CH 46.2

The next day, the news of Liao Qing Qing sleeping in Zhengqian Palace spread through the imperial harem.

What kind of palace is Zhengqian Palace?

It is the palace where Emperor Jing Li resides.

Ever since Emperor Jing Li ascended to the throne, no imperial concubine had ever spent the night in Zhengqian Palace.

Liao Qing Qing is the first person!

Although the entire harem knew that Liao Qing Qing was Emperor Jing Li’s favourite, this “favourite” didn’t fade with time. Instead, he became increasingly fond of her.

Some of the imperial concubines lamented Liao Qing Qing’s good fortune. Some were jealous, some were sad, and some were unrelenting.

Those would be Noble Consort Liang and Worthy Consort.

The two previously framed Liao Qing Qing’s father, Liao Shi Wen. Under Emperor Jing Li’s hammering, they contacted their respective families and tried their best to clear Liao Shi Wen’s name. The two families secretly kowtowed until their heads were injured and gave up some power and financial resources in their hands, hoping that Emperor Jing Li would forgive Noble Consort Liang and Worthy Consort for being insensible.

It was true that Emperor Jing Li did not touch Noble Consort Liang and Worthy Consort. However, he did not pay any attention to them either.

They had no power now and only had the title of imperial concubines.

Presently, they became increasingly angrier when they heard that Liao Qing Qing was becoming more and more favoured by Emperor Jing Li. Moreover, the potatoes that Liao Qing Qing had planted became popular among the imperial officials, and the Emperor took the opportunity to propose the establishment of Liao Qing Qing as the Empress.

Establishing Liao Qing Qing as the Empress?

Noble Consort Liang and Worthy Consort were horrified when they received the news.

Noble Consort Liang even smashed a jade vase.

Her hatred for Liao Qing Qing reached an all-time high.

And at this moment, Liao Qing Qing also heard about the “establishment of the Empress”.

Establishing an Empress was different from being promoted. The latter required the Emperor to do it himself, while the former had to be approved by most of the imperial officials.

After all, the Empress is the mother of the country.

Hence, it was not unusual for Liao Qing Qing to hear about the imperial subjects arguing about the establishment of the Empress.

When she looked at Emperor Jing Li, she found that Emperor Jing Li was also relaxed and told Liao Qing Qing how the imperial subjects were arguing in the imperial court. When he narrated the climax of the imperial subject’s dispute, he even laughed out loud.

“….” Liao Qing Qing said, “Your Majesty, aren’t you angry?”

Emperor Jing Li replied, “Why should I be angry? It is good to have some conflicts between the imperial subjects. It will be problematic if they are so harmonious.”

Liao Qing Qing didn’t know anything about politics, but she thought that the sight of each of them expressing their own opinions was good.

“So, Qing Qing, don’t be in a hurry.” Emperor Jing Li said, “Anyway, no matter how much they argue, they will all listen to me in the end.”

Liao Qing Qing, “…..”

“I will ask the Directorate of Astronomy to choose a good day to perform the ceremony of the crowning of the Empress. But I still felt a little regretful….”

“Of what?”

“The preparations for the ceremony of crowning the Empress will take at least three months, but it needs to be completed within ten days.”

“Why does it have to be done in ten days?”

“Because there are nine more days before we can consummate the marriage.”

“(Cough)!” Liao Qing Qing, who was drinking water, choked for a moment. So Emperor Jing Li was counting down the days to the ninth day from thirty-one days already?

“Why did you choke?” Emperor Jing Li hastily took the teacup from Liao Qing Qing’s hand and put it on the table. His big hands gently stroked Liao Qing Qing’s back and said, “Why are you drinking so anxiously?”

“???” She’s drinking so anxiously? She’s drinking so anxiously? She is clearly choking because of his words!

Emperor Jing Li tilted his head and asked, “Are you feeling better?”

Liao Qing Qing turned to look at Emperor Jing Li. Her eyes were watery, and she looked a little aggrieved because she had choked on water. Her lips were moist and full. Emperor Jing Li’s breath instantly hitched and asked, “Qing Qing, are you feeling better?”

“Better,” Liao Qing Qing responded.

“I am not well.” Emperor Jing Li’s voice was slightly hoarse.

“What’s wrong with you, Your Majesty?”

As soon as Liao Qing Qing finished her sentence, Emperor Jing Li pinned Liao Qing Qing against the soft couch… Liao Qing Qing sat with her clothes dishevelled on the soft couch and snarled, “Your Majesty, this imperial concubine still has to meet the Empress Dowager!”

“I will accompany you,” Emperor Jing Li said.

“….” After she realised he was neurotic, temperamental, childish and dramatic, Liao Qing Qing had discovered another flaw of Emperor Jing Li—clinginess.

It was clingy in the literal sense.

Since her return from Liao manor, whenever she and Emperor Jing Li were together, she either sat on Emperor Jing Li’s lap or slept on his body. The least was holding hands. In short, their bodies had to touch one another.

At this moment, they were heading to Shouxi Palace together.

Now that it was summer, it was not yet time to use ice. Hence, everyone wore thin garments, which was the same for Liao Qing Qing. She had deliberately spent silver to make a set for the Empress Dowager, which she was presenting to her currently.

Empress Dowager ordered Chang Momo to receive it with her usual expressionless face and said coldly, “Lady Xi of Bright Countenance is thoughtful.”

Liao Qing Qing knew that Empress Dowager was a cold-faced, warm-hearted person who basically did not say anything nice but did particularly heart-warming things. With a smile, she said, “It’s this imperial concubine’s blessing to be able to pay filial respect to the Empress Dowager.”

Empress Dowager did not have much reaction and said, “This grieving one[1] called you here today is not a big matter. It’s just that summer is here. There are a lot of mosquitoes and insects. You’re shuttling between crops all day, and you’ll inevitably come across them. This grieving one happened to bring back a lot of incense from the private courtyard. You can take it back and light it to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”

Just like she said, Empress Dowager was particularly warm-hearted. Liao Qing Qing unceremoniously said with a smile, “Thank you, Empress Dowager. This imperial concubine will light it properly.”

As Empress Dowager nodded her head, she saw the red spots on Liao Qing Qing’s neck.

Chang Momo, who was holding the incense, also saw it and exclaimed, “Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, you’ve been bitten by mosquitoes, right?”

“Where?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

“There’s a red patch on your neck.”

“Does it itch? This old servant will take some ointment so that you can apply it.” After these days of getting along, Chang Momo especially liked Liao Qing Qing. Liao Qing Qing was sincere and respectful to Chang Momo. Chang Momo was simply like an old mother caring for Liao Qing Qing on a daily basis. Upon seeing that Liao Qing Qing was bitten by mosquitoes, she immediately frowned and said, “I don’t know if this mosquito is powerful. It caused a big patch.”

Liao Qing Qing immediately touched her neck and didn’t feel anything different. However, looking at Chang Momo’s eyes, it seemed to be very serious, so she said, “Then I will trouble you, Chang Momo.”

Chang Momo immediately put down the incense and went to get the medicine.

Empress Dowager tried to stop Chang Momo, but she couldn’t intervene.

“Ahem.” At this time, Emperor Jing Li coughed and said, “Chang Momo doesn’t need to go get it.”

“Why?” Chang Momo turned back and said, “It’s red. At first glance, it is a big mosquito bite. Your Majesty, you don’t know some mosquitoes are particularly powerful. One bite can cause a large patch. This old servant here has—”

Emperor Jing Li interrupted Chang Momo. “It’s not a big mosquito. It’s me.”

“???” Chang Momo could not react.

Emperor Jing Li repeated, “The red patch on Lady Xi of Bright Countenance’s neck is not bitten by a mosquito. I bit it.”

The Empress Dowager lowered her head and said nothing.

Chang Momo’s expression hardened.

Liao Qing Qing’s face turned red in a flash.

This time, not only her neck was red, but her entire body was also red.

The author has something to say: —

Liao Qing Qing: I’ve lost all of my dignity!

Liao Qing Qing: Let me die!

Emperor Jing Li: ….

[1] 哀家(āijiā)- This grieving one/ I (self-referring by a widowed empress etc, used in historical novels and operas)