He wanted those eyes to always look at him, and only him.
Awu naturally noticed that Emperor Jingxi’s gaze grew increasingly tender, with a possessive protectiveness.
Under his gaze, her body relaxed involuntarily, and she smiled slightly, “Your Majesty doesn’t want to kill me anymore?”
Emperor Jingxi’s slender fingers gently caressed her cheek, “For now, I’ll keep you by my side. If one day I find you unfaithful, I’ll have my way with you, then kill you, and finally burn your body to ashes.”
Awu:”…..”
She stole a glance at him, noticing his serious expression.
She then said, “Fine, I’ll die on Your Majesty’s dragon bed!”
Emperor Jingxi also smiled but softly reminded her, “From now on, speak more properly. Don’t be so casual and unrestrained. The palace is not like the outside world.”
Awu: “Then if someone bullies me, Your Majesty will protect me, right?”
Indulgence.
Palace.
Hearing this, Emperor Jingxi paused for a moment.
Awu, puzzled, looked up and saw the intricate and magnificent golden carvings.
The man’s sharp and striking profile was softened by the warm and tender gaze he directed at her.
Awu was momentarily stunned, her heart instantly enveloped in a warm, flowing sensation.
At that moment, she believed him, convinced that he genuinely intended to treat her well and would no longer doubt her.
Now, looking at Awu, Emperor Jingxi pursed his lips and smiled softly, his expression filled with tender affection, “I will.”
In an instant, Awu’s spine tingled with delight.
She almost wanted to throw herself into his arms and roll around!
When the carriage stopped at a certain place, Awu was already nestled in Emperor Jingxi’s arms, cooing like a kitten.
Emperor Jingxi: “I must return to the palace first. You go to Yan Yang Temple. In a few days, I’ll send someone to fetch you, and then you can officially enter the palace.”
He thought for a moment, “You might need to change your name.”
Awu lifted her head from his chest, “Huh? Why? Can’t I use my real name?”
Emperor Jingxi: “Your real name, Awu, is not suitable for the palace. Just choose another one. Once you’re in the palace by my side, a mere name is of little consequence.”
Awu immediately became unhappy, “Why is my name not suitable?”
Emperor Jingxi looked at her displeased expression, “You dare to show such a face in front of me?”
Awu pouted, “My name was given to me by my parents. Whether it’s good or not, it’s my name, and I’ve used it for sixteen years. Your Majesty, with just one sentence, you disdain my name. If that’s the case, then my body isn’t suitable either, and neither am I. You might as well not keep me!”
Emperor Jingxi looked at her without any emotion.
Awu tilted her head up, unyielding.
A standoff.
After a moment, Emperor Jingxi said, “I’ve spoiled you. You dare to argue in front of me?”
But for some reason, Awu felt a surge of confidence.
She snorted, “Then it’s up to Your Majesty. Call me whatever you like. Even if you call me ‘A Dog,’ I’ll have to bark a few times.”
Emperor Jingxi:”….”
After a long while, he finally relented, “Fine, I’ll allow you to keep your current name.”
Awu immediately smiled sweetly and cheerfully said, “Great! Your Majesty is so kind. Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”
Emperor Jingxi watched her smiling face intently.
Later, while reviewing memorials, his vermilion brush paused as her radiant smile suddenly appeared before his eyes, as bright as blooming flowers.
His heart swayed, almost uncontrollably.
In the past, when Emperor Jingxi went on tours, it was always with grand entrances and exits, accompanied by guards, ceremonial processions, and attendants.
This time, although he left the palace in haste, he still had…
Bian still brought along seven hundred guards from the Dragon Forbidden Guards.
Emperor Jingxi summoned Fang Yue and instructed him to select thirty elite guards from the imperial escort to personally accompany Awu to Yan Yang Temple.
Fang Yue listened, astonished, but dared not say anything.
It must be understood that the Dragon Forbidden Guards are the emperor’s personal entourage, the foremost of the twelve imperial guards.
They wear grand red silk robes with goose-feather hats and carry embroidered spring swords at their waists.
The Northern Garrison under the Dragon Forbidden Guards even undertakes duties such as espionage, criminal investigations, arrests, and interrogations, wielding authority that surpasses the imperial judiciary and grants them the power to detain and arrest.
Thus, in the Great Hui Empire, the appearance of the Dragon Forbidden Guards is akin to the emperor’s personal presence.
Apart from serving the emperor, the Dragon Forbidden Guards are also dispatched to protect feudal lords or other royal relatives, but this requires a special imperial decree, proper allocation according to regulations, and official documentation.
Now, the emperor had casually ordered thirty Dragon Forbidden Guards to escort a young lady-an unprecedented move.
Fang Yue promptly obeyed, but he couldn’t help but ponder.
The emperor’s favor toward this young lady was extraordinary, and her future status would undoubtedly be of the highest nobility.
He immediately followed the emperor’s orders, changing out of his grand robes, concealing his embroidered spring sword, and disguising himself as an ordinary civilian to escort Awu to Yan Yang Temple.
Awu was to spend a few days at Yan Yang Temple, copying scriptures and praying for the emperor’s blessings.
Afterward, she would await the imperial summons to enter the palace and accompany the emperor.
For Awu, this was naturally a path paved with splendor, meticulously arranged by Emperor Jingxi.
All she had to do was obediently follow his arrangements.
Before leaving, Awu clung to Emperor Jingxi, unwilling to let go.
She nuzzled his ear with her lips and whispered softly, “Your Majesty, Awu can’t bear to leave… When will Your Majesty come to fetch Awu?”
Emperor Jingxi remained silent, only gently stroking her back.
Awu continued, “After Your Majesty returns to the palace, don’t let distractions cloud your eyes and forget about Awu…”
Emperor Jingxi’s gaze turned cold, his expression unfeeling. “Go.”
Her behavior was half-genuine, half-teasing, both endearing and irritating.
Awu bit her lip, looking at Emperor Jingxi with a coquettish gaze.
“Your Majesty is so heartless, but Awu can’t bear to leave. Your Majesty, kiss me, or I won’t go.”
Emperor Jingxi’s expression remained stern.
“Stop fooling around. The guards are waiting outside.”
But Awu stubbornly refused to relent, insisting on a kiss.
She closed her eyes, her lips slightly pouted.
Sunlight filtered through the layers of curtains, casting a glow on the girl’s flawless face.
Her long, thick eyelashes fluttered gently as they closed.
Her lips were moist and radiant, as if shimmering with a soft pink hue.
She tilted her head stubbornly, her lips pursed, demanding his affection and favor.
The attendants and eunuchs either retreated or turned their backs, not daring to look or listen.
Emperor Jingxi silently watched her for a long moment before finally leaning down slightly.
His sleeve, embroidered with intricate patterns, lifted to partially obscure the girl’s flower-like face.
He quickly kissed her forehead, a fleeting touch.
He withdrew his sleeve, his expression indifferent and serious.
“Are you satisfied now?”
Though his gesture seemed perfunctory, Awu was content.
She smiled, wrapping her arms around Emperor Jingxi’s neck and clinging to him coquettishly.
“Your Majesty is the best! Awu will think of you every day at Yan Yang Temple, praying for Your Majesty and bowing to you from my bed!”
Emperor Jingxi remained expressionless, neither initiating nor rejecting her affection.
Awu smiled radiantly, lifting her skirt as she stepped down from the carriage.
Emperor Jingxi watched as she, without waiting for the eunuch’s assistance, leaped down joyfully, her pleated skirt billowing like a flower, resembling a happy little butterfly.
The lifted curtain fell back, and she disappeared from his sight.
Yet, he lingered, his gaze fixed on where she had been.
At that moment, Futai entered, standing respectfully to the side, and spoke in a low voice, “Your Majesty, the elite guards have been dispatched in plain clothes. As the most suspicious person in the world, it is only natural to investigate the Fifth Lady’s past.”
Emperor Jingxi pondered for a moment and then said, “Her various experiences are not of great importance. As a delicate woman, whatever she has gone through is within reason, and it is not her fault…”
He suddenly paused, realizing that by saying this, he had already lost his composure.
No matter what her past was, he accepted it willingly, even relished it.
Even if someone had trampled her into the mud, he, with the dignity of an emperor, would lift her up and present her to the world once more.
He said softly, “The key is to clarify her origins and the details of her encounter with the Crown Prince.”
Futai replied, “Your servant understands and has made it clear, but…”
He hesitated, “First, there was a flood along the coast, then bandits. The situation has changed drastically, and the local records may have been damaged by the water, making it difficult to verify accurately.”
Emperor Jingxi said, “No matter, do your best.”
As he pondered, he thought of something else and ordered, “Convey my decree to transfer Furu to another location.”
Futai was slightly startled upon hearing this.
Emperor Jingxi said no more.
Once a command was issued, it had to be carried out without reason or necessity.
Futai remained silent for a long time before finally understanding that the emperor’s expulsion of Furu was because he had begun to care, to care about the Fifth Lady.
And Furu’s companion was someone close to the Empress.
The carriage was quite silent, and the emperor spoke no more.
Futai gradually relaxed and stepped forward to add charcoal to the copper heater.
Just then, he inadvertently turned and saw the emperor’s fingertips lingering faintly on his lips.
In his expression, there was a hint of ambiguous tenderness.