NCCnovel Chapter 265 Hate Lasts Longer Than Love
Chapter 265 Hate Lasts Longer Than Love
As the water clock pointed to midnight, Chu Qingyin curled up in a brocade quilt with lotus patterns.
Pei Yuanling, dressed in a dark robe, sat by the rosewood couch, gazing quietly at the corners of her reddened eyes.
The candlelight cast a shadow on his brow bone, making him appear even more profound and handsome.
Several times, he tried to reach out his hand, but froze in mid-air.
After a long silence, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "Yinyin, I..."
Chu Qingyin turned her head away and wrapped the blanket around herself even tighter, unwilling to look at him. "Get out."
"..."
Pei Yuanling remained silent for a moment, then got up, dressed in his robes, and left the bedchamber.
He knew she would probably hate him to death.
But hating him is better than letting him watch her be all lovey-dovey with other men.
Besides, hate lasts longer than love.
As the footsteps faded into the distance, Chu Qingyin curled up in the brocade quilt, tears streaming silently down her face.
This night of forced pleasure was like a nightmare, completely crushing her last hope.
She didn't know when she fell asleep; in any case, when she woke up again, it was almost noon.
The bright midday sun shone through the carved window lattice onto her slender body, which was covered in red marks.
Chu Qingyin stood naked in front of the bronze mirror, looking at her disheveled appearance in the mirror, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
How ridiculous and absurd all of this is.
She once thought that she and Pei Yuanling could love each other and grow old together in this deep palace.
But now, this palace, which she once called "home," has become a dark abyss from which she cannot escape.
"Your Majesty, it's time to wash up."
A soft voice broke the silence from behind the screen.
Chu Qingyin slowly turned her head and saw a kind-looking middle-aged woman.
She was dressed in a bright blue palace gown, followed by a line of maids, some carrying handkerchiefs and others copper basins, as she carefully walked in.
“This servant is Fangyun, the head female official of Zichen Palace. The eunuchs and maids in the palace all call me Aunt Fang.”
The middle-aged woman stepped forward, her every move exceptionally proper and elegant. “His Majesty knows that Your Highness is short of servants, and has specially sent this servant to attend to Your Highness.”
Chu Qingyin stared blankly at her aunt and scoffed, "Is this to serve, or to spy on?"
Aunt Fang remained unfazed, maintaining her proper and solemn demeanor: "Your Majesty is joking."
As she spoke, she picked up a moon-colored robe from the couch beside her and walked towards Chu Qingyin: "Although it is spring now, it is still chilly. Your Highness should not catch a cold."
She wrapped Chu Qingyin tightly in her outer robe, and seeing that Chu Qingyin did not struggle, she gently helped Chu Qingyin to the bedside.
Her eyes seemed to convey pity, yet also carried a hint of caution typical of those in the palace.
"This old servant will help Your Highness wash up and then apply your medicine."
Chu Qingyin's eyes were vacant, and she seemed oblivious to everything around her.
Like a soulless puppet, she was manipulated by Aunt Fang.
"Your Majesty, although His Majesty's actions are somewhat...reckless, he is still the ruler of this land."
As Aunt Fang carefully wiped her face, she gently advised, "You shouldn't go against His Majesty anymore; it will make things easier for you in the future."
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible flash of anger crossed Chu Qingyin's eyes.
She abruptly shook off Aunt Fang's hand, her voice hoarse but firm: "What do you know? Everything in this palace is a shackle. My relationship with him has long been severed."
Aunt Fang was startled by her sudden action, and almost dropped the handkerchief in her hand.
She immediately knelt down, saying in a panic, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, it was this old servant who spoke out of turn."
Looking at Aunt Fang kneeling on the ground, Chu Qingyin's anger gradually dissipated, replaced by a deep weariness.
"Alright, get up."
She knew perfectly well that Aunt Fang was only acting under orders. If she made things difficult for her, how would that be any different from Pei Yuanling making things difficult for Xianglan?
"Thank you, Your Majesty..."
Aunt Fang lowered her head, slowly stood up, and continued to help her wash up.
They were just more careful in their movements, afraid of further angering this agitated nobleman.
After washing up, Aunt Fang asked Chu Qingyin to lie down on the chaise longue and remove her outer robe.
Looking at that delicate, snow-white body, yet covered with deep and shallow red marks, even Aunt Fang, a woman, couldn't help but feel pity.
No wonder His Majesty is so fond of her; this Consort Liang is indeed a rare beauty.
With a sigh in her heart, Aunt Fang did not dare to be careless. She picked up the secret imperial jade skin cream and gently applied it to the bruises on Chu Qingyin's body.
The ointment was cool and soothing, but Chu Qingyin felt no comfort whatsoever.
She leaned her head to one side on the sunflower-purple soft pillow, gazing out the window, her thoughts drifting further and further away...
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study in the front hall.
Pei Yuanling, dressed in a light blue robe with a dragon pattern, was looking at the mountain of battle reports piled up on the table, his brows furrowed.
With the war at the front lines in turmoil and various factions in the court stirring up trouble, it's a real headache.
"Your Majesty, it's time for lunch."
Chen Zhongliang, holding a whisk in his hand, carefully walked to the sandalwood imperial desk and softly reminded him.
Is it already noon?
Pei Yuanling did not respond, but only looked up at the sky outside the carved window lattice.
After looking away, his gaze fell on the back of his left hand.
On the long, pale tiger's mouth, there was a clear tooth mark.
It was Chu Qingyin who bit it last night.
After a moment of unfocused gaze, Pei Yuanling lowered his eyes and asked in a deep voice, "Has Consort Liang eaten?"
Chen Zhongliang was taken aback upon hearing this, and then quickly replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, Aunt Fang is always the most reliable in handling matters. With her taking care of the Empress, nothing will happen."
Pei Yuanling's tense nerves finally relaxed slightly.
But the thought of Chu Qingyin's ruthlessness and hatred towards him still made his chest feel heavy, as if a huge rock was pressing down on him.
"If Your Majesty is not yet ready to serve the meal, perhaps you would like some snacks to tide you over?"
As Chen Zhongliang spoke, he gestured to the little eunuch to place a plate of exquisite pastries on the table. “These are new pastries from the Imperial Kitchen. They look quite novel. Why don’t you try some?”
Pei Yuanling had absolutely no appetite at this moment.
Listening to Chen Zhongliang's words, I picked up a piece at random and put it in my mouth, but it tasted like cardboard.
His thoughts were entirely focused on Chu Qingyin.
"Chen Zhongliang, tell me, what should I do to win her back?"
Pei Yuanling suddenly asked, a rare hint of confusion in his handsome, mature eyes.
Chen Zhongliang was startled; he had never seen His Majesty look so bewildered.
After mentally rehearsing his words, Chen Zhongliang bowed and carefully spoke, "Your Majesty, Consort Liang may have acted impulsively. In time, she will naturally understand Your Majesty's intentions."
"Ah, as time goes by..."
Pei Yuanling twitched the corners of his mouth, his eyes dimming slightly. "I'm afraid she only feels hatred towards me."
Chen Zhongliang choked: "..."
He wouldn't respond to that, nor would he dare to.
Fortunately, the emperor didn't really want any solutions from him. He just lowered his eyes and murmured in a hoarse voice, "I was wrong."
Recalling Chu Qingyin's desperate eyes last night, his heart felt as if it were being pierced by countless needles.
He clearly wanted to rekindle their relationship, but it seemed he was pushing her further and further away...
"Your Majesty, the most urgent task at present is to deal with the war at the front. Perhaps giving Consort Liang some time will ease the situation," Chen Zhongliang suggested tactfully.
"You're right."
Pei Yuanling took a deep breath and nodded. "Pass down the order that the soldiers at the front must hold their positions. I will allocate provisions as soon as possible."