After all this crying all she got was Imperial Consort!
She wanted to be a Consort, to outrank Consort Kang!
Jingxi soothed her and said while holding her: “That’s already very quick. You’ve only been an Imperial Noble Lady for a few months.”
A wu hooked her arms around his neck, lifted her face, and offered her lips: “I don’t care, Your Majesty, promote me more!”
She wanted special treatment, something extra, not just following the rules!
Jingxi looked at her aggrieved little eyes and said, “I’ve read your coursework lately—the female officials praise you highly. You’ll definitely rise quickly in the future.”
A wu was curious: “When did you read it?”
She thought he’d been ignoring her all this time—so he’d been secretly checking on her studies?
Jingxi asked her back, “Did you really think I’d ignore you completely?”
A wu understood, and with that understanding, she realized even more.
He really had been secretly paying attention to her!
Maybe he even passed by her quarters and snuck a glance or two!
Tsk tsk!
Knowing this, she felt naturally happy, but also a little aggrieved.
She grumbled, “You said you’d spoil me more—if you want to promote me, can’t you just say so? In every dynasty, when the Emperor favors a woman, he gives her whatever she wants!”
Why did she have to get such a stingy Emperor?
Jingxi said, “Lately in the harem, you’ve been getting along well with Concubine Hui and Lady Meng, right? Anyone else you can talk to?”
A wu: “Yes.”
She didn’t realize how he knew.
Jingxi: “That’s it, then.”
His thumb gently stroked her brow as he explained, “I’m busy with state affairs every day, can’t keep you company all the time. I don’t want you to be alone in Langhua Hall, just waiting for me and pinning all your hopes on me. That would make your days in the harem miserable.”
A wu was stunned, looking at Jingxi in surprise.
Jingxi: “So I hope you can have some sisters. Concubine Hui is gentle and clever, older than you, she can look after you. Lady Meng, as I recall, is a bit aloof, but not malicious. You can spend more time with them.”
A wu nodded—made sense.
Jingxi: “They’re all older than you, some even by a whole cycle. They’ve worked their way up to their current positions. You’re young and new here, but already outshining them. Even if they’re not competitive, it may not be easy to get along. You wouldn’t want everyone to fear and avoid you, would you?”
A wu: “…That’s true.”
Jingxi: “All the consorts in the palace are smart. They can see clearly that you’ll be promoted, but I still want you to rise properly, at least go through the motions, so everyone will accept it.”
He lowered his eyes, thinking that this way, they could last a long time.
She was still young, probably not thinking long-term, but he had to plan ahead for her, arrange her future.
A wu grew up in a fishing village, where people were simple.
Even after what she’d been through, her schemes were all for dealing with men—she’d never thought about these things.
Now, with Jingxi’s guidance, her mind opened up.
Besides being moved, she felt this man was even better than she thought—he’d thought of what she hadn’t.
This man was noble and handsome, holding the power of life and death over the world, yet he was thoughtful and worldly-wise, able to think for her.
She even felt that he was like the sea—deep and vast—and she could splash about in it as she pleased!
Jingxi saw the joy in her eyes and knew she was pleased.
He laughed softly: “Not angry with me anymore?”
A wu jumped up, hooked her arms around his neck, snuggled into his arms, and swayed coyly: “Who’s angry with you? You’re the one angry with me!”
Jingxi laughed, holding her waist: “Hungry? Want something to eat?”
A wu’s eyes sparkled: “I want to eat you!”
Jingxi’s lips curved into a pleased smile as he supported her waist: “If you want to eat me, you’d better save some strength first.”
A wu was puzzled: “?”
Jingxi looked out the window.
A wu followed his gaze and saw an attendant waiting outside, holding a red lacquered food box with gold trim.
Jingxi: “I was hungry too, so I had them prepare a few dishes.”
A wu: “…”
But her heart felt as if a drop of honey had fallen in, and the sweetness slowly filled her up.
Soon, the attendant set out the dishes.
Since it was a late impromptu meal, it wasn’t elaborate—fried whitebait, marinated crab, cured pork, and some seasonal vegetables.
After winter came to the Northern Lands, there weren’t many fresh greens.
All they had were preserved vegetables, which most people couldn’t afford—only a small amount supplied to the palace’s Imperial Kitchen.
The Imperial Kitchen made new twists on these simple dishes, and they tasted surprisingly good.
A wu especially liked one soup—a milky-white fish broth with tender, fresh cabbage.
The fish flavor had fully soaked into the cabbage, making each bite crisp, tender, and delicious.
Jingxi saw her drinking several bowls of the soup and said, “If you like it, you can have it again tomorrow. It’s late, so eat less, or it’ll be hard to digest tonight.”
A wu: “Will there really be more tomorrow?”
Normally, the palace meals were set in advance.
The maids went to fetch them, and you got whatever was assigned—there was no picking and choosing!
Jingxi: “I’ll have them make it for you tomorrow and send it over.”
A wu smiled: “Alright!”
Jingxi: “Earlier, when you were crying, you seemed weak, almost like you’re not well. I’ll have the Imperial Physician come check your pulse and prescribe something to nourish you.”
A wu: “Ah… alright.”
She didn’t really care, but since he said so, she went along with it.
She happily took another sip and exclaimed: “It’s really delicious!”
Growing up by the sea, she’d always eaten fresh seafood.
In the Northern Lands, most fish and shrimp tasted earthy to her, but this one was different—she really liked it.
Jingxi: “This is fish lung soup.”
A wu: “Fish lung soup?”
Jingxi gracefully ladled some rice porridge for her and explained, “It’s made from Suzhou’s tribute spotted fish. They swim upstream in living water, so their lungs develop well. Sliced thin and cooked into soup, but if not handled properly, the fish lung turns fishy and bland. The Imperial Kitchen’s skill makes it so fresh and delicious.”
A wu: “So that’s it…”
She’d thought it was just a simple fish soup, not realizing there was so much to it.
Now, looking at the other dishes, she realized that even the simple cured pork in the palace tasted better than outside—surely thanks to a lot of care and skill.
She couldn’t help wanting to try everything.
She wanted to eat it all!
But… she couldn’t eat too much, since it was late.
In the end, she reluctantly stopped, giving the rest to her servants, who were naturally delighted.
None of them had eaten their fill, and suddenly being given imperial food was a real treat!
A wu was content, full and satisfied.
After bathing together with Jingxi, it was clear he didn’t want to leave.
Outside, fine rain and snow tapped against the window lattice; the world was cold, but inside, with the brazier, incense, soft rugs, and the lingering warmth of their bath, it was cozy and humid.
A wu knew he wouldn’t leave, but she still deliberately asked, “Is Your Majesty going back to rest?”
Jingxi took a sip of tea, his gaze never leaving her face through the rising steam.
He raised an eyebrow and spoke, “Chasing me away?”
Maybe it was the atmosphere—his voice was low and lingering, tickling her ears and making her heart itch.
A wu blushed, pursed her lips, and looked away.
Jingxi ordered softly, “Look up. Look at me.”
A wu snorted, but still nervously lifted her eyes.
When her gaze met his, her face turned red.
In that moment, she felt that men like Lu Yunjian, the Imperial Son—none of them could compare!
All the men in the world paled before this emperor, the favored of heaven!
Not only was he handsome and well-built, but the dominance in his bones, his mastery over all things, the crushing aura of an emperor—just those alone were enough to make one’s knees weak and body tremble.
Outside, there was a faint rustling, maybe the wind brushing the lanterns hanging from the eaves, but inside, it was quiet, only their breathing audible.
Their gazes were glued together, tangled and inseparable, like silk threads that couldn’t be pulled apart.
In this daze, A wu felt as if, after everything she’d been through, it was all to bring her to him, to melt in his arms.
Lost in thought, she realized the man was right in front of her, his strong fingers gripping her slender waist.
Her body softened, and she tried to lean into his arms.
But the man held her waist tightly, not letting her move.
She felt wronged, lifting her face to look at him in confusion.
Jingxi raised his hand to pinch her chin, his tea-colored eyes scrutinizing hers as he asked, “Do you like me?”
A wu nodded obediently.
She felt completely enchanted by this man.
Jingxi: “Compared to him?”
A wu was puzzled for a second, then realized he meant the Imperial Son.
Jingxi pressed, “Do you like me more, or him?”
A wu: “You.”
Jingxi’s grip tightened, as if he wanted to keep her from running away.
He tilted his head, his thin lips brushing her delicate earlobe: “A wu, you’re mine. Only mine. You can’t have any stray thoughts about me.”
A wu felt aggrieved, her eyes darting: “I don’t have any stray thoughts…”
So suspicious…
Jingxi leaned close to her ear, lowering his voice: “He’s my flesh and blood. I raised him, I know exactly what he’s worth. What you want, he can’t give you.”
A wu softly replied, “Mm.”
She knew that no matter what, he was his son, the one to inherit Great Hui’s throne.
The emperor’s heart was unfathomable—she couldn’t say anything bad about his son.
Jingxi loosened his hold a bit, taking her hand and placing it on his waist.
A wu understood immediately—he wanted her to serve him.
So she obediently helped him remove his clothes.
The emperor’s robes were exquisitely embroidered, the material thick and stiff.
She didn’t dare toss them aside for fear of wrinkling them, so she hung them on the wooden screen.
But Jingxi pulled her into his arms with one tug.
The imperial robe fell onto the rug, and she tumbled into his embrace.
Jingxi was still restrained, making A wu kneel there as he moved behind her.
A wu was surprised, but quietly complied.
They’d done it this way before, but not often.
He seemed a bit deliberate tonight.
Jingxi lowered his eyes, steadying A wu’s slender waist, adjusting their positions carefully to avoid his chest wound.
The wound had healed, but he couldn’t be too rough, or it might not recover fully.
Each slow movement was gentle and comfortable.
Jingxi wasn’t in a hurry—he’d waited so long, now that she was within reach, he wanted to savor it, to prolong the pleasure through patience and anticipation.
But A wu grew impatient, her desire kindled.
She lifted her face, swayed her slim waist, wiggling closer to him.
Jingxi, however, held her steady, not letting her move.
As the soft girl whimpered in protest, he calmly gripped her, looking at her slender back with cool tea-colored eyes, suddenly asking, “Why didn’t you leave with him?”
A wu’s body stiffened.
She’d thought she’d glossed over that issue, but never expected this old man, so cunning and deep, would ask her such a deadly question at this moment.
No wonder his reaction had been so vague earlier!
Now, with him inside her, feeling every response, she couldn’t hide anything.
Ah, the rules are broken, propriety is lost—how unfair!
Jingxi’s thumb pressed down a bit, her skin as soft as water, his fingernail sinking in without much force.
A wu couldn’t help crying out.
Jingxi curled his lips in a cold smile: “What’s that little head of yours thinking? Trying to fool me?”
A wu whimpered pitifully, “A wu’s heart only has Your Majesty, no one else. I haven’t lied to Your Majesty.”
Jingxi: “Is that so?”
A wu was scared.
She braced herself on the brocade, craning her neck, twisting her slender waist, using every trick she knew.
A wave of pleasure crashed over them.
Jingxi’s scalp tingled, his spine trembling.
But he still clenched his jaw, gripping her waist tightly, his voice hoarse and cold: “Tell the truth. I want the truth.”
A wu felt his grip hurt a little, and she was a bit afraid, but the pain and fear turned into a tingling she couldn’t explain.
Her body trembled uncontrollably.
She could only stammer, “Your Majesty is the best, the very best. A wu only wants Your Majesty, only wants to serve Your Majesty. No other man can compare… A wu, A wu loves Your Majesty most… If any other man touches A wu, I’ll bite my tongue and die. I won’t let anyone else touch me…”
Her voice was choked and weak, like a dying little animal, but it rushed into Jingxi’s ears, sending waves of numbness through his chest, making him lose control.
His strong body trembled, and he rasped, “Little liar, all nonsense!”
All lies!
But he liked hearing it, wanted to hear it, even if it was a lie!
He hugged her tightly, pulling her into his arms from behind, ignoring his chest wound, wanting nothing more than to crush her into him.
The dignified emperor, a man of seven feet, who played with power in the court, now wished he could die on this little woman!
He kissed her cheek madly, his voice shaking: “Little liar, for you—”
‘For you, I schemed and plotted, almost willing to give up my only son. That night, if the Imperial Son’s sword had come any closer, it wouldn’t have been me who fell!’
His own flesh and blood would have died on the spot!
But she’d never know.
In this life, he would never let her know.