I have to say, the phoenix bed in the Kunning Palace was incredibly spacious and comfortable.
The entire bed was crafted from precious yellow rosewood, its frame intricately carved with a magnificent “Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix” pattern. Each jewel and pearl adorning it was priceless. The canopy was made of a gossamer-thin, shimmering silk that seemed to flow like clouds, while beneath lay a delicate, soft woolen blanket and a luxurious, brightly colored Yun brocade mattress. Nestled into it, she felt as if she were lying on a cloud—so comfortable that even in her dreams, she felt at ease.
Yun Kui felt like a bowl of lychee custard in the heat of summer—pure white custard mixed with sweet, tender lychee flesh and glutinous rice balls, slowly savored from top to bottom. The ice beneath the custard melted bit by bit, gradually turning into water, which was then gently licked clean.
Slowly awakening, her unfocused pupils gradually cleared. After a long moment, she finally understood why she had dreamed of being a bowl of custard—the truth was, she was actually being eaten.
“A ruler of a nation behaving like this is truly unbecoming.”
“But I am magnanimous and tolerant. For the sake of our wedding night, I’ll grant you the chance to serve me!”
She stroked the man’s hair bun, her gaze falling on the golden-embroidered dragon and phoenix pattern on the Shu brocade canopy. Everything felt so unreal.
Until a faint sting came from beneath her, and the man’s voice whispered close to her ear, “Still think you’re dreaming?”
Yun Kui winced at his bite. When he rose, she carefully studied his face, tracing the contours with her fingertips.
The fierceness that had once plagued his brow was gone. His sharp brows and bright eyes shone with vitality. In his gaze, she saw the flickering candlelight of the room and her own reflection—like a dashing groom on his wedding night, his eyes filled only with love for his beloved wife.
Yun Kui sighed softly, “Your Majesty, you’ve grown even more handsome.”
Xiao Qi’an: “Was I really that ugly before?”
Trying to coax a compliment, he twisted his words. Yun Kui caressed his moist lips, thinking of all the effort he had made to please her, and didn’t hold back, “You were handsome then too! If you were truly unattractive, why would I ignore three thousand beauties and choose only you?”
Xiao Qi’an bit her boldly speaking cherry lips, “You’d better be just as daring outside as you are here—don’t just act tough at home.”
Yun Kui chuckled, her hand wandering to the place she most wanted to touch. “I’m just happy in my heart. For my first marriage, I married the most noble and greatest man in the world... I mean in rank.”
They were an old married couple now. The little prince was very affectionate with her, constantly pressing his hands into hers. But before she could tease him further, the man flipped over and pinned her down, leaving no chance for her to be bold at home.
...
According to the laws of the Great Zhao, the emperor must spend the entire first month of his marriage residing in the empress’s Kunning Palace. This was the imperial family’s way of honoring the rightful wife. After that month, he only needed to stay there on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month.
From the third night after their wedding, Yun Kui had already begun looking forward to the end of that month.
She didn’t know what to say. Although he was busy with endless state affairs by day, at night he showed no restraint, as if determined to make up for the three months they had missed.
She hadn’t had a proper rest for several days in a row. During the day, she still had to meet with the imperial clan members and the noble ladies. Originally, she dreaded these occasions, afraid she might show weakness. But now, she faced them calmly, even hoping that a few of the senior princesses and county princesses would linger to chat with her a little longer. It was definitely better than going to bed at night only to see the little prince rise again.
She tried to negotiate with him, hoping for just a couple of days’ rest. But he insisted firmly, “The ancestral rules cannot be broken. The first month, naturally, the Empress must endure some hardship.”
She brought up the frequent intimacy hurting his health, but to him, that was like a provocation. He could only prove with actions that his dragon body grew stronger with every battle.
When the month finally passed, Yun Kui thought she could finally rest. According to ancestral rules, he should have returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity by now.
But instead, he said, “The rules only say the first month must be spent in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. They don’t say anything about what happens afterward.”
Yun Kui: “......”
Xiao Qi’an declared openly, “My father stayed in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility for quite some time back in the day.”
Yun Kui: “...”
Xiao Qi’an: “Besides, isn’t this also your wish?”
Yun Kui refused to take the blame: “I never said it had to be every single night!”
Xiao Qi’an said, “You said it yourself—that your greatest wish in life was to marry a strong and healthy man and shamelessly live out the rest of your days. I’m just helping you fulfill that.”
Yun Kui: “...”
She couldn’t argue with that.
Later, Nanny Yan’s words finally gave her a wake-up call.
That night, while he was working hard, she suddenly asked, “Your Majesty, do you want a little prince or a little princess right now?”
Xiao Qi’an finally slowed down, furrowing his brow. “No, why?”
There really were a few old ministers from the previous dynasty who kept pushing for heirs, constantly petitioning him to expand the harem to continue the royal line for the nation’s sake. He found it tiresome and dismissed them one by one.
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but ask, “Did someone talk to you about this during the day?”
Yun Kui replied, “No, I just wanted to remind Your Majesty that if you keep going like this without restraint, I might get pregnant. Then you’ll only be able to watch but not partake.”
The man pondered deeply and finally chose to continue their passionate indulgence over slowing down, but only twice before he relented.
Yun Kui planned to discuss with him gradually reducing the frequency and days, aiming to settle at once every two days—that was her comfortable pace.
But unexpectedly, the frequency stabilized at twice, yet the duration kept getting longer. He wouldn’t even allow her to secretly ease the intensity, or else he would escalate it further.
This continued until late September, when suddenly, he showed an uncharacteristic mercy, planning to give her a break.
“Next month, I’ll let you rest for five days.”
Yun Kui looked at the mottled kiss marks on her body, no longer trusting his sweet words. “You’re really going to be that kind?”
Xiao Qi’an said, “On the tenth day of next month is the Autumn Hunt at Yanshan. Since your body can’t take it, you don’t need to accompany me.”
Tears still clung to Yun Kui’s lashes as they fluttered, and she picked up the key information precisely: “Autumn Hunt?”
Xiao Qi’an: “Mm.”
The Great Ancestor unified the realm through military might, and the illustrious ancestors of the Great Zhao dynasty were all renowned for their bravery and skill in battle. Though his father, the late emperor, was not one to indulge excessively in hunting, he still held at least two grand royal hunts each year. These events served not only as tests of the soldiers’ horsemanship and archery but also as occasions for the emperor and his ministers to enjoy themselves together, boosting morale among the troops.
During Emperor Chunming’s twenty-year reign, he pursued a policy of suppressing the military commanders both openly and behind the scenes out of personal grievances. Moreover, neither he nor several of his princes were adept at horseback archery. In the early years, he still put on a show of participation, but later the royal hunts became little more than occasions for him and his consorts to roam incognito, seeking pleasure. The military officers at court were furious but dared not voice their grievances.
Now that Xiao Qi’an had just ascended the throne, he naturally sought to inspire the troops and win their loyalty. He aimed to give these sons of noble military families ample opportunity to display their skills and to stretch their limbs properly.
“Why didn’t you take me to the autumn hunt?” Yun Kui suddenly grew interested. “Didn’t you say you’d always bring me along when you leave the palace?”
Xiao Qi’an replied coolly, “Isn’t it because I’m worried you’d be too tired?”
Yun Kui immediately stood up. “I might be tired, but if you give me two days to rest and recover, I can definitely accompany you. I won’t delay your important affairs. Besides, this isn’t a military exercise—it’s a hunt! Isn’t it customary for the emperor’s consorts to attend the autumn hunt?”
Xiao Qi’an didn’t want to say more and resorted to another excuse:
“There will be relatives and noble ladies accompanying the court officials. If you’re there, they’ll surely treat you as the center of attention, and you dislike those kinds of gatherings, don’t you?”
Yun Kui said, “I’m not afraid anymore! It’s just watching the troops, right? You taught me well—say as little as possible, leave everything to the subordinates, and just smile quietly. If I smile without speaking, they’ll think I have some hidden meaning; if I don’t smile, they’ll worry they’ve said something wrong. I’ve perfected this expression; no one can probe my true feelings.”
Seeing he still hesitated, Yun Kui frowned sharply:
“You’re not planning to do something behind my back, are you? You’re not bringing back a few favored concubines from Yanshan, are you?”
For someone so indulgent, he actually didn’t want to bring her along this time!
Xiao Qi’an smirked, “I’m afraid you’ll feast your eyes so much that you’ll completely forget who your husband is.”
Yun Kui was momentarily speechless.
It wasn’t until she witnessed the scene of the royal hunt with her own eyes that she understood what he was truly worried about.
In October, the air was crisp and clear over Yanshan, the grass was short and the game fat. Wherever the imperial carriage passed, banners fluttered and dust billowed.
Yun Kui had never experienced such a scene before. Lifting the curtain to look outside, she saw the vast sky like a sapphire, the forests ablaze with autumn colors. Sitting inside the dragon carriage, listening to the rhythmic thunder of horses’ hooves, her chest felt suddenly expansive and free.
As they neared their destination, Xiao Qi’an reminded her again, “Don’t look at anything you shouldn’t. Don’t forget I can read minds, and if I hear anything…”
Yun Kui cut him off by pressing her lips to his. “I know! I only cheer for my husband. No one else, no matter how impressive, can compare to a single strand of your hair.”
Only then was Xiao Qi’an satisfied.
Yun Kui had never before felt the hunt so vividly. When she dismounted and stood on the viewing platform, watching the soldiers line up in formation and cheer with raised arms, their voices thundered through the sky. The frightened beasts scattered in all directions, and the passionate, stirring spirit of the troops surged in her heart like a thousand waves.
The young men sat astride their tall, proud steeds, ready to set off, while she and the gathered ladies remained in the viewing stands.
The emperor’s concern was not unfounded—everywhere she looked were tall, handsome men, truly a feast for the eyes.
Yet he could rest assured. Even with a thousand troops behind him, he was still the most striking figure in the crowd.
From afar, the leader wore a dark golden dragon-embroidered battle robe, holding a powerful bow. With a graceful leap onto his horse, he gave the command, and hundreds of young men followed in swift pursuit. In an instant, the drums thundered, horses neighed fiercely, and the earth seemed to tremble.
He possessed the dignity and majesty of an emperor, yet also the vigor and charm of youth, full of spirit and confidence. Her gaze remained fixed on him, unable to see anyone else.
Beside her, the royal clan’s ladies gathered in small groups, chatting as the young men spurred their horses away.
“The emperor is truly handsome and valiant. Today, we’ve witnessed it firsthand!” one whispered.
“The Grand Tutor is as graceful as ever. I believe today’s hunt will be fruitful...” another added.
Yun Kui had long since become adept at such occasions, serving tea and snacks to the guests while pulling Jiang Qingci, wife of Shen Yanyu, aside for a private word.
Shen Yanyu had recently been promoted to Vice Minister of Personnel, and Jiang Qingci, a third-rank titled lady, was one of the few who knew Yun Kui’s former identity. Only in her presence did Yun Kui dare to speak openly from the heart.
Mostly, she was curious about how Lady Shen managed to maintain such a harmonious and loving marriage.
But these questions were delicate, so Yun Kui chose a different approach:
“I’ve heard that Lady Shen and Master Shen’s love is a celebrated tale in the capital. Today, I’ve come to seek some advice.”
Jiang Qingci looked surprised. “Your Majesty and the Empress share a deep and devoted love. Why would the Empress seek counsel from me?”
Yun Kui sighed. “You know His Majesty has spent many years in the military—he’s decisive and forceful, sometimes a bit rough around the edges... I can’t help but envy Master Shen’s gentle nature. His Majesty can be somewhat... blunt.”
Hearing this, Jiang Qingci understood immediately.
At first, Shen Yanyu had not been as gentle in private as he appeared in public. When she could no longer endure it, she devised a method to ensure that no matter how passionate he became, he would always consider her feelings.
Lowering her voice, Jiang Qingci whispered her secret into Yun Kui’s ear.
Yun Kui’s eyes lit up with hope, but soon dimmed again.
Jiang Qingci added, “But this method may not suit Your Majesty. After all, as the Son of Heaven, you cannot deceive your sovereign.”
Yun Kui sighed inwardly—no one understood her pain.
She had no secrets in front of him! He could read her mind and catch her smallest slip with ease!
Still, it was a plan worth trying—though it would require some acting.
