Chapter 122 Chapter 122
[Chapter 122]
Ruan Jun slowly sat up from the bed. Since her body was not fully recovered yet, she was extremely careful with every move she made.
Yan Shiyu's hand holding her gradually tightened, and his indifferent and distant black eyes were tinged with tenderness just because of her action. "I... my father and mother are an ordinary couple, and the same is true for me. The royal rules are strict, and I only truly experienced them after entering the palace. Now that I have taken action, I can feel even more deeply the far-sightedness of a mother for her children. Your Majesty is the emperor, and although the world belongs to the emperor, I feel sorry for the emperor."
Ruan Yun said this in a soft, sobbing voice, her almond-shaped eyes were misty, and under the dim candlelight, her profile was cast in a layer of soft light, and the shadows of the two people intertwined silently on the jade bricks.
"The emperor has to review memorials half a person's height every day, and he worries about the people of the world. He can't eat or sleep well, and even the royal family has become a stranger."
Yan Shiyu pinched her little face and said calmly, "It's lonely at the top. This is how an emperor should be."
Ruan Jun shook Yan Shiyu slightly, and coquettishly put her hand into the emperor's hand:
"But I am already tearing up. What do you think I should do?"
Yan Shiyu said slowly: "I haven't said anything yet, but you are so sad. If I say something else, won't you shed all your tears? I am usually -"
"I'm too obsessed with you."
Ruan Yun snorted softly and placed her hands gently on the emperor's chest, trying to push him away, but he was so soft that she didn't use any strength at all:
"Your Majesty already has a concubine, but you still want to favor someone else?"
A smile appeared on Yan Shiyu's face, and he spoke slowly, word by word:
"I'm afraid that Concubine Ying Gui will really not let me enter Lin Xuan Palace again in a fit of rage. Then, I won't be able to see my Xiao Xiao again."
Ruan Jun raised her eyes slightly and looked at the beauty under the light, which was quite interesting.
The lips were red and sparkling, with faint tooth marks on them, and a layer of crystal covered them, like morning dew on flowers, waiting to be picked.
Yan Shiyu's eyes darkened, and the hands that were clasping Ruan Jun's waist gradually moved downwards. By the time Ruan Jun saw the danger in the emperor's eyes, it was already too late.
"It's getting late, I'll stay."
Before Ruan Yun could react, the emperor grabbed her waist and held her on his thighs. Her hands fell apart in panic, her eyelashes trembled and a few tears fell, her face was as red as spring water, and the threat was growing. Ruan Yun could feel the fierce momentum even when she was trembling, but she remembered that the person in front of her was the emperor, so she dared not move.
She was so sobbing from the kiss that she couldn't utter a word. After waiting for a long time for the emperor to let her go, Yan Shiyu directly held her earlobe in his mouth. A tingling sensation spread throughout her body and her body suddenly softened.
Her lower abdomen felt sore and numb that Ruan Jun wanted to push the emperor away, but she couldn't exert any strength in her hands and could only place her hands limply on the emperor's chest.
After a long time, Yan Shiyu let Ruan Yun go, and said with undisguised lust and passion:
"Her fingers are as smooth as scallions and her skin is as white as cream. I love Xiaoxiao's beautiful hands so much."
Being praised is naturally a joy, but when the emperor praised her like this, Ruan Yun did not feel happy at all. She wanted to cry but could not.
"I don't dare."
Although she was a concubine, the emperor had never been interested in this, let alone had never heard of it. At first, the emperor wanted it urgently, and the nanny just said a few simple words when she was bathing. Later, the emperor had many tricks, but it was always just... But now, he even took a fancy to her crooked hands.
Yan Shiyu kissed her lips again and said vaguely: "I will teach you."
It was a summer evening and there was still a slight breeze, but Ruan Yun's skin was covered with beads of sweat.
Her palms were a mess and she felt uncomfortable. Now she only felt a burning pain in her palms, and there was that strange feeling just now. Ruan Jun could only let the emperor take a handkerchief and wipe the dirt off her hands.
Throwing the handkerchief casually on the ground, Ruan Jun quietly opened one eye, then quickly closed it, not daring to look again.
Taking another look at it reminded me of the feeling I had in my hand just now. It was really weird.
Yan Shiyu caught her gaze and looked in the direction where her eyes were looking. After being satisfied, he jokingly said, "Xiaoxiao, have you never seen the Fire Avoidance Chart?"
Ruan Yun said sweetly and softly, "Of course not."
This surprised Yan Shiyu. He touched Ruan Yun's smooth shoulders and pulled the quilt up for her.
Ruan Jun held the emperor's hand under the quilt and touched the finger bones of Yan Shiyu's big palm. Ordinary concubines would not dare to do this, only Ruan Jun would do this.
"I have never been married before. When I first entered the palace, I became a maid in the flower room. Later, I became the emperor's concubine. I have never seen such a thing before."
These words filled Yan Shiyu's heart. He slowly placed delicate kisses on her face and neck, but they were not as urgent as before, adding to his tenderness.
Ruan Jun looked at the emperor without saying anything for a long time and wanted to turn her head, but her eyes fell into the big net that the emperor had already woven. All the threads were entangled around her, leaving her with no ability to escape.
"Go to sleep, I'm here."
This name seemed to sound a thunder in Ruan Yun's heart, like a heavy stone falling into a deep pool, and ripples spread in the hearts of both of them.
"You just said that you have only seen your father and mother as a normal couple. I couldn't change it in the past, but I want to be like that in the future."
"As for the Emperor and his Concubine, we are too unfamiliar with each other. You and I don't need to be like this anymore."
Ruan Jun's breathing became rapid and her grip on the emperor's hand gradually tightened. She had been bullied just now, but now her almond-shaped eyes were still watery and she looked particularly innocent.
"I am willing to accompany the emperor, forever."
The only thing that responded to her was the emperor's gentle kisses. His soft black hair fell on her shoulders. Yan Shiyu pushed aside her black hair, gently placed his lips on hers, and said in a deep voice, "Okay."
…
The next morning, Fengyi Palace.
Concubine Zhang has been particularly haggard lately. Last time, all the evidence was placed in front of the emperor, but the emperor favored that bitch Ruan Yun, leaving her no chance to clear herself of the false accusation.
Not to mention, Ruan Yun actually sat on the throne of the imperial concubine. How could such a lowly person like her be worthy? How could she be worthy of standing by the emperor's side, and how could she be worthy of the emperor staying in her palace last night!
The Queen smiled faintly, touched the jade ruyi in her hand and said:
"The weather is getting hotter. You must be careful not to get too hot."
Su Meiren put down the cake in her hand and said with a smile:
"So what if he got hit by the heat? The emperor doesn't care about the concubines. Concubine Ying is still in confinement. Didn't the emperor rest in Linxuan Palace last night?"
Lady Zhang glared at Lady Su angrily, "If you don't speak, you'll become dumb, right?"
Lady Su was choked by Lady Zhang's words, and she stood up and bowed softly, "It's my fault, don't be angry, sister."
Concubine Zhang didn't want to pay attention to Concubine Su and turned to the side, which made Concubine Su very disdainful.
What are you thinking? You really think no one knows.
When Wen Baolin heard this, he clenched the handkerchief in his hand, and all he could think of was the honorable imperial concubine in Linxuan Palace.
Last year when she was in the palace, she had become enemies with Concubine Ying. Now that Concubine Ying has ascended the throne, she has not even had a chance to sleep with her. If Concubine Ying remembers her in the future, will she still be able to gain a foothold in the palace?
She was the only one in the palace who was like this. Did the emperor hate her so much? She was good-looking and had a good figure. Other men would always take a second look at her, but the emperor was like this to her.
Wen Baolin was about to shed tears just thinking about it.
Gently wiping the corners of my eyes with a handkerchief, I heard the Queen on the high throne say:
"During this year's dragon boat race, my sisters should relax and enjoy themselves. We will be going to the imperial palace soon. This year, I will ask the emperor to try not to leave any of my sisters behind."
The Queen's words stirred up a thousand waves in everyone's heart.
In the past, those who went to the temporary palace were mostly favored concubines and concubines with royal heirs. This year, the Empress has said so, so everyone can go. During those three months, they don't have to stay in the lonely palace every day, waiting for the emperor to return.
Several concubines had smiles on their faces, and Wen Baolin even raised his head and looked over in disbelief.
The queen waved her hand and said, "If everything is alright, sisters please return to the palace."
Lady Zhang stood up first and left, but Concubine De stood up and said:
"Your Majesty, please be kind. Your Majesty's birthday will be coming soon. This year, Your Majesty...why not hold a birthday banquet?"
Concubine Zhang paused, and as she listened to Concubine De's words, even her breathing became rapid. Her swaying body revealed her nervousness. Liu Jin hurriedly supported Concubine Zhang, and she finally calmed down a lot.
Ji Zhaoyi looked coldly towards Concubine Zhang's position and quickly sensed that something was wrong with her.
Then he turned around again and looked at the Empress with soft eyes, as if he wanted to hear about the Empress's Qianqiu Banquet.
Concubine De's eyes were filled with anxiety, and the Queen's eyes sparkled. She touched the jade ruyi at hand, and the cloud pattern on it quickly calmed her down:
"I don't like to make a fuss. In addition, there are many things to do in the palace. The flood of the Yellow River has not been resolved for a long time and many people have been affected. I and the emperor are both worried about this."
Concubine De nodded and said gently, "It is my fault for not considering it carefully. I understand what you mean, Your Majesty."
The Queen continued, "I heard that the eldest prince has caught a cold recently, and the Emperor has ordered you to take good care of him. You don't have to worry about the affairs of the harem for now."
Speaking of this, Concubine De clenched her hands in her sleeves, "I understand. The eldest prince is my only child. I will definitely take good care of him and there will be no mistakes."
The queen stood up, her skirt sweeping across the jade steps, and after moving her lotus steps slightly, she said, "This is the best."
Ji Zhaoyi also knelt down and bowed, and a smile gradually appeared on her lips as she watched Concubine De walk out of Fengyi Palace in a not-so-calm manner.
Yicui helped Ji Zhaoyi out of the palace and asked softly, "Madam, do you want to return to the palace?"
Ji Zhaoyi sat on the ceremonial cane slowly and said, "Xin'er hasn't finished school yet?"
Yicui nodded, "Yes."
"But today the little princess said she wanted to see the goldfish in Taiye Lake. If you go there now, the little princess will be out of school."
Ji Zhaoyi raised his head, his eyes twinkling, "No need, I don't know when the Yu Garden got two rabbits, Xin'er will like them, let the wet nurse take Xin'er there, we won't go to Taiye Lake today."
Yicui looked up in surprise, "My Lady..."
Ji Zhaoyi glanced at her and said, "Do as I say."
Yicui agreed with Ji Zhaoyi. The Queen's decision was so bold that it made her breathe a little lighter for no reason.
Watching the Empress' procession gradually disappearing into the distance, Yicui turned and headed towards the palace academy.
Ji Zhaoyi sat on the ceremonial staff, with a hint of reluctance in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.
…
Ruan Yun peeled a grape and handed it to Ji Zhaoyi, but after she held her hand out for a long time, Ji Zhaoyi did not take it away.
Looking at Ji Zhaoyi in confusion, Ruan Jun asked, "What's wrong? Weiwei."
It had been a long time since she had heard her nickname. Ji Zhaoyi was a little dazed for a moment, as if her father and mother had protected her when she was still at home.
Ji Zhaoyi glanced at the grapes in Ruan Yun's hand, then took them and said, "It's just that my menstrual period has come, and I feel a little uncomfortable."
Ruan Yun said to Ying Ning, "Go to the kitchen and get some brown sugar wine."
Ying Ning nodded and said, "I will go right away."
Ji Zhaoyi's breathing became more rapid, but he quickly adjusted himself, thinking of what happened in Fengyi Palace today, and said, "Today, Concubine De mentioned the Empress's Thousand Years Banquet, and I saw that Concubine Zhang and the Empress's expressions were beginning to look strange."
Ruan Yun looked at Ji Zhaoyi in surprise, "I only know that the Empress never holds a banquet for the first time in her life, and I can't find out the reason. I never thought of Concubine De before. Now that you mentioned it, I don't know what kind of grudge there is between the Empress and Concubine De. I'm afraid that Concubine Zhang may have been involved."
Ji Zhaoyi agreed with Ruan Yun's words, "De Fei had hidden herself very well before. I don't know how many things in the past were caused by De Fei. But now, De Fei has stood in the open. I see that she is much more impatient than before."
Ruan Jun just lowered her eyes and quietly looked at the light and shadow shining through the closed window.
Defei was an old lady in the palace. If the Empress's death was really related to Defei, she would have endured all these years. What she wanted was not a concubine's position, but a higher position.
As a result, now that she has become a noble concubine, she has become a thorn in the Defei's eyes and a thorn in her flesh. The emperor's attitude also makes Defei's temperament less stable than before. However, this does give her some opportunities.
No matter what, her movements were so small, she must not be in any danger, and must eliminate all threats around her.
Her eyes fell on Ji Zhaoyi, and Ruan Jun said, "I can't leave the palace now, so you should be more careful. If anything happens, just let me come find me."
Ji Zhaoyi smiled and said, "Don't worry, Sister Ying, I understand."
While the two were talking, Ruan Yun noticed that Ji Zhaoyi's mind was not here. She looked at the clepsydra and saw that it was not time for the little princess to get out of school yet. She always felt that Ji Zhaoyi was doing something recently and just didn't tell her.
Yicui looked at the palace maid in front of her, frowned after listening, and went to the inner hall.
Walking around the screen, Yicui glanced at Concubine Ying who was sitting there, and hesitated whether to say it out loud.
Ji Zhaoyi said, "It's okay, just say it."
Yicui pursed her lips and said, "The little princess met a palace maid from Shen Chongyi's side in Yu Garden. When the palace maid saw the little princess, she told her not to trust the queen and to remember who her biological mother was. Now the little princess is crying and refusing to leave. She is so scared. Should the queen go over?"
When Ji Zhaoyi heard the little princess crying, she clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
Ruan Yun looked at Ji Zhaoyi worriedly and said to Ying Ning, "Go and take a look first."
Ji Zhaoyi sat there without moving, allowing Ping Yingning to pass by first.
When the inner hall was empty, Ruan Yun said softly, "Why did you do this? If the little princess gets frightened and something happens, won't you regret it? Besides, what kind of threat is Shen Chongyi now?"
Ji Zhaoyi closed her eyes tightly, "Shen Chongyi has not been demoted, and the emperor has not punished her in any way, but how can she be simply confined to her house? I cannot take this risk, and I cannot let her out again. Although I hate Shen Chongyi, Xin'er is well-behaved and cute. I will never have the chance to be a mother in this life, so how can I lose Xin'er?"
"I thought the same thing after the action." Ruan Jun held Ji Zhaoyi's hand. "I don't mean to blame you, but you should have told me so that I could have a plan to deal with it."
Seeing that Ji Zhaoyi wanted to speak, Ruan Yun continued, "Weiwei, the palace is lonely. Now that you and I have opened our hearts to each other, I will do my best to help you."
Ji Zhaoyi's tense expression relaxed at this moment, "How could I not know how good Sister Ying is to me? It is precisely because of this kindness that I dare not let Sister Ying fall into any unexpected event."
Tears fell from his eyes. Ji Zhaoyi stood up and wiped the tears from his face. He said, "I should go to Yu Garden now. I think the emperor has passed away."
Ruan Yun leaned on the corner of the table and slowly stood up. "Weiwei, if you have anything to say, you must send someone to tell me."
Ji Zhaoyi paused and nodded, her hair full of pearls and jades shaking. She said softly, "I know, don't worry, sister."
Ruan Yun looked at Ji Zhaoyi's back with worry. Ting Xu helped the empress sit down. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Ruan Yun say:
"You ask Chunqing to go to Yu Garden with you. If the emperor doesn't ask, Yingning and Chunqing know what to say and what not to say. If the emperor asks..."
Ruan Yun thought for a moment and said, "Let me be frank. Ji Zhaoyi originally came to see me, but when I heard this news, I became very anxious, so I asked someone to send Ji Zhaoyi here to check on the situation."
Tingxu responded to the queen's words, "I understand."
Ruan Yun didn't know what the emperor would plan to do. If the story the emperor told was true, Shen Chongyi had taken advantage of the little princess so many times and almost caused the little princess's death, the emperor would definitely not let Shen Chongyi raise the little princess.
But she couldn't tell Ji Zhaoyi this. In order for Ji Zhaoyi to feel at ease, she should reveal some of the information to him.
…
Garden
Ji Zhaoyi walked quickly into the pavilion, and the little princess hugged her father's neck and refused to let go.
Yan Shiyu glanced at Ji Zhaoyi, and Ji Zhaoyi's tears rolled down his cheeks. He knelt in front of the emperor and said:
"It's my fault. I shouldn't have let the wet nurse stay here alone with Xin'er."
The little princess ran into Ji Zhaoyi's arms, turned around and saw her father's appearance, put her hands on her waist, squatted down and said: "Father, please don't blame me, don't let me kneel."
Ji Zhaoyi hugged the little princess in pain. Yan Shiyu looked at Wei Maoyuan, who helped Ji Zhaoyi up. "Don't kneel, madam. Be careful not to hurt yourself."
Holding the little princess' hand all the time, Ji Zhaoyi staggered when he stood up.
Chunqing was particularly smart. When he saw this scene, he hurried forward to support Ji Zhaoyi, but Ji Zhaoyi had already stood up on his own, so Chunqing withdrew his hand.
But all of this fell into Yan Shiyu's eyes. He knew who Chun Qing belonged to in the palace and would not blame her. He also understood the woman's heart. He tapped his fingertips on the stone table and said:
"You can't watch Xin'er all the time, don't blame yourself."
Despite saying this, Ji Zhaoyi's tears flowed silently, fiercely and urgently.
The little princess wiped Ji Zhaoyi's tears, and Ji Zhaoyi held her hand and took the handkerchief from the little princess.
Seeing the little princess's appearance, Ji Zhaoyi's hands were trembling.
Wei Maoyuan had already brought the maid up. The maid lowered her head as if she was afraid, and her shoulders were shaking. Wei Maoyuan said, "Your Majesty, this is Wanmo, Shen Chongyi's personal servant in the palace. She came to work in Yu Garden a few days ago."
Yan Shiyu said to Ji Zhaoyi: "Xin'er is frightened, you should take Xin'er back to the palace first."
Ji Zhaoyi carried the little princess away, but the little princess clung to him and was unwilling to leave, so Ji Zhaoyi personally carried the little princess and sat on the ceremonial carriage.
Wan Mo had a cloth stuffed in her mouth, so she couldn't speak. She looked at the little princess leaving and tried to step forward, but Wei Maoyuan held her down and said in a stern voice, "Behave yourself!"
Yan Shiyu had a cold expression. Seeing Wanmo's appearance, he felt unhappy. He left after saying only one sentence:
"Beat to death."
Wei Maoyuan felt no sympathy for Wan Mo. He waved his hand silently and let someone take Wan Mo away.
Wan Mo shook her head in disbelief, looked at Yue Chun Gong with a dull gaze, and tried to crawl forward, but it was in vain.
…
Yan Shiyu entered Xihua Palace and saw that there was no one in the main hall. He frowned and asked, "Where is your queen?"
The maid didn't dare to lie and said, "The queen is in the side hall with the little princess. I will ask the queen to come back now."
However, Yan Shiyu stopped the palace maid's actions and went to the side hall.
Before she even stepped in, she could hear Ji Zhaoyi singing a lullaby in her gentle voice, coaxing the little princess to sleep.
The little princess asked in a childish voice: "When Xin'er wakes up, will mother make cakes for her?"
Ji Zhaoyi smiled and said, "Yes, Xin'er, just go to sleep. Mother will satisfy you in everything."
The little princess then fell asleep peacefully, her little hand still tightly holding one of Ji Zhaoyi's fingers and unwilling to let go.
After Ji Zhaoyi coaxed the little princess to sleep, Yicui whispered in Ji Zhaoyi's ear, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has been standing outside the palace for a long time."
Ji Zhaoyi nodded and said, "Keep an eye on Xin'er. I'm leaving now."
Yicui took the round fan from Ji Zhaoyi's hand and fanned the little princess.
Yan Shiyu stood in front of the flowerbed, and Ji Zhaoyi bowed and saluted, "May the emperor be well."
Yan Shiyu put his hands behind his back and said, "Xin'er depends on you, and I am happy to see that. Since she called you mother, it means she recognizes you."
"From now on, I don't want to see what happened today again. I can let you raise the little princess, but the little princess's mother cannot be a vicious woman."
Ji Zhaoyi smiled bitterly, but her anxious heart was finally relieved. "I understand."
Yan Shiyu turned around and said in a deep voice: "You should also rest early."
Ji Zhaoyi had been unable to stand up with her legs bent. Yicui was holding Ji Zhaoyi up, so she called out worriedly, "Madam."
Ji Zhaoyi breathed a sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and stood outside the palace, holding Yicui tightly in his hand.
…
Palace Road
Tao Chu had a food box slung across his arm, looking worried:
"Empress Defei, are you really going to meet us?"
Wen Baolin's fingertips dug into his palms. "Of course she will. Now that Concubine De can no longer get what she wants, all she can do is to cultivate another chess piece."
In such a desperate situation, she couldn't just keep listening to her former father's words.
It is always best to find a backer, and this person is the best candidate.
What's wrong with making some sacrifices for the sake of divine favor?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
