When Xiao Chenglan entered the hall, he didn’t notice the additional person inside and walked straight over to Jiang Yingli, saying:
“Rise.”
Jiang Yingli stood up. She glanced at Xiao Chenglan, then at Bao Lin Zheng, who was shrinking on the floor and didn’t dare to look up, and reminded him:
“Your Majesty, Bao Lin Zheng is also here…”
Only then did Xiao Chenglan notice the figure to the side and said indifferently, “You may rise as well.”
“Th-thank you, Your Majesty.” Bao Lin Zheng was helped up by Qian’er.
She cautiously looked up at Xiao Chenglan, momentarily dazed, her face slightly flushed.
The young emperor had high-set brows, long and profound eyes, and wore a black and gold Dragon Robe, exuding a cold and imposing aura.
However, His Majesty’s gaze remained fixed on Jiang Yingli beside him, not even noticing her when he asked her a question.
“What are you doing at Jia Jieyu’s place so late?”
Bao Lin Zheng replied, “Concubine was keeping Jieyu company in conversation and lost track of time.”
Seeing that Bao Lin Zheng was still standing, Fu Wanquan quickly stepped forward.
His Majesty’s question wasn’t genuinely inquisitive—it was a dismissal.
“Baolin, it’s so late, and the path isn’t easy to walk. This servant will arrange for someone to escort Baolin back to your hall.”
Hearing Fu Wanquan’s words, Bao Lin Zheng finally understood, her face flushing with embarrassment as she quickly curtsied and took her leave.
As she reached the hall entrance, she couldn’t help but pause and steal a glance back.
She saw the emperor, who had seemed too intimidating to look at directly moments ago, take Jia Jieyu’s hand.
From a distance, they truly looked like a perfect pair.
Recalling Xiao Chenglan’s indifferent attitude toward her earlier, Bao Lin Zheng turned away with a sense of loneliness, her eyes revealing complex emotions.
Inside Zhaohua Palace, Jiang Yingli helped Xiao Chenglan with Changing Clothes.
He had actually come wearing his court attire today, which meant he had been meeting with ministers all along and hadn’t had time to change into casual clothes.
“Your Majesty must be tired. Come, sit down quickly.” Jiang Yingli led Xiao Chenglan by the hand to a chair, then stood behind him, clenching her small fists to massage his back.
Xiao Chenglan tilted his head to look at her. “You’ve never been one to enjoy socializing. Why were you with the new concubine today?”
Jiang Yingli paused before replying, “I was feeling a bit stifled in the palace and went out for a walk. I happened to run into her, and we seemed to get along well, so I invited her over for a visit.”
Xiao Chenglan watched her.
It seemed she didn’t intend to mention the grievances she had suffered today or complain to him about them.
A flicker of disappointment passed through his eyes.
Well, whether she complained or not, he would settle the matter tomorrow.
Xiao Chenglan took hold of Jiang Yingli’s small hands, which were massaging his back, and pulled her in front of him. Then, wrapping his arms around her waist, he drew her into his embrace.
His arm encircled Jiang Yingli’s back, resting on the top of her head as he gently ruffled her hair.
“Why did you go to see the new concubine?”
Nestled in his arms, Jiang Yingli felt a heaviness in her chest but still answered with a smile:
“Because she’s lovely. Back in Prince Su’s residence, there was only Concubine as your concubine. Now, with so many younger sisters in the palace, full of youthful energy, Concubine feels as if she’s grown younger herself.”
Xiao Chenglan chuckled softly. “When you say that, it makes me feel very old.”
Jiang Yingli quickly shook her head. “How could that be, Your Majesty? Concubine was speaking of herself. Concubine has been with Your Majesty for four years now…”
Youth is fleeting like a morning glory; she was no longer a young girl like those new concubines.
“But I am four years older than you,” Xiao Chenglan said. “No matter when, you will always be younger than me. If I live to eighty, you’ll only be seventy-six.”
Jiang Yingli was taken aback.
Was His Majesty saying this because he sensed her melancholy over her own age?
She lay against Xiao Chenglan's chest, looking up to find him gazing down at her with lowered eyes.
His eyes were deep, as if capable of captivating one's soul, especially now when they seemed brimming with tenderness.
Jiang Yingli pursed her lips. "Your Majesty is a diligent and benevolent ruler, destined for a long life."
"Then I shall live to one hundred and four," Xiao Chenglan said.
For a moment, Jiang Yingli was taken aback, the melancholy she had felt about the passage of time instantly dissipating.
His Majesty had always been like this—never one for passionate declarations of love, yet such straightforward, unadorned words could seep into her heart thread by thread.
Jiang Yingli tightened her embrace around Xiao Chenglan's waist, gently rubbing her cheek against the dragon embroidery on his chest.
"Your Majesty."
"Hmm." Xiao Chenglan held her, his hand patting her back softly, again and again.
But this tender atmosphere soon shifted.
Jiang Yingli noticed that the large hand resting on her back gradually wandered from the small of her waist to her soft stomach, inching upward.
Blushing slightly, she looked at Xiao Chenglan.
His eyes darkened as he whispered by her ear:
"How well have you learned the rules for attending the bedchamber?"
For the past half-month, their nights had followed the same routine. Recalling the new things she had learned, Jiang Yingli's face flushed even deeper.
"Your Majesty, this Concubine… this Concubine has learned most of it…"
"Most of it? What does that mean, hmm?" Xiao Chenglan nibbled her ear.
Jiang Yingli trembled, replying bashfully, "It means… I know how, but I'm still inexperienced…"
As she finished speaking through gritted teeth, a tickle at her ear made her shiver—Xiao Chenglan chuckled softly, his breath warm against her skin.
"Inexperience is no matter. With more practice, you'll become skilled."
Xiao Chenglan lifted her and strode toward the bed, pulling aside the curtain with one hand before settling her onto the couch. Then, with a swing of his long leg, he joined her, leaning leisurely against the headboard.
Jiang Yingli gazed at the familiar muscle lines visible beneath his half-open sleeping robe and thought regretfully: I won't be able to touch him as freely as before.
Xiao Chenglan stroked her hair, his voice slightly hoarse.
"Be good. I won't blame you if you don't do it well."
Jiang Yingli's face flushed so deeply it seemed capable of dripping blood.
She could tell that these words were, in fact, urging her on.
……
What followed was not much different from before, with Xiao Chenglan taking full control.
He complained that she was too slow, even asking if she wanted to make him ill with frustration.
Jiang Yingli could only weep and explain that she had truly studied diligently.
After bathing, Jiang Yingli's eyelids grew heavy, and she fell asleep nestled in Xiao Chenglan's arms.
Just before her consciousness faded, she heard him whisper by her ear:
"Don't be afraid tomorrow."
Afraid of what? Jiang Yingli wondered drowsily in her half-asleep state.
Oh, it must be about giving instructions to the new concubines and taking them to see the Empress Dowager.