Aside from the unfixable flaw of ’he has many women,’ everything else is truly impeccable! If I had to give up my current life because of such a flaw, sorry, I’m not willing. I’m just worldly! I just don’t want to live a miserable life where I can’t even get enough to eat! I just don’t want to cling to so-called principles to challenge the authority of the feudal Royal Family. Sorry, I’m a coward, I’m not capable, and I’m afraid of death! Heaven gave me a second life. I don’t want to waste a single day, minute, or second of it. I will adapt well to ancient life, living it to the fullest and enjoying every moment! As for the rest, let it be. If the sky falls, there are taller people to hold it up, right?!
Feeling content with her thoughts, Xia Ruqing looked up and found Zhao Junyao staring at her with surprise.
"What’s wrong?"
Zhao Junyao pondered for a moment, then instructed someone to lay out paper. He wrote down the poem she had just recited. Then, with a clearly self-satisfied expression, he scrutinized it for a long while.
"Hmm! Not bad!"
Saying this, he had someone add some pigment and sketched a few strokes on it.
Xia Ruqing stood up to take a look.
On the pristine xuan paper, with merely a few strokes, he had sketched a winter scene. A small pavilion with hanging straw curtains was surrounded by plum blossoms, a small stove visible inside. Soup bubbled in the pot on the stove. Nearby were two sets of bowls and chopsticks, and a pot of fine wine...
The scene immediately evoked an image of two friends enjoying the snow, drinking wine, and admiring the plum blossoms. Leisurely, elegant, and charming.
With just a few strokes, the entire artistic conception was fully expressed, especially the pot that still seemed to emit steam. The entire scene came to life! Truly impressive!
"Emperor, your painting is truly beautiful. Could you gift it to this concubine?" This calligraphy and painting are the Emperor’s personal work; it must be quite valuable, right? Xia Ruqing was a bit excited, her eyes shining.
Zhao Junyao looked utterly exasperated but still feigned nonchalance. "Qingqing, I have never given my calligraphy or paintings to anyone!"
The light in Xia Ruqing’s eyes instantly dimmed. "Oh..." she said, her voice trailing off. "This concubine has been presumptuous!"
Zhao Junyao was speechless. Forget it, this joke isn’t funny at all.
Xia Ruqing also felt helpless. Did I not know the little schemes in the Emperor’s heart? Always wanting my gratitude. Why can this debt of affection never be repaid?! If he doesn’t want to gift it, then so be it! Xia Ruqing pouted, feeling a bit aggrieved.
Zhao Junyao immediately felt he had made a mistake. He touched his nose, coughed lightly, and quickly stepped forward to coax her. "Qingqing, I was wrong..."
He said it without thinking much of it, but Xia Ruqing was the one who froze.
The Emperor... admitting he’s wrong? In the 21st century, that’s a good quality, the mark of a good man. But in ancient times, an emperor admitting fault to his own concubine? Isn’t that a bit strange? Xia Ruqing rubbed her head. It all felt a bit... unbelievable.
Zhao Junyao belatedly realized his slip and coughed again to cover his embarrassment. He patted her on the shoulder. "Qingqing, don’t be angry. I’ll give it to you, alright?"
"Or... shall I paint you another, even better one?!"
This was an immense honor; only a fool would refuse.
So... she readily agreed. "Okay!"
Zhao Junyao breathed a sigh of relief.
In the afternoon, after their nap, the two went to the Imperial Garden to paint. They went to the plum grove near Qingya Residence. The plum blossoms had not yet bloomed, but the snowscape was still beautiful.
Xia Ruqing was draped in a begonia-red cloak edged with fine fox fur. Underneath, she wore a charming palace dress of cherry-blossom pink, a color that complemented the snowscape beautifully, making her look especially vibrant.
Zhao Junyao wore a black and gold tiger-skin overcoat embroidered with a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, over his beige everyday wear. A White Jade Crown sat upon his head. His demeanor was graceful, his bearing gallant, and every gesture exuded imperial majesty.
They both wore matching deerskin boots. Standing on the snowy ground by the Plum Pavilion, they boiled tea and spread out paper for painting.
Li Shengan and Xiao Xizi, along with their attendants, served them from a distance. Through the overlapping plum branches, they watched the two figures in the pavilion.
Li Shengan couldn’t help but exclaim, "A perfect match!"
Xiao Xizi also couldn’t hide his amazement. "’They look like figures stepping out of a painting!’" This is simply a match made in heaven! But Xiao Xizi dared not voice these latter words aloud. A concubine, no matter how favored, is still just a consort. And what is a consort, if not a secondary wife! Not the legitimate spouse! The only one who could truly be called a match for the Emperor is the Empress alone! Alas, this matter... no one could change it! It’s simply better not to speak of it!
While those two were enjoying their painting, news had already reached the Harem.
The Empress was taking care of the Third Princess. It had started snowing, and the Third Princess had caught a slight cold. The Imperial Physician had visited, prescribed some medicine, and assured her it was nothing serious. Only then did the Empress feel relieved.