A Quiet Homecoming

The petals floating on the water's surface began to drift gently, rising and falling with each wave, now soaked through, now lifted aloft again.

*

When she woke the next morning.

Chen Yao felt as though her entire body had been plowed over, a deep ache seeping even into the marrow of her bones.

She instinctively tried to lift a hand to rub her eyes, but the mere twitch of her arm felt as heavy as lead, utterly devoid of strength.

And when she caught sight of the scattered red marks—some faint, some deep—across her exposed skin, she bit her lip, her fair face flushing crimson.

"Xiao Mingting must be part dog. He absolutely must be!" Chen Yao grumbled in irritation.

System 04 remained perfectly composed as it offered consolation, "Well, he's the male lead. Of course he's gifted by nature."

Chen Yao: "..." Maybe it was better if it didn't offer comfort next time.

Too embarrassed to let the palace attendants see the mottled marks on her body, she propped herself up on the bed with some effort, sat up, and threw back the brocade quilt, preparing to get up on her own.

But her whole body was limp and aching—especially that part which had been overused. A mere twitch was enough to make her suck in a sharp little breath.

So when her small feet barely touched the floor, her legs buckled, and she collapsed back onto the bed, spent.

It was Cheng Yue, who had been waiting in the outer chamber, who heard the commotion and hurried in. She lowered her eyes and asked quietly, "Your Majesty the Empress, shall this servant help you dress and freshen up?"

Chen Yao's lashes fluttered, but she gave a nod, her face still flushed red. "Yes."

Cheng Yue carefully helped the girl on the bed to her feet, handling her with the utmost gentleness, as if afraid of hurting her.

Chen Yao was dressed in a crimson brocade court robe, the hem embroidered with fine golden phoenix patterns, exquisitely luxurious.

Seated before the bronze mirror, Cheng Yue gently combed through her slightly mussed hair before arranging it into an elegant cloud bun, adorned with gold, jade, pearls, and other finery.

Seeing that Chen Yao's eyes were still shimmering and her lovely face was flushed crimson, yet she gave no further instructions, Cheng Yue helped her to the round table and took the initiative to ask, "Your Majesty, I've had the imperial kitchen prepare some porridge and snacks. Would you like a bite to settle your stomach?"

When Chen Yao had first entered the palace, it had been Lian Yun and Cheng Yue who served her. Since they had done well, they were now promoted to head palace maids in the empress's quarters.

Having been thoroughly worn out all night and rising late this morning, Chen Yao was naturally famished. At the question, she gave a slight nod of agreement.

Breakfast was warm golden-silk bird's nest porridge, accompanied by a few light dishes.

Chen Yao gently stirred the thick, milky hot porridge with her spoon, then lifted a small scoop to her lips, chewing and savoring it slowly.

As the soft, savory taste met her tongue—the smooth bird's nest mixed with tender chicken shreds—her empty stomach soon felt warm and comforted.

Her eyes lit up slightly, and she couldn't help but eat an extra half bowl.

But after she was full, she rinsed her mouth with tea and dabbed the corners of her lips with the silk handkerchief Cheng Yue handed her, only to feel the exhaustion of her body sweep back over her.

She let herself lean sideways against the couch by the window, not refusing when Cheng Yue volunteered to knead her shoulders and neck.

Xiao Mingting left the court early today.

Chen Yao had barely been seated on the couch when she heard the palace attendants' greetings from the entrance of the hall: "We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"

She lifted her gaze slightly and saw the man in his black dragon robe stride in with long steps.

Cheng Yue instinctively moved to bow, but he waved a hand dismissively. "Leave us."

Once the attendants had withdrawn from the bedchamber, Xiao Mingting stepped forward, his long arm reaching out to draw his delicate, fragile empress into his embrace.

Chen Yao found herself seated on his solid thigh, which inevitably reminded her of that position from last night...

She lowered her head, her fair cheeks quickly staining with a lovely crimson, her eyes seeming to hold the softness of spring water.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Xiao Mingting's voice carried a smile.

It wasn't just Eunuch De who attended him—even the civil and military officials at court had noticed that the emperor, newly wed to his empress, seemed utterly transformed, as if bathed in spring breeze, his brow softened and his gaze warm. It was almost unsettling to behold.

Seeing that the girl still had her head bowed, he slid one hand upward, his touch gentle as he slowly kneaded her waist. "Is Yaoyao's back feeling sore?"

The moment his palm pressed against her, Chen Yao's shoulders tensed involuntarily, and she instinctively tried to shy away.

She let out a tiny gasp. "Your Majesty, don't..."

"Let me massage it for you. It'll help you feel better," Xiao Mingting said, applying a bit more pressure.

Chen Yao could only reach out and cling weakly to his neck and shoulders, her small body trembling slightly. She bit her lower lip, occasionally letting out a soft hiss of breath that she couldn't quite suppress.

But she had to admit that Xiao Mingting was rather skilled at massage. After a while, her lower back no longer ached as much.

Yet as he continued kneading, she began to sense something different in his touch, a subtle shift that made her uneasy.

Especially the faint pressure against her lower belly...

Her cheeks flushed scarlet, and she hurriedly twisted her little body to dodge, trying to stop him. "Your Majesty, no more."

"It's not enough yet. Don't be so fussy, Yaoyao. Your body still needs more rubbing, and then you'll feel better."

But the couch was rather narrow after all. Xiao Mingting, while soothing her in his warm voice, stood up, carrying the girl in his arms and heading toward the bed.

With each step, their bodies pressed together, inevitably colliding again and again.

Only when she felt herself being laid on the bedding did Chen Yao instinctively roll deeper into the bed, wrapping herself tightly in the thin brocade quilt until her entire body was hidden, even burying her small face beneath the covers.

Her lashes fluttered, and she whispered, "I—your consort is unwell, and it's still daytime... You mustn't touch me."

Xiao Mingting sat back down on the edge of the bed, raising an eyebrow as he deliberately teased, "And where else is Yaoyao feeling unwell? I can summon the imperial physician to take a look."

"You know very well, Your Majesty." Chen Yao's eyes were reddened with embarrassment, her ears translucent with heat. Her soft voice carried an uncharacteristic petulance. "Anyway... anyway, it's not allowed."

Xiao Mingting's brow softened, and he felt his heart melt.

He leaned in slightly, reaching out to pull her back into his arms. Chen Yao instinctively tried to dodge, but his fingers caught her, gently pressing down on her fragile shoulder.

The man murmured softly, coaxing her, "I won't touch you now. I'll only hold you, is that alright?"

Only then did Chen Yao relax, letting him peel back the quilt and gather her into his solid chest.

But as they held each other, the man before her soon grew restless.

At first, he only lowered his head, breathing in the fragrance of her hair, then naturally pressed his forehead to hers, kissed her eyes, and even seemed inclined to trail lower.

Chen Yao quickly raised her hand, pressing it firmly over his lips.

Xiao Mingting didn't seem to mind, pressing his warm lips forward and placing a gentle kiss on her soft palm.

Chen Yao: "..."

She withdrew her hand, her pinkish cheeks puffing slightly, then sulkily lowered her eyelids, as if refusing to look at him.

"What's Yaoyao wearing that smells so lovely? It keeps drawing me in, so I can't help myself."

Xiao Mingting explained in a low voice, his tone deliberately innocent.

Chen Yao only buried her head deeper against his chest, even less inclined to acknowledge him.

Helpless, Xiao Mingting used his thumb and forefinger to gently cup her chin, tilting her face up.

His eyes held a hint of a smile, and he couldn't resist leaning in to plant a featherlight kiss on her lips, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Then he noticed the girl's full, rosy lips pout just a little higher.

The man's chest rumbled against her, his laughter nearly overflowing.

He lowered his head and quickly pecked her again, his voice brimming with affection. "Even the way Yaoyao sulks is a lure for me."

Chen Yao truly couldn't withstand his teasing, but she had no recourse, so she only buried her burning face deeper into his chest and muttered, "You said you'd only hold me..."

"Mm, just holding you," Xiao Mingting replied softly.

His arms tightened, drawing her even more intimately into his embrace, rocking her gently as if soothing a ruffled kitten.

After a moment of quiet tenderness, he spoke again in a low voice, "Still, last night was your first time, and I'm afraid I was rather indulgent. I've put Yaoyao through quite a hardship."

Chen Yao: "...!"

Thoroughly vexed, she forgot all about propriety and promptly slammed her head against his chest with considerable force.

She gritted her teeth, her small voice puffing with anger. "Your Majesty is not allowed to say that!"

"Alright, alright, I won't say another word," Xiao Mingting capitulated without a fight, then coaxed softly, "Did Yaoyao hurt her head when she bumped it?"

Chen Yao pressed her lips together, still seemingly sulky.

But after a while, listening to the steady beat of his heart and feeling his large hand stroking her back with gentle warmth, her tense little body gradually relaxed.

At last, she blinked slowly, unable to keep a hint of sweetness from seeping into her heart.