RPAGF Chapter 33 Staying Overnight
Chapter 33 Staying Overnight
he came.
He still came.
Chu Qingyin breathed a deep sigh of relief, then forced herself to calm down and closed the window.
Soon, a eunuch's announcement came from outside the courtyard: "His Majesty has arrived!"
The palace servants were flattered and hurriedly greeted him, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
Chu Qingyin quickly straightened her clothes, put on a weak and helpless appearance, sat back on the edge of the bed, and pretended to get up to pay her respects.
Before she could get up, the man in the black brocade robe with dragon patterns walked around the screen and entered.
"Ah, Your Majesty!"
Chu Qingyin feigned surprise, then lowered her head: "I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness for failing to greet Your Majesty in time."
"No need for such formalities."
Pei Yuanling stepped forward and helped her up, saying, "I heard you were ill, so I came to see you."
Chu Qingyin raised her face, a weak smile appearing on her beautiful face: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It's just a small matter. How could I dare to trouble Your Majesty to come in person?"
Pei Yuanling helped her back to the bedside and sat her down. He then looked at her pale face and said in a deep voice, "I already know about what happened today. It was Consort Lu who was rude first. You are truly innocent victims."
Chu Qingyin bit her lip, her slender neck drooping slightly, and sighed, "I don't know where I offended Consort Lu, that she hates me so much."
She hadn't left the house all day and was only wearing a thin, off-white undergarment. Her long, flowing black hair cascaded down her back, making her skin appear even whiter and her face even more radiant.
Pei Yuanling lowered his eyes and saw the beautiful woman weeping softly, her face like a pear blossom in the rain or a cicada's cry on an autumn branch.
In fact, the Imperial Concubine rarely displayed such an attitude; she was always proud and passionate, like a little sun.
But when her two personal maids died, and when she miscarried, she was just as sorrowful, like a glass butterfly, beautiful and fragile.
Thinking of the way the Imperial Concubine used to lean on him and silently shed tears, and then looking at the woman with a similar face in front of him, Pei Yuanling felt a pang of reluctance.
His long, slender hand rose, then abruptly stopped just before it touched the woman's hair.
Pei Yuanling was silent for a moment, then withdrew his hand and said, "You don't need to be too sad. I will uphold justice for you in this matter."
Chu Qingyin clearly saw his outstretched hand through the shadow, but she didn't expect him to hold back again.
A strange feeling welled up in her heart. The next moment, she heard the man say to the outside, "Chen Zhongliang, convey my imperial decree: Lu's conduct is immoral and she has lost her composure in front of the emperor. She is to be fined half a year's salary and make her copy the 'Admonitions for Women' one hundred times. This copy must be submitted to the empress for review at the end of the month."
Chen Zhongliang's voice quickly came from outside: "This servant obeys."
Chu Qingyin also quickly stood up, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty."
"You're still weak, you should rest and rest."
Pei Yuanling said calmly, his gaze sweeping over her fair face, "Since you are alright, I will take my leave."
Chu Qingyin was startled, "Your Majesty?"
Pei Yuanling glanced at her sideways: "Is there anything else?"
"Your Majesty, you've only just arrived, why are you leaving so soon?"
Chu Qingyin hurriedly stood up and subconsciously reached out to tug at his sleeve: "At least stay and have a cup of tea."
But before her hand could touch the man's sleeve, a sudden clap of thunder rang out.
"Boom—"
A thunderclap suddenly sounded, causing the palace to tremble slightly.
Chu Qingyin's face paled slightly, and she instinctively gasped, leaning forward.
"Don't be afraid, Yinyin."
Almost instinctively, Pei Yuanling stretched out his arms and pulled the panicked woman in front of him into his embrace.
In an instant, their bodies pressed tightly together. Chu Qingyin could clearly feel the man's strong heartbeat and the calm, pleasant scent of ambergris emanating from him.
Several more rumbles of thunder came from outside, and everything inside seemed to freeze.
They all understood the meaning of that phrase, "Yinyin, don't be afraid."
It refers to the Chu Qingyin from before.
Because of this moment of dodging, Chu Qingyin's fear was not feigned, but genuine.
She has been afraid of thunder since she was a child. Every time thunder rumbles, it reminds her of that stormy night when she was five years old. Her father passed away, and her mother hanged herself out of grief, leaving her and her brother to depend on each other.
Pei Yuanling was aware of this habit.
Feeling the long arms that were tightly wrapped around her shoulders tighten suddenly, Chu Qingyin felt a sudden panic. When she looked up again, she met the man's deep gaze.
Their eyes met, and the man's eyes clearly held a sharp, probing look.
Chu Qingyin's face paled, and she was about to leave the man's embrace.
Pei Yuanling frowned, his voice deep: "You're afraid of thunder too?"
The single word "also" sent shivers down Chu Qingyin's spine.
She forced a smile: "I'm not that afraid, it's just..."
Before he could finish speaking, another bolt of lightning flashed, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.
Chu Qingyin could no longer control herself and buried her head in the man's arms again, tightly hugging his waist with both hands.
Yes, she was afraid.
Even if one were to live a second life, the childhood trauma etched into one's bones would still be indelible.
Feeling the trembling, warm, and soft body in his arms, Pei Yuanling was stunned.
Looking down at the trembling woman in his arms again, he felt incredibly conflicted. How could they be so alike, even sharing the same fear of thunder?
Is it really not his Yin Yin who came back?
After a while, the thunder gradually subsided, and Chu Qingyin realized her rudeness. She hurriedly let go of his hand, took a few steps back, and bowed her head, saying, "Your Majesty, I have been impolite. Please forgive me."
Pei Yuanling looked at her panicked appearance and said with a deep gaze, "It's alright."
That enigmatic gaze made Chu Qingyin's heart pound.
After calming herself down, she softened her tone and said, "It looks like it's going to rain outside. Since Your Majesty is here, could you... stay and keep me company?"
Pei Yuanling looked at her dark, flowing hair and her eyelashes that trembled gently like butterfly wings. He remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, I will accompany you tonight."
Chu Qingyin was surprised by his agreement, and felt a mix of emotions she couldn't quite put into words. But she quickly put on a joyful and cheerful smile and said in an innocent tone, "Thank you, Your Majesty. You are so kind."
Pei Yuanling was stunned for a moment, then his thin lips twitched slightly, revealing a bitter smile.
Is he alright?
If he was truly good, why would Yinyin abandon him, leaving him all alone in the world?
Before we knew it, the night had deepened, and the spring rain began to fall softly.
After having dinner at Diecui Pavilion, the two went to the side rooms to bathe separately.
Chu Qingyin wasn't sure if things would go that far tonight, but just in case, she soaked in the bath for a long time and then carefully applied her favorite rose essential oil to her dark hair.
When she returned to her bedroom, the emperor was sitting on a long couch by the window, reading a book.
Seeing that he was holding a volume of the Book of Poetry, Chu Qingyin couldn't help but blush and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive my rudeness. I just read it to pass the time when I have nothing else to do."
In the dim candlelight, Pei Yuanling turned his head and looked at the newly bathed beauty who slowly walked out from behind the screen.
Her long, black hair cascaded down her shoulders and back, with a few strands of wet hair clinging to her fair neck. Water droplets slid down the ends of her hair and disappeared into her delicate strapless bodice.
The flickering candlelight illuminated her flawless skin, giving it a warm, lustrous sheen, like fine jade.
Seemingly feeling a little uncomfortable under his gaze, she gently raised her arm and tidied her hair, causing the jade bracelet on her wrist to slip off, making a crisp tinkling sound.
"Your Majesty, why are you looking at me like that?"
Chu Qingyin smiled and said, "You're making me a little embarrassed."
Pei Yuanling snapped out of his reverie, then coughed awkwardly, "This bracelet suits you very well."
His daughter was as beautiful as jade, and this jade bracelet truly suited her.
After five years of marriage, Chu Qingyin could see from his gaze just now that he was clearly treating her as he used to.
She stepped forward and extended her hand to the man before her. "Your Majesty, it's getting late. Let me help you settle in."