Recalling past events, Situ Chuanqiong's expression grew even gentler. "I remember, the first time you learned to make scallion oil noodles, you burned your hand on the iron pot and cried!"
"That's because I felt so useless at the time. Battling on the front lines with sabers and spears didn't defeat me, yet I injured myself doing something as simple as cooking, and didn't know where to start," Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) employed a feigned retreat to advance.
As expected, Situ Chuanqiong quickly comforted her. "How can this be your fault? Lan'er, as the daughter of the Grand General who guards the nation, it's perfectly normal to have no experience in this. It's already commendable that you're willing to try things you've never done for me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding! But these are all things I do willingly. Being able to cook for Your Majesty, to live like an ordinary couple, that time was arduous, yet my heart was filled with joy," Xiao Wenqiang gazed directly at Situ Chuanqiong, her eyes sparkling.
Situ Chuanqiong was pierced by her fervent gaze. Those eyes, brimming with love, were so dazzling he dared not look directly. He shifted his gaze somewhat guiltily. "Lan'er, I have always cherished your kindness towards me."
Xiao Wenqiang clearly sensed Situ Chuanqiong's avoidance. It seemed this man knew, deep down, that his actions were utterly wicked. The Chu family had contributed greatly to his rise to power, and even setting that aside, he had utterly betrayed Chu Yulan's sincere affection.
However, she did not press her advantage. For an emperor like Situ Chuanqiong, who might possess a sliver of conscience but certainly not much, pushing too hard might be counterproductive. A slow, steady approach would be better.
"By the way, Your Majesty. I remember the first gift you gave me was a portrait you painted yourself. Unfortunately, I was constantly moving with the army then, and it was lost. I was heartbroken for a long time!" Xiao Wenqiang looked at him expectantly again. "Your Majesty, would you be willing to paint another one for me tonight?"
Situ Chuanqiong himself didn't understand why. Although his heart truly belonged to Leng Yuanxiang, looking at Chu Yulan with such expectant eyes, he couldn't help but soften.
"Alright! I'll paint another one for you right now!" He immediately unrolled paper, preparing to paint.
"Then I shall grind ink for Your Majesty," Xiao Wenqiang stepped forward eagerly.
In the flickering candlelight, Situ Chuanqiong gradually realized that his Empress seemed even more beautiful after not seeing her for a while. Chu Yulan's former beauty was aggressive, full of heroic spirit and commanding presence.
Now, her thick eyelashes cast captivating arcs beneath her eyes, and the hazy candlelight added a touch of delicate charm to her beauty.
"Alright, Lan'er, go lie down on the couch. I want to paint you from a reclining profile," Situ Chuanqiong's artistic impulse surged.
Xiao Wenqiang nodded in agreement and reclined on the couch as instructed. This was the imperial couch, exclusively for Situ Chuanqiong's use. When he felt tired from reviewing memorials and handling state affairs, he would rest here briefly in the study.
Therefore, no one had ever lain on this imperial couch before, except Situ Chuanqiong. Not even Leng Yuanxiang had that privilege, as Situ Chuanqiong would usually visit her at Jinle Palace for romantic interludes and shared nights.
Initially, Xiao Wenqiang managed to prop herself up with her hand, diligently sending signals of affection to Situ Chuanqiong with her lingering gaze. However, the emperor's painting speed was truly glacial. After a while, she could no longer bear it.
Her eyelids grew heavier, her propping head bobbed, and Xiao Wenqiang was on the verge of falling asleep.
[Wenqiang, aren't you trying to seduce Situ Chuanqiong? Don't fall asleep now!] Number 86365 reminded her, having been silent for a long time.
"Whatever, I'll continue tomorrow..." Xiao Wenqiang replied to the system in her mind, finally giving up the struggle and sinking into a deep sleep.
Situ Chuanqiong, who had been engrossed in his painting for a long time, looked up and discovered that the subject of his artwork had already fallen asleep.
He approached softly, took his outer robe, and draped it over her. Then, he stood by the couch, observing Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) for a long while. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that she had indeed lost weight during this period, her facial contours becoming more defined. For some reason, Situ Chuanqiong felt a pang of heartache. After all, his handling of the Chu family's affairs had deeply hurt this woman.
He returned to his desk and continued to finish the portrait he had started. Situ Chuanqiong had already committed her every smile and frown to memory, allowing him to paint much faster.
Upon completion, Situ Chuanqiong hung the portrait to dry, then quietly opened the door to the imperial study.
"Your Majesty, are you retiring for the night?" Wang You, who had been diligently guarding outside, asked.
Over the years, Wang You would usually rest only after Situ Chuanqiong had retired, and even then, he maintained a degree of awareness. He would also be waiting outside the emperor's chambers before he woke, ready to respond to any summons. It was no wonder he had risen so high to become the emperor's trusted chief eunuch.
"Yes, return to the sleeping quarters. Do not prepare the imperial carriage. The Empress is asleep, inform her maid to fetch her first thing tomorrow morning," Situ Chuanqiong deliberately lowered his voice.
"Your humble servant obeys!" Wang You replied softly and escorted Situ Chuanqiong back to his own sleeping quarters.
...
After a night of peaceful sleep, Xiao Wenqiang woke to find herself alone in the study. Situ Chuanqiong's outer robe was draped over her, presumably placed there by him to keep her from catching a chill. Good! It seemed this man's heart was gradually opening to her.
As she exited the imperial study, she saw her maid, Chu Li, waiting anxiously since early morning. The little girl had been extremely worried last night, wondering why the Empress had entered the emperor's study and not emerged. Even after the emperor had returned to his palace, there was no sign of the Empress. Later, when informed by Eunuch Wang's staff, she learned that her mistress had actually fallen asleep in the emperor's imperial study!
Xiao Wenqiang followed Chu Li back to her current cold palace, stretching her limbs along the way. The emperor's imperial couch was not particularly comfortable; lying on it all night had left her with a sore back.
Unbeknownst to her, in the span of just this one night, news of the Empress staying overnight in the imperial study had spread throughout the entire harem.
"Crash! Crash! Crash!" Upon hearing the news, Qin Mingzhu was so enraged that she smashed several vases to vent her fury. "Chu Yulan is still the Empress, how can she be so shameless? Actively seeking to present herself, she even targets the emperor's imperial study!"
"Your Ladyship, please calm your anger! Did the later news not state that the Emperor did not spend the night in the imperial study? The Emperor returned to his own chambers!" her personal maid hastily tried to placate her.
"But they were in the imperial study for a long time! Whatever should have happened, has already happened!" Qin Mingzhu grew more furious with every thought, and she slapped the maid who tried to dissuade her!