Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The Emperor’s hand lingered on my head for only a brief moment before he pulled it away.

Truthfully, I wanted him to keep stroking my hair, but I was afraid he would refuse me, so I stayed obediently silent. I heard him ask, “How old are you this year?” His voice was just like the man himself-exceptionally gentle. It made me want to draw closer to him, yet I didn’t quite dare to.

“Sixteen.”

I stood as properly as I could and answered his question earnestly. In my head, I was thinking that the Emperor was only four years older than me.

The Emperor gave a soft hum of acknowledgment and fell silent again, seemingly lost in thought. I didn’t want to disturb him, but I also felt that opportunities to see him were rare. I hesitated, wondering if I should say something more, but before I could make up my mind, someone approached.

I recognized this person. It was the Grand Steward by the Emperor’s side, Su Zhongguan. He was the one who had ordered Kind Consort’s medicinal soup to be thrown out. He certainly looked fierce… I clamped my mouth shut, no longer thinking about chatting with the Emperor.

Su Zhongguan walked over and bowed. His face remained stoic, his expression unchanging even before the Emperor, though his tone was respectful. “Emperor, Yu Yushi has departed.”

He then gave me a slight bow. “Consort Shu.”

Actually… he wasn’t quite as terrifying as the palace maids made him out to be. I could sense that he held no ill will toward me.

The Emperor nodded. My heart began to drum against my ribs-was he leaving already?

He was indeed leaving.

Su Zhongguan draped a heavy cloak over the Emperor’s shoulders.

“The wind is strong in the Imperial Garden. Do not catch a cold. Go back inside once you are finished with your shuttlecock.”

Seeing the shuttlecock in my hand, the Emperor urged me to return to White Deer Terrace soon. My heart felt warm, and I couldn’t stop the surge of joy within me. “Don’t you worry, I have a very strong constitution! I haven’t been sick once in two years!”

That was a bit of an exaggeration; I’d had a few minor ailments, but they were nothing worth mentioning. I had grown up safely despite how difficult my life used to be, let alone the happy days I’d enjoyed since entering the palace. Doukou took such good care of me that I hadn’t even caught a sniffle in the last two years. Claiming I was in good health wasn’t exactly a lie meant to please him.

I was delighted by his concern, yet I felt that time was passing far too quickly. I had only said a few words to him before Su Zhongguan arrived.

The Emperor was a busy man, and I couldn’t stop him from leaving. All I could do was watch as he gave me a small smile and walked past me.

I didn’t know when I would see him again. There were still so many things I hadn’t told him. Seizing a final chance, I turned around and called out to him, “Emperor!”

He looked back, appearing somewhat puzzled.

“Will we meet again?” I looked at him expectantly, hoping he would nod.

But the Emperor didn’t nod. He only gave me another gentle smile before turning away. This time, he didn’t look back; he was truly gone.

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t disappointed, but I didn’t stay sad for long. After all, the Emperor loved proofreading memorials most of all-he was a very busy man.

Besides, I was already used to not seeing him for a long, long time.