That night, Jingxi simply spent the night in Langhua Hall, though in truth, there wasn’t much resting to be had.
If it had been before, both of them would have harbored their own thoughts—A wu feared the matter of the Crown Prince, afraid of being cast aside, while Jingxi, though he felt everything was within his grasp, couldn’t help but harbor some wariness when it came to his own flesh and blood.
But now that obstacle has completely vanished.
The two of them indulged themselves in passion, their entanglement so intense it was soul-shattering and utterly satisfying.
Jingxi savored the sweet and intoxicating taste, feeling as though all the regrets of his life had been made whole.
Yet even in this unparalleled satisfaction, a trace of bitterness welled up—he was a sovereign, and yet he had spent over a dozen years of his life in such lonely solitude, all those years passing by empty, without A wu in his arms.
He tightened his hold on the body that had nearly been broken apart by him, gritting his teeth as he whispered in her ear, “A wu, you owe me.”
A wu, her tearful little face turned up, sobbed, “How do I owe you…”
After those words, the man’s movements paused for a moment.
She felt lost and unsatisfied, twisting to protest.
But then the man’s voice fell low by her ear, “Ning A wu, from the time I was seventeen and full of youthful vigor, to now—sixteen whole years—you were never by my side. That’s what you owe me!”
With that, it was like a stormy sea crashing down, and A wu was instantly swept away.
A wu didn’t even know when she fell asleep.
Even half-asleep, she could still hear the man’s heavy breathing right by her ear.
She wanted to cry again.
Was he never going to be done?
People still need to sleep…
Maybe she finally did doze off, but it seemed she’d only just napped for a moment before she heard movement.
Opening her eyes, she found the space beside her empty—Jingxi had already gotten up.
She blinked her bleary eyes and poked her head out from the Bed Curtain, only to see a tall, imposing figure in front of the screen.
The golden-threaded cloud dragon embroidery on his robe was so vivid it seemed ready to soar, startling her awake.
Looking more closely, it was Jingxi, dressed in his court attire—the brilliant yellow Dragon Robe.
From afar, such a Dragon Robe only looked majestic, but up close, the embroidery was so lifelike it inspired awe.
Half-awake and muddled, she asked, “Your Majesty?”
Jingxi was straightening the white collar at his throat with elegant, unhurried movements, his voice clear and pleasant. “Morning court today.”
A wu: “Oh.”
It seemed there were three morning courts a month, but she’d never paid attention to when exactly he went.
She started to rise from the bed, but Jingxi said, “It’s still early. Sleep a while longer.”
Only then did A wu glance at the clepsydra—it was still the hour of the Tiger, a long way from dawn. It was practically the middle of the night!
Being Emperor really wasn’t easy—up earlier than the chickens.
And after last night, too!
The man probably hadn’t even closed his eyes.
She curiously watched from the bed as he washed, combed his hair, and dressed.
All sorts of items were needed, so the room was filled with Eunuchs coming and going, yet the busy scene was oddly orderly, as if every move had been rehearsed a hundred times, everything following established procedure.
A wu also took the opportunity to study Jingxi.
His face looked as usual, not the least bit tired.
His lips were pressed lightly together, sharp and defined, his light-colored eyes calm and composed—noble and steady.
No one would ever guess that this Emperor had spent most of the night indulging himself, nearly wearing himself out.
Jingxi sensed A wu’s gaze and glanced over.
A wu shrank back under the Bed Curtain, slow and deliberate.
She was scared of him now.
Jingxi walked over to the bed, standing above her without a word.
A wu was puzzled and looked up at him.
Jingxi held her by the neck, not letting her lift her head.
She turned her face slightly, opened her mouth, and bit his fingers.
His morning-cooled fingers carried a hint of plum fragrance; A wu clamped down and refused to let go.
Jingxi continued to look down, watching his long, fair fingers caught between her rosy lips, those lips glimmering as if reflecting light.
His gaze deepened, his fingertips curling deliberately to tease her.
The slightly rough pad of his finger brushed against A wu’s tongue, sending tingles through her.
Unconsciously, A wu bit down harder, then quickly let go.
She just wanted to bite him, not play with him.
Jingxi lowered his gaze to his fingers—damp, with a red mark, stinging a little.
The little thing had bitten hard, but not enough to break the skin—she had some sense of restraint.
No one had ever dared treat Jingxi this way before.
He raised his brows slightly and pinched her ear with the bitten fingertip.
“Are you a puppy?”
A wu gave a little snort, then deliberately barked, “Woof woof.”
Her soft, sweet “woof woof” was unexpectedly endearing.
Jingxi’s face remained expressionless as he warned, “No more fooling around like this.”
A wu flashed her white teeth at him. “Who told you to pinch me? I’ll just bite you!”
Jingxi looked at her unruly expression.
“No manners.”
A wu thought he was quite the actor.
She deliberately bit her lip and smiled, soft and spoiled, twisting to cling to him.
“Your Majesty, A wu wants to be unruly some more. You have to hug me before you leave, or I won’t let you go to court!”
Just then, a faint sound came from outside.
A wu glanced over, and through the gently swaying Bed Curtain, seemed to see a shadowy figure outside.
She knew it was the Eunuch in charge, probably here to hurry things along.
Remembering her words just now, her face instantly burned.
She’d never shake off her reputation for bewitching the Emperor now!
Jingxi’s fingers still rested on her neck, gently stroking her collarbone as he blandly ordered, “Speak.”
The Eunuch, treading on thin ice, reported the matter.
As expected, it was an urgent state affair—and morning court was likely to be delayed.
Listening, A wu felt a pang in her heart.
Remembering the words of Concubine Hui and the others, and seeing how busy he was, she didn’t dare delay him.
At the same time, she felt a bit worried—if he kept working this hard, when he got older, would he only be able to sit and drink tea?
She didn’t want to spend her youth just drinking tea!
When the Eunuch withdrew, she cautiously suggested, “Your Majesty, perhaps in the future, when you have morning court, it’s best not to fool around so much.”
Jingxi replied, “Last night was indeed a bit wild. I’ll restrain myself in the future.”
A wu stammered, “It’s not that… I just think… maybe don’t overexert yourself.”
Jingxi saw straight through her.
“Afraid I’ll wear myself out?”
A wu put on her most caring, virtuous face.
“I care about Your Majesty’s health.”
Jingxi drooped his eyelids, staring intently at A wu.
“Yet last night you were so seductive, as a lady of the harem, keeping the Emperor up all night?”
A wu blushed, mumbling, “A wu did not. It was you, you insisted!”
Even if she’d said some shameless things after being provoked, it had started with him!
She reasoned with him, “As the classics say, ‘All things arise together, I observe their return. Each thing flourishes and returns to its root.’ So if we trace it back, you’re the real culprit.”
Jingxi was amused—she really had studied well.
He couldn’t help himself, lifting his long hand to pat A wu’s cheek.
A wu’s cheeks were so clear and tender that his palm seemed to retain their soft, moist warmth.
How could she be so delicate?
He couldn’t bear to move his hand away.
Jingxi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he deepened his hold, rubbing her little face gently in his palm.
“Rest assured, even if I attend morning court every day, I still want you like this.”
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