The heavy palace doors slowly closed, shutting out the harsh sunlight. The spacious Lanting Hall seemed somewhat cold and desolate. Qingxia stood in the center of the hall, wearing deep purple brocade robes with layers of auspicious cloud patterns embroidered on the lapels. Her face was calm and serene, showing no different emotions. A palace maid in deep blue court dress walked forward with lowered head, placed a tray on the table before Qingxia, then slowly withdrew.
All the hall’s windows were tightly closed, making the lighting poor. The palace maids lit candle stands, and the great tripods burned the familiar court orchid incense – its scent quiet and elegant, its fragrance lasting.
Purple-gold embroidered court slippers lifted lightly, stepping on the clean floor. Qingxia looked at the tray covered with bright yellow brocade, gently reaching out her hand.
Lifting the brocade, beneath was an unremarkable letter. Deep yellow letter paper with dark red borders, painted with small orchid patterns, obviously well-preserved. After all these years, it hadn’t faded at all. On the letter paper, thin handwriting bore her name – not Yima’er, but Zhuang Qingxia.
Slender fingers picked up the letter and opened it. The familiar clear fragrance of fritillary bulb gently dispersed, like quiet old times, flowing slowly like water, softly and elegantly echoing in her nostrils. Qingxia looked at this letter that had quietly waited for her for six years. Her eyes grew somewhat sore, and her hands that had slain countless enemies gradually trembled slightly. After a very long time, she slowly raised her head, closed her eyes, then took a deep breath.
Scattered light shone through the window lattice onto her body. The deep purple brocade robe seemed to have flowing water ripples. Her head tilted slightly back, cheeks somewhat pale, tightly closed lashes trembling lightly like tiny butterfly wings. So many years passed through her mind, so many storms flowed through her life. No matter what hardships and difficulties, her spine had never bent. Only now, at this moment, that upright spine under the setting sun somehow appeared so weathered.
Years scattered, old friends gone. Between flickering candlelight, a line of clear tears slipped from tightly closed eyes.
Outside Lanting Hall in the corridors, all was silent. In the distance beyond the doorways, a group of guards stood quietly. These were all Chu Emperor’s personal guards, rarely separated from Chu Li even within Chu Palace. Yet at this moment, they stood there silently like a pile of speechless stones.
Chu Li sat in an octagonal pavilion above a pond in Lanting Courtyard. The stone table held several exquisite dishes and rice wine. An ancient qin lay before him, incense burning beside it. His eyes were pitch black, showing neither joy nor anger, with no focused gaze, only quietly drinking wine and occasionally eating a bite of food. The sky gradually darkened. It was deep winter, and though Southern Chu’s climate was warm, the night wind carried some chill. Cold wind blew through his robes, lifting his black hair behind him, gently swaying in the air fragrant with orchid scent.
Lanting Hall’s door suddenly creaked. The hand holding the wine cup immediately froze. However, after a long time, he still didn’t hear those familiar footsteps. Chu Li’s heart gradually sank, a trace of sourness slowly rising. He continued raising his hand without expression and drained his cup.
She had forgotten how long it had been since she’d looked at him like this, in such moonlight, such a scene, like something appearing in a dream. Qingxia watched the man’s figure in dappled light and shadow, watched the cold wind blow through his sleeves. Her eyes somehow grew moist. She suddenly remembered that afternoon many years ago when the man had stood like this, back to the light in the hall’s center, gazing at her with deep eyes.
Perhaps many things were already destined the moment one opened their eyes. They had wandered in such a large circle and finally returned to the starting point.
A warm cloak was suddenly draped over his back. Chu Li’s body immediately stiffened somewhat.
Qingxia stood beside him, her pale hand gently touching the ancient qin. She turned her head and said softly: “You can still play the qin? I didn’t know.”
Chu Li raised his head, smiled slightly, and said in clear, light tones: “Back then in Haishi Qi capital, after all, I still had to rely on these skills to make a living.”
A sudden wind arose, lifting Qingxia’s long hair, scattering upward. Through the dense black hair, looking at Chu Li’s lightly smiling face, somehow she felt that smile didn’t enter his eyes at all.
“Chu Li, take me to see tomorrow’s wedding robes. I haven’t tried them on yet. If they don’t fit, there’s still time to alter them.”
The clear voice, soft and hoarse, suddenly reached Chu Li’s ears in the deep winter courtyard. The man immediately raised his head, eyes somewhat astonished. He stared blankly at Qingxia for a very long time. A trace of smile lines suddenly appeared at his mouth corners, growing larger and larger, gradually spreading, melting into his dark eyes.
“Good.” The man smiled and stood, taking Qingxia’s hand: “Come with me.”
Chu Palace was vast, full of exquisite towers and misty waters, green bridges and artificial hills. The two figures walked hurriedly between painted boats and carved railings, as if racing against time. Passing palace maids and servants all competed to step aside and bow. The two didn’t even look, rushing toward the Costume Chamber.
Southern Chu’s wedding dress differed from Northern Qin’s heaviness, full of exquisite delicacy, with extremely complex styles. From inner robe to deep garment to gold shirt, there were fully fifteen layers. Qingxia dressed for quite a while but still wasn’t finished. Chu Li waiting outside impatiently swept aside the curtain, making the woman inside cry out and immediately retreat behind a screen.
Chu Li’s voice was low as he said: “Let me teach you.”
Qingxia’s face reddened somewhat, saying stubbornly: “No need.”
Chu Li curled his lips and lazily sat in a chair, sipping clear tea: “Even better if you don’t need help. See how long it takes you to dress yourself.”
The hourglass in the corner whispered. After half an hour, meals had been sent twice outside, both dismissed by Chu Li. He sat in the chair with closed eyes, expression serene, mouth corners slightly upturned, looking like he was waiting to watch a good show.
The curtain behind the screen finally lifted, bringing a small breeze. Chu Li slightly raised his brows, his long narrow eyes squinting, light restrained, actually silent.
Qingxia stood before him. Though the weather was so cold, her palms were somewhat sweaty. After waiting a long time without any words from Chu Li, Qingxia raised her head and looked angrily at the man. Seeing his lukewarm, seemingly oblivious expression, she immediately felt ashamed and angry, turning toward the inner room, saying resentfully: “I’m not wearing it.”
“Don’t.”
The man suddenly stood up, grabbing Qingxia’s wrist, embracing her from behind with both arms. Qingxia was startled and instinctively struggled twice.
“Don’t move.” Warm breath sprayed behind her ear, the low voice stopping Qingxia’s struggling hands. Pleasant masculine scent surrounded her like warm water flowing in the narrow room.
“Chu Li, I think I’ve gotten a bit fat.”
Qingxia’s voice was somewhat muffled, murmuring in the softly lit room. Chu Li’s chin lightly nodded, stubble brushing Qingxia’s pale neck with some tickling, his voice light and rather absent-minded: “Mm.”
“I have a bit of a double chin. Wearing such open-necked clothes doesn’t look very good.” The nervous one said, finding words where there were none.
“Mm.”
“Look, my skin isn’t white enough anymore. Gold thread collars will make my complexion look bad in sunlight.”
“Mm.”
Her neck was very itchy – someone’s chin was moving, warm breath spraying on her neck bone. Qingxia frowned: “Are you even listening to me talk?”
Chu Li softly hummed, his lips soft, gently touching Qingxia’s smooth neck, slowly caressing.
Qingxia’s entire body immediately trembled. She reached out to push Chu Li away, but was firmly grasped by the man’s hand. The man’s voice said lowly: “Qingxia, be good, don’t move around.”
The hall’s lights were soft. Qingxia was held in Chu Li’s embrace, standing straight.
Chu Li gently kissed her neck. After a long time, he said in a low voice: “This scar here – was it left in the Sandy Drought lands eight years ago?”
Qingxia raised an eyebrow, reaching back to touch her neck, asking in return: “Can it still be seen? I thought it had faded.”
“It can be seen, but not obviously.”
“Oh,” Qingxia nodded, thinking about it with some concern: “With more powder and rouge, maybe it can be covered.”
“Mm.” Chu Li’s voice was somewhat strange, only the arms around Qingxia’s waist gradually tightened, repeating Qingxia’s words: “More powder and rouge.”
Time slowly passed. Qingxia’s neck grew somewhat sore. She knew something but didn’t want to point it out, only hinting indirectly: “Chu Li, we’re getting married tomorrow.”
The man was completely unmoved, only humming lightly through his nose. Qingxia persistently continued: “We have to get up very early tomorrow morning and be busy all day.”
Chu Li nodded and said no more.
Somewhat angry, her stomach kept rumbling – didn’t he hear? Her tone became less friendly: “Chu Li, shouldn’t we eat dinner early and then rest well?”
The man of few words finally spoke: “I can’t sleep.”
How honestly cute.
“Then, then we should at least eat first, right?”
“Good,” he agreed readily, but his body didn’t move at all, still maintaining an extremely intimate posture.
“Hey!” Finally unable to endure anymore, she called loudly: “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Mm,” the Great Chu Emperor responded, casually picking up a fresh peach tributed from Nanjiang from a nearby table, bringing it to Qingxia’s lips: “Eat.”
She didn’t want to eat peaches. Qingxia frowned – she hadn’t eaten all day and wanted fragrant rice and crispy duck meat. She moved restlessly, about to speak, when the man behind her suddenly released his hands, his voice carrying a trace of anger: “Why are you so troublesome?”
Qingxia raised an eyebrow, accusing: “I’m hungry!”
“How can you only think about eating at a time like this?”
Qingxia raised her head, stomach rumbling like drums, continuing to accuse with heartfelt words: “Because I’m hungry! I haven’t eaten anything all day, only had a little porridge this morning and ate one piece… mmph…”
Dominating lips suddenly covered her soft lips fiercely, taking the fragrance from her mouth. A hot tongue boldly invaded with irresistible dominance. The man’s hands encircled her slender waist, pressing her tightly against himself, while his other hand held the back of her head, making escape impossible.
Qingxia immediately seemed to lose her head. When she came to her senses, her tender red lips were already swollen from kissing, breathing somewhat difficult. Struggling twice had no effect. In desperation, she bit down hard. Chu Li cried out in pain with a muffled groan. The bloody taste filled both their mouths. The temperature in the air gradually rose, heavy breathing became increasingly urgent. Taking advantage of the man’s distraction, Qingxia cleverly broke free from Chu Li’s embrace.
Chu Li looked at the woman standing there gasping yet still fearlessly glaring at him. Feeling fire rising within his body, somehow inexplicably annoyed, he glared at Qingxia and said with double meaning: “Tomorrow night I’ll deal with you.”
After speaking, he turned and walked outside.
Qingxia covered her red, swollen lips, so angry she stamped her feet: “Chu Li, do you have mental problems!”
The great door banged open. The Great Chu Emperor with an ugly expression told the servants outside: “Go find two nannies from the Ministry of Rites to teach her how to wear wedding dress. Also, get her food quickly – style doesn’t matter, just enough to fill her up.”
Qingxia stood furiously in the room, calling: “Chu Li, my brain must have been broken to come back with you!”
The pink palace-dressed maid carefully glanced sideways at their Great Emperor’s flushed face, secretly horrified: “Could the Great Emperor be shy?”
How could she know what kind of burning desire and unsteady standing their Great Emperor was experiencing at this moment?
Of course the Imperial Kitchen didn’t dare truly follow Chu Li’s words to not care about style for their future empress, only ensuring she was full. Qingxia sat before a large table of delicacies, fiercely stabbing chopsticks into a fat duck’s belly, her full anger having nowhere to vent. Damn it, how could someone’s temperament be so strange? You’d better never fall into my hands.
At the same time, in Chu Palace’s enormous hot spring pool, cold air was thick. The Great Chu Emperor soaked in a pool of cold water, his lips broken and highly swollen, murmuring to himself: You just wait for me.
Under everyone’s anticipation, the Great Chu Emperor’s empress enthronement ceremony was finally held as scheduled the next day.
I fell seriously ill, making everyone wait so long. Thank you all for supporting Dong’er for so long. From now on, all extras will be posted for free. Dong’er is much better now.