Awu had always known that she had nothing, and to survive, she would have to pay a price.
She wasn’t afraid of men.
In fact, she believed she could control them, make them serve her, and watch them go mad for her.
But now, she felt a flicker of fear.
This man’s words were so warm and captivating, his gaze so calm and rational.
She instinctively thought he would be methodical and restrained in bed, someone she could easily manage.
Yet, she never expected that once he began, it would be like a whirlwind, sparks flying everywhere, as if he could completely consume her.
In the chaos, Awu nearly drowned, flailing helplessly.
What she didn’t know was that her struggles only ignited a deeply buried desire within Emperor Jingxi.
For Emperor Jingxi, women were never in short supply.
In the Da Hui royal family, princes married early, and as Emperor Jingxi ascended the throne at a young age, he had long been married.
He had an empress, concubines, and a palace filled with beautiful, gentle women according to tradition.
For him, the harem was more a responsibility for the continuity of the dynasty, a part of his duty as a diligent emperor.
The Da Hui harem had a strict and complex system for imperial visits.
Every concubine had to be attended to at least once every three months, and all visits were meticulously recorded.
Initially, he adhered strictly to the rules, ensuring he visited each concubine monthly without favoritism.
But later, after an injury during a hunt, though his vigor remained, he ceased to produce heirs.
The imperial physicians suspected a deeper issue and tried various treatments, but to no avail.
He grew lax and rarely visited the harem.
The empress and concubines speculated but dared not ask, choosing to turn a blind eye.
He knew the truth: it wasn’t that he couldn’t, but that he found it uninteresting, unwilling to toil like an ox for no harvest.
As an emperor, he could be willful.
If he didn’t like something, he wouldn’t force himself.
But now, Awu, with her enchanting charm and mysterious allure, struggled in his hands like a flailing fish, awakening a conqueror’s desire in the emperor who was used to controlling everything.
This was a primal, deeply buried aspect of manhood that Emperor Jingxi had never before realized.
At this moment, he suddenly understood that his years of rigorous morning exercises were perhaps a way to vent his suppressed desires, to expel his unacted-upon lusts through sweat, keeping himself in a controlled, safe zone where he held all the power.
But now, he had encountered this captivating creature.
She had touched his sensitivities and ignited his dormant desires.
He was stirred, feeling the exhilaration of an intense workout, wanting to crush her into his embrace!
He became restless, fervent, and uncontrollable, his scalp tingling as all his desires burst forth!
Meanwhile, Awu trembled like a leaf in the wind, sobbing,
“Please, have mercy, my lord. Awu can’t take it anymore. Please spare me…”
Her soft, pleading cries only fueled a fiercer storm.
She was tossed like a kite with a broken string.
He went on for a long time, until Awu was nearly delirious, before it finally ended.
She shrank, trembled, and lost consciousness.
She regretted it now, deeply, feeling she had provoked someone she shouldn’t have.
This man might be even more terrifying than Lu Yunjian!
The satisfied emperor bent down to check on her.
Her eyes were half-closed, dazed and unfocused.
He touched her forehead, his tea-colored eyes studying her briefly before he left.
People moved in and out of the room, tidying up silently.
The rules here were strict.
Even with many people coming and going, the room remained quiet, orderly, and serene.
Awu slowly recovered.
The man had been too fierce in bed, and she had barely managed to endure, feeling as though she had brushed with death.
Now that it was over, she felt exhausted and adrift, her future uncertain.
Memories of the past brought tears to her eyes.
She leaned against the brocade quilt, weeping softly.
Then, the man re-entered the room, and with a wave of his hand, the lanterns lit up.
The light, filtered through glass and gauze, cast a warm yellow glow.
The room was bright but not harsh.
Awu stopped crying, her tearful eyes looking at the man.
He was now dressed, his slightly damp black hair loosely tied with a satin ribbon.
He wore a white satin robe, loose and shimmering with faint golden threads, its material luxurious and elegant.
Emperor Jingxi saw Awu’s tear-streaked face, her wide eyes full of curiosity and tears.
A beauty in tears, like a delicate flower, utterly captivating.
Born into the royal family, raised in the palace, Emperor Jingxi had seen countless rare treasures-jewels, ancient texts, fine porcelain, and extravagant luxuries.
But he cared little for them.
Having grown up surrounded by such things, they no longer held any wonder for him, including the women of the harem.
All the beauties who had served him since childhood, kneeling at his feet, were mere flowers to him, no different from one another.
But this woman was different.
She seemed carved from soft jade, every part of her delicate and exquisite, as if crafted especially for him.
And she could cry, her innocent eyes gazing at him.
A surge of tenderness and delight filled Emperor Jingxi, something he had never felt before.
He bent down, his long fingers brushing the damp strands from her face, and asked gently,
“Are you feeling better?”
Awu understood his meaning.
She bit her lip shyly, averting her gaze.
The lanterns around the room were now fully lit, their intricate carvings of cranes and clouds made of ivory, clearly priceless.
The lanterns illuminated the room, and Awu finally saw clearly.
She gasped softly.
Emperor Jingxi’s gaze remained on her face, noticing her surprise, the tears in her eyes seemingly halted.
He asked softly,
“What is it?”
Awu pointed to the wall.
“I thought these were bricks, wondering how such a grand structure could appear in the mountains. Now I see it’s all an illusion.”
The room wasn’t a room at all but a tent, with jade and silk curtains hung to resemble brick walls, so realistic that in the dim light, it appeared as a towering palace.
The tent was set up near a hot spring, the sound of bubbling water and rising steam creating a scene of a magnificent palace, as if in a fairyland.
Emperor Jingxi was momentarily speechless at Awu’s words.
She was stunning, almost otherworldly, yet her words were naive and childlike, as if she knew nothing of the world, like a blank canvas.
The emperor, who possessed everything, had the patience to paint this canvas with his own colors.
He brought a silk robe and draped it over Awu, then asked,
“Who are you? How did you end up in my hot spring?”
He had asked before, but she had been too panicked to answer.
Earlier, while changing, the captain of his guards had reported that they had searched the area within a ten-mile radius and found no suspicious figures.
As for where the woman had fallen, they only found some scattered footprints.
Based on the footprints, she had come alone, and further clues were still being investigated.
Emperor Jingxi wasn’t worried.
After all, this woman was now in his hands.
He ruled the world; where the sun and moon shone, where the wind and rain fell, who could challenge him?
Whether she was a malevolent spirit, an immortal, or just a scheming mortal, if he wanted her, he could have her.
In the face of supreme power, all demons and ghosts would scatter.
But now, looking at this slightly bewildered young woman, he showed no emotion, only asked gently,
“Are you hungry again?”
Awu was startled, her hand instinctively touching her stomach.
She hadn’t noticed before, but now that he mentioned it, she felt ravenous, her stomach almost growling!
She had been hungry earlier, but in her eagerness to ensnare him, she had ignored it.
After such exertion, the few pastries she had eaten were long gone.
Hearing the unladylike growl, she blushed and murmured,
“I didn’t eat enough earlier.”
Her voice was soft, tender, as if it could drip with water.
Emperor Jingxi raised his hand slightly, and two rows of maids entered, quickly setting up a long table with plates and dishes, all appearing as if by magic.
Awu was presented with a table full of exquisite dishes, each one delicately prepared and tempting.
She looked at them in confusion, blinking, and glanced at Emperor Jingxi, hesitant to speak.
Emperor Jingxi: “Hmm?”
Awu opened her lips and whispered,
“These dishes are too exquisite… who are you, my lord?”
Emperor Jingxi realized she wasn’t some spirit or immortal as he had suspected.
She knew of the mortal world.
He replied calmly,
“And who are you?”
Awu’s eyes showed confusion, and she touched her head, shaking it.
“I… I don’t remember…”
She was playing dumb.
Emperor Jingxi said,
“If you don’t even remember yourself, why ask who I am?”
Awu thought the man was cunning, but at this moment, she couldn’t say much, or he might grow suspicious.
She could only take things one step at a time.
Then, Emperor Jingxi personally picked up chopsticks and served her a dish.
“Try this.”
Awu took it and ate small bites.
As she ate, Emperor Jingxi watched her calmly.
The more Awu ate, the more she realized that based on the ingredients, he must be of high status, perhaps even a royal.
She felt a bit relieved.
Although this man was difficult to handle, he seemed slightly older than her and was quite tender toward her.
If she stayed with him, she might find some protection.
But a man of his age and standing likely already had wives and concubines.
She would probably end up as another concubine.
But with her background, she could never be a legitimate wife.
And as for ordinary men who might let her be a wife, how could they protect her?
So she had no choice but to accept it.
Awu didn’t have a large appetite, and she ate slowly, soon feeling full.
After eating, she felt more energetic and began to look around.
Emperor Jingxi: “Tired?”
Awu nodded.
Emperor Jingxi found her nod especially obedient and endearing.
He reached out and took her hand.
“Come, I’ll take you to my quarters.”
Awu whispered, “Alright.”
She hid all her edges, like a simple, innocent rabbit.
Emperor Jingxi brought a cloak and wrapped it around her, covering her completely, then picked her up in his arms.
The cloak was woven with gold and peacock feather threads, its golden and green hues luxurious and soft.
Awu wanted to peek out, but Emperor
Jingxi’s strong hand held her head down, not letting her look up.
He leaned in, his deep voice by her ear,
“You’re too eye-catching.”
Awu was momentarily stunned before understanding his meaning.
Just like the crown prince had hidden her in Huan Cui Garden, this man also seemed to think she shouldn’t be seen.
But that was fine.
For her, it was better this way.