Noticing her gaze, Emperor Jingxuan’s expression darkened instantly.
A sharp pain bloomed on her cheek as the man’s rough fingers pinched the soft flesh near her jaw, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous glint.
Yun Wan offered a sheepish smile, not daring to glance at his head again.
After all, there wasn’t a hint of green there either.
Just then, rustling came from the flower bushes nearby—the very spot where the amorous couple was hidden, barely an arm’s length away from Yun Wan and the emperor.
The bushes swayed wildly as the man spewed a stream of vulgar words, drawing coy giggles from the woman in his arms.
Yun Wan’s face burned with embarrassment, yet curiosity gnawed at her. Who would dare act so brazenly? She leaned forward to peek, only for darkness to engulf her vision as she was abruptly yanked into a nearby grotto.
The jagged rocks dug into her back, and she shifted uncomfortably, whispering in confusion, "Your Majesty?"
A large palm covered the upper half of her face, leaving only her delicate chin and rosy lips exposed.
Those lips, petal-soft and glistening like ripe fruit under the moonlight, parted slightly to reveal pearly teeth and a pink tongue—an intoxicating sight that stirred the soul.
Emperor Jingxuan’s gaze deepened, shadows swirling in his eyes as he lowered his hand, his voice husky. "Unless you want to grow a sty."
Who knew what unsightly scene those two were entangled in? He had no intention of letting his wife witness such filth.
Catching his implication, Yun Wan’s ears flushed crimson.
Coincidentally, the couple had lost themselves so thoroughly that they tumbled out of the bushes, their bodies starkly visible under the moon’s glow.
Yun Wan instinctively glanced over and caught sight of the woman’s discarded garments.
Though stripped bare, the style and color were unmistakable—a pale blue uniform worn by second-tier palace maids.
A maid, not a consort.
Yun Wan blinked in surprise. As for the man she was entwined with…
Well, he certainly wasn’t a eunuch.
That left only one likely possibility—
She turned to look, only to have her face forcibly tilted back, leaving her bewildered.
Emperor Jingxuan narrowed his phoenix eyes, one arm braced against the rock above her head, the other cupping her cheek, his expression turning perilous.
"Must my wife be so curious?"
What was so fascinating about those scrawny, worthless men? Was he not enough for her?
Yun Wan pouted. "What nonsense! I merely wanted to see who it was."
"You are not allowed to look," he declared, his tone unyielding as he blocked the grotto’s entrance with his body.
Frustrated, she retorted, "But you looked!"
Emperor Jingxuan: "And I regret it deeply. I’d rather gouge my eyes out."
Yun Wan choked on her words.
Though they spoke in whispers, even the slightest rustle could alert the amorous pair outside.
The maid suddenly pushed at the man, urgency in her voice. "Get up—someone’s here!"
The man paused, listening intently before chuckling with a roguish grin. "Sweetheart, you’re hearing things. Who’d come out here in the dark? Just us two lovebirds…"
"Mmm, you smell divine…"
Their bodies melded together again, this time shifting from the bushes to the shade of a nearby tree—one that happened to stand right behind the grotto where Yun Wan and the emperor hid.
Yun Wan didn’t dare utter another word, pressing herself deeper into the shadows until her back collided with Emperor Jingxuan’s solid frame.
He stood unwavering, letting her burrow into his embrace.
While their forms were concealed, the sounds outside were not—every gasp and sigh piercing the night air.
This was Yun Wan’s first time trapped in such an awkward predicament, forced to eavesdrop on a lovers’ tryst… and with company, no less. Covering her ears would’ve been futile, yet the grotto was cramped and stifling, leaving her no escape but to fan herself in feigned nonchalance.
In the darkness, Emperor Jingxuan’s sharp eyes missed none of her fidgeting.
Moonlight seeped through the crevices, illuminating Yun Wan’s flawless, makeup-free complexion and the crimson tips of her ears, now red as rubies.
Her intoxicating fragrance, mingling with the scandalous sounds around them, ensnared his senses. His gaze darkened, his body reacting unbidden.
For Yun Wan, the next quarter-hour dragged like an eternity. Finally, the noises ceased, replaced by the rustling of clothes as the pair dressed.
The maid slapped the man’s wandering hands away, hissing, "Enough! Focus—did you finish what the master asked?"
Grumbling, the man relented. "Xiang’er, I came to ask you—how goes the task?"
Xiang’er sighed. "The item’s still in the storeroom. Consort Yun is favored; her jewelry is endless. I haven’t found a chance to slip it in yet."
"Then think harder!"
Yun Wan stiffened.
Why was her name involved?
Was this maid from her palace? She didn’t recall anyone named Xiang’er.
And what was this "item"? Who was their master?
Suppressing her questions, she kept listening.
Outside, the maid snapped, "Easy for you to say! Do you think I’m not trying?"
The man quickly backpedaled. "Forgive me, Xiang’er. The master’s impatient, and I hate ruining our time together with this."
Her tone softened. "Fine. I’ll handle it. It’s late—I must return."
"Then leave me your undergarments. A token to remember you by."
"…"
The lovers parted ways, their post-coital quarrel fading into the night.
Once certain they were gone, Yun Wan exhaled in relief.
She moved to step out, only for Emperor Jingxuan’s grip to tighten around her waist. Turning, she met his smoldering gaze.
His hand trailed up her spine as he murmured, "One of your maids?"
Yun Wan froze, forcing a laugh. "This has nothing to do with me! I didn’t sanction their… activities."
She felt wronged—assuming it was just a maid and guard’s indiscretion, only to learn the maid served her own palace!
Emperor Jingxuan smirked, feigning solemnity. "Poor discipline in your ranks, my dear. Scandal like this tarnishes the imperial household—and by extension, my reputation. Such a grave matter demands recompense."
"W-what recompense does Your Majesty desire?"
Sensing danger, Yun Wan retreated, her voice strained.
"Compensate me," he purred.
"As for how… that’s my decision. You need only comply."
In one stride, he closed the distance, caging her in.
As shadows swallowed them whole, his lips claimed hers, leaving the world behind.
———
Exhaustion weighed Yun Wan down, her legs limp as noodles in his arms.
Emperor Jingxuan carried her, satisfaction etched across his face. "Now we’ve played at being lovebirds too."
Nestled against him, Yun Wan lacked even the energy to glare.
Who knew that standing could be so much more taxing than lying down, sitting, or even kneeling?
