novelraw Chapter 486 I Said I Could
Chapter 486 I Said I Could
"HAHA... I told you I could do it!"She handed the pole to the Little Eunuch.
Xia Ruqing was filled with satisfaction.
"Let’s go, it’s time to head back!"
The Little Eunuch took the pole and continued rowing.
Xia Ruqing held the several huge lotus pods in her arms, smiling radiantly.
The weather had been hot, so she hadn’t gone out for days. Since it was cooler today, she decided to go for a stroll. The Taiye Pool was the coolest spot, with sparkling waves and a refreshing breeze, so she had people row her around on the water.
Initially, she just wanted to enjoy the scenery. Who would have known that in the end, she didn’t see much of the scenery but picked quite a few lotus pods instead.
COUGH COUGH... My foodie nature just couldn’t help but reveal itself, HAHA.
Feeling proud, Xia Ruqing’s gaze wandered to the shore, and she caught a glimpse of a bright yellow robe.
Her heart suddenly skipped a beat. Why is the Emperor here? Shouldn’t he be in the Imperial Kitchen reviewing documents at this time?
Xia Ruqing, holding the lotus pods, subconsciously moved backward, intending to quickly sit down properly.
However, she lost her footing and stumbled suddenly. Her whole body tilted, her balance gone. After swaying several times, she plunged straight into the water!
"AH!"
"My lady!"
"Consort Xian Pin!"
Several people exclaimed in unison.
Zi Yue’s face turned pale as she hurried to pull her, but alas, a young maiden like her didn’t have much strength. Moreover, their summer clothes were thin and couldn’t bear the weight.
There was a ripping sound, and Xia Ruqing still fell into the water.
SPLASH.
Zhao Junyao moved quickly but was still too far away. By the time he reached her, Xia Ruqing had already...
Zhao Junyao, suppressing his disgust, pulled her out of the water, all covered in mud. Then he quickly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her down. While wiping, he tried to suppress his laughter, his face turning red and his shoulders shaking.
Xia Ruqing was very annoyed. She felt like crying but didn’t want to make a spectacle of herself. So, she held it in, lamenting inwardly, My lotus pods!
"We are to blame!"
"We deserve to die!"
Zi Yue and the Little Eunuch who rowed the boat, along with others, knelt down hurriedly, not daring to raise their heads.
Zhao Junyao, trying not to laugh, quickly wiped her down and hurried her away. Choosing the most secluded path, the two swiftly returned to Qingya Residence.
Once the main door was closed, Xia Ruqing patted her chest in relief. "Thank goodness nobody noticed!"
"HAHAHA..."
Zhao Junyao could no longer hold back his laughter as he continued to remove the waterweed from her head.
"Qingqing, are you still afraid of being seen? HAHAHA..."
"Emperor!"
Xia Ruqing was both embarrassed and flustered, her inner universe about to explode!
Zhao Junyao quickly ceased laughing. "Alright, alright, I won’t laugh anymore, HAHAHA..."
Zhao Junyao stretched out his hand and plucked another strand of waterweed from her head. "Qingqing, how can you be so..." Foolish. And yet, how is it that she seems somewhat adorable?!
Behind them, Li Shengan had been keeping his head down all this while, not daring to lift it.
However, he was contemplating. How long had it been since the Emperor laughed so heartily? Who else could make the Emperor laugh like this? The answer was obvious.
Consort Xian Pin, you truly play the fool to a tee...
Xia Ruqing couldn’t care less about being perceived as ’playing the fool’; her picked lotus pods were gone.
Falling into the lake and becoming a drenched chicken was one thing. But to be laughed at by the Emperor on top of it? I can’t stand it, okay?!
After a hurried bow, she stomped off to the inner chamber, not even glancing at Zhao Junyao. Hmph, I have a temper too, alright!
Zhao Junyao touched his nose and cleared his throat lightly. He pretended to be nonchalant as he sent all the Palace Attendants away. Then, thick-skinned, he followed her into the inner chamber.
As Xia Ruqing went to bathe and change, he sat composedly on the kang bed, playing with Little Bun.
The two cats were also adorable, their soft white paws padding over his legs. They weren’t afraid of people at all.
Little White was especially clingy and didn’t care about the spot, finding a corner on his body to start purring contentedly.
Little Bun, giddy with joy, clambered over him as well.
Zhao Junyao: "..."
In the entire world, those who dared to walk over me... were none other than my beloved son and these two cats.
I didn’t like these small creatures in the past. But now, he casually stroked them. Hmm, the fur actually feels quite nice... COUGH COUGH!
I must be the first Emperor in the history of the Great Chu Dynasty to ever pet cats!
Within a quarter of an hour, Xia Ruqing came out.
Her hair was wet and she was draped in thin gauze, her exquisite curves partially visible beneath the fabric, faint and intriguing.
After giving birth, she had maintained her figure well, not gaining weight. In fact, the places that should have filled out had grown quite a bit, making her curves even more beautiful than before.
But... why is the beauty pouting?
The Wetnurse Nanny took Little Bun away, and both Da Bai and Little White raised their tails and scurried off quickly.
Only the two of them remained in the room.
Zhao Junyao cast aside all restraint and began to coax her.
"Qingqing, I didn’t mean to make fun of you!" "I... COUGH COUGH... I just couldn’t help it..."
Zhao Junyao said, fighting back laughter again.
Xia Ruqing glared at him. "Why are you still laughing!"
Zhao Junyao quickly composed his face. "Not laughing, not laughing anymore!"
Xia Ruqing, seeing the improvement, didn’t push it too far and said, "That’s more like it!"
After a brief pause, Zhao Junyao started to ’scold’ her with a stern face.
"You’re being too reckless; the lake is dangerous. What would you do if I weren’t there?"
He intended to scare her, but she lifted her head defiantly. "I can swim by myself. I wouldn’t drown, would I?!"
"When did you learn? How could a lady from an official’s family learn those things typical of country girls?"
Xia Ruqing: "..."
I learned to swim in the 21st century. It wasn’t on purpose; it was when I lived in the countryside with my grandmother. All the kids loved playing in the river, you know! But this is a secret. I can’t reveal it, can I?
So Xia Ruqing had no choice but to make up a story. "I lived in the countryside for a while when I was young!"
Zhao Junyao didn’t ask further. He knew her childhood had been tough.
Xia Ruqing tactfully avoided further discussion.
Zhao Junyao changed the subject. "If you want them, I’ll have someone pick them for you. You’re not allowed to go by yourself!"
Xia Ruqing felt saddened. "My lotus pods! I worked so hard to pick them!"
Zhao Junyao shot her a glare, ignoring her complaint.
In the end, Xia Ruqing lay aggrieved on the kang bed, while Zhao Junyao personally took a cotton cloth to dry her hair.
I don’t know what’s gotten into me, Zhao Junyao thought, but I just feel like doing something for her. To pamper her well.
...
By noon, Zhao Junyao had his meal and rested for a while before leaving.
Before leaving, Xia Ruqing was still asleep.
Seeing her now dry, dark hair draped over her shoulders, Zhao Junyao unconsciously smoothed it for her. Only when it looked neat did he leave with a smile, pleased and spirited.
...
When Xia Ruqing woke up, it was already evening. She had been awakened by Little Bun cuddling up to her.
Xia Ruqing happily hugged Little Bun, peppering his soft, fair face with two fervent kisses before finally stopping.
"Son, you are so handsome!"
Little Bun, adorably dazed, blinked his large eyes, drooling.
As if to say: Mommy, you’re beautiful too!