vrcanaries Chapter 174 Deliberately Showing Off Affection
Chapter 174 Deliberately Showing Off Affection
Chu Qingyin picked up a candied fruit, looked at her, and a playful glint flashed in her eyes.
"Really."
She lowered her eyes.
Since Jiang returned to her father's side, he had gradually reduced the number of letters he wrote to her. However, a letter arrived this morning, instructing her to get along well with Qiao Qingling and to take care of each other in the palace.
It seems this is the result of how much influence Chiang Kai-shek had instilled in her.
Chu Qingyin's eyes darkened, then she narrowed her eyes and chuckled, "Father did mention it a couple of times in his letter, but he also said that if I still don't like you, there's no need for me to do it deliberately."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Qingling's expression suddenly changed.
"elder sister……"
She was about to speak when a deep, authoritative male voice came from outside the hall.
"What are you talking about? What letters?"
As soon as the words were spoken, both people in the hall were startled and subconsciously looked towards the door.
Pei Yuanling, dressed in a long black robe with a gold and jade pendant around his waist, strode in from outside the door.
Xianglan hurriedly followed behind him, looking flustered, probably because Pei Yuanling had forbidden her from announcing the news.
When Qiao Qingling saw His Majesty arrive, she was overjoyed and quickly knelt down to greet him, saying, "This concubine greets Your Majesty."
"Get up."
Pei Yuanling glanced at her only, his expression indifferent.
Although he hadn't seen Chu Qingyin, his half-sister, many times, he knew her somewhat.
Despite being sisters, they have always been at odds with their elder sister.
He had naturally sent people to investigate what had happened at the Qiao residence, which made his impression of Qiao Qingling even worse.
"Your Majesty, I thank you."
Qiao Qingling slowly stood up, her beautiful face revealing an undisguised joy.
I never expected to meet His Majesty so soon after arriving at Chu Qingyin's place. What a pleasant surprise!
Seeing Pei Yuanling sit in her previous seat, Qiao Qingling didn't think about leaving. She just pretended to be obedient and stood aside, but her eyes kept glancing at Pei Yuanling.
Chu Qingyin sneered inwardly upon seeing this.
They didn't rush her to leave, but simply asked Xianglan to bring her a stool so she could sit diagonally opposite them.
What were you talking about just now?
After Pei Yuanling sat down, he took a candied fruit from the table and popped it into his mouth, then looked at Chu Qingyin with great interest.
"It's my father."
Chu Qingyin smiled, her expression still somewhat sickly, making her appear even more delicate, "When he heard that I was ill, he sent someone to deliver a letter to inquire after my well-being. I was just thinking about how to reply when Consort Qiao came over."
Pei Yuanling nodded slightly, "I see, Minister Qiao is very thoughtful."
His gaze then fell on the woman's delicate face, full of concern: "Are you completely cured now?"
Because of the Empress Dowager's reprimand, Pei Yuanling did not come to Xingyue Palace for two days.
When I came over today, I noticed that although her complexion was still a bit pale, she was generally better.
Chu Qingyin smiled faintly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am now fine."
After saying that, he glanced at Qiao Qingling again, almost imperceptibly.
Qiao Qingling was staring intently at Pei Yuanling, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
Upon noticing Chu Qingyin's thoughtful gaze, Qiao Qingling panicked and quickly forced a smile, saying, "Your Majesty's concern for you is truly a blessing for you, sister. I am so envious."
Pei Yuanling was somewhat annoyed by Qiao Qingling's deliberate flattery and did not respond. Instead, he turned to Chu Qingyin and said, "I mentioned Princess Yongning's pregnancy to you earlier. I have already spoken to the Empress about it. At the lotus viewing banquet in a couple of days, she will inform all the concubines in the harem that if they wish to add some auspicious items for Princess Yongning's child, they can give them to her, and she will send them to the Ministry of Rites. What do you think?"
Chu Qingyin nodded, "Her Majesty the Empress is very thoughtful. Entrusting this matter to her is certainly the most appropriate course of action."
As she spoke, she leaned over the small table, picked up a candied fruit, and brought it to Pei Yuanling's lips.
Her slender fingertips traced the man's soft lips, then she withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted.
Her snow-white cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, like a peach blossom bud about to bloom.
Pei Yuanling put the candied fruit in his mouth and gently took Chu Qingyin's hand, his eyes full of doting affection.
The emperor and empress gazed at each other with deep affection, which Qiao Qingling found incredibly irritating.
But she could only feign composure and said with a smile, "Your Majesty and my sister are very loving and harmonious, which I truly envy."
Qiao Qingling's voice was delicate and coy, and she looked at Pei Yuanling with a smile, trying to break the atmosphere that made her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles.
She had used all her flirtatious glances, but Pei Yuanling didn't even look at her once.
Pei Yuanling felt that Qiao Qingling was incredibly tactless.
No one in the hall is willing to pay attention to her, so what is she doing staying here?
"The only person who can be in perfect harmony with His Majesty is the Empress. Consort Qiao's words are too much for my sister."
Chu Qingyin withdrew her hand, picked up the teacup on the table, and lowered her eyes, her expression showing more sorrow.
Pei Yuanling's expression hardened slightly upon hearing her words.
Does she mean to blame him for breaking his promise to her that he had given her the position of empress?
"It was my fault, I said the wrong thing, please don't be angry, sister."
Qiao Qingling pretended to realize something and quickly apologized.
However, her gaze remained fixed on Pei Yuanling, worried that he might become dissatisfied with her because of this.
Pei Yuanling ignored this and continued to stare at Chu Qingyin, saying softly, "What kind of clothes would you like to wear on the day of the lotus appreciation banquet? I will have the Imperial Household Department prepare them in advance."
Chu Qingyin tilted her head, her eyes darting around, as if she were deep in thought.
"I have heard that the Shu brocade that has recently been presented as tribute has a new pattern, as beautiful as the rosy clouds at the edge of the sky. If it could be made into clothing, it would surely be very appropriate for the lotus appreciation banquet."
Pei Yuanling felt a little relieved to see that she was still willing to make requests of him.
A smile appeared on his handsome face: "Since Yinyin likes it, then let's do it that way."
This was the first time in a long time that Chu Qingyin had asked him for a reward, so naturally he had to grant it.
"But that Shu brocade is so precious, I'm afraid I'm not worthy of such a fine thing."
Seeing that he agreed to her request so quickly, Chu Qingyin then feigned hesitation.
Shu brocade has always been scarce, especially the newly released patterns; it is said that only ten pieces were obtained this year.
Originally, the Empress should be given priority, but she probably wouldn't want to take what others desired.
"How could she not be worthy? My Yinyin is naturally worthy of the best things in the world."
Seeing that His Majesty would grant Chu Qingyin's every request after she only threw a little tantrum, Qiao Qingling's mind began to wander.
Since it was a rare opportunity to see His Majesty, she naturally wanted to take the chance to show off.
Thinking of this, she cleared her throat and said sweetly, "Your Majesty, although I am not very talented, I am somewhat skilled in needlework. Princess Yongning is pregnant, and I would like to sew a few clothes for the young prince by hand as a small token of my affection. What do you think?"
She's skilled at needlework?
Upon hearing this, Chu Qingyin's brow twitched slightly, and she looked up in surprise.
She remembered that this half-sister hated needlework the most, and even with Jiang Shi suppressing her, she was unwilling to learn more. Now she dared to say that she was good at needlework.
"You're so kind, Miss Qiao."
Pei Yuanling glanced at her indifferently, his tone neither warm nor cold: "However, the Rongdi have their own clothing, and the yukyu are not short of clothes. You won't need to make them, so forget it."