CHAPTER 94: CHAPTER 93 A STRANGE INCIDENT 1

At night, Zhao Junyao indeed went.

This time, Xia Ruqing wasn’t asleep; she was cuddling a cat in one hand and holding a game piece in the other, bent over the gameboard, deep in thought.

Seeing this, Zhao Junyao felt a bit angry. He felt that ever since she got the cat, it made no difference whether he was present or not; she was just as carefree. He didn’t consider that other women longed for his visit, practically stretching their necks toward Zhaochen Palace. Yet, she... But! But! Why couldn’t he control his legs? He just wanted to come here.

"MEOW."

Da Bai saw him and darted out from Xia Ruqing’s arms. It stood at his feet, tilting its little cat face, just staring at him.

Zhao Junyao looked at the cat. Well, it’s cute, but he felt nothing. He was angry.

"Your Majesty?" Xia Ruqing finally realized what was happening. She hurriedly threw down her game piece and went to greet him.

Da Bai glanced at her, gave her a disdainful look, and trotted away with its light, cat-like steps.

Xia Ruqing, you fool! Da Bai thought. You don’t even realize your Emperor husband has arrived. It’s up to this precious one to act cute and dispel his anger for you! Humph!

Yet Xia Ruqing was smiling carefreely. "Your Majesty, why are you here?"

I thought you would go back to the Empress. After all, you didn’t go yesterday, and the Empress is your principal wife. You’re always neglecting her. The Empress will definitely hate me to death if she finds out. Although she thought this, she dared not say a word.

Zhao Junyao saw her smile—the kind that just begged to be ’disciplined’—and his lips curled. Qingqing, it seems I’ll have to teach you a proper lesson.

Thinking this, he walked a few steps forward and sat down on the large kang bed.

"You’re playing chess?" he asked with a smile upon seeing the game board.

He felt a fleeting moment of paternal contentment. Mmm, the little woman he doted on is finally showing some initiative. Not bad, not bad. It’s no problem if she can’t write. Music, chess, calligraphy, painting—being good at just one will do. His demands for her were very low.

"Your Majesty, this is Gomoku, would you like to give it a try?" Xia Ruqing asked excitedly.

She genuinely couldn’t play Go, but she was an expert at Gomoku. Having no money for toys when she was young, this was what she played. Back then, none of the children in her village could beat her. She had been quite proud of that for a while. If she hadn’t accidentally found a game board while tidying up today, she might not even have remembered it. It’s been many years since I played!

"Oh? What is Gomoku?" Zhao Junyao, also an expert in chess, was somewhat curious upon hearing such a strange name.

Xia Ruqing immediately explained the rules to him. "Two players alternate placing pieces. Whether horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, the first to connect five pieces wins!"

"That simple?" Zhao Junyao was somewhat surprised.

"Simple?" Xia Ruqing was dumbfounded.

"Let’s play a game!"

"Alright!" Zhao Junyao nodded.

The two started playing, making do with the Go board.

You place a piece, I place a piece.

Xia Ruqing launched a series of attacks; Zhao Junyao made risky moves, countering each one.

Soon, the outcome was clear.

"No way, let’s go again!" Xia Ruqing was very annoyed.

Zhao Junyao also found it quite interesting, so he played another round with her.

The result was the same as the first game!

Xia Ruqing was somewhat disbelieving. "Your Majesty, have you truly never seen this before? Nor heard of it?"

Zhao Junyao suppressed a laugh, his expression serious. "Do you think I would lie?"

Xia Ruqing immediately backed down. "This servant wouldn’t dare!"

However, she pouted, unhappy about losing.

Zhao Junyao felt somewhat helpless and had no choice but to continue playing with her.

Ten games, ten wins for him.

Xia Ruqing had actually lost them all.

"I’m not playing anymore!" After the last game, she tossed her pieces aside and went to play with the cat.

He’s a grown man, and the Emperor at that! she fumed internally. Couldn’t he let me win just once? Hmph!

Her temper, once it flared, was like a miniature cosmos erupting.

Seeing her riled up again, Zhao Junyao decided not to tease her anymore. He picked up both her and Da Bai, settled them on his lap, and asked with a smile, "Where did you learn these trivial little games? I’ve been studying chess with my master since I was young. Even if I’ve never seen this before, I understood it as soon as you explained. What’s there for you to be angry about?"

Xia Ruqing was still unhappy. "Your Majesty, why can’t you just let me win? If I’m not good at anything, I’ll feel inferior!" She pouted, looking every bit the sore loser.

Zhao Junyao chuckled. "Chess is about competition. If we just let each other win, it’s better not to play at all!"

He paused, then added, "But if you like, I can play just to lose to you every time. How about that?"

Zhao Junyao was so intent on placating her that he completely forgot he had just been thinking about teaching her a proper lesson.

Li Shengan stood not far away, as still as a wooden post. He was somewhat speechless. Emperor, is this what you call ’teaching her a lesson’?

Noticing Li Shengan’s odd gaze, Zhao Junyao shot him a sharp look.

Li Shengan immediately bowed his head. Emperor, this servant deserves death! This servant... this servant must have misunderstood the meaning of ’teaching her a lesson.’ Yes, that must be it!

Meanwhile, Xia Ruqing’s mood had shifted from cloudy to sunny. "Your Majesty is right. This servant was being petulant!"

Zhao Junyao gave her a look that said, ’As long as you understand,’ then stood up. "I’m hungry. Let’s have a meal!"

With that, he glanced at Xia Ruqing, his meaning clear: I want to eat your cooking; you handle it.

How could Xia Ruqing not understand the Emperor’s wishes? The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, right? No problem, consider it done!

The meal was simple to prepare, refreshing and delicious, leaving Zhao Junyao thoroughly satisfied from the inside out.

Feeling content after eating, what was to come next...

...

That night, nobody knew when the lights in Zhaohua Pavilion were finally extinguished.

Li Shengan said, "At any rate, I don’t know."

Zhao Junyao and Xia Ruqing had three indescribable encounters.

The first time, Zhao Junyao felt that before it had even really begun, Xia Ruqing was already overwhelmed, trembling with excitement. He was startled and didn’t dare to be too aggressive.

Soon came the second time. Xia Ruqing was ready to surrender before it even truly began.

But Zhao Junyao smirked mischievously. Qingqing, I told you I would teach you a proper lesson, and an Emperor never goes back on his word!

Xia Ruqing felt like crying but had no tears. With every rise and fall, every rhythmic press and pull, she couldn’t tell if it was discomfort or pleasure; whenever she grew excited, she would bite his shoulder.

The more she did this, the more aroused Zhao Junyao became.

By the third time, Xia Ruqing was so exhausted that she fainted.

Seeing her like this, Zhao Junyao didn’t continue.

The next day was a day of rest, so neither of them woke up too early.

However, before they even got out of bed, something curious happened in Zhaohua Pavilion.

"Your Majesty, why is our bed crooked?" Xia Ruqing asked, her eyes open as she lay on his shoulder.

Zhao Junyao, still half-asleep, squinted and replied without concern, "You’re just lying crookedly... Sleep a bit longer!" He patted her.

Lately, there hadn’t been many major issues at court. After a busy year, this was his most relaxed time.