Suddenly being embraced like this, a faint, almost imperceptible flicker of surprise passed through Xiao Chenglan's eyes.
His brow relaxed slightly, his gaze falling on the head resting against his chest. A slight curve touched his lips, yet his voice remained calm and steady:
"Jia Jieyu, what did you learn today?"
Jiang Yingli was taken aback for a moment before realizing that Xiao Chenglan must be testing her on the etiquette lessons she had learned that day.
"Oh, Concubine learned… the etiquette for imperial consorts dining elegantly, the etiquette for receiving the imperial carriage, the etiquette for paying respects, and…"
"How does one receive the imperial carriage?" Xiao Chenglan interrupted her.
Jiang Yingli thought for a moment, then recited as if from a textbook: "Upon hearing the announcement, one should immediately stop whatever one is doing, tidy one's appearance, and proceed gracefully to the outer hall to welcome the imperial carriage. One may only rise after Your Majesty grants permission. If Your Majesty does not instruct one to rise for a long time, one should reflect on whether one has done something wrong and is about to be held accountable."
Xiao Chenglan had called for her to rise very quickly today!
Come to think of it, she had been well-behaved and certainly hadn't done anything wrong, so why would she be held accountable?
Seeing her proud expression, Xiao Chenglan found it amusing: "Not bad. Continue."
Encouraged by his approval, Jiang Yingli's tone grew lighter: "After entering the inner hall, one should first assist Your Majesty in changing clothes, into casual attire…"
Jiang Yingli suddenly couldn't go on.
Xiao Chenglan looked at her, a hint of teasing in his eyes that was hard to detect.
"Why have you stopped?"
The face resting against his chest visibly flushed red.
At this moment, Jiang Yingli wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into!
So, when His Majesty had spread his arms, he had meant for her to help him change clothes, but she had misunderstood it as a hug!
No wonder His Majesty hadn't hugged her back.
"Your Majesty, Concubine knows she was wrong…" Jiang Yingli, feeling extremely guilty, hurriedly tried to withdraw from his embrace.
However, as soon as she struggled slightly, two arms wrapped around her back and waist, holding her tightly.
"What did you do wrong?" Xiao Chenglan asked her.
"Concubine was wrong. She should have helped Your Majesty change clothes but instead hugged Your Majesty… But Concubine truly wasn't slacking off! Concubine studied diligently, she just misunderstood for a moment. Your Majesty heard me recite everything just now, didn't you…"
As she spoke, Jiang Yingli tilted her head to sneak a glance at Xiao Chenglan, only to find him looking back at her, and she quickly tried to lower her head again.
Xiao Chenglan pinched her cheek, preventing her from looking down.
"Jiang Yingli, back in the prince's mansion, it wasn't as if you had never helped me change clothes before. And today, you studied the etiquette properly. How could you still get it wrong? What is troubling your mind?"
He knew she had always been timid, and since entering the palace, she had become even more anxious and fearful, as if the sky were falling, and she did not like it here.
But she had to stay by his side.
Therefore, on this matter, he could not indulge her. She had to adapt and stand firm.
The first step was to help her adapt to his new identity as emperor, so she would not feel flustered, fearful, or distant because of it.
Thinking of this, Xiao Chenglan composed his expression and deliberately spoke sternly: "You are my consort. How could you make such a mistake even in serving me, hmm?"
Jiang Yingli, questioned like this, grew somewhat flustered and wanted to kneel to admit her mistake. But Xiao Chenglan was still holding her tightly and pinching her cheek, so she couldn't move.
She felt a surge of grievance: "Suddenly entering the palace, Concubine is still not quite used to it. Moreover, in the past, when Your Majesty spread your arms like that, it wasn't just for changing clothes—you would also hug Concubine. It's only human for Concubine to misunderstand for a moment…"
Jiang Yingli dredged up old memories from Prince Su's residence, gazing pitifully at Xiao Chenglan as if reminding him she had merely acted out of habit.
Seeing her adorable, innocent demeanor, Xiao Chenglan softened.
That's it—finally remembering there were paths beyond fear and apology: defending oneself and acting coy.
Well, though he wanted to put on a stern front to show her actions had no consequences, that front had frightened her as soon as he assumed it.
Anyway, building courage couldn't be rushed; it would take time.
Xiao Chenglan shed his deliberately stern expression, his face softening. He released his pinch on Jiang Yingli's cheek, curled his fingers, and lightly tapped her forehead, laughing:
"If you have a reason, why apologize?"
Hearing his voice ease, Jiang Yingli secretly glanced up at him. Seeing Xiao Chenglan less severe than before, she whispered, "But Concubine feared Your Majesty might think I wasn't diligently learning etiquette and punish me…"
Xiao Chenglan chuckled faintly, "So afraid? Tell me, did I often punish you before?"
Jiang Yingli recalled the four years at Prince Su's residence, her mind blank. Only images of him comforting her after she caused trouble surfaced.
She shook her head but added, "Yet, Prince is Prince, Your Majesty is Your Majesty—it's different from before."
Seeing her lowered eyelashes and anxious demeanor, Xiao Chenglan's hatred for the Jiang family grew.
The Jiang family never gave her love, raising her so timidly cautious.
He also hated himself for not meeting her sooner.
Having nurtured her for four years at Prince Su's residence, she finally gained some youthful brightness and liveliness. Now in the palace, she had reverted.
Xiao Chenglan kissed Jiang Yingli's trembling eyelashes, speaking softly, "Nothing's different. I'm not an unreasonable tyrant who punishes arbitrarily. Besides, if I punished you for embracing me, wouldn't I be an unfeeling stone?"
Jiang Yingli had felt wronged earlier but dared not cry. Now, hearing Xiao Chenglan's gentle words, tears fell uncontrollably.
As Xiao Chenglan wiped her tears with his fingertip, he said, "Before, you were so engrossed in planting flowers you forgot to watch the fire while stewing chicken soup, burning my kitchen and nearly my study—I didn't punish you."
Jiang Yingli's crying halted, then she buried her face deeply in Xiao Chenglan's chest, withdrawing.
"Your Majesty, don't mention such embarrassing things…"
Xiao Chenglan chuckled lightly, embracing her and patting her back.
"Next time you know: for such small mistakes, just act coy with me, and it's over. Why panic?"
Jiang Yingli sniffled softly, wiped her tears, and lifted her small face.
"Small matters? Then what are big matters? When can Concubine act coy, and when not?"
Her eyes and nose were red from crying, her voice still nasal, utterly adorable.
Seeing her so pitiful, Xiao Chenglan softened further.
"Any mistakes you make before me are small matters."
He paused, his eyes teasing, "Besides, so timid, what big trouble could you cause?"
It seemed like praise yet not quite, but Jiang Yingli pursed her lips, finally feeling somewhat settled.
Though, in the palace chambers, most words Your Majesty says to a consort are deceptive, not to be taken seriously, yet one point he made was true.
She was his consort, so merely hugging him shouldn’t warrant punishment—it wasn’t as if she was causing trouble while he was handling official matters.
With this thought, Jiang Yingli tightened her arms around Xiao Chenglan’s waist, holding him with a sense of righteousness.
In the past, at Prince Su’s residence, only she could hold Xiao Chenglan like this. But from now on, many consorts would be able to embrace him just as she did, listening to his sweet, comforting words…
Xiao Chenglan noticed Jiang Yingli’s lowered, trembling eyelashes and clearly saw the disappointment in her almond-shaped eyes.
Yet he offered no words of comfort. Instead, his long eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her quietly, his gaze complex.
He placed his palm on her head, rubbing it gently, and rested his chin lightly against her hair, softly calling out, “Jiang Yingli.”
“Your Majesty?”
Xiao Chenglan said nothing more, simply allowing her to hold him.
After a long while, he finally spoke, “Alright, you’ve held me long enough. There are matters to attend to tonight.”
Jiang Yingli obediently straightened up, momentarily confused, before her face gradually flushed red again.
Before her thoughts could wander further, Xiao Chenglan quickly clarified, “Don’t misunderstand—it’s not to attend the bedchamber.”
“Then what is it?” Jiang Yingli truly couldn’t think of anything else that needed to be done so late at night besides attending the bedchamber.
Xiao Chenglan said seriously, “You must write the admonitory speech for the new consorts’ palace orientation yourself.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yingli felt as if the sky had fallen.
Her eyes widened to their fullest, and she gazed at Xiao Chenglan pleadingly, hoping to awaken his “conscience.”
“Your Majesty, shouldn’t this be drafted by specialized palace officials? Concubine only needs to recite it. Why must Concubine write it personally? Concubine doesn’t know how.”
Xiao Chenglan ignored her pleading look. “What’s the point of reciting a script? I dislike such conventions.”
Jiang Yingli was on the verge of tears. “But the admonition for new consorts is simply about urging everyone to be virtuous, harmonious, and serve Your Majesty well. There’s hardly any room for innovation…”
Xiao Chenglan smiled faintly. “You seem to understand it quite well.”
Jiang Yingli choked on her words.
She had dug her own pit and jumped right in!
Xiao Chenglan patted her head. “With me here, there’s nothing you can’t do. I can teach you everything.”