Part 2
In the past, he saw her as such a cold and self-restrained person. He never imagined she would become like this now. Inside, she was both shy and annoyed, refusing to even eat her breakfast.
Her throat was uncomfortable, and Gu Zhen’s heart ached more than anyone’s. Teasing was one thing, but he still scooped up a small half-bowl of mandarin fish porridge to feed her personally. “If eating other things is uncomfortable, have a little of this first, hmm?”
Zhao Yiyi managed two mouthfuls, but the discomfort followed closely behind. It wasn’t exactly painful, but it was irritating, and she refused to eat any more.
Remembering the knot she had promised earlier, her temper flared, and she couldn’t help but snap, “Go braid it yourself!”
She touched her throat, remembering how she had drunk the nuptial wine yesterday. She had said no, but still couldn’t escape. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, until her eyes turned red.
“It is just a knot. It is not as if Your Majesty does not know how. And even if Your Majesty does not know, there are plenty of people willing to braid one for you.” Zhao Yiyi gritted her teeth and spoke coldly to him. She hadn’t noticed it before, but after sitting up for a while, she realized her knees were uncomfortable too.
Gu Zhen looked at her with a slight headache, helpless. “Alright, your voice is already like this, why do you still want to talk?”
Zhao Yiyi opened her mouth, about to retort, but her lips were firmly blocked in the next instant.
The scent of cold elm wood on him washed over her, causing Zhao Yiyi to lose her focus instinctively.
That mouth first pecked lightly at her lips continuously, then pressed firmly against them, deepening the kiss. Her lips were captured by him, unable to make a sound. Her body followed, leaning back gently, and she had to reach out and hook her arms around his neck to keep from sliding down.
With him pressing tightly against her lips and a large palm confining her waist, Zhao Yiyi trembled, using every ounce of her strength not to make a sound.
In the past, he hadn’t had so many tricks in bed. Taking advantage of a moment when Gu Zhen pulled away, Zhao Yiyi frowned and asked, “Where did you learn all this?”
Questioned like this, Gu Zhen’s face darkened slightly. With a cold face, he gave her bottom a firm smack and gritted his teeth. “Little ingrate! Zhen racked my brains for ways to make you happy, only to be questioned by you like this.”
He ground his teeth and leaned in, saying resentfully, “Tell me, do you deserve to be punished?”
Zhao Yiyi had just said the word “No” when her lips were firmly blocked again, and she was pressed down and kissed.
After a long time, Gu Zhen pulled away slightly from her lips, his index finger tapping against them as he whispered, “Zhen wants you to braid the knot. What use do I have for one braided by others? Don’t say things that make Zhen angry anymore.” He extended his arms to hold her in his embrace, his voice a little husky. “Call Zhen what you called me last night. Let me hear it again.”
Zhao Yiyi’s face burned with shame. She wished she could cover her face with her hands, turning her head away to avoid looking at him.
Although she had used that address in her heart before, and he had coaxed her into saying it a few times last night amidst the passion and confusion… To say it now, while sitting face-to-face in a sober state—how could she possibly get it out?
Gu Zhen held her with extreme patience, coaxing her softly a few times. Seeing her waver slightly, he lowered his voice again. “Tonight, Zhen will let you bully me.”
Zhao Yiyi lifted her face from her hands and stole a glance at him. “However I want?”
“Whatever you want to do to Zhen, it is allowed,” Gu Zhen lured softly, like a beast enticing someone into the abyss.
Hearing that deep, mellow voice, Zhao Yiyi couldn’t control herself; she was bewitched by him.
She looked up first, her lips moving twice, then quickly lowered her head again. Her hands gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, the veins popping out revealing her nervousness.
Gu Zhen held one of her hands to gently comfort her, then continued to coax, “What did Yiyi say just now? Zhen didn’t hear clearly.”
But now, Zhao Yiyi refused to make another sound no matter what.
The breakfast on the table had long gone cold. The wind outside blew in gusts, making the branches rustle like sudden rain. A few early cicadas chirped in the trees, disturbing one’s heart.
Hearing his soft coaxing in her ear, Zhao Yiyi momentarily let down her guard. Following his words, she whispered, “Husband.” Before she even finished the word, her face flushed red first.
In that instant, it was as if countless fireworks had ignited in Gu Zhen’s heart. The sparks rose into the sky and then fell brilliantly, a dazzling display.
Such a low whisper was different from the chaotic passion of last night. That voice, and the entire feeling, was different.
Gu Zhen gathered Zhao Yiyi into his arms, sitting her on his lap. He lowered his head to kiss the corner of her eye, a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. “So obedient today? Then has Yiyi thought about how you will bully Zhen?”
Zhao Yiyi leaned on his shoulder, her hands tightly gripping his outer robe, unable to say a single word.
After messing around for a while, fearing he might truly anger her, Gu Zhen didn’t dare continue. He only pulled her up to tidy her collar, then whispered, “Zhen still has some government affairs to handle. But there is nothing to do this afternoon. I saw that the lotuses in the Taiye Pool are blooming early this year; there are already faint buds. If you wish, Zhen will accompany you on a boat ride to see them this afternoon.”
Zhao Yiyi murmured an assent.
She didn’t stay in the inner room. Her body was weary, and she couldn’t be bothered to handle palace affairs, so she went to the swing in the corner.
Swaying slowly on the swing, she worked on the knot in her hands.
Most of the pear blossoms in front of her had already fallen. Because she had given specific orders, the palace servants hadn’t swept them away, and now they carpeted the ground.
From their first meeting at the ancestral home to the pear trees in the Jiao Fang Palace now, seven years had actually passed.
Looking at the pear blossoms, her movements in tying the knot slowed down involuntarily. She braided idly, occasionally exchanging a few words with the palace attendant beside her.
Not long after, Wu Mao brought over a plum-green tea cup.
“Your Highness, this pear syrup water soothes the throat. His Majesty specifically ordered this servant to bring it for Your Highness to drink a cup.”
As he spoke, Wu Mao handed the cup to her.
Zhao Yiyi stared blankly for a moment before leaning forward to take the cup. But she lost her balance and swayed dangerously on the swing. Fortunately, the palace attendant beside her supported her in time, barely stabilizing her.
Wu Mao’s face changed color instantly. A wave of fear washed over him.
He dared not hide this matter.
As soon as he left that corner and returned to the Jiao Fang Palace study, he reported it to the Emperor in full detail.
Upon hearing the report, Gu Zhen immediately summoned the Imperial Physician while shouting in anger, “How are you serving her?!”
Wu Mao trembled, begging for mercy repeatedly. He dared not make excuses, only admitting his faults, but it did nothing to dissipate the Emperor’s anger.
It wasn’t until Zhao Yiyi came in, frowned, and said it was just her own dizziness that his expression softened slightly.
“Why are you uncomfortable?” Gu Zhen stepped forward in a few strides to support her, whispering, “Did you drink the pear syrup water? Zhen has already sent for the Imperial Physician. Don’t be afraid; let the physician take a look in a moment, and it will be fine.”
Zhao Yiyi felt it was just a sudden spell of dizziness, nothing serious, and didn’t want to be examined. But Gu Zhen pinned her there, forcing her to wait until the Imperial Physician arrived.
Seeing the physician’s expression grow increasingly grave while checking her pulse, she began to panic as well. She looked at the physician nervously, worried she had contracted some incurable disease.
Gu Zhen glanced at Zhao Yiyi first, his face darkening as well, then asked impatiently, “Is the Empress alright?”
The physician felt his scalp go numb under the Emperor’s gaze, cold sweat drenching his back. After asking a few detailed questions, he finally stood up and bowed with clasped hands. “Your Majesty, Her Highness may be pregnant.”
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