"...That way, I can share the pain with you."
In her mind, a childish voice seemed to be repeating this sentence.
Li Yuyu’s face changed slightly, and she suddenly broke away from Yan Xiu’s hand and got down from his lap: "Emperor, I am feeling unwell, I must take my leave."
Without waiting for Yan Xiu’s reply, she turned and left. After taking a couple of steps and feeling it was too slow, she lifted her skirt and ran outside.
Shen Quan heard the commotion and had no time to speak before the pale purple figure disappeared in front of him. He widened his eyes in astonishment, paused for a moment, and then slapped his thigh. He hurriedly bent over and entered Yangxin Hall.
"Emperor, Lady Li... you..."
Shen Quan started speaking in broken sentences, unsure of where to begin, because he saw the Emperor laughing.
Laughing?
Laughing!
Laughing!!!
It wasn’t mockery or a cold sneer, nor was it a derisive chuckle or a bitter laugh; it was genuine joy and uninhibited laughter from the heart.
He had been by Yan Xiu’s side for nearly twelve years. The last time Yan Xiu laughed like this was ten years ago.
"Little Quanzi, do you know what it feels like to regain something lost?"
Yan Xiu stood facing the window, with a lingering smile in his eyes and brows.
Shen Quan walked over to stand behind Yan Xiu, and replied with a soft smile: "I suppose it must be the Emperor’s current feelings."
"Yes, exactly the feeling I have now," Yan Xiu looked up at the window, murmuring as if talking to himself: "It’s been ten years. Initially, I thought she had amnesia, but now it seems she does indeed have amnesia, but..."
Yan Xiu shook his head, but he didn’t continue to elaborate.
"Emperor, you are the Son of Heaven, your innermost wishes," Shen Quan gestured towards the sky, "naturally have been fulfilled."
"Fulfilled..." Yan Xiu murmured, then turned to look at Shen Quan, pointing at him with his finger, "You’re getting better at speaking."
"Thank you for the compliment, Emperor. Since my words can amuse you, would you be willing to reward me with something delicious?" Shen Quan asked with a cheeky grin.
"You cheeky rascal! When have I ever deprived you of food?" Yan Xiu lightly scolded, "Get out, get out, don’t eat and drink disorderly in my Yangxin Hall, if you stifle Yu’er’s presence, I’ll cut off your head!"
"Understood!" Shen Quan gleefully retreated.
Yan Xiu: ...
At Luaxin Pavilion, Li Yuyu lay on the bed, her heart in turmoil.
"Concubine, the Imperial Kitchen has sent over peach blossom soup; would you like to have some before sleeping?" Hua Yin asked softly from outside.
"No, I’m going to sleep." Li Yuyu irritably turned over and pulled up the thin blanket over herself.
After a moment, she felt unbearably hot, so she had to pull the blanket off again. Feeling agitated, she threw the blanket on the floor, but it was so large that it hung onto her leg, pulling it partially back.
Li Yuyu grew more furious, and finally managed to kick the blanket off completely, grabbing the pillow and tossing it onto the floor.
"Thud!"
The loud noise startled Hua Yin and Feng Yin outside.
"Concubine!" The two were about to push the door and enter.
"Do not come in! I am sleeping!"
Hua Yin and Feng Yin exchanged looks, puzzled by why Li Yuyu locked herself in her room after returning from Yangxin Hall.
On the bed, Li Yuyu was confused about why she suddenly had such a temper. Luckily, after venting a bit, she felt a lot calmer. Looking at the mess on the floor, she quietly got up to pick up the blanket and pillow, lightly patting them before placing them back on the bed.
Forget it, if you can’t think it through, just sleep. Maybe things will be different after a nap.
Thinking this way, Li Yuyu soon fell asleep, but was not yet fully rested when Hua Yin woke her...
"Master, please wake up, the Empress Dowager calls for you to go to Cining Palace!"