Chapter 727: Protecting You

Xia Ruqing wanted to shout, but somehow, she couldn’t make a sound. Zhao Junqi’s words, like a huge stone dropped into a calm lake, left her reeling and utterly disoriented, as if deaf and blind.

Damn it, that bastard really did have indecent thoughts about her!

She desperately tried to open her eyes to slap him, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t wake up. She was so anxious that she broke out in a cold sweat.

Just then, she heard Zhao Junqi speak again. "Qingqing, I’m about to leave!"

He paused for a moment, then slowly walked over. He bent down and whispered in her ear, his voice audible only to the two of them, "Qingqing, don’t worry! I will come to get you very soon! By then... you will belong only to me!"

His voice was very gentle, and his expression mild, but Xia Ruqing wasn’t flattered at all; she was on high alert.

"You..." she tried to say. "What do you think you’re doing, you bastard!"

Zhao Junqi gave a slight smile, but the darkness and possessiveness in his eyes flashed for an instant, something no amount of gentleness could hide.

He chuckled lightly. "Qingqing, I don’t plan to do anything! Don’t be scared! Rest assured, I won’t let you suffer even the slightest harm!"

His voice was different from before—very ominous and cold, sending shivers down her spine and making her hair stand on end.

Her instincts told her something was wrong with Zhao Junqi. But what exactly was it?

Before she could react, Zhao Junqi suddenly drew close and lightly kissed her cheek.

"You must wait for me!"

With that, he stood up, walked out, and quickly disappeared from sight.

Xia Ruqing groggily tried to call after him, but her cries were so faint she almost wished she couldn’t hear them herself.

She hated how useless she was! Even pregnant, she shouldn’t be this weak!

As she wallowed in this hatred, Xia Ruqing lost consciousness.

When she woke up again, Zi Yue was calling her.

"Master, you slept so soundly! I called you several times," Zi Yue said with a smile.

Xia Ruqing looked at Zi Yue’s face, then glanced around the room before immediately sitting up.

"Zi Yue? Zi Su?"

Zi Su, who was bringing over a copper basin and towel, also smiled when she saw her. "Master, what’s wrong? Could it be that you woke up and don’t recognize us anymore?"

Zi Yue laughed. "How could that be!"

Xia Ruqing looked at her surroundings—the Palace Maids and eunuchs bustling about—and asked about the time.

Oh, Little Bun will be back soon. Everything is just as usual.

Still feeling dazed, Xia Ruqing got up and washed her face. Taking advantage of a moment when everyone else was busy, she quietly pulled Zi Yue aside.

"Did anyone come this afternoon?"

Zi Yue looked perplexed. She thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No one came! Zi Su and I were watching outside the whole time. Although we stepped away for a moment, it was only for the time it takes an incense stick to burn! And with so many people coming and going outside, if someone had come, we couldn’t have missed it!"

That’s right!

Xia Ruqing thought.

In broad daylight, if a grown man came, how could no one have seen him? It must have been a dream. But... why would I have such a dream? Being kissed by Zhao Junqi? Ugh...

The thought sent a wave of disgust through her.

What utter nonsense, so revolting!

Xia Ruqing rubbed her arms. "Zi Yue, I want to take a bath. Right now, immediately!"

Zi Yue was a bit puzzled. "Master, the Little Prince will be back soon, and it’s almost time for dinner!"

But Xia Ruqing couldn’t be bothered. "No, I feel uncomfortable. I must bathe now!"

Zi Yue had no choice but to give the instructions.

What’s gotten into Master today?

Zi Yue wondered.

She’s been acting strangely ever since she woke up! Still, even if I’m full of questions, if Master doesn’t want to talk, it’s not my place to ask, is it?

The hot water for the bath was quickly prepared. Attended by Zi Yue and Zi Su, Xia Ruqing shed her clothes and entered the bath chamber. Upon entering, she found herself, as if compelled, glancing towards the windows and the door. Only after making sure they were securely closed did she dare to begin her bath.

「A quarter of an hour later」

Xia Ruqing emerged, having finished her bath. Little Bun had already returned.

The little boy, not yet three years old, was already very sensible. He knew his mother wasn’t feeling well and that being pregnant with his younger sibling was hard on her. So, even though he was hungry, he waited obediently.

His small hand patted Yellow Bean’s head. "Yellow Bean, are you hungry too?"

Yellow Bean stared at Little Bun with his glossy black eyes, whimpered, nodded, and then licked the boy’s hand, looking very put-upon.

Little Bun’s heart melted completely. "Don’t worry, Mother will be better soon!"

No sooner had he spoken than Xia Ruqing emerged from the bath chamber. She wore a moon-white cotton robe, her long, damp hair cascading loosely down her back, unadorned by even a single hairpin. In the lamplight, she radiated a tender and peaceful glow.

"Mother!" Little Bun waddled over to her.

Yellow Bean scampered after him, his four little legs working quickly to reach her.

The boy and the little dog—seeing her, they looked so joyful, so excited, even... dependent.

It was so warm, so heart-warming it made her want to cry.

"Chenchen!" Xia Ruqing bent with difficulty and hugged Little Bun tightly.

Yellow Bean, nearby, spun around anxiously. Caught between laughter and tears, Xia Ruqing freed a hand to rub Yellow Bean’s head. "Oh, you..."

Little Bun snuggled against her chest, his eyes curving into happy crescents. "Mother, you smell so good!"

Xia Ruqing hugged her child, tears welling in her eyes as she kissed his tender cheek. "Is that so?"

"Mhm!"

Little Bun lifted his head and suddenly noticed the teardrops at the corner of his mother’s eyes. He reached out his small hand and carefully wiped them away. "Mother, why are you crying? Did Father Emperor bully you? Or do you miss Father Emperor?"

Xia Ruqing was rendered speechless by her little one’s probing questions. "Don’t talk nonsense. Mother isn’t crying! Some dust just got in my eyes!"

Little Bun glanced at the windless window and the spotless floor, then sighed. "Mother, there’s no wind or dust here! Did someone bully you, Mother?"

This Little Bun is getting too clever!

Xia Ruqing thought, tousling his hair. "Who would bully me?"

"I don’t know, but it’s okay!" Little Bun declared. "Even if Father Emperor bullies you, I’ll protect you!"

Xia Ruqing was so touched she burst out laughing through her tears. "How could your Father Emperor bully me! Only bad people would bully me!"

Little Bun’s eyes widened. "Who is it? Is it Consort Shih? Or Consort Ning?"

Xia Ruqing was utterly stunned.

Who can tell me why a child not yet three years old knows so much?! He isn’t even three yet!

Suppressing her shock, Xia Ruqing put on a stern face. "Enough! You’re still young. You should listen to your teacher, study diligently, and not ask about these things anymore. If you want to protect Mother, you must first learn the skills to do so, understand?"