noffsinger Chapter 179 Come to My Side
Chapter 179 Come to My Side
The wind in July is warm and gentle.
Just like the moment the four lips touched, soft and warm.
The kiss was brief, like a dragonfly skimming the water, brushing against the man's lips.
"Lord Lu, you must remember what you said."
After saying this, Chu Qingyin lifted her skirt and hurriedly ran out.
Watching that slender figure disappear into the distance, Lu Zhiheng was momentarily stunned.
That kiss, though brief, was like an electric current, instantly numbing his entire body.
He raised his hand and gently touched his lips, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turning up. The coldness and aloofness in his eyes quietly faded away, replaced by an undisguised tenderness.
I never expected her to do something so bold.
That's really interesting.
only--
"Qiao Qingyin, Chu Qingyin..."
Are you two the same person?
He murmured softly, a thoughtful look lingering between his brows.
***
"Your Majesty, where did you go just now?!"
Xianglan saw her figure from afar and hurriedly came to greet her, her expression anxious. "I've been looking for you everywhere! I was so worried!"
She had simply been distracted for a moment and hadn't noticed her mistress at all.
"Nothing, have His Majesty and the others arrived?"
Chu Qingyin straightened her disheveled clothes and tried to calm herself down.
"Not yet, but it should be soon."
Seeing that her mistress's hair was a little messy, Xianglan thought something had happened, so she kept looking behind her. Unexpectedly, she saw Lu Zhiheng's figure in the distance.
"What are you doing here, Lord Lu?"
Xianglan looked surprised. Her mistress disliked this Chief Minister Lu the most, so why was she doing this today...?
"Xianglan".
Chu Qingyin suddenly called out to her, her eyes full of calm: "Remember, you didn't see anything just now."
Upon hearing this, Xianglan was startled.
She had never seen her mistress so serious before, and hurriedly nodded, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant did not see anything."
Knowing her mistress's temperament well, she didn't dare to ask any more questions at the moment, and silently helped Chu Qingyin tidy up her clothes and hair.
Chu Qingyin took several deep breaths, and her expression returned to its usual tranquil state.
The two walked out of the winding path and soon arrived at the banquet venue.
In the pavilion surrounded by lotus leaves reaching to the sky, a number of imperial concubines, as well as many wives of officials and noble ladies, had already gathered.
"Sister, you've finally arrived."
As soon as Qiao Qingling saw Chu Qingyin, she immediately walked over with a beaming smile.
She affectionately took Chu Qingyin's arm: "This banquet is so lively today, everyone is looking forward to seeing you."
Qiao Qingling's voice was clear and melodious, and her smile was even brighter. Today, she was wearing a light purple dress, which made her even more radiant and beautiful.
Chu Qingyin frowned slightly and withdrew her hand without making a sound.
"elder sister……"
Qiao Qingling pouted, looking aggrieved.
Unexpectedly, even after receiving her father's letter, she still wouldn't give her the slightest face. She asked softly, "Father is here today, so you're unwilling to be with me..."
"Unwilling."
Chu Qingyin interrupted her directly.
Qiao Qingling felt bored. Since Qiao Gongquan wasn't there, no matter how wronged she acted, no one would care.
Several lower-ranking concubines saw Chu Qingyin arrive and stepped forward to pay their respects before dispersing in twos and threes.
We've at least met before.
The pavilion had already been properly furnished, with only a few maids bustling about.
Before long, a larger pleasure boat slowly sailed in from the other side of the lake.
Pei Yuanling and Empress Wang stood at the front of the painted boat.
He was still dressed in black, with the Empress, who was wearing dark red palace attire, by his side, like a perfect couple.
"Your Majesty and the Empress are truly very loving. I heard that Your Majesty was discussing matters in the Imperial Study, and thinking that the time was right, you went to the Empress's residence in person to arrange to come here together."
Qiao Qingling's eyes were full of envy, and her voice unconsciously rose, attracting the attention of the surrounding concubines and young ladies from noble families.
Chu Qingyin's lips curled into a barely perceptible cold smile.
So loving? That's laughable.
As the pleasure boat docked, everyone knelt down to pay their respects and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
Pei Yuanling's expression was dignified. His gaze swept across the crowd, pausing slightly when it landed on Chu Qingyin, before softening slightly.
"My beloved subjects, rise."
He said loudly, "The purpose of today's banquet is to share joy with everyone, so there's no need to be too reserved."
Everyone stood up, and there was another round of expressions of gratitude.
Empress Wang, with her graceful demeanor, glanced at everyone before fixing her gaze on Chu Qingyin, and said with a meaningful smile, "Consort Qiao, I heard you were ill a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am much better now."
Chu Qingyin curtsied to show respect.
"That's good. His Majesty loves you so much, you must take good care of yourself."
Empress Wang smiled broadly, clearly showing genuine concern for her health.
Chu Qingyin bowed slightly, her demeanor dignified, her words respectful yet measured: "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's concern. I will certainly take good care of myself and live up to Your Majesty's expectations."
"Ah."
Empress Wang nodded slightly, exchanged a few more pleasantries with the others, and then took her seat.
Chu Qingyin walked behind the group, watching their departing figures from afar, the gentle light in her eyes gradually fading.
The two people walking in the middle, surrounded by the crowd, did indeed look like a well-matched couple, just by looking at their backs.
After everyone was seated, Chu Qingyin, accompanied by Xianglan, slowly went to her seat.
For some reason, she happened to be facing Lord Lu.
The other person picked up their glass first, seemingly raised it towards her, and then drank it all in one gulp.
Recalling what had just happened, Chu Qingyin's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
In Pei Yuanling's eyes, how dare he still make such a bold move? Does he really have no regard for his life?
Fortunately, Pei Yuanling's attention was not on her at the time, and he did not notice the interaction between the two.
Chu Qingyin picked up the wine glass on the table and took a small sip.
It's a newly brewed lotus-flavored wine this year. The wine isn't strong; it's sweet, fragrant, and quite delicious.
Before long, the banquet officially began.
The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, like the gentle murmur of flowing water, permeating the entire banquet hall. Graceful dancers, their robes billowing, stood on small, elegant painted boats floating on the lake, their movements captivating, like ethereal water fairies.
The maids moving through the banquet hall carried exquisite dishes, presenting one delicacy after another.
Chu Qingyin glanced at the table casually; all the snacks and delicacies on it were made with lotus flowers, lotus seeds, and lotus roots.
The lotus flower pastry was layered and exquisitely crafted.
It seems that Empress Wang put a lot of thought into this banquet.
Who is the woman dancing on that pleasure boat?
Pei Yuanling's eyes flickered slightly. He saw that the person was wearing a lotus-colored dress and had a cinnabar mole between his eyebrows, which made him look somewhat familiar.
"Your Majesty has forgotten, it is the daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites, Consort Li Die."
Empress Wang's smile remained unchanged as she explained the identity of the dancer.
Pei Yuanling narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice soft but carrying an undeniable authority.
"Bring her to my side."