The moon-white robe outlined the man's tall and broad figure—wide shoulders, narrow waist, with subtle patterned trimmings at the sleeves that exuded understated nobility.
At this moment, his long legs were slightly bent as he sat imposingly, making the already cramped carriage feel even more confined.
Yun Wan paused, momentarily stunned.
Emperor Jingxuan brushed nonexistent dust off his sleeves, crossed his legs, and extended a hand toward her. "Is my lady surprised?"
Yun Wan nodded, glancing at the broad palm before placing her hand in his.
The owner of that palm curved his lips slightly and deliberately tightened his grip with a playful tug.
Instantly, Yun Wan stumbled forward, crashing into his embrace.
Emperor Jingxuan looked down at her, his narrow eyes glinting with amusement. "It seems my lady couldn’t wait to see me?"
Yun Wan was momentarily speechless, unwilling to entertain his self-indulgent theatrics.
His claims would hold more weight if he’d just let go of her waist.
After a few futile struggles, his arms only tightened further, so Yun Wan gave up and nestled against his chest, tilting her head to ask, "Why has Your Majesty come personally?"
Gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, Emperor Jingxuan replied ambiguously, "I feared my lady might pull a vanishing act."
"......"
Did he not trust her?
Yun Wan pressed her lips together. "I gave you my word. I wouldn’t go back on it."
There was no need for such suspicion.
A soft chuckle sounded above her. The fingers that had just tidied her hair now traced her cheek, lightly stroking. "I was only teasing. Of course I trust you."
Where did this sensitive streak of hers come from?
Realizing she’d misunderstood, Yun Wan let out a quiet "Oh" and fell silent, feigning nonchalance to mask her embarrassment.
Emperor Jingxuan adored this side of her. His hands grew restless—toying with her soft earlobes, skimming over her smooth, plump cheeks.
Gradually, his fingers wandered to her lips, pressing and teasing, as if driven by some restless impulse.
As his touch grew warmer and more insistent, Yun Wan, irritated, finally seized his hand.
"Your Majesty, I am not an object."
Emperor Jingxuan turned his hand to envelop hers, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. "No object could compare to my lady’s charm."
The bold, flirtatious words sent a flush of heat through Yun Wan. She opened and closed her mouth, struggling for a retort, but nothing came to mind. In the end, she simply averted her eyes.
Annoying.
Emperor Jingxuan smirked, his amusement deepening.
He released her abruptly, and under her puzzled gaze, he lifted his sleeve. "What does my lady think of this attire?"
Yun Wan blinked, then nodded.
Naturally, the robe was impeccable—after all, how could an emperor’s garments be anything less?
But this moon-white hue was unlike his usual darker tones. It was the first time Yun Wan had seen Emperor Jingxuan dressed so, his jade-like refinement unable to mask the innate dominance radiating from him.
There was a slight dissonance, but she dared not voice it.
Unaware of her thoughts, Emperor Jingxuan clicked his tongue. "I told Jiang Fusheng to fetch something suitable for leaving the palace, and that fool brought me this. Yet it happens to match my lady’s robes."
Match?
Yun Wan glanced down at her own plain white dress, failing to see any resemblance.
When she remained silent, Emperor Jingxuan tilted his head. "Why so quiet?"
Yun Wan shook her head. "I’d rather not speak. I’ve talked too much today and am tired."
"Too much?"
Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes narrowed, instantly latching onto the detail. "With whom?"
Yun Wan: ?
The abrupt question left her baffled.
Emperor Jingxuan’s lips curled as his gaze roamed her face. Suddenly, he chuckled darkly.
"Ah, I remember. Today is Lu San’s death anniversary. My lady must have spent the day at his grave, pouring her heart out. No wonder she has no words left for me."
Yun Wan sighed.
Emperor Jingxuan’s expression turned icy. "That sigh—did I strike a nerve?"
"I’d love to hear what you told him. He can’t speak, but I—"
His words cut off abruptly, his pupils dilating in shock.
His lady... had kissed him?!
The softness of her lips was like a wisp of cloud—light, fleeting, yet undeniably real.
After the initial shock, exhilaration surged through him. Seizing the initiative, he cupped the back of her head and deepened the kiss.
Yun Wan had only meant to mimic his earlier tactic—using action to silence his relentless teasing—but she hadn’t expected to become the victim of her own ploy.
Trapped in his embrace, she was forced to tilt her head back, enduring his fierce, urgent kisses.
......
By the time the moon hung high, accompanied by the steady creak of carriage wheels, Yun Wan lay slumped against him, drowsy and spent.
Emperor Jingxuan cradled her carefully, his sharp features softening in the darkness.
That night, in Changchun Palace, Consort Shu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
When hurried footsteps approached, she bolted upright, throwing aside the bed curtains to demand of the newcomer:
"Well? What did you find?"
Chun Tang, panting, whispered, "Your Highness, I kept watch for hours, and you’ll never guess what I saw!"
Her face was alight with shock and excitement, clearly having witnessed something unbelievable.
Consort Shu, plagued by days of sleeplessness and a throbbing headache, snapped impatiently, "Enough with the theatrics! Just tell me what you saw!"
Chun Tang swallowed hard, leaning in to murmur, "I saw His Majesty carrying..."
Her voice dropped to a near-inaudible whisper.
Consort Shu’s mind went blank. She seized Chun Tang’s wrist, eyes wide with fury. "Are you certain?"
"If you’re lying to me, don’t expect mercy!" she hissed.
Chun Tang nodded frantically. "I swear it! How could I dare deceive you about something so grave?"
"His Majesty... Yun Wan..." Consort Shu muttered the names, struggling to reconcile them.
The Son of Heaven, entangled with that widow? It was unthinkable.
The realization hit her like a thunderbolt. Consort Shu suddenly burst into laughter. "So that’s it! I’ve been kept in the dark all along!"
She pounded the bedding in a frenzy until exhaustion overtook her, leaving her slumped on the bed, hollow-eyed.
She didn’t sleep a wink that night. By morning, her haggard appearance startled her maids, who scrambled to conceal it with powder.
Just as Consort Shu, composed but grim-faced, prepared to leave Changchun Palace, a servant rushed in with excitement. "Your Highness! His Majesty has sent you a gift!"
Heart leaping with hope, Consort Shu opened the brocade box—only to find a jade ruyi scepter inside.
"A ruyi... a ruyi..."
Understanding dawned, and her face darkened.
She had always despised white jade. This was a warning from the emperor.
Just whose wishes was he trying to fulfill?!
