But fortunately, she had underestimated this man.
He was fast, fierce, and yet utterly overwhelming.
In just a few strokes, he left her dazed, her mind foggy, her body limp and boneless.
She nearly cried out, but fearing someone might hear outside, she bit down on her fist and muffled her moans.
Yet this only meant everything he gave her was trapped within her delicate, pliant body, and in no time, it all burst forth in a dizzying climax.
It was maddening, unlike anything she had ever experienced utterly intoxicating.
Ah, the benefits of a man’s robust physique!
The blessings of natural talent!
When it was all over, A wu lay sprawled, her eyes glazed with tears, her body and soul utterly spent.
Emperor Jingxi was already rising, dressing, and tidying his appearance.
A wu lay on her side watching him.
From this angle, he seemed especially tall and imposing, what a fine figure he had!
Probably because he trained every morning?
A man with such a physique, such handsome features, and such power-and, most crucially, such skill in bed!
That raw intensity, that unrelenting drive—Lu Yunjian, the Crown Prince, none of them could compare!
This was innate, ingrained in his very bones.
No matter how young or well-trained they were, it was useless!
A wu felt her life had been worth it.
Content and eager to sweet-talk, she murmured, “Your Majesty, this concubine is completely drained all because you were too formidable. So please forgive me for not rising to assist you in dressing.”
Emperor Jingxi, fastening his jade belt, gave her an impassive glance.
The message was clear: Speak plainly, no need for flattery.
A wu smirked playfully and coquettishly.
“But this concubine is watching Your Majesty with her eyes, serving you with her gaze. If I watch, it’s as if I’ve done it, as if I’ve embraced you.”
Emperor Jingxi: “….”
He paused for a moment before leisurely securing his belt.
Why had he committed such an act against propriety—a father taking his son’s concubine?
It was all because she was too tempting.
Her words dripped with honey, sweet enough to make one’s heart itch.
At this moment, he almost wished to abandon all duties and spend the entire night tangled up with her.
But in the end, he straightened his robes, walked to the bedside, and affectionately pinched her cheek before saying, “Tomorrow is Dening’s coming-of-age ceremony. You must attend as well.”
A wu: “Mm… I know.”
Emperor Jingxi: “All the inner and outer court ladies will be present.”
A wu’s lashes fluttered slightly-was she to be put on display?
Emperor Jingxi reassured her, “Don’t worry. No one will dare say a word. Just follow Consort Hui’s lead.”
A wu nodded and replied, “I understand.”
Consort Hui was an excellent person.
One could only say the Emperor had a keen eye for talent, choosing her to guide A wu.
Emperor Jingxi: “Tomorrow, the Office of Music and Performance will put on a play. You may request one-tell me in advance what you’d like to see.”
A wu knew little about theater and asked curiously, “What are the options?”
Emperor Jingxi: “You’ll see for yourself. It changes every year, but for Dening’s ceremony, they’ll surely prepare something young ladies would enjoy.”
A wu brightened with anticipation. “Alright!”
***
On the second day, Princess Dening’s coming-of-age ceremony took place.
A wu had some prior knowledge of the rituals.
She rose early to dress and prepare before accompanying Consort Hui to the Empress Dowager’s quarters, where all the imperial consorts had already gathered, including Consort Kang.
Consort Kang appeared particularly animated, her face glowing with excitement.
This was Princess Dening’s grand day, but it was also Consort Kang’s moment to shine, showcasing her distinction among the imperial consorts-even the Empress couldn’t rival her in this regard.
Standing among the crowd, A wu caught another glimpse of Princess Dening, who was dressed in an exquisitely ornate wide-sleeved robe, looking solemn and dignified.
Soon, noblewomen from both inside and outside the palace arrived in succession.
Some merely kowtowed before being dismissed, while others stayed to exchange a few words.
Some carried themselves with effortless grace, while others seemed visibly nervous.
A few even brought along their unmarried daughters, who stood shyly with lowered heads.
Before long, Emperor Jingxi arrived, likely coming straight from the morning court session, still clad in his formal court attire.
Everyone immediately knelt in reverence, and A wu followed suit.
After all, frequent kowtowing was routine in the palace-she had already mastered the motion.
As she bowed, she faintly sensed the Emperor’s gaze lingering on her.
She discreetly glanced up but saw nothing-perhaps it had just been her imagination.
Soon, the main ceremony commenced.
An incense table had been set up in the courtyard, and a coronation seat was arranged in the eastern chamber.
Once all the attending consorts and officials were present, the master of ceremonies requested the Emperor to take his seat.
As he ascended the throne, the music ceased.
The master of ceremonies then announced, “The Princess shall now perform the coming-of-age rites!”
The music resumed, and a ceremonial attendant guided Princess Dening into the eastern chamber.
Another attendant presented the ceremonial hairpin and coronet, placing them before the Princess as she was adorned with the headpiece and robed in the grand attire.
During the coronation, Emperor Jingxi recited blessings such as, “May you fulfill your destiny and receive heaven’s eternal favor,” followed by the conferral of titles and gifts, including an official decree.
A wu watched curiously from the crowd.
Princess Dening’s coronet was the magnificent “Nine Pheasants and Four Phoenixes” crown, adorned with pearls, peonies, jade clouds, emerald peonies, golden floral ornaments, and golden orioles holding pearls in their beaks.
Amidst the melodious music, the Emperor presented the Princess with a gilded decree, likely inscribed with her official title.
From afar, the silver characters shimmered brilliantly.
A wu was secretly awestruck.
In her youth, she had witnessed commoners’ coming-of-age ceremonies, but they paled in comparison to this extravagance.
A royal princess’s ceremony was undoubtedly the most lavish in the world!
At this moment, Princess Dening stood solemn yet moved, gazing at the Emperor with reverence as she addressed him as “Imperial Father,” her eyes glistening with emotion.
The Emperor smiled warmly, his affection evident.
After the coronation concluded, a lengthy series of rituals followed.
A wu, unfamiliar with most of them, simply trailed behind Consort Hui, merely making up the numbers.
Fortunately, her low rank allowed her to blend into the crowd unnoticed, serving as little more than a placeholder.
Finally, the moment A wu had been eagerly anticipating arrived the banquet!
Held in the Hall of Radiant Scenery, the feast was divided into inner and outer halls.
Though A wu was merely a low-ranking Noble Lady, she was still seated in the inner hall, albeit separated from Consort Hui.
Stealing a glance around, she noticed a graceful consort seated to her left.
Unable to discern her rank, A wu could only guess from the woman’s attire perhaps a Zhaoyi?
In any case, she outranked A wu.
The Lady Zhao Yi glanced up and caught A wu’s curious gaze.
A wu’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she could only nod awkwardly in acknowledgment.
The other woman slowly averted her eyes.
Later, A wu learned that this was Lady Meng Zhao Yi, a rather decent elder sister, though her temperament was somewhat aloof.
Occasionally, her words could be so sharp they’d leave you speechless.
A wu couldn’t fathom how she had managed to rise to the rank of Lady Zhao Yi in the palace.
Not daring to look around anymore, A wu obediently sat in her seat, keeping her eyes fixed straight ahead.
Throughout the banquet, she was exceptionally well-behaved, cautious not to make a single misstep.
In truth, she vaguely sensed that someone was discreetly observing her likely aware that she was the former Crown Prince’s concubine.
But the glances were so careful and restrained that A wu paid them no mind.
Sooner or later, people would see her anyway.
Let them look.
Surely, they’d all think she was beautiful!
By the time the banquet was halfway through, the officials from the Zhonggu Department stepped forward, and the Zhonggu performers began their acts.
The young ladies and gentlemen were all fresh-faced and charming, and the performances were exactly the kind A wu enjoyed comedy skits, puppet shows, the Seven Saints’ Magic, and even acrobatics, each more amusing than the last.
Her favorite was the comedy skit, which had the Empress Dowager and the other noble ladies roaring with laughter.
A wu didn’t have to hold back either and joined in the mirth.
She also loved the Seven Saints’ Magic, where a performer dressed as a monkey performed sleight-of-hand tricks, transforming objects and even climbing a bamboo pole to produce fresh, luscious fruit that left the audience in awe.
A wu almost believed it was real magic!
However, after these entertaining acts came the more conventional opera performances.
The Empress Dowager selected one first, followed by Emperor Jingxi.
But Emperor Jingxi didn’t choose one himself.
Instead, he had the list passed to the Empress, allowing the women to make their selections first a gesture of courtesy from a husband and father toward his family.
A wu noticed that in public settings, Emperor Jingxi always showed great consideration for women and children, never flaunting his authority as the head of the household or as the sovereign.
For instance, the last time he had dishes sent to her, he had first ensured that all the imperial consorts received their share, preserving everyone’s dignity and preventing envy among them.
The Empress was clearly accustomed to this.
She expressed her gratitude, selected an opera, and then passed the list to Princess Dening and the Crown Princess, who each made their choices.
Afterward, it was given to several other royal relatives and noblewomen.
Once the selections were made, the Zhonggu official was supposed to present the finalized list to Emperor Jingxi.
But before doing so, he glanced at it himself and his face abruptly paled, his steps faltering for a moment.
A wu didn’t notice at first, but later, she caught on and found it rather odd.
When the list was then presented to the Empress Dowager, her expression darkened the moment she saw it.
Emperor Jingxi glanced at it as well, appearing completely unfazed as he casually set it aside.
At this moment, it was also Emperor Jingxi’s turn to choose an opera.
Though he was the exalted ruler, as both a father and a son, he deliberately waited until last to make his selection.
His gaze lifted and settled on A wu’s seat.
The emperor was already the center of attention, and with this glance, many eyes turned toward A wu.
Who didn’t know?
This stunningly beautiful woman had once been the crown prince’s concubine.
With a smile, Emperor Jingxi instructed the attendant, “I’ve never had much interest in these performances. Go ask Noble Consort Ning which one she’d like to see-let her choose on my behalf.”
With just this single remark, the entire hall was stunned.