Liao Qing Qing looked at Emperor Jing Li in a flabbergasted manner. She stammered in an incredulous tone, “Your… Your Majesty… Are you joking?”
Emperor Jing Li replied solemnly, “I’m not joking.”
Liao Qing Qing was stunned.
Emperor Jing Li turned his head to look at Liao Qing Qing and continued, “Luckily, I[1] struggled to do everything to not let you have your way. Otherwise…”
???
Why does it feel like she is being described as an evil tyrant?
Emperor Jing stood up without caring about Liao Qing Qing’s expression. Then, he said, “Come.”
He Xiang scuttled into the room, “Greetings, Your Majesty and Mistress.”
Emperor Jing Li ordered, “Help me get dressed.”
“Yes.”
He Xiang hurriedly went forward to dress Emperor Jing Li.
Liao Qing Qing was sitting on the bed in dismay until He Xiang called out to her, “Mistress.”
Liao Qing Qing returned to her senses.
He Xiang asked in surprise, “What’s wrong with you, Mistress?”
“Nothing.” Liao Qing Qing looked around and asked, “Where’s His Majesty?”
He Xiang replied, “His Majesty went to the outer room to freshen up.”
Liao Qing Qing stretched her head to glance towards the outer room and saw a flash of radiant shimmering color.
It was indeed Emperor Jing Li.
She extended her hand and pulled He Xiang towards her. She lowered her voice and asked, “He Xiang, did I sleep quietly after I got drunk last night?”
He Xiang asked in surprise, “Mistress, don’t you remember?”
“Mistress.” He Xiang was a bit embarrassed as she recalled the scene she saw last night. However, since her mistress requested her to speak, she described what she saw, “Mistress, after you got drunk, you clung to His Majesty’s body. Don’t you remember?”
Liao Qing Qing asked in surprise, “I clung to His Majesty’s body?”
“Mm. Your arms and legs were wrapped around His Majesty.”
“Was His Majesty angry?”
He Xiang recalled carefully. In fact, she could not read Emperor Jing Li’s face. She felt that, at that time, Emperor Jing Li’s face was a little more tense than before?
So she said, “He seemed to be a little angry.”
Liao Qing Qing asked anxiously, “And then?”
“Then, His Majesty did not allow this maidservant[2] to serve, so this maidservant left.”
“And then what?”
“This maidservant doesn’t know.”
F*ck!
Could it be that she really almost forced herself on Emperor Jing Li?
She admits that Emperor Jing Li is too handsome. He is more handsome and dignified than any young male celebrity[3] of the 21st century.
But is she that thirsty?
Also—Isn’t Emperor Jing Li impotent?
That can’t be right.
Not right. Not right.
She remembered that one night, Emperor Jing Li drank some alcohol with a certain imperial subject, and came to Lisheng Pavilion to sleep. In the middle of the night, he said he was thirsty in a daze and she got up to pour water for him. After he finished drinking, that indescribable place raised its head.
…. So His Majesty’s impotency is cured?
No, no, no, this is not the main point.
The main point is that she really almost forced herself on His Majesty?
Has she been single for too long?!
She looked at He Xiang in disbelief.
He Xiang asked, “Mistress, what’s the matter?”
Liao Qing Qing replied, “Nothing.”
“Then, this maidservant will help you to change your clothes.”
Liao Qing Qing nodded her head.
After Liao Qing Qing put on her clothes, she walked towards the outer room.
Emperor Jing Li was standing straight, looking out of the door at the snowy scene outside Lisheng Pavilion, which was so poetic and charming.
Liao Qing Qing couldn’t tear her gaze away.
At this time, Emperor Jing Li turned around.
Liao Qing Qing hurriedly turned her head aside. She was a little flustered and shy.
Emperor Jing Li saw it clearly.
Just now when Liao Qing Qing asked He Xiang about what happened after she became drunk, he also heard it.
He pursed his lips and smiled.
Then, he said with a straight face, “What? Beloved Concubine can’t remember what you did during your drunken state?”
“….”
“Hm?” Emperor Jing Li raised his eyebrows slightly. His good-looking pitch-black eyes looked like they contained tenderness. He stared at Liao Qing Qing for an instant.
Liao Qing Qing didn’t dare to look at Emperor Jing Li. She turned her head to the side and played dumb.
Emperor Jing Li laughed. He walked over, stretched his arms out and placed it around Liao Qing Qing’s shoulder. Then, he said, “It’s okay if you can’t remember. I don’t blame you.”
“It’s not like this imperial concubine[4] did it on purpose. I was intoxicated.”
“Alright.” Emperor Jing Li smiled. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” Liao Qing Qing asked in confusion.
“To pay respects to Queen Mother.”
“Isn’t the Empress Dowager unwilling to see us?”
“Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. We have to pay our respects.”
Liao Qing Qing nodded. What he said was also true. The Great Wei Dynasty paid heavy emphasis on filial piety. On weekdays, they were exempted from paying respects because the Empress Dowager was not present.
Now that the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, she must go and pay her respects.
Fu Sheng draped a gray cloak for Emperor Jing Li.
He Xiang tied the red cloak for Liao Qing QIng.
At this time, it was no longer snowing.
Emperor Jing Li and Liao Qing Qing left Lisheng Pavilion hand in hand.
What they saw was covered in snow, the whole world was pure.
“Wow, it’s so beautiful!” Liao Qing Qing couldn’t help but reach out and grabbed a handful of snow.
Emperor Jing Li asked, “Aren’t you cold?”
“I’m not cold. This imperial concubine has to build a snowman when I return later.”
“You are already so old and you still want to play around and build a snowman?”
Liao Qing Qing said with sincerity, “Your Majesty, it’s not like what you’ve said. Regardless of how old one is, one will possess the heart of a child. When one encounters difficulties, they feel that they can’t take it anymore. They can cry, howl, and continue to move forward. Because it is worth it to be in this wonderful world; it is worth getting up again after we fall to be curious and long to explore.”
""
Upon hearing these words, Emperor Jing Li stopped his feet and looked at Liao Qing Qing.
Liao Qing Qing looked at Emperor Jing Li in a puzzled manner.
Emperor Jing Li asked, “When did you feel that you couldn’t take it anymore?”
When did she feel like she couldn’t take it anymore?
It was in the twenty-first century. When she was not an adult yet and her paternal grandparents died one after another, she felt that the whole world was cold, very cold. She really became a lonely person in this world.
At that time, she really couldn’t take it anymore.
Later, she thought about what her paternal grandparents said to her and how they had painted this wonderful world for her to understand, feel and explore.
She then held on and gradually learned to love the world.
For herself.
Later, she lived as a shameless person, so that she could be happier.
But she couldn’t say this to Emperor Jing Li. She shook her head and said, “No, this imperial concubine feels that life is beautiful now.”
However, Emperor Jing Li still sensed her flash of sadness. He reached out to hold the back of her neck and gently pressed her into his arms.
He said softly, “In the future, there won’t be any time when you feel that you can’t hold on anymore with me around.”
“….” What kind of crazy act is Emperor Jing Li doing to say such a thing?
Her eyes felt dry and bitter, but her heart felt warm.
She really felt that the mental Emperor Jing Li was also quite good.
“I won’t resist even if you want to force yourself on me.” Emperor Jing Li suddenly added.
“???”
Liao Qing Qing pushed Emperor Jing Li away and said angrily, “Your Majesty!”
Emperor Jing Li looked at the exasperated Liao Qing Qing and laughed loudly. He said, “I am speaking the truth! When I recover, I will let you do whatever you want.”
“….”
“Are you unwilling?”
“….”
“Then, I will initiate it.”
“???” I can’t tell that Emperor Jing Li is so risqué. So forward in broad deadlight. It’s not good. Liao Qing Qing quickly said, “Your Majesty, we have to pay respect to the Empress Dowager.”
Only then did Emperor Jing Li hold onto Liao Qing Qing’s hand again.
Liao Qing Qing felt helpless about this Emperor Jing Li. She let Emperor Jing Li hold her hand. Before they reached Shouxi Palace, she saw Noble Consort Liang and the others. Liao Qing Qing quickly withdrew her right hand.
Emperor Jing Li looked at Liao Qing Qing in confusion.
Liao Qing Qing said, “Noble Consort and the others are here. It’s not good if they see it.”
Nevertheless, Noble Consort Liang still saw it.
Although she was a Noble Consort and not an Empress, Emperor Jing Li should accompany her in Linhua Palace according to the rules and customs of the Palace. In the end, Emperor Jing Li eagerly went to Lisheng Pavilion after leaving Shouxi Palace.
Liao Qing Qing!
It’s all for Liao Qing Qing!
Noble Consort Liang’s heart was burning with a fire.
Since Emperor Jing Li was present, she kept a smile on her face and bowed demurely to Noble Consort Liang.
“You may all rise,” Emperor Jing Li said.
“Yes.”
[1] 朕(zhèn)- I (imperial) or we (imperial use).
[2] 奴婢[núbì]- I; your humble servant (term of self-address used by servants, maid-servants and eunuchs when addressing the emperor, minister, concubines, etc.)
[3] 小鲜肉 (xiǎo xiān ròu)- Little fresh meat. It refers to young and handsome males. Normally, it would refer to ages 12-20 years old, good looking man.
[4] 嫔妾(pín qiè)- This imperial concubine. It is a self-appellation that can only be used by Lady of Talents (才人), Noble Lady (贵人), etc to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.