The Amnesiac Blank Period - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I stood there in silence for a few seconds, trying to keep up with Li Jingye’s train of thought.

“…Make your servant the Empress?”

He nodded with earnest conviction.

Then, hearing the way I addressed myself, he seemed to snap out of it. “Which of the concubines in the harem are you?”

“Wait, that’s not right. Does my harem even have any concubines?”

I saw the sheer lack of recognition in Li Jingye’s eyes, and the tears I had been holding back began to well up again.

Just as they were about to fall, Li Jingye panicked. “Don’t cry! Didn’t I just say I’d make you the Empress? This is a good thing!”

My father spoke up dryly from the side.

“I thank Your Majesty on her behalf, but my daughter has been the Empress for a year already. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself with another investiture.”

Upon hearing this, Li Jingye’s pupils dilated in shock. His gaze snapped back to me. “You are my Empress?!”

I looked up through a hazy veil of tears, a single droplet hanging precariously from the tip of my lashes, refusing to fall.

“Former Empress,” my father corrected him coolly.

Li Jingye choked on his words, clearly wanting to say something to explain himself.

However, he was interrupted by the Imperial Physicians, who came rushing over in a frantic hurry.

The Imperial Physicians examined his minor wound and symptoms, their brows furrowed in deep concentration during the diagnosis.

After an agonizingly long silence, they reached a conclusion.

“…The imperial body has suffered a shock, causing a turbulence of qi and blood… We shall prescribe… but rest is required to observe the long-term effects.”

Translated into plain English: Li Jingye had amnesia.

It was a very specific case of amnesia that targeted only me.

Seeing that the situation was dicey, the Imperial Physicians wiped the cold sweat from their brows and, after receiving my permission, hurriedly withdrew.

My father looked at me with concern, as if he wanted to speak but couldn’t bring himself to.

I shook my head at him.

He sighed and slowly shuffled away.

I never expected something so bizarre to happen to Li Jingye.

He was still stealing glances at me from the corner of his eye.

His gaze was filled with unfamiliarity, curiosity, and a hint of excitement he didn’t even seem to realize was there.

I had never seen Li Jingye wear his emotions so plainly.

In our year of marriage, he had always maintained the dignity and detachment befitting an emperor, treating me with nothing but polite respect. When I took the initiative to help him change his clothes, he would practically launch himself three meters away. When I called him ‘husband,’ his eyes would immediately dart aside as he stopped me.

When I smiled at him, he would just stare at me in silence.

Later, I started a one-sided cold war with him.

Perhaps Li Jingye had never been treated that way before. He was so furious that he would practice his swordplay in front of me with a cold face. Once he finished, he would ask if I was still angry.

I’m the type who responds to kindness but digs in my heels against pressure. Thinking he was trying to intimidate me, I ignored him even more.

Then, I overheard him muttering under his breath, calling my father an Old Fox for tricking him again.

…All signs pointed to the fact that he truly didn’t like me.

He had only married me to win over my father and solidify his absolute power in the imperial court.

So, seeing this Li Jingye-the one who was thrown into total disarray by a single tear of mine-the grievance in my heart was replaced by a much more novel emotion.

It was like walking down the street and suddenly picking up some rare little curiosity that could do a backflip all on its own.

It was kind of funny, and kind of-

My hands itched to tease him.

I raised my hand and gently pressed a handkerchief to the corner of my reddened eyes.

“…So that’s how it is.”

“Your Majesty’s health is the priority. If you have lost your memories… then so be it.”

Li Jingye’s eyes lit up. “You don’t blame me?”

I lowered my gaze, my voice carrying just the right amount of a choke. “Blame? Why would your servant blame you? Your Majesty merely bumped your head and forgot some… insignificant people and matters. The Imperial Physicians said you just need rest.”

I deliberately emphasized the word “insignificant.”

His handsome brows twisted into a knot.

That face of his-so strangely pure in front of me after losing his memories-was now written all over with guilt and unease.

“This definitely wasn’t my intention.”

He looked at me, his tone softening. “Empress, give me some time. I will definitely remember you.”

I lifted my damp eyelashes. “An Emperor’s word is his bond?”

“An Emperor’s word is his bond!”

I showed him a smile, my red lips pressed lightly together as dimples appeared and my eyes curved.

Li Jingye stared at my smile and fell silent once again.

A suspicion suddenly formed in my mind.

He’s gotten so lost staring at me, hasn’t he?