Quick Transmigration: The Charming Beauty Who Was Short-Lived and Alluring

Although Feng Jinnian was eager to rescue Chu Yun, the Chu region had suffered repeated blows and its strength was weakened, so he could not immediately raise an army and could only wait for an opportunity to act. During his period of dormancy, new policies were gradually implemented.

The separate examinations for different subjects, which appointed people based on merit, were a significant change that drew students from all over the country to the capital.

Qi Qingjia was brimming with pride. The world and its talents were all at his disposal. He had everything a man could desire, and the best of everything. Except for Chu Yun, whose heart was like a stone, impossible for him to break or warm no matter how hard he tried.

But he was still willing to go to her, even though she usually didn't say anything and just focused on watering her flowers and reading her books. Just looking at her made him happy.

Qi Qingjia almost thought he was possessed. Sometimes he would resist going to see her, but he couldn't hold out for more than a day before he wanted to see her again.

The saying goes, "Love arises without knowing its origin, and deepens with time." Perhaps he had already harbored feelings for her long ago; otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to the trouble of seeking her out. While her help would certainly save him a lot of trouble, he commanded elite troops, and killing Qi Jingheng wouldn't be difficult. At most, he would be called a traitor after his death, but he didn't care about such posthumous reputation.

His initial thought was simply to see her reaction and choice after learning the truth, nothing more.

She didn't disappoint him, so his longing for her grew stronger and stronger, until now he's backing down step by step, just because he doesn't want her to be sad anymore.

"Your Highness, the young prince seems to like you very much."

"That's true. The young prince is only happy in the arms of the Empress and the Lady of Yong'an Marquis."

......

The cheerful laughter emanating from inside the hall made Qi Qingjia pause slightly. He stopped the palace servants from announcing the news and stood at the hall door, looking inside.

The woman sitting high up was holding a two- or three-year-old child in her arms. The child was chubby, with a body as thin as lotus roots pressed close to the woman, his little hands clinging to her neck, his mouth open and babbling happily. He was as cute and adorable as a New Year's picture doll. The child was so endearing that the woman holding the child also smiled.

Qi Qingjia had never seen Chu Yun smile so happily. Her eyebrows were curved, and her bright eyes were filled with pure joy, which made people feel happy as well.

Seemingly noticing that someone was watching her, Chu Yun looked up and met Qi Qingjia's gaze. She was startled at first, then lowered her eyes, concealing all her emotions.

Qi Qingjia walked slowly, and everyone knelt down wherever he went. Chu Yun also bowed while holding her child. Qi Qingjia took the lead and lifted her arm.

"My beloved concubine, there's no need for such formalities," he said gently.

In the past, Chu Yun would always insist on completing the ritual, but today, because she was holding a child and had difficulty moving around, she accepted his gesture and got up.

Qi Qingjia naturally noticed this difference. He shifted his gaze from Chu Yun to the child in her arms. The innocent child, showing no fear of Qi Qingjia's status, actually reached out to be held by him.

Several gasps were heard around them, as if the young master had angered Qi Qingjia.

Qi Qingjia was taken aback at first, then reached out and hugged the young prince's upper body amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd.

His hand went around to the young prince's armpit and lifted the child up like pulling a radish. Chu Yun dared not let go, because she was worried that Qi Qingjia would not be gentle. Her hand was always loosely protecting the young prince's leg, and her body moved forward with him.

Qi Qingjia caught a faint, sweet scent and felt a tickle in her heart. "Don't worry, it won't hurt this little guy."

Chu Yun glanced at him and finally lowered her hand.

The child, being playful, grabbed the sachet at Qi Qingjia's waist while the two were talking. He was weak and it wasn't a big deal, but the hook on his fingernail caught the embroidery thread on the sachet. When he let go and touched the jade pendant again, the embroidery thread was pulled apart like silk, making a slight sound.

Lady Yong'an immediately knelt down, saying, "My son was impetuous and offended Your Majesty. Please forgive him." The palace servants also knelt down in droves.

The child was having fun when he heard his mother's voice and turned around, only to see his mother kneeling on the ground. The connection between mother and child was strong, and the little boy's face fell.

Chu Yun's brow twitched. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. The young prince is young and did not mean to offend you. I will make you a new sachet. Please forgive the young prince." As she spoke, she was about to kneel down.

"Don't kneel," Qi Qingjia said, stopping them. "I'm not angry, get up."

After saying that, Qi Qingjia sat down with the young prince in his arms, his expression unchanged, showing that he was indeed not angry, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Lady Yong'an was still shaken and did not want to disturb Qi Qingjia and Chu Yun, so she quickly got up to take her leave.

The young prince nestled on his mother's shoulder, his bright eyes gazing at Chu Yun, looking both adorable and pitiful.

Chu Yun looked at him with a smile in her eyes until she could no longer see the child, then she looked away.

Qi Qingjia sensed Chu Yun's melancholy and recalled her gentle expression just now. His heart stirred slightly, "Do you like children that much?" As soon as he finished speaking, he realized he had spoken out of turn. He thought of the child she had lost and the imperial physician's prediction that she would never be able to conceive again in this life.

Chu Yun turned to look at him, but instead of the sorrow Qi Qingjia had imagined, she smiled slightly and said, "Children are the purest beings in the world."

Qi Qingjia looked at the smile on her face thoughtfully. She had smiled many times today. Was it because of that child?

Qi Qingjia didn't stay long in the end, as he was urged to leave by political affairs. Before leaving, he specifically reminded Chu Yun: "Don't forget the sachets you promised to make."

Under his gaze, Chu Yun nodded helplessly.

*

On the day she received the sachet, Qi Qingjia made a surprising remark that left Chu Yun stunned for a while.

“Since you like children, there are many children of the right age in the royal family. You can adopt one and raise it.”

This doesn't sound like something an emperor in his prime would say. He's only twenty-seven; he'll have children eventually.

Chu Yun wasn't too surprised; Qi Qingjia's words made her efforts in guiding and hinting over the past few days worthwhile. However, she feigned surprise, asking, "Is Your Majesty truly serious?"

“Of course, I know you’re lonely, but it’s not good to call the heir of the Marquis of Yong’an to the palace every day. It would be more convenient to have a child raised by your side,” Qi Qingjia said. He was pleased to see gratitude in Chu Yun’s eyes and felt that he was one step closer to her heart.

Chu Yun chose a member of the imperial clan who was orphaned and of very distant blood relation, named Qi Heng.

There were many princes in the Great Qi Kingdom, and even more children with the surname Qi. Qi Qingjia couldn't understand why Chu Yun had chosen him, when there were clearly other better options.

However, the arrival of this child played a significant role. With the child around, Chu Yun was actually willing to be close to him and no longer had a cold face, and Chenyu Palace became more lively.

Just when Qi Qingjia thought things would get better for him and Chu Yun, Feng Jinnian raised an army in Chu and even found so-called witnesses to denounce Qi Qingjia for plotting to murder Qi Jingheng and seize the country. He said that such a morally corrupt person was unfit to be the ruler of Qi. He called on patriots to join him in eliminating the usurper and returning Qi to Qi Jingheng.

Because Qi Qingjia was ruthless in his methods of weakening the power of the princes and severely suppressed the aristocratic families, Feng Jinnian raised his arm and a number of princes and aristocratic families followed him. The army grew larger and larger and came rolling in.

The Qi dynasty had long suffered from deep-seated problems and sharp conflicts. Since Qi Qingjia ascended the throne, he had adopted drastic measures, which temporarily suppressed those who were secretly plotting against him. However, this was only a temporary solution and did not address the root cause of the problem. Therefore, this uprising was not surprising.

After much deliberation, Qi Qingjia decided to personally lead the expedition, with the newly appointed prime minister overseeing the country.

That night, at Chenyu Palace.

"Is Your Majesty truly sure?" Chu Yun looked at Qi Qingjia, her eyes filled with barely suppressed worry.

Qi Qingjia felt a warmth in his heart. "Don't worry, this rabble can't do anything to me. With this victory, Great Qi will no longer have the threat of vassal kings. I can't leave."

Chu Yun pursed her lips, offering no further advice, and after a long silence, said, "Your Majesty must return safely."

Her eyes were so complex that Qi Qingjia could read her complicated emotions and was certain that these emotions were caused by him. He couldn't help but hug Chu Yun, showering her cheek with kisses. The fire in his heart spread like wildfire because of her soft breathing, and his hand, which had been on her waist, slowly moved upwards.

Her clothes were all gone, her black hair was tangled, and the moon outside the window hid behind the clouds.