Chapter Seventy-One: Has It Snowed?

Why have you only come to the Beneficence Study today? The Empress Dowager’s words were clearly a reproach, deliberately choosing the time when Ji Wuqing was in the study. It made sense; the Empress Dowager’s question was justified, and even Xuexue herself wondered at how much she cared about Ji Wuqing…

“Could it be that Mother is not pleased to see me? I had intended to come greet you tomorrow morning, but tonight the night seemed pleasant, so I decided to wander a bit. Suddenly, I thought of you and came to the Beneficence Study.” She lied with practiced ease, her tone gentle and clear.

“It’s rare for you to have such thoughtful intentions.” The Empress Dowager replied, her expression softening noticeably, though she still seemed somewhat displeased that Xuexue had interrupted her plans. “Perhaps the Queen is unaware, but I was just worrying about Wuqing. You were ill, and he refuses to keep company with his consorts, so I fear he won’t take proper care of himself. Fortunately, you’re much better now.”

“Rest assured, Mother, I will fulfill my duty.” Xuexue accepted the responsibility without protest, as if she hadn’t noticed the subtle mockery in the Empress Dowager’s words.

After just a few exchanges, Ji Wuqing had already taken Xuexue’s hand. “Mother, it’s getting late. Please rest soon. We shouldn’t disturb you any further.”

Yuxiao, hearing this, hurriedly stood up and followed behind Ji Wuqing and Xuexue. Watching them walk arm in arm, her heart felt heavy. But what did it matter? Would His Majesty ever spare her a glance?

“Your servant respectfully sees off Your Majesty and Your Queen,” she said quietly, head bowed. The shadows on the floor showed the two boarding the imperial carriage.

Why was it Xuexue beside him and not her? Why couldn’t she be the one at his side?

She couldn’t stop her thoughts, and the more she dwelled on it, the more it felt like a knife twisting in her heart.

In the Beneficence Study, the Empress Dowager watched the three depart, a smile flickering in her kindly yet sharp eyes. Eunuch Yundao, beside her, was surprised to see his mistress smiling rather than angered at her plans being interrupted by the Queen.

“You don’t understand,” the Empress Dowager said, her smile enigmatic. “My aim tonight was not to bring Wuqing and Xiao’er together, just as Xiao’er’s aim earlier was not the Queen, but Qi Wanliang.”

“Your Highness, what do you mean?” Eunuch Yundao was lost in confusion.

“Doesn’t Xiao’er adore Wuqing? I simply want her love to turn into hatred.”

On the imperial carriage, she turned her head, deliberately avoiding the probing gaze of a certain king, her eyes blinking in a way that betrayed her awkwardness.

That king, apparently oblivious to her feelings, leaned on his hand with interest, studying her profile. Seeing her turn her face away, leaving him only a faint silhouette, he was not annoyed; instead, he watched her with secret satisfaction.

Suddenly, the carriage lurched for some unknown reason, and her body tipped with the movement, falling right into the arms of the man beside her.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty… your servant…” The sudden jolt startled the attendants, who immediately knelt in unison to beg forgiveness.

But Ji Wuqing, with a lovely woman in his arms, minded none of it. Besides, that jolt was quite a fortuitous opportunity.

“Are you all right?” He leaned in to ask softly, his hands wickedly slipping to her waist, holding her fast in his embrace.

His mood was excellent, his tone tinged with delight. Yet, seemingly unsatisfied with the mere closeness, in the next moment he casually pulled her onto his lap, her back pressed firmly against his chest.

“Behave yourself,” Xuexue tried to maintain her composure, lowering her head, her pale cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

It was like the twilight at sunset, when pale red spreads gently across the sky.

“Then, Xue’er, why don’t you teach your king what it means to behave?” Seeing her struggle to keep calm, he grew more amused, his words teasing and relentless.

He deliberately provoked her, wanting to see what charm she would reveal once she shed her usual indifference—what kind of maidenly grace she possessed.

“Let me down, please.” Even blushing, she maintained her dignified posture, finding this intimacy between them rather odd.

So close, she could feel the warmth of his chest through their robes—so warm, despite it being a winter night.

“Down? Down to where?” The king continued to tease, even shifting his legs to jostle her a little.

He leaned his head toward her shoulder, intending to nuzzle her cheek affectionately. But Xuexue, slightly annoyed, turned her head as if to argue with him—

She blinked in confusion, suddenly aware that his face was right in front of hers—no, to be precise, right by her lips, just a hair’s breadth from a most intimate touch.

“Your Majesty, please stop teasing me. This is improper; after all, we’re outside…” Her breath seemed to catch, and she wasn’t even sure what she was saying, her mouth opening helplessly.

The situation between them was rather strange—her lips nearly brushing his cheek, her every word sending warm breath across his face.

It was a gentle warmth, mingled with a trace of panic and nervousness.

“Hmm? But isn’t it you teasing your king now?” Ji Wuqing sighed, her breath making him feel a delightful itch.

“You’re talking nonsense…” She was about to retort when the king shamelessly turned his cheek, pressing her lips to his face.

Startled by the sudden move, Xuexue’s long, curled lashes brushed his skin, her lips softly touching his cheek, making it look as if she had taken the initiative to kiss him.

She froze, then quickly shrank back. “What are you doing…”

“So this is what it feels like to be kissed by you. My head is spinning,” Ji Wuqing said with great seriousness, a hint of intoxication in his deep eyes.

“…” Xuexue was momentarily speechless.

Whether from anger or something else, her heart raced wildly, her breath suddenly becoming much more pronounced.

“Why not offer a critique? Your king has already judged your kiss.” The king, unafraid of embarrassment, leaned in to whisper in her ear, clearly fishing for praise.

Xuexue gritted her teeth and spat out four words: “Your skin is nice.”

Upon hearing this, he contentedly stroked his own cheek. It seemed his Xue’er had truly appreciated his charms.

Then, reaching out, he felt her face and came to a conclusion. “Did you go out without putting anything on your skin? No wonder it doesn’t feel as soft as usual—there’s a bit of roughness.”

“…” Her face had been chapped by the cold wind—though not so rough as to warrant such exaggeration!

“From now on, put on some powder and oil before going out, all right?”

“…”

Xuexue was left speechless by his words, while the king, having found his target, planted a gentle kiss on her cheek—light as a snowflake, so light that Xuexue was left wondering.

“Your Majesty, is it snowing?” she asked in surprise. She couldn’t see the snow, but she did love it when it fell.

“…” This time, it was Ji Wuqing’s turn to be exasperated.

Only then did she realize it hadn’t snowed at all—it was just a sneaky kiss from the king. She didn’t expose him, but a sly smile crept onto her lips.

When they arrived at Anxue Palace, before she could even think about stepping out of the carriage, Ji Wuqing had already hopped down, then easily lifted her in his arms. With so many eyes watching, she couldn’t struggle and could only ask, slightly helplessly, “What’s this about now?”

“Aren’t you tired, Xue’er? Your husband is just taking care of you.” Ji Wuqing wore a look of utmost seriousness, but as soon as he carried her inside and saw Xiaoxi sleeping soundly at the head of their bed, his expression grew complicated.

At the foot of the bed, a fiery little fox was curled up; the bedchamber was certainly lively tonight.

“What’s the matter, Ziqing? Aren’t you going to put me down?” Xuexue wore a look of triumph, as if she had finally won a round.

“What’s the rush?” Ji Wuqing glanced at the spacious bedchamber, then carried her into a side room and placed her gently on a small couch.

“This doesn’t seem to be my bed,” Xuexue said, raising her head. Her hand stroked the blanket—soft and fluffy, unlike the smoothness of silk. “Are we sleeping here tonight?”

This was originally where the palace maids slept, so they could better attend to her. But the room was usually empty—she was never so delicate as to require someone to wait on her through the night.

“Why not? Here, feel this; it’s quite comfortable,” the king said, sprawling out on the small couch as if it suited him perfectly.

It was comfortable, to be sure, but for the Emperor and Empress to forgo their own bed for this tiny couch was… a bit odd.

“You see, your king knew you’d like it here. Lie down and enjoy the different feeling,” Ji Wuqing said enthusiastically, tugging her hand and pulling her down beside him, about to make her fall directly into his arms.

Fortunately, she managed to catch herself with her hands on either side of his shoulders, her head almost touching his, separated by only a hand’s span—a perfect “bed-wall” position…