The harem, the harem.
This is what’s bothering him.
Upon hearing her wanting to push him to another woman, he grew even angrier inside.
He tapped her forehead harshly.
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Xia Ruqing instantly shut her mouth.
But inside, she started to ponder:
Since he doesn’t wish to seek out other women, perhaps she has no choice but to offer herself.
After all, you can’t let someone remain a monk forever, can you?!
So...
She stewed over it for a while, summoned her courage, and finally made up her mind.
’Considering the Emperor has been chaste for her, let it be painful if it must!’
Determined, she closed her eyes and leaned in.
She kissed him delicately, her eyelids quivering slightly, still adorned with undried tears.
His heart ached yet warmed, filled so fully it almost overflowed.
His large hands cradled the back of her head, as he gradually deepened the kiss, then deepened it further.
The affection grew stronger, and their breaths gradually heated up.
Their breaths became increasingly unsteady and chaotic.
Finally, with a wave of his hand, the canopy fell with the breeze, unveiling an endless spring scene within.
...
No one knew how long had passed.
After the two of them became entangled to exhaustion, they were finally spent.
Xia Ruqing lay limp in Zhao Junyao’s arms, her clothes and hair thoroughly drenched with sweat.
Having reached several peaks, she was nearly on the verge of fainting.
Zhao Junyao, however, didn’t feel tired, rather he felt utterly refreshed.
The previous frustrations and unpleasantness had long been cast aside.
A smile played at his lips, his heart was filled with genuine satisfaction.
"Qingqing..."
"Mm?"
Xia Ruqing didn’t even open her eyes, completely worn out.
Zhao Junyao patted her back, saying nothing further.
After a while, he called her again.
And she lazily responded with a sound.
"Mm?"
Zhao Junyao still said nothing.
Just as Xia Ruqing was about to fall asleep.
Zhao Junyao suddenly spoke, murmuring.
"Qingqing, by my side, there’s only you!"
Actually, today.
At Xifu Palace, seeing the Noble Concubine like that.
He felt very uncomfortable inside.
They had grown up together, studied together, rode horses together.
To say there’s no bond is absolutely false.
If there wasn’t any bond, he wouldn’t have wished to give her all the best things upon her entering the Eastern Palace, even at the expense of stepping on the Crown Princess Consort’s dignity to favor her.
If there wasn’t any bond, he wouldn’t have repeatedly tolerated her and let her go in the harem.
If there wasn’t any bond, she would have died countless times, impossible to now be a Noble Consort, managing the power of The Six Palaces.
But...
Why did she turn out like this?
Heartless, malicious, venomous as a snake, even to the point of harming his child!
Even now, she continues seeking sympathy and wallowing in self-pity without repentance.
The Empress Dowager is the same.
When he was little.
The Empress Dowager genuinely cared for him.
How has she become like this now!
For the sake of power, she almost became at odds with him.
Sometimes he truly couldn’t understand, what exactly he had done wrong to them.
Why do they treat him this way?
He asked himself whether it’s in the harem or the imperial court, he felt no shame!
Yet, in the end, he ended up as nothing!
He is human too!
He isn’t always invincible; he too has moments of vulnerability and needs to be cared for!
And often, during such times, she is the only one by his side.
Xia Ruqing felt inexplicably distressed and asked drowsily.
"Emperor, what happened?"
"Did the Noble Consort say something?"
Zhao Junyao’s eyes slightly squinted.
"Nothing!"
"Oh..."
She replied, fell asleep again, not forgetting to find a comfortable position in his embrace.
Zhao Junyao remained silent.
He carried her for a bath, returned and slept again.
The next day.
Xia Ruqing slept until the sun was high before waking.
Upon opening her eyes, she saw Zhao Junyao seated on the bed, sipping tea.
She immediately beamed with joy.
"Emperor, why haven’t you gone to court? Is it a rest day?"
Zhao Junyao was slightly helpless.
"I’ve already been to court!"
Xia Ruqing’s face was somewhat embarrassed.
"Did I really sleep for that long?"
Zhao Junyao smiled at her.
"Knowing you’re lazy, I sent the little ones away, so you could sleep well."
Yesterday, he came with a gloomy face, afraid of frightening the children.
So today, he amused them beforehand.
Luckily, they weren’t scared, and Chenchen, being clever and sensible, went to study early.