Chapter 59

Chapter 59

As the end of May approached, the days grew increasingly hotter. Song Qingying spent her days within the cool confines of Qiyuan, visiting the Fengyi Palace only for formalities, preferring to read, write, and dabble in cooking. She also caught wind of some court affairs; Zhao Heng had indeed taken action against the Zhou family, seemingly triggered by the affair involving Yang Ningyu. The specifics eluded Song Qingying, who only knew that Zhao Heng had been preoccupied, rarely visiting the harem. The newly favored concubines were growing anxious, waiting for a visit that never came.

Song Qingying, too, was left waiting. She dreamt of Zhao Heng's visits on several nights, only to wake to emptiness. She resolved to confront him about his heartlessness the next time he visited, questioning his prolonged absence.

One afternoon, as the scorching sun made the air unbearably hot, with not a breeze in sight, the palace was eerily quiet. In Qiyuan, servants Lianghong and Shenbi fanned Song Qingying as she attempted to nap, struggling to find comfort in the heat.

Unbothered by the heat, Princess Changning snuck into Song Qingying's quarters while Shufei slept. Having become a regular visitor, Song Qingying entertained her with puzzles, fairy tales, and crafts, much to Shufei's occasional jealousy, who felt sidelined by their closeness.

Princess Changning tiptoed into Song Qingying's room, where Lianghong quickly hushed her. Noticing Song Qingying asleep, Changning, disappointed, gestured for Shenbi's fan, taking it upon herself to awaken Song Qingying with vigorous fanning. At that moment, Shufei arrived, eyeing Changning's efforts with disapproval, "Changning! Come here!"

Groggily awakening, Song Qingying was unaware it was Changning who had fanned her awake until she heard Shufei's voice.

Shenbi, terrified, immediately knelt, while Song Qingying hastily got up to pay her respects.

Changning, tongue out, approached Shufei with the fan, which Shufei snatched away, discarding it on the ground, "Do you remember your status? Is this how you should behave?"

"I just wanted to wake up Consort Song to play with me..." Changning said, her voice filled with grievance.

"Play, play, play, that's all you know. Come back with me!" Shufei said, pulling Changning's hand, not looking back as they departed.

With Shufei gone, Song Qingying stood up, Shenbi whispering, "The princess is in for it again."

Lianghong remarked, "Princess Changning does tend to be quite unruly at times."

Song Qingying shook her head, smiling, "It's not about being unruly. The Empress Dowager is just jealous. She thought Changning was here to fan me."

"Ah, I see," Shenbi said, realization dawning on her.

"Yes, Princess Changning is overly intimate with me, which naturally makes the Empress Dowager, her mother, jealous," Song Qingying explained with a resigned tone.

"It'll be better once Jiayu has her own child," Shen Bi said.

Qinghong hurriedly signaled Shen Bi with her eyes, noting that the ancient physician always left with a gloom on his face, and wondering when Song Qingying's health would finally improve.

Hearing this, Song Qingying sighed, feeling the same. Having spent much time with Changning, she indeed yearned for a child of her own, preferably a girl.

Realizing her mistake, Shen Bi quickly said, "You must be thirsty, Jiayu. I'll fetch you some iced plums."

Song Qingying nodded. The day was too hot, and she felt no inclination to sleep.

Shen Bi brought the iced plums, but Song Qingying dared not eat too many, having only two before setting them aside. She sat quietly for a long time, with Shen Bi and Qinghong too wary to disturb her, until a clap of thunder startled her, followed by a sudden gust of wind and a downpour.

Thunder frightened Song Qingying the most, so she hurriedly took cover on the bed, asking Shen Bi and Qinghong to stay by her side.

"It was abnormally hot today; I knew it would thunder," Song Qingying said, covering her ears.

"Don't be afraid, Jiayu. We're here with you," Shen Bi consoled.

Song Qingying felt a bit self-indulgent, wishing for Zhao Heng's company, to nestle in his embrace, wanting him to cover her ears with his hands. She believed that would alleviate her fear.

Another thunderclap made Song Qingying scream in fright.

Qinghong suggested, "Shall I fetch some cotton to plug your ears, Jiayu?"

Song Qingying shook her head: "Seeing the lightning scares me; it won't help."

At a loss, Shen Bi and Qinghong could only stay by her side, one on each side.

Amid the sounds of rain and thunder, faint voices could be heard. Song Qingying's heart stirred, hoping it was Zhao Heng. She thought, if he came now, she would love him even more. Eagerly looking towards the door, indeed, it was Zhao Heng.

"Your Majesty!" Song Qingying exclaimed joyfully, jumping off the bed and rushing into Zhao Heng's embrace.

Zhao Heng patted her back, "It's thundering. You got scared, didn't you?"

With a teary nod, Song Qingying responded, "I'm not scared now that you're here, Your Majesty."

Zhao Heng gently pushed her away, "I'm wet; don't catch a cold."

Only then did Song Qingying notice that Zhao Heng was half-soaked. The rain was too heavy for an umbrella to handle. She warmed at the thought he came because she was afraid of the thunder.

"Quickly prepare hot water for the Emperor's bath and change of clothes," Song Qingying instructed.

"You're also drenched. How about taking a bath with me?" Zhao Heng whispered into Song Qingying's ear.

Song Qingying's face turned red, and she nodded slightly.

As Qinghong announced the bath was ready, Zhao Heng scooped Song Qingying up and carried her towards the bath.

Shenbi moved to follow but was quickly stopped by Qinghong, who chided, "You fool! Can't you see this is not the time?"

Realizing the situation, Shenbi's eyes widened before she covered her mouth to stifle a laugh and allowed Qinghong to pull her away.

Zhao Heng gently removed Song Qingying's thin garments and placed her into the bath. Blushing, Song Qingying looked down, covering her chest. Zhao Heng stripped himself bare and stepped into the bath. Song Qingying, turning her face away, felt a mix of anticipation and overwhelming shyness.

A flash of lightning cut through the gloom, and before the thunder could sound, Song Qingying, frightened, threw herself into Zhao Heng's embrace, sitting between his legs and clutching his neck tightly.

Naked bodies intertwined, like dry tinder meeting a fierce flame, everything naturally fell into place.

With the tub half emptied, Song Qingying, exhausted, pleaded softly from the tub's edge, "I can't go on, my back is breaking."

Embracing Song Qingying from behind, Zhao Heng nibbled on her ear and whispered, "You weren't the least bit scared of the thunder earlier."

Song Qingying, lost in their lovemaking, hadn't noticed the thunder at all.

Zhao Heng added, "From now on, whenever it thunders, just think of today, and you won't feel scared."

As Zhao Heng moved again, thunder exploded overhead. Song Qingying heard Zhao Heng's words echoing in her ears: "Think of today, and you won't be scared." Clutching the tub's edge, the water before her chest rose and fell in tumultuous waves, splashing over the side and wetting the floor.

Surrounded by pleasure, the storm outside became irrelevant to Song Qingying. She even took the initiative, showing Zhao Heng a passion he had never felt from her before.

Ignoring their physical connection, Zhao Heng lifted Song Qingying, transferring their activities to the bed, soaking the bedding and pillows anew.

Song Qingying, voice hoarse, begged for mercy, "I can't go on, I'm going to die..."

Seeing Song Qingying truly exhausted, Zhao Heng could no longer tease her, instead planting a fervent kiss on her lips, "I've missed you to death!"

Barely able to speak, Song Qingying mumbled, "Then why didn't you come sooner?"

"I've been too busy, trying to fulfill my promises to you," Zhao Heng said as he found a dry blanket for Song Qingying and held her close.

Exhausted and sleepy, Song Qingying hardly heard what Zhao Heng said, nodded off carelessly, and fell asleep.

Shaking his head, Zhao Heng reflected on his day. The sudden thunder had reminded him of Song Qingying's fear. He had been holding off visiting her, wanting to concentrate on government affairs to clear the obstacles between them. But the sound of thunder today made him unable to stay away any longer; he missed her, wanted to see her, to be with her. He wanted to cure her fear of thunder, hoping she would only think of him during future storms.

Song Qingying woke up in the middle of the night to find the rain still falling and Zhao Heng gone, feeling a slight sense of loss.

"Shen Bi." Song Qingying called out, her voice still hoarse, her face feeling feverish.

Shen Bi was dozing off but hurried over upon hearing Song Qingying: "Has the noble lady awakened?"

Song Qingying nodded: "When did His Majesty leave?"

"His Majesty stayed with the noble lady for a long time, leaving only after having dinner," Shen Bi replied.

"He even had dinner? Why didn't he wake me?" Song Qingying complained.

Shen Bi quickly explained: "His Majesty ordered us not to disturb you, saying you were tired and should rest well."

Song Qingying's heart raced as she recalled the day's passion. Zhao Heng had indeed come, remembering her fear of thunder. Thinking of what Zhao Heng said today, she felt herself falling for him.

Seeing Song Qingying lost in thought, Shen Bi added: "His Majesty said he'll visit you after he's less busy in a few days."

"Alright, I know. I'm both thirsty and hungry; get me something to eat," Song Qingying said.

Shen Bi complied and soon brought her some food.

After eating, Song Qingying lay in bed, unable to sleep, replaying their intimate moments and hearing Zhao Heng's words. He had just been there today, yet she missed him again.