Chapter 219.2

He obediently laid his head on her lap as she removed his imperial crown. No one had ever touched his hair like this before, and it felt a bit uncomfortable, but he endured it.

After removing the crown, she unravelled his hair. His thick, jet-black hair spilled out, covering the kang. She gently stroked it, saying, “Your Majesty’s hair is so beautiful, black, shiny, and strong, like the finest silk.”

Yaoniang’s soft fingers lightly touched Emperor Jin’an’s head and then ran down, smoothing his jet-black hair. She then had a palace maid bring a rhinoceros horn comb to comb his hair.

With each stroke, from scalp to tip, Emperor Jin’an involuntarily relaxed his body and slightly opened his eyes to look at her. He saw her smiling with a serious expression, a look of intimacy and sweetness in her eyes.

This kind of intimacy and sweetness was something Emperor Jin’an had never experienced before. It showed an unparalleled closeness between the two. He felt a bit dazed, and his thoughts started to drift, but he also seemed to be thinking about nothing in particular.

The palace maids who stood nearby saw the emperor and empress lying intimately on the kang. Sunlight streamed in through the lattice window, casting a warm, picturesque scene.

“Your Majesty, even during your leisure time, you should rest. Don’t always keep yourself so busy. Some things can wait, and if you don’t finish them today, there’s always tomorrow.”

“State affairs are of utmost importance. If Zhen delays for a day, the common people below will suffer. Besides, there’s always something to do tomorrow. If Zhen thinks this way and neglects my responsibilities, the government affairs will only pile up. In the future, please refrain from saying such things to me.”

After saying this, Emperor Jin’an realized that his tone might have been harsh.

Indeed, Yaoniang’s face showed surprise, and her eyes looked somewhat hurt.

It appeared that “he” would never speak to her in such a manner. He hurriedly tried to make amends, “Don’t think too much. Zhen is just a bit tired today.”

Yaoniang exhaled softly, “Why are you acting so strange today?” She repeated her earlier question, seeming to have realized that he didn’t answer it earlier. She only now realized that he had indeed been acting weirdly, especially his posture when he was carrying Sibao. She couldn’t help but think of calling Imperial Physician Liu to examine him and take a look. She said, “Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Maybe I should have Imperial Physician Liu take a look.”

Saying this, she raised her voice and ordered someone to fetch Imperial Physician Liu. She didn’t notice the man lying straight on the kang, his body tensed, although it was barely noticeable.

Imperial Physician Liu’s arrival surprised Emperor Jin’an even more. He was beginning to find the situation very strange. He knew he was Emperor Jin’an, but why were there so many differences?

Imperial Physician Liu examined Emperor Jin’an’s pulse and found nothing unusual, which finally eased Yaoniang’s worries.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Emperor Jin’an felt a heavy weight in his heart. He recalled Yaoniang’s earlier comment about him acting strangely, and he couldn’t help but want to avoid the subject. He didn’t want to reveal anything until he figured out what had happened.

Emperor Jin’an didn’t stay long in Kunning Palace, using the excuse that he had other matters to attend to, and left.

During his journey, something else happened. He had originally intended to return to Qianqing Palace, but Fu Cheng curiously asked if he was going to see the Emperor Emeritus. That’s when Emperor Jin’an learned that Qianqing Palace was now occupied by the Emperor Emeritus.

The Emperor Emeritus hadn’t passed away? Then where was he living now?

Could it be Kunning Palace? However, that didn’t make sense, as the emperor and empress wouldn’t share the same palace, no matter how much “he” doted on her. Especially considering that the emperor had state affairs to attend to, which couldn’t be conducted in Taihe Hall. There had to be a separate location.

Emperor Jin’an was Emperor Jin’an after al. He analyzed the layout of the Forbidden City based on the architecture and headed towards Yangxin Hall. Fu Cheng didn’t say anything.

Upon arriving at Yangxin Hall, Emperor Jin’an didn’t attend to his affairs as he said. Instead, he pretended to need to rest, dismissing everyone, including Fu Cheng.

Emperor Jin’an didn’t know that Fu Cheng was beginning to have doubts. It wasn’t unusual for His Majesty to rest, but it was strange to return to Yongxin Hall from Kunning Palace to rest. However, Fu Cheng didn’t think much of it; he assumed that Emperor Jin’an was simply feeling fatigued today.

Emperor Jin’an spent the entire day in the inner chamber. When it was meal time, Kunning Palace sent people to ask if he would be back but he rejected it with excuses.

When night fell, Fu Cheng asked him again if he planned on returning to Kunning Palace. The strange look in Fu Cheng’s eyes finally made him relent. He decided to return to Qianqing Palace and follow the original “him’s” routines.

When he returned, she had already fallen asleep.

After experiencing this day, Emperor Jin’an no longer found her actions surprising. In fact, he realized that “he” truly cherished her. The way they interacted didn’t feel like an emperor and empress but rather like any other ordinary married couple.

For example, when it was time for him to eat, his wife would ask if he wanted to come home for a meal. If he chose not to, she would remind him to eat properly. She also wouldn’t dress up and wait for him to return but would be casual and relaxed.

Yaoniang had just lain down when Emperor Jin’an returned. She had originally intended to wait for him, but he took his time in the bath, and she eventually fell asleep while waiting.

It wasn’t until she suddenly felt movement on the bed that she realized it wasn’t the usual warm body coming to embrace her. She wondered what he was up to. At this moment, Yaoniang was in a half-asleep, half-awake state, and her thoughts were slow to process. After a while of waiting and still not seeing him, she turned around to look at him.

He was actually using a separate blanket!

Even though there had always been two sets of blankets prepared on this bed, one of them had never been used.

Her beautiful eyes widened, and she instantly lost her sleepiness. She felt a bit aggrieved and her mind couldn’t help but start to wander.

Emperor Jin’an was unaware that, to the person who shared his bed, Yaoniang, there was nothing more unusual than this. While they appeared to be serious when they were together, they were never actually serious. Little actions like rubbing her petite hand and patting her small face were commonplace for them. For example, Emperor Jin’an had a habit of lightly massaging her hand when they were alone and talking.

Or occasionally, he might pinch her chest or pat her rear end.

All of these were things that were exclusive to them, very private, and could be considered part of their marital playfulness. However, today, Emperor Jin’an was acting completely out of character.

Yaoniang couldn’t possibly imagine the change that had happened inside the man beside her. At first, she wondered if he wasn’t feeling well, but when that suspicion was dismissed, she couldn’t help but think of worse possibilities.

Deep down, Yaoniang had always feared the day when she would grow old and lose her youthful allure, causing Emperor Jin’an to no longer desire her. Or if he encountered a woman more beautiful and fresh than her, he might find a new love and forget the old one.

This was Yaoniang’s deepest fear, but she had never been able to discuss it openly. She could talk to Emperor Jin’an about anything, except for this one thing that she couldn’t bring up.

Over the years, even though he never mentioned such matters, his every word and action had put her at ease, making her forget about this fear. But today, his unusual behaviour made her unable to avoid thinking about it.

Could it be that he had someone else? Is that why he’s acting this way?

There were no other concubines in the palace, except for her, and the only other one had been imprisoned. Then who could that palace maid be? Or was she just overthinking things?

She needed him to provide her with an answer, but she couldn’t ask it directly, so she could only use other means.

She suddenly slipped under Emperor Jin’an’s blanket, her soft body pressing tightly against him. Emperor Jin’an’s throat tightened as he felt a dryness in his mouth.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” She half-leaned against his chest, gazing at him with seductive eyes, unintentionally exuding a charm that could enchant and captivate anyone, causing Emperor Jin’an to hold his breath instinctively. Before he could react, her rosy lips had already moved towards him, soft and smooth, like they were coated in honey.

Emperor Jin’an’s breathing became irregular as Yaoniang wrapped her arms around his neck, licking his thin lips while her delicate tongue playfully teased his. Unlike before when he used to tease her, today, he was avoiding her.

Yaoniang’s kiss deepened, unaware that a monumental change was taking place inside Emperor Jin’an. A voice in his mind kept roaring.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Who are you? Who are you really? Scram for Zhen right now and don’t touch my empress!”