Chapter 216: Crowds and Noise

…

Dawn.

Li Qingzhao rested her head on Zhao Yu's arm, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, her long legs entwined around him like an octopus, as if afraid he might vanish suddenly.

Zhao Yu and Li Qingzhao's clothes were scattered everywhere on the floor, and Li Qingzhao's undergarment hung conspicuously from the bed frame, swaying in the breeze.

Though an entire night had passed, Li Qingzhao's eyes were still red, and anyone unaware might think she had suffered great injustice the previous night.

Only the two people on the bed and the palace attendants who had been standing by knew what Li Qingzhao had actually done that night.

Li Qingzhao had woken long ago, but she dared not move a muscle, lying perfectly still in Zhao Yu's arms, burying her entire face in them, afraid he might look at her.

So humiliating!

Extremely humiliating!

The more Li Qingzhao thought about it, the more she felt her behavior the previous night had been utterly disgraceful.

Being played with by Zhao Yu wasn't the issue.

——She had even been a catgirl with plugins, and had already given Zhao Yu a son; she certainly wouldn't feel shame over such things.

What truly made Li Qingzhao unable to face Zhao Yu was that she had drunk far too much the previous night, to the point she hadn't recognized him at all.

So when Zhao Yu tried to take her, she wept and screamed, swore she would die rather than submit, and struck, cursed, scratched, and bit him, refusing to let him have his way.

Later, as she was about to fall victim to Zhao Yu's advances, she threatened to kill herself, even uttering her "last words."

In Li Qingzhao's mouth, Zhao Yu had already been executed for nine generations.

That fierce display of chastity was something she dared not recall in detail.

Finally, faced with Li Qingzhao, who was neither acting nor cooperating at all, Zhao Yu struck her buttocks hard twice and barked: "Li Qingzhao, open your drunken eyes and look closely—do you know who I am?"

Li Qingzhao turned and stared intently for a long moment before recognizing Zhao Yu, then cried out: "Your Majesty!!!"

Only then did Li Qingzhao obediently lie still…

Zhao Yu, holding Li Qingzhao, was also thinking about the previous night: 'Why did I bother arguing with a drunkard?'

Zhao Yu glanced at the marks Li Qingzhao had left on his body and thought: 'What kind of mess is this?'

Knowing Li Qingzhao was awake, Zhao Yu said to her: "Rise."

At these words, Li Qingzhao's body jolted!

Li Qingzhao's current situation was not merely awkward—she was terrified.

In her view, if Zhao Yu simply left like this, her crime of "grave disrespect" from the previous night would be confirmed.

After all, the previous night she had struck, cursed, and even threatened to execute Zhao Yu's nine clans; accusing her of violating his person and dignity was unquestionably valid.

If Zhao Yu pursued it seriously, this would constitute the crime of "treason," a capital offense. Those convicted of treason were typically sentenced to death by beheading or strangulation.

Even if this didn't count as grave disrespect, but merely as accidental harm to Zhao Yu, it could still be deemed the crime of "gross disrespect."

"Gross disrespect" was one of the Ten Heinous Crimes, punished with extreme severity. Those convicted of the Ten Heinous Crimes were almost always sentenced to death by beheading or strangulation; their relatives were also subject to collective punishment, with the lightest penalty being exile.

However, if it could be proven that the act was entirely accidental and the harm minor, judicial practice might mitigate the punishment, though sentencing would vary depending on the Emperor's disposition, the specifics of the case, and the political climate at the time.

In short, whether Li Qingzhao had committed a crime and whether she would be punished depended entirely on Zhao Yu's attitude. If Zhao Yu chose to forgive her, no one could touch her; if Zhao Yu wished to punish her, her actions of the previous night meant she would die ten times over, and her entire family would suffer her consequences.

Li Qingzhao had been raised in an official family and had read extensively—how could she not know this?

So, knowing this was her final chance at redemption, when Zhao Yu moved to leave, she didn't loosen her grip—she clung even tighter.

Seeing this, Zhao Yu had no trouble guessing: she was afraid.

Zhao Yu thought: 'Now you're afraid? You're no longer last night's disobedient little wildcat?'

Intending to scare her, Zhao Yu reached for her arm, pretending to pull it away.

Li Qingzhao panicked even more.

'Life or death—this is it!'

In her panic, Li Qingzhao made up her mind and slid down along Zhao Yu's body…

…

There was no morning court today; Zhao Yu was resting.

It was also rare that Li Qingzhao went all out to please Zhao Yu.

As a result, Zhao Yu didn't rise until the hour of Si.

Meanwhile, Li Qingzhao—who rarely exercised, constantly drank, stayed up late, and lived an irregular life—was now exhausted into a puddle of mud.

At this moment, though she longed to rise and serve Zhao Yu, to soothe him thoroughly before he left her chambers, the reality was she simply could not move.

With no other option, Li Qingzhao shut her eyes: 'Tired. Let it all be destroyed.'

Then she tilted her head and fell asleep.

Li Qingzhao hadn't slept so peacefully in a long time.

When she opened her eyes again, night was nearly upon them.

Only then did Li Qingzhao remember she was still a criminal under sentence, and she hurriedly asked the attendant Cuiyu: "Where is Your Majesty?"

Cuiyu thought: 'How bold of this lady—after committing such a grave offense, she sleeps soundly through an entire day and night. Poor me, since the incident I've sat on pins and needles, unable to eat, unable to rest, every footstep in the palace corridor makes me think the Palace Inspector has come with a warrant to arrest her!'

But aloud, Cuiyu answered calmly: "Your Majesty went to the training grounds at the hour of Si to exercise."

Li Qingzhao thought: 'Still training? Is he trying to kill me?'

But aloud, Li Qingzhao asked cautiously: "Did Your Majesty say anything when he left?"

Cuiyu shook her head: "He said nothing and left immediately."

Li Qingzhao's heart sank. She pressed: "How did Your Majesty look?"

Cuiyu shook her head again: "His expression was calm—no sign of anger or favor."

Li Qingzhao panicked and pressed further: "Has the Palace Inspector come yet?"

Cuiyu still shook her head: "Not yet."

Li Qingzhao's heart eased slightly; she thought, "If His Majesty intended to punish me, the Palace Inspector would surely have come knocking by now. Since he hasn't, perhaps he's overlooking my diligent service?"

Though she entertained this guess, Li Qingzhao dared not relax. She truly feared she might escape today but not tomorrow. After some thought, she asked Cuiyu: "Can you find out where His Majesty will spend the night?"

"I'll go find out right away," said Cuiyu.

After Cuiyu left, Li Qingzhao hurriedly got up.

At that moment, a maid brought a bowl of lotus seed soup and urged Li Qingzhao to take it for good fortune.

Li Qingzhao very much wanted to say, "How could I possibly have the heart for this now?"

But then she reconsidered: "Even a tiger doesn't eat its own cubs. If I conceive this time, perhaps I'll gain a lifeline?"

With that thought, Li Qingzhao ate three bowls of lotus seed soup in succession.

Then, drawing from last night's lesson—her disheveled, unkempt state that had let Zhao Yu see her at her ugliest—she bathed thoroughly, changed into her most beautiful attire, donned all the jewelry she rarely wore, and had her skilled maid apply a flawless makeup.

Once prepared, Li Qingzhao began pacing anxiously in her room, waiting for Cuiyu to return with good news.

Only when night had fully fallen did Cuiyu run back, beaming.

Before catching her breath, she blurted out: "Lady… I… I found out—His Majesty will spend the night with Consort Zhang. He'll be here soon."

Li Qingzhao rejoiced: "With Consort Zhang mediating, I'll surely escape this disaster!"

Without hesitation, Li Qingzhao stepped out and headed for Zhang Chun's residence.

When Li Qingzhao arrived at Zhang Chun's quarters, she discovered Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng were also there.

Seeing this, Li Qingzhao assumed Zhang Chun, who loved gathering people, had organized another gathering.

Unbeknownst to her, this gathering had been Zhao Yu's idea—and had it not been for her meddling, it would have happened last night.

Since Li Qingzhao got along well with the five women, she didn't hide anything; upon meeting them, she immediately poured out her misfortunes.

But as she spoke, she noticed all five women were laughing uncontrollably.

Realizing something was amiss, Li Qingzhao asked: "Do you all know about this?"

Zhang Chun replied irritably: "You've stolen several of our nights with His Majesty—how could we not ask?"

Li Qingzhao sighed in regret: "I never meant to snatch your chances with His Majesty. I lived alone in my quarters, drinking alone, committing no offense. Yet His Majesty arrived unannounced while I was half-drunk, trapping me in this scandal—I have no defense!"

Ye Shi Yun snorted: "After His Majesty heard your 'Xiao Chongshan: Spring Comes to Changmen, Spring Grass Turns Green,' how could he not summon you?"

Yuan Qing Cheng added: "You compared His Majesty to Han Wu Di and yourself to Chen Ajiao, claiming he neglected you. When he heard that, naturally he came to see who dared accuse him."

Only then did Li Qingzhao understand why Zhao Yu had suddenly visited her—and why he had been so brutal.

Li Qingzhao thought: "Wine deceives men—truly so! One sip, and I was drunk; all my pent-up feelings burst forth like a dam breaking, beyond control—too late to regret!"

Li Qingzhao immediately pleaded to the five women: "Sisters, don't tease me—I know I'm wrong. Please save my life!"

Li Lin lectured Li Qingzhao: "You're truly greedy for wine—drunk enough not to recognize His Majesty, causing such a farce. The entire harem must know of your folly. The Palace Inspector ought to punish you severely as an example."

Li Qingzhao turned to Ye Shi Yun and confessed honestly: "In this palace, I have nothing to do. If not for gambling and drinking, what joy is left?"

Ye Shi Yun nodded vigorously, clearly endorsing Li Qingzhao's vice.

Zhang Chun said: "Enough, enough. Let's stop frightening her—if we scare her too much, His Majesty will ask for her, and where will we find another Li Yian?"

Here, Zhang Chun paused, then said to Li Qingzhao: "You know His Majesty—he's magnanimous, never holds grudges against us concubines. Why fear him?"

Having swallowed Zhang Chun's reassurance, Li Qingzhao—who was never truly afraid of Zhao Yu anyway—spoke honestly: "I fear only the Empress and the Palace Inspector won't let this go."

Zhao Yu always traveled with a large retinue; last night was no exception. Li Qingzhao knew well her little transgression couldn't be hidden—it would reach Zheng Xiansu or the Palace Inspector sooner or later. That was what she truly feared.

Ma Xiao Jiao laughed: "If His Majesty didn't protect you, how could you still be safe, untouched by accusation?"

Li Qingzhao's eyes lit up: "Fortunate indeed! This morning's struggle wasn't in vain—His Majesty has pardoned me!"

Confident now that she was safe, Li Qingzhao finally relaxed. She rose and said: "Then I'll take my leave—I won't disturb your nights with His Majesty."

Zhang Chun tried to detain her: "Since you're here already, join us. More people, more fun."

Frankly, Li Qingzhao had endured far too much from Zhao Yu last night and this morning—she had no desire left. She politely declined: "Not today. I'm utterly exhausted."

Ye Shi Yun teased: "How do you know Ma Xiao Jiao speaks truth? At such a life-or-death moment, you must confirm it yourself—otherwise, how can you sleep peacefully?"

Li Qingzhao thought: "True enough! If they're wrong, won't I be dragged down with them?"

With that, she sat back down quickly and bowed: "Thank you, sisters, for your aid. I'll never forget this grace. I beg you to intercede for me in all future matters."

At that moment, Zhao Yu's voice came from outside: "What are you asking them to intercede for?"

The women instantly rose, preparing to greet him at the door.

But before they could step out, Zhao Yu entered the room.

Once inside, his gaze swept between Li Qingzhao and the five women, half-smiling.

Li Qingzhao's heart tightened. She rose quickly and bowed, her voice trembling slightly: "Your humble concubine pays homage to His Majesty. May His Majesty enjoy boundless fortune and peace."

The five women followed suit. Zhang Chun and the others exchanged glints of mischief, clearly anticipating the drama to come.

Zhao Yu lifted his hand slightly, signaling them to rise. His gaze settled on Li Qingzhao, and he said with playful mockery: "Awake?"

Li Qingzhao immediately knelt: "Your humble concubine behaved disgracefully after drinking, offending Your Majesty. I deserve death. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Had Li Qingzhao not appeared here, Zhao Yu would have forgotten this minor incident.

Besides, she had been so drunk yet still fiercely defended her virtue. The way she fought back—had another man touched her, she would have sought vengeance first, then taken her own life to preserve her purity. Her behavior seemed ridiculous, yet upon reflection, how rare and admirable it truly was!!!

So Zhao Yu had long since forgotten the slight injury she had caused him.

But now, Li Qingzhao had walked straight into his trap. Zhao Yu thought: "I'll have to tease her a bit—otherwise she won't learn."

…

(End of Chapter)