Page 365

"Yes, this servant will go do it now."

Eunuch Li followed the order, and as the Emperor thought it over, he felt it wasn’t sufficient and called him back, "Also bestow the South Sea Night Pearl on Lady Shen."

"Yes." Eunuch Li took the command, carrying many gifts to the Hehuan Hall.

The Emperor continued to pace in the Imperial Study Room, sighing, "What a mess! The Empress will not let this go once she learns of it, knowing her temper."

The mere thought of the Empress gave the Emperor a headache.

He suddenly stopped walking and ordered, "When the Empress returns, tell her that I am ill."

The young eunuch nodded respectfully: "This servant shall obey."

*

Xiao Jinyan had been awake for some time, but seeing the person in his arms sleeping so soundly, he did not want to get up.

Perhaps it was the long separation, he wanted to stay with her just a little longer.

She seemed no different from when he left, except perhaps for her belly, which got in the way when he held her.

At that moment, the shrill voice of Liu Xi came from outside, "Your Highness, Eunuch Li is here."

Xiao Jinyan’s eyes paused, and glancing at the still sleeping Xiaojiu, he got up to dress himself. As he moved, the hem of his clothes that she was pressing down upon woke her.

Shen Chuwei opened her eyes and stared at the man by the bed for quite a while, not fully awake yet.

Xiao Jinyan, seeing her open her eyes but not speak, asked, "Awake?"

Shen Chuwei hadn’t seen Xiao Jinyan for so long, so only after waking up and seeing him did she confirm that he was truly back.

"Your Highness." She rubbed her eyes and climbed up as well.

As Xiao Jinyan dressed, he said: "Eunuch Li is here."

"Eunuch Li?" Shen Chuwei realized – Eunuch Li was the Emperor’s servant, so she too hastily dressed.

Both of them walked out from the inner room and saw Eunuch Li standing in the hall.

Xiao Jinyan asked indifferently, "Eunuch Li, is there a matter?"

With a beaming smile, Eunuch Li stepped forward, pointing to the things held by the young eunuch, "Your Highness, these are all bestowed by the Emperor to Lady Shen, this red agate bracelet is most suitable for a pregnant woman to wear."

"And this South Sea Night Pearl, it’s perfect to place by the bed at night for illumination."

Xiao Jinyan glanced briefly at the treasures in the young eunuch’s hands.

It wasn’t hard to guess, the Emperor must feel guilty and wanted to make it up to Xiaojiu.

He snorted in his heart, as if some gifts could make amends?

When the Emperor bestows gifts, of course, one must express gratitude.

Shen Chuwei stepped forward two paces, received the items, and curtsied, "Thank you for the Emperor’s generous gifts."

"Well then, I shall return to report this," Eunuch Li said cheerfully as he turned to leave.

After Eunuch Li left, Shen Chuwei held the South Sea Night Pearl for a moment, then, curious, she brought it in front of Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, this Night Pearl is the size of a goose egg."

Xiao Jinyan looked at the Night Pearl in Xiaojiu’s hand, "South Sea Night Pearls, there are only three in total. The Emperor obtained two, and one is with the Empress."

Shen Chuwei said, "... the Emperor is really generous."

Xiao Jinyan snorted.

Shen Chuwei suddenly had an idea, "Your Highness, what if we place it by the bed tonight? Then there’s no need for candles."

Speaking of lighting, the corners of Xiao Jinyan’s eyes flitted with amusement, "Whatever makes you happy."

At this time, the Empress’s Phoenix Carriage had already arrived at the Imperial Palace.

As the Empress looked at the familiar red bricks and green tiles, her heart still hadn’t settled.

She knew all too well that the dog Emperor hated women who did not keep to their moral conduct.

Fortunately, the Crown Prince had already rushed back.

Upon returning to the palace, the Empress headed straight for the Imperial Study Room.

Qing Ying followed and advised, "Empress, please calm your anger; you mustn’t clash with the Emperor."

The Empress gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, "Rest assured, I would never dare challenge the Emperor—he is, after all, the ruler of the nation."

Qing Ying nodded repeatedly, "It’s good that Your Highness understands."

The Empress huffed, "I just want the Emperor to know that I am very angry!"

Qing Ying understood the Empress’s temperament all too well and reminded her, "Then please, be careful."

The Empress said, "Don’t worry. He is the Emperor, after all. I cannot openly defy him, but I know my limits."

As Qing Ying looked at the Empress’s posture, she couldn’t help but feel that those limits might get out of control.

When she stepped into the Imperial Study Room, the Empress didn’t see the dog of an Emperor. Where could he be at this time of day if not in the Imperial Study Room?

Could it be that he had gone to see that Lady again?

The Empress walked out of the Imperial Study Room and asked a nearby eunuch, "Where is the Emperor?"

The little eunuch bowed his head and replied respectfully, "Your Highness, the Emperor felt unwell and has returned to Yangxin Hall."

Unwell?

A hint of suspicion flashed in the Empress’s eyes as she asked, "Why did he suddenly feel unwell? Did he catch a cold or something?"

"Your Highness, this servant does not know," the eunuch replied.

Hearing this, the Empress didn’t inquire further and proceeded with a still-practically-graceful gait toward Yangxin Hall.

Eunuch Li spotted the approaching Empress from a distance and quickly turned to enter, "Your Majesty, the Empress is here."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor immediately put down the memorial he was reading and, with the help of Eunuch Li, took off his Dragon Robe and Dragon Shoes, then lay on the bed pretending to be unwell.

The moment the Empress entered, she saw the dog of an Emperor lying on the bed. She turned her head towards Qing Ying and Eunuch Li, "You may leave."

"Yes."

Eunuch Li and Qing Ying left, closing the door behind them.

Only then did the Empress approach and inspect—his complexion was normal, his forehead bore a sheen of fake sweat, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes were slightly open, as if he were truly uncomfortable.

"Your Majesty, what ails you?" she asked.

Seeing the Empress, the Emperor feigned weakness and said, "Empress, you’ve returned early?"

The Empress snorted, "My son’s wife and grandchild were imprisoned. How could I not return early? Had I been any later, I might not have seen anything, right?"

The Emperor guessed that the Empress had returned early because she had heard the news. As for who leaked the news, who else could it be but Yuyu?

"Empress, what are you saying? Now the truth has been revealed, and both Lady Shen and the grandchild are safe and sound," he said, emphasizing his last words.

The Empress scoffed, "Your Majesty, you sound quite strong when you speak; you don’t seem unwell at all."

The Emperor coughed lightly, "I was just concerned that if my voice was too soft, you wouldn’t hear clearly, and that might cause a misunderstanding."

"Is that so? My precious grandchild almost perished because of Your Majesty, and you think a casual remark would settle it all?" said the Empress, rolling up her sleeves.

The Emperor, observing the Empress’s combative stance, suddenly remembered the first time they met—when he ended up beaten and lying on the ground by the Empress. So many years had passed, but the memory was still vivid.

"You are the Empress; remember to maintain your composure."

"If my grandchild were gone, of what use would the composure of an Empress be to me?"

The Empress pulled back the covers while the Emperor quickly grabbed her hand, "I am the Emperor."

"If you weren’t the Emperor, I would’ve beaten you eight hundred times by now."

The Emperor: "..."

"What did you say back then?" the Empress mimicked his tone, "Lingling, when we reach the East Palace, it’s just like being at home; there’s no need to be formal. Do whatever you want."

ps: Second update