Chapter 1533 - 1531: I Only Want You

Chapter 1531

She chatted away incessantly, her rosy cheeks flushed with a feverish excitement.

But to Zhao Qichen, those flushed cheeks seemed like twin flames, burning his heart till he nearly found himself out of place.

Without having time to catch what she was saying, he agreed without hesitation.

"Alright!"

"Once we’ve finished sealing twenty-three documents, I’ll take you out!"

Lin Siyin was delighted.

"Yay, yay!"

"I love that! If we could stay a few more days, that would be perfect!"

But as soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Qichen’s forehead showed a sheen of sweat, as if he were somewhat troubled.

She quickly smiled wryly and changed her tone.

"Actually, it doesn’t need to be long, just... two or three days would be fine..."

Having said that, she lowered her head and played nervously with her fingers, conflicted about whether even two or three days would be impossible.

Zhao Qichen soothingly patted her back.

"No worries, don’t be afraid!"

"You can stay as long as you like, and I’ll always be with you!"

"Ah?"

Lin Siyin quickly shook her head.

"Better not, I just want to get some fresh air, it’ll be quick!"

She was cautious and also a bit gleeful and shy like a little girl.

This made Zhao Qichen dare not continue looking at her face; he just held her close and lay down.

"Alright, don’t worry anymore!"

"Take a nap, later I’ll have them make arrangements, you don’t need to handle anything!"

Lin Siyin lay in his embrace, inhaling his unique fragrance, quietly closed her eyes.

"Okay then!"

Sleep it is, although she wasn’t accustomed to napping, with him beside her, she might still fall asleep!

Regret was futile, if that’s the case, she had no choice but to accept it.

Actually, the Imperial Palace wasn’t all bad.

Apart from the abundant rules and less freedom, the rest... doesn’t seem so bad.

Ah! She couldn’t find a reason to console herself, so better settle for sleep.

...

Waking up, it was already dusk.

The sky outside appeared dim and oppressive, the north wind faintly howled, mingling with the sound of ice grains hitting the windows.

Several lamps were lit in the room, varying in brightness.

The Ground Dragon heater was blazing hot, she was wrapped in the warm bedding, slightly breaking into a sweat.

She rolled over, let out a comfortable sigh, and mused.

’Staying in this palace does have its perks after all!’

’At least, the living conditions are good; look at this bedding, this feel—unable to afford it in the past!’

’And these clothes and jewelry, I heard the materials are expensive, all tributes—can’t buy them outside even with silver!’

’Tsk...tsk...’

She pondered endlessly, conjuring numerous reasons to console herself, her heart filled with some joy.

Just in time for the evening meal, she slowly got out of bed, preparing to dress and rise.

At that moment, faint conversation came from outside, listening closely, it seemed like the voice of that pretty Palace Maid.

"Tsk, tsk! Still claiming she can’t sleep, what a pretender!"

"Look, it’s nearly Shi Chen, still not up yet? Where are the rules in this palace?!"

"As Empress, she will be leading the Harem someday, with such manners, such disregard for decorum, how will she manage in the future!"

"Indeed!" Another voice quickly chimed in.

"Aunt is looking out for her wholeheartedly, but rather than being grateful, she displays a bullied demeanor for the Emperor to witness!"

"What a mighty air she puts on!"

"Aunt, you were specially chosen under the Empress Dowager’s wing, an elder in the palace—even Eunuch Li Deming has to show respect—why bother..."

Before the Little Palace Maid could finish speaking, there came a sharp slap.

After the slap, the Little Palace Maid’s voice abruptly ceased, obviously fearing further reprisal and remaining silent.

You could hear that aunt’s cold voice scolding.

"Who do you think you are, daring to speak ill of your mistress?"

"No matter what, she is the Empress, the Emperor’s beloved—do you even regard your mistress, respect the rules?"

Furthermore...

She adjusted her intricately braided silver and jade hairdo, caressed her smooth fair skin, with a confident smile.

"Do I count as old? Where am I old?"

"I, Sheng Chunhua, am not even twenty years old this year, a bright future lies ahead—old?"

The Little Palace Maid quickly knelt, sobbingly pleaded for forgiveness.

"Please pardon me, aunt, I spoke in haste, aunt was right to reprimand—if you harbor anger, please feel free to strike more!"

"If you find it difficult to scold, then let me do it myself!"

After saying this, she began slapping herself.

The sound of slapping echoed far, even Lin Siyin inside could hear it clearly.

...

Lin Siyin found it rather confusing.

"What’s going on here, why is the Little Palace Maid hitting herself, aren’t they all Palace Maids?"

"Tsk, tsk! Sure enough, this Harem’s hierarchy is strict, even Palace Maids have tiers!"

"No wonder she always deemed this Sheng Chunhua Palace Maid so noble and splendid, turns out she’s a higher-ranking Palace Maid!"

"Moreover..."

She scratched her head, eyes brightening as she recalled something.

’What did Sheng Chunhua just say, that there will be many concubines in the Harem soon?’

’She will lead the Harem?’

Her expression gradually became stiff.

Could it be, leading the Harem??? Meaning, Zhao Qichen would marry other women?

She felt her heart slowly sinking.

She covered her face, unable to contemplate further, and buried her head completely under the quilt.

...

"The Emperor is here!"

A loud announcement caused the outside to quiet down instantly.

The sounds of argument and slapping ceased, only soft greetings remained.

Zhao Qichen, as usual, ignored them, proceeding directly towards the inner room.

Noticing the dim lighting in the room and the bed curtains still unopened, he frowned.

"Still not up?"

He gently lifted the brocade curtain, seeing her laying there, eyes shut, sweating, cheeks flushed.

His heart tightened as he hurriedly checked her forehead.

Finding her temperature normal, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"You! So much like Mother!"

He murmured, half smiling, then used his smooth fingers to gently caress her face.

The motion tender, filled with love.

"You don’t like it here, how could I not know? Yet..."

Stopping abruptly, he lowered his head guiltily.

"I have no other recourse!"

"Maybe I shouldn’t own so much, but you’re so precious, I’m unwilling to let you go to anyone else!"

"I only want you, nothing else!"

"I just want you!"

After dedicating himself to the Great Chu Dynasty, why couldn’t he even obtain the woman he cherished?

He doesn’t desire a harem of beauties, loving just one would suffice!

Hopefully the heavens would favor him, and wish for Siyin to accept him fully soon.

He bartered the harem belles for this one person, wishing the heavens would agree.