“Because he wanted you to marry the Second Prince… and I was despicable. I actually agreed to matchmake you with him…”
“Why… why…” Qingqing suddenly laughed and cried, repeatedly asking why.
“Because he promised me… if I facilitated your marriage, he would posthumously honor my deceased mother as empress… so… I…”
“So you… gave up on me… abandoned me…” Qingqing cried as she spoke, tears streaming down her face. In the eyes of the drunken Fourth Prince, this was a poignant sight…
“My name… is Li Xiao… I was born to honor my mother…” So, his name was Li Xiao.
“Li Xiao… no wonder… it was all for your mother… I… what am I to you?” Qingqing, now crying more bitterly, if it hadn’t been late at night, with Yafu attending to Li Qin and Yuzhen discussing strategies with the ghost doctor, they might have already been doomed.
The Fourth Prince, seeing Qingqing’s endless tears, tenderly wiped them away, which only made her cry harder, saying, “Why… why does everyone abandon me…”
“I swear… even if I die… I won’t do such a foolish thing again…”
Chapter 150: Ambiguous Passion (III)
Qingqing stared blankly as the Fourth Prince’s lips approached, silencing her sobs. She awkwardly responded to his kiss, their tongues intertwining, lost in the heat of the moment. Their clothes were hastily and clumsily shed as they moved to the bed, devouring each other’s breath. The passion erupted uncontrollably, and they clung to each other, greedily absorbing the coolness from each other, only to grow hotter. But neither could let go, embracing tightly as passion rendered touch superfluous, leaving only raw emotion…
The sweet scent wafted through, and the bird songs outside seemed particularly melodious. Qingqing stretched lazily; the hangover from last night did not bring a morning headache. She suddenly caught an unfamiliar scent on her pillow, and when she lifted the blanket, the sight of a stark, painful red made her eyes burn with the memory of last night’s bittersweet pain. When indifference replaced warmth, she realized they were just two extremes using each other. Although she remembered his helpless confessions from last night, could the love that had passed ever return? Nonetheless, she loved him, and at this moment, she was happy!
Just then, someone pushed the door open. Qingqing’s heart leaped with joy, saying, “You came?” Her gaze fell upon the somewhat haggard face of the visitor, who asked in surprise, “You knew I was coming?” He then punched the pillar in frustration, “Damn, I should have come last night.”
Qingqing, maintaining her composure, coldly bowed, “I pay my respects to the Emperor!” She had assumed it was the Fourth Prince, but it was Li Qin, who should have just finished the morning court, looking visibly troubled. It was clear he had faced some difficulties in court, and instead of seeking Yafu, he had come to Qingqing, likely due to something Old Master Lin had done to him.
Li Qin dismissed her with a wave and asked, “I should have come last night…”
Qingqing bowed again, “The Emperor is like the heavens; there’s no ‘should’ or ‘should not.’ As long as you wish, nothing is impossible.”
Li Qin understood the implication in her words. Although it was a provocative remark, it was comforting to him in his current state.
“But they think I didn’t come last night because I was afraid of someone.”
So, the “someone” Li Qin referred to was Old Master Lin. People thought Li Qin staying at Yafu’s palace was a sign of cowardice, believing he dared to elevate Qingqing’s status but not to favor her.
PS: Please be responsible with your comments. Some have even demanded at least one update per day, as if I haven’t been updating at all. While the updates aren’t quick, I update several times a day under normal circumstances.
Chapter 151: Ambiguous Passion (IV)
Qingqing actually agreed with the previous night’s speculation; even she thought the same. Li Qin immediately caught the disdain in her eyes and angrily said, “So you thought that too last night?”
Qingqing bowed again, her face serious, “I dare not think so.”
“Or did you not dare to think, or did you not think at all?”
Qingqing was momentarily stunned by his anger, not knowing how to respond. Li Qin assumed she indeed thought that way but didn’t dare to say it outright due to her status. His anger flared, and he raised his hand to slap her. Qingqing closed her eyes, bracing for the impact, but nothing happened. When she cautiously opened her eyes, Li Qin was staring at her with an odd light in his eyes.
Qingqing was startled; his eyes clearly showed… desire!
This was a significant shock. If Li Qin discovered she was no longer a virgin, she would be doomed. The pain from last night still lingered, and she lowered her head, her cheeks flushing with guilt. Li Qin, thinking her blush was from embarrassment, shifted from anger to deep suspicion. He then roughly pulled her towards the bed, his voice harsh, “Since everyone thinks I dare not favor you, today I’ll show them I can.”
Qingqing tried to pull away, but his strength was greater. She was both frightened and confused, unsure of what to do, “Your Majesty… what do you… want to do…?”
Li Qin turned, looking dashingly at her, her vulnerability reminiscent of the old Lin Qingqing, a teasing smile playing on his lips, “What do you think I want to do?”
The implication was clear; he intended to have her right then. Qingqing stammered, “Your Majesty… you still have memorials to attend to… perhaps…”
Li Qin found this amusing, teasing, “It can wait.”
Qingqing quickly added, “Aren’t you afraid of hurting Lady Shu?”
Li Qin, however, was not angry; instead, he seemed to find it amusing. “I’m not afraid. You said it yourself, I am the sky, and if I wish, what can’t I do?” Qingqing wished she could bite off her own tongue; she had truly brought trouble upon herself. As Qingqing was still in a daze, Li Qin suddenly exerted force, causing her to stumble and fall right onto the bed.
Chapter 152: “Good Times” Interrupted
At this moment, Qingqing was so nervous that her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her mouth. Seeing her like this, Li Qin found it even more amusing. He leaned down slowly, preparing to kiss her. Qingqing closed her eyes, silently lamenting, “My life is over.”
“Your Majesty, Prime Minister Lin requests an urgent audience; please proceed to the imperial study immediately,” a eunuch’s voice suddenly burst out from outside, interrupting Li Qin’s next move. He stopped, stunned and forgetting to react. Suddenly, he clenched his fist and smashed it hard against the bed frame, cursing under his breath, though the words were indistinct. Qingqing quickly got up, trying to compose herself: “Your… Majesty, you should go quickly. National affairs are important.” Li Qin stared at her for a long time, then with a flick of his sleeve, he left in anger.
Qingqing sat down on the ground alone, watching the light and shadows dance across the bright marble tiles. Suddenly, she buried her head into her knees and began to sob softly. “I don’t want to be Consort Lin, I want to be Lin Qingqing… I want to be Lin Qingqing…” After a while, the sound of light footsteps came from the doorway, probably Li Hua not daring to come over to comfort her. Qingqing didn’t care, continuing to cry with her head down.
The footsteps grew closer, stopping right beside Qingqing. “Li Hua” seemed to squat down, gently patting Qingqing’s shoulder in comfort. Qingqing, feeling wronged, was touched by this gesture, and without restraint, she threw herself onto “Li Hua” to cry her heart out. Only then did she realize something was off. Li Hua was a woman; how could she have such broad shoulders?