From the very next day, a subtle yet significant shift occurred in Bibi Dong's behavior. True to her word, and perhaps spurred on by Song Qing's heartfelt plea, she began to take tentative steps towards acknowledging Qian Renxue.
"Renxue," Bibi Dong's voice echoed through Qian Renxue's chambers, the formal address still present but softened slightly. "Would you… would you care to join me for tea this evening?"
Qian Renxue froze, her quill hovering over the parchment she was working on. Her heart leaped into her throat, a mixture of disbelief and overwhelming emotion washing over her. Had she heard correctly? Her mother… inviting her for tea? And… had she called her 'Renxue'?
"Your Holiness… I mean… Mother?" Qian Renxue stammered, her voice trembling. It was too sudden, too unexpected. After years of coldness and distance, this felt like a dream. Tears, hot and heartfelt, welled up in her amethyst eyes and began to spill down her cheeks. She had almost given up hope, resigned herself to a life devoid of her mother's affection.
"Yes, daughter," Bibi Dong replied, the word feeling foreign yet strangely comforting on her tongue. "This evening. In my chambers."
The evening tea was… quiet. Awkward, even. Bibi Dong sat opposite Qian Renxue, a delicate porcelain cup clutched in her hands. She referred to Qian Renxue as 'daughter' a few more times, each instance sending a fresh wave of emotion through the younger woman. But conversation was stilted. Bibi Dong found herself constantly battling the memories of Qian Xunji, his face a haunting presence in her mind every time she looked at Qian Renxue.
'I want to do this,' Bibi Dong thought, her gaze flickering towards her daughter. 'For Qing'er… I have to try.' But the effort felt monumental. Just uttering the word 'daughter' felt like a betrayal of her own pain.
For nearly half an hour, the silence stretched, punctuated only by the gentle clinking of cups. Qian Renxue, despite the lack of conversation, felt a fragile hope blossoming in her chest. Her mother was here, with her, acknowledging her. That was more than she had dared to dream of.
Then, Qian Renxue, seeking to break the tension, spoke of the one person who seemed to effortlessly bridge any gap. "Mother," she began hesitantly, her voice soft, "I saw Qing in the herbal garden today. He seemed… very happy."
Bibi Dong's head snapped up, her violet eyes instantly softening. "Oh? What was he doing?"
"He was… playing," Qian Renxue said, a small smile touching her lips as she recalled the scene. "There were these beautiful tri-colored butterflies fluttering all around him, and he was just… laughing and trying to catch them. He looked so carefree." She continued, describing the different herbs Song Qing was tending to, the new growth she had observed, and the general vibrant atmosphere of the garden.
To Qian Renxue's surprise, Bibi Dong actively engaged her in conversation, asking questions about the butterflies, the herbs, and Song Qing's demeanor. And each time she spoke, she gently referred to Qian Renxue as 'daughter'.
'She does want to talk to me,' Qian Renxue realized, her heart swelling with a mixture of joy and understanding. 'She just… she doesn't know how. It's through Qing… through talking about him… that we can connect.'
As Qian Renxue spoke more about Song Qing, her own heart began to beat faster. The image of him laughing amongst the butterflies, his bright blue hair and emerald eyes sparkling in the sunlight, filled her mind. She was acutely aware of the favorable feelings she harbored for him, feelings that had been steadily growing over the past few months. But in this moment, witnessing her mother's softened expression as they spoke of him, those feelings seemed to intensify, threatening to overflow.
The tea meeting eventually came to an end, and Qian Renxue, her heart pounding with a mixture of hope and excitement, made her excuses and quickly headed straight for the herbal garden.
She found Song Qing just as she had described to her mother, a gentle smile on his face as he watched a kaleidoscope of tri-colored butterflies dance around the vibrant flowers.
"Qing!" she called out, her voice filled with an emotion she couldn't quite contain.
Song Qing turned, his emerald eyes widening in surprise as he saw her running towards him. "Renxue? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, Qing," she said, her voice choked with emotion as she reached him. "Everything's… everything's actually wonderful." And then, without another word, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she peppered his cheeks with kisses. "Thank you, Qing. Thank you so much. This is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I never thought… I never thought she would ever…"
Song Qing, completely overwhelmed by this sudden outpouring of gratitude from the beautiful woman in his arms, simply held her close, patting her back gently.
But Qian Renxue wasn't finished. Pulling back slightly, her amethyst eyes filled with an earnestness that made Song Qing's heart skip a beat, she looked directly into his eyes. "Qing," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, "I want to thank you properly. I want to… I want to give myself to you. From now on… I am going to be your person. I will listen to you always. I will do anything for you."
Song Qing's eyes widened in shock as he heard her words. He lowered his head, a wave of unexpected guilt washing over him. He gently took her hands in his. "Renxue," he said softly, his voice filled with hesitation, "I… I don't know if that's a good idea." He took a deep breath and decided to be honest with her. "The truth is… recently, I've come to a realization. I'm… I'm a bit of a scumbag."
Qian Renxue looked at him, her brow furrowed in confusion. "A scumbag? What do you mean, Qing?"
"Well," Song Qing continued, his gaze downcast, "even though I know you like me so much, and I… I do like you a lot too, Renxue… I also like my other friends a lot. Zhuqing, Rongrong, Senior Sister Liena, Sister Yan, Sister Lingling… I… I can't give up on any of them."
Qian Renxue blinked, then a small smile touched her lips. She reached out and gently bonked him on the head with her knuckles. "When did I ever say you had to give up on any of them, silly?" she whispered, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I know all about it, Qing. You're a kind guy. How could you possibly let down any of your friends?"
She then stepped closer, her voice becoming more serious. "Besides, Qing, you're forgetting something. You're underestimating your own identity. In the future… your status will be the highest in the world, even equivalent to that of an Emperor. We can even change the Spirit Hall, create an Empire. So what does it matter if you have a few women as your lovers? As an Emperor… it's only natural. And at that time," she leaned in close, her breath tickling his ear, "I will just be happy to be a small concubine by your side."
Song Qing shook his head, his emerald eyes filled with sincerity. "No, Renxue," he said firmly but gently. "No. I wouldn't treat you, or any other woman, as high or low in terms of status. You are precious to me, Renxue. Even if we only started meeting properly a few months ago… you are precious."
~~
This heartfelt confession and the subsequent conversation serve as a significant turning point in Song Qing's relationship with Qian Renxue. From the next day onwards, Qian Renxue begins to seek out Song Qing with an even greater fervor. She still visits the herbal garden daily, but now, after exchanging polite greetings with anyone else who might be present, she often finds herself nestled comfortably in Song Qing's manly arms.
"Qing," Qian Renxue whispers, her long blonde hair cascading over his shoulder as she leans against him, her breath warm against his ear. Sometimes, she playfully bites his earlobe, causing a shiver to run down his spine. Other times, her slender finger traces the outline of his lips, a teasing glint in her purple eyes.
"Renxue, what are you doing?" Song Qing murmurs, a blush creeping up his neck. He enjoys her closeness, but her boldness still catches him off guard at times.
Qian Renxue giggles softly, her breath ghosting over his lips. "Just… admiring your handsome features, Qing." She pauses, her expression turning slightly serious. "Though I must confess, even though I like you so much and have promised to be yours, I do feel a pang of jealousy whenever you spend time with those other women."
Song Qing pouts, a familiar expression on his face. "But Renxue, I've already told you, I can't just stop spending time with them. I like them all a lot, in different ways."
Qian Renxue nods, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "I understand, Qing. You have a kind heart. But," she leans in closer, her voice a seductive whisper, "after you finish spending time with them, you must come and coax me quickly. I assure you, I am very easy to coax."
Their interactions become increasingly playful, with Qian Renxue often taking the lead in teasing Song Qing. Now that her feelings are out in the open, she feels a newfound freedom to express herself. She talks to him about everything and nothing, her laughter often echoing through the tranquil garden.
One afternoon, as they are sitting side-by-side, Qian Renxue turns to him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So, Qing," she begins, her voice teasing, "you like all these women, hmm? Tell me, what exactly do you like about each of them?"
Song Qing's ears turn red. "Renxue! You can't just ask me that!"
Qian Renxue giggles. "But I'm curious! For Zhu Zhuqing, it must naturally be that… plump chest, wouldn't you say?"
Song Qing's blush deepens, but he doesn't deny it. "Well… she is very… developed for her age. But it's not just that! Zhuqing is a really nice girl, with a very strong and loyal personality."
Qian Renxue raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her face. "Oh, I'm sure. But you do like her plump chest and that mature body, don't you?"
Song Qing finally nods, sighing in resignation. "Okay, fine. Yes, I do. But that's not the only reason!"
"And what about Ning Rongrong?" Qian Renxue continues, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You must like her spoiled princess personality and that beautiful, almost doll-like face of hers."
"Rongrong is… energetic," Song Qing says, trying to find the right words. "And yes, she is very pretty. But she's also really fun to be around, and she cares deeply for her friends."
"Hmm, energetic and pretty," Qian Renxue repeats, a teasing tone in her voice. "And Hu Liena, your Senior Sister Liena? It's naturally because of her charming, curvaceous body and her truly gentle behavior. And how she always cares for you and helps you out from time to time, isn't it?"
"Senior Sister Liena is very kind and helpful," Song Qing agrees, feeling increasingly flustered by her directness. "She's always been there for me."
"And Dugu Yan, whom you call Sister Yan," Qian Renxue continues her playful interrogation. "It's because she is also quite beautiful, in a wild sort of way, and has a mature-looking body and that straightforward, yet somewhat prickly personality, right?"
Song Qing nods again. "Sister Yan is strong and independent. I admire her."
"And finally, Ye Lingling, whom you refer to as Sister Lingling," Qian Renxue says, her voice softening slightly. "It must be her gentle personality that draws you in. And you are very grateful to her because she is one of the individuals who healed you."
"Yes," Song Qing says, his voice filled with sincerity. "Sister Lingling is incredibly kind and gentle. And I will always be grateful to her for helping me."
Qian Renxue leans in close, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You certainly have quite a collection, Qing," she murmurs, her purple eyes gazing intently into his emerald ones. "And you even have my heart." She pauses, her expression becoming serious. "So tell me, Qing. What do you like about me?"
Song Qing's breath hitches in his throat. He gulps down a mouthful of saliva, his gaze locking with her intense amethyst eyes. This is a serious question, and he knows he needs to answer it properly and honestly. He takes a moment to gather his thoughts, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Renxue," he begins, his voice soft but sincere, "it's… it's not just one thing. When I first met you, I was a little… intimidated, to be honest. You carried yourself with such grace and dignity. But as I got to know you, especially after you started visiting the garden, I saw a different side of you. I saw your vulnerability, your longing for your mother's love. And I was touched by your strength, your resilience despite all that."
He gently takes her hand in his, his emerald eyes filled with warmth. "You are incredibly beautiful, Renxue, inside and out. You are intelligent, you are determined, and you have a kind heart, even if you try to hide it sometimes." He smiles softly. "And… you're also incredibly brave, sharing such a painful secret with me and then opening up to me the way you have. I admire your honesty, even when it's about your jealousy," he adds with a playful wink. "And honestly, Renxue… the way you look at me now… it makes me feel… special. You make me feel like I'm the most important person in the world to you. And that… that means a lot to me."
Qian Renxue's eyes soften, and a radiant smile spreads across her face. A warmth floods her chest, and she leans in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Oh, Qing," she whispers, her voice filled with emotion, "you always know exactly what to say." Her feelings for him surge, an overwhelming wave of affection and desire. If it was even possible, she finds herself liking him even more than she did before.