bayedsolid Chapter 260 The Living Abandoned Empress of the Cold Palace X The Invading Unruly Buddhist Son 94
Chapter 260 The Living Abandoned Empress of the Cold Palace X The Invading Unruly Buddhist Son 94
"You always love to use these sweet words to deceive me. I am a homeless monk. I am so pitiful that I am often deceived by you and become as childish and ridiculous as a three-year-old child."
Qi Jueyu's lips curled into a wry smile, but he didn't answer. He simply stared down at her, the complex emotions in his eyes growing more intense. He took a step closer, slowly leaning down until his eyes were level with hers. His voice was low, "Why do you do this? Yun Qian, ask yourself, why do you do this?"
Yun Qian's breathing hitched, and the emotions in her heart surged up like a tide. She pursed her lips, as if unwilling to say anything more.
Qi Jueyu didn't press the issue any further. He simply gave her a deep look, a look of determination she couldn't fathom. After a moment, he whispered, "Yun Qian, remember, whether you like it or not, I will protect you and... our child."
Yun Qian smiled slightly, "Your Highness, you will like her, right?"
Qi Jueyu clenched his fingers, the veins on the back of his hand clearly visible, and he seemed a little angry. "Don't you believe me?"
Yun Qian lowered her gaze slightly, her pale cheeks gleaming softly at the words she had just spoken. Her eyes, like a pool of autumn water, were filled with an inextricable affection. Tears flickered gently, making them appear even brighter and gentler, as if all the tenderness in the world was hidden within them.
She raised her eyes and looked at Qi Jueyu, her eyes filled with deep attachment, and her lightly fluttering eyelashes seemed to be telling of her inner struggle and reluctance. A gentle knife, each one cutting a life.
"Your Highness..." She addressed him softly, her voice as gentle as the wind, tinged with bitterness and helplessness. She spoke slowly, her tone shone with restraint and sincerity, "You misunderstood. If possible, I hope... that in the future, she can become our most honored princess."
Qi Jueyu was startled, his taut brows slightly relaxed, yet he managed to conceal his fluctuating emotions without a flicker of emotion. But when he looked at Yun Qian's affectionate gaze, his heart felt like it had been struck hard. The gentle firmness in her eyes almost made it hard for him to breathe.
Yun Qian took a deep breath, a faint but warm smile playing on her lips. That smile was a little melancholic, but also a little expectant. She raised her hand and gently placed it on her abdomen, looking down, as if all her hopes were already nurtured there.
"Your Highness, do you know?" Her voice was still gentle, but her tone had become so tender it made people feel sad. "The moment I found out I was pregnant, all I could think about was you. I was thinking how wonderful it would be if it was a girl. You know, I was looking forward to her coming."
She raised her eyes and looked at Qi Jueyu again, with tears in her eyes. Her eyes were too tender and too hot, like a burning fire, and even Qi Jueyu's calmness could not resist it.
"Then she can have your high nose bridge and your sharp eyebrows." She smiled, a glimmer of longing in her eyes, and a hint of sweetness in her tone, "I can teach her to use a longbow and ride a fierce horse like her mother."
Her voice paused slightly, then her eyes dropped slightly, and her tone became lower, revealing even more of her hidden expectation: "If possible, I also want her to live a happy and worry-free life, and her biological father to be with us mother and daughter for a long time."
Qi Jueyu's body trembled slightly, his lips tightly pursed. His gaze was fixed on Yun Qian's face, as if he wanted to engrave her every expression into his heart. He looked into her eyes, so gentle that they seemed to be dripping with tears, and listened to her words in such a hoarse voice. His chest felt like it had been hit hard, and a sour feeling surged in his throat.
He took a deep breath, only to find it trembled slightly. He looked away, not wanting Yun Qian to see his loss of control. He mentally told himself to calm down, calm down... but in the end, a trace of moisture welled up in the corner of his eyes.
"Yun Qian..." His voice was low and hoarse, as if every word contained a great deal of suppressed emotion. "Why didn't you tell me this?"
Yun Qian was stunned for a moment, then shook her head gently, a helpless smile flickering in her eyes. "Because... I never felt I had the right to ask anything of Your Highness. I'm a daughter of the Yun family, and I can't just do what I want. But I know in my heart that my heart has long been yours."
"Your Highness, please come on my wedding day. I should have thought of it."
He stared deeply into her eyes, and at that moment, it seemed as if all his disguises were torn off, revealing his truest and most passionate emotions. His hands exerted a little force, as if to hold her tightly and prevent her from escaping.
"When Qi Heyao returns, I will put an end to all of this. You must stay by my side forever." Qi Jueyu's voice was low and firm, with a complex mixture of tenderness and determination. "No matter what happens, I will protect you... and our child."
With that, he turned around, his robe fluttering, revealing a sense of determination and forbearance. His back, cold and lonely, yet tinged with an indescribable gentleness, left Yun Qian momentarily stunned.
She watched Qi Jueyu disappear through the door, her heart a turbulent mess, like a surging river. She had never imagined he would be so certain... The weight of that emotion was so heavy that she had no place to escape.
She rolled her eyes, her thoughts shifting slightly as she glanced out the window… Though the spring chill hadn't yet faded, she could already sense the breath of spring's resurgence. The snow on the temple slowly melted under the slightly warm sunlight, transforming into crystalline droplets that slid down the eaves, dripping onto the bluestone floor with a crisp sound. The golden tiles reflected a soft luster in the sunlight, seemingly coming alive with the gradually warming weather.
Outside the palace walls, the plum blossoms had long since faded, replaced by fresh green leaves, and the first buds, even the withered branches, felt a touch of life. The air was moist with the warmth of melted snow, and even carried the delicate fragrance of earth. With the arrival of the Little New Year, the streets and alleys were filled with a festive atmosphere. People busied themselves posting Spring Festival couplets and lighting red candles, while children chased and played with lanterns, their laughter echoing through the alleys.
The atmosphere in the palace also grew lively. Red silk and lanterns adorned the corridors and palace gates. The aromas wafting from the imperial kitchen painted a picture of New Year's abundance. Young eunuchs rushed back and forth, carrying tributes of all kinds, while palace maids carried decorations and shuttled through the courtyards. The faint sound of drums and music in the distance added a touch of liveliness to the palace in this early spring.
The wind carried a lingering chill, but it was dispelled by the joy of the people. At this moment, everything in the world seemed to be revitalized with the breath of new life. Spring had begun here, giving people endless hope and longing.