Chapter 1264: A charming beauty, speaking softly and coquettishly.

The next morning.

As dawn broke, a few strands of soft, golden light filtered through the thin gauze of the diamond-shaped window and gently fell upon the brocade quilt of the dragon bed.

Qingdai woke up in a comforting warmth.

Her cheek was pressed against a warm, firm chest, the cool scent of Lin Lang lingered around her nose, and the steady, powerful heartbeat pounded in her ears, making her heart soften.

Qingdai fluttered her eyelashes, slowly opened her almond-shaped eyes, her vision still somewhat blurry, and it took her a long time to see the scene before her clearly.

She was being held in Lin Lang's arms, his strong arms wrapped around her waist, his long, slender fingers loosely resting on her side, fast asleep.

Qingdai suddenly slowed her breathing, not daring to even exhale, for fear of disturbing Lin Lang's sweet dream.

She slightly raised her eyes, her gaze tracing Lin Lang's sleeping face inch by inch.

Normally, he is the Shanghai emperor with a hint of playfulness and a hint of control in his eyes.

But at this moment, all his majesty has been shed, leaving only an air of languor.

Long, thick eyelashes drooped down, casting a small, light shadow under her eyelids. She had a high, straight nose, well-defined lips, and a sharp, sexy jawline.

The morning light fell on Lin Lang's profile, softening his already handsome features, yet giving him an innate air of nobility.

Qingdai was completely mesmerized by what she saw.

Her fingertips tingled slightly, and she instinctively wanted to touch them, but then stopped in mid-air, curled her fingers up, pressed them to her lips, and smiled secretly.

The lingering warmth of the night still lingers in my limbs, carrying a languid soreness, yet sweet enough to make my heart tremble.

She still couldn't believe it.

Before yesterday, she was just an insignificant maid, doing her daily duties of serving Consort Ya, and she didn't even have the right to look Lin Lang in the eye.

Yet, despite all this, she was chosen by Lin Lang to serve him in bed, rising from Ya Fei's personal maid to a high-ranking concubine, and even lying on the dragon bed, being held so tenderly in Lin Lang's arms.

It's like a dream.

A dream so sweet she didn't want to wake up.

She wished she would never wake up from this beautiful dream.

For the rest of her life, year after year, she would stay like this, guarding Lin Lang and cherishing this love that belonged only to her.

Qingdai recalled Lin Lang's tenderness towards her last night, the warmth of his fingertips as he wiped away her tears, the hoarse voice as he whispered in her ear, and their passionate night together...

Those scenes seemed to be etched into Qingdai's heart, vivid and burning.

Yesterday, her fellow palace maids were envious of her being chosen by the Emperor to serve him in bed. If they knew that they had already been granted the title of "Talented Lady" and might even be pregnant with the Emperor's child, how envious they would be!

Qingdai's lips couldn't help but curve into a wider smile, her heart overflowing with joy, like a handful of honey about to spill out.

It turns out that the flavors that come from the bottom up are so delicious.

So this is what it feels like to be cherished and pampered by His Majesty.

She unconsciously touched her flat stomach, thinking: If only my belly would cooperate and I could get pregnant with the emperor's child!

If I can give His Majesty a son, I can rise in rank to become a concubine by virtue of my son!

Just thinking about it makes me so happy!

Hehe...

Unable to hide her joy, Qingdai secretly shifted her body closer, her nose almost touching Lin Lang's chin.

Looking at his handsome face so close to hers, Qingdai felt a surge of warmth in her heart. As if possessed, she tilted her head slightly and gently placed a kiss on his cheek.

The kiss was light, like a feather brushing against you, carrying a touch of girlish shyness, yet also a heart full of joy.

She panicked after the kiss, like a little thief who had done something wrong. She quickly buried her face in Lin Lang's chest, her heart pounding and her ears burning hot.

But she didn't expect that this gentle kiss would wake Lin Lang, who was a light sleeper.

Lin Lang's eyelashes trembled, and he slowly opened his deep eyes.

His eyes still held the sleepiness of someone who had just woken up, and a slightly lazy, hoarse tone. He looked down at the beauty in his arms, who was curled up like a frightened little rabbit, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

"So early in the morning, you're already so eager to steal a kiss from me?"

Qingdai's body stiffened, and her cheeks instantly turned bright red, like a ripe peach that could drip honey.

She buried her face even deeper, her voice barely audible: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty is awake!"

"You woke me up with that stolen kiss." Lin Lang chuckled softly, the vibrations of his chest making Qingdai's heart itch.

"Good morning, Your Majesty!" Qingdai smiled.

Lin Lang tightened his arms, holding Qingdai even closer, almost embedding her entirely in his embrace. "What? Wasn't last night enough? You're so proactive this morning?"

Qingdai blushed deeply and nestled in Lin Lang's arms, her voice soft and sweet with a hint of coquettishness, "No, I'm already very satisfied!"

Lin Lang raised an eyebrow, reached out and pinched Qingdai's chin, gently lifting it and forcing her to look up.

His gaze fell on Qingdai's flushed cheeks, on her moist almond-shaped eyes, and the smile in his eyes was so deep it couldn't be hidden. "How does it feel to become a real woman? Isn't it wonderful?"

Qingdai felt exposed under his gaze and could only bite her lip shyly, her eyes slightly reddening as if she was about to cry, but her voice was as soft as cotton candy: "Your Majesty is teasing me again..."

"Teasing you?" Lin Lang chuckled, his fingertips gently caressing Qingdai's delicate cheek, his tone full of indulgence. "I'm spoiling you!"

As he spoke, he lowered his head and placed a kiss on Qingdai's forehead.

This kiss was more intense than Qingdai's previous one, carrying a burning heat that made Qingdai tremble all over.

She couldn't hold back any longer, reaching out to hug Lin Lang's neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck, and whimpering softly, "Your Majesty, you're so naughty..."

Lin Lang chuckled softly, the vibrations in his chest carrying a melodious tone that sounded particularly tender in the quiet morning.

He raised his hand and gently stroked Qingdai's long hair, his fingertips running through the soft strands, his movements incredibly tender.

"Bad?" he murmured, pinching Qingdai's reddened earlobe between his fingers, a faint smile on his face. "Then wasn't I utterly bad last night?"

Qingdai's face turned even redder, and even her neck was tinged with a blush.

The beautiful scenes from last night surged up like a tide, making her feel hot all over.

"Your Majesty has been tormenting me all night, and my little body is almost broken by you!" She nestled affectionately in Lin Lang's arms, like a docile kitten.

Looking at Qingdai's shy appearance, Lin Lang's eyes were almost overflowing with doting affection.

He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Would you like to have me serve you in bed whenever I have free time?"

"I want to, I dream about it!" Qingdai shyly raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes filled with tears, yet they shone with an astonishing brightness.

She looked into Lin Lang's eyes, those deep eyes brimming with tenderness and genuine affection that she could understand.

"You're such a sweetheart, this is a reward for you." Lin Lang took out a stack of silver notes from his personal space and stuffed them into Qingdai's hand.

Qingdai sat up straight, flattered, and hurriedly knelt on the bed to pay her respects: "Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty. But I will have a monthly allowance for food, drink and clothing from now on. What use do I have for so many silver notes?"

Lin Lang replied with a smile, "Silly girl, your current status is that of a talented woman. You should not only have money to reward your servants, but also buy yourself some gold and silver jewelry and beautiful clothes that you like."

"These silver notes I've bestowed upon you are enough for you to spend for three years. Don't show them off to outsiders; just use them for your own convenience when you need to spend money."

Qingdai was deeply moved upon hearing this. She sniffed, nodded vigorously, and said in a slightly choked voice, "Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty. You treat me so well!"

Lin Lang smiled, reached out to wipe away the tears from Qingdai's eyes, and hugged her again, coaxing, "Silly girl, don't cry!"

Qingdai stuck out her tongue playfully with a smile through her teary eyes, and nodded mischievously, looking incredibly happy.

Lin Lang embraced the soft and delicate body of Qingdai and instructed her, "Remember, do not take your favor for granted. When you go to Consort Ya's palace to pay your respects, be as usual."

"If Consort Ya tries to trick you by asking if His Majesty was satisfied with your service last night, you should answer that he only needed you once before going to sleep."

"I was talking in my sleep in the middle of the night, mumbling the name of Consort Ya. Do you understand?"

"Hehe... Your Majesty, I understand. I will be more careful."

Lin Lang lowered his head and gently brushed away the stray hairs from Qingdai's cheek. His fingertips, cool with the morning air, were so hot that they made her heart skip a beat.

The next second, his kiss landed, gentle and lingering, like melting snow in early spring washing over green grass, carrying an undeniable deep affection.

Qingdai's eyelashes trembled, and she closed her eyes, letting him freely steal the sweet scent from her lips and teeth. As their breaths mingled, it seemed as if even the air was tinged with honey, spreading to the softest corner of her heart.

An ambiguous atmosphere slowly spread through the room, bathed in the warm spring light.

After a long while, Lin Lang stepped back slightly, his nose touching Qingdai's nose, his voice low and hoarse like shattered starlight: "Little money-grubber, you can't even put down the silver notes in your hand when you're kissing?"

Qingdai, her cheeks flushed, came to her senses and realized that she was still holding the silver note in her palm. Suddenly, as if she remembered something, her eyes lit up, and she waved the silver note in her hand, her tone filled with childlike excitement.

"Your Majesty, look! So many silver notes! I've never seen so much money in my entire life!"

She held the banknotes up to her eyes, her eyes crinkling into crescents as she smiled, "Now I'm a little rich woman!"

Lin Lang was amused by Qingdai's little money-grubberish appearance. He reached out and gently pinched the tip of her nose, saying affectionately, "From now on, you'll never lack money."

"Hehe..." Qingdai leaned against Lin Lang's chest and smiled charmingly, feeling the warmth of his embrace, a happy smile curving her lips.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

Immediately afterward, a small, delicate hand pounded on the carved palace door, and a voice, choked with sobs and snoring, burst in, crying out, "Father!"

"I am Nan'er!"

"Your son has come to complain to you! Waaaaah..."

The knocking grew more urgent, and the soft, tearful voice rose a few decibels: "Father! Open the door! Your son wants to complain to you!"

Hearing that Princess Jin Yao and her son Lin Haonan had come to complain early in the morning, Lin Lang couldn't help but smile. He gently patted Qingdai's shoulder with his fingertips and sighed helplessly and indulgently, "Baby, get up and get dressed quickly."

"I don't know what grievance Nan'er suffered, that she came to throw a tantrum so early in the morning."

Qingdai's cheeks were still flushed with embarrassment. Upon hearing this, she hurriedly sat up from under the brocade quilt and frantically tried to retrieve the ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) scattered on the side of the bed, her fingertips trembling with panic.

Lin Lang also threw off the covers and got out of bed. He casually grabbed a brocade nightgown from the side, put it on, loosely tied the belt in a knot, and walked towards the palace gate in soft-soled slippers.

Hearing the intermittent sobs outside the door, like a kitten scratching at one's heart, Lin Lang's smile faded, replaced by a hint of heartache.

Nan'er, that brat, is usually as stubborn as a little donkey. For him to cry like this, he must have really suffered a grievance.

Lin Lang pushed open the palace door with a creak.

The morning light streamed in through the crack in the door, illuminating the small figure standing in the doorway.

Five-year-old Lin Haonan was dressed in a bright blue brocade robe. His hair was disheveled from crying, his little face looked aggrieved, his eyes were red, and there were still glistening tears on his eyelashes.

As soon as the palace doors opened, little Haonan immediately stretched out his little arms and rushed over, his childish cries growing louder: "Father! Waaah..."

Lin Lang quickly bent down, scooped the soft little body into his arms, weighed him in his hands, and couldn't help but kiss his tear-streaked face again and again.

"What's wrong, son? Who bullied our little man?"