Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 110

The full moon hangs high, and the grass rustles softly.

The Marquis of Chun’nan accompanied the emperor drinking. The first two jars went down smoothly; Lu Ze remained relatively sober, discussing court matters.

By the third jar, the incense in the hall had created an ethereal mist. As conversation flowed, they ventured into more scandalous topics.

Talking to the emperor required a clear purpose hidden behind circuitous words. Mentioning the current empress was off-limits. So, Su Huai’an became an exemplary topic.

“Your Majesty, even though the grand princess’ estate was tightly secured last year, Su Huai’an still managed to climb over walls. One, two, three times… I swear, even the locks seemed to surrender…”

Though Changning wasn’t present, Lu Ze instinctively lowered his voice. The Imperial Guards would be in so much trouble if she caught wind of this conversation.

Xiao Yu leaned back, raising his cup to drink. His starry eyes glazed, and a smile played on his lips. The deep purple dragon-embroidered robe, with two buttons undone, exuded an air of carefree indulgence. At a glance, this didn’t resemble an emperor devoted to only one person. It shouldn’t have surprised anyone that he embraced left and right.

By the sixth jar, Lu Ze was thoroughly intoxicated, babbling incessantly. He even brought up stories from their childhood, “You see! Fighting at the head of the bed has its reasons! Third Brother, don’t you agree?” Third Brother was what he called Xiao Yu in their youth.

Gradually, Lu Ze’s voice dwindled to a whisper until his final drink slammed onto the table—or, more accurately, he crashed onto it.

Xiao Yu pinched the bridge of his nose. He set down his cup and addressed Eunuch Sheng, “Arrange for someone to escort the marquis home.”

Eunuch Sheng reached out to support the unconscious Lu Ze, affirming, “Your Majesty, rest assured.”

Amidst the thick moonlight, Xiao Yu draped a cloak around himself and slowly exited Yangxin Hall. He hadn’t consumed this much alcohol in a long time; the intoxication was hitting hard. Even the faint moonlight in the sky seemed to dance before his eyes.

He suddenly reminisced about many years ago.

Back when he still lived at his mansion, there were numerous obligatory social connections to maintain during festivals and special occasions. Officials with real power always sought to establish relationships, creating a convivial atmosphere where toasting was a must, regardless of one’s desire to drink. Ah Ling would often complain about the smell of alcohol on him but would still take care of him.

Yet, whenever he touched her, drowsiness would engulf him, and those nights seemed like one of the few he’d slept deeply.

Unknowingly, he found himself back at Kunning Palace.

The attending palace servants bowed, “Your Majesty, we pay our respects.”

Xiao Yu gestured for them to withdraw.

Zhu Xin and Zhu Lan exchanged glances. Although the empress had forbidden the emperor from entering Kunning Palace, it was evident that the emperor held the greatest authority there. If the emperor insisted on entering, none dared to risk their heads by stopping him.

The door creaked open with a faint sound.

The gentle evening breeze rustled the azure curtains, swaying them softly. The figure on the bed had already settled, lying with her back turned towards him, seemingly fast asleep.

But he knew she might be awake.

If he claimed not to miss her, that would be false. Across vast distances and many months, he had read and re-read her letters countless times, never for a moment forgetting her.

Little did he know that she would assert her authority on his return from the very first day.

He walked over, lifted the curtains, settled beside her, and removed his robe.

“Are you asleep?” His voice was deep yet oddly tinged with an inexplicable emotion.

She breathed calmly, not turning or responding.

Slowly, he lay behind her, reaching out to embrace her. His palm rested on her stomach, gently caressing, as he asked, “Is the pain in your stomach better now?”

Qin Ling tried to evade, but the man behind her was an impenetrable wall. He stuck close to her without hesitation, his warm breath grazing her neck.

She furrowed her brow.

The smell of alcohol emanated from him the moment he drew near. He seemed to have indulged more than a little.

In this tiny bed, even their breaths became unusually distinct.

Xiao Yu pondered for a while, feeling the difficulty of articulating certain things, yet seeing her softened his heart a little more.

“All that happened before was my fault,” he said. “I know I owe you a lot, but there are things I truly didn’t want you to know.”

Qin Ling smacked away the hand on her stomach, still silent with her back turned towards him.

Xiao Yu, feeling helpless, lowered his head to kiss her shoulder, whispering, “Ah Ling…”

Had he not called her, Qin Ling might have held back. But with that call, she couldn’t bear it any longer. Suddenly, she sat up. “Don’t call me that way—” Her words halted midway, tears welling in her eyes. “It’s not that you owe me anything. It’s me who owes you! I’m just a wandering soul, unable to withstand these decades of your life…” Her voice faltered as tears choked her words.

Xiao Yu couldn’t bear it. Slowly, he embraced her, kissing her forehead, saying each word deliberately, “Ah Ling, it’s not a debt; it’s my selfishness.”

Qin Ling lifted her head, tears still shimmering in her eyes.

Xiao Yu gazed into her eyes, speaking slowly, “They say that as an emperor, one should sacrifice for the nation, protect the homeland, and pacify the people. But in those years without you, I suddenly realized, even if the world enjoys peace and tranquility, there will still be regrets. It’s my inability to endure this regret within me. It’s my selfishness, unrelated to you.”

Qin Ling’s eyes welled as she looked at him. Though everything appeared blurry, his silhouette remained distinctly clear.

She choked back sobs and pushed him away gently.

Xiao Yu pulled her closer, their foreheads touching. “I guess being with someone in his thirties is too old for you.”

“Your Majesty!” Qin Ling was caught off guard by his jest, pounding him fiercely. He pretended to be in pain and leaned against her shoulder, whispering near her ear, “Ah Ling, call me Third lang.”

After a moment, she slowly embraced him.

What did she still care about?

Time always snatches away a bit, then gives back a bit…

The emperor stayed in the room without any movement, and the palace attendants outside knew that the emperor and empress had reconciled.

Zhu Xin whispered, “Finally, we’re saved…”

Zhu Lan sighed, “Every time I saw His Majesty these days, my legs turned to jelly, and I couldn’t speak a word…”

Zhu Xin glared at her, “Hey! Weren’t you the one who asked me to intervene last time?”

***

Ever since the emperor and empress reconciled, the singing of birds in the green trees and the fluttering of swallows on the eaves, even the sound of the drizzling rain, seemed to compose a harmonious melody.

After the morning court session, Xiao Yu returned to Kunning Palace to dine with her. Qin Ling noticed his hurried steps, the rain soaking the hem of his robe, and couldn’t help but remark, “There have been many affairs lately. You don’t have to come back specifically to accompany me.”

“No worries. Yangxin Palace is close to your residence anyway.”

During lunch, Eunuch Sheng brought a bowl of bird’s nest soup. Xiao Yu glanced at her belly and remarked, “This one hasn’t been named yet.”

She blinked, “No rush. We still don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl…”

Xiao Yu proposed, “If it’s a girl, we can name her Wan and bestow upon her the title Anle (peace and happiness), what do you think?”

Qin Ling didn’t expect him to wish for a daughter and even consider a title. She sighed and asked, “And if it’s a prince?”

Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow slightly, as if he didn’t quite believe it would be a son and casually responded, “Then let’s go with Rui.”

In the middle of the night, after they had bathed and changed, settling down together, Qin Ling suddenly whispered near his ear, “Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu closed his eyes and whispered back, “Yes?”

Qin Ling continued, “I’ve heard that Princess Baoyin is returning to the capital with the army. Should I clear some space in the back palace?”

Hearing her mention “Princess Baoyin”, Xiao Yu felt an ache in his head. Yet, he maintained a composed facade and said, “Recently, the relations between the court and Mongolia have been excellent. Princess Baoyin also has an affinity for the Central Plains. I’ve decided to arrange an outstanding husband for her, so you need not concern yourself with this matter.”

Qin Ling furrowed her brows, finding something odd about his explanation. Since when did Princess Baoyin have an affinity for the Central Plains? Didn’t she have an affinity for you?

Curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, “Do you know which family’s son it is?”

Xiao Yu cleared his throat, coughing heavily twice, and with a lowered voice, he said, “Uh… From the He family.” After speaking, his coughing fit almost made the water he had just drunk spill out. “From the He family in the capital,” Xiao Yu continued, trying to divert her attention and kissing her, “Ah Ling, let it go.”

But today, there was no sign of her usual feigned tantrum. Qin Ling lifted her small face, looking at him intently, and said each word deliberately, “Which member of the He family?”

Xiao Yu suppressed his racing heart, frowning thoughtfully. “Why are you asking about this?”

Qin Ling instantly said, “Why won’t you tell me?”

Evidently, this man, despite his cold exterior, couldn’t deceive her anymore.

Their eyes met, and Qin Ling persisted, “Who is it?”

Xiao Yu kept his composure, maintaining a calm tone, “Second Young Master He, He Zichen.” It was the person she had mentioned in her letters daily in the past. Her “Second Brother”, Brother Zichen.

“He… isn’t married yet?”

Seeing her shock, Xiao Yu sneered coldly, “What, are you still attached to him?”