The next morning, Xiao Che was "frozen" awake by a heavy, low-pressure atmosphere.
He opened his eyes sleepily, feeling that the air around him was several degrees colder than usual. He instinctively turned around, wanting to hug his soft, fluffy wife, but found nothing.
Lin Wanwan had already gotten up and was sitting in front of the dressing table, which was far from the bed, letting the palace maids do her makeup.
She sat with her back to him, ramrod straight, her entire back conveying the message: Keep out of reach of strangers.
Xiao Che's morning grumpiness was instantly dispelled by this oppressive atmosphere.
He paused for a moment, then his mind began to race.
Something's not right.
Something's not right.
When I came back yesterday, everything was fine, wasn't it? Although I was a little tired, the atmosphere was warm and cozy.
How come the Empress turned into an iceberg after taking a nap?
His memories began to resurface.
Yesterday afternoon... he came back from the Imperial Study, and seemed too tired, so he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow...
Further on... in the Imperial Study in the afternoon...
Suddenly, Xiao Che remembered it.
Yesterday afternoon, he was so angry about the Ministry of Revenue case that he almost overturned the table. Then, Wanwan seemed to come in with some snacks... and then... he seemed to say "Get out"?
"..."
Xiao Che's face froze instantly.
broken!
His thought process, which was usually so rigid and uncompromising, finally came together successfully after a whole night's delay.
He remembered! Yesterday, he took his anger out on his wife because of work! He even kicked her out!
No wonder!
No wonder she was so quiet last night! No wonder she had her back to him this morning!
He broke her heart!
This realization struck Xiao Che like a sledgehammer, leaving him filled with regret and deep remorse.
How could he be so stupid!
Politics is politics, and a wife is a wife; how can they be mixed up?
Looking at Lin Wanwan's back, which was filled with "grievance" and "alienation," he felt a strong sense of guilt.
No, we must make amends!
But... how can we make up for it?
Apologize?
No, no, that's too embarrassing. I am the emperor, how can I apologize so easily?
Then... could you explain?
To say, "I wasn't targeting you yesterday; I was angry at those useless ministers"?
That doesn't seem quite right either; it sounds like they're making excuses.
Emperor Xiao Che, a ruthless ruler in the court who could strike fear into the hearts of all his officials, felt helpless for the first time when faced with the age-old problem of "how to appease his wife".
He thought for a long time, and finally, a flash of inspiration struck him.
Gifts!
Yes, give gifts!
He remembered that he had prepared a gift for Wanwan long ago—a string of top-quality pearls that had been presented as tribute from the East China Sea. Each pearl was round and full, with a subtle luster, making it the perfect match for her. He had originally planned to give it to her at a better time after he finished dealing with this matter.
Now is the best time!
Having made up his mind, Xiao Che felt reassured. He stood up calmly, dressed neatly, and then, facing Lin Wanwan's back, said in as steady a tone as possible, "Empress, come to the Imperial Study this afternoon. I have something to discuss with you."
After saying that, he turned and walked away "majestic" without looking back.
He didn't see Lin Wanwan's face turn deathly pale the moment he turned around.
To the Imperial Study?
Discussing matters?
Is he... about to draw a line between himself and her, only discussing business and not feelings?
Lin Wanwan's heart sank even further.
...
Afternoon, Imperial Study.
With a feeling akin to heading to her execution, Lin Wanwan stepped into this place she once loved most.
Xiao Che was sitting behind his desk, reviewing memorials. He looked no different from usual, still with that serious, focused, and authoritative demeanor.
Lin Wanwan silently bowed, then stood quietly below the hall without saying a word.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.
Xiao Che was so nervous that his palms were almost sweating.
He pretended to be looking at the memorials while secretly glancing at Lin Wanwan out of the corner of his eye.
Why is she so quiet today? Unlike before, she doesn't actively come over to see what he's busy with.
He cleared his throat, realizing he couldn't afford to waste any more time like this.
So, during a break from handling official business, he casually opened a drawer next to him.
Then, he took out the brocade box containing the pearl bracelet that he had prepared long ago.
The time has come!
He held the brocade box and began to rehearse in his mind.
Should he say tenderly, "Wanwan, this is what I prepared for you"?
No, no, that's too cheesy.
Or should you casually say, "This looks alright, you can wear it"?
It seems too casual, and it appears like I don't take it seriously.
Xiao Che was torn between his inner thoughts and his own.
Ultimately, he chose what he considered the coolest way, the way most befitting his imperial status.
He raised his head and looked at Lin Wanwan, his face still expressionless.
Then, he casually tossed the brocade box in front of her.
The brocade box glided across the table for a short distance before stopping precisely in front of Lin Wanwan.
"This is a reward for you."
He uttered those three words succinctly, in an extremely arrogant tone, as if bestowing a gift upon a beggar on the street.
After saying that, he immediately lowered his head, pretending to continue reading the memorial, but his ears secretly turned red and perked up, waiting to hear the Empress's joyful cheers.
He thought his move was incredibly cool!
Without even realizing it, a grand gift was presented, expressing sentiments without compromising imperial dignity. Perfect!
However, after waiting for a long time, what he got was not a joyful cheer, but a deathly silence.
He couldn't help but secretly look up again.
Lin Wanwan stood there blankly, her face even paler than before, her eyes filled with... terror?
Horrified?!
Xiao Che was stunned.
That's not how the script went! Could it be... that the pearl isn't pretty? Impossible, this is the best pearl from the East Sea!
Little did he know that at that moment, a monstrous storm was raging in Lin Wanwan's heart!
Gift? !
He actually gave her a gift?!
Her mind exploded instantly!
At this moment, a terrifying yet incredibly "reasonable" chain of logic was completely formed!
Yesterday, he had just ignored her with cold eyes and words!
Today, he couldn't wait to "give the gift"!
What does this mean?!
This shows... he felt guilty!
This is "compensation"!
It was compensation he gave her after he did something wrong to her outside!
He really is having an affair!
That talented woman from Jiangnan must be real!
"boom--!"
Lin Wanwan felt as if her world was spinning.
Looking at the exquisite brocade box in front of her, she felt that it was not a gift at all, but clearly a "breakup fee", "evidence" that she had been abandoned!
Her body began to tremble slightly uncontrollably due to the immense panic and shock.
How could he... how could he do this...?
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