Chapter 446

Chapter 446 Xie Run had punished Concubine Fang during the day, so she had a feeling the Emperor would come to Zhaohua Palace that evening. Sure enough, at dinner time, she saw someone approaching with a lantern. Xie Run stood beneath the eaves, her attire not particularly luxurious, only a faint smile playing at her brows and eyes, as if she had been waiting for a long time. The Emperor raised an eyebrow, quite satisfied. "How did Suisui know I would come to Zhaohua Palace?" He had deliberately not sent anyone ahead to announce his arrival. Xie Run smiled. "Does Your Majesty want to hear the truth, or does he want to hear this concubine's sweet talk?" The Emperor: "Let's hear both." Xie Run smiled helplessly. "Your Majesty refuses to let this concubine off the hook?!" He knew the truth wouldn't be pleasant to hear, yet he still made her say it. The Emperor familiarly took her hand, looking to be in a good mood. "Even if what you say displeases me, I absolutely will not be angry." Xie Run stole a glance at the Emperor. "Then this concubine will speak honestly?" The Emperor looked at her quite leisurely. Xie Run: "This concubine actually came out to check the weather." "Today, just past the hour of Shen, the sky turned dark and heavy—I fear a heavy rain is coming." The Emperor: "You're in your own palace—why would you run out to check the weather for no reason? These trivial matters are for your attendants to handle." Xie Run: "Naturally, it's because..." Her smile paused. "This concubine was afraid that if Your Majesty came to Zhaohua Palace today, he would be blocked outside by the rain." Though it was already deep autumn, the weather in the capital remained quite strange. Xie Run had indeed been bored today, which was why she'd come out to check the sky. However, since the Emperor wanted to hear pleasant words, she would indulge him. Sure enough, upon hearing Xie Run's words, a hint of a smile spread across the Emperor's brows and eyes. "And what about the words to coax me?" Xie Run spoke off the cuff: "This concubine longs for Your Majesty to come to Zhaohua Palace every day, and especially loves standing at the palace gate at this hour waiting, thinking that if Your Majesty came, this concubine would be the first to see him." She lowered her gaze slightly, appearing somewhat shy. "This concubine thought, if Your Majesty came, the first person he saw would also be this concubine." The Emperor knew full well she was putting on a show, yet he was still stirred by it. He took Xie Run's hand and strode inside with big steps, laughing heartily. "From now on, you'd better speak the truth. Those made-up coaxing words gave me goosebumps—they don't suit you at all." Just from the sound of the Emperor's laughter, one could tell he loved hearing it. Xie Run suppressed her smile and continued to indulge him: "Though Your Majesty favors this concubine, if this concubine always remains unchanging, it would inevitably become dull. I must learn to be more flexible." "One day when Your Majesty has leisure, this concubine will go learn to play some instruments and sing—at least once, I should try to be cultured and refined?" Xie Run spoke casually, deliberately lacing her words with a sour tone, yet it sounded amusing rather than truly petulant. The Emperor smiled and shook his head, playing along with her act. "Listen to yourself—you sound like you've knocked over a jar of old vinegar." "Should I have Taotao come listen and see what his mother looks like when she's jealous?" Xie Run: "..." Look at how you're smiling—don't you enjoy hearing it too? After a few more exchanges of playful banter, the attendants brought in the meal. Only then did the Emperor bring up Concubine Fang's matter. "Was Concubine Fang well-behaved today?" Xie Run looked at him curiously. "Well-behaved, very well-behaved indeed—though this concubine was quite surprised." The Emperor picked up a bite of food with his chopsticks and placed it in Xie Run's bowl, speaking calmly: "The Retired Emperor has been gone for less than a year, and already people's hearts in the palace are beginning to stir." "If I don't apply some pressure, I'm afraid some will get carried away and forget that the Retired Emperor has only just died." Xie Run realized belatedly that the Emperor's words weren't just about the harem—they were likely about the court as well, weren't they? Xie Run also picked up some of his favorite dishes for the Emperor, speaking gently: "This concubine heard... that Your Majesty lectured Concubine Fang for a full hour." She smiled and ladled him a bowl of soup. "Is Your Majesty's mouth dry? Would he like some soup to moisten his throat?" The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "In the entire harem now, you're the only one who dares to mock me like this." Because his expression carried a smile, Xie Run wasn't the least bit afraid. "Who says this concubine isn't Your Majesty's favored Noble Consort?" Xie Run thought to herself that if the Emperor allowed it, Consort Jingshu was far better at speaking than she was. She could go on with her sarcastic remarks all day without ever repeating herself. The Emperor laughed, patting her hand. "Then I haven't spoiled you for nothing—I've spoiled you to the point where you've started teasing me?" Xie Run pressed down on his restless hand, smiling. "Your Majesty, let's eat first." The Emperor was indeed quite restless. Xie Run thought he wouldn't be able to restrain himself that night. After all, the Emperor was at the prime of his vigor, and making him abstain for three years was indeed rather difficult for him. But who would have thought—he was only restless for a moment before holding Xie Run and settling down to sleep peacefully. In the darkness of the night, Xie Run lay with her eyes open, staring at the ceiling above. Perhaps for the Emperor, momentary pleasure was far less fulfilling than fame and achievement. So Concubine Fang's reprimand wasn't a coincidence—it was inevitable. From that perspective, Bai Fu was quite fortunate to have dodged a bullet. Likewise, the achievement of personally leading the campaign and unifying the realm was something the Emperor was unwilling to give up. This was a great matter that could leave its mark on history and be remembered for generations. Thinking and thinking, Xie Run drifted into a deep sleep. The next day was the great court assembly, and the Emperor went to court early in the morning. Xie Run was still groggy with sleep and was about to force herself up to see him off when the Emperor pressed her back down with one hand. "You rest for now." Xie Run was about to nod when a warm, soft sensation suddenly appeared on her forehead. By the time the Emperor swept past like a gust of wind, she opened her eyes, utterly stunned. Had the Emperor just... stolen a kiss on her forehead before leaving? The two had shared far more intimate moments before, but never such a simple, innocent gesture of affection. Xie Run found herself puzzled. Could the Emperor... be losing his mind? In the imperial court, rumors about the Emperor personally leading the campaign grew increasingly heated. Of course, the majority opposed the idea. After all, though the Emperor was capable, he had never truly commanded troops in battle—how could he rashly venture to the front lines? With no Crown Prince designated and all the princes still young, if anything were to happen to the Emperor, the court would descend into chaos—wouldn't that hand the Xia Dynasty the perfect opportunity to strike back? But the Emperor was resolute in his determination to reclaim the Xia Dynasty and unify the realm, and no one could stop him. When word reached the harem, many grew restless. Lower-ranking concubines went visiting one another, while the higher-ranking ones, fewer in number, all flocked to Zhaohua Palace. Consort Jingshu paid little mind to such matters, but she couldn't help that the others weren't particularly clever. Consort Wen, Lady Xian, and Lady Hua arrived early in the morning and took their seats in Zhaohua Palace. Since the Empress's death, it was the first time the high-ranking concubines of the harem had gathered in such full attendance.