Emperor Jingxuan finished speaking, turned her face toward him, and stared at her unyieldingly.
Yun Wan couldn’t believe he was pressing her like this.
"Your Majesty is a gentleman, yet this behavior is hardly befitting one!"
Yun Wan was both furious and flustered, resenting how he could speak so shamelessly without a trace of restraint. Her delicate cheeks flushed red, and her watery eyes glared at him.
But she still remembered that the man before her was the Emperor of Great Qi, who could decide life and death with a mere gesture. So, she only dared to glare lightly, her anger lacking any real intimidation.
Hearing this, Emperor Jingxuan let out a soft laugh, his tone lazy and mocking. "I never intended to be a gentleman. I only know that what I want, I must reach out and take."
"A gentleman?" He scoffed coldly, his gaze drifting past her to the distant horizon. "I am already the sovereign of this realm."
Why should he care about gentlemanly conduct?
This position, for instance, was something he had seized—otherwise, he would have long been reduced to a handful of dust.
"If I were a gentleman, how could I have ever met you, Madam?"
The words sounded almost tender, but Yun Wan replied, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Naturally, all things in this world are within your grasp. But I am but a widow—my reputation is more important to me than life itself. If word spreads, how am I to face the world?"
Yun Wan knew she could disregard the judgment and gossip of others. She could scoff at the so-called virtues that confined women. But the whispers of the world could drive a person to their death.
She could endure it, but why should she bear such consequences? If she were branded as a wanton woman who seduced the Emperor, her son Sui would also face endless scorn.
She couldn’t silence the world’s tongues.
Seeing the flicker of fear in her eyes, Emperor Jingxuan said darkly, "With me here, who would dare spread rumors?"
Yun Wan lowered her gaze and did not respond.
How could a man ever understand the suffering of a woman?
Noticing her clear disbelief, Emperor Jingxuan pressed his lips together, his heartstrings inexplicably tugged.
He knew he wouldn’t get the answer he wanted from her today. Releasing her, he changed the subject. "Have you ever considered remarrying, Madam?"
Uncertain why he brought this up, Yun Wan answered firmly, "Never. I will never remarry."
Emperor Jingxuan frowned. "Why?"
Yun Wan remained silent.
Why?
Because she knew neither the Lu Family nor the Yun Family would ever consent to her remarriage.
Her marriage to Lu Fenglan had been the result of their families’ political alliance. If she remarried, their ties would weaken further.
Besides, if she did remarry, she would take Sui with her—she would never leave him alone in the Lu household.
That alone ensured the Lu Family would never agree, and no new husband would accept Sui either.
Rather than face such dilemmas, it was better to maintain the status quo.
As for entering the palace—Yun Wan had never considered it.
She was certain the Emperor was merely infatuated with her beauty, seeking a fleeting affair. Who knew when he would forget her?
Her silence, in Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes, was reluctance to speak. He suddenly recalled the rumors, his expression darkening.
"Lu Fenglan has been dead for years. Do you still pine for him? Must you remain a widow for the rest of your life?"
Yun Wan replied, "Why not? He was my husband. It is my duty to remain faithful to him."
Emperor Jingxuan snapped, "Foolish!"
Yun Wan said softly, "Your Majesty may deem it foolish, but I embrace it willingly."
These words, spoken like a vow of devotion, grated on Emperor Jingxuan’s ears. How could such a soft, sweet mouth utter such unpleasant words?
His face turned stormy, his eyes icy with displeasure.
He sneered, "Madam appears gentle, yet your words are sharp as knives. They leave me quite unsettled."
It burned him.
A man long dead—likely reborn as some infant by now—how could he still hold such a place in her heart?
Just because they had once been husband and wife?
A fire raged in Emperor Jingxuan’s chest, growing fiercer, threatening to consume everything.
Startled by the intensity in his gaze, Yun Wan sensed danger.
In her panic, she made a childish decision—she turned and bolted toward the jade steps.
But her speed was nothing to Emperor Jingxuan. With one long reach, he pulled her into his arms, raining kisses upon her like a storm.
"I do not wish to force you, Madam," he murmured against her lips, his voice rough, "but I must claim some reward, no?"
Then he gripped her waist, his lips trailing downward, leaving marks like blooming flowers on her skin.
Yun Wan had never been treated so roughly. Her late husband, Lu Fenglan, had been frail and always gentle with her.
He had never devoured her like a ravenous beast.
A strange sensation surged through her, a craving she couldn’t name.
Yet, true to his word, he only teased, leaving her suspended between pleasure and frustration.
Yun Wan grew even more restless.
Emperor Jingxuan lifted his head, chuckling darkly. "Do you like it, Madam?"
"N—No..."
"This subject—"
"I dislike those words. Choose another, Madam."
"......"
A night breeze swept past, rustling the pomegranate tree behind them. Blossoms drifted down, scattering into the hot spring like a pool of rubies.
One petal landed atop Emperor Jingxuan’s head, but as he bowed, it slid down, coming to rest on Yun Wan’s bare chest.
The contrast of snow-white skin and fiery red was mesmerizing, stirring the most primal desires.
......
Once out of the spring, Yun Wan hastily threw on her robes, her movements frantic as his laughter followed her.
She even forgot her silk socks in her rush to flee through the moon gate.
"Madam!"
Yue Ya and Yue'e cried out in relief at the sight of her.
Yue'e asked, "Are you unharmed? Did they mistreat you?"
"I blame myself—I never should have left your side! That maid in blue was despicable. Yue Ya and I tried to find you, but she kept making excuses. By the time we realized something was wrong, she had people lock us up!"
Yue Ya supported Yun Wan, worry in her voice. "Madam, that maid said you were with an honored guest who wouldn’t harm you. Who was it?"
Yun Wan, still weak-kneed, murmured, "I’m fine. Let’s discuss this later."
The group prepared to leave under the moonlight but were stopped at the estate gates by the same blue-clad maid.
"Madam, we’ve prepared a chamber for you. Won’t you stay—"
Yun Wan cut her off coldly. "No. We’re leaving now."
The maid summoned a carriage and said respectfully, "Then please board. Seventh Master has arranged for your escort down the mountain."
Without another word, Yun Wan stepped inside.
The maid then turned to Yue'e and Yue Ya. "My apologies for earlier, ladies. It was an emergency—I had no choice but to detain you."
"Hmph!"
By the time they returned to their quarters at Puto Temple, it was nearly midnight. At the door, they encountered Concubine Zhong.
The woman glanced at them, then stared at Yun Wan in surprise. "Where have you been at this hour?"
Yun Wan replied, "There’s a hot spring estate at the mountain peak. I went for a visit."
Concubine Zhong looked puzzled. "Changning went there this morning too. Why have you returned alone?"
Yun Wan replied coldly, "She was with Princess Jiayi and the others. It wasn’t appropriate for me to stay, so I came back."
She then glanced at Concubine Zhong, her tone impatient. "Any more questions?"
Concubine Zhong snorted, flicked her handkerchief, and swayed away with a toss of her hips.
As if she’d never bathed in a hot spring before—who hadn’t?
Yun Wan stood still for a moment, exhaling softly.
