Zhao Junyao was truly both annoyed and angry. After being the Emperor for so many years, all his accumulated frustration couldn’t compare to this single moment. It was simply unbelievable...
Xia Ruqing was completely bewildered. "Emperor, what exactly are you angry about?"
My body truly can’t take it!
Zhao Junyao was speechless. Damn it!
Looking at her innocent expression, Zhao Junyao just couldn’t bring himself to act; the despicable trick he had concocted in his mind was truly impossible to carry out. So he decided to just forget about it.
His gaze was sharp and intense. Like a raging beast, he kissed her lips forcefully, then punitively, he ravaged them.
Xia Ruqing was completely overwhelmed. Unable to breathe or resist, she was like a little white rabbit subjected to his aggressive assault.
After what felt like an eternity, her lips were swollen and bloodied before he finally, just barely, stopped.
Xia Ruqing gasped for air, her eyes veiled with a hazy mist. Her cheeks were flushed, her gaze dazed.
"Emperor, you..."
Her voice, weak and trembling, hoarse and tinged with a captivating haze, was like a March willow catkin tracing ripples across the pristine surface of the water.
Zhao Junyao’s heart lurched violently. A fiery heat surged through his entire body, even his breath turning scorching.
"Qingqing... you..."
Xia Ruqing also felt a tightness in her chest, as if her body was on fire. She panted, her chest heaving, looking at him, feeling the solid strength of his embrace.
After a moment’s hesitation, she closed her eyes. "How about..."
"No way!"
In that final moment, Zhao Junyao regained his sanity.
Her body hadn’t fully recovered.
She had given birth less than half a year ago!
The Imperial Physician had said it was best to wait half a year!
Yes, half a year! Half a year!
Zhao Junyao closed his eyes, hardened his heart, and pulled away from her. He then tucked her in properly and abruptly turned and left.
Xia Ruqing stared at the empty inner chamber, a whirlwind of emotions stirring in her heart: panic, a sense of loss, but overwhelmingly, a sweet happiness.
A gentleman has things he will and won’t do.He... he truly was a gentleman! And one who wholeheartedly cared for her!
But... Xia Ruqing felt puzzled again. Hadn’t he always been summoning her to bed? Why was he acting so abnormally now? His body was burning hot; how long had he been holding back? It didn’t make sense!
「Meanwhile,」
Zhao Junyao rushed out the door, found a pond, and plunged in headfirst.
On that cold, snowy winter night, the pond water, laced with ice shards, was bone-chilling. His fiery body soaked in the pond, and in less than a quarter of an hour, he was chilled to the core.
His scorching blood and the proud part of his body both suffered an unprecedented blow. The cold invading from outside made his body shiver uncontrollably.
Only when every part of him was thoroughly chilled did Zhao Junyao emerge from the pond.
Then, it was off to the bathhouse to bathe and change. By the time he returned to his bedchamber, Xia Ruqing was already fast asleep.
Zhao Junyao sighed with relief and smiled. This is good!
At least I avoided making any mistakes! Otherwise, if her health suffered in the future, wouldn’t it be my fault?
「...」
「The snow outside had fallen all night.」
By the next morning, the accumulated snow was a full foot deep.
Charcoal burned in the room, and the Ground Dragon heating system kept it wonderfully warm. The new cotton in the quilt provided maximum warmth. Everything was cozy and warm.
But the most effective heater was the natural furnace beside her.
Both had woken early, but neither wanted to get up, content to just keep holding each other.
Xia Ruqing nestled in Zhao Junyao’s arms, her body snug and warm, her cheeks rosy.
"Emperor," she said, "I heard the Little Palace Maids saying the red plum blossoms outside have bloomed!"
Zhao Junyao mentally calculated. "Spring has already begun; isn’t it time for them to bloom?"
"If you like them, we can go pick some!" he offered. "Or if you don’t want to get out of bed, I can have someone pick them and bring them to you. How does that sound?"
Xia Ruqing quickly shook her head. "No, forget it. There’s so much snow!"
Plum blossom snow, plum blossom petals? She recalled reading in Dream of the Red Chamber how Miaoyu would specially collect snow from plum petals for her tea.
A refined idea suddenly struck her, and she said with a smile, "Why not ask them to collect some snow from the plum blossom petals to make water for brewing tea? How about that?"
"Hmm?" This was the first he’d heard of such a novel method, and he immediately chuckled at her.
"Such a tiny amount, enough to brew tea? I don’t believe it!"
Xia Ruqing grew a little anxious. "Oh, come on, I want to try it! Tell them to go quickly! If we wait any longer, it’ll all be cleared away!"
Seeing her genuine eagerness, Zhao Junyao could only indulge her.
「...」
「By the time Zhao Junyao instructed Li Shengan to see to it,」
Xia Ruqing looked left and right, unable to lie still any longer, so she simply got up.
Zhao Junyao got up as well. They washed and dressed together.
Breakfast was simple: just plain congee and side dishes. They both enjoyed it and found it very satisfying.