The Emperor Has An Illness

When night fell, Emperor Jing Li still had not come over.

Liao Qing Qing carried the food box and led He Xiang towards Zhengqian Palace.

Emperor Jing Li visited Lisheng Pavilion at least once a day, so there was no need for Liao Qing Qing to visit Zhengqian Palace to find Emperor Jing Li. Hence, this was the first time Liao Qing Qing came over.

All around her were carved beams and painted buildings. The palace lamps were lit in the right places, illuminating Zhengqian Palace. But it still could not bring out the warmth in the palace.

Instead, it became more silent and solemn.

Liao Qing Qing stood at the entrance of Zhengqian Palace. She troubled a junior eunuch to pass on the message. Just then, she saw Fu Sheng.

“Fu Sheng,” Liao Qing Qing called out.

Seeing Liao Qing Qing, Fu Sheng was first shocked, then as if he had seen the Goddess of Mercy, he hurriedly greeted her, “Greetings, Lady Xi of Bright Countenance.”

“Quickly rise. His Majesty is inside, right? Help me pass the message.”

Fu Sheng was tempted to say, ‘there is no need to pass on the message since His Majesty is waiting for her.’ However, on second thought, His Majesty’s temperament was unpredictable, so he complied. He scurried to the study and spoke cautiously, “Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jing Li was sitting at his desk and going through the memorials. He responded with a soft “mm” sound.

“Lady Xi of Bright Countenance requests an audience.”

Emperor Jing Li’s eyes and hand movements paused. His heart was beating a little faster, but there was no change on the surface. He asked, “What is she here for?”

“She said it is to bring food.”

“Just take the food.”

“That—” Fu Sheng looked troubled.

‘What’s wrong? She still wants to see me?”

“Yes.”

“Let her in then.”

“Yes,” Fu Sheng happily agreed. He served the Emperor every day and knew that he cared about Lady Xi of Bright Countenance. Two days ago, the Emperor suddenly left Lisheng Pavilion, and his face was extremely foul for the next two days. He and all the eunuchs acted cautiously every day. Today, Lady Xi of Bright Countenance came, so his good days must have arrived.

Fu Sheng scurried away.

Emperor Jing Li put down his vermilion brush and looked towards the door. He also perked his ears to hear. He thought, ‘When Qing Qing comes over later, he will have to put up a front.’

As he thought about this, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching from afar. He abruptly sat upright, picked up the vermilion brush and then he heard Liao Qing Qing’s voice, “This imperial concubine greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be in good health.”

“Mm. You may rise.” Emperor Jing Li said coldly.

Liao Qing Qing got up with her food box. Seeing that Emperor Jing Li was seriously going through the memorials and not even looking at her, she summoned up her courage to say, “This imperial concubine heard that Your Majesty hadn’t eaten dinner yet. This imperial concubine brought some dishes for Your Majesty—”

“Leave it there. I will eat it later.”

“Yes.”

Liao Qing Qing turned around and slowly walked towards the table next to her.

Emperor Jing Li’s eyes turned to look at Liao Qing Qing.

When Liao Qing Qing turned back, his gaze instantly shifted to the memorials.

Liao Qing Qing gazed at the preoccupied Emperor Jing Li and softly said, “The food should be eaten while it is hot.”

Emperor Jing Li gave an indifferent “mm”.

Liao Qing Qing didn’t know what kind of memorial Emperor Jing Li was looking at. It might be a very important state matter, which was why he neglected food and sleep. She felt bad interrupting him, so she said, “Er. Eat it when you have finished them, Your Majesty. This imperial concubine will leave first.”

“???”

Liao Qing Qing curled her left hand and clasped it with her right hand, and then placed both hands above her left hip and did a small curtsy as she bowed slightly with her knees bent.[1] “This imperial concubine will take her leave.”

Liao Qing Qing turned around and walked out.

Emperor Jing Li slammed the vermillion brush on the table.

Liao Qing Qing turned around upon hearing the sound. She saw the blue-faced Emperor Jing Li staring at her. Her face was filled with confusion.

Emperor Jing Li said in a nasty tone, “Come here.”

“This imperial concubine?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

“Yes, that’s you!”

Liao Qing Qing approached Emperor Jing Li bewilderedly. Just as she stood in front of him, Emperor Jing Li wrapped his arms around her slender waist suddenly. He kissed her lips, and after fiercely rubbing against hers, he bit her lips.

He really bit her!

“Ah!” Liao Qing Qing cried out in pain.

Emperor Jing Li let go of Liao Qing Qing. His chest was still heaving. The sparks of anger danced in his eyes. He said through gritted teeth, “You are just so sure that I won’t let you go!”

“This imperial concubine does not.”

“One moment you are near me, the other moment you distance from me and play tricks on me all the time!”

“???”

“While you are still living freely and leisurely.”

“….”

“You said that you are delivering a food box, but you are actually just teasing me.”

“….”

“Hmph!” Emperor Jing Li let go of Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing looked at the exasperated Emperor Jing Li. She was both angry and amused. Her voice was gentle and soft, and she sounded a little like she was grumbling. She said, “Your Majesty, you are so unreasonable.”

“I am being unreasonable?” Emperor Jing Li turned his head and asked.

Liao Qing Qing nodded her head.

“Tell me instead, how am I being unreasonable?”

“This imperial concubine didn’t say anything yesterday. It was Your Majesty that only spoke. When you finished speaking, you didn’t give this imperial concubine a chance to explain, got up and left. How is that not being unreasonable?”

“….”

“This imperial concubine came over to deliver your meal. You were preoccupied with the memorials, and this imperial concubine felt bad to disturb you, so I had no choice but to leave. Then, you got angry. This imperial concubine feels so aggrieved.”

“…..” Emperor Jing Li recalled, and that seemed to be the case. However, he was the Emperor and had a powerful pride. He said reluctantly, “Who told you not to care about me?”

“When has this imperial concubine not cared about Your Majesty?”

Emperor Jing Li froze and asked, “You care about me?”

“Of course, I do. If not, this imperial concubine would not have made potatoes for Your Majesty, would not have played chess with Your Majesty and would not have missed Your Majesty.”

“You miss me.” Emperor Jing Li felt happy inwardly. The anger that filled his body instantly dissipated as he looked straight at Liao Qing Qing and asked, “When did you miss me?”

“This imperial concubine misses you when Your Majesty is not accompanying me.”

Emperor Jing Li immediately placed Liao Qing Qing on his lap. He looked at Liao Qing Qing happily and said, “Qing Qing, kiss me.”

“….”

The author has something to say: ——

Liao Qing Qing: This torturous drama king.

Emperor Jing Li: Who? Who is Beloved Concubine talking about?

Liao Qing Qing: The person clearly knows it clearly in his heart.

Emperor Jing Li: ???

——

[1] 福身(fú shēn)- To curled one’s left hand and clasped it with one’s right hand, and then placed both hands above one’s left hip and did a small curtsy as one bowed slightly with her knees bent. It is an etiquette used by women during ancient times.  Credit: Shen Yun Performing Arts & Baidu

Translator’s Note: These chapters are a bonus chapter update. Thank you so much, lovely readers, for the Kofis once again. See you on Friday/Saturday for the regular weekly updates!