Emperor Jingxi and his entourage broke camp and began their journey back.
A Wu still rode with the Emperor, her delicate form nestled against his broad shoulder, her eyes gently closed as she savored his deep, steady presence.
She could sense that although the man still held her, his mind seemed elsewhere.
She chose not to speak further, simply resting quietly against him.
As they passed a body of water, a flock of birds skimmed the surface ahead.
A Wu noticed the Emperor glance sideways at them.
Then, she heard him suddenly speak, “I’ve told you before, I’m already past thirty, yet I only have one son and one daughter.”
A Wu: “Hmm.”
Emperor Jingxi: “What do you think of my little prince?”
Hearing this, A Wu’s heart skipped a beat.
…There was an indescribable feeling.
She pondered for a moment before replying cautiously, “I didn’t get a good look earlier, but from a distance, your little prince looks very much like you.”
Emperor Jingxi: “Does he?”
A Wu vaguely responded, “Somewhat.”
In truth, they weren’t particularly alike; otherwise, she would have suspected his identity long ago.
The father and son only bore a slight resemblance from certain angles.
Emperor Jingxi: “If he resembles me, it’s only in appearance. If his temperament were even a fraction like mine, I might feel more at ease.”
A Wu was startled by his words.
Was this something she was supposed to hear?
Her eyes darted around as she cautiously probed, “Your Majesty… is there something troubling you?”
Emperor Jingxi gazed at the vast wilderness ahead and let out a low sigh.
“I was born into a family of wealth and power, with a vast legacy to pass on. I just wonder if he can uphold the foundation our ancestors built.”
A Wu’s heart trembled, “He should be able to…”
The Emperor fell silent.
Amidst the sound of hooves, A Wu quietly looked ahead, carefully digesting his words.
It seemed he was filled with grievances.
He was dissatisfied with his Empress, as there was no affection between them.
It was likely that at sixteen, standing by the water’s edge, he had once thought of rebelling but ultimately accepted his fate, which still haunted him to this day.
-How pitiful, even as an Emperor, he couldn’t control his own marriage.
He was also dissatisfied with his Crown Prince, whose temperament and actions didn’t align with his expectations.
Compared to him, the Crown Prince seemed too naive and impulsive, lacking the decisive and commanding presence of an Emperor.
-How pitiful, with so many women, he only managed to produce one golden egg.
In short, as an Emperor, he had many dissatisfactions.
Yet A Wu also felt that he was simply too greedy.
Wanting this and that-how could it be possible?
A Wu dug her nails into the reins, thinking, what a greedy old man…
That day, Emperor Jingxi escorted A Wu back to the villa, dined with her, and engaged in casual conversation.
The tranquility of the mountains, the silver charcoal burning in the copper stove, and the simple, leisurely talk created a serene and beautiful atmosphere, as if they were an ordinary couple.
But A Wu knew this was his final act of consolation and charity before abandoning her.
She wasn’t particularly adept at reading people, nor could she fathom the inscrutable mind of an Emperor.
However, she knew this man’s heart was harder than his mortal roots.
This was a man who was steady and shrewd in court, with a harem full of beauties.
How much pity could he possibly have for a fleeting romance?
For being abandoned, Awu actually felt a sense of relief in her heart.
She vaguely sensed that he still harbored some attachment to her, though not much.
This attachment might be enough for her to live out the rest of her days in peace as long as he never found out about her affair with the Crown Prince.
Of course, perhaps she should put on a good show for this final act, to secure some goodwill for the future.
If things ever came to light, she might still be able to win a bit more of his pity.
As she thought this, she raised her eyes to look at him.
He was dressed in a simple, unadorned dark blue robe, his black hair casually tied up.
The scripture scroll in his hand rested casually on his knee, giving him an air of effortless elegance and freedom.
The wilderness, the secluded villa, the late hour, and a gentleman reading scriptures-it all evoked a sense of retreating from the world, as if he were living in seclusion in the mountains.
He could wield the brush to govern the world, and yet, when he put it down, he exuded the aura of an immortal.
Truly, there was no one else like him.
Upon closer inspection, his features were also quite handsome.
He had a more mature charm than the somewhat brash Crown Prince and a more magnanimous presence than the scheming Lu Yunjian.
All in all, he was a truly captivating man.
Awu couldn’t help but sigh, thinking that if he were ten years younger and born by the shores of the East Sea, she would have surely fallen in love with him, insisted on marrying him, and borne him two daughters and two sons.
She would have mended his clothes for him and stood by the sea at dusk, gazing longingly as he returned from fishing.
In the evenings, they would tidy up the house together, put the children to sleep, and then spend the entire night in passionate abandon.
Just then, the man raised his eyes and looked at her.
Caught off guard by his gaze, Awu felt a moment of shyness.
She didn’t want him to see her wild fantasies, so she instinctively averted her eyes.
But soon, she overcame this feeling and met his gaze.
Emperor Jingxi stared at her intently, taking in her unconcealed shyness and the blush that spread across her cheeks.
Outside the window, a mountain breeze gently tapped against the lattice, and the burning silver charcoal made soft crackling sounds.
Emperor Jingxi felt a flame ignite in his chest, burning fiercely and entangling his thoughts.
At this moment, he couldn’t help but wonder: what if he weren’t who he was?
But he was.
From the moment he was born, his shoulders had borne the weight of the nation.
After a long and silent exchange of gazes, he rose from her soft gaze, embraced her, and carried her to the bed.
This time, his movements were gentle and slow.
How to truly cherish a woman-he wasn’t entirely sure, but he was willing to try.
He lowered his eyelids, looking at her as her misty eyes, like those of an innocent puppy, were filled with dependence and submission to her master.
Emperor Jingxi placed his hands on either side of her body, leaned down, and whispered softly in her ear,
“Do you like it when I treat you like this?”
Awu replied in a very soft voice, “I do.”
Emperor Jingxi stared unblinkingly at her like this.
Her fine black hair, dampened, clung to her flushed cheeks.
Her soft, moist lips trembled as she said she liked it.
Her tone was tender, almost like a coquettish plea.
He asked gently and hoarsely, “Why?”
Awu thought for a moment before answering, “Because when you’re with me, a part of you belongs to me. I’ve devoured you.”
She had once devoured his son in this way, and now, she had devoured him too.
They were both handsome, noble, and in good health-the finest men in the world.
When Emperor Jingxi heard the word “devoured,” his eyes suddenly stung.
In this lifetime, only one person would ever say such a thing to him.
The emperor’s majesty and the elder’s worldly wisdom shattered before her.
He was devoured by a young girl, much younger than him, whom he had completely underestimated in his heart.
He closed his eyes, slowly pressing down, his strong and mature body covering A’Wu.
A’Wu struggled to bear his weight, frowning, her face tilted upward, letting out a muffled groan.
Emperor Jingxi held her wrist with one hand while gently caressing her brow with the other.
Then he moved slowly and tenderly, as if handling a newly hatched chick.
His movements were deliberate and considerate, like the gentle flow of a mountain stream, lasting a long time.
A’Wu could feel him, but with each movement, his slightly heavy breaths fell by her ear.
In the overly quiet brocade tent, the mature man’s deliberately suppressed soft breaths were particularly stirring.
A’Wu’s heart gradually softened, her spine unconsciously arching, her toes curling.
Finally, in an accidental meeting of their gazes, like sparks falling on tinder, both were ignited simultaneously, consumed by a fierce and passionate flame.
He possessed her completely and thoroughly with overwhelming force, and she devoured him utterly.
The world fell silent.
A’Wu, dazed, closed her eyes, feeling that what he had given her this was the emperor’s nectar.
Would she be fortunate enough to conceive, to bear a prince or a princess like De Ning, to share in their glory?
At that moment, A’Wu seemed to hear the deep and melodious toll of a distant temple bell.
Her mind scattered, only vaguely thinking of an inconsequential thought-the evening bell of the mountain temple tolled at the first quarter of the hour.
She realized something, shifting her gaze to see that Emperor Jingxi had already tidied himself, his clothes neat, with no trace of their earlier intimacy.
A’Wu struggled to lift her soft arm, grasping the hem of his robe.
Emperor Jingxi looked at her: “You don’t want me to leave?”
Off the bed, he was cold and unfeeling.
A’Wu: “Can’t you stay with me?”
Her tone was almost naive as she spoke.
But her eyes, like delicate water plants swaying in a stream, tugged at his heart.
Emperor Jingxi looked at her for a moment, then slowly lowered his gaze, his expression growing colder.
He thought, if he were ten years younger, he would have gone mad for her.
But not now.
He said expressionlessly, “I must return to the capital.”
A’Wu only felt that the man’s cold and indifferent face was distant.
It reminded her of the statue of the Lingguan in Yan Yang Temple, a towering figure, fearsome in the flickering candlelight and drifting incense.
She bit her lip, disappointed and aggrieved, saying, “Alright, then go.”
Emperor Jingxi reached out, brushing aside A’Wu’s sweat-dampened hair, studying her carefully.
Fresh from their union, her cheeks were flushed, exuding a captivating allure.