ebookland Chapter 180 A Sudden Affection
Chapter 180 A Sudden Affection
She thought of her bleak future, the happiness she could never have, and Nie Yuan, whom she had liked since childhood but who never even glanced at her. She also thought of how Lan Zhi rose from a country girl to become a respected Crown Princess, while she was just a lowly maid, a status that might stay with her for the rest of her life…
The more she thought about these things, the sadder she became, and tears fell like beads from a broken string.
"Xiangxiu, don't cry. Tell me what's wrong, don't cry..."
Ling Jiawei tried to reach out and pull her up several times, but due to the difference between men and women, he could only awkwardly withdraw his hand each time.
Seeing that she was crying nonstop, he simply sat cross-legged opposite her, quietly watching her cry and waiting for her to finish.
After a long while, Xiangxiu finally looked up at him. Seeing this, Ling Jiawei quickly leaned forward and asked with concern,
"What's wrong with you? Are you upset because I accidentally knocked you into the pond? Or is something else on your mind?"
Xiangxiu shook her head while sobbing.
"No."
"Why are you crying? Xiangxiu, we're from the same place. If you've been wronged, just tell me. I'll help you if I can. But you can't cry. Today is the day the Crown Prince and Crown Princess get married. If someone sees you secretly crying here, they'll punish you for insubordination."
Hearing Ling Jiawei say this, Xiangxiu immediately realized what was going on.
I was so focused on venting my emotions that I completely forgot what day it was.
She hurriedly wiped the tears from her face and eyes while looking at Ling Jiawei.
"I'm sorry, Brother Ling, I didn't think it through. Please don't tell anyone!"
Ling Jiawei sighed helplessly.
“We’re all from the same place, and Lan Zhi treats you like a sister. Even if you make a small mistake, she’ll protect you. But why are you crying? Are you homesick?”
Xiangxiu bit her lip and shook her head.
"I was thinking about something that was bothering me, but now I feel better."
"Ayawn!"
After saying that, she sneezed again. Seeing this, Ling Jiawei quickly stood up and reached out his hand to her.
“If we don’t go back now, you’ll really catch a cold. Let me help you up.”
After hesitating for a moment, Xiangxiu reached out her hand. Ling Jiawei pulled her up with force, but because she had been squatting for too long, Xiangxiu's legs were already numb. Just as she was about to stand up, she suddenly felt her legs go weak. Seeing this, Ling Jiawei quickly supported her, and due to the inertia, Xiangxiu fell directly into his arms.
"Ouch!"
She gasped in surprise, and Ling Jiawei hurriedly asked her what was wrong.
"Are you OK?"
She turned around, and her forehead suddenly bumped into his chin. They both froze for a moment, and time seemed to stand still.
After a long pause, Ling Jiawei asked awkwardly in a low voice,
"Can...can you still...walk?"
Xiangxiu then realized that she was pressed against Ling Jiawei. She quickly stood up straight. When Ling Jiawei looked down, he saw that the coat he had given her was also soaked with her clothes and was clinging to her body, showing off her shapely figure.
He swallowed hard and quickly turned his face to the side.
"Well... it's getting late, let's go back!"
Xiangxiu nodded and followed her into the front yard.
Even after returning to his room, Ling Jiawei was still unable to calm down.
He was usually too busy taking care of the Crown Prince's residence to even glance at Xiangxiu, but just now, he suddenly felt that she looked really beautiful when she was soaking wet, the kind of beauty that made him not want to look away.
He licked his lips, swallowed hard, and lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Xiangxiu's curvaceous figure and her tear-streaked face kept appearing before his eyes.
He suddenly realized that he seemed to have fallen for Xiangxiu, and that he had fallen for her in an instant.
Thinking of this, his face suddenly turned red, so red that he felt hot.
His heart began to pound wildly...
……
Yangxindian
Today is Ling Lanhua's first day in the palace. She is full of curiosity about everything, and the Emperor is quite patient in showing her around the palace.
"Orchid, it's late, go back to sleep!"
"Your Majesty, I just arrived at the palace today and don't know anyone. I'm a little scared. Could I keep watch by your side tonight?"
"Silly girl……"
The Emperor chuckled.
"There are eunuchs on night watch, so you are not needed. You should rest well and come back to serve me tomorrow."
"But I'm scared, I'm afraid to go to sleep. Can you just let me sit next to you?"
Her eyes once again revealed a pitiful look. "Your Majesty, I am your subject. You must think of your subjects and protect me!"
Her voice grew increasingly soft and gentle, with a touch of innocence, which instantly triggered the Emperor's protective instincts.
"Alright, if you like staying by my side, then I'll stay at the Hall of Mental Cultivation tonight, and you can stay there!"
Upon hearing this, she jumped in front of the emperor, grabbed his arm, and danced with joy.
"Your Majesty, you are so good to me."
At this point, she realized her rudeness and quickly released the emperor's arm.
"Your Majesty, I... I forgot you were the Emperor! Please don't punish me, please don't cut off my head!"
"Hahaha!"
The Emperor's cheerful voice rang out again, "Girl, when we're alone together in the future, you don't have to treat me like the Emperor. Just be yourself and do as you please. I'm tired of seeing everyone else putting on such a respectful act in front of me."
Ling Lanhua immediately nodded happily.
"Then it's a deal, you can't punish me for being rude."
"No treatment, no treatment."
As they spoke, the Emperor stepped forward, took her hand, and led her into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, giving instructions to Qin Shun outside:
"I will stay at the Hall of Mental Cultivation tonight. No one is to disturb me."
Qin Shun was already used to this, and immediately took small steps to blow out the lamp in the main hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and then quickly closed the door of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Ling Lanhua was overjoyed to be led by the Emperor's hand and follow behind him.
The reason she pretended to be naive and innocent in front of the emperor was to attract his attention.
Before she even started trying to seduce the emperor, she had already thought that all the women in the palace were very shrewd, and that if a woman like her suddenly appeared, the emperor might be interested.
As she had imagined, the Emperor was indeed interested in her and had already led her to the bedside.
However, she was a little nervous at this moment.
"Girl, you can sleep on that soft couch!"
what?
Did the Emperor really only want her to spend the night with him?
"Your Majesty, let me help you to bed first, then I can sleep myself."
The emperor looked at the young woman in front of him, her face blooming like a flower, and felt a surge of excitement. His heart pounded even faster when she unbuttoned his clothes and her fair hands touched his neck.
"Your Majesty, is your heart beating very fast?"
Ling Lanhua deliberately provoked him, but the Emperor struggled to suppress the desire burning within him and nodded, saying:
"I feel a bit hot, go and get me a glass of water."
"emperor……"
Ling Lanhua unbuttoned his shirt, then suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist, throwing herself into his embrace while murmuring softly.
"Your Majesty, rather than marrying that old geezer, I'd rather give you my virginity. I love you. From the moment I saw you this morning, I felt you had an extraordinary air about you. Your voice is so beautiful. Please sleep with me. Don't worry, I won't make you take responsibility..."