HLnovel Chapter 175 It's so tempting!
Chapter 175 It's so tempting!
Feeling embarrassed by her suggestion being rejected in public, Qiao Qingling turned her attention back to Chu Qingyin.
"Sister, what are you planning to give as a gift? Could you give me some suggestions?"
Her eyes flickered, but her smile remained unchanged.
Chu Qingyin smiled slightly and said slowly, "I think that Princess Yongning is of noble status and is carrying a royal child. Ordinary objects would not be enough to express her feelings."
"Previously, the Western Regions presented a batch of rare mutton fat jade as tribute. It is warm, delicate, and has a soft luster. I happened to ask the skilled craftsmen in the palace to carve it into a set of baby ornaments. It is both meaningful and precious. It can be considered as using this as a gift to the Buddha. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Although she was answering Qiao Qingling's question, her gaze was actually fixed on Pei Yuanling.
The jade was originally a gift from Pei Yuanling, and it's perfect for this occasion.
Qiao Qingling's eyes darted around, and she feigned surprise before Pei Yuanling could react. "Sister is indeed very thoughtful. This gift is not only appropriate for the princess's pregnancy, but also showcases the grandeur of the royal family."
"But my sister doesn't have such a rare item, so I really don't know what to do."
After saying this, she gently covered the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, her face full of distress.
She had not yet gained the emperor's favor after entering the palace, so the rewards she received were naturally very few. This time, she had no choice but to use her own possessions to make up for the shortfall.
She had thought that since she had said so much and Chu Qingyin had received so many valuable gifts, choosing one or two items at random would be enough for her to give as gifts.
To her surprise, the other person seemed not to understand and didn't respond to her at all.
“Sister, don’t worry. It’s the thought that counts when you receive a gift. If you are truly skilled in needlework, why not embroider a handkerchief with auspicious meaning or make an exquisite purse? I’m sure the princess will feel your sincerity.”
Chu Qingyin emphasized the words "personally".
Upon hearing this, Qiao Qingling's expression worsened.
Having grown up together, Chu Qingyin naturally knew that she was neither good at nor fond of needlework. Now, she was bringing it up again in front of His Majesty, clearly trying to embarrass her in public!
Qiao Qingling bit her lower lip, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, but she had no choice but to force a smile and reply, "Sister is absolutely right."
She secretly plotted to come up with a gift that could surpass Chu Qingyin's, so that His Majesty would look at her in a different light.
"The lotus viewing banquet is just around the corner, Miss Qiao, you must not be late. Go back and prepare as soon as possible."
Chu Qingyin's smile had faded considerably. This man had refused to leave as soon as His Majesty arrived. Did he perhaps want to sneak a couple of gifts back from here?
She had already said everything she needed to say. If the other party still stayed here, they would be incredibly tactless.
Qiao Qingling's gaze shifted between the two men. Seeing that His Majesty had no intention of keeping her, she had no choice but to grit her teeth, bow, and take her leave.
As she left, she kept turning back to look at him, her eyes filled with affection, making her incredibly charming.
Unfortunately, the man only had eyes for Chu Qingyin and never glanced at her once.
It's absolutely hateful!
After Qiao Qingling left indignantly, Xianglan considerately withdrew from the palace and closed the door for the emperor and empress inside.
"Yinyin, you've lost a lot of weight these past few days."
Once everyone left, Pei Yuanling sat down next to Chu Qingyin and pulled her into his arms.
He stroked the face he had longed for day and night, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Chu Qingyin leaned into his arms and whispered, "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, yet you still think of me all the time. Even if I suffer a little, it is all worth it."
Pei Yuanling held her tightly and kissed her hair: "In my heart, you will always be the most important. The affairs in the palace are complicated and you have suffered."
She tilted her head back to respond to his kiss, her eyes sparkling.
He seemed emotional, but he felt no attraction whatsoever.
One kiss and it was over.
Chu Qingyin tilted her head slightly, her gaze meeting Pei Yuanling's, her eyes sparkling with a clear light: "As long as I can stay by Your Majesty's side, I have no fear of anything."
"But that Qiao Qingling..."
At this point, she couldn't help but sigh and continued, "Qiao Gongquan wrote to me today, asking me to take good care of her, but the relationship between the owner of this body and her is really not very good."
Since admitting her true identity to Pei Yuanling in front of him last time, Chu Qingyin has continued to interact with Pei Yuanling in her previous life's state when they are alone.
She put on an extremely troubled expression, seemingly with some hesitation.
Pei Yuanling naturally understood her meaning; he was already familiar with the situation of the Qiao family.
Since Aunt Jiang returned, Qiao Gongquan has not been sending letters to Yinyin as frequently. He must have heard a lot of rumors, which is why he wrote to ask Yinyin to help out that beauty Qiao.
He frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said softly, "It's alright. Tomorrow I will summon Qiao Gongquan and ask him, and then we will know whether what he wrote in his letter is true."
"Your Majesty, I thank you."
Her furrowed brows relaxed, and she gently kissed the corner of his lips.
The two had not seen each other for several days, and absence made the heart grow fonder.
Pei Yuanling stared into her eyes, which shimmered and captivated him.
"Voice..."
In a moment of deep affection, he suddenly kissed her, his arm encircling her slender, boneless waist.
Pei Yuanling's kiss was passionate and deep. Chu Qingyin's delicate body trembled slightly. She seemed to be immersed in it, but her heart was as calm as a lake.
After the kiss, Pei Yuanling's forehead pressed against Chu Qingyin's, his breathing slightly unsteady.
"Yinyin, with me here, you don't need to care what others think."
A fleeting, almost imperceptible emotion flashed in Chu Qingyin's eyes, only to be replaced by a deep, dark glint in them.
She said coquettishly, "With Your Majesty's words, I am at ease."
After saying that, Pei Yuanling picked her up by the waist and carried her to the bed.
The woman's slender, fair arms wrapped around his neck, and her seemingly unintentional breathing sounded in his ear, gentle and sweet, making his heart itch.
He placed her on the bed, and the woman's seemingly boneless arms wrapped around him, moving over his body as if setting him on fire.
……
The enchanting moments of the night faded with the morning light.
Chu Qingyin was always a light sleeper, and when she got up, it was just getting light in the sky, with the east gradually turning white.
She stood in the courtyard wearing an overcoat, the soreness in her lower body a reminder of the madness of the previous night.
Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for a long time, Pei Yuanling was particularly rough with her last night, leaving many red marks on her body.
Xianglan brought a bowl of medicine that had already been brewed to her. Her expression was worried, and she asked softly, "Your Majesty, do you really want to drink this medicine?"