CH 42

“Scold him,” Emperor Jing Li said.

Liao Qing Qing’s face was filled with bewilderment. Emperor Jing Li’s line of thought really makes one confused.

Emperor Jing Li asked, “What’s the matter?”

Liao Qing Qing asked in confusion, “Your Majesty, what did Xie Yi do wrong?”

Emperor Jing Li let out a light snort and said capriciously, “He has upset me.”[1]

Liao Qing Qing reminded, “But he seems to have done nothing.” Xie Yi is so wronged when one thinks about it carefully.

“He taught your younger brother zither, chess, calligraphy and painting.”

This reason is so dogmatic… Liao Qing Qing responded, “That’s for a reason.”

Emperor Jing Li asked irritably, “What reason?”

“Xie Yi’s second uncle is a tutor.”

“So what about it?” Emperor Jing Li did not understand.

Liao Qing Qing explained patiently, “Tutor Xie has been unwell recently. Xie Yi was injured some time ago. He was recuperating in the manor and could help Tutor Xie oversee his students. He taught them zither, chess, calligraphy and painting.”

Emperor Jing Li then asked, ‘So Xie Yi is not only teaching your younger brother?”

“Of course not! He teaches many students. This imperial concubine’s[2] younger brother is one of them.”

Emperor Jing Li felt more at ease.

Liao Qing Qing asked, “Do you still want me to scold him?”

“Scold! I will scold him!” Emperor Jing Li said, “Why is he, a military general, becoming a tutor and teaching students? He is not attending to his proper duties!”

“He only teaches for two or three days and teaches his students to serve the country faithfully.”

Upon hearing that, Emperor Jing Li fell silent for a moment. He always hoped that the common people had a heart of loyalty to serve the country.

In fact, he admired Xie Yi, General Xie, how he handled people, literary or military talent. He found Xie Yi to be a rare talent. Thus, he did not make things difficult for him because he went on a blind date with Liao Qing Qing.

However, he felt displeased with Xie Yi in his heart.

He felt bitter every time someone put Liao Qing Qing and Xie Yi together.

He just wanted to drag Xie Yi out and beat him.

Now that he had wronged Xie Yi, he touched his nose. His imposing manner weakened a bit. His voice also became softer. He said, “It’s not bad that he has that intention.”

Liao Qing Qing, “…”

Emperor Jing Li suddenly asked, “But how come he hasn’t gotten married yet?”

“???”

Emperor Jing Li appeared worried. “He’s not young anymore, right?”

Enthusiastic.

Emperor Jing Li is really too enthusiastic.

He is suddenly concerned about the lifelong matter of his imperial subjects.

Liao Qing Qing could not utter a word.

Emperor Jing Li then said, “I will pick out someone for him later.”

“…. It shouldn’t be necessary. I heard that his family is looking for a blind date.”

“Really?” Suddenly, it was as if his desire to pry was ignited. With a curious expression, he asked, “Which family? Has the date been set?”

“….” Feeling helpless, he said, “This imperial concubine doesn’t know. I just heard my younger brother mention it and didn’t ask.”

""

“There cannot be waves without wind.[3] He is definitely going on blind dates. Blind dates are quite good. Quite good.” Emperor Jing Li was suddenly happy. He placed his arm around Liao Qing Qing’s shoulder and said, “Let’s go. Take me to visit your bedroom.”

“Your Majesty.” Liao Qing Qing replied, “This isn’t this imperial concubine’s bedroom.”

“Where is your bedroom?”

“It leaked and is being repaired. However, the furniture inside was damaged. So my parents felt it was not very suitable to live in. Hence, they deliberately built this small courtyard for this imperial concubine.”

“That’s fine. I’ll visit it too.”

“Mm.” Liao Qing Qing took Emperor Jing Li to her bedroom. The bedroom was decorated by Ji Shi. It could be seen that she did it attentively and tenderly. However, it was not comparable to Lisheng Pavilion at all. Yet, both Liao Qing Qing and Emperor Jing Li liked this kind of simple style.

Emperor Jing Li nodded his head.

Liao Qing Qing let out a sigh upon seeing Emperor Jing Li’s psychotic episode was over. She asked, “Your Majesty, what brings you here? And even wore this….” Eunuch uniform.

Emperor Jing Li said confidently, “I came to give you a blanket.”

Liao Qing Qing asked puzzledly, “You’re really here to deliver the blanket?”

“Of course.”

“…. But it is not cold.”

“Beloved Concubine, didn’t I just say just now? It’s my heart’s desire.”

Liao Qing Qing’s temple throbbed twice.

Emperor Jing Li added, “The main thing is I miss Qing Qing.”

His voice was soft and raspy. It sounded very nice. Once it entered Liao Qing Qing’s ears, she only felt a tingly feeling in her heart.

Her beautiful eyes looked towards Emperor Jing Li.

Their eyes met.

It was as if there was an invisible sweet gossamer in their eyes.

They only had one another in their eyes.

Until He Xiang and Fu Sheng’s talking sounds sounded from the door.

Only then did Liao Qing Qing return to her senses and ask, “Your Majesty, are you going back to the palace?”

Emperor Jing Li replied straightforwardly, “I’m not returning.”

“You’re not returning?” Liao Qing Qing was surprised.

“I’m not.” Emperor Jing Li said decisively.

“What about tomorrow’s morning court?”

“I’ll go back tomorrow morning for the morning court.”

“That’s not good, right?”

“What’s not good?”

“What if they find out?”

“Only heaven knows, you know, I know, and Fu Sheng knows. Who will find out?” Emperor Jing Li asked in response.

“But—” Liao Qing Qing always felt that Emperor Jing Li was too capricious. As she thought back, Emperor Jing Li was always wilful.

“You don’t want to see me?”

“Of course not!”

“Then what’s wrong with me sleeping here?” Emperor Jing Li turned his head to the side.

Liao Qing Qing looked straight at Emperor Jing Li, who wasn’t wearing his dragon robe and brocade clothes and dressed in a eunuch’s uniform instead. He could even make the eunuch uniform appear dignified. However, he slipped out in the middle of the night to see her.

To be honest, she was very moved.

She couldn’t help but say, “No problem.”

Emperor Jing Li turned his head to look at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing asked, “This imperial concubine heard that Your Majesty did not take your meals on time these two days?”

“Mm.” Emperor Jing Li replied sullenly with a very aggrieved look.

“Is Your Majesty hungry now?”

Emperor Jing Li especially missed Liao Qing Qing tonight. He sat in the empty Lisheng Pavilion and could not eat at all. He changed his clothes and rode a horse over. He was a little hungry after Liao Qing Qing mentioned this.

Liao Qing Qing said, “Let’s eat something, okay?”

Emperor Jing Li nodded his head.

“What does Your Majesty want to eat?”

“Anything is fine.”

“Something simple. How about a bowl of green vegetables and egg noodles? It’s easy to digest.”

Emperor Jing Li nodded.

Liao Qing Qing turned around and walked to the door. When she opened the door of her room, she happened to see He Xiang coming back from outside. She didn’t want others to know that Emperor Jing Li was here. It would scare the whole Liao manor, not to mention that it would endanger Emperor Jing Li.

So she said to He Xiang, “He Xiang, I’m a little hungry. Tell the kitchen to prepare a bowl of green vegetable and egg noodles and send it over.”

“Yes.” He Xiang did not have any doubts.

“And some refreshing small side dishes.”

“Yes.”

He Xiang left.

Not long after, He Xiang knocked on the door with a tray of noodles. After Liao Qing Qing opened the door and received it, she instructed, “He Xiang, go to bed. I will call you if there is anything.”

“Yes.” He Xiang answered. She asked, “Mistress, will Fu Sheng and the others leave?”

“As for Fu Sheng,” Liao Qing Qing made an impromptu reason and continued, “he did something wrong in the palace today, and His Majesty punished him to come over to guard and protect us. You don’t need to care about them.”

“In that case, this maidservant[4] can properly sleep.”

“Go on.”

She watched He Xiang leave.

Liao Qing Qing shut the door, walked in with a tray and placed it on the padded table. The white noodles glistened in the candlelight. There were eggs and green tea to go with them. There was a plate of cold black fungus and a plate of sour and spicy radish slices.”

It looked very appetising.

“Eat, Your Majesty” Liao Qing Qing pushed the tray towards Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li picked up the chopsticks and mixed the noodles, accompanied by a faint warmth and mouth-watering aroma.

It was said that hunger was the best seasoning.

At this moment, Emperor Jing Li was not so hungry but still felt that the bowl of noodles in front of him was unexpectedly delicious.

It was a taste he had never eaten before.

He glanced at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing was staring at the noodles.

He wanted to laugh and asked, “Do you want to eat it too?”

Liao Qing Qing shook her head.

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“Why don’t you let them make another bowl?”

“It would be bad if Your Majesty’s identity is exposed.”

“For my sake?” Emperor Jing Li raised his eyebrows.

Liao Qing Qing replied honestly, “Of course.”

The corners of Emperor Jing Li’s unconsciously raised. He picked up a piece of egg and handed it to Liao Qing Qing.

“What is this for?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

“To give some for you to eat.”

“This imperial concubine will not eat.”

“I will give some for you to eat.”

Liao Qing Qing really wanted to eat. She didn’t expect that Liao manor’s cook could make a bowl of green vegetables and egg noodles to be so tempting. It must be because the Liao manor is poor, and they often make green vegetables and egg noodles. 

That’s why this bowl of noodles was made outstanding!

Liap Qing Qing ate the egg on the chopsticks.

Emperor Jing Li gave Liao Qing Qing another strand of noodles for Liao Qing Qing to eat.

Liao Qing Qing felt bad eating it.

“Eat. Eat with me.”

“….”

Emperor Jing Li ate a bite and then fed Liao Qing Qing.

A simple bowl of noodles was unexpectedly eaten affectionately. This was something that Liao Qing Qing and Emperor Jing Li did not even think about before. After they finished eating, Liao Qing Qing sent the tray out and turned her head to find Emperor Jing Li looking around the room again.

She smiled.

Then, she heard Emperor Jing Li say, “Qing Qing.”

“Hm?”

Emperor Jing Li stretched out his arms and asked, “Do I look good in these clothes?”

So narcissistic. Liao Qing Qing replied, “Yes!”

“Really?” Emperor Jing Li asked with a smile.

Liao Qing Qing nodded. “Really.”

A smile appeared on Emperor Jing Li’s face, and he said smugly, “I also think I look good in any kind of clothes.”

Liao Qing Qing genuinely thought that Emperor Jing Li looked good in anything he wore. She said solemnly, “Your Majesty, this imperial concubine concur.”

Emperor Jing Li laughed aloud.

Liao Qing Qing swiftly stepped forward and raised her hand to cover Emperor Jing Li’s mouth.

Emperor Jing Li looked at Liao Qing Qing in confusion.

Liao Qing Qing whispered, “Do you want to reveal your identity?”

Emperor Jing Li shook his head.

Liao Qing Qing said, “Then we have to lower our voices.”

Emperor Jing Li smiled. His lips touched Liao Qing Qing’s palm. It is fragrant and soft; it smells like Qing Qing. His heart softened, and he uncontrollably kissed and licked Liao Qing Qing’s palm.

Liao Qing Qing was thinking about the Emperor’s safety. She did not even think about this aspect. When she was licked by Emperor Jing Li, she was so startled that she withdrew her hands. The wet and soft feeling on her palm travelled to her heart.

Her heart softened, and she felt numb.

She had never experienced such a situation. Is Emperor Jing Li a dog? Why is he acting in such a manner? Her shy face flushed. She raised her eyes and said angrily, “Your Majesty, how can you do this?”

This shy and dainty appearance made Emperor Jing Li feel ticklish.

Instantly, he hugged Liao Qing Qing tightly.

Then, he gave an overwhelming kiss.

It lasted for a long time.

When Liao Qing Qing could hardly breathe, Emperor Jing Li released Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing’s watery eyes gazed at Emperor Jing Li. It took a while before she returned to her senses.

Emperor Jing Li lamented, “There are still nineteen days left.”

“What about nineteen days?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

“There are still nineteen days left before we can copulate.”

“….”

The author has something to say: ——

Emperor Jing Li: Days are like years…

Emperor Jing Li: Days are like years! I’m awesome!

Liao Qing Qing: ???

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

[2] 嫔妾(pín qiè)- This imperial concubine. It is a self-appellation that can only be used by Lady of Talents (才人), Noble Lady (贵人), etc to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

[3] 无风不起浪(wúfēngbùqǐlàng)- There cannot be waves without wind. It means there must be a reason or there’s always some reason for a rumour.

[4] 奴婢[núbì]- I; your humble servant (term of self-address used by servants, maid-servants and eunuchs when addressing the emperor, minister, concubines, etc.)