Chapter 809: Finally Accepting

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.

Only then did he feel relieved.

"Qingqing, come here!"

His eyes overflowing with fondness.

Seeing him happy, Xia Ruqing jumped off the bed, barefooted, thick-skinned, and squeezed into a spot beside him.

Snuggling up to him, she teasingly asked.

"Emperor, what happened last night?" Her little eyes were full of gossip.

Zhao Junyao briefly showed unnaturalness but quickly returned to normal.

He cleared his throat softly.

"Nothing at all!"

But inside he thought:

Some things can’t be spoken; what if she gets jealous?

Last night was hard to accomplish, if due to old matters she kicks him off the bed again, it’d be a huge loss.

Yet, Xia Ruqing wouldn’t give up.

"Emperor, just tell me!"

"You and the Noble Consort, childhood sweethearts, innocent playmates... but now things have changed, and you..."

"Ah... indeed it’s incomparable; looks like no matter how good I am, it can’t measure up!"

After saying that, she started pretending to wipe her tears.

Her actions were rather exaggerated.

Zhao Junyao laughed, tapping her forehead:

"Quit the nonsense! I’m only spoiling you now."

Xia Ruqing’s large almond eyes squinted.

"Really?"

Someone nodded repeatedly.

"Mm!"

"That sounds about right!"

Xia Ruqing cheerfully curled into his embrace, sweetness in her heart.

In truth...

She somewhat understood Zhao Junyao’s distress.

Translating it to a modern tale, it’d roughly be:

Noble Concubine Shih was his kindergarten, elementary, and middle school classmate plus first love!

They were even deskmates in high school, studying together, napping together.

Due to prolonged contact, teen emotions sparked some affection.

Zhao Junyao, knowing nothing, believed he’d found true love, showering her with kindness.

Later, he discovered it wasn’t so.

She gradually changed into someone he dislikes, even hates (scheming, venomous, etc...).

But he didn’t understand why.

They quarreled intensely, breaking up.

Reuniting later, everything had changed.

Noble Concubine Shih turned venomous, deranged, and even attempted to exploit and harm him...

He felt deeply shocked, mistakenly believing it was his fault she became that way.

Hence, his heart conflicted with both resentment and guilt.

The clash of two stark emotions made it unbearable!

Upon solving the mystery.

Xia Ruqing greatly admired herself.

"Ah! I’m extremely amazing!"

Observing her wandering thoughts, Zhao Junyao chuckled coldly.

"If you keep speculating, believe it or not, tonight..."