Chapter 1537 - 1535: Truly Heartwarming

Chapter 1535

"Palace Maid?"

"Which Palace Maid?"

Zhao Qichen’s mind went completely blank.

Even though he’d just been thinking about how to deal with that woman not long ago, he still couldn’t remember any so‑called Palace Maid.

In his eyes, other than Lin Siyin, everyone else in the Harem was just a Servant.

Palace Maids and Palace Maids, he couldn’t tell the difference at all.

A row of black lines practically appeared on Lin Siyin’s forehead; she couldn’t help lightly thumping his chest.

"Oh come on, how could you forget, it’s that one!"

"The one by my side, named Sheng Chunhua!"

"She seems to be...of pretty noble birth, so why would she come into the palace to be a Palace Maid!"

Sure, the title sounded nice enough.

But under normal circumstances, what daughter of Official families doesn’t want to marry a good husband!!

Zhao Qichen suddenly saw the light.

"You mean that Palace Maid!"

"I’m not too sure either, I think my mother chose her!"

"I sent all the others away; back then I thought she was quick‑witted, so I kept her!"

"Did she bully you? Did she make you unhappy?"

Lin Siyin hastily shook her head.

"N...no!"

She was chosen by the Empress Dowager; how would I dare say anything!

Zhao Qichen took one look at her expression—she was obviously hiding something from him.

But since she wouldn’t say it, he couldn’t keep pressing her.

He could only tell Li Deming later to keep a close eye on things.

But then Zhao Qichen thought it over and changed his mind—forget watching her, the safest move was to just remove her.

So those women wouldn’t be stirring things up in the Harem all day long.

Thinking of this, he felt it was necessary to explain a bit more to his wife, so he spoke.

"Yinyin, you don’t need to worry!"

"They were brought into the palace by my mother five years ago. At the time, my mother was anxious because I kept delaying marrying, wouldn’t take Consorts, and refused to hold a selection!"

"So she picked a bunch of women from the Imperial Court Officials’ families, supposedly with excellent looks and character, and brought them into the palace. She said they were to be Palace Maids, but actually..."

He lowered his head, a bit embarrassed.

His mother clearly just wanted to create more opportunities for him.

"Later, once those women entered the palace, they caused trouble a few times. Because I dislike the Harem being all murky and foul, I sent them all away!"

"But in the end, I still had to take my mother’s face into account, so I kept one or two in the palace."

"That was already years ago. Don’t worry, my mother isn’t in the palace now, and she won’t interfere in my affairs anymore!"

"As for that Sheng Chunhua, if she dares cause trouble, I’ll report it to my mother and have her kicked out of the palace, how about that?"

Lin Siyin felt rather embarrassed.

So there was such a twist behind all this!

No wonder Sheng Chunhua could practically strut sideways in the Harem on a daily basis—she’d originally come aiming for a Consort’s position!

"Let’s just forget it!"

Even though she was a love rival, she still stopped Zhao Qichen.

"She’s been doing her job properly as a Palace Maid for all these years. If you send her away now, she won’t even be able to find a husband!"

Lin Siyin murmured.

She was kindhearted, but she also didn’t like having a love rival constantly hovering around. After thinking a bit, she suggested:

"Just transfer her somewhere else!"

"As long as she doesn’t appear in front of me, it’s fine. Otherwise...I’ll get jealous in the future!"

Zhao Qichen was overjoyed.

"You...you!" We have a future?

Lin Siyin nodded.

"I’ve agreed, I’ll stay with you!"

"You don’t have to look so surprised; I’m staying because I like you. But if you make me sad, I’ll still leave!"

She’d never had any proper boudoir training, so she spoke bluntly and openly.

Aside from her slightly awkward tone and the faint blush on her face, she was exactly the same as the warm and straightforward girl she’d always been.

Zhao Qichen nodded frantically.

"All right!"

"I’ll agree to whatever you say! Whatever you like, we’ll do!"

"Now that’s more like it!"

Lin Siyin was very happy.

...

The two of them.

One was a young emperor who’d grown up bearing the aura of a legitimate eldest son and Crown Prince, living a year‑round, high‑pressure life, never having known romance and completely clueless about coaxing women or guessing what was on their minds.

The other was a girl who’d grown up carefree and straightforward, living a free, worry‑free life, with no schemes in her heart and no need for anyone to guess at her thoughts.

Their love was practically a natural fit.

You don’t know how to guess what a woman is thinking? It’s fine, I don’t have anything that needs guessing!

After all, I don’t beat around the bush. If I want something, I’ll just say it directly.

You don’t know how to play mind games with Harem women? It’s fine, I won’t have a Harem. I’ll only have you!

After all, I don’t fancy anyone else; I’ll just send them all away!

Zhao Qichen was delighted, holding her felt like possessing the entire world.

Even the pitch‑black, empty night outside looked more beautiful than ever.

"Stop grinning like an idiot, it’s late, let’s sleep!"

Lin Siyin yawned.

The northern weather was really cold. Tomorrow she had to get up early, eat more, and she still wanted to take a walk in the mountains.

"All right!"

Zhao Qichen gently held her in his arms, the two of them snuggled together like a little stove.

Just as they slipped under the covers, closed their eyes, and were about to fall asleep, Lin Siyin suddenly remembered something important.

She turned her head and looked at him solemnly.

"Will you really not take any Consorts in the future?"

Zhao Qichen nodded firmly.

"Yes! Yinyin, you have to believe me, I only like you!"

Lin Siyin nodded thoughtfully, then probed tentatively.

"Then...doesn’t that mean the task of having children...falls entirely on me?"

Zhao Qichen froze, then quickly nodded.

"Yes! That’s right!"

"My mother once told me I must have several children!"

"Just like me—if something happens in court, one more brother means one more helping hand..."

He smiled with a hint of mischief.

"Yinyin, are you..."

Lin Siyin hurriedly pulled the quilt over her head, flustered and evasive.

"I’m not, I’m really not, don’t talk nonsense, I’m not ready yet!"

But Zhao Qichen had already pressed himself over her.

"Didn’t you already agree to stay and keep me company, and not leave anymore? Why don’t we start a bit early...!"

Speaking of this.

Zhao Qichen was honestly pitiful.

Ever since he married his wife till now, he still hadn’t had a proper wedding night!

Without consummation, there was naturally no talk of pregnancy and children.

He wouldn’t force her, much less use this to trap her.

What he wanted was for the two of them to be drawn to each other, willing in both heart and mind.

Now that Yinyin had agreed to stay.

Didn’t that mean his twenty‑odd years of bachelor life were finally coming to an end?

When it came to matters between men and women, he was so honest, so guileless, and so principled that even the heavens couldn’t stand it anymore.

So, as if driven by some ghostly impulse, Lin Siyin actually agreed.