readsfreenovel Chapter 278 Confession
Chapter 278 Confession
Qiao Qingshu's smile was forced; it seemed to be both a self-comforting gesture and a message she was speaking to him.
"There's nothing unpleasant about it, it's just that some unrealistic expectations have arisen."
Seeing the dejection on her face, Lai Daoyun suddenly felt a pang of heartache.
He didn't want to see her so upset.
Seeing Qiao Qingshu turn to leave, he quickly called out to her.
"Your Majesty, I would like to say a few words from the bottom of my heart."
Qiao Qingshu turned to look at him, waiting for his words.
Lai Daoyun seemed to have mustered up his courage, clenching his fists and the veins on his forehead bulging.
He hesitated for a moment, then, as if gathering his courage, said...
"If I don't say this now, I'm sure I won't dare to say it in the future. Today, I'll take the liberty of saying it."
"Qiao Qingshu, I have admired you for a long time. Your nobility, your elegance, your beauty, and every smile and frown of yours make my heart tremble. You are a noble lady whom I cannot touch, and you are also a rare woman in the world."
Lai Daoyun's lips were visibly trembling, but he continued speaking.
"When I first saw you at the dungeon entrance, I was immediately captivated by you. But I knew that my status was no match for you, and I dared not presume to be your equal. I simply wanted to tell you my feelings."
"Perhaps you think I'm a toad trying to eat swan meat, perhaps you'll laugh at me, but I don't care. I'm not saying these words today to take anything from you, I just want you to know how good you are, how beautiful you are, how charming and dazzling you are. I hope that no matter what you encounter in the years to come, you will remember my words today. Live a dazzling and vibrant life, without the slightest fear or timidity."
Lai Daoyun's words struck Qiao Qingshu like a hammer blow to the chest.
A powerful force was suddenly injected into her body.
She is who she is today not because of anyone's help; she has achieved it all through hard work.
She deserves it, she has it, she is worthy of it!
She has no reason to wallow in self-pity; if a man doesn't love her, what does it matter?
Women shouldn't live on love alone.
She unconsciously raised her head, and the smile on her face changed from helplessness to genuine composure.
She looked at Lai Daoyun and said.
"Lord Lai, thank you for your words that have enlightened me."
After Lai Daoyun finished speaking, his face turned bright red. He swallowed hard and left in a flustered manner.
Watching the handsome man's retreating figure, Qiao Qingshu slowly smiled confidently.
She told herself in her heart, "Qiao Qingshu, recognize your mission and do what you should do."
Human hearts are ever-changing and cannot be grasped, so let nature take its course.
Qiao Qingshu finally understood.
"Qing Shu!"
Turning my head, I saw Xiao Zhijie standing under a tree not far away, having changed his clothes.
I don't know how long he stood there.
However, his face was very gloomy.
Qiao Qingshu stood still and stared at him for a while before Xiao Zhijie finally walked over.
After Xiao Zhijie came out of the side hall, he planned to bypass Princess Jin Yao and go around the Imperial Garden to the main hall.
Unfortunately, he happened to witness Lai Daoyun confessing his feelings to Qiao Qingshu. He stood under the tree and overheard the entire confession.
He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and felt a surge of anger rising within him, but he had no choice but to suppress it for the time being.
He walked to Qiao Qingshu's side and said,
"Unfortunately, I overheard everything you just said."
Qiao Qingshu remained completely calm, simply responding with a light "oh."
"Really."
Qiao Qingshu's attitude caused Xiao Zhijie's composure to crumble. He said somewhat anxiously,
What are your thoughts? Do you like him too?
Qiao Qingshu slowly raised her eyes to look at him.
"So what if I like it? So what if I don't?"
"I'd like to ask you something else: if a beautiful woman throws herself at you, would you like her?"
Xiao Zhijie was stunned, realizing that Qiao Qingshu must have seen what had just happened.
He quickly grabbed her hand and said nervously,
“I don’t like it. I’ve already had Princess Jin Yao sent back.”
Qiao Qingshu shook off his hand and didn't want to pay any attention to him.
Even if there is no Princess Jin Yao today, there will be Princess Yin Yao and Princess Tong Yao tomorrow.
She spoke as she walked briskly.
"It is perfectly normal for the emperor to have three palaces and six courtyards; the emperor can do whatever he pleases."
Qiao Qingshu left without looking back, leaving Xiao Zhijie standing there in astonishment.
By the time he returned to the main hall, the banquet was nearing its end.
The civil and military officials were already quite drunk, while Princess Jin Yao in the corner was looking at him with a resentful expression.
Xiao Zhijie suddenly spoke seriously,
"Today I have something to announce."
The noisy hall fell silent in an instant.
"I hereby declare that the harem of the Nanzhao Kingdom now consists of only one empress, and will continue to consist of only one empress. I will not take any concubines."
The entire hall erupted in commotion, and even Qiao Qingshu couldn't help but look over in surprise.
Then Xiao Zhijie grasped Qiao Qingshu's hand and raised it high.
"I and the Empress will live a life of monogamy, together for a hundred years."
After a moment of silence, the hall erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Qiao Qingshu's incredulous expression lasted until evening.
On the couch, Xiao Zhijie held Qiao Qingshu possessively, whispering in her ear,
"Shu'er, can you see my true feelings?"
Qiao Qingshu couldn't help but turn to look at him, and said very seriously,
"You're being too hasty. What if the harem is empty and there are few offspring in the future?"
Just like the previous dynasty, after the death of the only crown prince, the entire dynasty fell into panic, which was not a good situation.
Xiao Zhijie hugged the person in his arms even tighter, burying his head in Qiao Qingshu's neck and saying...
"Then let's work harder and have a few more children."
After saying that, his hand began to reach down, and Qiao Qingshu tried to push him away but couldn't.
Since becoming pregnant, Qiao Qingshu has been busy recovering her health and breastfeeding her child.
The two had not had a normal married life for a long time.
Xiao Zhijie had been enduring it for so long, but now he simply couldn't hold back any longer.
Xiao Zhijie, completely lost in passion, pinned Qiao Qingshu down beneath him.
The night is long, and I can't sleep.
Inside the red gauze curtains, the zither and lute played in harmonious melody.
The night breeze is warm, gently blowing in from the window, making one feel all tingly and ticklish.
Time flies, and three years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Qiao Qingshu was sitting in the hall reading a book when a little figure stumbled in.
Calling in a childish voice,
"Mother, Mother."
Qiao Qingshu put her index finger to her lips and pointed to the two sleeping babies on the bed.
"Son, be good. Your younger brother and sister are sleeping. Don't wake them."