That night, Awu nestled in the emperor’s arms, coquettishly teasing him with all sorts of charming tricks, carefully trying to please him.
As expected, the emperor was utterly captivated, holding her tightly all night, unwilling to let go.
As she drifted off to sleep, she faintly heard the man’s hoarse voice, speaking in a low tone, giving some orders to his subordinates, who then promptly carried them out.
Awu, fighting off sleepiness, rubbed her eyes and mumbled, “Your Majesty, what’s the matter?”
Emperor Jingxi’s large hand gently rested on her waist and he replied:
“Nothing important. I won’t be returning to the inner court tomorrow, so I need to inform the Imperial Guards.”
The emperor, burdened with countless state affairs, would still attend to governance even if he skipped the morning court session, listening to reports and reviewing memorials.
Now that he wouldn’t be in the inner court, he needed to notify the cabinet to avoid any delays in important matters.
Awu was too exhausted to care and soon fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, when she woke up, Emperor Jingxi was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, many palace maids came to attend to her, and Awu enjoyed their service comfortably.
Emperor Jingxi had mentioned taking her into the inner court, and she vaguely sensed that her status would soon change.
After freshening up, Emperor Jingxi returned.
He had gone to practice a set of martial arts and then bathed.
Now, he was dressed in a sleek, dark-colored narrow-sleeved python robe, tied with a jade belt adorned with auspicious cloud patterns.
His figure was both elegant and dignified, exuding a sense of noble grace.
Curious, Awu tilted her head to look at him.
Emperor Jingxi raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”
Awu then ran over, affectionately wrapping her arms around his.
“Your Majesty, you don’t usually wear the dragon robe, do you?”
Emperor Jingxi replied, “When I’m at leisure, I wear ordinary clothes.”
“At leisure” referred to the time after court when he relaxed at home.
As an emperor, he didn’t need to dress up every day.
In fact, his usual attire in the inner court was simply refined and elegant, without the need to constantly wear the dragon robe.
Formal attire was only worn during morning court sessions and sacrificial ceremonies to show solemnity.
Awu finally understood.
Naturally, she was full of curiosity about the emperor, so during breakfast, she asked several more questions, some of which were rather naive.
Emperor Jingxi answered a couple before ignoring the rest.
Awu knew that the emperor was already being quite tolerant with her, so she decided not to push her luck.
After the meal, Emperor Jingxi draped a silver fox fur-lined cloak over himself and also wrapped Awu in a peacock fur cloak.
Awu didn’t ask where the cloak came from.
After all, the eunuchs and maids around the emperor were omnipotent, always able to produce the right items at the right time.
She curiously touched the peacock feathers, which were likely woven with gold threads.
The craftsmanship and materials were something Awu had never seen before in her life.
Once dressed, Emperor Jingxi personally accompanied her to a flower garden, where they picked various blooms.
The garden was well- stocked with autumn peonies, chrysanthemums, and other rare flowers.
Although Awu wasn’t particularly interested in the flowers since she was about to enter the inner court, she still picked two golden- threaded autumn peonies.
She pinned one in her hair and insisted on placing the other on Emperor Jingxi.
In this dynasty, it was customary for men to wear flowers during grand ceremonies and imperial banquets, where Emperor Jingxi would also bestow flowers.
However, this was the first time a young lady had insisted on adorning him with a flower.
He didn’t refuse.
Having left the inner court and entered Nanqiongzi, he was willing to indulge her a little more at this moment.
In the bright morning light, A’wu stood on tiptoe, trying to place a flower in Emperor Jingxi’s hair.
However, he was too tall and she too petite, making it impossible for her to reach.
She grew impatient: “Bend down a bit! Bend down!”
Futai, standing nearby, looked uneasy but dared not speak.
Who would dare speak to the Emperor like that?
Doesn’t she understand the rules?
An Emperor would never stoop before anyone; it was a matter of national dignity!
Emperor Jingxi did not bend down, but he slightly lowered his tall frame, his light eyes gazing at Awu.
Awu, still on tiptoe, was quite satisfied: “Just like this, place it here.”
Finally, the flower was in place.
Awu stepped back to admire her work.
The man in the silver fox fur cloak stood majestic and noble, exuding an aura of supremacy.
The vibrant peony by his temple did not diminish his masculinity but rather enhanced his noble and splendid demeanor.
Awu felt her legs go weak, her heart fluttering.
Though Lu Yunjian and the Crown Prince were handsome, they lacked the mature charm of Emperor Jingxi.
A’wu now realized she preferred the Emperor’s type.
She began to feel that no matter what, being able to climb into his bed would make her life worthwhile.
Even if he weren’t the Emperor, she could still like him.
Emperor Jingxi, being who he was, naturally noticed A’wu’s undisguised admiration, as if she wanted to devour him.
Amused, he pinched her finger bones and said lightly, “Can you tone it down a bit?”
A’wu replied loudly, “No!”
Emperor Jingxi: “…”
Several eunuchs and attendants nearby heard this but kept their expressions neutral.
After a long silence, Emperor Jingxi took A’wu’s hand and said: “Let’s go.”
As they left the flower garden, Emperor Jingxi led A’wu to his imperial carriage, adorned with intricate golden dragons and bright yellow lotus cushions, along with various imperial items.
Sitting in this carriage felt like sitting at the pinnacle of power in Dahui.
A’wu couldn’t believe it, her heart trembling with excitement.
She clung to Emperor Jingxi’s arm, eager to massage his limbs, trying her best to please him.
Emperor Jingxi, however, remained calm, leaning slightly on the throne, his eyes half-closed, lost in thought.
A’wu suddenly remembered something and asked, “Your Majesty, how will A’wu enter the palace?”
After all, she was once the Crown Prince’s concubine, and the news wouldn’t sound good if it got out.
Emperor Jingxi didn’t open his eyes, only saying lightly, “Oh, you’re finally starting to think about serious matters.”
A’wu: “…”
Emperor Jingxi opened his eyes and turned slightly to look at Awu.
A’wu cautiously asked, “How does Your Majesty plan to arrange for Awu?”
Emperor Jingxi: “I will have someone take you back to Yan Yang Temple first.”
A’wu: “Ah?”
Her eyes widened in an instant.
Emperor Jingxi looked at A’wu’s cautious expression and said seriously, “Didn’t you recognize it? This is the road to Yan Yang Temple.”
A’wu bit her lip, tilting her head to look at him.
After a long while, she tugged at his sleeve: “Your Majesty, you’re teasing me, aren’t you? You can’t bear to part with Awu, can you? How could you, a ruler’s word is unbreakable!”
Though the young lady spoke thus, her thick lashes were already trembling, clearly worried.
She was still inexperienced in the world, perhaps also because she was too afraid.
He curled the corner of his lips and smiled, no longer teasing her:
“You should return to Yan Yang Temple first. Only then can I issue an edict to summon you.”
Awu’s heart, which had sunk to the depths, slowly rose again.
She looked at him with sparkling eyes.
Emperor Jingxi said, “I happen to have a memorial in hand. The Western Censor and the Imperial Astronomer, Xiao Wenbo, reported that after observing the celestial phenomena at night, he found that the Big Dipper has shifted southward, Venus has eclipsed the Pleiades, the White Tiger has ascended to the heavens, and the Purple Forbidden Star has moved eastward.”
He further added: “This may pose a threat to my health. Therefore, I have ordered the Imperial Astronomer to seek a solution-to find a practitioner whose birth chart aligns with mine to enter the palace and accompany me, thereby dispelling the calamity.”
Awu understood: “That person is me?”
Emperor Jingxi: “The Taoist nun Miaozhen of Yan Yang Temple has diligently cultivated virtue, established fields of merit, and possesses pure thoughts and ancient practices. As a female Taoist immortal, she is known as the Mysterious Feminine.”
“The gate of the Mysterious Feminine is the root of heaven and earth. As the sovereign of ten thousand chariots, I wish to form a virtuous bond, hoping to meet in the land of purity. Thus, I have permitted her to return to secular life and enter the inner court to accompany me.”
Awu had been reciting some scriptures during this time and roughly understood the meaning of his words.
The reason Nanqiongzi established the female temple was because the core belief of the Da Hui Taoist sect holds that the Mysterious Feminine represents the ultimate yin, the root of heaven and earth, and the origin of all things before the creation of the universe.
Therefore, the Da Hui inner court values Taoism, and the Taoist nuns and spiritual officials of Yan Yang Temple have always held a revered status.
So Emperor Jingxi’s intention was to have the Taoist nuns of Yan Yang Temple enter the inner court to… nourish the emperor?
She found it somewhat absurd but dared not say it outright, only whispering, “Will others believe such words?”
Emperor Jingxi: “What matters is not whether others believe it, but whether they choose to believe it.”
Awu was stunned for a moment, then found it utterly brilliant.
He was the ruler of the nation.
If he wanted a Taoist nun to enter the inner court, even if it went against human ethics and laws, so what?
Haven’t there been countless foolish and mediocre emperors throughout history?
Those who steal hooks are punished, while those who steal states become lords.
He was the emperor, and what he said was law!
For those standing at the pinnacle of power, it was merely a matter of indulging in women, which was hardly a big deal.
In fact, it could even become a romantic tale passed down through the ages!
However, she was still puzzled: “What about the Crown Prince?”
At these words, Emperor Jingxi’s gaze immediately sharpened.
Awu quickly explained, “Awu is only afraid that the Crown Prince might be angered, which could harm the relationship between Your Majesty and the Crown Prince. Awu does not wish to cause Your Majesty any distress over Awu’s matter.”
Emperor Jingxi: “This is the son I raised myself. I know his temperament better than anyone. With a single edict, I can send him to the northern territories to inspect the troops. He won’t return for at least a month. By the time he comes back, the deed will be done, and no matter how angry he is, it will be too late.”
Awu immediately understood.
For a father to control his son was naturally effortless, especially since Emperor Jingxi had ruled for over a decade and was already a seasoned veteran.
Dealing with a young Crown Prince was as easy as grasping something in his hand utterly assured of success.
Indeed, the older ginger is, the spicier it is…
She then smiled and said, “Your Majesty, Awu will not worry anymore. From now on, Awu will accompany Your Majesty more. Your Majesty can use Awu to gather yin and replenish yang, strengthening your health!”
Her voice was soft and sweet, like milk pudding drizzled with honey.
Emperor Jingxi glanced at her and said coolly, “Stop talking nonsense.”
Her words were naturally very sweet and pleasing to hear, but they were just that-words to be listened to and nothing more.
Awu, however, pressed on, “Does Your Majesty not believe it? During this time at Yan Yang Temple, Awu has cultivated a great deal of fortune, all of which is meant to nourish the emperor!”
Her voice was so tender it seemed as if it could wring out water.
Emperor Jingxi turned his head to look at her, his eyes darkening as he reached out his hand.
Without hesitation, Awu sat in the emperor’s embrace.
She extended her slender, jade-like arms, wrapping them around the man’s neck, her voice sweet and clear:
“Your Majesty, Awu—”