Chapter 63 "Hot Water Bottle

Chen Mo originally thought that his handsome appearance would catch the Emperor’s attention or at least make the Emperor jealous or something like that.

The eunuch serving the Emperor’s Empress is so handsome.

Then the Emperor might try to transfer him away or trump up charges to get rid of him.

It turns out Chen Mo was overthinking it.

The Emperor didn’t even spare him a glance.

Or perhaps a eunuch isn’t enough to draw Zhao Ji’s attention.

However, this is a good thing for Chen Mo.

As long as he doesn’t attract the Emperor’s attention, he still has plenty of time to win over Xiao Yunxi.

If he were to write a diary.

He would definitely write this down at this moment.

In the third year of Xuanhe, August 5th, sunny day.

Following the Emperor’s instructions, Wang Ze came to the Empress’s palace early in the morning to check for internal spies.

The Empress fiercely defended her husband.

Even though I’m still not her man.

Has she fallen for me?

It must be so.

After all, I’m so handsome.

The Emperor appeared but didn’t notice me, happy.

The Empress was disappointed with the Emperor again and even said she wanted to drink the brown sugar water I made.

Even happier.

(=^▽^=).

...

Lu Xun once said that women tend to be emotional and more sensitive during their menstrual period, easily getting angry.

So, boys must learn to be understanding at this time, try their best to make their girlfriends happy, and keep them company by talking and chatting.

Chen Mo not only made brown sugar water for Xiao Yunxi.

He also cleaned the lamb tripe, soaked it in special fragrance, confirming there was no unpleasant odor.

Chen Mo filled the lamb tripe with some river water, tied the opening with thin thread, making a simple hot water bottle.

After everything was ready, he went to the Empress’s sleeping quarters.

When Chen Mo arrived, Cai’Er was tidying things up; they’d be leaving for the palace soon.

Chen Mo encountered no obstacles and went straight to the inner hall.

At this moment, Xiao Yunxi was sitting on a soft couch, holding her stomach without speaking.

"Empress, the brown sugar water is ready."

Chen Mo approached and bowed to hand it to Xiao Yunxi.

"I don’t feel like moving, you feed me." Xiao Yunxi’s eyes looked out the window, not noticing the ambiguity in her words.

"Yes." Chen Mo sneaked a glance at Cai’Er, found that she didn’t notice, and responded.

When Chen Mo fed Xiao Yunxi the first sip of brown sugar water.

Xiao Yunxi’s gaze returned, looking at the "hot water bottle" beside Chen Mo: "What is this?"

Chen Mo was waiting for her to ask, put down the bowl, took the "hot water bottle" in his hand, and said: "Your Majesty, this is a hot water bottle, made from lamb tripe with hot water inside, placing it on the stomach can relieve pain. In my hometown, when women have their period, this is how it’s usually done..."

Chen Mo told a little lie.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunxi was stunned, eyes tightly fixed on the "lamb tripe" in Chen Mo’s hand, her eyes flickered for a moment before she deeply said, "It works."

Chen Mo nodded, handing it over while saying: "Empress, I’ve cleaned the lamb tripe used for making the hot water bottle, and soaked it with spices, it definitely won’t dirty you, you can try it..."

Xiao Yunxi took it with some skepticism.

Then placed it on her stomach.

Moments later, as the warmth from the water inside the lamb tripe spread to Xiao Yunxi.

Xiao Yunxi felt it, warm, and her stomach suddenly didn’t hurt as much.

"Empress, how do you feel?" Chen Mo asked.

"Not bad." Xiao Yunxi nodded approvingly, then curiously asked: "Chen Hong, you’re a man, how do you know about this?"

"Uh..."

"Has your Majesty ever heard this saying?"

"What saying?"

"Never eaten pork, but surely seen a pig run?" Chen Mo said.

Although it was the first time Xiao Yunxi heard this, being intelligent, she instantly understood the implication and laughed lightly: "I’ve eaten pork, but never seen a pig run."

"..."

"It’s not much to see, you shouldn’t feel regret, Your Majesty." Chen Mo said.

"You’re really a charmer; if not for you... I might take you as my adopted brother." Xiao Yunxi suddenly said.

Chen Mo was frightened: "I dare not, what virtue or ability do I have to be the Empress’s brother."

Xiao Yunxi smiled lightly: "You shouldn’t look down on yourself, keep working hard, and when the time comes, glory and wealth will not be lacking for you."

"Thank you Empress for your favor, I am willing to go through fire and water, to die thousand deaths." Chen Mo once again pledged his loyalty.

"I don’t want you to go through fire and water, just do as I say." Xiao Yunxi opened her mouth.

Chen Mo immediately understood and continued feeding Xiao Yunxi the brown sugar water.

Xiao Yunxi said, "Yesterday you told the story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, I didn’t hear the end, now continue telling it to me."

"Yes."

"The story goes that Zhu Yingtai’s family wrote urging her to return home, before leaving she left a letter for Liang Shanbo, saying (two eight, three seven, four six settle), meaning Liang Shanbo should propose ten days later, but Liang Shanbo thought it meant three sets of ten days..."

While feeding the brown sugar water, Chen Mo slowly continued the tale.

Inside, Xiao Yunxi suddenly coughed, spraying the brown sugar water in her mouth all over Chen Mo’s face.

Although Chen Mo wasn’t disgusted by Xiao Yunxi, it didn’t mean he wanted to be sprayed all over.

While Chen Mo was stunned, Xiao Yunxi took her own handkerchief to wipe Chen Mo’s face.

The light fragrance left on the handkerchief entered Chen Mo’s nose, instantly stirring his heart, erasing the displeasure of being sprayed.

Then with a hint of probing and pretending it wasn’t deliberate, he grabbed Xiao Yunxi’s hand.

Both were momentarily stunned, exchanging glances.

Chen Mo quickly released his grip and knelt down: "Forgive me, Empress, I only wanted to spare you the trouble, I can wipe it myself, I didn’t mean to offend you..."

Xiao Yunxi wasn’t angry, instead when Chen Mo held her hand, a strange feeling arose inside her, which she obviously couldn’t express: "Stand up, I know it was unintentional, no worries."

"Thank... Thank you, Empress." Chen Mo said respectfully.

Then Xiao Yunxi started discussing the story: "Why didn’t Zhu Yingtai just write ’ten days to propose’ in the letter, why make it ’two eight, three seven, four six settle,’ isn’t she making things difficult for herself?"

"..."

"I don’t know, Your Grace." Chen Mo shook his head, then said: "It’s just a tale I heard from others."

PS: Some say the protagonist is too lecherous, toxic or something, and want to quit reading.

Orange Cat wants to say, if you don’t want to read, just close it, no need to leave comments to disturb me, nor waste your time.

Yes, the protagonist is a bit... flirtatious...