CHAPTER 623: CHAPTER 623: FIREFLY LAKE SHORE

The horse galloped through the night.

The whooshing wind howled past her ears, and Xia Ruqing, wrapped in her cloak, huddled in his embrace, daring not to move an inch.

"Emperor..."

She was scared! Why was this horse running so fast? It was almost like a modern-day car! And without any seatbelts or anything, falling off would mean certain death!

Zhao Junyao held the reins in one hand and clutched her tightly with the other.

"Don’t be afraid! We’ll be there soon!"

"And, stop fidgeting!"

That last line was so wickedly charming.

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but sneak a glance at him.

From this angle, she could perfectly see Zhao Junyao’s flawless profile.

TSK TSK, so handsome; even a mere profile was so perfect. The firm and clean lines of his neck, the handsome and deep contours—so perfect they were unforgettable.

"Emperor, you are truly handsome!"

Zhao Junyao pulled her head into his chest.

"I told you not to fidget!"

Xia Ruqing was utterly bewildered.

"I wasn’t fidgeting!"

Upon closer sensation, she realized... the Emperor seemed to be... aroused? WHAT?!

Xia Ruqing didn’t dare to move again, not even to speak carelessly.

After what seemed an eternity, they finally arrived safely.

Once off the horse, Xia Ruqing first looked around but realized this place was utterly unfamiliar to her.

She had never been here before.

"Emperor, where are we?"

Zhao Junyao tied up the horse and, taking her hand, strode forward.

"Emperor, where are we going?"

Xia Ruqing’s heart was ablaze with nervousness.

Zhao Junyao remained silent the entire time.

Xia Ruqing didn’t dare to ask again and had to continue walking, her heart pounding wildly.

The path underfoot seemed to be a mountainous trail, rough and difficult to navigate.

Thankfully, they didn’t have to walk too far before they seemed to reach a grassland again.

Following the path under their feet, they walked all the way to the end.

As they were about to turn a corner, Zhao Junyao suddenly covered her eyes.

Good heavens. It was already pitch-black; I couldn’t see anything anyway, could I? With my eyes covered now, how can I walk?

As she worried, she suddenly felt light on her feet; she was being lifted.

Then...

Xia Ruqing shamefully blushed.

PFFT, PFFT, PFFT! Such a romantic situation, I mustn’t have wayward thoughts!

She stretched out her arms, obediently wrapping them around his neck and resting her head against his chest, feeling him move steadily forward, step by step.

After about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Zhao Junyao suddenly stopped.

He gently set her down and uncovered her eyes.

"Qingqing, open your eyes."

Xia Ruqing obediently and slowly opened her eyes.

HUH? Why is it so bright? Her eyes swiftly widened.

Then...

She saw the most breathtaking sight she had witnessed in all her two lifetimes!

"Fireflies?!"

"WOW! So beautiful! These are all fireflies!"

The scene before her was as stunning as a painting. Fireflies stretched from near to far, from high to low, like countless little stars scattered everywhere.

They twirled and dipped inches above the water, like tiny stars.

Their reflections, like angels, mirrored in the water, gradually illuminated the entire night sky.

Jade green foliage, fluorescent green fireflies, and glistening water—it was all as picturesque as a poem come to life.

"So beautiful!"

So beautiful it could make me cry.

Xia Ruqing was so moved she was on the verge of tears.

"Emperor, such a beautiful place!"

"How can there be such a beautiful place in the world!"

Zhao Junyao stood by the water with his hands behind his back.

He heard her voice, a mixture of laughter and tears, filled with emotion.

He slowly turned, gently righted her, and wiped away her tears.

"Emperor..."

Zhao Junyao tucked the silk handkerchief back into his sleeve and said with a smile, "Why are you crying? With such a beautiful scene, you’re not allowed to cry!"

Xia Ruqing was speechless.

Emperor, I’m just overwhelmed, okay? How did that become crying?! Do you even have a sliver of... emotional intelligence when it comes to women? SIGH...

Xia Ruqing sniffled. Forget it, it’s not worth fussing over. What’s the use? I don’t dare to say it anyway!

Gazing at the world of fireflies around her, Xia Ruqing shouted towards the lake surface, "AH!"

Zhao Junyao was startled.

"What are you doing?"

Xia Ruqing had wanted to say she was releasing mental stress.

But... after a moment’s thought, she decided against it.

That term is too modern; Zhao Junyao might not understand it.

So she rephrased.

"Emperor, this is an old superstition from my hometown!"

"Shouting out loud will drive out all the unhappiness in your heart!"

"If there’s water in front of you, the water will wash away the troubles!"

"That way, we’ll be free from worries!"

I even believed this excuse myself!

And so... Zhao Junyao also shouted a few times.

His voice was pleasant. When he shouted, it didn’t crack but instead carried a deep, powerful, and imposing quality, like a lion’s roar.

After they finished shouting, the two of them strolled slowly by the lakeside.

"Emperor, do you also have worries?"

Zhao Junyao held her hand and looked at her seriously.

"I do!"

Xia Ruqing didn’t press further. With so many state affairs, and the entire populace plus civil and military officials to manage, how could he not have worries?

Xia Ruqing didn’t ask anymore and quickly changed the subject.

That night, when the two returned from the firefly-lit lakeside, it was already deep into the night.

The bumpy ride gradually made Xia Ruqing sleepy.

By the time she was helped down from the horse, she had already fallen asleep.

Zhao Junyao wrapped her in the cloak and carried her all the way back to her chambers.

However, unlike previous times, after seeing her back, he left without staying the night.

When Zhao Junyao left, he instructed Zi Yue and the others, "Take good care of her. I will come again tomorrow!"

"Yes!" Zi Yue quickly responded.

Zhao Junyao glanced at Xia Ruqing, who had already fallen fast asleep inside the bed curtains, gave a faint smile, and then left.

Under the moonlight, his figure appeared somewhat desolate.

It’s lonely at the top. Not only can I not participate in a fair competition, but I cannot even cherish the woman I love properly, to my heart’s content. I also have to deliberately neglect her from time to time and remember to mitigate the animosity towards her, to prevent others from becoming too jealous. Thinking about it, it’s quite difficult.

"An emperor, alas!" Zhao Junyao uttered this exclamation before going to sleep.

「The next day.」

As usual, the Concubines came to pay their respects early in the morning.

The Empress had risen early and was playing happily in the front courtyard with the Little Princess, who was just over a year old.

When Xia Ruqing arrived, the Little Princess was already drenched in sweat from playing.

The Empress then had the Wetnurse Nannies take the Princess to rest, instructing them, "Don’t let her sweat anymore!"

Xia Ruqing was a bit puzzled.

UMM... Is there really any need to coddle a child that much? Not letting her sweat isn’t good for her health! But alas, who would listen? The Empress? COUGH, COUGH!

"Greetings to Your Majesty, the Empress!" Xia Ruqing said no more.

The Empress hurriedly smiled.

"Rise, all of you!"

"Ever since we arrived, we’ve all been cooped up in our respective courtyards without even stepping out!"