A set of undergarments personally sewn by the imperial consort had mended the rift between the two masters, bringing joy to all.
Watching Emperor Jingxuan pacing back and forth, cradling the undergarments as if he wanted to announce it to the world, Jiang Fusheng wiped the sweat from his forehead.
At last, the storm had passed, and the clouds had parted.
After reconciling with his consort, Emperor Jingxuan spent the entire afternoon lingering in Qiyun Palace, subtly inserting himself into whatever Yun Wan was doing.
If possible, it seemed he wished they could stay glued together forever.
Late at night, the man transformed into a beast, fiercely confining his beloved within his domain.
The ebony bed frame creaked like a song, the rose-colored sheets tangled into a heap, leaving Yun Wan with no escape.
Emperor Jingxuan sighed in satisfaction—though the bed in Qiyun Palace was smaller than the one in Zichen Hall, there were advantages to its compact size.
Yun Wan deeply regretted telling him that her monthly courses had ended. Now, it felt as though he was settling both old and new grievances upon her.
At the height of passion, just as Yun Wan was overwhelmed, he leaned close to her ear and deliberately asked:
"Who is bigger—him or me?"
Even the thickest-skinned would falter under such questioning.
Especially since, when she refused to answer, Emperor Jingxuan restrained himself with masterful torment.
Blushing furiously, Yun Wan had no choice but to answer truthfully.
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s hum, mumbled and indistinct, but Emperor Jingxuan’s sharp hearing caught every word. His lips curled into a smirk, his grin widening with excitement as he grew even more relentless.
Afterward, Yun Wan lay limp in his arms and murmured drowsily:
"Your Majesty, excessive indulgence harms the body..."
In stark contrast to her exhaustion, Emperor Jingxuan was brimming with energy. A low chuckle escaped his throat as he replied, "My lady need not worry. The imperial physician says this is the art of balancing yin and yang. Proper release is beneficial to my health."
Yun Wan: .
Was this "proper"?
And since when would any imperial physician say such a thing? Since ancient times, hadn’t they always advised emperors against indulging in carnal pleasures and instead encouraged temperance?
In truth, the imperial physician had indeed said so.
When Emperor Jingxuan first ascended the throne, the harem was empty, and he suffered from chronic headaches due to stagnant blood qi. After diagnosis, the physician discreetly suggested the method of balancing yin and yang.
Thinking it would solve both his heir problem and his headaches, Emperor Jingxuan organized a selection of consorts, scheduling their visits strictly by the rules.
Yet years passed, and not only did his headaches persist, but he also fathered only three children.
It was like an old ox toiling diligently in the fields, only to reap a meager harvest while its ailments worsened.
Disillusioned, Emperor Jingxuan decided to go on strike.
And strike he did—for years.
It wasn’t until he met his consort that he truly understood the wonders of balancing yin and yang.
She was his perfect match, made for him by heaven itself.
.........
The next morning at court, the ministers noticed an unusual gentleness in the emperor. For once, he didn’t rebuke a single soul, leaving them to secretly speculate—had some joyous event occurred?
Ignoring their exchanged glances, Emperor Jingxuan headed straight to the Hall of Diligent Governance after court, eager to finish state affairs quickly so he could return to Qiyun Palace and dine with his consort.
As he approached the hall, a tiny figure caught his eye.
Sui sat on the steps in front of the hall, chin propped on his hands, gazing into the distance. His plump, fair cheeks bore an expression of worry far beyond his years.
Lost in thought, he heaved a heavy sigh.
"Ah!"
His round face scrunched into a pout.
Emperor Jingxuan stopped before him, casting a shadow. "What are you doing here?"
Sui blurted out, "Waiting for Your Majesty."
"Waiting for me?"
Snapping back to reality, Sui’s eyes lit up. "Your Majesty!"
He craned his neck to look up, but with one standing and the other sitting, all he could see was Emperor Jingxuan’s chin before his neck ached.
As he teetered backward, Emperor Jingxuan’s eye twitched, and he swiftly grabbed Sui by the collar.
"Such poor posture—what kind of example is this?" he scolded sternly.
Most importantly, if his consort’s precious treasure got hurt under his watch, who would he answer to?
With that, he hauled Sui inside and set him down.
Sui glanced enviously at Emperor Jingxuan’s strong arms before patiently smoothing his rumpled collar.
By the time he finished, the emperor was already seated behind the desk. Sui sidled up to him.
Feeling the intense stare, Emperor Jingxuan glanced over. "Why are you staring? Speak if you have something to say."
Sui clung to the edge of the desk, eyes wide and hopeful. "Your Majesty, will you bully my mother?"
He was barely taller than the desk, standing on tiptoe to peek over.
Emperor Jingxuan reached out again, lifting him to his side, and scoffed, "I cherish your mother too much to bully her."
"Stand properly."
Sui obediently straightened, hands tucked into his sleeves. "But yesterday, when I visited Mother, she said you two quarreled."
Emperor Jingxuan inwardly cursed the little blabbermouth but arched a brow. "We’ve made up. Our relationship is even better now—'inseparable as glue and paint,' understand?"
Sui shook his head honestly. "No."
Raised in comfort, his delicate face was rosy with baby fat that jiggled when he moved, tempting fingers to poke.
"Of course a little milk-drinker like you wouldn’t."
Emperor Jingxuan flicked his cheek dismissively. "Was this all you came for?"
Remembering his mission, Sui ignored the teasing and asked eagerly, "Your Majesty, can my mother attend my apprenticeship ceremony the day after tomorrow? She said she can’t leave without your permission, so I came to ask."
Emperor Jingxuan eyed him. "You want her there?"
Sui nodded vigorously. "Yes!"
"Then answer me truthfully—no lies."
Seeing hope, Sui bobbed his head even faster, his voice sweet. "Please ask, Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingxuan: "Does your uncle treat you well?"
"Yes."
"And me?"
"Yes."
"Between me and your uncle, who treats you better?"
Sui blinked, confused by the connection.
Emperor Jingxuan smirked. "Think carefully."
Sensing danger, Sui straightened and declared solemnly, "...You!"
Pleased, Emperor Jingxuan praised, "Such sincerity—excellent judgment."
"Permission granted."
With business settled, Sui’s stomach growled.
He patted his belly and eyed the pastries on the tea table. "I’m hungry. May I have some?"
"Go ahead."
With approval, Sui took a bite—only for Jiang Fusheng to gasp in alarm moments later.
"Oh heavens, young master! Your face!"
Emperor Jingxuan turned sharply, spotting red speckles across Sui’s cheeks. His heart lurched.
"Summon the imperial physician—now!"
