She suddenly burst into tears, letting out a wail, just like a child.
A child who had suffered a grievance as great as the sky.
Jingxi was stunned for a moment, then a flood of emotions surged up, his chest almost drowned by the ache.
He was already much older than her—what couldn’t he tolerate?
He shouldn’t have been so wrapped up in his own feelings, so intent on quarreling with her like this, only to let her suffer such grievance.
He resigned himself, slowly hugging her, tightening his arms little by little, pressing her into his embrace.
A crisp scent of peach blossoms swept over him, mingled with the salty tang of tears.
In his heart, he surrendered completely.
He held her trembling body, his voice hoarse:
“Don’t cry, A wu, don’t cry.”
But A wu only cried harder.
She couldn’t even form words, her lips quivering as she accused him: “You bully me…”
Jingxi could only sigh helplessly, murmuring softly, “I didn’t bully you, how could I ever bully you?”
He shouldn’t have said that—at his words, A wu grew even more aggrieved, her voice full of bitterness:
“You ignore me, you deliberately neglect me, you don’t want me anymore! Everyone knows you don’t want me! Others bully me, you watch me being bullied, but you don’t care!”
She cried so heartbreakingly, so painfully, it was as if her very soul was being torn apart.
Jingxi’s heart twisted with pain; for the first time in his life, he lost his composure and hurriedly explained:
“I’ve just been too busy lately, couldn’t spare the time, it’s not that I don’t care for you. I’ve always had Futai look after you, I wouldn’t let you suffer grievances.”
But A wu wouldn’t listen; she just kept crying, so hard her skin flushed, her breath came in gasps, and she looked as if she couldn’t bear it any longer.
Jingxi was afraid she’d fall ill from this, so he quickly patted her back, coaxing her to breathe easy:
“Don’t cry, careful you will get choked, be good, A wu.”
A wu leaned weakly against his arm, tears flowing, sobbing:
“You—you’re not good at all, you don’t keep your word! My heart hurts so much!”
She clutched her chest feebly, delicate and helpless, but still tried hard to emphasize in a loud voice:
“It hurts so much, I’m going to die, I’ll die tomorrow!”
‘Going to die tomorrow’—such childish words to frighten others, no one would believe them, but Jingxi felt only distress and panic.
He hugged her tight, as if to press her water-like body into his own chest.
If he could, he’d chew her up and swallow her down into his belly.
“A wu, it’s my fault, all my fault, I let you suffer, I apologize to you.”
He kept saying things he himself didn’t even understand, using a gentleness he’d never used in his life, subconsciously thinking that only by doing so could he ease her pain, make her stop crying.
But A wu still cried: “You don’t want me anymore!”
Jingxi held her with endless tenderness, murmuring with heartache:
“A wu, how could I not want you? There are millions in this world, but none can compare to you. I went through so much to bring you into the palace—how could I give you up so easily?”
When A wu heard this, all her bitterness turned into sweet wine, so sweet her heart trembled.
But it still wasn’t enough, far from enough.
Now that she’d grasped his heart again, all the grievances she’d suffered naturally had to be repaid a hundredfold, maybe even with a bit of revenge, to make him hurt, to make him regret, to make this old man feel remorse for his earlier coldness.
Only by tormenting him could she ease her dissatisfaction!
She wanted to be the favored consort!
Whoever bullied her, she’d bully them right back!
She’d trample Consort Kang and never let her rise again!
So she sobbed, weak and soft, snuggling into the man’s arms, lifting her tearful face:
“Your Majesty, I feel so terrible, I miss you so much it hurts—”
She was both pitiful and alluring.
Jingxi hugged her tightly and kissed her lips, both seeking and soothing.
Her lips were like nectar and jade cream, wonderfully sweet, making him sink into her, but they were so soft and tender he dared not use any force.
He was both urgent and gentle, like a brash yet bashful youth of sixteen or seventeen.
A wu’s lips went numb, her body gradually softening, melting into the man’s embrace like butter.
Jingxi, such a ruthless, cold-hearted emperor, became utterly irresistible when moved by passion, so easy to sink into.
This went on for a long time.
It was only a kiss, yet both of them felt as if they’d crossed mountains and rivers.
A wu was panting, her gaze hazy, her body limp.
Jingxi’s own breaths came low and ragged.
It was ambiguous and intoxicating, leaving both of them utterly languid.
A wu opened her alluring eyes and reached out to touch Jingxi’s brows and eyes.
Born into an imperial family, bearing the weight of the realm, his features were cold and sharply defined, as if every angle had been sculpted by power and authority—ordinary people wouldn’t dare meet his gaze.
But now, the corners of his eyes were tinged red, completely lost in passion.
A wu felt proud and fascinated by this change in him.
She liked seeing this man softened by her, liked him even more when he was gentle and lost in her.
She even had a strange illusion: when she devoured him, she controlled his vulnerability, tamed him, conquered him.
Soon, she’d be the one riding on his head, doing as she pleased!
But… she dared not get too reckless—she needed to keep her balance.
At this moment, it was clear Jingxi enjoyed her touch.
He closed his eyes slightly, letting her do as she pleased.
Like a beast that had retracted its claws and fangs.
When she stopped, he caught her soft hand and pressed it to his lips for a light kiss.
A wu felt especially cherished and loved.
The feeling was so wonderful, she couldn’t help but hum softly, spoiled and coy.
Jingxi cupped her face, their gazes meeting.
His eyes were full of gentle affection.
Under such a gaze, A wu’s nose tingled.
She whispered a complaint, “Sometimes you’re nice to me, sometimes you’re not, you’re so moody—”
Jingxi frowned: “Am I moody?”
A wu vaguely sensed that the man thrown into confusion by her sudden tears seemed to be regaining his composure…
He was the high and mighty Emperor again.
Sigh!
She hiccupped between sobs, then muttered softly, “You are!”
She accused, “He came to find me, what’s that got to do with me, but you were angry at me!”
Jingxi: “I wasn’t angry at you.”
A wu: “But you didn’t even look at me then!”
Jingxi: “I just—”
A wu: “Just what?”
Jingxi looked at her and said tactfully, “A wu, I just wanted you and him to talk, to let you decide for yourselves. This was a chance for him, and for you.”
He added, “The only chance.”
A wu was stunned, suddenly understanding.
He’d given the Imperial Son a chance—a test for the Imperial Son, and for herself.
He was proud and reserved, too arrogant to try to win her heart at that moment.
He did it on purpose, watching coldly, making her choose.
If she’d wavered even a little back then…
A wu suddenly felt a chill.
Jingxi lowered his head, pressing his cheek to hers:
“Besides, I couldn’t fight him for you. That would have been too undignified.”
His voice was tinged with a faint melancholy.
A wu understood.
That was his own flesh and blood.
As both Emperor and father, and as the elder, he really couldn’t fight his own son in public.
Thinking of this, she felt somewhat relieved.
He might have been too reserved, but he’d subdued the Imperial Son, made him back down, put an end to the matter—that was enough.
Looking back, because of her, the Emperor and the Imperial Son had come to this point.
She, the so-called femme fatale, hadn’t been executed on the spot—she owed it all to the Emperor’s affection.
Now, with just a bit of flirting, he was like this.
No matter what, she had won.
She decided not to push her luck, and said simply, “Actually, about that day, there’s nothing for me to feel aggrieved about. Your Majesty protected my dignity and kept me safe. I’m endlessly grateful…”
She changed the direction of her complaint:
“But I really don’t understand why Your Majesty has been so cold to me lately. Did I do something wrong?”
She lowered her head, speaking innocently: “Whatever the Imperial Son did, I’m sure Your Majesty already investigated. I resisted… Later, Your Majesty wanted me to persuade the Imperial Son. Though I had no idea how to do that, I still spoke my true feelings.”
Jingxi looked up at her: “Your true feelings?”
A wu thought of her blunt words and felt a bit embarrassed, but still bit her lip and said, “It was true, from the heart.”
Jingxi’s light brown eyes showed little emotion but he said nothing.
A wu felt he didn’t believe her, her heart growing anxious.
This old man was deep and hard to read—she thought she could control him, but maybe she couldn’t.
In the suffocating silence, she could only murmur, “Anyway, I was wronged. Consort Kang, she—”
Jingxi cut her off: “Li Clan, I’ll have her disciplined. She’s not allowed to leave her quarters for a while, and she’ll be fined a month’s Golden Flower Money.”
A wu: “…”
She was surprised, but mostly delighted: “Good!”
Serves her right!
Losing a month’s Golden Flower Money for nothing—she’d probably be furious!
Delighted, she asked, “Then what was Your Majesty planning? Were you just going to keep ignoring me?”
Jingxi: “No.”
Just two words, very firm, but with no explanation.
A wu sensed she’d touched on something he didn’t want to talk about.
A man like him—if he didn’t want to say, he never would, no matter how she acted spoiled.
So she let it go, snuggling up and cooing softly, “Your Majesty treats me badly, it makes me so sad.”
Jingxi paused, then sighed.
He hugged her, promising gently, “I’ll treat you better from now on, spoil you more.”
A wu’s heart grew soft and sweet.
She tilted her head and asked, “Then how will you treat me better?”
Jingxi chuckled, “How do you want me to treat you better?”
A wu: “Your consorts bully me, you have to avenge me first!”
Jingxi: “Mm, as I just said, she’ll be punished.”
A wu: “And I want good food and drink!”
Jingxi: “Are you lacking good food or good drink?”
A wu: “Not really lacking, but…”
She still felt she ought to ask for something.
Ordinary gold and silver she could get anytime, but now she wanted something long-lasting, once and for all.
She thought for a moment and said, “Why don’t you increase my Golden Flower Money? It’s only fifty-three taels a month, that’s too little! Not enough to spend!”
She added, “I have to reward my people, you know. Weilan was hurt this time, and though she got compensation from the authorities, I still feel bad and want to give her extra. The others were frightened too, they need comforting. I have to learn to win people over, and how can I do that without silver?”
Jingxi: “How much do you want?”
A wu blinked and tested, “At least a hundred taels a month?”
Jingxi thought for a moment and said, “From my private funds, I’ll make up the difference for you each month to reach a hundred taels.”
A wu: “Ah?”
Just for this, he had to use the Emperor’s private funds?
She thought the Emperor could just say the word.
Jingxi pinched her cheek, helplessly: “Must have been distracted during your lessons.”
A wu: “…”
Jingxi: “In the palace, the Inner Treasury’s Golden Flower Money is for the consorts, Allowance is for the nobility and officials. All these are managed by dedicated officials. If I want to use them, I have to have a proper reason.”
The Emperor might be rich, but every sum of silver had its own keeper.
The state treasury, the palace treasury—each had its own use, and every expense had its own procedures.
What the Emperor could freely use was only his private treasury.
Last time, the jewels and jade that he gave to A wu hadn’t entered the official records—they came from his private treasury, so he could give them at will.
Now, to give extra to his favored consort, he’d have to use his own money.
He couldn’t bring himself to order the Chengyun Treasury to give extra to his consort for a few dozen taels—he’d rather pay it himself.
A wu: “Alright then.”
Jingxi: “Anything else?”
A wu thought of Consort Kang sitting in the Imperial Carriage, and stammered, “When I went out today, I froze in the cold, and wasn’t even allowed to ride in the Imperial Carriage.”
Jingxi: “Only those of Concubine rank and above can ride the Imperial Carriage. You’re not eligible right now.”
A wu looked hopeful: “Can you make an exception for me?”
Jingxi stroked her hair, his gaze indulgent and so tender it was almost indescribable.
A wu’s eyes sparkled—she could ride in the Imperial Carriage now!
Jingxi spoke: “Your body is weak, you should get more exercise, walk more when the weather’s good. But if the weather is bad, I’ll have someone fetch you in my own carriage.”
A wu could hardly believe her ears.
Such a stingy Emperor—rules above all in his harem!
She was supposed to be his favorite, couldn’t he spoil her a bit more?
Jingxi looked at her with a smile.
She was so silly, only thinking about her status, not realizing what it meant for him to send his own carriage for her—there had never been such a precedent in the Great Hui harem.
But he didn’t explain, only asked, “Anything else?”
A wu felt a bit discouraged, so she asked directly, “When can I be promoted? I don’t want to be an Imperial Noble Lady anymore!”
Jingxi’s voice was tinged with laughter: “The new year is coming soon. After the festivities, there’ll be a round of promotions. You’re now a sixth-rank Imperial Noble Lady. I’ll promote you two ranks, to fifth-rank Imperial Consort.”
A wu could hardly believe it: “Imperial Consort?”
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