Zhang Yu lowered his eyes and looked at her in the moonlight streaming through the window. It had been more than two months since that incident that he hadn't properly hugged her or looked at her.
Although it wasn't as exaggerated as Zhang Xin described, she had indeed lost some weight, and wasn't as soft to hold as before. She was already small, but now she looked even smaller; her face seemed smaller than the palm of my hand.
What initially annoyed him became increasingly clear during their repeated cold wars. It was indeed his actions that frightened her, not her fault. If he hadn't acted that way, she wouldn't be tormented by nightmares and unable to sleep soundly every night.
Those issues could have been easily resolved, but he stubbornly refused to back down. Knowing she was constantly afraid, anxious, and uneasy, he still couldn't lower himself. Knowing her pain, he always held back, hoping she would beg him first. A Song Shuhao who did that wouldn't be Song Shuhao.
Seeing Zhang Yu staring at her in a daze, Ahao couldn't help but lower her head, burying her face even deeper into his chest. She slightly increased the distance between them, and with that movement, Zhang Yu pulled her back closer, his hands restlessly landing on her back, then moving down to her waist.
Feeling the heat emanating from his lower body, Ah Hao froze, completely unable to move. Zhang Yu noticed Ah Hao's stiffness and instead smiled. He gently lifted Ah Hao's face, and looking into her watery eyes, he found her innocent and serene appearance even more endearing than usual.
Zhang Yu felt a surge of passion and couldn't resist kissing her lips. The long-lost sweetness stirred his heart, but his movements became gentle. Although she was forced to endure Zhang Yu's advances, A-Hao found that she still didn't resist any intimate contact with him, and was even somewhat unable to resist or refuse it.
But she felt a little disrespectful in a place like this. Just then, she felt a slight chill and realized that Zhang Yu had pulled off most of her already loose clothes. Suddenly realizing that she had almost succumbed to him and had done something with him, Ahao put her hands on Zhang Yu's chest, trying to resist.
Zhang Yu didn't give her a chance to resist; he bound Ahao's hands with just one hand. With another flip, he pinned Ahao beneath him, completely disregarding his recent injury to his waist. A smile played in his eyes as he looked at the disheveled, slightly panting woman beneath him, and he couldn't resist embracing her, kissing her lovely earlobe.
Ah Hao heard Zhang Yu calling her name again and again in her ear, as if he wanted to make up for all the times he hadn't called her that in so long. He kept calling her name, "Ah Hao, Ah Hao, Ah Hao," with such tenderness, and with an indescribable longing.
For a moment, Ah Hao was at a loss, stared at by Zhang Yu's extremely serious eyes. The next instant, caught off guard, she heard him speak those words in a very solemn tone, and tears instantly welled up in Ah Hao's eyes. Seeing her tears fall in an instant, Zhang Yu felt a pang of heartache, leaned over and kissed away the tears on Ah Hao's face, and finally felt relieved.
Unexpectedly, Ah Hao took the initiative to hug him back and kiss his lips, causing Zhang Yu's eyes and brows to light up with a smile. He responded to Ah Hao's slightly shy and awkward gesture, his heart swelling with joy. To have this life together, to not miss out again—there couldn't be more fortunate…
·
The next day, when Zhang Yu woke up, it was already broad daylight. He couldn't remember how long it had been since he had slept so well. Although Ahao wasn't beside him, he wasn't anxious or worried.
Zhang Yu got up abruptly, heard birds chirping outside, walked to the window, and saw Ah Hao, still wearing her loose blue clothes, holding scissors and standing on tiptoe to cut a bunch of bright green grapes hanging on the vine.
The trellis was a little too high, but she persevered and refused to give up easily. Zhang Yu suppressed a laugh and was about to go out to help when Ahao noticed him first, turned around and gave him a sweet smile.
For a moment, Zhang Yu was in a daze. For some reason, he remembered the only time he had ever been to Jingyun Nunnery, when he had met a little girl who looked like a jade grape. Actually, his memory had long been blurred, but he remembered it in this instant.
He then thought of what A-Hao had said about being at Jingyun Nunnery back then... Could the little girl at that time have been A-Hao? Zhang Yu had never thought of it this way before, but now that thought suddenly popped into his head, and when he connected it with what A-Hao had said, he felt more and more that this was the case.
Seeing Zhang Yu standing there stunned for some reason, A-Hao walked to the window and waved her hand in front of him, which Zhang Yu caught. Before A-Hao could speak, Zhang Yu pecked her on the lips. Thinking that he hadn't washed or groomed himself yet, A-Hao said with feigned disgust, "You're filthy," and walked away.
At this moment, Zhang Yu, whose heart was completely focused on A-Hao, simply found her adorable and couldn't help but smile. He called out to her again and asked, "Was this where we first met?" Seeing A-Hao pause for a moment, then blush slightly and deny his words, Zhang Yu became more certain, and his smile deepened.
When Ahao went to the kitchen to make breakfast, Zhang Yu had already washed up, but he insisted on having Ahao do his hair, making up all sorts of threats with different words. She never knew that Zhang Yu could be so shameless. Ahao had no choice but to comb his hair and tie it up with a gold crown.
Lu Yuan said that everything had been arranged so that Zhang Yu could rest and recuperate here in peace. When Ahao heard this, she was completely speechless. As an emperor, he didn't attend court or handle state affairs, but instead stayed in this nunnery, enjoying himself... Even though Ahao didn't say it aloud, Zhang Yu seemed to understand her thoughts and said, "I have been on the throne for at least ten years. I have worked so hard for so long. What's wrong with resting for a few days? Besides, I am injured."
Not wanting to argue with Zhang Yu about how he had attended court without ever missing a day despite his past injuries, Ah Hao knew he was determined to stay for several days and wouldn't leave. So she went along with him and continued living at her own pace.
Zhang Yu, however, didn't want her to have any peace and quiet. One minute he would disturb her vegetable seedlings in the yard, the next he would say he wanted to help her plant some melons and fruits, and then he would say that she should plant two jujube trees. Ah Hao was extremely annoyed.
Lunch was served, and Zhang Yu frowned as he looked at the various meat dishes. He pointed with his chopsticks and asked, "Where are my cucumber and egg, steamed eggplant, and vegetarian tofu?" Because he had broken other people's rules, he had been asked such a question. A-Hao said irritably, "You are injured, how can you eat such vegetarian food? These were all bought back from the city by Eunuch Yuan with great effort. There is also soup simmering on the stove, remember to drink it later."
"Where are you going?" Zhang Yu quickly grasped the key point in Ahao's words. Ahao replied indifferently, "Today is my routine day to chant sutras and recite Buddhist scriptures with the nuns." Zhang Yu frowned, not very happy, and said, "Don't go." Ahao ignored him, and Zhang Yu became more enthusiastic, smiling slyly, "Your six senses are impure, you have broken the precept against lust, neither Bodhisattva nor Buddha will accept you."
Reminded of what happened last night, Ahao's expression remained unchanged. She blinked at Zhang Yu and said, "A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold. If I turn back from today onwards, even the Buddha and Guanyin Bodhisattva, who are so tolerant, generous, and compassionate, will not only not hold it against me, but will also praise me for my determination and perseverance."
Zhang Yu's face darkened, and he started threatening again, "If you really go, I will pull up all your seedlings and make all your efforts go to waste." Ahao nodded nonchalantly and said, "Okay, I was just worried that the vegetables were not growing well, and I was reluctant to give them up. If Your Majesty could help, I would be extremely grateful."
Zhang Yu, who lifted a stone but only managed to drop it on his own foot: "..."
Author's Note: So what did His Majesty say to Ah Hao that moved her so deeply? o( =∩ω∩= )m
I just want to ask one question: Is it sweet? ╭(╯^╰)╮
Chapter 82 Update
Ah Hao still left in the end, leaving Zhang Yu alone. Not long after she left, Lü Chuan returned from the palace, bringing not only some news and medicine for his injuries, but also, as Zhang Yu had instructed, packing his daily necessities, clothes, shoes, and socks and taking them to Jingyun Nunnery.
In fact, Zhang Yu knew better than anyone else that there were no major events in the court recently, and he had already made all the necessary arrangements some time ago. With Prince Ning and Xia Mingzhe guarding the area, there was no chance of any trouble. Although he was not in the palace, this place was only on the outskirts of Lin'an City. If he rode at full speed, it would only take him a little over an hour to get back.
After hearing Lü Chuan's report on the morning court session, Zhang Yu asked if there was anything special. Lü Chuan replied no, and then dismissed the others. He didn't have many things, but he also had a fair amount. Since they had been delivered, he had to tidy them up. Instead of sitting idly waiting for A-Hao to return, Zhang Yu, in a good mood, took the initiative to organize his belongings.
The clothes were placed in the same cabinet as Ah Hao's, the shoes were placed side by side with Ah Hao's, and the other items were also placed together with Ah Hao's. After doing this, Zhang Yu found Ah Hao's small hoe and vegetable seeds, and planted a patch of them next to Ah Hao's vegetable garden in the yard.
Even though he had never done these things before, Zhang Yu didn't think it was difficult. Digging holes, sowing seeds, covering them with soil, and watering them—wasn't that all there was to it? Ahao said she wasn't very satisfied with the vegetables and fruits she had grown, but Zhang Yu felt he couldn't miss such a good opportunity. After working so hard, he was quite sweaty, so Zhang Yu went to find hot water to wash himself.
After spending half a day with the young nuns, Ah Hao returned to her residence and noticed the small patch of land that Zhang Yu had disturbed as soon as she stepped into the courtyard. She went over to take a look and imagined Zhang Yu holding a small hoe, and for a moment she couldn't help but laugh and cry.
Back in the room, she bumped into Zhang Yu, who had just finished washing up. His upper body was still naked, and his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and well-defined muscles were already pleasing to the eye. Glistening water droplets slid intermittently from his chest to his lower abdomen, adding to his sexiness and allure.
Ah Hao stared blankly for a moment, then quickly looked away. Remembering Zhang Yu's injury, she said, "Your Majesty, with all this tossing and turning, when will your back injury heal?" But she didn't realize that her voice contained a hint of reproach.
Zhang Yu was delighted to see A Hao, especially by her concern. As A Hao spoke, Zhang Yu had already walked up to her, his still-naked upper body facing her, and said, "You're back." He then smiled and said, "Being well means I can stay a little longer; I couldn't be happier."
Ahao didn't say anything. She took the dry towel from Zhang Yu and wiped the water droplets off his body. She then reapplied the medicine to his wounds and told him to put on his clothes. This time, Zhang Yu was very obedient and put on his clothes. Ahao didn't pay any more attention to him and went to the table to pour himself a cup of cold tea.
After drinking half a cup of water from his teacup, Zhang Yu, now fully dressed, came closer and pressed her down to sit. A-Hao was puzzled. Zhang Yu went away to get something and returned, sitting beside her as well. He said, "Hold out your hand." A-Hao didn't move. Zhang Yu took her left hand and opened it. He first found her injured finger before glancing at A-Hao.
She'd accidentally hurt herself yesterday; it wasn't serious, and Ah Hao hadn't paid much attention to it since the pain had subsided. She hadn't expected Zhang Yu to notice the injury on her hand. No wonder he kept grabbing her hand and kissing it repeatedly last night…
Ah Hao tried to pull her hand back and whispered to him, "It's alright now." Zhang Yu didn't let it go and smiled, "Lu Chuan specially went back to the palace to get the Ningxiang Dew, wouldn't it be a waste not to use it?" He then spread Ah Hao's hand out in his palm and took out the ointment to apply it carefully.
She had already noticed that Zhang Yu's clothes were newly brought over, and upon hearing his words, she understood even more. Ah Hao carefully looked around the room and easily discovered that there were many more things neatly arranged and put away in a good place.
The wound was so small that even with careful application of ointment, it would only take a few minutes. Ah Hao withdrew her hand, and as if confirming her suspicions, walked to the cabinet, opened it, and indeed found several stacks of Zhang Yu's clothes. She couldn't help but frown, turning to ask Zhang Yu, "Your Majesty... how long do you plan to stay here?"
Regardless, he was the emperor, and not an impulsive person. For him to stay at this nunnery for only a few days was already quite unusual. But judging from the current situation, it seemed more like he intended to stay permanently, which made Ah Hao somewhat troubled. He had so many things to deal with every day; even if he wasn't completely indifferent here, there would still be many inconveniences. Was this also a threat?
Zhang Yu walked over and closed the cabinet door, then pulled Ahao out of the room and headed straight for the kitchen, saying as they walked, "I'm injured, I'm hungry, it's time to prepare dinner." These words, when they reached Ahao's ears, were undoubtedly a deliberate attempt to obscure the main point.
"How long does Your Majesty intend to stay here? Three to five days, ten days to half a month? Or a month? A season? Half a year? A year?" Ahao stopped and stood still, pressing Zhang Yu for answers.