Chapter 8: Boarding the Dragon Carriage

Chapter 8: Boarding the Dragon Carriage

Boundless seductive charm

The sunlight was brilliant, exuding delicate charm.

A woman, smiling gracefully, walked under the blooming pear trees. The breeze gently lifted her black hair and thin sleeves, her beauty unmatched.

Shen Huai was almost certain that she was the pear blossom fairy he had seen on Yingzhou Island, her appearance and figure matching his imagination perfectly.

Especially those emotion-stirring eyes, clear and pure in the sunlight, yet inexplicably seductive, causing his throat to tighten instantly.

Shen Huai's gaze lingered on her for a while before he finally looked away, tapping his index finger on the armrest as he leisurely observed the woman before him.

Cai Shan glanced at the eunuch beside him, who then raised his voice and announced, "The Emperor's carriage is approaching!"

The people ahead suddenly stopped, staring blankly in their direction.

Su Jiaojiao's hand, reaching for a pear branch, froze in mid-air, as if she had never expected to encounter the Emperor here. She looked at Shen Huai with a mix of panic and timidity, like a startled young rabbit.

Yu Ying and Yu Ye quickly knelt down, carefully pulling at her skirt. Coming out of her shock, Su Jiaojiao gracefully curtsied to Shen Huai, her trembling voice like a nightingale's, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty—"

Selected one?

Shen Huai regarded her with amusement for a long moment.

Her features were stunningly beautiful, her skin smooth as jade. Her black hair and slender waist were flawless in every way. He often visited the harem and had seen countless newcomers, yet he had never known there was such a captivating beauty in the palace.

Lazily leaning back in his seat, his posture commanding, his tone carried a hint of a fleeting smile, "Why did you run away that day on Yingzhou Island?"

She hadn't expected the Emperor to recognize her as the one who had fled in panic on that day. Her moist eyes instinctively rose, meeting Shen Huai's gaze directly.

Shen Huai's deep dark eyes took in her vulnerability and confusion.

"My skirt got wet when I disembarked from the boat that day, and I didn't know which noble was approaching, fearing I would lose my composure..." Su Jiaojiao dared not look into his intense eyes again, biting her cherry lips and turning her head away, her voice timid.

Her voice was pleasant, like clear spring water or a nightingale's song.

Sweet and gentle, with a soft lingering tone, her timid words stirred a desire in him to pull her into his arms.

Shen Huai had seen countless women.

Some were charming and seductive, others dignified and elegant, some ethereal like immortals, and still others cute and playful.

Even delicate beauties such as her existed in the palace.

But no one could ignite the desire within him with just a few words and a gaze like she did.

She was not a pear blossom fairy, but a soul-stealing temptress.

Shen Huai never repressed his desires.

He boldly stared at Su Jiaojiao for a long while, then calmly said, "Come up."

The Empress had invited all consorts of selected rank or above to the Spring Banquet. She referred to herself as a humble servant, yet she was not at the banquet, indicating she was an unsummoned selected rank in the palace.

Since she was his woman, her rank meant nothing to him.

The lofty dragon carriage slowly descended to the ground.

Su Jiaojiao watched helplessly as the emperor's exclusive carriage stopped right in front of her, leaving her momentarily at a loss for what to do. She turned to him with a pleading look, her deer-like eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Shen Huai, noticing her timidity, chuckled softly and extended his hand toward her.

Su Jiaojiao blushed, lowering her head as she offered her delicate, boneless hand. With a firm pull from the emperor, she was seated in his lap.

Losing her balance, she let out a soft, delicate cry, but Shen Huai only laughed, his hand wandering to her waist, giving it a playful squeeze.

Flirting with Shen Huai in front of everyone, Su Jiaojiao sat on his lap, utterly embarrassed and unsure of what to do. Unwilling to let others see her face, she instinctively buried it into his shoulder, her moist deer-like eyes filled with an irresistible allure.

Cai Shan, ever perceptive, smiled and asked, "Your Majesty, shall we return to the Tai Chi Hall or proceed to the Imperial Garden?"

Shen Huai glanced down at Su Jiaojiao in his arms, in no rush to have her.

Good things are best saved for last, to truly savor their lingering taste—

He gently caressed her soft lips and said indifferently, "The Imperial Garden."

Su Jiaojiao's cheeks flushed pink, half-hiding her delicate face, sitting stiffly on Shen Huai's lap, not daring to move.

She stole a glance at Shen Huai—

To be fair, their emperor was more divine and enigmatic than she had imagined. On the surface, he seemed carefree and indulgent with beauty, not a cold or indifferent man.

Yet, he was entirely different from the typical lascivious and foolish emperors...

Noticing Su Jiaojiao's gaze, Shen Huai looked down with a faint, amused smile, "Had enough?"

Su Jiaojiao was annoyed at herself for being so captivated by him. She immediately lowered her long lashes, her small hands fidgeting with her sleeves, pretending to be shy and uncomfortable as she whispered, "Your Majesty... are we heading to the Imperial Garden... I am but a lowly selected rank..."

Seeing her fearful and timid demeanor, Shen Huai chuckled softly, patting her waist and hips, signaling her to sit to the side, his tone indifferent, "With me here, no one will dare to devour you."

In the Imperial Garden.

The Empress had instructed the palace servants to prepare the venue well in advance.

According to rank, from far to near, dark wooden tables and sunshade curtains were set up. Palace servants bustled about, serving tea, fruits, and pastries.

After the recent selection, the palace now had a total of thirty to forty concubines. Excluding those who had not yet been favored, there were over twenty present.

Some were plump, others slender; some were radiant, others delicate— a vibrant array of beauty.

From a distance, the concubines in their colorful palace dresses, sitting or standing, blended with the blooming spring scenery, forming an exquisite painting of beauty.

Among the palace women, the Empress held the highest rank, followed by Noble Consort Wang, and then Consort Mi.

The Empress occupied the main seat, with Noble Consort Wang and Consort Mi seated on either side.

At today's banquet, the Empress's eldest daughter, Princess Shen Lanying, and Noble Consort Wang's son, Prince Shen Nanzhou, were also present.

The emperor had only had children after ascending the throne, so the princess and prince were merely two or three years old, still tender and young, being cared for by their respective wet nurses, playing in the Imperial Garden.

The Empress sipped her tea leisurely, watching the eldest prince chasing butterflies in the distance, and smiled, "Nanzhou has been raised so well by Noble Consort Wang. Look at those little arms and legs, like lotus roots, so tender. Unlike Lanying, who just won't gain weight, worrying me."

Noble Consort Wang placed her cup down with a forced smile, her tone indifferent, "Your Majesty's palace has the best of everything, and the princess is blessed by heaven and earth. She's still young; Your Majesty worries too much."

Her words were sharp and unkind, but the Empress remained unperturbed, merely smiling, "Indeed, I have little to worry about. The emperor dotes on Lanying. If it weren't for the princess's favor with her father, the emperor might not visit the Phoenix Palace so often."

She glanced at Noble Consort Wang, her smile not reaching her eyes, "I heard that last time, the eldest prince caused a scene in front of the emperor, displeasing him. Besides good food and drink, a prince must also learn etiquette and literature, to ease the emperor's burdens as soon as possible."

Noble Consort Wang has always doted on the eldest prince, cherishing him immensely. She dotes on him so much that she's afraid he might get hurt, and she's overprotective to the point of worrying over every little thing. She cannot bear anyone speaking ill of him.

The Empress's words were clearly calling her child foolish, a mere glutton who knew nothing but eating and drinking, and thus was not favored by the Emperor. How could she possibly endure such an insult!

Noble Consort Wang sneered coldly, "Nan Zhou is only three years old, what does he understand? The Emperor naturally wouldn't hold it against a child! The Princess might only be sweet and sensible, but in the future, she won't achieve much else."

Their few words had both of them seething with anger. Consort Mi sat to the side, watching them bicker with disdain.

She gently caressed her belly, her beautiful eyes narrowing in thought. She wondered whether she was carrying a princess or a prince...

As the court dancers finished their performance, the zither music changed to a lighter, more cheerful melody. Consort Mi's thoughts returned as she cast a sharp glance over the court ladies below, her expression dark.

This new group of ladies was particularly exceptional, and though she had once been the favorite in the harem, she had to be on high alert.

Moreover, the Emperor had barely summoned any of the older concubines this month, focusing almost entirely on the new ones. Even though she was pregnant and couldn't serve him, this fact weighed on her heart like a boulder, making her feel unbearable discomfort.

If the Emperor grew tired of the old and completely forgot about her, she would never be able to accept it!

The mere thought of the Emperor being intimate with other women caused Consort Mi unbearable heartache.

She wondered how Su Jiaojiao was faring...

The maidservants bowed respectfully, bringing exquisite dishes allotted to each concubine, filling the tables with delicacies.

Seeing one of the dishes, the Empress smiled warmly and said, "I remember Lady Miao is from Yongzhou. Yongzhou is by the sea and has always been rich in seafood. This dish, Golden and Silver Flower, is made with crab meat and roe. If I remember correctly, this crab is a tribute from Yongzhou."

She glanced at the maid beside her and smiled, "Your rank is still low, so you wouldn't receive this dish. I'll bestow it upon you."

The Empress's chief maid, Yu He, personally brought the dish to her table, then curtsied gracefully, showing her respect.

Lady Miao stood up to express her gratitude, earning mixed looks from those around her.

Since the Spring Banquet began, Lady Miao had been both envied and despised by the other concubines.

Her background was unremarkable, just the daughter of a wealthy merchant, yet she had managed to attract the Emperor's frequent attention, which was infuriating!

Already favored by the Emperor, and now with the Empress bestowing a dish upon her. It was clearly an attempt to win her over and make her an ally, which only fueled the envy.

Before Lady Miao could sit down after expressing her thanks, Noble Consort Wang sneered and said coolly, "The Empress has such a good memory. Managing the harem must be quite taxing, yet she remembers even a Lady's background and preferences so clearly. What a virtuous Empress indeed—"

She glanced over coldly, her eyes flashing with disdain, "Lady Miao, you should accept it with both hands, don't waste Her Majesty's kind intentions."

Seeing the high-ranking concubines arguing over her, Lady Miao, who was already unsure of herself, became even more anxious.

She came from a humble background, and though she prided herself on her cunning, she had never faced such a situation before. Her beautiful face turned pale, and she didn't know whether to stand or sit.

Lady Ji, sitting to Lady Miao's left, couldn't help but feel a bit smug, her lips curling into a faint smile.

Lady Ji and Lady Miao both resided in the Luanming Palace and were among the new concubines favored by the Emperor.

But Lady Miao's family background was inferior to hers, yet she often heard the bells of the Fengluan Spring Grace Carriage, tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. Now it's your turn to be in the spotlight! You should experience the downside of standing out too much!

Noble Consort Wang's veiled criticism didn't anger the Empress. She remained composed and dignified, smiling faintly, "As the mistress of the harem, I must set an example for all, caring for my sisters is only natural. Since I hold this position, I naturally have to think more than others."

She glanced at Noble Consort Wang without showing any emotion, "Sister Noble Consort has always been outspoken, but if you don't restrain yourself, the new sisters might be too afraid to approach you. We are all imperial concubines, and we should live in harmony."

With that, the Empress gave Lady Miao a gentle smile to reassure her, "Sister Noble Consort has always been like this. Please, take your seat, no need for formalities."

Grateful for the Empress's help, Lady Miao was relieved to no longer be the center of attention and sat down gracefully.

Lady Ji watched as Lady Miao sat down nonchalantly, feeling somewhat disappointed. She picked up her silver chopsticks and took a bite of the newly served peach blossom pastry, which was soft, sweet, and melted in her mouth, perfectly delightful.

She had always loved sweets, even when she was still at home, and eating her favorite pastry eased some of her discontent.

However, she hadn’t been seated for long before her skin began to feel itchy. She discreetly rolled up her sleeve and saw a large patch of redness on her fair skin.

Before she had time to think more about it, the eunuch on duty at the entrance of the imperial garden loudly announced, "His Majesty has arrived—"

A look of joy appeared on her face, and she quickly adjusted her hairpin, smiling sweetly in hopes that the Emperor would notice her.

The bright yellow dragon carriage slowly entered from the entrance of the imperial garden.

The concubines knelt in a group, presenting themselves in the most graceful and respectful manner, eagerly hoping to receive the Emperor's favor on this day.

But unexpectedly—

The person who arrived wasn't just the Emperor they had been longing for day and night.

On the dragon throne, which only the Emperor could occupy, there was also an unfamiliar, stunning beauty.

Her radiant beauty was like a delicate willow swaying in the breeze, and her eyes held an endless charm.

The faint blush on her face made it clear that something delightful had occurred on that dragon throne.