Chapter 409 - 407: The Empress Dowager’s Promise
"Qin Yu? Why is he following me?"
The Empress Dowager was puzzled, and suddenly felt a bit guilty.
Could it be that he... discovered it?!
In the past, she had spied on the Empress, and almost without exception, she was caught.
But Qin Yu is only at the Golden Core Realm, it’s impossible for him to have such strong perception, right?
The silhouette of the Empress Dowager remained so fresh and unworldly, as she leaned slightly forward to pick flowers, her phoenix robe tightened and outlined an astonishing curve.
"Hiss!..."
Qin Yu took a sharp breath of cold air, yet he couldn’t suppress the surging heat within him.
It was almost devouring his reason.
But, thinking of that Empress... was like a bucket of cold water poured over him.
Judging from past events, even though the Empress is absent, everything inside the Imperial Palace cannot escape her perception.
Should he dare to provoke the Empress Dowager, he would inevitably meet a tragic end at the feet of the Empress.
Qin Yu finally restrained his inner impulse and spoke softly, his tone full of respect, "Empress Dowager, may I ask you something?"
"Hmm?"
The Empress Dowager was stunned for a moment, with such sincere tone, what is Qin Yu intending?
Could it be that he truly harbors ill intentions?
"No."
The Empress Dowager thought for a moment and replied seriously.
She would never do something that would fail Little Ling’Er!
"???"
Qin Yu had to swallow back the words that were already on the tip of his tongue.
So, the Empress Dowager pondered for a long time just about the question of can or cannot?
"Sorry to disturb."
Qin Yu didn’t expect the straightforward refusal from the innocent Empress Dowager.
"Wait!"
Just as Qin Yu was about to leave, the Empress Dowager suddenly called out to him.
Qin Yu lowered his gaze. Even if rejected, he dared not go against the Empress Dowager’s intent.
"Come a little closer."
The Empress Dowager thought for a moment, sitting on a nearby stone bench, her expression struggling slightly, seemingly worried about being overheard.
Qin Yu complied, and a refreshing and pleasant subtle scent instantly wafted over, causing his heart to stir.
"Why don’t you dare to look at me?"
Seeing Qin Yu keeping his head bowed, the Empress Dowager furrowed her brows.
She’s not that Tyrant, what are you afraid of?!
"The Empress Dowager appears to me like the radiant moon, while I am merely a mortal, how dare I desecrate the divine brilliance of the Empress Dowager?"
Qin Yu said respectfully.
Oh?
So in Qin Yu’s heart, I hold such authority?!
Qin Yu is genuine, his words pleasant to hear, unlike that Tyrant, who always undermines me.
"Why did you stop speaking?"
The Empress Dowager was thoroughly enjoying herself, only to find Qin Yu suddenly halted.
This won’t do!
"The Empress Dowager is peerlessly beautiful, graciously noble, unrivaled..."
Qin Yu immediately grasped the meaning, knowing from their time together that the Empress Dowager enjoys hearing praise.
However, the Empress Dowager is indeed like a fairy descending from the celestial palace, making the compliments truthful and not awkward.
Unlike during chess, where one must deliberately concede moves while praising the Empress Dowager’s extraordinary wit, that is truly exhausting...
Qin Yu spoke until his throat grew dry, finally seeing the Empress Dowager gently nod, a satisfied expression on her face.
"Since you have such insight, I grant it."
The Empress Dowager stood up, lifting her small chin, patting Qin Yu’s shoulder, her words full of authority and grace.
"Granted?"
Qin Yu was puzzled, granted what?
"Hmm? I’ve granted it, why do you still not dare to look at me?"
The Empress Dowager seemed a bit displeased.
Actually...
The main thing is she felt a bit guilty inside.
After all, Qin Yu had no more secrets in front of her...
And now, if he isn’t even allowed to look, it seems unreasonable.
"You did say it yourself!"
Qin Yu glanced around before finally focusing on the Empress Dowager.
Today, the Empress Dowager was wearing a plain palace gown, silver hair dancing in the wind, her entire self seemingly enveloped in a silver glow, exuding an aura of inviolable sanctity.
Her features deftly crafted, every line like the world’s most delicate brushstroke, perfectly capturing an unparalleled beauty, striking at the softest part of the heart, causing one to become intoxicated.
Her neck, long and elegant, reminiscent of a noble swan, made one want to gently bite it. His gaze continued downward, the Great Phoenix seemed about to leap out of the gown’s confines, soar high.
Before, even if the Empress Dowager didn’t mind, due to her status, Qin Yu dared not act rashly. This marked his first time gazing openly at the Empress Dowager.
Such stunning beauty left him somewhat... entranced.
Seeing Qin Yu’s dazed look, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but let out a light laugh, full of joy, absent any pretense, unlike typical women who might feel shy.
However, the moment her eyes met Qin Yu’s clear gaze, an inexplicable ripple stirred in the Empress Dowager’s heart.
"Have you seen enough?" Her voice unexpectedly carried a hint of teasing.
Qin Yu seemed to awaken, initially nodding instinctively, then hurriedly shaking his head.
He seemed to be savoring the fairy that stepped out of the scroll.
How could it be enough?!
"Do you need to look for so long?"
The Empress Dowager was slightly surprised by Qin Yu’s enthralled state, but upon reconsideration, he was her own, let him look.
At least, it would ease some feelings of guilt.
"Do you want to come closer for a better view?"
The Empress Dowager wasn’t at all averse to Qin Yu’s fervent gaze, finally sitting down, her delicate hand gently supporting her chin, seemingly contemplating what to say next.
Qin Yu also didn’t expect the Empress Dowager to be so kind, so generous, so open-handed.
Being able to look directly, was already a great favor.
To actually let him get closer to look?!
However, the Empress Dowager’s instructions, he naturally wouldn’t refuse.
As he got closer, an enchanting fragrance filled his nostrils, gazing at that tender and flawless face, Qin Yu’s respect surged to new heights.
"Qin Yu, are you having any wicked thoughts about me?!"
The Empress Dowager glared, her eyes trembling.
The main thing was, if she didn’t warn him, Qin Yu’s respect was almost spilling onto her face.
"Uh!"
Qin Yu suddenly awoke, but his body was stiff.
He could only slightly adjust his stance so as not to offend this noble Empress Dowager.
Luckily.
For such an impolite action, the Empress Dowager surprisingly wasn’t angry.
Simply not bothering to cover up anything, letting his robes become disheveled.
"You, must not have wicked thoughts towards me!"
The Empress Dowager immediately warned.
So frightening!
"Yes!"
Qin Yu took a deep breath and only managed to avert his gaze with strong willpower.
With his composure, to be so attracted that he lost his mind, it shows just how irresistibly beautiful the Empress Dowager was.
"That’s better."
Seeing Qin Yu agree, the Empress Dowager finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.
If not, what if Qin Yu really did something to her, what should she do then?!
Resist?
Would Qin Yu still play with her in the future if she did?
But, that’s wrong, she doesn’t want to wrong Little Ling’Er.
"Empress Dowager, do you have something on your mind today?"
Qin Yu changed the topic and asked.
"I want to ask you some questions."
The Empress Dowager thought for a moment and said directly, "Will you... bully Little Ling’Er in the future?"
"Bully? Absolutely not."
Qin Yu’s face became serious and he replied without hesitation.
A little and pure tiny thing, of course, she’s meant to be cherished and protected, how could he bear to bully her?
"But, but..."
The Empress Dowager naturally knew Qin Yu couldn’t bear to harm the tiny one, but this guy was so frightening, wasn’t it right in front of her?
If in the future Little Ling’Er were given to him, became a couple, she would surely get hurt!
"You... must not harm Little Ling’Er."
The Empress Dowager stammered, finally only squeezing out that sentence.
She really couldn’t help it, her mind wasn’t clever enough to both worry about blurting out, and letting Qin Yu know about her peeking.
Such an incomplete statement only made Qin Yu more puzzled.
Could it be that the Empress Dowager’s concern was this issue?
Why would she worry for no reason about him bullying Little Ling’Er?
"You..."
Seeing Qin Yu silent, the Empress Dowager became more anxious.
Little Ling’Er liked Qin Yu so much, she definitely wouldn’t refuse, what if she really...
Got hurt.
Wouldn’t she cry like a pear blossom bathed in rain, just thinking about it was heartbreaking.
"As long as you promise me not to bully Little Ling’Er, I, I..."
The Empress Dowager wanted to promise some conditions, but after thinking about it, she realized she could offer Qin Yu no effective promise.
"I will do something for you in the future!"
"Oh."
Qin Yu looked up once again at the Empress Dowager, and his gaze fell upon her tender and lovely little mouth, and he couldn’t help but blurt out, "Anything?"
"Yes!"
The Empress Dowager almost agreed without thinking.
Ah, this...
Qin Yu’s mouth twitched slightly.
The Empress Dowager dared to agree, but he might not dare to act upon it, should he dare to put it into practice, the Empress would certainly appear the next instant.
At this moment, Little Ling’Er’s voice sounded from the entrance of the garden.
"Remember what I said."
The Empress Dowager immediately sat upright and looked at Little Ling’Er appearing at the door, feeling somewhat relieved.
At last, she had done something for Little Ling’Er.
She truly was a great Empress Dowager!
...
Imperial Study.
The Empress’s brows gently furrowed, and the memorial in her hand was suddenly smacked onto the desk, making a dull and forceful sound.
"Yan Zhi!"
A voice filled with scarcely concealed anger echoed in the Imperial Study.
"Your Majesty."
Following the sound, a graceful figure slowly emerged from the shadows, walking lightly and bowing respectfully.
"Look at this."
The Empress lightly waved her sleeve, an invisible force lifted the memorial in front of her, causing it to hover slowly in front of Yan Zhi.
Yan Zhi’s eyes quickly scanned over the content of the memorial, only to see it was a report about local unrest.
Suddenly, an ominous premonition surged in Yan Zhi’s heart, this seemed to be the fourth report of this kind received this month.