C29

The Emperor Xun was dressed in a golden dragon robe, and as he paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, he seemed to be trembling as he listened to the reports of the old officials reciting Buddhist scriptures, while occasionally raising his head to glance at the wide open doors of the palace below.

Ouch! "Empress, esteemed Empress, quickly come down …" Empress! I can't do that!

He suddenly realized that there were still officials standing by his side. He clenched his fist and placed it to his lips, pretending to cough lightly, then expressionlessly turned his head to give the order. It suddenly occurred to me that there was still an urgent matter to be dealt with by this king. The recital will be reviewed again next time, all of you can leave.

Emperor Xun walked out of the hall with large strides and immediately saw a girl in a white dress sitting on an old scholar tree with a crooked neck, located deep in the grass outside the hall.

She crossed her legs and made a face at Eunuch Li and the anxious Palace Maid who were like ants on a hot pan, I won't go down! You think I don't know that you want to deceive me to see the emperor? Don't even think about it!

Both of Xiao Zhihe's hands released the tree branches and took the chance to lean back, scaring both of them. She calmly leaned against the thick tree trunk, her two thin legs swaying, her black hair recklessly flying in the wind. The girl was barefooted and laughed loudly, her face was so beautiful that Emperor Xun couldn't shift her gaze away.

Xiao Zhihe cupped her hands together like a trumpet, her expression flying, she leaned over and shouted at Eunuch Li: "Eunuch Li, didn't you tell me that the Emperor bestowed upon you a consort, it's a rare occurrence in the past fifteen years? Then why didn't he come and pick me up herself? Didn't he say that my concubine was very important to him?

You are indeed very important to This King. Suddenly, Xiao Zhihe heard an extremely low and deep voice clearly entering her ears. She was so shocked that she lost her balance and her body slipped, almost falling down the tree.

The Emperor Xun's face immediately darkened and he frowned. The golden dragon robe fluttered as it swept across the green grass, but a moment later, he stood under the locust tree with his hands behind his back. He had an unhappy expression as he raised his head and said coldly to Xiao Zhihe, "Why haven't you gotten down yet? As the imperial concubine of the great wastelands, what was proper about such an appearance!

Xiao Zhihe never thought that the Emperor Xun would actually appear. Her originally loud and energetic voice suddenly weakened as she turned her face away and pouted her lips angrily, pretending not to hear him and purposely not look at the man under the tree.

Eunuch Li wanted to fawn upon her, but Your Majesty, don't worry. Your servant will tell the Empress about it right away … The Empress was playing with everyone …

Emperor Xun had lightly brandished his yellow robe, his boots touching the ground, whoosh! He steadily stood in front of Xiao Zhihe, tilting his head to the side, and stared unblinkingly at the flustered woman in front of him with her deep black eyes. Didn't you say that you wanted this king to personally come and pick you up?

Before she could react, Xiao Zhihe let out a soft cry. Emperor Xun had already reached out his hands through the bend of her legs and tightly hugged her body before leaving the tree branch.

Xiao Zhihe watched as she was carried by the Emperor Xun and quickly jumped down the locust tree.

Eunuch Li who was waiting below the tree finally heaved a sigh of relief. While taking out a flower handkerchief to wipe the sweat off his forehead, he twisted his body and quickly went forward, kowtowing to Xiao Zhihe and Emperor Xun after returning to the ground. This servant then kowtowed to the emperor and kowtowed to Consort Xiao. She lowered her head and continued. "Empress, you see that the Emperor has promised you everything he wants. With great care and concern, the Empress is truly blessed to have such a good saintly family!"

Empress, let's stop doubting the emperor's deep affection for you and follow this servant back to the Qingling Palace …

As soon as Eunuch Li finished speaking, all the Palace Maid s behind him knelt down and kowtowed as well, and spoke in unison, "Empress, please return to your Qingling Palace!"

Just then, the Emperor Xun suddenly raised his sleeves, frowned and sneezed. Including Xiao Zhihe, everyone was stunned.

Eunuch Li asked tentatively. "The Emperor …" Your Majesty …?

Emperor Xun sneezed again.

This time, Xiao Zhihe's eyes were wide open as she stared at him in a daze. Her mouth was wide open as she said in disbelief: Don't tell me you are infected with the cold?

The man remained expressionless. His black eyes were emotionless as he lowered them to say, "No problem."

How could he be fine! You're the emperor, and you don't know how many things you do every day. Although this cold disease is small, you can't just let it develop like this! Xiao Zhihe didn't even think before blurting it out, and started to count the numbers on her fingers. It's already bad for my small body, but I have experience dealing with Feng Han! First, soak in a hot bath until you're slightly sweating, then take two doses of Golden Thread Grass and Perilla Leaf Grind. Finally, have a good night's sleep. You'll feel refreshed once you wake up tomorrow …

Xiao Zhihe spoke while lowering her voice. Seeing Emperor Xun standing there motionlessly, quietly watching her, with an unfathomable expression on her handsome face, she laughed dryly. Ah, I was just casually saying it, please do not take it to heart. After saying so, he quickly tugged on Eunuch Li's sleeve. "Come, come!" Let's go to that whatever palace …

This King accepts your method.

Emperor Xun continued to stare at the girl who was hiding behind Elder Li with her eyes closed. She suddenly spoke in a low voice, "Come back with me and help me take a bath."

Ah?!

Xiao Zhihe was dumbstruck, she was like a frightened little rabbit, jumping up and down, waving her hands continuously, even shaking her head with all her might, no, no, no! This matter of waiting on someone to bathe... I won't do it!

Seeing that, Emperor Xun's face was full of suspicion. He lowered his head and thought for a while, then curiously raised his head and asked.

Xiao Zhihe didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She stomped her foot angrily with a red face and retorted loudly. I just, uh, I just don't want to see a man's body! I'm a girl...

Emperor Xun uttered an "oh", but he still did not understand. Didn't you already look at this duke's body long ago?

Xiao Zhihe was instantly struck! Her cheeks were flushed red as she jumped up to cover the man's mouth. She was so anxious that she was even stuttering when she spoke. Stop it! Stop it! No, it was just a bath! Can't I go …

Eunuch Li and the rest of the Palace Maid stood respectfully behind Xiao Zhihe, not daring to disturb him.

After entering the palace for so many years, Eunuch Li who had been serving the emperor at his most proficient was surprised to see the woman who had been forced to compromise cover her mouth with her hands. A slight smile appeared in his dark eyes.

You, did you take it off? Xiao Zhihe's face was filled with tears, she leaned on the closed door and focused on listening to the sounds inside.

After a long while, until Xiao Zhihe's mind was in a mess, she finally heard a —

Alright.

Although she had done some mental research before, Xiao Zhihe's face still flushed red. She shook her head with strength and encouraged herself secretly, Xiao Zhihe, wasn't that just a naked man? It's not like she was a ferocious beast... I, I'm not afraid! She turned around and resolutely pushed open the door.

When Xiao Zhihe stepped into the room, she was immediately covered by the water mist that spread out in all directions, as if she had entered a paradise. The air was shrouded with clouds and mist, the water vapor was extremely dense, causing one to be dazzled.

Xiao Zhihe carefully walked forward with the towel in hand, stopping only when she reached the barrel itself, and was looking left and right for Emperor Xun's figure, when suddenly, a burst of water splashed in all directions, and a wet chest appeared in front of Xiao Zhihe's eyes. Further down, after his shiny black hair had been drenched, it was casually stroked to the back of her head, and the man's face, which was covered with droplets of water, which made her face appear right in front of Xiao Zhihe.

Xiao Zhihe came back to her senses, her ears were burning red. She lowered her head and quickly went behind the man, bent down with trembling hands, and looked as if she was about to touch the man's smooth back.

Don't be afraid of me. An inaudible sigh sounded out beside his ears. Xiao Zhihe's hand trembled, and the entire piece of white towel sank into the wooden bucket, slowly sinking.

Emperor Xun raised his eyes, lifting a sturdy arm from the barrel with the right temperature of the water, and gently stroked his head as he resolutely lowered it in front of him. The woman's curling up face was like a painting, her fingertip depicting it meticulously, as if regretting and consoling it on her own, not knowing if it was for Xiao Zhihe or to reassure him —

If you don't want to sleep, I won't tell you to go to my chamber again, and you won't have to be so afraid of me in the future.

He had only conferred you the title of an imperial concubine because he wanted to give you a reasonable status. Even if you didn't like it, you could only accept it. There was no room for negotiation on this point.

Maybe it was because the temperature in the room was too hot, causing Xiao Zhihe's face to flush red and her head to spin around, she looked at the man who was getting closer to her with a muddled face, and suddenly heard a sentence. It was as if lightning had struck on the ground, causing her black and white pupils to suddenly widen.

This King wants you to take her place and stay by This King's side for all eternity.

Xiao Zhihe's eyelashes trembled. Just as she was about to retreat in panic, Emperor Xun's pair of wet arms grabbed onto her neck. She had no choice but to lower her head and look directly at the handsome face that the man closed his eyes and raised his head towards her.

A kiss as cold as frost.