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墨書 Inktalez
Ningxin Pavilion may not be a large courtyard within the palace, but compared to an ordinary household, it occupies quite a spacious area. If calculated carefully, it is more than twice the size of the West Courtyard where Qing Wu resides.
Since Qing Wu has only recently entered the palace, she has only managed to organize three or four rooms for daily use in Ningxin Pavilion. The remaining rooms are all empty.
When she returned to the palace earlier, she went straight to Zhaoyuan Palace, bringing only a few scattered items, which were taken to Ningxin Pavilion by Dou Mama. She did not return there herself. Later, when Azalea came to attend to her, she only asked a couple of questions regarding Huo Yun'ai's clothing and did not discuss much further.
Now, upon returning to Ningxin Pavilion, Qing Wu clearly noticed the differences.
Her bedroom consists of two inner and outer rooms, each with a side room on either side. Now, those side rooms have been tidied up. Even before entering, just getting closer allowed her to see through the open windows that the furnishings inside were complete.
In one room, there were four cabinets against the wall and a five-drawer chest beside them. The other room was somewhat more spacious. There were two large folding screens placed together on one side, with light gauze hanging in the room; even when blown by the wind, it remained hazy and unclear.
Qing Wu was quite surprised. She first walked into the left room with several cabinets and opened them one by one, only to find various jewelry in the five-drawer chest. To her astonishment, the wardrobe contained all kinds of women's clothing. Primarily for spring and winter, there were at least four or five pieces of dresses, outer garments, and other everyday clothing items. Just the cloaks included light pink, Deep Pink, silver red, and powder purple.
Qing Wu raised her hand to touch the Powder Purple Cloak, feeling quite conflicted inside.
…If it weren't for Huo Yun'ai telling her directly that he had prepared clothes for her, she would never believe that this color belonged to her.
Such vibrant and alluring colors—could she pull it off?!
While she was pondering this, Azalea had already brought over another outfit and stood beside her saying, “The clothes in the cabinet are what you will wear on ordinary days from now on. The outfit I am holding is what you will wear for dinner tonight.”
Upon hearing this, Qing Wu turned around to look. Just one glance left her stunned.
The outfit that Azalea was holding appeared very charming and lovely at first sight. Upon closer inspection, it was a shade of Deep Pink with hints of purple. It was even richer in color than the powder purple cloak.
Such dazzling brilliance is very demanding; if worn well, it would enhance one's grace and make one's beauty stand out even more. However, if one could not pull it off, it would make their complexion appear dull and age them significantly.
Qing Wu hesitated slightly before stepping forward to take it. Upon seeing it up close, she instantly liked it.
It turned out to be an exquisitely crafted thick skirt made from Cloud Brocade. The intertwining patterns of gold and silver threads were luxurious and elegant.
Upon closer inspection…
The pattern was actually Double Lotus!
Thinking of this as "Cloud" brocade, Qing Wu suddenly felt a warmth on her face. She quickly loosened her clothes and tossed them into Azalea's arms. After a pause, she couldn't help but pick them up to examine closely.
She truly liked it.
Perhaps, perhaps thinking that way was just her being overly sensitive?!
Qing Wu's expression fluctuated, while Azalea grew increasingly anxious and couldn't help but ask, "My lady, is there something wrong with this outfit?" Biting her lip, she lowered her head and said, "I have kept it well all this time. No one else has touched it."
"It’s not because of you," Qing Wu said softly, holding the outfit against herself and hesitantly asking, "Does it fit me?"
She knew her skin was fair and her appearance delicate; she feared she couldn't pull off such vibrant colors. She added, "Now that it's just the two of us, please speak frankly. If it doesn't suit me, it's better to plan ahead."
Azalea then took two steps back to take a closer look. After a moment, she suddenly smiled and said, "It looks stunning."
"Really?" Qing Wu was somewhat uncertain.
"I would never lie to you," Azalea replied with a smile. "This outfit chosen by His Majesty is truly beautiful. Usually, my lady wears plain colors, so I thought you suited lighter shades. But now that I see it again, I think this bright outfit makes you even more charming. It's just that..."
Seeing her hesitate, Qing Wu said, "But that’s fine."
Azalea covered her mouth and laughed, "Wearing this makes you lose some of Lord Liu's aura; you look more like a beautiful Liu Young Lady."
Azalea was always straightforward. Even though Qing Wu had mentally prepared herself for it, she still felt her face flush.
Outside the room came the soft calls of palace maids.
Azalea listened carefully and softly exclaimed, "Oh no," hurriedly taking the outfit from Qing Wu's hands and bowing in apology. "I am at fault. I was so focused on admiring this outfit that I forgot to remind you to bathe quickly."
"Bathe?" Qing Wu asked in confusion. "What bathing?"
"Don't you know?" Azalea asked in surprise, pointing to another room. "His Majesty worried that it would be inconvenient for you to stay here, so he had someone convert that room into a bathing area."
After a brief pause and some thought, she continued, "Originally, they only prepared the Bathhouse and did not intend for you to bathe today. After you returned from the Imperial Medical Institute, His Majesty instructed me to prepare bathing water and Plum Blossom Petals. He even specifically asked Granny Lu to come later to help style your hair beautifully."
Qing Wu listened, feeling somewhat perplexed.
Celebrating a birthday seemed a bit too extravagant.
What was going on...
Since returning from the Imperial Medical Institute, she had been with Huo Yun'ai. At that time, Azalea was indeed not waiting outside. She hadn't thought much of it then, but looking back now, it seemed Azalea must have gone to carry out Huo Yun'ai's instructions.
However, what exactly happened before and after her visit to the Imperial Medical Institute that led Huo Yun'ai to make such arrangements?
Upon reflection, all she had done was tell him her true birthday and age.
In just a few days, she would truly turn thirteen.
Could it be that he was deliberately celebrating her in advance on this birthday set at the Liu Residence?
Taking special care on a specific day held the meaning of "removing the old and welcoming the new."
Yet, turning thirteen... should not be considered a significant occasion. There was no need for "removing the old and welcoming the new." Logically, he shouldn't go to such lengths for this.
Qing Wu pondered for a long time but still couldn't grasp what Huo Yun'ai was thinking.
But she knew he wouldn't harm her, and that was enough.
Since she had received a comfortable Bathhouse, why not enjoy it?
Having come to this conclusion, she cast aside her previous worries and headed to the side room.
The bath tub she used before was quite ordinary. However, the tub in this room was much larger, elongated and oval-shaped, taking up half the room. Moreover, it was only three feet high, making it more convenient than usual.
The spacious tub was already filled with water, slightly warmer than body temperature. It was just right for soaking.
At this moment, Qing Wu preferred not to have anyone attending to her, so she sent all the Maid away. After closing the doors and windows securely, she stepped into the tub herself.
After finishing her bath, feeling a bit languid, she put on her inner garments and then called someone in to attend to her. Once she was dressed in her new clothes, she slowly stepped out of the room.
Qing Wu herself felt nothing particularly special, but Dou Mama and Granny Lu, who were chatting inside the room, suddenly stopped and exclaimed, "Miss, you look truly beautiful in this outfit."
When Dou Mama returned to the palace, Qing Wu was bathing. Seeing Granny Lu waiting at Ningxin Pavilion, she struck up a conversation with her and did not delve into what Huo Yun'ai had prepared for Qing Wu today.
Now looking at the girl before them.
Having just bathed, she exuded a relaxed languor. Every gesture was filled with charm. Against the enchanting backdrop of pink and purple hues, her features revealed a captivating allure.
Once Dou Mama and Granny Lu spoke, they exchanged glances and silently saw shock and disbelief in each other's eyes.
—The Emperor's judgment is incredibly sharp.
No one expected that such dazzling colors would not overshadow the girl's beauty but instead enhance her charm even more.
Granny Lu originally thought that for Qing Wu's birthday today, a double-loop hairstyle would make her look cute and lovely, so she wouldn't spend the whole day resembling Lord Liu without any chance to show off her girlish charm.
But seeing Qing Wu's current appearance and demeanor, she instantly changed her mind. She simply used red silk satin to loosely tie up her hair at the back while letting the hair at the sides fall freely.
Dou Mama was somewhat puzzled, fearing that this might be too careless and upset Huo Yun'ai. So she quietly consulted Granny Lu.
Granny Lu replied, "Don't worry. I have served the Emperor for many years; I can still gauge his thoughts to some extent. The girl looks just right like this."
Dou Mama remained somewhat skeptical. However, since it was Granny Lu's task and choice, she felt it inappropriate to interfere too much.
Unexpectedly, Azalea saw Qing Wu's appearance and couldn't help but praise it.
"Granny Lu's skill is truly marvelous. The girl looks completely different from before." Fearing that Qing Wu might misunderstand, she quickly added, "It's a good kind of different."
After examining closely, Dou Mama had to admit that this seemingly casual hairstyle brought out Qing Wu's current languid charm to its fullest extent.
...She really looked beautiful.
She felt a little more at ease.
Spring had already arrived, but after the sun set, it was still somewhat chilly.
Qing Wu wrapped herself in a cloak and went to Zhaoning Palace.
The journey had been quite calm, but when the palace door slowly opened, she inexplicably felt a bit nervous. She couldn't shake the feeling that meeting him in this somewhat different appearance made her heart uneasy.
She had looked at herself in the mirror earlier. However, seeing herself always felt the same. Fortunately, everyone looked good, which eased her mind a little.
As she stepped into the room, the palace door closed behind her.
Qing Wu didn’t need to search; she raised her eyes and saw the figure standing quietly by the window.
She hesitated for a moment and took a few steps forward, and the boy standing by the window slowly turned around.
Seeing the girl tightly wrapped in her cloak, even wearing the hood, Huo Yun'ai chuckled and said, "Why are you dressed like this? Is it not warm enough in here?"
She was somewhat sensitive to the cold, so he always had someone light the furnace inside. At that moment, it felt warm inside; her body, which had been chilly from walking, suddenly warmed up.
Qing Wu hesitated for a moment and softly responded. She then slowly untied the belt of her cloak and took it off, placing it aside.
Huo Yun'ai noticed she kept her head down and walked over with a light laugh, saying, "Why are you so fidgety? You look like it's your first time here..."
Halfway through his words, he suddenly stopped.
This was because the girl looked up at him at that moment. Her eyes were filled with confusion and hesitation; as she glanced around, they seemed to be veiled in mist, making her look endearing. Her delicate figure exuded a different kind of languor and weariness than before, and against the vibrant colors around her, she possessed a beauty entirely different from what he had seen before.
The Young Emperor felt as if his heart had stopped for an instant, leaving only one thought in his mind.
...Charming indeed.
Seeing Huo Yun'ai suddenly stop and become dazed, Qing Wu couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened.
She slowly walked forward and stopped in front of him, hesitantly asking, "Is it not good-looking?"
After a while, there was no response from the boy.
The girl looked up at him in confusion, and before their eyes could meet, she felt a warmth at her lips as he raised his finger to touch them.
He carefully traced her lips; although his movements were gentle and soothing, they made her inexplicably nervous.
Just as Qing Wu felt that the atmosphere was a bit off and was about to ask, Huo Yun'ai suddenly withdrew his hand and spoke calmly.
"Dinner has been served. Let's eat together."
His voice carried a low, hoarse tone that was different from usual.
Hearing this, Qing Wu felt worried and quickly asked, "Did you catch a chill?"
Huo Yun'ai lightly shook his head, reached out to take her hand, and walked inside with her.
The table was filled with dishes she loved to eat. There were even four dishes added that she had come to like while in the Northwest. Additionally, there were two bowls of Longevity Noodles, which were essential for celebrating birthdays.
Qing Wu had been busy all afternoon and was already a bit hungry. Seeing Huo Yun'ai gesture for her to help herself, she chose some food and began to eat.
The boy did not pick up his chopsticks.
He held his cup with one hand and sipped lightly, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on her without looking away for a moment.
At first, Qing Wu didn't feel anything unusual, but after a while, she began to feel uncomfortable.
After thinking for a while, she realized that what made her feel awkward was the gaze of the person beside her.
Although he appeared cold and distant, she felt as if there was a hidden fire within him that threatened to consume her entirely.
Qing Wu tried hard for a moment but ultimately could no longer withstand such pressure while eating. She set down her chopsticks and gently asked, "Aren't you... going to eat something?"
She originally intended to persuade him to eat a bit more, to look at the food rather than keep staring at her. This way, she could relax and continue eating, right?
However, the young man ignored her question and instead shook his wine glass, briefly asking her, "Are you full?"
"No," Qing Wu shook her head.
Seeing that he didn't understand, she was about to explain further. But before she could say anything, she felt a chill in her hand as a wine glass was thrust into it.
Moreover, it was filled with wine.
Qing Wu suddenly recalled the last time during the New Year when he tried to persuade her to drink. Afraid he would make her drink again, she hurriedly refused, saying, "I can't drink. You should drink instead." To ensure he understood, she added, "I really can't drink."
"Mm." Huo Yun'ai replied softly but did not take the wine glass away.
Seeing that he had agreed, Qing Wu glanced at him. Noticing there was no displeasure on his face, it was clear he wasn't rejecting her refusal. She then moved the wine glass forward. Once it was set down properly, she prepared to retract her hand and continue eating.
However, just as she was about to pull back completely, Huo Yun'ai suddenly reached out and grasped her hand.
His fingertips gently traced every inch of skin on her hand.
Though the temperature wasn't particularly warm, it made her hand feel hot and caused an uncomfortable sensation throughout her body.
Trying to withdraw her hand was unsuccessful.
That warmth spread up her arm, making her cheeks flush and ears burn.
Huo Yun'ai quietly watched her, carefully engraving every one of her movements in his heart.
Today, the girl was already beautiful enough to make his heart tremble. Now with an added touch of shyness, she made him feel an irresistible longing.
Even with his strong self-control, how could he not succumb in such a situation?
Gazing at those moist and delicate lips, the young man endured for a long time but ultimately lost control and suddenly leaned in closer.
Qing Wu was caught off guard and was instantly embraced, losing all her breath.
He had just been drinking, and the rich aroma of alcohol lingered on his lips.
Qing Wu felt a bit dizzy. In her hazy state, she struggled to control her breathing and mumbled, "There... is wine..."
She intended to remind him that his actions might cause her to smell of alcohol.
When she was finally released, she gasped for air, thinking he understood and had let her go.
However, in the next moment, her lips were invaded again. Her breath was taken away once more.
A cool sensation brushed against her lips, and the rich aroma surged forth.
Qing Wu's thoughts were already in disarray, and she instinctively swallowed. The strong flavor entered her throat, and only then did she realize.
...He actually shared a sip of wine with her?!
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