Full Level Sweet Indulgence: The Big Shot Became Addicted to Me After the Announcement - Chapter 9

Eunuch Li returned to Qi Yu’s palace and stepped forward to report, “Your Majesty, the reward has been delivered to Her Highness. She said she will come personally to thank you next time.”

Qi Yu lay on the couch, his face slightly weary. “What was her reaction?”

Eunuch Li bowed slightly and spoke softly, “Her Highness did not seem very pleased.”

Qi Yu’s brows furrowed. “Never mind. Send all the recent tribute lychees to her.”

He felt guilty, but whether there was anything else mixed into that guilt, no one could tell.

The next morning.

“Your Highness, it’s snowing outside,” Yue’er said as she fastened the buttons on her dress. “This year’s snow seems to have arrived earlier than usual.”

Chu Yuexi smiled faintly. “I’ll go pay my respects to the Emperor later. Have the kitchen prepare some pastries.”

Yue’er looked at her in surprise. “Your Highness, aren’t you going to make them yourself?”

It was no wonder outsiders were surprised. For the past ten years, she had always personally handled everything related to him.

As for why perhaps it was because of love.

Chu Yuexi closed her eyes, trying hard to conceal the pain in her heart. “The weather has turned cold, and I’ve grown lazy.”

Yue’er, who had been by her side since childhood, seemed to sense something different about her. “Your Highness, are you upset with the Emperor?”

Chu Yuexi smiled gently and slowly shook her head. “No.”

She didn’t blame him. What was there to blame?

Her father had been a high-ranking official in the court and had once asked for her opinion. For the love at first sight she had felt in her youth, she had willingly married him. Later, her father sacrificed himself for the country, defending the nation was a subject’s duty. She didn’t blame him.

Then came the coronation ceremony, where she was demoted from wife to concubine a profound humiliation. In that moment, she seemed to understand: everything she had gained had come from her father.

Now that her father was gone, everything was gone.

She didn’t blame him; she was just a little sad.

She missed her father a little.

Seeing her lost in thought, Yue’er remained silent and quietly withdrew.

Chu Yuexi brought the pastries to the Imperial View Hall. He was still dressed in his yellow court robes, looking both imposing and handsome.

Seeing the woman approach him, he stepped forward and asked, “Are these pastries made by your own hands?”

“No, I had the kitchen prepare them,” she replied, instructing the palace maid to place them on the table.

Qi Yu seemed somewhat disappointed. “Sit down.”

He casually picked up a pastry but appeared disinterested. “Do you like the bracelet?”

“Yes, thank you for remembering me, Your Majesty.”

Qi Yu glanced down at her bare wrist and remained silent for a long time. “Yuexi, you seem… different.”

Had she changed? Perhaps.

Her long-standing affection and waiting seemed to have worn away bit by bit over the years or perhaps in an instant.

Such intense feelings had vanished without a trace.

Almost as if they had never existed.

Chu Yuexi smiled lightly. “Your Majesty must be joking.”

After a brief pause, she added, “The weather has turned cold, and I’ve grown lazy. Perhaps I’ve gained a little weight.”

Qi Yu pinched her cheek and chuckled. “I’ve never heard you speak like this before.”

Chu Yuexi froze, pursing her lips. So, loving someone who didn’t love her back had worn away even her own personality in the endless waiting.

“The snow outside is getting heavier. Stay here tonight,” Qi Yu said, ruffling her hair.

His eyes seemed to hold a smile.

It seemed easy to lose oneself in that gaze.

For a moment, she wondered if he, too, felt just a little bit fond of her.

But the illusion of happiness was always fleeting. Eunuch Li came to announce a visitor, and Qi Yu rose to head for the door, turning back to say gently, “Be good and wait for me.”

His tone was soft and tender.

Chu Yuexi nodded lightly, smiling gently. “Alright.”

The palace was as dull as the man himself. With nothing to do, her gaze drifted to the wooden box by the bed, and she let out a soft laugh.

Hah, so even gifts could come in duplicates.

It was something she had expected, yet the ache in her heart still reminded her clearly—it still hurt.

What she had, Song Zhiruo would have too. What she didn’t have, Song Zhiruo would also receive.

Even if Song Zhiruo lacked something, he would go to great lengths to get it for her.

How truly enviable.

Chu Yuexi seemed lost in thought, yet not really thinking at all.

“Brother A-Yu, you’ve been so busy lately. You never spend time with me. I miss you so much, wuwu…” The young woman clung to his sleeve, pouting and whining.

Qi Yu patted her head. “Yes, a little. I miss you too.”

For a moment, Qi Yu’s thoughts drifted to the woman inside the room.

Seeing him distracted, Song Zhiruo pressed closer, her lips brushing against his Adam’s apple as she murmured, “Hold me, Brother A-Yu. Don’t think of anyone else, okay? Your heart and eyes should be filled only with me.”

“Cut!”

“Tang Tang, the person in front of you is your lover, the emperor not your prey. I asked you to flirt, not devour Jiang Mo.”

Tang Tang looked slightly uncomfortable and apologized awkwardly, “Sorry, Director. I didn’t perform well just now.”

The director waved it off. “Let’s continue.”

Jiang Mo frowned slightly, feeling that this woman… had ill intentions.

He pulled the person in his arms closer. At this moment, he was Qi Yu and couldn’t afford to overthink.

Tang Tang leaned in again, rubbing his Adam’s apple as she cooed, “Brother A-Yu.”

Before she could finish, there was a thud Tang Tang had already fallen to the ground.

Her assistant rushed over to help her up, asking nervously, “Sister Tang Tang, are you okay?”

Tang Tang looked at Jiang Mo with tearful eyes. “Teacher Jiang, did I do something wrong?”

A beauty in tears, delicate and pitiful.

Jiang Mo rubbed his forehead. “Sorry, my hand slipped. Let’s try again.”

After a moment’s thought, he added, “Song Zhiruo is someone Qi Yu loves, not a courtesan trying to seduce her way up.”

It seemed he had mustered great resolve to say this.

But Tang Tang felt his words were like a sharp slap across her face.

She dug her nails into her palm, struggling to maintain her composure. “Sorry, Teacher Jiang. I understand.”

Jiang Mo nodded, his peripheral vision catching Li Muli trying hard to stifle her laughter.

Was her “watching the drama” expression a bit too obvious?

Tang Tang followed his gaze and immediately spotted Li Muli.

Resentment surged within her, almost overflowing.

It was all because of Li Muli she had stolen her role.

It was all because of her everyone was isolating her because of her.

It was all because of her she looked down on her from a position of superiority, as if watching a show.

Tang Tang shot her a fierce glare. Sensing the hostility, Li Muli looked up but saw nothing.

Unconcerned, she lowered her head again, thinking about what to do after work.

She had just returned and didn’t want to deal with complicated matters. Better to enjoy a few more days of relaxation.

Wuwu, she hadn’t seen her boyfriend all day and missed him terribly.

She wanted hugs, kisses, and to be lifted high by her dear boyfriend.

Li Muli pouted slightly as she watched Tang Tang mess up take after take.

After a few more takes, the director suddenly slammed the book in front of him and shouted, “Can you act or not? If not, get out early so I can replace you!”

Tang Tang immediately bowed and apologized, “I’m sorry, Director. I’m not in good form today. Let me take a break, and I’ll definitely do better.”

“Forget it, we’ll call it a day. Tang Tang, you should learn from Mu Li and Actor Jiang. Even a newcomer is performing better than you. If this continues, I’ll have to replace you.”

Tang Tang lowered her head. “Yes, Director.”

No one noticed her closing her eyes briefly, as numerous plans began to form in her mind.

Li Muli, you forced me into this.