He actually wanted her to guess.
Could it be some good news?
"Does Your Majesty have good news to share with me?"
"...No."
Chu Yin frowned, scrutinizing Lu Jingzhao.
Not good news, then could it be bad news? But his expression didn't seem to indicate that.
Seeing Chu Yin confused, Lu Jingzhao stood up and said, "Come with me."
Waiting any longer would be a waste of time.
"...Go where?" Chu Yin asked, puzzled.
"To the Qianqing Palace."
Why suddenly ask her to go there? He was to attend to state affairs; what was her role in this? Surely, it wasn't just to grind ink for him...
Chu Yin was baffled.
Holding the man's hand, she asked, "Has something happened?"
Usually sharp as frost, yet today she couldn't guess such a simple matter. Lu Jingzhao glanced down at her without responding.
Chu Yin grew even more perplexed.
Wasn't he always straightforward in his speech? Why was he being so elusive now?
Approaching the imperial carriage, Lu Jingzhao boarded first, with Chu Yin closely following.
Just as she was about to sit beside him, he reached out, pulling her onto his lap.
Could it be that he intended something intimate so early in the morning? Chu Yin's cheeks warmed slightly: "Isn't this inappropriate?" Although there was no morning court today, this was on the way to the Qianqing Palace; such liberties seemed excessive.
He raised his eyebrows slightly, "Inappropriate? What do you think I intend to do?"
The implication was clear to Chu Yin: "Then let me down."
But he didn't release her.
Simply holding her waist with one hand, he neither disturbed her dress nor made any further moves.
Chu Yin thought he would only speak once they reached the Qianqing Palace.
Unexpectedly, at the palace gate, after they both alighted, he said, "You may go back."
Chu Yin was completely stunned.
She doubted her ears, but Lu Jingzhao meant exactly that.
Watching his receding figure, Chu Yin felt almost toyed with.
The carriage driver, seeing the Empress speechless, dared not disturb her at first. After a while, he cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, should we return to the Kunning Palace?"
"Yes," Chu Yin turned and climbed back into the carriage.
The sun had risen, and the dawn clouds layered like overlapping scales of orange-red brocade.
A gentle breeze brushed her face, mingling with the fragrance of roadside roses.
Nothing had happened; she had merely accompanied him for a short while in the carriage. She truly couldn't fathom his reasons.
Chu Yin rested her chin on her hand, gazing out the window at the towering palace walls.
He was too busy to be idly waiting just to do this; it wasn't as if she had never ridden in the imperial carriage before. On the day of her coronation, they had ridden together from the Taihe Hall to the Kunning Palace, and he surely remembered that.
So why did it have to be today, and so early in the morning...
A thought flashed through her mind, remembering how she had previously taken her son to Chunhui Pavilion.
She chuckled softly, her shoulders shaking with laughter.
Even Tutor Tao had restrained himself after being reminded by the Emperor.
Initially, by the former Emperor's command, he was to be strict with the heir, allowed to punish him at his discretion. Now, this heir was the Emperor, and with the change in their roles, he had to follow orders and be somewhat lenient with the new heir.
Hence, when Lu Zhu returned in the evening, his eyes were no longer red from crying.
At the entrance, his sister was waiting for him.
"Brother, try these cherries, they're really sweet," she said, holding the bowl up to him.
Lu Zhu paused, not reaching out to take it.
"You've worked hard studying," Lu Zhen said with a smile, "Go on, eat."
At this moment, his sister's smile was sweeter than any fruit.
Lu Zhu felt a twinge of guilt.
He used to make funny faces at his sister.
"Thank you," he said, taking a cherry to eat, his cheeks turning a bit red.
It turns out his sister cared a lot about him. He resolved to be nicer to her from now on!
After finishing the cherries, they both went to greet their mother.
"Has Tutor Tao become less stern?" asked Chu Yin.
"Still stern, just a bit less... But I'll endure it and won't cry," Lu Zhu was a bit embarrassed, glancing at Lu Zhen, "I can't be outdone by my sister."
Chu Yin embraced him, saying, "Mother's words were not quite right either. Zhen's maid is not as strict as your tutor. You don't need to compare yourself to her. However, your father adores you, and has instructed the tutors to be lenient. You must not disappoint him, understand?"
His father must care about him deeply, Lu Zhu nodded vigorously.
Today, Lu Jingzhao returned early and had dinner with her.
"Fortunately, His Majesty dotes on Zhu'er. He didn't cry this time and promised to study hard."
It was her love for her son; she saw no need to credit his father.
Of course, he loved his eldest son too, but he believed strictness was not harmful for children. Since Chu Yin spent more time with the children and understood them better, he was willing to consider her suggestions.
"A doting mother often spoils her child; be careful not to overindulge him," he cautioned.
Chu Yin frowned and said, "I don't quite agree with that saying. The Empress was a loving mother, yet I've never seen His Majesty spoiled."
Was that a compliment?
Lu Jingzhao's lips curled slightly: "I'm not blaming you, just reminding you that in a couple of years, Zhu'er will need to move out of Kun Ning Palace. He must learn to be independent."
"I understand, but it's precisely because he will have to be independent one day that I'm lenient with him. Once he grows up, he might not share much with me and just keep things to himself..." As children grow, they often drift away from their parents.
Lu Jingzhao paused slightly.
He had never considered this scenario before.
Indeed, he too stopped sharing his inner thoughts with his parents as he grew older.
His sudden maturation happened when he was five years old.
"Just don't overdo it," he said.
Clearly conceding a point, Chu Yin smiled, "So, Your Majesty should also make the most of this time to bond with them, like teaching Zhu'er how to ride a horse."
"The Imperial Stables have prepared the horses. I'll see when I'm free."
"Mhm."
After dinner, Lu Jingzhao stood up to go to the side hall: "I'm going to test what they have learned."
"......"
Is this considered bonding? Chu Yin wondered, hoping it wouldn't make the children even more afraid of him.
"Don't be too harsh, Your Majesty!" she hurriedly reminded, following his steps.
Fortunately, Lu Jingzhao took her earlier words to heart and didn't scare the children into crying with a stern face.
Instead, there was a joyful exchange of questions and answers.
When they returned, Chu Yin was smiling, arm in arm with him.
"Has Your Majesty been less busy recently? No major affairs in the court?" she inquired tentatively.
Hadn't she reminded him to take care of his health?
Of course, he wouldn't overexert himself.
"Busy or not, it's always the same. There will always be endless issues..." There were always problems, natural disasters, and calamities, but fortunately, she was by his side. He gently lifted her chin and kissed her.
She hadn't mentioned the northern inspection tour, and Chu Yin couldn't bring it up directly without arousing his suspicion.
"If Your Majesty ever needs someone to share his worries, I am always here to listen."
He smiled, pinching her waist lightly: "You know what I need most."
She was trying to have a serious conversation, but he was steering it elsewhere.
Annoying!
Chu Yin said, "I don't know," and started walking towards the palace.
He didn't rush to follow; after all, Chu Yin would eventually come to bed.
At the hour of the Dog (around 7-9 PM), Chu Yin was indeed ready for bed after washing up.
He embraced her from behind, kissing her ear and neck.
The more he did it, the more precise and tantalizing it became, quickly overwhelming her, making her body go weak.
At a crucial moment, Chu Yin said, "Not tonight."
"Why?" he paused, stopping his hands.
"It's that time of the month..."
Lu Jingzhao frowned, but soon said, "It doesn't seem like it."
When Chu Yin was menstruating, she was usually listless and lacked energy. Today, she was nothing like that.
He reached down, questioning, "Really?"
She hadn't managed to deceive him.
Chu Yin quickly crossed her legs, "No, actually, it's just that... I need to accompany Zhu'er to Chunhui Pavilion again tomorrow."
"......"
Lu Jingzhao remained silent.
Chu Yin turned her head to see the man's face dark as the bottom of a pot.
She almost burst into laughter.
"Weren't you no longer afraid? Why do I still need to take you?" He quickly regained his composure.
"It's the last time," she tugged at his sleeve, "Wait one more day for me, okay? I'm afraid I won't wake up in time... Every time with you takes a while, then there's cleaning up. It always ends up being late before I can sleep."
He had already been quite restrained, and yet she complained he took too long?
Lu Jingzhao was torn between feeling proud or thinking Chu Yin was too delicate.
But there wasn't much to say about it.
He pressed down on her wrist, "I'll save you some time."
Just washing her hands would do.
Chu Yin: "..."
She wanted to negotiate, but was deterred by his stern expression.
If she didn't accept this method, it would only be replaced by something more intense.
In that moment, she truly didn't want to wake up early the next day.
But despite her dissatisfaction, she remembered his kindness.
So, the next day, she still got up at dawn.
Lu Jingzhao glanced at her, feeling a mix of emotions, but chose not to say anything as he dressed and sat down for a meal.
Chu Yin secretly laughed in her heart, but kept her face expressionless.
After the meal, when he stood up to leave, Chu Yin followed.
As they passed through the side hall, she didn't stop.
Lu Jingzhao halted: "Aren't you supposed to take Xuzi to the Chunhui Pavilion?"
She couldn't help but smile: "I've changed my mind. Today, I want to accompany Your Highness."
So, about last night...
He instantly understood everything.
She wanted to surprise him.
But last night, wasn't she also teasing him? Pretending to take their son.
"Hmm, let's go," the man said calmly.
Chu Yin pouted slightly: "Aren't you happy?" Shouldn't his smile be especially radiant?
What's with him?
She went through so much effort to surprise him, and this was his reaction?
"What should I do then? It's just an escort, you've escorted Xuzi too."
Chu Yin was so annoyed that she almost turned around and left.
But once they were seated in the royal carriage, the man promptly pinned her down on the seat.
"Aren't you unhappy?" she discovered the joy in his eyes, "then why..."
"Only you are allowed to tease me?" he raised an eyebrow.
"...So petty, I won't escort you again next time," she retorted playfully.
Kissing her soft and rosy lips, he said in a husky voice, "Once is enough."
She closed her eyes, embracing his intense love in this moment.
The royal carriage galloped along the wide imperial road, with only the sounds of horse hooves and wheels...
As they neared the Qianqing Palace, the coachman received an order to head to the Imperial Garden instead.
Inside, their fingers remained interlocked from beginning to end.
Chu Yin's palms were sweaty.
She had to stay quiet, almost biting her lip through.
Upon stopping, seeing his wife lying back with moist, tear-brimmed eyes, he almost lost control again, but continuing in the royal carriage was not appropriate.
Leaning down to kiss her eyes, he asked, "Should I escort you back?"
The carriage's conspicuous journey to the Imperial Garden, then to Kunning Palace, and back to Qianqing Palace would certainly stir thoughts; Chu Yin shook her head, "No need, Your Majesty, please proceed to Qianqing Palace."
He did not insist.
Later, sitting down with the memorials, he found it rare to be unable to concentrate.
Images of her suppressed yet joyful expressions under him and her barely audible moans lingered in his mind, deepening his gaze.
Thinking about the upcoming northern inspection tour, he realized he would miss her terribly.
He was already beginning to feel this way.
Meanwhile, Chu Yin, amidst the maids' expressions that seemed to say "the Emperor is so fond of the Empress," bathed, changed clothes, and then lounged on the couch in the early morning.
Although she felt a bit ashamed just now, she had enjoyed it too, but Lu Jingzhao had just asked her to use her hand last night.
How had his desires become so intense?
She wondered if his desires would diminish as he aged; she was twenty-two and could still keep up, but what about in a decade? She couldn't guarantee it then.
But Lu Jingzhao was four years her senior and toiled so hard in state affairs; surely, his vigor couldn't remain this strong in ten years?
Thinking too far ahead, Chu Yin shook her head, deciding to worry about it after surviving the next year.
She wasn't even sure she could get over that hurdle.
The onset of winter...
Remembering that bone-chillingly cold day of loss, a shadow instantly crossed her heart.
In the evening, Lu Jingzhao returned around the 9th hour.
Chu Yin had just gone to bed.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, he said, "Get up early tomorrow."
"......"
Surely, he didn't expect her to escort him to Qianqing Palace again?
But hadn't he said, "Once is enough" before?
How could the Emperor go back on his word?
Chu Yin, unwilling and frowning, said: "Waking up early two days in a row, I am very tired. I fear I won't be able to get up." Could it be he not only wanted her to rise early but also to repeat that act in the royal carriage? Too improper!
Lu Jingzhao simply responded, "Then you don't want to go to Rabbit Hill?"
"Go to Rabbit Hill... what?" Chu Yin paused mid-sentence, her eyes widening, "You're taking me to Rabbit Hill?"
"Aren't you tired?" he said indifferently, "No need to force yourself."
"I'm not forcing myself," Chu Yin immediately sat up, "Are you really taking me?"
Her eyes sparkled like scattered stars, stunningly bright.
He slightly curved his lips, "Yes."
Before his northern tour, he had decided to take Chu Yin on a trip, both to please her and to satisfy himself—a worthwhile endeavor.
Chu Yin lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing his lips.
Without words, their actions expressed their joy.
He took a deep breath: "If you keep kissing, you won't be able to wake up early tomorrow."
Chu Yin stiffened, quickly letting go.
To spend more time at Rabbit Hill, they had to leave the city early and return sooner, giving him time to review documents; Lu Jingzhao lay down and said, "Let's sleep now."
Chu Yin hummed in agreement.
Lying beside him, she suddenly asked, "Should Xuzi and Zhenzhen come too?" They couldn't leave the children at home while they were out, could they? As for Yuyi, being too young, he certainly couldn't be brought along.
Lu Jingzhao pondered for a moment, "If you want to bring them, then they shall come."
"Of course, I do," Chu Yin snuggled against him, "It's more fun with the four of us."
"Hmm, then they'll skip a day of lessons."
Chu Yin smiled, playfully scratching his chest, "I remember the Emperor mentioning the fragrant pine branches of Rabbit Hill, perfect for barbecuing meat, right?"
"Yes, I've asked Dongling to prepare the barbecue supplies."
She immediately felt a sense of longing.
In their previous life, they never went out for leisure; in this life, although they had, it was incidental, mainly for overseeing agricultural affairs.
She hadn't expected him to take her out of the palace so soon after ascending the throne.
A bit excited.
She couldn't help but fantasize about a family of four enjoying themselves on the mountain.
Sensing the woman beside him turning occasionally, Lu Jingzhao opened his eyes and asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Suddenly, I can't sleep... what should I do?" She wanted to sleep, but her mind just wouldn't settle.
She didn't know why.
"Maybe you're not tired enough," he said seriously, glancing at her.
"...How do I get tired enough?" she asked without much thought, just wanting to fall asleep quickly.
Isn't that the simplest thing?
He grasped her arm and with a pull, she was beneath him.
Chu Yin belatedly realized she had walked right into the lion's den!
