si-mexico Chapter 54 There's Still a Long Way to Go
Chapter 54 There's Still a Long Way to Go
The servants in the inner chamber looked towards the outer hall with delight.
A hint of surprise flashed in Chu Qingyin's eyes; they'd come again.
It seems that Pei Yuanling did not believe her words from yesterday and still regarded her as Chu Qingyin.
"Yinyin."
As Chu Qingyin was pondering, she heard a gentle call. As soon as she looked up, she saw the emperor in a brocade robe and jade belt approaching.
The palace servants in the inner room immediately and tactfully withdrew, leaving the two of them alone.
"This concubine greets Your Majesty." Chu Qingyin bowed and was about to perform the proper greeting.
"Alright, it's just the two of us here, no need for formalities," Pei Yuanling said, reaching out to help her up.
Chu Qingyin smiled gently, her face showing a submissive demeanor: "Your Majesty is so kind to your concubine."
Pei Yuanling was not happy to see her fawning and submissive appearance. He still preferred the way she used to be, unrestrained towards him, arguing with him when she was unhappy, and acting as carefree as a child when she was happy.
Whether she has truly forgotten or is acting with him, as long as she remains by his side, let's proceed according to her wishes.
Pei Yuanling sighed inwardly, but smiled gently and said, "It's late, Yinyin, let's go to bed."
Chu Qingyin nodded: "Yes."
After her two previous attempts to seduce him failed, she had no idea what the man was thinking.
The art of war dictates that if the enemy does not move, I will not move either. Therefore, that night, lying side by side with Pei Yuanling in bed, Chu Qingyin remained quiet and still.
Unexpectedly, after a short while, the man turned to the side, raised his hand and put it around her waist, subtly pulling her into his arms.
Chu Qingyin was taken aback. Did he mean to touch her?
In her confused state, she found herself leaning against the man's warm embrace. The large hand around her waist was especially hot, its burning heat seeming to melt her body.
Chu Qingyin could sense his desire from the heavy breathing coming from above.
After a moment's hesitation, she gently closed her eyes, and a soft arm obediently climbed onto the man's chest, calling out in a sweet voice, "Your Majesty."
Her attitude has made it clear that she is willing to cooperate.
However, after waiting and waiting, the man did not make a move.
Chu Qingyin was a little confused for a moment. After thinking for a while, she looked up.
Upon looking up, she was immediately met with a handsome and refined face. The man looked at her and asked, "What's wrong?"
You know perfectly well why you're asking this!
Chu Qingyin thought to herself, but on the surface she put on a shy and timid expression and said, "Your Majesty, please stop teasing your concubine."
"Teasing?"
Pei Yuanling raised his thick eyebrows, still looking puzzled, and rubbed his rough hands against her waist twice: "How did I tease you?"
Chu Qingyin felt a tingling sensation from his actions and couldn't help but reach out to grab the man's mischievous hand, biting her lip and coquettishly saying, "Your Majesty, you're naughty."
Looking at her delicate, budding beauty, Pei Yuanling couldn't help but swallow hard.
He was not the kind of person who was pure and abstinent. When she was still a concubine, except for special periods, he almost never asked her to stay in his room alone every night.
Since her passing, he has not been near any woman for almost half a year.
Now that he knows she's back, he no longer wants to hold back.
but……
"The imperial physician said that your sudden fainting last time caused a deficiency of qi and blood, and you need to rest for a few days."
Pei Yuanling lowered his head, his thin lips gently touching Chu Qingyin's forehead, and kissed her: "Tonight, I will hold you while we sleep, and I will not touch you."
It turned out that it wasn't that he didn't want to touch her, but rather that he was concerned about her health.
Chu Qingyin breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she suddenly felt a little uneasy.
According to him, if he doesn't touch her tonight, then he'll rest quietly for a few days...
Suddenly, the soft flesh around my waist was pinched.
Chu Qingyin snapped out of her daze and heard the man's deep voice: "Does Yinyin want it tonight?"
Even though she had lived twice, these words still made Chu Qingyin's cheeks burn.
"No, I didn't..." She reached out and pushed against the man's chest.
Pei Yuanling seemed amused by her shy appearance, and reached out to pull her into his arms, saying contentedly, "Don't rush, we have a long time ahead of us."
There is ample time.
Chu Qingyin murmured these words in her heart, her long eyelashes drooping slightly.
Is there any future for her and him?
"Go to sleep." Pei Yuanling hugged her tighter.
Chu Qingyin gave a soft "hmm," then obediently wrapped her arms around the man's lean waist. As drowsiness crept in, she closed her eyes.
The next morning, when Pei Yuanling woke up, Chu Qingyin was still fast asleep.
He didn't wake her, but instead bent down and kissed her face, then pulled the blanket over her and tucked her in.
After the morning court session, inside the Zichen Hall.
The gilded incense burner was filled with the finest agarwood, its fragrance lingering faintly.
As usual, Lu Zhiheng reported to Pei Yuanling on the recent progress of flood control.
"I have already followed the plan I discussed with Your Majesty and assigned officials to begin the work of controlling the floods. I believe that with the blessing of Heaven, we will soon see results."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanling's eyes showed satisfaction: "I knew that any matter entrusted to Minister Lu would be resolved smoothly."
Although Lu Zhiheng was surprised by Pei Yuanling's good mood at the moment, he remained calm and said, "As a subject, it is only right and proper for me to serve His Majesty. I dare not ask for credit."
Pei Yuanling's gaze swept over him, and seeing his measured movements and flawless demeanor, he couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.
“Minister Lu, you’re being a bit too formal. That won’t please the young lady.”
Pei Yuanling seemed to think of something as he spoke, and said with a smile, "Speaking of which, Minister Lu is a talented young man, handsome and extraordinary. He should be the dream man of all the young ladies in the capital. How come he is still unmarried, and doesn't even have a concubine or maidservant?"
He paused for a moment, then looked down at the handsome minister with a scrutinizing gaze: "Could it be that Minister Lu has already found someone he loves?"
Lu Zhiheng's eyes flickered slightly, but his face remained calm and composed: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am now only focused on serving the court and have no thoughts of romance."
"Even so, governing a country, managing a family, and bringing peace to the world are all things to be done. My dear minister, you are of age and will eventually need to settle down and start a family."
Pei Yuanling's lips curled slightly: "I'm quite curious about what kind of woman Minister Lu would fall for."
The moment the words left his mouth, an image of a cunning, fox-like, bright face involuntarily surfaced in Lu Zhiheng's mind.
Her eyes could express both joy and anger; they seemed to hold a smile, yet the smile didn't reach her eyes, as if veiled by a misty veil, like the moon reflected in water or a flower in a mirror, making them unfathomable and incomprehensible.
Seeing Lu Zhiheng suddenly fall silent, Pei Yuanling's eyes flashed with interest: "It seems that Minister Lu has already found someone she loves. I wonder which family she is? Tell me, and I may act as matchmaker and bestow a marriage upon you."
Lu Zhiheng was slightly taken aback, then immediately put aside his thoughts and replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I have no woman in my heart."
Pei Yuanling seemed unconvinced: "Really?"
Lu Zhiheng lowered his head, "Your subject dares not deceive Your Majesty."
"Tsk, that's a real shame."
Lu Zhiheng's refusal to speak was within Pei Yuanling's expectations, and he did not press the matter: "If you meet a woman you like in the future, you must tell me, and I will definitely send you a generous gift."
Lu Zhiheng respectfully thanked him, "Yes."
The two chatted for a few more minutes. Just as Lu Zhiheng was about to take his leave, Pei Yuanling suddenly thought of something: "Please trouble Minister Lu to thank Master Jingyuan on my behalf."
"I will certainly convey the message."
Lu Zhiheng agreed, and after a moment of silence, he couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, does Consort Qiao really have some connection with Consort Chu?"
The question was phrased tactfully, but both parties understood what it meant.
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanling's gaze towards Lu Zhiheng instantly took on a scrutinizing quality.
"If Your Majesty is unwilling to say more, then I will not ask any further questions. I only ask that Your Majesty be at ease," Lu Zhiheng replied calmly, meeting his gaze.
Pei Yuanling then withdrew his gaze and nodded lightly: "I am well aware of this matter."
He avoided the topic, which made Lu Zhiheng increasingly suspicious. What was originally only three-tenths doubtful had now turned into seven-tenths.
Upon returning to his office in the cabinet, he received a message from Ling Xiao.
"As soon as you left the Zichen Palace, His Majesty summoned Zhang Cheng, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and ordered him to release Chu Tianheng from the torture chamber and move him to an ordinary cell."
Ling Xiao bowed and said, "Not only that, His Majesty also instructed Vice Minister Zhang to take good care of Chu Tianheng, and that no further punishment should be inflicted without an imperial edict."
Lu Zhiheng narrowed his dark eyes slightly. It seemed that Pei Yuanling was planning to let Chu Tianheng go.
"Master, is there anything I can do for you?" Ling Xiao asked.
He tapped the table lightly with his long fingers, and after a moment, Lu Zhiheng raised his eyes: "No need. You may leave now."
A look of surprise flashed in Ling Xiao's eyes, but seeing his master's expressionless face, he dared not say anything more and quickly withdrew.
Lu Zhiheng sat at the table. Admittedly, he had been behind the scenes instigating the Chu State Duke's family's treason, but that was not his original intention.
If Chu Tianheng hadn't been so powerful and stubborn, he would never have resorted to such a desperate measure.
However, that Miss Qiao was quite capable. She had only been in the palace for a short time, yet she managed to get His Majesty to transfer Chu Tianheng from the severe punishment cell to an ordinary cell.
He was somewhat curious to see just how far she could go.