Chapter 12: His Empress Was the Most Handsome One
Translator: å®è´-Peggyan
s.h.i.+ Qingshan spoke nothing to his son, because he didnât understand what was going on. Thus, he couldnât speak much for fear of leaving trouble in the future.
His son used to be a young general and the legitimate son of his general mansion, but now his son was only the empress.
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou was ushered into a room by his mother called Liu Wanwan in the end.
Liu Wanwan was the legitimate daughter of the Liu Family that was distinguished, too. Many juniors of it were ministers. Liu Yongqian, patriarch of Liu Family, was the highest-rank minister and worked at the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs.
In that case, the Liu Family and the s.h.i.+ Family was equal in social status.
Liu Wanwan cried after pulling s.h.i.+ Qingzhou into the room. Her talented son should have realized his aspirations everywhere all over the country and gained his reputation on the battlefronts, but now, he was trapped in the imperial palace and wasnât liked by His Majesty.
âMother, donât cry,â said s.h.i.+ Qingzhou softly to comfort her.
He originally didnât know how to comfort others, neither did he get along with women. As the legitimate son, he had been raised to be a successor and thereby didnât spend much time with his mother. However, he knew his mother loved him.
He tried his best to comfort her, but he couldnât say emotional words.
After crying for a while, she stopped automatically, for she knew it was not easy for her son to come out. Without wasting any time, she started to ask him about his life in the imperial palace in details.
He just talked about the good side, of course.
However, she knew what kind of life her son had led, for it was a public secret that His Majesty didnât sleep in his sleeping chamber on the wedding day. She also heard that His Majesty had changed a lot these days.
She asked with concerns, âQingzhou, why did His Majesty take you out of the imperial palace?â
After a pause, he said gently, âI donât know. He has changed a lot.â
Hearing her son say this, she became more worried. âQingzhou, do you know why? What does His Majesty want to do?â
He paused for a long time and then continued, âI donât know, either. His Majesty has given the Phoenix Seal to me.â
Instead of turning delighted, she gasped with terror. âWhat did you say?â
He lightly repeated, âHis Majesty has given the Phoenix Seal to me.â
She said with great concerns, âHis Majesty can definitely not give the Phoenix Seal to you. Qingzhou, what did you do? How could this happen?â
He said shaking his head slowly, âI donât know, either. His Majesty suddenly gave it to me, and I canât tell why. Mother, please rest a.s.sured, and Iâll observe him carefully. I havenât done something to offend him these days, so itâs not my problem.â
Even if he said so, she was still worried about him. âButâ¦â
âMother, rest a.s.sured. I know that.â
When he was talking to his mother in his home, Long Xiaoyuan bought more items.
As a result, when he left the general mansion and met with Long Xiaoyuan, Zhou Qingâs hands were full of items. They thereby had to hire a carriage, so Zhou Qing would probably not follow them personally upon returning.
âQingzhou, come here.â Long Xiaoyuan ordered a table of dishes at a restaurant. The moment he saw s.h.i.+ Qingzhou, he signaled the latter to come over.
âQingzhou, letâs eat before going back.â
âOK.â Without any objection, s.h.i.+ obediently nodded his head.
âBuddha Jumping Over the Wall tastes very good. You should eat more.â He put food on s.h.i.+âs bowl.
s.h.i.+ said in a hurry, âYouâre my husband. I should serve you.â
The words of âmy husbandâ stunned him first and then made his face softened.
âDonât be so polite to me! Come on, letâs eat.â
The atmosphere between them was not bad.
However, s.h.i.+ found that he couldnât understand Long Xiaoyuan anymoreâ¦
After dinner, they went back. Long Xiaoyuan said while walking, âDid you go home smoothly?â
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou said nodding his head, âYes, I did. Thank you.â
Long Xiaoyuan took out a jade pendant and gave it to s.h.i.+. âQingzhou, when you want to go home, you can use it, and no one will dare to stop you.â
s.h.i.+âs heart trembled violently and looked up at him with incredibility. âWhat do you mean?â
He said with a smile, âWhy do you ask what I mean? Youâre a man and can go out at your will when weâre not busy. But youâd better disguise yourself to avoid some unnecessary troubles in case that youâre spotted by someone.â
s.h.i.+ slightly lowered his head and said with his eyes slightly closed, âThanks.â
âYou donât need to think too much. Just pay a little attention to that. I think n.o.body is keeping his eyes on you. Additionally, even if something is happening, you still have me.â
Hearing this, s.h.i.+ slightly curled his lipsâ corners. âYes, I got it.â
Since that day, Long Xiaoyuan ate and slept at the Qiankun Palace every day with his empress s.h.i.+ Qingzhou.
Such a situation lasted for a whole month, almost driving all the imperial concubines mad.
It was time for the Grand Palace Banquet.
It would be held tonight. Having stayed at the Imperial Study for a while, he went to the Qiankun Palace.
Today, s.h.i.+ Qingzhou wasnât attired in the simple white, but the formal clothes.
It was dark-purple brocade clothes with an intricately patterned neckline, the lower hem of which was a circle of bamboo embroidered by the golden threads. The dark purple color and the bamboo made him more elegant.
More importantly, s.h.i.+ Qingzhou was originally handsome. The magnificent clothes made him more attractive. Long Xiaoyuan was in a daze staring at him.
s.h.i.+ turned around and saw Long Xiaoyuan who was in a trance. He then asked while arching his eyebrows, âWhatâs up? Something wrong with me?â
âNoâ. Long Xiaoyuan approached s.h.i.+ and said, âNothing wrong. I just find youâ¦more beautiful.â
Speaking of which, he couldnât help but put his arm around s.h.i.+âs waist and kiss s.h.i.+â¦
The latter was stiffened for a while and then got relaxedâ¦
At first, Long Xiaoyuan kissed s.h.i.+ Qingzhou gently and then violently.
When they stopped kissing, both of them breathed heavily.
A group of eunuchs and palace maids lowered their heads and turned a deaf ear to them, so they didnât see anythingâ¦
Long Xiaoyuan drew s.h.i.+âs hair together around his ear and said, âQingzhouâ¦â
âEh?â said s.h.i.+ Qingzhou a little hoa.r.s.ely.
Long Xiaoyuan said with a gentle smile, âDo you get all the things prepared?â
s.h.i.+ said nodding his head, âYes.â