EBE Chapter 122 A shameless imitator
Chapter 122 A shameless imitator
"Li, how dare you speak ill of His Majesty behind his back?"
Empress Wang glanced at Li Die with a serious expression. The girl was indeed sweet-looking, and her features resembled those of Consort Chu, though she wasn't as striking as Qiao Qingyin.
But she's also a rare beauty. It's strange that I never noticed that before.
"This concubine knows her mistake." Upon hearing this, Li Die immediately knelt down and admitted her mistake. "Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Empress Wang was known for her magnanimity and virtue, so she naturally wouldn't fuss over such a trivial matter. She simply waved her hand and told him to get up.
Seeing Li Meiren's affected manner, Qiao Qingling, sitting below, couldn't help but show a hint of disgust in her eyes.
Another pathetic little imitator.
***
In a tent not far away, Chu Qingyin changed into her dark red riding outfit.
She was naturally beautiful, and the form-fitting clothes accentuated her curves. With her hair ornaments removed and her black hair standing up high, she exuded a heroic and dashing air.
"Your Highness looks so beautiful in your riding attire." Xianglan praised her sincerely as she helped her put on her protective gear.
"is it?"
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, with her eyebrows and eyes curved, she couldn't help but gently touch her cheek.
This appearance was so similar to her previous life that even she herself was momentarily stunned when she looked at it.
"Is Yinyin dressed yet?"
Pei Yuanling walked in from outside the tent. The man was tall and upright, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. He was dressed in a black military uniform, which made him look even more majestic and solemn.
The moment he saw Chu Qingyin, a look of amazement flashed in his dark eyes, which then melted away like water.
Wearing riding gear, she looks even more like she used to.
"Your Majesty, what brings you here?"
A blush crept onto Chu Qingyin's face, and she shyly hid behind the curtain, saying, "I'm not fully dressed yet."
Pei Yuanling remained silent, but strode over and stood in front of her. "Red really suits you best."
"really?"
Pei Yuanling gave a low hum, his gaze sweeping over her graceful figure once more. His Adam's apple bobbed, and a series of erotic images flashed through his mind.
His voice is getting better and better.
I really want to hide her in the room and not let anyone see her.
A gentle breeze blew past the tent, occasionally punctuated by the excited shouts of celebration from the young noblemen.
Pei Yuanling stared intently at the girl in front of him, as if she would disappear in the blink of an eye.
"Of course it's true." The man's voice was deep and gentle, filled with endless doting affection.
Before Chu Qingyin could react, he raised his hand and gently brushed the stray hairs that fell beside her ear, his movements as tender as if he were handling the most precious treasure in the world.
Chu Qingyin slightly raised her eyes, her eyes filled with shyness and love, and the smile on her lips was as sweet as a flower blooming in spring: "Your Majesty knows how to make your concubine happy."
"I've always spoken the truth. When have I ever lied to you?"
When did you ever lie to me?
A bitter feeling welled up in Chu Qingyin's heart. Rather, when had he ever been honest with her?
Pei Yuanling noticed the deep sadness in her eyes and was about to speak when Chu Qingyin turned around and said with feigned ease, "Your Majesty, let's go out. I'd like to ride a little longer."
Seeing that she was deliberately avoiding him, Pei Yuanling's thin lips moved, but he didn't say anything more. He just took a light cloak from the clothes rack to cover her graceful figure before leading her out.
The sun wasn't too strong today, and I didn't feel hot wearing a cloak.
By this time, many noble ladies had changed into riding attire and were having their horses leisurely strolling around the racetrack, led by servants.
When Pei Yuanling led her by the hand to the training ground, the originally lively atmosphere instantly quieted down, and everyone dismounted and bowed.
"Get up, everyone, don't be shy."
Pei Yuanling slightly raised his sleeve, and everyone bowed in gratitude.
Chen Zhongliang brought over two horses, one of which was much smaller and more docile.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, would you like to go for a run?" Chen Zhongliang asked with a smile.
"Of course I'll go."
Pei Yuanling told him to lead the foal away, then leaped onto the back of the tall, dark horse, and gestured to Chu Qingyin, "Come here!"
"Your Majesty, I'm scared." Chu Qingyin took two steps back and said timidly, "It's too high."
"Don't be afraid, I will protect you."
After saying that, he bent down, stretched out his long arm, and pulled Chu Qingyin into his arms.
Chu Qingyin gasped and curled up in the other person's arms, her chest heaving.
Her delicate, frail appearance, still shaken, made Pei Yuanling chuckle. He pulled her slender waist even tighter with his large hand and whispered comfortingly, "If you're still afraid, just hold onto my sleeve."
The man's warm breath brushed against her ear, and Chu Qingyin's cheeks flushed slightly. She silently lowered her head.
This scene caught the eye of Lu Zhiheng, who was not far away, and he found it inexplicably jarring.
The big man gripped the reins tightly and turned away, refusing to look back.
Standing beside him, Wang Jingyi followed his gaze and sighed softly, "Your Majesty and Consort Gui are truly very affectionate; it's enviable."
Seeing that Lu Zhiheng didn't respond, Wang Jingyi smiled charmingly and blocked his way, "Lord Lu, why don't you teach me how to ride a horse? How about it?"
"not good."
Lu Zhiheng didn't even glance at her, only saying in a calm voice, "What, the daughter of the Wang family can't ride a horse?"
"No...I'm not..."
Wang Jingyi blushed immediately. She knew how to ride a horse; she just wanted an excuse to get closer to Lu Zhiheng.
"It's improper for an unmarried woman to keep pestering a man to teach her horseback riding."
Lu Zhiheng's tone grew increasingly cold, with a rising tone at the end, like frost staining the branches, making people afraid to approach.
Wang Jingyi shrank her neck, and the next second she saw the other person leap onto the horse and look down at her from above.
"What, didn't I ask you to teach me horseback riding? Aren't you going to keep up?"
For some reason, Lu Zhiheng changed his mind and glanced at her.
Wang Jingyi was overjoyed and quickly mounted her own chestnut horse.
Before she could even settle in, the other party had already raised his sleeve, lashed out with a whip, and galloped away.
Wang Jingyi was startled and dared not delay any longer. She quickly tightened the reins and chased after him, calling out, "Lord Lu, wait for me!"
Lu Zhiheng spurred the horse, and it sped up even faster.
He quickly caught up with Pei Yuanling and Chu Qingyin, and the two horses galloped side by side.
"Would Your Majesty like to have a contest with me?"
Lu Zhiheng slowed down and looked at him from a distance on horseback, his expression still as aloof as ever.
"If Minister Lu wants to have a competition, then I will run two laps with you." Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanling was not annoyed, but simply held the person in his arms even tighter.
He lowered his head and asked softly, "Is Yinyin afraid?"
"Not afraid!"
Chu Qingyin was excited to be riding a horse again, her fine hair fluttering in the wind, her face flushed from the sun, and her dark eyes shining even brighter, like a bird released from its cage.
"Very well. Minister Lu, I'll take my leave now!" Pei Yuanling laughed heartily twice and suddenly quickened his pace.
Seeing this, Lu Zhiheng was not to be outdone. Ignoring Wang Jingyi, who was chasing him and was sweating profusely, he instantly sped up.
On the high platform, Empress Wang felt that the scene not far away was particularly glaring.
She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun, maintaining her virtuous demeanor throughout.
"Judging from this, Miss Jingyi and Prime Minister Lu are a perfect match, a very good couple."
Qin Rong'er gazed at the several figures on the training ground, who were evenly matched, and tentatively asked, "I wonder if Her Majesty the Empress intends to betroth Miss Jingyi to Chief Minister Lu?"
Currently, the Wang family holds absolute power in the court. If they were to form a marriage alliance with the newly powerful Lu family, the two families would become like accomplices, and where would the imperial power stand?