With the assistance of warm medicinal water, Emperor Jingxuan's temples and neck still bulged with veins.
"My lady."
His low, hoarse voice was magnetic as he patted her waist and hips, trying to make it easier for both of them.
Yet the more he did so, the more uncomfortable Yun Wan became.
A scream escaped her throat, only to be swallowed by him. Her face flushed like peach blossoms, her eyes brimming with spring-like moisture.
From the bathing pool to the screen and then to the bed, Yun Wan felt like a fish on a chopping board, tossed and turned until she lost all sense of time and place.
.........
Outside the Zichen Hall, a group of palace servants stood frozen, exchanging bewildered glances.
A young eunuch at the front peeked at the palace doors and whispered, "Eunuch Jiang, should we go in?"
Jiang Fusheng rapped him on the head with his knuckles. "Go in? Are you out of your mind?! Hurry up and prepare fresh hot water—His Majesty will surely need it later!"
The scolded eunuch rubbed his head. "Ah, yes! This servant will go at once!"
Waving the others away, Jiang Fusheng paced back and forth, an unconscious smile creeping onto his lips.
Well, well. His Majesty has finally gotten what he desired.
Noticing his master's eerie grin, a young apprentice couldn’t resist asking, "Master, which consort has His Majesty favored?"
The Emperor had long neglected the imperial harem, and no consort had ever stayed overnight in the Zichen Hall since his ascension. The young apprentice was beyond curious.
Who on earth possessed such extraordinary skill to make His Majesty break his own rules?
Jiang Fusheng shot him a sidelong glance. "Doesn’t matter who. Some questions are better left unasked!"
The apprentice scratched his nose and muttered an "Oh."
Still, the boy was his own disciple. After a moment’s thought, Jiang Fusheng decided to enlighten him.
The apprentice’s eyes nearly popped out. "But... didn’t Lady Yun already return?"
Jiang Fusheng smirked coldly. "I checked. She never left. Seems someone couldn’t hold back."
Someone had dared to meddle with the Emperor’s affairs. No doubt tomorrow would bring a storm of bloodshed.
He glanced at his apprentice and offered a warning. "Before His Majesty starts interrogating, tell the Punishment Office to hurry and extract confessions from those who abandoned their posts. Find out who ordered it—and make sure they don’t die!"
The apprentice was sharp; a hint was all he needed. "Understood, Master. I’ll handle it!"
They waited outside the hall all night. Only at dawn, when the morning bells echoed across the sky, did the heavy panting and delicate moans inside Zichen Hall finally subside.
Jiang Fusheng flicked his horsetail whisk, dark circles under his eyes, half-asleep yet marveling.
Truly, His Majesty’s vigor is unmatched.
Inside the bedchamber, Emperor Jingxuan summoned servants to tidy the bed while he carried the unconscious Yun Wan to the inner chamber for washing.
Half-asleep, Yun Wan felt an annoying disturbance and buried her face deeper into his firm chest in protest.
The Emperor chuckled softly and kissed her swollen lips.
Unable to resist, his lips trailed downward, reducing the delicate figure in his arms to a trembling mess.
By the time they emerged from the inner chamber, it was already dawn.
Emperor Jingxuan didn’t disturb Yun Wan further. After washing her, he carefully laid her on the imperial bed, gazing at her for a long while before drawing the curtains and instructing the servants:
"Be quiet. Do not disturb my lady."
The servants bowed and approached to dress him.
Jiang Fusheng noticed the claw marks on the Emperor’s chest and back and clicked his tongue.
"Your Majesty, shall this servant fetch ointment for you?"
Emperor Jingxuan glanced toward the bed, his voice lazy. "Prepare it."
He had his own plans for the rest.
Once dressed in court robes, he strode out of the hall, full of energy, showing no signs of exhaustion from the sleepless night.
-
When Yun Wan awoke, the sun was already high. The palace servants moved about quietly, careful not to disturb the noble lady resting on the bed.
Blinking drowsily, Yun Wan stared at the bright yellow canopy above, lost in thought.
Memories of the previous night flooded her mind—wild, reckless, and shameless. Her ears burned.
Forcing herself to stop dwelling on it, she tried to sit up, only to collapse back weakly from the soreness.
The movement caught the attention of a maid, who stepped forward. "My lady, you’re awake?"
Yun Wan said, "Help me up."
The maid lifted the curtain and carefully supported her.
As Yun Wan sat up, the silk covers slipped from her shoulders, revealing snow-white skin marred with scattered red marks.
The maid blushed and quickly averted her eyes.
Feeling a chill on her chest, Yun Wan realized she was barely clothed—only a flimsy undergarment remained, and everywhere she looked, there were bite marks and love bruises.
Yun Wan: "......"
It really did look like she’d been mauled by a dog.
"Where are my clothes?" she asked hoarsely.
The maid replied, "New ones have been prepared."
"My lady, please don’t misunderstand. This morning, His Majesty wished to dress you himself, but you cried out in pain. He said the original garments were too rough and might hurt you, so he ordered new ones made."
Just then, servants arrived with fresh robes, and Yun Wan was finally able to cover herself.
After being bathed and dressed, the head maid respectfully asked, "Is my lady hungry? A meal has been prepared."
Yun Wan was indeed famished. She nodded and asked, "Where is His Majesty?"
The maid answered, "His Majesty returned after court and stayed for half an hour, but you were still asleep. He has since gone to the Hall of Diligent Governance."
Yun Wan gave a soft "Hmm" and said no more.
As she ate, Fuling, who had been missing all night, suddenly appeared. Yun Wan could hear her frantic voice from afar.
"My lady! My lady!"
Yun Wan set down her chopsticks. "Fuling!"
At the sight of her, Fuling visibly relaxed. "My lady, are you all right? Let me check on you."
Yun Wan shook her head. "I’m fine. But what about you? Last night, I sent you to fetch sobering pills—why did you disappear? And why are you dressed like this?"
Fuling was still in yesterday’s clothes, disheveled, with dirt stains on her hem.
At the mention of it, Fuling seethed. "My lady, you wouldn’t believe it! Last night, I was on my way to get the pills when someone knocked me out from behind! When I woke up, I was lying in a cave in the imperial garden—it was terrifying!"
Yun Wan was stunned. "Knocked out? Are you hurt?"
Touched by her concern, Fuling patted her chest. "I’m fine, just a sore neck—ah-choo!"
She sneezed and grinned sheepishly. "Guess I caught a chill from sleeping outside all night."
Yun Wan urged, "Drink some ginger soup later. If you feel worse, tell me immediately."
Fuling bowed. "Thank you, my lady!"
After the exchange, Yun Wan frowned thoughtfully. "Did you see who attacked you?"
Fuling sighed. "They came from behind. I never got a look. But this morning, Eunuch Jiang found me and heard my story. Let’s hope they catch that wretched bastard soon!"
She gritted her teeth in fury.
Before Yun Wan could say more, the voices of servants outside announced Emperor Jingxuan’s return.
