Chapter 21: The Rejection and Acceptance

Chapter 21: The Rejection and Acceptance

The accusation Emperor Xiao Jingheng made against Lady Li was of deceiving the emperor, not of her mistreating Song Zhao.

This way, it wouldn't attract more jealousy towards Song Zhao and made the punishment seem more justified.

When Lady Li, now a common concubine, was taken away, she didn't dare to claim injustice but could only cry out in gratitude for the emperor's 'generous mercy'.

After her departure, Consort Yao, astute and observant, realized Emperor Xiao Jingheng wanted to be alone with Song Zhao and tactfully excused herself.

Later, Imperial Physician Chu examined Song Zhao's pulse and prescribed a remedy, stating that her illness was not serious and that she would recover with a couple of days of rest.

When the medicine was ready, Xiao Jingheng sat beside Song Zhao's bed, personally attending to her as she took the medicine.

He carefully blew on each spoonful, making sure the temperature was just right before bringing it to Song Zhao's lips.

Song Zhao, blushing shyly, barely opened her red lips, and after swallowing a mouthful, frowned slightly like a petulant child, saying,

"This medicine is so bitter..."

Xiao Jingheng touched her forehead, saying softly, "Good medicine tastes bitter. Be obedient."

After Song Zhao reluctantly finished the bowl of medicine, Xiao Jingheng suddenly snapped his fingers near her ear, then moved his clenched right hand in front of her, smiling as he said:

"Guess what this is?"

Song Zhao blinked her watery eyes in curiosity, "What is it?"

Xiao Jingheng slowly opened his hand, revealing several sugar-coated lotus seeds wrapped in oiled paper, which had mysteriously appeared in his palm.

Song Zhao's eyes sparkled at the sight, and she popped one into her mouth, suddenly exclaiming, "Are these candied lotus seeds?"

Xiao Jingheng explained, "I was worried the bitterness of the medicine would be unpleasant for you, so I had Jiang Deshun fetch these. You have a cough, and overly sweet things can aggravate it. These candied lotus seeds are mildly sweet, and lotus seeds can clear heat and detoxify. I thought they would be perfect for you."

Song Zhao gently bit through the sugar coating, slowly chewing the cooked lotus seed.

The specially prepared lotus seeds had a well-balanced bitterness.

But as she ate, her bright eyes welled up with tears, wetting her eyelashes.

Xiao Jingheng, puzzled, wiped away her tears, asking, "Why the tears all of a sudden?"

Song Zhao said, "When I was young, my auntie often made candied lotus seeds for me. I haven't tasted them in a long time. It's just a rush of emotions... I apologize for being sentimental in front of Your Majesty..."

Xiao Jingheng gazed into her teary eyes, his heartbeat quickening slightly.

This woman was like a captivating enchantress, every frown and smile breathtakingly beautiful.

Xiao Jingheng, already feeling indebted to her, found her tears even more endearing and said,

"Lady Li's troublemaking due to my summoning you is something I didn’t anticipate. I promised you, as long as you are with me, I will not let anyone mistreat you. Rest assured."

Song Zhao nodded in agreement, "I believe Your Majesty."

Her nod was deliberately vigorous, loosening the silver pin that loosely held her hair up. The pin slipped out, and her cascading hair fell around her.

The subtle fragrance of jasmine from her hair ends wafted to Xiao Jingheng’s nose.

He inhaled deeply and, embracing her shoulders, said, "Your hair smells so good, is that jasmine?"

Song Zhao raised her eyebrows, looking at him, "Yes, I like the scent of jasmine. I even add jasmine juice to the soapnut water I use for my hair."

While speaking, she discreetly observed the subtle changes in Xiao Jingheng's expression.

She knew Xiao Jingheng must like jasmine; otherwise, the people from the Floral and Aviary Department wouldn’t be delivering pots of jasmine flowers to Chenfei Palace incessantly.

Indeed, her conjecture hit the mark perfectly with Xiao Jingheng.

Xiao Jingheng held her even tighter, his nose gently brushing against her forehead, "I too am fond of it. My consort truly shares a connection with me."

With that, he tenderly placed a kiss on Song Zhao's forehead.

His kisses slowly moved down, inching across Song Zhao's face.

To be honest, Song Zhao did not resist Xiao Jingheng's affectionate gestures.

After all, this emperor was young, handsome, with a well-defined and lean physique,

Just as men are drawn to beauty, so are women. Everyone has the right to yearn for beautiful things, and there is no shame in that.

However, today, she had to refuse Xiao Jingheng.

Thus, as Xiao Jingheng’s kisses grew more impassioned, Song Zhao gently yet firmly pushed him away,

"Your Majesty... Imperial Physician Chu just mentioned that although my cold is not severe, I can still pass the illness to others. If I were to become close to you today and cause harm to your health, how could I live in peace?"

Song Zhao well knew that dousing a man with cold water at such a moment was highly tactless.

Observing the faint irritation emerging in Xiao Jingheng's brows, she knew her disobedience had displeased him.

Xiao Jingheng spoke in a stern voice, "Are you trying to send me away?"

"I dare not," Song Zhao said fearfully, "Your Majesty is the emperor, but you are also my husband. When ill, I naturally wish for my husband's company. Yet, it is precisely because you are my husband that I cannot allow you to stay by my side."

She lowered her head, her cheeks flushed as she spoke softly,

"Your Majesty cares for me, and I care for Your Majesty. I... wish for everything to be well with Your Majesty."

Hearing this, Xiao Jingheng was quite puzzled for a moment:

Even when he was just a prince, countless beauties had thrown themselves at him,

He had seen many eagerly seek his favor, but she was the first to reject him outright.

And on this very night, Song Zhao had already refused him twice.

This only made him more intrigued by her,

And because he truly felt sorry for her still being ill, he couldn't bear to trouble her further,

So, with a resigned sigh, he said, "Alright then, rest well. I will visit you another day."

He helped Song Zhao lie down, carefully tucking her in, then offered her another candied lotus seed,

"Have another candied lotus seed, rest well, and don't worry me, understand?"

He personally placed the candied lotus seed into Song Zhao's mouth, his fingertips gently grazing her delicate lips.

Song Zhao nodded shyly, her reaction causing a ticklish sensation in Xiao Jingheng's heart.

This woman, truly fascinating.

No sooner had he left than Spruce entered.

"Mistress, when the emperor left, he seemed somewhat displeased."

"His displeasure stems from not getting what he wanted. With so many yielding to him, I want him to experience the taste of rejection. I've endured enough bitterness; I refuse to suffer any longer," Song Zhao said, spitting the half-eaten candied lotus seed onto the ground.

Spruce handed her a piece of preserved fruit, "But Mistress, aren’t you afraid that repeatedly refusing the emperor might anger him to the point of not visiting you again?"

"He won’t," Song Zhao said with a cold laugh, shaking her head, "Do you think men easily give up on things they can't have? It’s not just men; it's human nature. The more unattainable something is, the more it’s coveted.

The more powerful the man, the more he enjoys conquering women. They relish the process. It’s like climbing a mountain; there’s always a higher one ahead. Once he’s conquered one mountain, he’ll always look for a taller one."

Song Zhao put the preserved fruit in her mouth, gazing at the bright candlelight with a seductive smile,

"My aim is to be the mountain he can never surmount. That way, he'll always think of me, yearn for me, and willingly offer what I desire."