This time, Chen Xiao had a palace servant announce his arrival first, so as soon as he arrived at the side hall, he saw Zhao Cheyu already waiting there.
He wore a magnificent black robe with gilded gold accents, without a cloak, and his posture was as upright as a pine tree.
Her bright eyes and white teeth were flushed slightly by the gentle breeze, like a delicate flower blooming in the cold winter.
Chen Xiao was briefly amazed.
When Zhao Cheyu saw her appear, he instinctively wanted to bow in greeting, as it was a matter of court etiquette and a sign of his respect for her status.
However, Chen Xiao quickly stopped him and then strode forward.
Zhao Cheyu looked at Chen Xiao with some surprise. Before he could react, Chen Xiao had already taken off his cloak and draped it over him.
The cloak, still warm from Chen Xiao's body, gently fell onto his shoulder, causing his heart to tremble.
After making this move, both of them were stunned.
Those palace servants who happened to witness this scene secretly sighed in their hearts, "His Majesty and Consort Zhao have such a good relationship!"
Zhao Cheyu gazed at Chen Xiao, his eyes flashing with complex emotions. Chen Xiao's actions had undoubtedly stirred up a storm within him.
He was first overjoyed, as if they had returned to the time when they were inseparable, and that familiar warmth intoxicated him.
But this surprise was fleeting, like a flash in the pan, leaving behind only a deep sense of melancholy.
He clearly remembered that when he first entered the palace for the imperial concubine selection, he noticed that Chen Xiao was acting strangely.
Although her gaze still held surprise and joy, the familiarity and naturalness of the past had vanished, replaced by a sense of unfamiliarity.
This unfamiliarity was like an insurmountable chasm, standing between them.
He couldn't help but recall what Chen Xiao had told him before ascending the throne.
That's right, it's the same conversation Chen Xiao and Xu Ruyu had. Chen Xiao had also told him that the location was the same teahouse, the same private room, and even the same day, only the time was an hour apart.
At that time, although he had some doubts about the matter, he did not inquire about it in detail.
However, after entering the palace, Chen Xiao's unfamiliarity with him felt like a heavy blow to his heart, causing a dull ache.
He wished it was all just a nightmare, and that when he woke up, Chen Xiao would still be the familiar girl he knew.
But now, that nightmarish sense of alienation seems to be dissipating, as if a beautiful dream has arrived.
As soon as Chen Xiao saw him about to bow, she hurriedly came over to stop him. Then, when she noticed that he seemed to be a little cold, she so naturally took off her cloak and gently draped it over him.
These actions ignited a spark of anticipation in Zhao Cheyu's heart.
Could it be that Chen Xiao has regained his memories? Otherwise, how could this be? His heart pounded faster involuntarily, and his eyes shone with hope, as if a drowning person had grasped at a straw.
However, in an instant, he keenly caught a fleeting look of confusion in Chen Xiao's eyes.
That confusion was so clear, as glaring as a lighthouse in the dark, clearly proclaiming the fact that she had not regained her memory.
If she had recovered, why would she have such an expression?
Realizing this, the glimmer of light that had just ignited in Zhao Cheyu's eyes quickly went out like a candle flickering in the wind.
He bit his lower lip hard, barely suppressing the overwhelming melancholy in his heart, and forced a slightly bitter smile as he said to Chen Xiao, "It's cold, Your Majesty, please remember to wear more clothes. Let's hurry inside the palace!"
The concern in his words remained, but there seemed to be a hint of melancholy mixed in with his voice.
The reluctance in his tone was so obvious that Chen Xiao couldn't help but notice it.
She simply didn't know how to respond, since she had indeed lost her memories.
Looking at the person in front of her with such tone and actions, she felt a surge of self-doubt, as if she had heartlessly abandoned them.
Chen Xiao's heart was filled with resentment towards the rules for mission takers. Why did she have to lose her memory as the price to start the mission? This hateful rule had put her in an extremely awkward situation, leaving her caught in the middle!
If things continue like this, she estimates that in just a few days she will become the undisputed scumbag empress of the Night Dynasty, which is really giving her a headache.
Chen Xiao was filled with helplessness and had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow Zhao Cheyu into the palace.
The hall was warm and cozy, filled with the gentle fragrance of incense, but she had no heart to enjoy the comfortable atmosphere.
After Zhao Cheyu invited Chen Xiao to sit down, he instructed the palace servants to serve tea and then sat down opposite Chen Xiao.
For a moment, both of them fell silent, and the atmosphere became rather tense.
Chen Xiao knew he had to say something to break the deadlock, but when the words came to his lips, he didn't know where to begin.
"Your Majesty, you have come here today to discuss important matters, haven't you?" Zhao Cheyu spoke first, his voice gentle, yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible aloofness.
Chen Xiao nodded slightly and began to recount the events of Xunyang, but his thoughts were somewhat wandering.
As she spoke, she observed Zhao Cheyu's expression, feeling a growing sense of guilt.
Because when she was talking about the meal at the Prime Minister's residence, his parents were present, and even Consort Xu Ruyu was there, but he, the person involved, was not.
She could sense that Zhao Cheyu was trying to maintain a calm facade, but the occasional glimpse of sadness in his eyes betrayed him.
But when he heard that Chen Xiao wanted to take him along, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes.
However, when he heard that Chen Xiao might also bring Zheng Pianran along, that emotion vanished in an instant, and Chen Xiao didn't notice it.
After finishing the business, there was another silence.
Unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere any longer, Chen Xiao stood up and said, "It's getting late, I should go back now."
Zhao Cheyu also stood up, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared. He said softly, "Your Majesty, please take care. Your concubine will see you off."
Chen Xiao walked out of the side hall and let out a long sigh of relief.
She knew that her relationship with Xu Ruyu and Zhao Cheyu was like a tangled mess, and she had not yet found a way to untangle it.
Moreover, the troubles caused by this lack of memory seem to be only just beginning.
She looked up at the bright moon in the sky and prayed silently that the mission would be completed soon, so that everything would return to normal and she would no longer have to struggle with this "scumbag woman".
After Chen Xiao left, Zhao Cheyu slowly took off his cloak.
Long, slender fingers gently caressed the light blue cloak, their fingertips tracing every inch of it, as if touching precious memories associated with Chen Xiao.
My mind was in turmoil for a moment.
After a moment, he carefully put the cloak away as if it were an extremely precious treasure.
He sighed inwardly, a hint of prayer in his eyes: "Let's take this opportunity to see if we can remind her of anything from the past, even just a tiny bit."
Meanwhile, after a period of wild thoughts, Chen Xiao, guided by the palace servants, headed towards the other side hall where Zheng Pianran was.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
