PDLP Chapter 1348: Introducing Qingdai to Her First Meat
Chapter 1348: Introducing Qingdai to Her First Meat
Seeing this, Lin Lang quickly walked to the small sandalwood table, gently put down the lunchbox in his hands, and immediately bent down to hold Qingdai's arm with both hands.
My fingertips touched the thin fabric on her arm, and my heart ached even more.
Lin Lang's tone was both urgent and gentle: "Get up quickly, the ground is cold, don't kneel and hurt yourself."
With a little effort, he helped Qingdai up, and before she could stand up, he pulled her into a tight embrace.
The person in his arms was light and almost weightless. Through the plain-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), he could clearly feel her thin back trembling slightly.
Lin Lang tightened his arms around her, resting his chin on the top of Qingdai's hair, the delicate scent of her hair lingering around his nose, his voice full of pity and reproach:
"Silly girl, who told you to treat yourself like this? Eating those bland vegetarian meals every day, you've lost so much weight. Aren't you afraid I'll feel sorry for you?"
Qingdai was held in Lin Lang's warm embrace, feeling the strong heartbeat from his broad chest, the warmth and sense of security she had been longing for.
All the grievances, anxieties, and longings erupted at this moment.
She wrapped her arms tightly around Lin Lang's waist, buried her face in his clothes, and cried like a wronged child, her voice thick with sobs, soft and pitiful.
"Your Majesty...you're finally back...it's wonderful..."
She choked back tears, which streamed down her face and soaked Lin Lang's shirt.
"I thought... I thought Your Majesty had forgotten me, and didn't love me anymore, sob sob..."
Lin Lang gently patted Qingdai's back, soothing her with tenderness. Listening to her aggrieved sobs, he felt a pang of heartache.
He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on the top of Qingdai's hair, his voice becoming even softer:
"Silly boy, what nonsense are you talking about?"
How could I forget you? How could I not like you? It's all my fault, making you wait so long and suffer so much.
Qingdai's sobs gradually subsided, leaving only her shoulders trembling slightly, like a fledgling bird returning to its nest in the rainy night, lingering in the warmth of the embrace and unwilling to let go.
Lin Lang held her tightly, his palms gently stroking her thin back, the touch so tender it was as if he were afraid of breaking this fragile person.
Chun Tao, who was kneeling to the side, tactfully got up and left the concubine's palace.
The soft sound of the palace doors closing shut out the outside noise, leaving only the overlapping breaths of the two people inside, accompanied by the slight trembling of Qingdai's still-unsettled breath.
Lin Lang still held Qingdai in his arms, his palm pressed against her slightly cool back, feeling the endless grievances hidden in her frail body.
Suddenly, the person in his arms moved slightly. Lin Lang subconsciously loosened his arms and saw Qingdai slowly raise her head.
Her eyelashes were wet with tears, clinging to her eyes like butterfly wings covered in morning mist, trembling gently.
Her almond-shaped eyes were misty with moisture, veiled by a hazy shimmer, yet they gazed straight into Lin Lang's eyes, where a torrent of emotions surged.
There was the ecstasy of regaining what was lost, the grievance of longing for someone for so long, the deep-seated dependence, and the profound affection for Lin Lang, all like moonlight tempered with sugar, so gentle that it could melt into one's heart.
Her lips were slightly pursed, still red and swollen from crying, and the tip of her nose was faintly pink. She looked pitiful and touching, which made Lin Lang's heart clench even tighter.
"Your Majesty..." she called softly, her voice still hoarse with sobs, but with a more genuine joy than before, the last syllable rising slightly, like a kitten's paw gently scratching at one's heart.
Lin Lang gazed at the tears welling up in Qingdai's eyes, where his own reflection was clearly visible. He could read all the unease she hadn't voiced and felt sorry for the days and nights she had endured alone.
He raised his hand, his fingertips gently brushing across the corner of Qingdai's reddened eyes, wiping away the last tear that hadn't yet dried, his movements so tender.
"Yes, I am here." His voice was deep and gentle, carrying a comforting power. "I will never let you suffer the pain of longing again."
"Your Majesty, I miss you so much! I can't eat or drink, and I dream about you all the time... Waaah..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Lang looked into Qingdai's eyes, which were filled with dependence and deep affection, and an irrepressible impulse surged in his heart.
He leaned down slightly, his gaze falling on her soft lips, which still held a moist sheen from crying.
Qingdai's heart suddenly raced, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, which quickly turned into complete obedience and anticipation.
She tilted her head back slightly, her eyelashes fluttering gently, and closed her eyes.
Lin Lang's kiss landed gently, filled with tenderness and comfort, so gentle that it was not aggressive at all.
His lips covered hers, the soft touch as gentle as a cloud, carrying his cool, refreshing scent, which mingled with her delicate fragrance.
Lin Lang didn't deepen the kiss, but gently pressed his lips against Qingdai's, as if comforting a frightened child.
He gently traced the outline of her dark lips with tender touch, the cool warmth dispelling all her unease and grievances.
Qingdai's body gradually relaxed, and she wrapped her arms tightly around Lin Lang's waist, completely surrendering herself to him.
She could clearly feel the warmth of Lin Lang's lips and the powerful heartbeat in his chest. The sound gradually overlapped with her own heartbeat, merging into one.
The kiss didn't last long, but it felt like it spanned a long period of time, encompassing all the longing, waiting, and heartache.
Lin Lang slowly stepped back, his forehead touching Qingdai's forehead, his nose brushing against hers, their breaths mingling.
He looked into Qingdai's open eyes, where the moisture had dissipated, leaving only tenderness and longing, like peach blossoms nourished by spring rain, becoming even more beautiful and charming.
"From now on, I will never let you suffer again."
He spoke softly, his voice filled with a solemn promise, and leaned down again to place a gentle kiss on Qingdai's lips.
Qingdai stopped crying and smiled, nodding gently with bright eyes.
A faint blush rose to her cheeks as she buried her face in Lin Lang's neck, her voice soft and sweet with joy:
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lin Lang tightened his arms, holding Qingdai tightly in his embrace, feeling the real warmth and weight of the person in his arms, his heart filled with love and cherishment.
It must have been the austerity of her vegetarian diet these past few days that had taken a toll on Qingdai's energy and spirit, and Lin Lang's pity for her deepened even more.
"Are you hungry?" Lin Lang asked with concern.
Qingdai shook her head with a smile through her tears, and replied in a sob, "I'm not hungry."
Lin Lang gently pinched Qingdai's nose, saying with a mixture of tenderness and reproach:
"Silly girl, you're pregnant with my son now. You have to eat even if you're not hungry. You're the mother and you need to provide nutrition for the fetus."
Upon hearing this, Qingdai suddenly raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes glistening with tears, still bearing the lingering grievances, but even more so with unbelievable joy.
"really?
"Your Majesty only favored me that one time? And that's how I became pregnant with your child?"
Qingdai's voice, soft and sweet from just having cried, was tinged with a hint of joy.
Lin Lang raised his hand to wipe away the hot tears welling up in Qingdai's eyes and gently comforted her, "Of course it's true! Even if it's just for the sake of the baby in your womb, you must eat well, maintain a balanced diet, and take care of your pregnancy."
Qingdai stared blankly at Lin Lang, the surprise in her eyes like shattered stars falling into a lake, rippling out in layers of soft light.
She subconsciously raised her hand to her flat stomach, her fingertips gently caressing her plain-colored dress, where a tiny life was growing—the fruit of her love with Lin Lang.
"That's wonderful! My belly is so cooperative!"
Qingdai's face lit up with ecstasy, and tears welled up again. But this time, they were no longer tears of grievance, but hot tears of joy.
She couldn't believe that just that one tender moment could actually make her pregnant with the emperor's child. This sudden surprise made her feel dizzy.
Lin Lang grasped Qingdai's hand, which was resting on her lower abdomen, and felt a steady sense of reassurance from the warmth of her palm.
Lin Lang's tone carried a mixture of lingering fear and relief:
"Fortunately, you've only lost some weight; the baby in your belly is fine. You mustn't diet like this anymore. You're pregnant, and you can't afford to make any mistakes."
Qingdai nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her cheeks, yet she smiled, her eyes crinkling like peach blossoms adorned with morning dew.
"Your Majesty, I understand."
She choked back tears, snuggled against Lin Lang, her nose red, and said with a smile through her tears:
"Your Majesty, I will eat well and take good care of myself during my pregnancy so that I can give birth to a healthy prince."
Seeing her so happy, Lin Lang felt even more tender.
"This morning, I personally cooked some meat dishes and made some nourishing soup for you to help you recover. It will get cold if you don't eat it soon."
"Really?" Qingdai was flattered, her eyes almost overflowing with tenderness.
"What? Can't I cook you a delicious and nourishing meal myself?" Lin Lang gently pinched Qingdai's cheek.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, hee hee..." Qingdai playfully stuck out her tongue and smiled, overjoyed.
"Alright, sit down and eat your breakfast. Don't cry like a little crybaby anymore." Lin Lang helped Qingdai sit down at the small sandalwood table, his gentle movements showing great care.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I can't wait to taste your cooking!"
"Here, have some fish maw, ginseng, and black chicken soup to warm your stomach first." Lin Lang opened two double-layered insulated lunch boxes and placed braised pork ribs, pan-fried cod, and braised chicken with chestnuts on the table.
She ladled out a bowl of warm nourishing soup, scooped a spoonful with a silver spoon, blew on it gently to cool it down, and then handed it to Qingdai's lips. "This nourishing soup contains collagen and various vitamins, which can replenish qi and blood, and is good for you and the baby."
Qingdai obediently opened her mouth, and the fragrant tonic soup slid down her throat, carrying a faint warmth that went straight to her heart.
She looked up at Lin Lang and saw him scoop up a spoonful of nourishing soup, blow on it carefully to cool it down, and bring it to her lips. His brows were full of meticulous care, and a feeling of happiness welled up in her heart like a tide.
Qingdai drank the nourishing soup that Lin Lang had personally prepared, and he lovingly fed her spoonful by spoonful. She was so moved that tears streamed down her face once again.
Lin Lang hurriedly put down his spoon and wiped away Qingdai's tears.
"Silly girl, why are you crying again? Is the nourishing soup I made not tasty enough?"
Qingdai quickly shook her head, tears welling in her eyes, and said with an undisguised happiness:
"Your Majesty, I'm so moved I'm crying. The nourishing soup Your Majesty made is absolutely delicious, hehe..."
"Silly girl," Lin Lang raised his hand and ruffled Qingdai's hair with a doting gesture, "Quickly try the pan-fried cod I made, do you like it?"
He picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of fish in Qingdai's mouth.
Qingdai obediently opened her mouth and put the pan-fried cod into her lips.
The moment you lightly bite down, the slightly crispy outer layer of fish skin makes a soft "crunch" sound.
Immediately afterwards, the fish meat inside melted in an amazingly tender way, so delicate that it almost didn't require chewing, and slid down the tongue and down the throat.
A fresh yet not greasy aroma fills the mouth, with a light seasoning of scallions and ginger, but it does not mask the natural sweetness of the fish.
The flavor was just right, neither overly salty nor greasy. It was simply the pure, tender freshness of the fish perfectly blended with Lin Lang's carefully prepared sauce, warmly flowing over the taste buds and soothing the heart.
Qingdai's eyes lit up instantly, as if she had discovered a delicacy. The tears in her eyes had not yet faded, but they were made even more dazzling by this unexpected deliciousness.
She nodded vigorously, her mouth still full of fish, and said indistinctly but with delight:
"Wow...it smells so good! The fish Your Majesty cooked is absolutely delicious!"
She chewed slowly. This was the first time Qingdai from the Tang Dynasty had eaten cod. Its tender texture seemed to have a magical power, instantly awakening her taste buds, which had been dulled by the bland diet she had been eating for days.
Lin Lang chuckled and teased, "Is it really that delicious, or are you just flattering me?"