Chapter 31: Heart-to-Heart

The next day, Chen Zhao awoke from her dream to find herself lying in someone’s arms. Her head rested on the person’s arm, and she had slept soundly until morning.

This was not solely due to the influence of alcohol.

Chen Zhao turned her head and laid it on his chest, where she could see Jiang Qionglin’s perfectly alluring profile.

His skin was like porcelain, smooth and translucent. His long eyelashes rested on his eyes, incredibly handsome, paired with his rosy lips—this scene was simply breathtakingly beautiful.

Even she, a person usually cold and detached, couldn’t help but be captivated.

By her ear was his faint body scent, pure and refreshing, neither sticky nor greasy, very pleasant.

Unable to resist, Chen Zhao lightly traced her index finger over his lips, gently rubbing them.

Not long after, Jiang Qionglin furrowed his brows slightly, opened his eyes briefly, glanced to the side, and closed them again.

“Don’t tease.” Jiang Qionglin murmured softly.

Chen Zhao chuckled like a child and continued to stroke.

Feeling impatient, Jiang Qionglin used his right hand to grasp Chen Zhao’s wrist and his left hand to pull her close, binding her entire body within his embrace so she couldn’t move.

As they pressed tightly together, Chen Zhao noticed a hardness, large and fiery, pressing against her lower abdomen.

Chen Zhao wanted to escape but found she couldn’t.

Though Jiang Qionglin appeared asleep, his hands were busy, casually removing his undergarments.

Soon, they were both naked, exposed to each other.

Feeling Jiang Qionglin’s heat exploring her lower body but unable to find its way in for a while, he grew increasingly impatient. Quickly, he freed his right hand, caressing down from her waist to the jungle between her thighs.

At this point, Chen Zhao was drenched. He effortlessly slid his middle finger inside, followed by his index and ring fingers.

“Ahh…” Chen Zhao’s teeth gently closed, emitting a soft moan, seemingly pained yet tinged with pleasure.

Her face flushed red, highly aroused.

But just as Jiang Qionglin spread her legs, she suddenly opened her mouth and bit down on his neck.

Blood seeped out, filling her nostrils with the metallic scent.

Jiang Qionglin was startled, suddenly wide awake.

He looked at the person before him, his eyes widening. The next moment, almost stumbling and crawling, he fell off the bed and knelt beside it, trembling uncontrollably.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. This lowly official… thought I was still dreaming…” Jiang Qionglin pleaded, his voice quivering.

“Rise.” Chen Zhao said calmly.

“This lowly official dares not!” Jiang Qionglin shook his head, refusing to get up.

Chen Zhao sighed, dressed herself, then pulled him up from the floor and helped him back onto the bed.

Jiang Qionglin kept his head lowered, avoiding her gaze.

Chen Zhao didn’t say much, only picked up his scattered clothes and dressed him one by one. Throughout the process, Jiang Qionglin was like a marionette, allowing her to manipulate him.

After dressing Jiang Qionglin, Chen Zhao said, “You needn’t be nervous; I do not blame you.”

“This lowly official is deeply apprehensive.” Jiang Qionglin knelt on the bed.

Chen Zhao helped him up again, letting him lie back down and covering him with a blanket. She then lay in his arms as before, resting her head on his arm and leaning against his neck.

“Do not fear, I really like you.” Chen Zhao spoke her feelings for the first time—not as an empress, but as a woman.

“I dislike being touched by others, but your caresses, I do not mind.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Shh,” Chen Zhao placed a finger over his lips, stopping him from speaking, and continued, “There are some things I want to tell you now. I’m afraid that once this moment passes, I won’t have the heart to bring it up again… These words, I’ve never shared with anyone else.”

Jiang Qionglin was somewhat surprised, but hearing her talk to him like this, he finally stopped trembling and quietly lay there, waiting for Chen Zhao to continue.

Chen Zhao went on, “I married Wu Yan when I was thirteen. At that time, the founding emperor Taizong passed the throne to the crown prince, but the crown prince was young and incapable. My late husband rebelled at Xuanwu Gate and seized the throne.”

“The power struggle lasted six years. I was imprisoned in the eastern dungeon for eighteen months. During those nearly two years, I endured many hardships, suffering what ordinary people couldn’t endure. I can even tell you, I am not a virtuous woman…”

Hearing this, Jiang Qionglin trembled all over.

She patted his chest and said, “Don’t be tense, it’s all in the past.”

Chen Zhao comforted him as if the injured one wasn’t herself but Jiang Qionglin.

Jiang Qionglin’s heart stirred; he gripped her hand firmly, holding it tightly in his palm.

The temperature of her hand was slightly cool, making him feel more pity.

Chen Zhao let him hold her hand, consoling him, “I don’t want to revisit those two years or think about them anymore. It’s unnecessary. My time is precious; I can’t waste energy on recalling those disheartening events.”

Jiang Qionglin held Chen Zhao’s shoulder, stroking her hair.

At this moment, he was merely a listener.

He needed only to quietly stay by her side, listening to her recount past thrilling events with a light-hearted tone.

Chen Zhao continued, “After marrying Wu Yan, I bore him seven children. Three were born in turbulent times, and one princess died young. The eldest son passed away shortly after ascending the throne, the second son was deposed and confined in the east, the eldest daughter married, and the third son, weak from birth, has been recuperating in the east. Now, the only ones left by my side are my sixth son Rui’an and my youngest daughter Jingyi.”

“I have so many children; naturally, I enjoyed favor. But ancient beauties’ charm fades before their grace does. In the years when Emperor Xian intended to rebel, I disguised myself as him to escort him out of the city and was captured. During those two years of captivity, the Chen family, to consolidate their position, allied with the Ling family to send Ling Xixi, my niece, who became Consort Shu.”

“Ling Xixi was young, beautiful, and sweet-talking, very good at pleasing people. He devoted all his attention to her. Later, I was rescued by several trusted ministers and brought back to the palace. I waited so hard for our reunion, only to find that he had already made Ling Xixi the Honored Consort Shu, equal to the Empress, managing the affairs of the six palaces and residing in Ban Yue Palace, the Empress’s residence.”

Chen Zhao took a deep breath and sighed, “If I hadn’t still been alive back then, and the Chen family hadn’t been so powerful, perhaps the Empress’s position wouldn’t have been left for me. After all, during those two years in the eastern dungeon, I was essentially a discarded piece, and even my children were criticized for having impure lineage. Wu Yan gave me a bowl of abortion medicine.”

Chen Zhao paused here because she felt the arms around her tightening, as if wanting to crush her into his heart.

Jiang Qionglin felt inexplicable pity, unsure how to console her. Even with thousands of words, they would be pale.

Guided by instinct, he gently kissed her forehead.

This kiss carried endless compassion and love, heartfelt and sincere.

Chen Zhao shivered all over, smiling faintly, “He used to hold me like this, kissing my forehead. But after those two years in the east, he never treated me so tenderly again. He gave all his love to Consort Shu.”

“In the following years, the Crown Prince’s faction was defeated, and Emperor Xian marched south, wiping them out. He then changed the capital to Taiping Prefecture and ascended the throne. Not long after, without a common enemy, the Chen and Ling families began to have differences. Ultimately, the Ling family declined due to the broad accumulation of the Chen family.”

“Later, Wu Yan feared the Chen family becoming too powerful. Coincidentally, at this time, Honored Consort Shu became pregnant, and he intended to depose me and remove my eldest son’s position as crown prince. During Consort Shu’s pregnancy, Wu Yan repeatedly mentioned in court that if Honored Consort Shu bore a son, the crown prince’s position would be his.”

“How could I give up the empire I worked so hard to secure?” Chen Zhao’s expression hardened, showing resolve.

“Your Majesty, it’s time for the morning court.” Suddenly, An Suyun’s voice called from outside the door.

“I know.” Chen Zhao responded, instantly concealing all traces of loneliness and donning her mask as the high and mighty empress.

Her face exuded confidence and composure, as if the person who had lain nestled in Jiang Qionglin’s arms was someone else.

She lowered her head, looking down at Jiang Qionglin and slowly said, “The rest of the story, everyone knows, and you must be very clear about it.” She smiled, her expression calm and serene, “I used every means necessary, eliminated rivals, and ultimately ascended the throne.”

After finishing, Chen Zhao stepped down from the bed, opened the bedroom door, and allowed the maids to enter to help her dress.

Jiang Qionglin was also surrounded by people to tidy up, and then the two of them walked out of the palace gate one after another.

The person stepping out was the empress who held the realm.

Decisive, ruthless, and cold-hearted.

The gentle tones were left behind in the window drapes, feeling like a distant memory.

After solving Princess Tianxiang’s case, Chen Zhao immediately dispatched people to search for her whereabouts, sending men in all directions with great fanfare. Shortly after, she summoned and restored Prince Wu’s official position, clearing his name.

Faced with this dramatic turn of events, the public was taken aback for a while, but they were also happy. Although the deceased was a Turkic princess, no one wanted to admit that the charming and martially skilled Wu Rui’an was a ruthless murderer.

After regaining his official position, Prince Wu still refused to attend court, only writing a letter to Chen Zhao, saying, “This prince decides to take a long vacation, return date undetermined.”

Upon receiving it, Chen Zhao felt guilty and didn’t want to pressure him, so she let him be, treating it as a holiday to clear his mind.

Life gradually returned to normal, and people felt more at ease. After this storm, Jiang Qionglin’s position in Chen Zhao’s heart was incomparable to before. She promoted him to a fourth-rank official, and the two lived together day and night, inseparable.

Rumors swirled inside and outside the court, with street gossip becoming particularly sensational.

Only the two parties involved knew that they only lived together but never consummated their relationship. He simply used his talents to assist her in governance, adding a touch of brightness to her otherwise monotonous life.

This mode of coexistence between them was quite harmonious.

He didn’t feel he had wronged her.

Her restless heart had found a place to rest.

One noon, Chen Zhao invited the best dozen painters to paint Jiang Qionglin.

“Everyone, please feel free to create. If the paintings satisfy me, I will reward you generously.” Chen Zhao specifically instructed, then returned to Qinzheng Hall to handle state affairs.

Two hours later, all the painters finished their work. Jiang Qionglin selected his favorite painting from the dozen and then carried it towards Qinzheng Hall.

At this time, though it was still afternoon and the sunlight was bright, Chen Zhao’s desk was lit by a palace lamp. She sat bathed in the warm glow, frowning as she read, unmoving for a long time.

Jiang Qionglin approached quietly without announcing himself, circled behind her, and suddenly covered her eyes.

Chen Zhao wasn’t surprised at all; she knew exactly who it was without even thinking.

Only Jiang Qionglin could get this close to her.

“Is it done?” Chen Zhao put down her book and smiled, raising her lips.

“Done, does Your Majesty want to see it?” Jiang Qionglin released her and pulled out the scroll from his sleeve.

“Of course.” Chen Zhao reached out to take it, but Jiang Qionglin dodged away.

“Things obtained too easily are never cherished,” Jiang Qionglin moved the scroll to the other hand and said, “Let’s play a game, Your Majesty?”

“You’re so mischievous, quickly hand it over!” Chen Zhao scolded softly, standing up from the throne and playing a game of chase with Jiang Qionglin.

Unfortunately, Chen Zhao was a woman. Even on tiptoe, she only reached Jiang Qionglin’s shoulder, and her hands couldn’t reach his raised hands.

After some pushing and shoving, they chased each other from the throne to the edge of the nearby bed. Chen Zhao lunged forward and embraced him fully. With a “plop,” they fell together on the bed, Chen Zhao lying on his chest, finally grabbing the paper scroll.

Seeing this, the palace attendants immediately dismissed everyone and closed the hall door.

“Perhaps Your Majesty hasn’t exercised in a long time. Such minor exertion makes you blush and pant?” Jiang Qionglin teased.

“I’ll settle accounts with you later.” Chen Zhao said, still lazily lying on his shoulder, unwilling to rise. After her breathing steadied somewhat, she opened the scroll.

In the painting, Jiang Qionglin was clad in white, ethereal like an immortal.

“This one captures Jiang Qionglin’s graceful demeanor well.” Chen Zhao nodded approvingly.

“Beautiful indeed, but it seems too desolate, as if something is missing.” Chen Zhao pondered.

Jiang Qionglin also nodded. After a moment of thought, he got off the bed, fetched a brush from the throne, and added a blooming red peony in the lower right corner.

Thus, flowers complementing beauty made a perfect match.

“Your Majesty is as splendid as a peony, accompanying Qionglin. It couldn’t be better.” Jiang Qionglin smiled brightly.

“You always have the sweetest words.” Chen Zhao’s face softened, her bashful look reminiscent of a maiden tasting love for the first time.

She ordered the painting to be hung by her dragon bed in her chamber.