In Chu Qing's memory, throughout history, few emperors would be heartless enough to destroy their unborn children.
However, it seemed that her great - grandson, Emperor Yuan Rui, was an exception.
Seeing the disbelief on Chu Qing's face, the empress didn't say much. She just let out a soft sigh.
She didn't necessarily want the Princess of Ning to believe her. She just... needed someone to confide in.
She was actually quite content with her current life.
To be the mistress of the palace and still receive the exclusive favor of the emperor, how many women in the long history had been so fortunate?
But every time she saw his clear eyes, an overwhelming sense of guilt welled up in her heart.
After all, all his seemingly absurd actions were because of her.
...
When they arrived at the Weiyang Palace and sat opposite each other, the empress slowly told Chu Qing her story with the emperor...
It sounded like a story from a romance novel. But since the protagonists were people she knew well, Chu Qing couldn't help but feel a deep sense of emotion.
Some said that once a woman entered the palace, it was like falling into a bottomless abyss, where countless whirlpools would swallow her up without a trace.
The unshakable love between her great - grandson, the emperor, and the empress was truly rare. Although she had never experienced such love, she couldn't stop the joy in her heart.
However... after this incident, Chu Qing still felt a bit uncomfortable with the emperor's actions. As for the empress... even though Chu Qing was very satisfied with this granddaughter - in - law, there was still a hint of doubt deep in her heart.
Recalling the emperor's expression before he left, Chu Qing thought that this incident might not have been done by the emperor. After all, his sadness was not feigned. And his desolate back as he left always made people feel that he was very lonely...
Perhaps the empress... was not as innocent and harmless as she appeared.
Just then, a maid came in to report that the Prince of Ning had arrived.
The empress nodded to show that she knew, and then allowed the Prince of Ning to enter.
When Chu Qing saw Wei Ying, her previously troubled mood instantly dissipated. The gloomy clouds cleared, and it was as if the sky had turned sunny.
"Let's go back to the mansion." Seeing Chu Qing smiling at him, Wei Ying returned a smile.
Seeing that the Prince and Princess of Ning only had eyes for each other, the empress covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "Uncle and Auntie have such a good relationship～"
Chu Qing blushed and quickly stopped smiling.
Being teased by this young girl, Chu Qing felt extremely embarrassed. But not knowing how to retort, she quickly changed the subject, "We've bothered you for so long. We'll leave first."
The empress smiled faintly and said, "It's not a bother. Have dinner here first and then go back. You've really had a hard time these days."
After she said this, Chu Qing remembered the days she had spent in the prison. Although... she and Wei Ying had been together day and night, under such circumstances, she didn't dare to expect any progress in their relationship.
Especially... the memory of that strange smell.
Just thinking about it made Chu Qing feel as if a hundred claws were scratching her heart!
...
After dinner and a short rest, Chu Qing and Wei Ying bid farewell to the empress. Then Chu Qing prepared to leave the palace with Wei Ying.
Just as she was frowning and lost in thought, she suddenly felt a gust of palm wind coming from behind. Chu Qing immediately darkened her expression, then quickly dodged to the side.
How dare someone attack her in the palace?
And right in front of Wei Ying?
Hey??? Something was wrong! How could Wei Ying allow someone to attack her?
Before Chu Qing could think further, another sharp palm wind came. Chu Qing spun around and bent backward. At that moment, her sharp eyes just caught a glimpse of the attacker.
It was actually Wei Ying! This brat was going too far!
"I'm just testing if you've slacked off in your martial arts training recently." Seeing Chu Qing's quick reaction, Wei Ying retracted his move with satisfaction.
Chu Qing gave him a sideways look and pouted, "The Prince of Ning sure has a good mood!"
Wei Ying curled his lips and said, "Otherwise, do you want to experience when I'm in an even better mood?"
"???" Chu Qing deeply suspected that Wei Ying was deliberately saying ambiguous things to make her think wrongly. If he had said this to a pure and lovely girl instead of her, the girl would surely scold him as a lecher!
However, Chu Qing didn't know that a truly pure and lovely girl wouldn't misunderstand this sentence.
Wei Ying didn't know what was on Chu Qing's mind. Seeing her cheeks slightly red and her eyes flickering, he was a bit surprised, "Qingqing, why is your face red again?"
Chu Qing forced a very fake smile, "It's a bit hot."
"Just in time. The place I'm taking you to should relieve your heat. You've never overlooked the night view of the capital from a high place, have you?" Wei Ying looked down at Chu Qing intently.
"Overlook the night view of the capital from a high place?" Chu Qing was stunned.
Thinking about it, even though she had lived here for decades in her previous life, she had never had such a leisurely and elegant mood.
She had seen the night view, but as for overlooking it from the highest place, not only was her status not allowed at that time, but even if she didn't have to worry about her status, she didn't have the ability.
But now it was different.
She could do as she pleased, and she was gradually learning martial arts. Those things that used to be just fantasies were slowly coming true.
It seemed that all of this was because of him.
"Let's go. I'll take you there." Just then, Wei Ying spoke. After his words, he grabbed Chu Qing's hand, then gathered his strength and they both leaped onto the nearby palace wall.
Leaping over the overlapping palaces, Chu Qing felt as if she was in a dream. If it weren't for the warmth from Wei Ying's hand all the time, she really would have thought it was a dream. Or after waking up, she would become the Grand Empress Dowager accompanied only by the green lantern and ancient Buddha again.
Just then, the night wind of early summer blew gently on their faces, gentle yet a bit playful.
"Hold on tight." Wei Ying suddenly tightened his grip on her hand. Then, using the eaves of a building as leverage with his toes, he took Chu Qing towards a higher place.
Chu Qing looked up and found that the place he was taking her to was the Moon - Climbing Tower.
The Moon - Climbing Tower was the highest building in the capital.
As the name suggested, one could climb high to enjoy the moon.
In her previous life, she had never had the free time to do such romantic things. Unexpectedly, in this reincarnation, she could finally fulfill her past regret.
When Chu Qing thought that Wei Ying was just taking her to the top floor, she didn't expect him to take her straight up to the roof of the Moon - Climbing Tower.
After they stood still, they both turned to look at the night sky.
A full moon hung high in the sky, and its soft light shone on them.
This scene always made people feel soft - hearted.
Chu Qing remembered the night view she had seen in Xingfu Temple. The scenery in the mountains was different from that in the city, but both were so beautiful that one couldn't help but be deeply attracted.
At that time, she was alone, until Wuya suddenly appeared later.
But now, when there was such a beautiful scenery, she was no longer alone.
By her side, there was a presence as bright and beautiful as the moon.
Thinking of this, Chu Qing unconsciously turned her head to look at Wei Ying.
As a result, she met Wei Ying's gentle and affectionate eyes looking at her.
Ah! He had been looking at her all the time!
Chu Qing quickly lowered her head and took a few deep breaths to calm her mood.
However, before she could calm down, Chu Qing felt a heat on her cheek. A soft touch quickly brushed against her and then left.
Chu Qing turned her head in surprise and looked at Wei Ying.
He he he... he had actually kissed her!!!
Chu Qing felt as if her heart was about to jump out.
Seeing Chu Qing looking at him, Wei Ying didn't dodge his gaze. Instead, he looked back at her intently.
Just as the atmosphere between them became more and more ambiguous, it was suddenly broken by a voice:
"You two sure have a good mood."