CH 32.2

Chapter 32 Part 2- Cover Your Eyes

Liao Qing Qing returned to Lisheng Pavilion with the jaded ruyi sceptre.

He Xiang brought all the palace maids to congratulate Liao Qing Qing happily.

Liao Qing Qing said, “I see that all of you want to be rewarded!”

He Xiang laughed.

Liao Qing Qing said, “Okay. I have silver now anyway. He Xiang, go and reward some and give yourself some silver as well.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

He Xiang rewarded the Momos,[1] palace maids and eunuchs of Lisheng Pavilion.

Liao Qing Qing did not feel much about Lady Xi of Bright Countenance or whatnot. But when she saw the glimmering gold, she really liked it. She kept staring at it. Just then, Emperor Jing Li arrived.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.” Liao Qing Qing saluted.

“You may rise.” Emperor Jing Li’s tone was not very good.

Liao Qing Qing slowly stood up and looked at Emperor Jing Li in confusion.

Emperor Jing Li sat down on the chair in the hall.

Liao Qing Qing went forward to pour water.

Emperor Jing Li took a sip.

Liao Qing Qing poured again.

“Don’t pour it anymore. I’m not going to drink it.” Emperor Jing Li said.

Liao Qing Qing raised her eyes and scrutinised Emperor Jing Li. She asked somewhat carefully, “Your Majesty, what’s wrong? It doesn’t look like you are in a good mood.”

“Isn’t that because of you?” Emperor Jing Li looked askance at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing did not understand and asked, “Your Majesty, what did this imperial concubine do wrong?”

“Who asked you to catch the snake with your bare hands?” Emperor Jing Li questioned.

Liao Qing Qing was dumbfounded and answered, “This imperial concubine willingly caught it by myself.”

“What if it hurts you?”

Liao Qing Qing explained, “It won’t. This imperial concubine knows how to subdue the snake. Moreover, it was a small snake that would not spontaneously hurt anyone. But Lady Wu of Satisfying Deportment and Lady Ye of Bright Deportment shouted and tried to throw dirt and the small green snake at me. If it was angered, this imperial concubine is scared that it will hurt the Empress Dowager.”

When he saw Liao Qing Qing subduing the small green snake, he first felt his wife was very impressive. Then, he was a little afraid.

What if the small green snake had bitten her?

What if it was poisonous?

The more he thought about it, the more worried he was. The more anxious he was, the angrier he became. He was mad at Liao Qing Qing’s impulsiveness. But he couldn’t flare up at Liao Qing Qing, especially at this moment when she said, ‘afraid that it will harm the Empress Dowager’.

He said, “The Empress Dowager asked you to do manual labour every day and you still protect her?”

“Naturally. She is Your Majesty’s mother and also this imperial concubine’s mother.”

Emperor Jing Li’s heart softened into a puddle of clear water with a simple sentence. He and the Empress Dowager had fallen out. However, they were still mother and son after all. After so many years, they had nothing to say face to face. But they did things privately for each other’s good.

Upon hearing Liao Qing Qing speak in such a way, he felt a sense of relief of being understood. He reached his hand out to hold Liao Qing Qing’s hand. Other emotions passed through him as he said softly, “Qing Qing, I[2] thank you.”

“Thank this imperial concubine for what?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

“Thank you for clearing up the situation for me.” Emperor Jing Li asked curiously, “ ‘The green snake causes a disturbance, the loach jumps, and the rain is approaching.’, is there really such a saying?”

“Maybe there is? Anyway, it is going to rain today. This imperial concubine knows it in advance.” She had observed the sky and had consulted the Supervisor of the Venerant Heaven.

“So there is no such phrase as ‘The green snake causes a disturbance, the loach jumps, and the rain is approaching.’?”

“This imperial concubine isn’t sure. Anyway, it is a common saying. Isn’t that created by common people? This imperial concubine is a common people. If I say it for the country and the people, won’t everyone be happy?” Liao Qing Qing said righteously.

Is there such sophistry?

As he deliberated over it, that seemed to be the case.

Emperor Jing Li listened in wonder. He quietly gazed at Liao Qing Qing. When the officials knelt and begged for their sins during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, he felt at a loss for a moment.

Only when Liao Qing Qing came forward, neither supercilious nor obsequious, and said a few words gently and playfully, which turned the situation around. He never knew that the usually delicate and gentle Qing Qing could be filled with radiance at that moment, causing his heart to thump.

His heart was stirred up inside.

At this moment, his heart softened when he saw that she was her usual playful appearance. He wanted to hug Liao Qing Qing. Using a little force, he pulled Liao Qing Qing towards him. Who knew that Liao Qing Qing didn’t stand firmly and sat on his lap at once.

Liao Qing Qing, “….”

Emperor Jing Li, “….”

???

There seems to be something not quite right.

Emperor Jing Li’s indescribable part is slowly getting bigger and harder…

Liao Qing Qing was shocked, hastily stood up and took two steps back.

Emperor Jing Li did not force Liao Qing Qing to sit down. Instead, he coughed softly.

Then he said awkwardly, “Uh, I came on the way to see you. Now, there are things that need to be attended to in Zhengqian Palace. I will leave first and come back later.”

Liao Qing Qing quickly paid her respects, “Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jing Li left Lisheng Pavilion in big strides.

As soon as he arrived at Zhengqian Palace, he summoned Imperial Physician Fan to his palace and inquired about his health.

Imperial Physician Fan asked, “Your Majesty, do you mean to say that you had a reaction again?”

“I have a reaction once every three to five days!” Emperor Jing Li said unhappily.

Imperial Physician Fan asked, “Does Your Majesty’s head still hurt?”

""

“It hasn’t hurt for a long time.”

“Mm. Your Majesty’s condition has been improving rapidly.” Imperial Physician Fan stroked his newly grown stubble. He pondered for a moment and asked softly, “Your Majesty, this subject boldly ask, did your… thing… ever come out?”

“What thing… ever came out?” Emperor Jing Li did not understand.

“That is…” Imperial Physician Fan lowered his voice and said it.

“….” Emperor Jing Li choked for a moment. He wanted to scold Imperial Physician Fan for being immodest. However, other matters are not involved with medicine. He did not scold Imperial Physician Fan and said upfront, “No.”

Imperial Physician Fan said, “Then Your Majesty needs to wait a little longer. The poison back then was too damaging to Your Majesty’s body. It can’t be rushed. Otherwise, it would hurt others and hurt yourself.”

Emperor Jing Li said in annoyance, “All right. You can leave.”

“Yes.”

Imperial Physician Fan left.

Emperor Jing Li pondered. He had been poisoned for so many years and had survived such poor health in the early stages. Presently, he was getting better and better and shouldn’t be in a hurry, so he put away this thought.

He headed to the imperial study.

He went to Lisheng Pavilion again in the evening and ate with Liao Qing Qing.

After the meal, the Momo from the Imperial Clothes Department came over to send clothes to Liao Qing Qing.

They were all washed and folded spring clothes. Liao Qing Qing wore the inner garment that night. It was tulle that clung to the body and was soft.

Liao Qing Qing wore it to sleep.

Emperor Jing Li habitually read a book before going to bed. When he put the book down, Liao Qing Qing was already asleep. He put down the bed curtain and slowly lay down.

He reached his hand out and gently rubbed Liao Qing Qing’s smooth face.

When he withdrew his hand, his eyes inexplicably fell on Liao Qing Qing’s chest.

What kind of inner garment is this?!

So revealing!

This is too much!

Emperor Jing Li instantly felt short of breath. The indescribable spot raised its head again. He thought of the words Imperial Physician Fan said ‘It can’t be rushed. It would hurt others and yourself.’. He could not hurt himself, let alone Liao Qing Qing. He forcefully suppressed it, pulled the quilt and covered Liao Qing Qing.

He distanced himself from Liao Qing Qing and fell asleep.

Not long after he fell asleep, he started to dream. His dreams were all about Liao Qing Qing. It was a Liao Qing Qing that had never been so seductive and tantalised him.

He hugged Liao Qing Qing and did those unmentionable things.

He had never felt so relaxed and refreshed as if he had stepped into heaven.

He was so excited that he suddenly shuddered and woke up all of a sudden. He sat up with a jolt and felt that something was amiss.

He lifted the covers and looked down.

There was too much movement that woke Liao Qing Qing up.

Liao Qing Qing rubbed her eyes and called out, “Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jing Li’s heart tightened. He stretched his arms forward and covered Liao Qing Qing’s eyes. “Don’t look!”

Liao Qing Qing, “???”

The author has something to say:  ——

Emperor Jing Li: Look at it next time!

Liao Qing Qing: ???

[1] 嬷嬷(mómo)- In ancient times, Momo is a title, which refers to palace maids that are of a certain age and position. It usually refers to elderly palace maids of seniority.

[2] 朕(zhèn)- I (imperial) or we (imperial use).

Translator’s Note: Sorry for the very late update. Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing everyone good health and prosperity.

No. of extra chapters owed: 6