Chapter 0018: Strangling You

Chapter 0018: Strangling You

"Indeed, since the mourning period for the late Emperor ended, His Majesty hasn’t promoted anyone in the harem. It's likely to happen by the end of this year or early next year. Many are watching closely," Songlu added.

The Empress smiled, "Ensure that Lady Wu’s pregnancy is well taken care of. I want her to safely deliver this child."

"Yes!"

In the evening, just after Yun Li had her dinner, Zhengyang Palace sent for her.

Yun Li changed into a multi-floral dress and went.

Her hair was styled in a single coil bun, entwined with silver and agate beads, secured with a pair of silver hairpins.

Adorned with off-white pearl flowers, she looked elegant and pristine.

Riding in the sedan chair to Zhengyang Palace, she alighted and entered the rear hall.

Emperor He Jinli, in a dark robe with silver-edged dragon embroidery and standing tall, was not inside but in the courtyard between the main hall and the rear hall.

On the stone table were snacks and tea, with someone fanning nearby. The Emperor stood there, holding a tea bowl.

Yun Li approached to pay her respects, "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

"Hmm," Emperor He Jinli acknowledged her with a slight lift of his hand.

He walked over and sat down, gesturing for Yun Li to sit as well.

Yun Li sat down, "Is Your Majesty feeling hot?"

Emperor He Jinli shook his head, "It's bearable. Are you feeling hot, my consort?"

"A little bit," Yun Li replied.

Someone then began to fan her as well.

"What did my consort do today?" Emperor He Jinli inquired.

"Watched a drama," Yun Li casually replied.

"Oh? A drama? Was there a feast in the harem?" Emperor He Jinli deliberately asked.

"I misspoke, I shouldn't have said 'watched a drama'. Today's events had nothing to do with me; I was merely an observer..." Yun Li said with a playful smile, "I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness for my improper choice of words."

Emperor He Jinli glanced at her lightly, set down his tea bowl, and gently tapped a finger on the stone table.

Yun Li obediently poured more water into his tea bowl, "Please, Your Majesty."

"What is my consort's view on today's events?" Emperor He Jinli asked again.

"Someone framed Hua Baolin," Yun Li stated directly.

"Oh? Why do you think so? The Empress acted upon receiving news; how could it be a frame?" Emperor He Jinli looked at her.

"Your Majesty is teasing me. I just feel that someone framed Hua Baolin; what does it have to do with the Empress Mother? Since the Empress Mother heard that Hua Baolin might have used something harmful to Your Majesty, she naturally had to investigate immediately. That's her concern for you. The person behind this would naturally want to make a big fuss."

"About that incense, Physician Li said it would take a long time and a large quantity for a pregnant woman to miscarry. Why would anyone use such a thing to harm others? Even if it's effective on a woman in early pregnancy, it's not an overnight thing. If something were amiss with Lady Wu's fetus, a physician would surely be called. Once a physician arrives, wouldn't the truth be revealed?"

"Hua Baolin doesn't seem foolish. If she had the ability to sneak something into Fu Rong Pavilion, why would she use something so obviously ineffective and self-incriminating?" Yun Li pouted.

"My consort makes a good point. So, if you were to do it, how would you handle it? What would you use?" Emperor He Jinli asked with a smile.

"If it were me, I'd act normal during the day, then at night I'd hide and use a pillow as Your Majesty, pinching its 'cheeks' fiercely," Yun Li said fiercely, "Why harm someone else who's pregnant and innocent? If I felt wronged, I'd just cry or take it out on a pillow."

Emperor He Jinli was taken aback.

Such an answer...

He had only been teasing her, expecting to hear something like 'I would never dare' or 'I have no such intentions', or some coquettish complaints.

This kind of response made him feel...

Unsure how to reply.

Should he scold her boldness for daring to treat a pillow as himself? Or think, 'You pinch the pillow, I won't feel it'?

And pinching the 'cheeks', this woman is becoming bolder.

"Your Majesty is a wise ruler, I'm just a mere Baolin, a joke like this won't offend you, right?" Yun Li acted timidly, reaching out slowly and carefully grabbing Emperor He Jinli's sleeve.

Emperor He Jinli glanced at her fumbling hand, "So, which hand does my consort use to pinch the pillow at night?"

Yun Li quickly retracted her hand, "I didn’t, I wouldn't, don't make things up."

"My consort is full of energy. In that case, I don’t need to worry tonight," Emperor He Jinli stood up, pulling her up and embracing her tightly, "Right, my consort?"

Yun Li's heart truly trembled this time, "No... it can't be..."

Emperor He Jinli didn’t say whether it would be or not, just picked her up and headed towards the center of the hall.

In a short while, Yun Li found herself sitting on Emperor He Jinli’s lap on the dragon bed.

"My consort has so much spirit; she should work harder, right?" Emperor He Jinli lightly patted her thigh.

Yun Li felt like crying but had no tears.

She had thought about the hardships of palace life, including the duty of attending to the Emperor in his chambers.

This Emperor was handsome, young, everything about him was admirable.

And he had an impressive physique, what they call a 'hunk'.

But surprisingly, he didn't like to use his... well-built physique in the expected way!

Yun Li's expression evidently pleased the Emperor.

It was lively.

In the intimacy of their bed, he had seen many reactions: shy, silent, but Yun Li's way was something he had never encountered before.

That's why he always enjoyed teasing her; it was genuinely delightful to provoke her.

Finally, Yun Li collapsed, exhausted: "Your Majesty's way of punishing is rather unique, I'm out of energy. If Your Majesty doesn't find it too unbearable, please allow me to rest a bit before continuing."

Emperor He Jinli laughed, then suddenly pinned her down: "My consort is tired, you shouldn't have the energy to pinch pillows now."

Yun Li...

"Your Majesty~ I was wrong, see, I'm a living person, and even if I adore you, can't I still be upset with you? If I don’t dare say it to your face, and I can't even pinch a pillow behind your back, you're so domineering... ah... Your Majesty, be gentle... hmm..."

The attendants outside the room discreetly moved further away.

"She thought to herself about the commotion that Lin had caused during her service to the Emperor."

"In the end, Yun Li felt almost utterly drained."

"Lying on her side, unable to get up for a long time, she mustered her strength and went to bathe."

"Returning, she didn't utter a single word."

"He Jinli, though tired, still had the energy to tease her: 'It seems my beloved consort has no strength left.'"

"Yun Li shot the Emperor a fierce glare and then turned over to sleep."

"He Jinli, unbothered by Lin's glare, closed his eyes contentedly."

"He ignored the fact that, although Lin had turned away, she had hooked her hand around his, slowly moving closer to interlock their index fingers."

"The two lay very close to each other, like the most intimate of couples."

"Yet the Emperor's indulgence was merely for a minor consort."

"As for the minor consort herself, her body was close to his, her fingers tightly interlocked with his, but her eyes and heart were indifferent."

"After a good night's sleep, Yun Li woke up to find her lips swollen. Not to mention the overall body aches; it was all tears."

"The Emperor woke up just a bit earlier than her, and by now, he was almost fully dressed."