The Emperor’s expression remained unchanged, but those who served him were adept at discerning even the slightest shifts in his mood.
Beneath his majestic aura, the faintest hint of displeasure could send ripples of unease through his subordinates.
Futai stood with his hands respectfully at his sides, holding his breath and treading carefully.
He was inwardly anxious, wondering how this matter could be resolved smoothly.
Beside him, Imperial Physician Wang was even more apprehensive.
According to the rules of the imperial harem, the Emperor could not casually favor any woman.
The women of the harem were meticulously selected, having passed through layers of screening and inspections.
Only after the Imperial Medical Bureau had documented their health records and affixed their seals could their names be entered into the Emperor’s selection list, awaiting his favor.
Now, the Emperor had abruptly favored a woman who, though free of any hidden ailments, had previously served another man and might even have borne children.
This was highly improper.
While the Great Hui Dynasty did not place excessive emphasis on a woman’s chastity, and there were instances of remarried women marrying into noble families, Emperor Jingxi, as the supreme ruler, naturally held different standards from ordinary men.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room grew tense and oppressive.
Everyone present held their breath, awaiting the Emperor’s decision.
Finally, Emperor Jingxi placed the medical records on the table and instructed,
“You may leave now.”
His voice was calm, betraying no emotion.
The hearts of those present relaxed momentarily, only to tense up again.
Imperial Physician Wang bowed his head even lower, maintaining his utmost reverence as he quietly withdrew.
Futai, however, was inwardly distressed.
What exactly did the Emperor mean?
How should they handle the Fifth Lady now?
Emperor Jingxi’s expression was inscrutable, his emotions unreadable.
Futai’s heart was in his throat as he cautiously stood by, waiting.
Beads of sweat had already formed on his forehead.
As the ruler of the world, there was nothing the Emperor could not have.
In recent years, the Emperor had shown little interest in the beauties of the harem, almost to the point of indifference.
Now that he had finally taken a liking to someone, if the woman had been pure and of modest background, she could have easily been welcomed into the palace, and all would have been well.
But… to have already served another man?
And possibly borne children?
This might have been acceptable for other men, but not for Emperor Jingxi.
He valued cleanliness to the extreme.
His personal belongings were strictly off-limits to others.
Once, he had a favorite woolen rug, but after the Empress accidentally stepped on it, he ordered it discarded.
Recalling this, Futai felt even more at a loss.
Just then, Emperor Jingxi suddenly stood up and strode into the inner chambers.
Futai’s heart skipped a beat.
He had no idea what his master was thinking, but he had no choice but to quickly follow.
The morning mist lingered in the mountains, the air cool and damp.
Emperor Jingxi’s retreat had already been warmed with charcoal, and the room was cozy and quiet.
As he entered, he seemed to catch a faint, sweet fragrance.
It was the scent of ambergris, but more pleasant than usual.
He paused for a moment, thinking that there was no real difference from before, except that there was now a soft, delicate young lady here, unsettling his emotions and stirring up desires.
He gave a self-deprecating smile and deliberately slowed his pace.
There was no rush.
If this young lady was a delicacy, he had both the right and the patience to savor her slowly.
She was his, after all.
On the incense table by the window, colorful yellow hibiscus flowers bloomed brightly, their tender petals glowing in the light.
Emperor Jingxi walked around the rosewood screen and approached the bed.
After a brief hesitation, he lifted the brocade curtain.
There she was, peacefully asleep.
Last night, as they had lain together, he had felt a sense of disbelief, as if it were a dream of the King of Xiang encountering the Goddess of Mount Wu.
Only now, seeing her again, did he confirm that it had not been a dream.
She was still asleep, her long, thick lashes resting gently on her cheeks.
The morning sunlight streamed in, casting a soft glow on her face.
In the bright light, her skin appeared translucent and rosy, even more endearing.
Emperor Jingxi gazed at her for a long while, his eyes eventually settling on her lips.
Her lips were as tender as ripe berries, giving the illusion that a gentle touch would release their juicy sweetness.
Emperor Jingxi was greatly enamored with her beauty.
As the ruler of the Great Hui Empire, he naturally believed that such rare beauty was meant for him.
She should have been born for him, created for him.
But the Imperial Physician had said she had served another man and possibly borne children.
He couldn’t quite describe the feeling in his heart.
In this world, whatever he desired, no one could take from him.
No one was worthy of competing with him.
Yet someone had beaten him to it.
Futai dared not look up, but he could still sense the Emperor’s faint displeasure.
He sighed inwardly.
Emperor Jingxi continued to gaze down at her, and after a long while, he finally reached out.
His smooth, white fingertip gently pressed against her lips, subtly caressing, feeling their softness.
Though he wasn’t applying much pressure, it was enough to disturb her slumber.
Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and a soft, ambiguous sound escaped her lips, still in the throes of sleep.
Emperor Jingxi paused, observing her reaction.
Her eyelids were thin, revealing the faint veins beneath her pale skin.
As her lashes fluttered, her eyelids trembled slightly.
Emperor Jingxi leaned down and whispered softly in her ear,
“Still sleeping?”
Even he was surprised by the gentleness in his voice.
In all his life, he had never spoken so tenderly.
Not to his Empress, his concubines, or even his children.
He had always maintained his imperial dignity above all else.
Even in front of his mother, he was first and foremost an Emperor, then a son.
Awu was enjoying a deep, peaceful sleep when someone disturbed her.
Naturally, she was annoyed and raised her hand to brush them away.
But as she did so, her wrist was caught.
Irritated, she finally opened her eyes and mumbled,
“Still want to sleep…”
Then she saw the man before her and was momentarily stunned.
Last night, she had been intimate with this man, but it had been under the dim light of night, and she hadn’t seen him clearly.
Now, in the daylight, she saw that he was handsome and imposing, both unfamiliar and somehow familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before.
She looked at him in confusion.
Emperor Jingxi allowed her to study him.
Even without the identity of the Emperor, he was a handsome man.
Though in his thirties, he was still far from being discomfited by the scrutiny of a young lady.
But then she spoke, her voice filled with confusion,
“Have we met before?”
Emperor Jingxi raised an eyebrow slightly,
“What, after last night’s passion, you’ve already forgotten?”
Awu’s face flushed, and she bit her lip,
“I didn’t mean that. I meant… have I ever met you before?”
Emperor Jingxi replied firmly, “No.”
Such beauty, if he had seen her before, he would never have forgotten.
And he would not have allowed anyone else to have her first.
Awu was still doubtful.
The more she looked at him, the more she felt he was strangely familiar.
But she couldn’t place him, so she said,
“Perhaps I was mistaken.”
Emperor Jingxi took her soft wrist in his hand and said,
“Get up and have breakfast.”
Futai, watching this scene, was utterly dumbfounded.
Emperor Jingxi had ascended the throne at the age of fourteen.
Even as a young emperor, he had been mature and composed, his emotions rarely showing.
Even those close to him found it difficult to discern his thoughts.
As for the women of the harem, even when he favored one, it was always brief and never lingered.
In Futai’s mind, upon learning of this young lady’s past, the Emperor would surely be displeased.
A fleeting night of passion, and she would be dismissed with some rewards.
But now, despite his displeasure, Emperor Jingxi restrained himself and was even coaxing the young lady!
When has the Emperor ever spoken so gently to anyone?
Even the most favored Princess Dening had never received such treatment!
Futai could hardly believe it.
Beyond disbelief, a startling thought arose in his mind: after so many years of tranquility, the Emperor’s harem was about to undergo a drastic change.
Meanwhile, the one being coaxed was oblivious to her good fortune, lazily saying,
“Awu wants to sleep a little longer, is that okay?”
Emperor Jingxi replied coolly, “No.”
Awu was still groggy, her head drooping,
“Just a little longer, please? Awu hasn’t slept enough.”
Emperor Jingxi found her sleepy demeanor amusing.
He had become a father early in life, and when his son was young, he himself had been ambitious, intent on raising his child well.
He had his son accompany him for morning exercises every day.
The young prince had always been obedient, rising early and never daring to bargain with him about sleeping in.
Never had he encountered a young lady like this, soft and lazy, like a little cat, impossible to rouse.
He lowered his gaze and coaxed her gently,
“Breakfast is ready. Don’t you want to eat?”
Awu was disinterested, completely unenthused.
Emperor Jingxi glanced at Futai.
Futai was startled, then quickly understood.
He stepped forward, smiling respectfully,
“Breakfast is prepared. It includes the finest mountain delicacies: freshly made dumplings with seasonal vegetables, shrimp, bamboo shoots, and tender silver sprouts, all picked this morning.”
“Even the soup is made with lotus seeds harvested at dawn. It’s incredibly fresh. Perhaps seeing it will whet your appetite?”
Awu’s drowsy eyes suddenly lit up.
She touched her stomach and nodded,
“Then I’ll try some.”
She started to get up, but having slept too long and being exhausted from the previous night, her legs were weak, and she nearly fell.
Emperor Jingxi’s strong arm caught her just in time.
Awu looked at him gratefully.
Emperor Jingxi’s large hand slid from her soft waist to her wrist, his fingers gently clasping her delicate hand,
“Come.”
In the morning light, the yellow hibiscus flowers glowed brilliantly.
The man before her, dressed in a wide robe embroidered with birds and beasts,
with a peony-patterned belt, was tall and composed, exuding an aura of restrained authority.
Being led by such a man, even if it was an illusion, she felt a sense of security, as if he could shield her from any storm.
Her heart was uneasy yet fascinated.
In terms of appearance alone, this man was not as exquisitely handsome as the Crown Prince, but his commanding presence was enough to make any woman’s heart flutter.
What kind of status could nurture such extraordinary grace?