direct descendants aren’t all that great, are they? What do you think, brother?” Xiao Cheng’an looked at Xiao Chengze and asked with a smile.
Xiao Chengze lowered his head and cursed him under his breath as an idiot, then followed up with, "Your Majesty is right."
Upon receiving Xiao Chengze's affirmation, Xiao Cheng'an laughed loudly: "Only you and Father are worrying unnecessarily."
He stared at Xiao Yu for a while, then pointed to the dancers behind him: "What do you think of their dancing?"
How was the jump?
Xiao Yu hadn't dared to look around since she entered, and when suddenly asked the question, she didn't know how to answer.
Seeing her so stunned, Xiao Cheng'an laughed even more unrestrainedly. He simply stood up from the dragon throne, descended the steps, and wrapped his arm around the dancer's waist.
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