Awu was embraced by Emperor Jingxi and lifted into a carriage, where she was finally set down.
Curiously, she surveyed the interior of the carriage.
The seats were woven with golden threads, and the backrests were intricately carved with gilded clouds and dragons.
Bright yellow patterned curtains hung beside her, and even the ceiling was adorned with luxurious lotus and dragon motifs.
The carriage was well-furnished, with a small red-lacquered incense table beside the seat, which even held a brush, ink, and inkstone.
Seeing her lively eyes darting around, glancing here and there, and occasionally resting on his robe, Emperor Jingxi casually asked,
“What are you looking at?”
Awu replied, “I find it all so novel…”
She then pointed to his inner robe and asked,
“What kind of fabric is this? It seems to shimmer with golden light?”
Emperor Jingxi replied nonchalantly,
“It’s probably satin.”
“A satin?”
Awu echoed.
“Yes, it was obtained by chance,” he said.
The fabrics he wore were all specially made from various regions, exclusively for the inner court.
This satin was woven with threads of gold foil from the south, appearing plain and simple at first glance, but under the sunlight, it displayed a dazzling array of colors from different angles.
In truth, this garment was already quite understated among his robes, but for someone as naive as Awu, it was naturally difficult to comprehend.
He didn’t want to elaborate on these matters; he wished to conceal his identity, to slowly draw her in, wanting her to become deeply entangled without coveting his power, as that would diminish the fun.
However, Awu had her own thoughts.
Unable to restrain herself, she blurted out,
“You must have power and influence; you must be a high-ranking official, right?”
Emperor Jingxi replied, “Yes.”
“How high?” she pressed.
Raising an eyebrow, he turned to scrutinize her:
“How high do you want me to be?”
Awu thought of Lu Yunjian and the Crown Prince.
She honestly confessed,
“Of course, I hope you… are very high, very high.”
Emperor Jingxi gazed into her eyes, which flowed with an uncontainable longing, like a deep autumn lake.
“Why?” he asked.
Awu hesitated, stammering.
“Speak,” he urged.
Reluctantly, she fabricated a story:
“I didn’t want to reveal my background earlier, but it’s because—”
She stole a glance at him, cautiously continuing,
“I was originally a courtesan kept by another family, and I escaped.”
“Courtesan?” Emperor Jingxi inquired.
Awu’s eyes were sincere and innocent. “Yes.”
Courtesans were slaves raised by wealthy families, trained in music and dance to entertain their masters.
They were of low status, bound to servitude for life, with their marriages and lives dictated by their owners, utterly powerless.
After saying this, she discreetly observed the man’s reaction, tentatively continuing,
“I was beautiful and caught the eye of my master, who wanted me to serve him. Naturally, I couldn’t resist and had to endure the humiliation. But who knew that my master’s wife grew displeased and wanted my life?”
“Today, I followed her up the mountain, and in a moment of desperation, I ran away, only to accidentally stumble into your warm embrace, thus creating this connection between us.”
Emperor Jingxi remarked,
“Today, Nan Qiongzi is either a royal relative or a high-ranking official. Which family do you belong to?”
Awu certainly couldn’t say.
She lowered her eyes, sorrow evident in her gaze, her expression somewhat trembling.
“Speak,” he insisted.
Awu’s eyelashes fluttered, tears welling in her eyes:
“Why do you have to ask? That family has some power. If I say it, I’m afraid—”
At this point, she shrank back, as if terrified.
This scene naturally evoked pity, and Emperor Jingxi felt a pang of compassion.
Yet he still suppressed his own thoughts.
Faced with this delicate young woman who stirred his desires, he had a hundred strange guesses and a thousand ways to respond.
No matter the situation, he had already resolved to keep her by his side, to make her wholly his, to have her serve him.
What she described was, in fact, quite simple, simple enough for Emperor Jingxi to think it was nothing extraordinary.
Even so, he intended to take his time, to mold her into a woman tailored to his desires in every way.
So he looked at her expressionlessly and said,
“Do you know that according to the laws of Dahui, anyone who shelters another’s slaves or courtesans will be punished with a hundred strokes and three years of exile?”
Awu gasped in surprise, “Ah?”
“If I were to shelter you, it would likely bring me considerable trouble,” he stated.
A chill ran through Awu’s heart as she looked at Emperor Jingxi in disbelief.
He saw her clear eyes suddenly fill with disappointment.
“You… you want to cast me out?” she stammered.
Emperor Jingxi replied coolly,
“I’m merely informing you of the laws of Dahui.”
Awu could hardly believe it.
She thought she had found someone powerful and influential, believing that a night of intimacy would grant her some protection.
Yet this heartless man had taken everything from her and was now ready to hand her over.
This man, who appeared so refined, was even worse than Nie San!
She felt lost and didn’t know what to say.
Emperor Jingxi watched Awu, who was clearly still very young, probably only sixteen or seventeen.
This innocent girl, not much older than the Crown Prince, had all her emotions written plainly on her face, without a hint of concealment.
He raised an eyebrow and looked at her,
“You don’t believe me? Would you like me to fetch the ‘Dahui Laws’ for you to see?”
Upon hearing this, tears instantly welled up in Awu’s eyes.
She gritted her teeth,
“So you’re really not a good person. When you were enjoying my body, I saw how happy you were, how much pleasure you derived from me, and now you treat me like this—”
“What do you mean by that?” Emperor Jingxi asked.
Awu’s hands trembled with anger.
But what could she do?
She had the beauty that attracted men, yet lacked the means to protect herself, allowing these men to bully her one after another!
This man, so handsome and noble, turned out to be a coward!
She shot him a soft glare, her voice filled with resentment,
“I thought you were someone capable, but you only know the laws of Dahui. A beauty like me, and you dare not keep me? Clearly, you’re just a useless bag of bones! You’re just “
Before she could finish, her wrist was suddenly grasped by him.
Awu raised her hand, desperately trying to break free.
“Let go of me! If you want to send me away, then I-—”
Emperor Jingxi firmly held her wrist, commanding,
“Be quiet.”
Just those two words made Awu instantly fall silent.
The man’s stern expression was cold and imposing, his aura pressing down on her, making it hard for her to breathe.
In front of this unfamiliar man, she felt her own fragility and helplessness acutely.
Emperor Jingxi held her wrist firmly, his sharp gaze fixed on her:
“Are you still going to make a fuss?”
Awu was taken aback and shook her head.
Only then did Emperor Jingxi release her.
Awu’s wrist throbbed with pain, and when she looked down, there was already a glaring red mark.
She was born with delicate skin, unable to withstand force.
Thinking of the man’s words and his indifferent demeanor, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of sorrow, and tears began to fall.
She thought she had grasped a piece of driftwood, only to find it was a stone!
Emperor Jingxi watched as she suddenly burst into tears, even a drop landing on his wrist.
He looked at the dampness spreading, feeling an unusual sensation in his heart.
He had a queen and many concubines, but none of them were close to him.
He had a crown prince and a princess, and while he was a caring father, doting on his daughter and meticulously teaching his son, his children never cried freely in front of him, let alone shed tears on his hand.
He brought his hand to his lips and lightly pressed it.
It was wet and slightly salty.
Awu blinked through her tears, looking at him in confusion,
“What do you want?”
The lingering scent of her tears remained on his lips, yet his gaze remained cold and rational.
He spoke without emotion,
“Your name?”
“Huh?”
Awu was taken aback; it suddenly struck her that despite their intimate encounter, they had never exchanged names.
She whispered,
“My name is Awu.”
“Awu? “
“With a slender waist and delicate brows’?” he quoted.
“Mm…” Awu replied.
“Not a proper name,” he remarked.
Awu felt a surge of annoyance.
“You!”
“However, according to Gu Ye Wang’s ‘Jade Chapters, Awu means beauty. With your looks, you can barely qualify,” he said.
Awu huffed lightly,
“You have quite the audacity!”
She thought to herself, even if it was just “barely,” the Crown Prince found her beautiful!
No matter how powerful he was, could he surpass the Crown Prince?
Emperor Jingxi chuckled softly and asked,
“Which family do you belong to?”
Upon hearing this, Awu immediately fell silent, her eyes wary.
“Oh? Still unwilling to say?” he pressed.
Awu’s face flushed, and she stammered, cautiously looking at Emperor Jingxi,
“You want to send me back? I don’t want to go back.”
“I’m just asking; I won’t send you back,” he assured her.
Awu sensed that he likely wouldn’t send her back; he had probably just been trying to scare her.
Yet she still didn’t want to speak, after all, the Crown Prince and Lu Yunjian were not people one could easily offend.
Moreover, she had been sent to the temple by imperial decree; who would dare defy the order?
So she hesitated, half-truths spilling from her lips,
“You say that, but what if you’re afraid of the other party? If you’re scared, you might just push me out to take the blame. I won’t say anything!”
“Who would I be afraid of?”
Emperor Jingxi asked.
“Who knows! Maybe you’re afraid! Anyway, I won’t say!”
Awu retorted.
Emperor Jingxi found it amusing; he thought this little lady had all her thoughts written on her face, lively and playful, utterly charming.
As for which family she belonged to and how she ended up in his warm embrace, it didn’t seem to matter much.
Even if this was originally a scheme with ulterior motives, he had already taken the bait.
Awu cautiously observed Emperor Jingxi, noticing he was in a good mood, and seized the opportunity to ask,
“What kind of high official are you? What rank? Sixth rank? Fifth rank? Fourth rank?”
Having been by the Crown Prince’s side for the past few months, she had gained some understanding of the Dahui official system and knew that this man before her could not possibly be a sixth or fifth rank official.
After all, they were in the capital of Dahui, a place dominated by noble families, and anyone enjoying the warm embrace here must hold some power.
However, she said this deliberately, hoping to provoke him into revealing more.
To her surprise, Emperor Jingxi seemed to see through her intentions, merely smiling as he held her hand.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Arrived? Where?”
Awu asked.
“You’ll rest here tonight,”
he replied.