The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

What was added to Chapter 653?
Ji Qiong looked tired. He raised his white wrist slightly, pushed the cards away weakly, and fell limply on the table.

The pearl hairpin on her head swayed gently with her movements. The sound of the tiny beads colliding was exactly the same as her chaotic thoughts at the moment.

It had been three months since she last saw Ying Zheng. The candlelight cast mottled shadows on the women, adding a bit of loneliness to the empty hall.

Ji Qiong could be so careless about her image, but Bo Shuang and Ju Rong couldn't. They sat aside, trying to maintain their dignity, but the weariness between their eyebrows showed that they were really not in high spirits.

"Alas——" Ji Qiong let out a long sigh, the loneliness in her voice made people feel heartbroken.

Bo Shuang and Ju Rong looked at each other, and after their eyes met for a moment, they lowered their eyes, and their long eyelashes cast a shadow on their eyelids.

Madam Hui sighed in her heart, but still had a gentle smile on her face, and said softly:
"Eighth son, I heard that flowers and trees understand the weather best - they wither in the wind and frost and bloom in the sunshine, and their withering and flourishing have their own charm. Everything in this palace is competing to see who can endure loneliness longer." As she spoke, she bowed slightly and looked at Ji Qiong tenderly. She had watched Ji Qiong grow up since she was a child.

"Don't be anxious, Ba Zi. You need to adjust your mentality in this palace and keep your appearance beautiful at all times. No one knows when the king will come. Only by always showing your most beautiful appearance to the king can you make him like you."

"If I keep feeling depressed, I will be the only one who suffers. If I overwork myself and ruin my health, it will be more of a loss than a gain."

"There has been another war abroad recently, and it's quite fierce. The king has always been very concerned about state affairs and is busy with official duties, so this is normal. Ba Zi must not displease the king for his own sake."

"A woman's best weapon is always her softness. Ba Zi should be considerate, gentle, and considerate. She should care about the king's worries. The king knows that Ba Zi is worried about his worries and knows that Ba Zi understands him. How can he not be happy?"

Ji Qiong didn't even raise her head and said in a muffled voice, "Madame Hui, I know everything."

Although he said that, his voice was still low and hoarse, as if shrouded in a layer of haze.

It’s not that she doesn’t understand these principles, but no matter how many principles she understands, it’s not easy to accept when they really happen to her.

If everyone could practice what they understand, the world would already be filled with sages like Yao and Shun.

Madam Hui shook her head gently, raised her hand to straighten the loose golden phoenix hairpin on Ji Qiong's temples, and smoothed her hair. Looking at the few white hairs hidden in her black hair, her heart ached, but she could only smooth it gently again to hide the white hair under her black hair.

Bo Shuang and Ju Rong wanted to persuade them, but they couldn't open their mouths. They really didn't know what to say. They themselves couldn't muster up the energy, so their persuasion would not be convincing.

Bo Shuang moved lightly, stood up and opened the window a little wider, letting the night wind blow into the palace. The breeze brushed through her hair, bringing with it a touch of tenderness.

It is almost autumn now. Although the breeze carries a trace of warmth left over from the daytime, it also inadvertently brings slight traces of coolness into the room, which can at least barely calm the nameless anxiety in my heart.

At this moment, Bo Shuang raised her eyes and saw from afar Ying Zheng striding towards her, surrounded by several eunuchs and maids.

Bo Shuang slowly opened her eyes wide, her eyes full of surprise. She almost thought she had seen it wrong. She blinked quickly, her eyelashes fluttering, before she was sure that it was really the king who had come.

She hurriedly took two steps back, her skirt fluttering, and ran to Ji Qiong's side, whispering hurriedly: "Eighth son! The king is here!"

Even Bo Shuang's voice was filled with excitement that was hard to conceal.

Ji Qiong raised her head instantly, and her dejected and listless look disappeared in an instant. The beads on her hairpin shook into a ball, making a crisp sound.

Her whole body became visibly brighter and radiant, and she was surprised and happy. The flickering light in her beautiful eyes made her feel truly alive.

Ji Qiong knew that Bo Shuang would never dare to joke about such things.

Ju Rong, who had been bowing her head at the side, also raised her head instantly. She was extremely surprised and relieved. Fortunately, she had listened to Nanny Hui's teachings in the past and dressed up seriously today.

Madam Hui quickly reached out to help Ji Qiong straighten out her hair, her movements were swift and skillful. At this moment, the sound of singing could be heard outside.

"The king has arrived--" The voice was long and loud, instantly breaking the original silence in the palace.

Everyone hurried out to welcome the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be blessed with good health and may you live long and healthy."

Ying Zheng was in a good mood and waved his hand for everyone to stand up.

When Ji Qiong saw Ying Zheng, the excitement in her heart was indescribable for the moment. The longing and affection in her eyes were given to Ying Zheng without any concealment, continuously, like a gurgling stream that never stopped.

Ying Zheng directly took Ji Qiong's hand and led her into the palace.

Bo Shuang and Ju Rong followed closely behind, their skirts swaying slightly. The opportunity had finally come, and they dared not delay.

"I have been very busy with government affairs during this period and have neglected Qiong'er. Does Qiong'er blame me?" After Ying Zheng pulled Ji Qiong to sit down, he held the beauty in his arms, lowered his head slightly, and looked at Ji Qiong with a smile in his eyes.

Ji Qiong pursed her lips and smiled, like a peach blossom, and said in a delicate voice: "Your Majesty cares about the world. The world is in turmoil, so you should put state affairs first. I admire the emperor's virtue. Your Majesty is busy with government affairs for the sake of the people of the world. How can I blame you?"

"I feel that being able to become your Majesty's concubine is the greatest honor of my life."

As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly, grasped Ying Zheng's clothes with her small hands, and her eyes were full of admiration.

Ji Qiong paused, then continued: "However, I really miss the king." "Can the king not leave today?" Ji Qiong looked at Ying Zheng pitifully, biting her lip slightly, her eyes full of attachment. Even though she knew that Ying Zheng would not leave now, she still said this.

After Ying Zheng sat down, he pinched Ji Qiong's face affectionately and said, "You, you have the sweetest mouth."

Ji Qiong fell into Ying Zheng's arms, her face full of joy and radiance.

"Your Majesty, I ate some maltose not long ago. Would you like to taste what was added to the maltose?"

As he spoke, he slightly raised his head and offered it actively. His posture was like a kitten seeking favor, which made Ying Zheng appreciate it carefully.

Ying Zheng nodded and commented: "It has a woody fragrance, quite elegant."

"It's osmanthus, with osmanthus added." Ying Zheng thought about it again.

"No, it's fresh and elegant, and a little bitter. It's not just osmanthus, is it chrysanthemum?"

“And it’s wild chrysanthemum.”

Ying Zheng raised the corner of his mouth confidently and asked happily: "Isn't that right?"

"Your Majesty is absolutely right!" Ji Qiong looked at Ying Zheng in surprise, her eyes full of admiration.

"Then, my lord, am I sweet-mouthed? Your lord has not yet said so."

Ying Zheng laughed and praised, "Sweet, of course it's sweet, how can Qiong'er's mouth not be sweet?"

As he said this, he leaned over and kissed her again, but Ji Qiong dodged it easily. She straightened her chest and raised her head, revealing her slender and pure swan neck, which looked like a jade sculpture, and let Ying Zheng's lips fall on her neck.

Ying Zheng didn't care. The beauty's neck was as white as porcelain and also very sweet. However, as a punishment, he deliberately left a few more marks.

Ji Qiong held Ying Zheng's neck, her breath heavier, and asked, "Your Majesty, do you know who added the osmanthus and wild chrysanthemum to this malt sugar?"

Ji Qiong's question really made Ying Zheng think about it. He frowned slightly and glanced at Bo Shuang and Ju Rong.

In principle, the wild chrysanthemums should be picked in light frost, and the osmanthus should be picked in heavy bloom.

but
Ying Zheng looked up at the two people standing quietly with their hands clasped not far away. The complexions of these two beauties were much better than the last time he saw them. They had suffered a lot before and looked haggard. After recuperating for more than half a year, they finally recovered. Bo Shuang had a graceful figure and a peaceful look between her eyebrows; Ju Rong had a gentle face and a dignified manner.

As for temperament and spirit, Ying Zheng looked at it carefully for a while.

"The osmanthus flowers should have been picked by Bo Shuang, and the wild chrysanthemums should have been picked by Ju Rong, is that right?" Ying Zheng raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at Ji Qiong.

Ji Qiong blinked her eyes, as if she had a clear spring. This was really a bit surprising.

He was surprised and said, "Your Majesty, your eyes are as sharp as torches, and you can see everything clearly. You are absolutely right!"

"But how did the king know?"

Bo Shuang and Ji Qiong, who were not far away, were also quite surprised and listened quietly.

Ying Zheng laughed but did not answer. He leaned over and continued to suck hard on Ji Qiong's neck which was already covered with red marks.

Ji Qiong acted coquettishly and sat in Ying Zheng's arms, rocking gently: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please tell me, please help me solve my doubts."

Ying Zheng blew a breath of hot air on Ji Qiong's neck and said, "Isn't this obvious? If I can't even see the temperament and psychological changes of two little women, how can I be the emperor?"

Ji Qiong looked at Ying Zheng's half-smile, and her eyes became wavering.

She still had some idea in her mind. Her little tricks were really not worth mentioning in front of Ying Zheng. Ying Zheng was willing to play with her because he was happy. If he really wanted to hide something or play some tricks, it would be too stupid.

But as long as you know the limits, the king doesn't mind this little bit of fun.

Ying Zheng naturally didn't say much. He didn't mind playing some tricks with his concubines. It made life more interesting.

Ying Zheng really has no interest in naive girls.

Ying Zheng stopped bullying Ji Qiong and looked at Bo Shuang: "How is Zaoyue these days?"

Bo Shuang bowed down hurriedly and said, "My king, thanks to your great blessing, everything is fine in Zaoyue."

Ying Zheng nodded with satisfaction: "Okay."

"Don't let the children lack food supplies. If you need anything, go to the queen for it." Ying Zheng lowered his head and instructed Ji Qiong.

(End of this chapter)