The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 74 - Don't Tempt Me

"I miss you too, and I miss the children." Zhao Jinrui leaned his head against her hair, using some strength to embrace her back. "I'm back, I'm back."

The servants in attendance all lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the scene.

After a long embrace, they slowly loosened their hold, but Bai Jingxian still leaned against the emperor's chest. "Your Majesty." She looked up at him, her eyes filled with affection.

Hearing her gentle call, Zhao Jinrui felt a tightening in his heart. "I'm here."

After calming her emotions, Zhao Jinrui helped her to sit in a flower pavilion. "You were too reckless just now. What if you or the child got hurt?" After her emotions settled, he had to scold her a little.

Bai Jingxian's small face turned red under the emperor's gentle reprimand as she twisted the handkerchief in her hands. "I... I was just so happy to see Your Majesty that I lost my manners." As she spoke, tears welled in her eyes. "Please don't be angry with me, Your Majesty."

Her pitiful appearance tugged at the emperor's heart.

Zhao Jinrui sighed, "You..." Her passionate love was something he could not ignore. "I'm just worried about you. What if you fell?"

While he cared about the child, he also cared about her.

"Okay, next time I won't do this. I'll make sure to protect the children."

"Just protect the children?"

"Then I'll protect myself too?"

"Of course, without you, how could there be them? So, none of you can have any accidents, understand?" Zhao Jinrui gently rubbed the tip of her nose.

As summer days darkened late, the two of them chatted in the pavilion until the sunset, and then they slowly made their way to the West Palace. This time, it was not the servants helping Bai Jingxian, but the emperor himself supporting her.

"Your Majesty, the weather is still hot. Why are we heading back to the palace? Are you just going to handle some matters and then leave again?" She took the opportunity to lean against him, letting him support her as they walked.

Bai Jingxian knew Zhao Jinrui's masculine psychology well; only this way could he feel satisfied.

"We won't go back today. Summer is almost over, and there's a lot of business in court. I've already sent someone to fetch the empress and the others back to the palace." He patted her hand. "But you, being pregnant for the first time without me by your side, must feel quite wronged."

She was not one to stay silent about her grievances. "A little. I always feel uneasy when you're not around. Now that you're back, my little heart has finally settled." As she spoke, she lightly patted her chest.

Wearing little clothing, her movements caused her outfit to shift, revealing a hint of allure. Her beauty and figure were already remarkable, and thinking of her past grace, Zhao Jinrui couldn't help but swallow hard.

His beloved consort was truly enchanting.

"Don't tempt me too much, or you might hurt yourself and the child." 

Bai Jingxian's face flushed at his words. "Your Majesty, what are you saying?" She turned her head away, wanting to avoid his bold gaze, unaware that her delicate neck only made her more tempting.

Zhao Jinrui sighed helplessly. "You, just wait until after you give birth. You'll see how I deal with you." He could only whisper this in her ear.

Startled, she quickly looked around, afraid someone might overhear his blunt words.

Once she saw the servants had stepped away, she finally relaxed. "Your Majesty," she pouted playfully.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Come sit down. You've been walking for a while; your legs must be tired." No matter how much they joked, Zhao Jinrui feared losing control of himself.

He needed her to settle down.

Inside the West Palace, after they sat down, a servant came to serve tea.

When Zhao Jinrui saw that her cup contained warm water, a look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes. In the imperial harem, there were certainly those who weren't pregnant, and while they cared about offspring, they cared more about themselves.

It was rare to find someone like her, who thought of everything for the sake of the children.

"Did the physician not prescribe you any tea leaves?" He couldn't help but ask.

"Everyone has different physical constitutions and is suited to different types of tea. Generally, pregnant consorts are prescribed specific teas by the imperial physician. No one drinks plain water like I do."

"In summer, the heart fire is strong. Besides, I'm not used to drinking tea. The physician said it would be better if I could avoid it, so I've been drinking warm water. To be honest, it really helps to cool down the heat."

Bai Jingxian said this casually, completely unconcerned about the emperor's gaze.

"It's really a pity for you, Your Majesty. I don't have any good tea to offer," she said with an embarrassed expression.

Zhao Jinrui smiled and waved his hand. "Someone, go bring some Liu'an melon seed tea for He Liangdi, so she won't say that I'm too stingy to give her tea." After saying that, the emperor burst into laughter.

This made Bai Jingxian blush furiously. "I didn't think that way."

"Ha ha, if you didn't think that way, I can't help but do this."

Xiao Xiazi quickly responded and went out to get the tea.

Zhao Jinrui, perhaps a bit curious, placed his hand on her belly. "I can't believe there are two of my children in such a small belly. You really are blessed, beloved consort."

Seeing her like this, he couldn't help but sigh. Earlier, he hadn't cared much about having children, but now that things had settled down, he was eager to have them. He hadn't expected so many pregnancies in the palace all at once. But he only cared about a few, and she was one of them.

"It's Your Majesty who is blessed. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to have children," Bai Jingxian shyly replied. "Having two children is all thanks to you; I wouldn't dare to take credit."

Her way with words could charm anyone.

"Ha ha, you're right, it's my strength. Otherwise, how could you be having twins?" He couldn't help but respond to her praise. "But you are also blessed."

"Yes, I'm the most blessed. Without Your Majesty, how could I have such a good life today?" She lovingly caressed her belly.

Just as they were exchanging sweet words, an abrupt sharp voice interrupted the atmosphere, startling Bai Jingxian so much that she nearly jumped up if the emperor hadn't been beside her.

Zhao Jinrui's expression darkened. "Who is it?" He retracted his hand from her belly, a hint of danger flashing in his eyes.

Xiao Xiazi was not present, and it was Xiao Li who was blocking the entrance. Seeing someone so bold as to act recklessly in the presence of the emperor, Xiaoli was scared half to death.

"Miss Dongmei, you cannot enter. The emperor is inside. Can you please wait a moment? I'll go inform him." No matter how dissatisfied he felt, he wouldn't dare disturb the emperor.

Only this person thought so highly of herself, truly believing that the consort could manage the emperor.