novelraw Chapter 142 Brother A-Yan [Bonus Chapter for Huo Dongbao]
Chapter 142 Brother A-Yan [Bonus Chapter for Huo Dongbao]
Song Shuangning has just recovered from her serious illness, and her complexion has become more even.
Time flies, and years pass in the blink of an eye.
In the blink of an eye, she had stayed in the Zichen Palace for a whole month.
Although her confinement was lifted, the Emperor still did not allow her to leave, and her daily activities were confined to the Zichen Palace and the Qinzheng Palace.
She knew perfectly well what people outside were saying about her. They were all calling her a seductive and treacherous concubine, a cunning and scheming woman who used her looks to seize the emperor's affections and bewitch him, thus breaking centuries-old rules.
Living a carefree life in the Zichen Palace, where everything is done for you, is truly comfortable. You don't have to scheme against each other or be cautious.
While I felt comfortable, my worries also grew heavier.
This comfortable life is paving the way for her and the emperor's reputation.
She certainly didn't want to be portrayed in history as a femme fatale who brought ruin to the country and its people years later, a hundred years later, or a thousand years later.
Song Shuangning leaned back on the soft couch eating candied fruit. When she saw Xiao Yan come over after finishing his official duties, she casually asked, "Your Majesty, my illness is completely cured. When can I return to Yaohua Palace?"
The faint smile that had been on Xiao Yan's face vanished in an instant.
"What's wrong? Are you being mistreated by staying in the Zichen Palace?"
And it's sarcastic and strange.
Whenever he's unhappy, he always has this ambiguous, almost confrontational look.
Song Shuangning hurriedly put down the candied fruit plate, leaned over and hugged Xiao Yan's arm, shaking it gently.
"How could I dare to feel wronged? But what kind of place is Zichen Palace? There are many people outside who might spread rumors about me. Besides, the Empress Dowager hasn't come to cause me any trouble yet, so she probably doesn't know. She values rules the most. If she finds out, she will surely give me a good scolding."
Xiao Yan looked at her, her eyes crinkling as she pretended to be obedient, and reached out to tap her forehead.
"With me here, who dares to speak out?"
"As for the Empress Dowager—"
Xiao Yan's gaze darkened. "I don't care about her thoughts."
How could the Empress Dowager not know? Even though she devoted herself to Buddhism in the Buddhist hall, gossip in the palace never stopped, and someone had already reported the news word for word.
In recent days, the Empress Dowager not only sent her personal maids to subtly probe the matter.
He even specially sent his uncle and several ministers who regarded "rules" as the highest authority to act as persuaders.
His words were a clear admonition to him to consider the bigger picture and not to break the rules and regulations of the harem.
Even the Empress Dowager herself came to the Zichen Palace, but he refused to see her.
Song Shuangning nestled in his arms, a smile curving her lips. Rules were something ingrained in the bones of everyone in the palace.
The emperor could protect her for a while, but how easy is it to silence public opinion?
However, Xiao Yan is now really stubborn.
I can only wait until the future to sneak back.
*
Tonight, the candles in the Zichen Palace went out exceptionally early.
First, the two had a conflict, and then Song Shuangning fell ill for half a month. Xiao Yan then became abstinent and celibate for more than half a month.
Song Shuangning pushed Xiao Yan down, then straddled him, slowly unfastening her belt in front of him with an alluring and tender air.
Xiao Yan swallowed hard, his voice low and hoarse: "Ningning, don't you know that I like it best when you take the initiative?"
Song Shuangning chuckled softly.
Immediately afterwards, they used a belt to tie Xiao Yan's wrists.
"That day, Your Majesty also bound me in the same way. It was fair that we took turns."
"Nonsense." Though she spoke stubbornly, she was secretly looking forward to it.
Song Shuangning slowly leaned down and whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty, tonight, you must listen to me."
She removed the gossamer-thin white veil from her body and casually tossed it over Xiao Yan's eyes.
Xiao Yan's breath hitched.
Suddenly, all the light in front of me was blocked out, plunging me into a dim darkness, while the scent of her usual body, which made me feel tense all over, lingered around my nose.
The absence of vision amplifies the other senses.
Song Shuangning deliberately teased him, placing her porcelain-white hand on his chest.
Her fingertips were slightly cool, yet they brought a burning sensation.
She's wicked; she deliberately torments him.
Xiao Yan felt his blood boiling.
She tried to break free, but found it extremely tight; she couldn't even remove the veil over her eyes.
Song Shuangning traced her fingertip across his thin lips. "Brother Ayan, don't move. I'll get angry."
"What did you call me?"
"Brother Ayan, that's how everyone in the storybooks calls their beloved. Doesn't Your Majesty like it?"
……
……
In the end, Xiao Yan managed to free his belt from her wrist, and then, fueled by the anger that had been stirred up, he deliberately tormented her repeatedly as if in revenge. The two of them tormented each other until late at night before finally falling into a deep sleep.
Normally, Song Shuangning would have slept soundly until dawn, but for some reason, she woke up in a daze today.
She raised her hand and rubbed against the person next to her. The moment her fingertips touched his skin, her heart skipped a beat.
Xiao Yan's body was burning hot. She was not sleepy and quickly raised her hand to feel Xiao Yan's forehead.
Xiao Yan developed a high fever.
She immediately ordered someone to light the lamps. When the lamps were lit, Xiao Yan's handsome face was already flushed. She dared not delay any longer and immediately sent someone to fetch the imperial physician.
Song Shuangning silently helped him undress to cool off.
During this time, Xiao Yan stayed by her side almost every step of the way while she was ill, and often tried to be affectionate with her, reminding her several times that he might catch something from her.
But every time, he always seemed completely indifferent.
Now look what happened, I really did get infected.
When the imperial physician arrived, he said that the emperor had caught a cold and suffered from internal stagnation. He had been working hard these past few days, which was why his illness came on so suddenly. If the emperor had not always been in good health, he probably would have collapsed long ago.
Song Shuangning immediately ordered the imperial physician to prepare the medicine.
After the medicine was brought over, she and the palace servants struggled to help him up and patiently poured the medicine down his throat, spoonful by spoonful.
Not long after, Xiao Yan woke up groggily and looked at her haggard appearance. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Song Shuangning raised her hand to wipe the thin layer of sweat from his forehead, and said irritably, "Your Majesty has a high fever, how can I possibly sleep?"
Xiao Yan raised his hand and touched his forehead in confusion; it was indeed a little hot.
But he didn't care at all. Instead, he pulled the brocade quilt over Song Shuangning and wrapped it around her, saying in a hoarse voice, "Your health is weak. Don't get tired and develop a chronic illness. I'm fine. I'll be fine after a good night's sleep."
"Sleep now, I'll stay by your side." Song Shuangning pressed him down to lie down, and didn't close her eyes all night.
As dawn broke, she turned to Li Fuquan, who was standing beside her, and said in a solemn tone, "The Emperor is unable to attend court due to his condition. Go and inform the officials."
Li Fuquan replied, "Yes, this servant will take care of it immediately."
Li Fuquan strolled to the Golden Palace.
"His Majesty has caught a cold and is unable to attend court today. If you have any questions, please speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned."
As soon as he finished speaking, the civil and military officials below began to whisper among themselves, their expressions varying.
Standing at the front, the Empress Dowager's brother-in-law couldn't help but flick his sleeve and snort coldly, "Consort Yuan is truly 'skilled'. She managed to make the Emperor catch a cold while serving him. This is unprecedented and unbecoming of any kind."