The Answer

Xie Ning had initially thought that the emperor didn't say anything to her after their encounter and maybe Handsome Fairness Chen didn't go as far as to report her.

But as it turned out, Chen did report her and the emperor was asking about it now, catching Xie Ning off guard.

"Do you know why she reported you?" The emperor asked.

Xie Ning nodded but remained silent.

"Don't you want to defend yourself?" The emperor followed up.

Xie Ning hesitated, "I don't know what to say, Your Majesty."

"It's alright, take your time and think about it. Speak when you're ready."

But Xie Ning really didn't know what to say.

After a long silence, she finally spoke up, surprising the emperor with what she had to say.

She didn't mention anything about the camellia incident or Handsome Fairness Chen. Instead, she talked about something that happened before she even entered the palace.

"I once accompanied my uncle to his post for two years and when we were returning home, we took a waterway near Rong City. The boat awnings were painted black to make them stronger and more waterproof. The sails were worn out from the rain. Because of the rain, we were stuck in a small inn near the west gate for three days."

The emperor interrupted, "How old were you then?"

"I think around seven or eight years old," Xie Ning replied, "I don't remember the exact age."

Even though the emperor didn't understand why Xie Ning was bringing up an event from nearly a decade ago, he found her storytelling captivating and wanted to know more.

"During those three days, my uncle made friends with an elderly man who retired and returned home. They got along well, played chess, drank tea, and even borrowed fishing gear and raincoats to go out fishing in the rain. My uncle insisted that I go with them, and we crossed the river in the heavy rain. No one was visible that day, and all the boats docked in the same area didn't move. When we came back, my aunt was angry and scolded my uncle for being reckless and almost making me catch a cold. She made us change our clothes and drink ginger soup."

"And then?" The emperor asked.

"The next day, the sun came out and everyone left the inn to continue their journeys. We went on our way, but we never heard from the elderly man again."

Xie Ning didn't know why she had remembered that incident now, but she felt strangely compelled to share it with the emperor.

She had already forgotten about the incident, as there were so many new and interesting experiences, she encountered during her journey that surpassed the excitement of fishing in the rain. Sitting still was something boring for a child.

However, Xie Ning still remembered the day she wore a pair of small wooden clogs, stepping on the wet stone floor. The water splashed when she stepped into the puddle, and the wooden clogs echoed against the stone floor with a regular and crisp sound. That experience of stepping in the rainwater was the most unforgettable part for her.

The emperor looked at her and asked, "Have you finished telling your story?"

Xie Ning nodded.

"Does your answer have anything to do with what I asked?" the emperor asked while containing his laughter.

Xie Ning honestly shook her head and said, "There is no connection. Your Majesty, I have already told you a story, can you please not ask about the camellia viewing anymore?"

This bargaining tone made the emperor amused. "The story was good, and after hearing you share it, I want to go and see the rainy ferry and fish in the rain. But regardless, you still need to answer my question."

Xie Ning looked miserable. It was hard to deceive the emperor.

"I also thought about explaining this matter to Your Majesty," Xie Ning said with a slight dip of her head and her gaze falling on the green and warm teacup.

The emperor leaned forward and asked, "What did you want to say at that time?"

Was it her illusion, or did she hear a bit of eagerness in the emperor's tone?

Xie Ning tried to imagine how she would speak to the emperor, following the advice of Qinghe. According to her, she needed to emphasize her helplessness and innocence while blaming Handsome Fairness Chen for being unreasonable and bullying her. Qinghe even gestured to her that men might not like strong women, but women who can act cute will always get more pity.

However, Xie Ning was always gentle and not good at talking. She couldn't imagine herself twisting her body and squeezing her throat while saying, "Your Majesty, please be the master for your humble servant."

Chen, on the other hand, would definitely know how to act like a victim in front of the emperor, shifting all the blame to others.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Xie Ning said anxiously, blushing and unable to say anything.

The emperor watched as her head drooped even lower. After waiting for a while, Xie Ning finally muttered, "I didn't mean it. Please don't be angry with me... even if you have to punish me, please be lenient."

The emperor suddenly burst out laughing.

He laughed so freely, so recklessly, pushing the tea table aside with one hand while grabbing Xie Ning's hand with the other, pulling her into his embrace. Xie Ning was completely caught off guard as she fell into the emperor's arms.

The emperor's laughter shook his chest as Xie Ning's ear pressed against it. The laughter she heard now was completely different from before; it seemed deeper and richer, making her heartbeat wildly.

"Handsome Fairness Chen said your mouth is as sharp as a knife, but I haven't seen it," the emperor said, still chuckling.

Xie Ning stumbled in her response, "I don't have a mouth like a knife, but I can't let others bully me either."

Perhaps the emperor had finally had enough laughter. He stopped and, still holding her, raised her chin gently with his other hand. Xie Ning looked up and met his gaze.

Their proximity was almost too close as she could even see her own stunned and uneasy expression reflected in the emperor's dark eyes.

"You were quite eloquent with Handsome Fairness Chen, why are you so tongue-tied in front of me?" he asked.

Xie Ning was speechless. Did she really have this tendency?

"Uh, I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing and being blamed by Your Majesty," she finally stammered, feeling the heat rise to her face.

"That's not it," the emperor said, his lips almost brushing against hers. "Think again, why?"

Xie Ning's mind was a mess, boiling over with confusion and a feverish warmth. She couldn't think of anything, couldn't organize her thoughts.

"I'm just afraid of making Your Majesty unhappy," she whispered.

"Hmm, anything else?" he pressed.

Xie Ning couldn't think of anything else.

His breath caressed her skin, tickling her nose and lips. His eyes were so black and deep, like the night sky, and she felt as though she was being pulled into their depths.

She swayed slightly under his intense scrutiny, her lips unconsciously meeting his.