Chapter 26 This Is How Powerful Men Are

Chapter 26: This Is How Men of Power Behave

A Wu hurriedly got up to wash and dress, while palace maids attended to her dressing and hair.

The Jingxi Emperor had not left but sat by the window at a desk, idly flipping through a book.

A Wu glanced at him through the bronze mirror—this mirror was finely crafted, mirroring her reflection perfectly. She could clearly see his fingers, slender and jade-white, holding a butterfly-bound Taoist scripture (a traditional Chinese bookbinding style) with a purple sandalwood spindle.

Her gaze traveled upward. His gaze was downcast, his thin lips pressed together, making his nose appear even more straight and tall.

Looking closely, his facial features were flawless in every way.

She thought to herself, this emperor must have been an exceptionally handsome young man in his younger days. But after years of sitting on the throne and wielding imperial power, his regal bearing had eclipsed his youthful looks.

The longer A Wu studied him, the more intrigued she grew—this was the Crown Prince’s father, after all.

She even began to imagine: if she hadn’t been driven away and had stayed by the Crown Prince’s side, would she have seen him grow into a man like this in a decade or so?

Just as she was lost in thought, the man suddenly lifted his gaze. A Wu hastily looked away.

She wasn’t sure if he had noticed her staring.

At that moment, the man spoke: "No need for anything fancy—keep it simple."

The maid beside her stopped, startled—she had been styling A Wu’s hair into an ornate updo. Hearing this, she had to start over.

Seeing this, the Jingxi Emperor put down the scripture, walked over, and took the ivory comb from the maid’s hand.

A Wu was startled: "Huh?"

What was he doing?

The Jingxi Emperor gathered her hair in his long fingers, pondered for a moment, then swiftly tied it up with a silk ribbon before securing it with a hairpin—

A Wu stared, dumbfounded.

His deft fingers worked quickly, her silky hair weaving through his fingers.

In mere moments, A Wu found her dark hair pulled into a high bun, topped with a lone jade hairpin.

...It looked a bit unisex.

The Jingxi Emperor took a step back, examined his work, and nodded in satisfaction: "Well?"

A Wu wanted to say it looked nice, but since it was her own head, she couldn’t bring herself to lie. She touched the bun and pouted: "San Lang’s quite the stylist."

The Jingxi Emperor easily detected her reluctance. He chuckled: "This is the most utilitarian. I think it looks good—let’s go."

Utilitarian...

A Wu was reluctant but had no choice but to comply.

She followed the Jingxi Emperor out of the villa and into the carriage. The carriage was decorated with gold and silver trimmings, embroidered with coiling serpent motifs, and hung with azure silk drapes. Its massive wheels glided effortlessly, while the interior was cushioned with brocade and yellow silk, the backrest covered in sable fur—extremely comfortable.

A Wu snuggled into the Jingxi Emperor’s side, looking around and touching everything curiously.

The Jingxi Emperor leaned slightly against the seat, reading the scripture by the window’s light, unbothered by her fidgeting.

A Wu peeked at the scripture—it was titled *The Profound Truth: A Commentary on the Mystical Scripture*. She didn’t get it and thought it boring.

Out for fun and still reading scriptures!

It struck her that he wasn’t as handsome as she’d pictured—no matter how fine his features were, he had an old soul.

Truly the Jingxi Emperor.

A man who’s fathered children can’t stay young and handsome.

She stopped looking at him, resting her chin in her hand, bored, and gazed out the window. Nanqiong’s late autumn was breathtakingly beautiful—clear skies, emerald trees, crimson fruits, and golden leaves, a sight that lifted the spirits.

A Wu thought imperial gardens were a world apart from ordinary ones. Common folk might enclose a residence or a manor, but the imperial family could claim vast stretches of mountains and forests, roaming wild and free.

Just as she was thinking this, the Jingxi Emperor spoke from behind her: “Can you ride a horse?”

A Wu turned to see that he had already put away the scripture.

Yet now, his eyes held the aura of an ancient sage.

The kind that kept people at arm’s length.

A Wu sighed to herself, tilting her head as she asked, “I’d like to, but what if I take a spill?”

Her soft voice drew a light chuckle from the Jingxi Emperor. “I can teach you.”

A Wu hesitated. “What if I fall?”

The Jingxi Emperor arched a brow, countering, “With me here, you won’t fall.”

**********

Long after, A Wu was still replaying those words in her mind.

The man's voice was deep and pleasant, and such a simple sentence had set her mind racing.

As if it were a metaphor—with a man like this by her side, she need never fear.

Of course, she knew it was just her own fantasy, but she couldn’t help indulging.

As she was lost in thought, the bold thunder of galloping hooves approached ahead. A Wu looked up.

Against the endless autumn sky, the Jingxi Emperor rode toward her on horseback, clad in a crimson-purple archer's robe with narrow sleeves, crushing fallen leaves underhoof.

The marsh wind lashed at his robes, the hems billowing like clouds.

In that moment, this man was no longer just the "father of the crown prince." The sage-like air of wisdom had vanished, replaced by a dashing, lively energy.

A Wu’s heart raced, as if about to be swept away by the wind.

He really was quite a handsome man after all!

A few more nights with him—totally worth it!

The Jingxi Emperor soon drew near, reining in his horse as he approached the carriage. “Get down. Need a hand?”

A Wu pouted. “Yes, carry me! Come here and hold me!”

Gripping the reins, the Jingxi Emperor said, “Get down yourself.”

He wasn’t about to indulge her. A Wu gave a soft huff but still rose, stepping down from the carriage with the help of a maid before walking up to his horse.

From the carriage, she hadn’t noticed, but now, standing before the horse, the man seemed exceptionally tall and imposing. The steed itself was majestic—powerful forelegs and a proudly arched neck that radiated undeniable power.

A Wu felt a pang of fear: "It's so high!"

The Jingxi Emperor extended his hand to her: "Come."

A Wu placed her hand in his, but the moment she did, he abruptly tightened his grip, his arm sweeping around to grip her waist.

Before she could process what happened, her view suddenly shifted upward. In her panic, she instinctively grabbed onto something.

By the time everything settled, she realized she was already seated on the horse, cradled securely in the Jingxi Emperor's arms.

She clutched his robe tightly, nervous: "I won't fall...will I?"

She had never ridden a horse before—never in her life. It was too high! And the horse was moving! Its neck kept swaying!

The Jingxi Emperor's arm firmly steadied A Wu’s slender waist: "Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall."

His deep voice resonated right beside her ear, giving her a sense of security.

She leaned into the crook of his arm and clung tightly to him.

The Jingxi Emperor sighed: "Why so timid?"

A Wu pouted: "You’re a grown man, taller and older than me! I’m still young, I’m a frail maiden!"

The Jingxi Emperor chuckled: "Very well, you're petite so you win."

A Wu deliberately let out a soft whimper and played the pampered kitten, rubbing herself against him.

She thought he probably liked her like this.

Of course, she enjoyed it too—after all, this man wielded power and was willing to indulge her. A bit of coyness could win his favor and many rewards—why not?

Lazily, she leaned against him as they rode together, followed by mounted attendants.

A Wu glanced back, guessing these must be the Imperial Guard in plain attire.

As she looked ahead, she noticed reed-filled marshes where wild geese and birds nested, and she could just make out deer and pheasants.

Curious, she asked: "Where are we going?"

She knew Nanqiong Park was vast, filled with lakes and rivers, each area with its own scenery.

The Jingxi Emperor replied: "To take in the scenery. If you’re in the mood, I’ll take you hunting."

A Wu: "What game lives here? What can we catch?"

The Jingxi Emperor: "Whatever your heart desires."

As he spoke, he drew his horse to a halt and pointed forward with his riding crop: "See that? It’s called the Falconry Platform, where the gyrfalcons dry their feathers. Over there is where the Qiong tribes reside."

A Wu had never seen such things before and grew wide-eyed with wonder, craning her neck for a better look.

The Jingxi Emperor helped her dismount, and nearby guards had already brought forth the gyrfalcons—about a dozen of them.

A Wu examined them closely and noticed these gyrfalcons outshone ordinary eagles, their feathers glossy and full, their dives swift and powerful.

The Jingxi Emperor remarked: "Our late emperor disdained gyrfalcons, saying falconry and hunting were frivolous pastimes. But—"

He paused slightly, then smiled: "But the current emperor enjoys them, so he ordered the Liaodong tribe to present gyrfalcons as tribute. These dozen were personally selected by His Majesty and raised here in Nanqiong Park."

When A Wu first heard this, it took her a moment to realize that the so-called "current emperor" was referring to himself.

She nearly laughed but deliberately said, "Since the current emperor favors Gyrfalcons, he must be skilled in martial arts and hunting—truly imperial, unlike common folk."

The Jingxi Emperor replied, "It's nothing special."

A Wu wanted to laugh even more, thinking he was being quite modest. If it were her, she would have seized the chance to boast.

As they chatted, they encountered various birds and beasts, some quite rare, such as Père David's deer (milu), which were seldom seen elsewhere.

The Jingxi Emperor led A Wu to observe them and even let her touch the deer's antlers.

A Wu noticed the deer had long, horse-like faces but with antlers and remarked curiously, "They look different from ordinary deer."

The Jingxi Emperor explained, "Neither fish nor fowl—this is the so-called 'four-not-like.' In the previous dynasty, Père David's deer could still be found in the wild, but they've grown scarce in this era. The ones here in Nan Qiongzi were carefully collected."

Seeing A Wu's fascination as she stroked the deer, he asked, "Do you know the saying 'contending for the throne'?"

A Wu nodded, "Yes, I do."

The Jingxi Emperor said, "The 'deer' in that saying refers to this very creature."

A Wu suddenly understood, "Oh, now I understand."

Just then, an attendant brought over fruits—dates, apricots, peaches, and bayberries—arranged on delicate celadon plates, clearly freshly picked.

The attendant respectfully explained that nearby Qionghu residents, knowing noble visitors were passing by, had specially sent them.

The Jingxi Emperor seemed indifferent and instead asked A Wu, "Would you like to try some?"

A Wu casually picked up a crabapple, finding it tart yet sweet.

As she ate, she realized she was getting hungry and said to the Jingxi Emperor, "You hauled me here straight from bed without eating anything..."

Seeing her eager expression, the Jingxi Emperor chuckled, "Let’s have some prepared game for now. Later, we’ll hunt, and whatever we catch can be taken back for the cooks to prepare tonight."

A Wu readily agreed, "Perfect!"

The Jingxi Emperor then led her to a nearby estate. Since he was in ordinary clothes and the Imperial Guard remained discreet, the Qionghu residents had no idea of his identity, peering curiously but unafraid.

Upon arrival, freshly caught game—wild duck, pheasant, and hare—was served, and the cooks were ordered to roast them.

Freshly grilled and seasoned with fine spices, the meat was delicious, and A Wu devoured hungrily.

The Jingxi Emperor also partook, though with more restraint, taking only small bites.

After the meal, he wiped his fingers with a soft white handkerchief and spoke briefly with the Qionghu locals.

Most of these Qionghu people had migrated from nearby prefectures, raising deer and horses for generations, farming land allocated by the court, and hunting for food.

One of them said, "We also train in archery and horsemanship. If the emperor comes to inspect drills or for hunting, we assist in flushing out game."

Intrigued, A Wu asked, "Tell me, friend, have you ever seen the emperor?"

The Qionghu man replied proudly, "Not me, but my father has!"

A Wu asked, "What's he like?"

When she said this, she glanced cautiously at the Jingxi Emperor, who showed no reaction.

Qionghu said, "The emperor looks majestic and noble—every inch a ruler, not like us!"

A Wu asked, "Like some three-headed, six-armed monster?"

Qionghu quickly shook his head. "Of course not! The emperor is also a human. I heard the emperor—"

The Jingxi Emperor suddenly interjected, "The rabbit’s done roasting. Would you like to try it?"

With just these words, an unspoken authority filled the air. Qionghu, still young, grew fearful and hastily said, "I was just talking nonsense," before beating a hasty retreat.

A Wu didn’t press further and took the roasted rabbit meat from the Jingxi Emperor.

This rabbit meat was prepared differently—it was coated in mud before roasting. Now that it was done, the mud had cracked open, revealing tender, white meat inside, looking fresh and soft.

A Wu asked curiously, "Why coat it in mud?"

The Jingxi Emperor explained, "This method is called 'tuhai' (rabbit paste). 'Take the rabbit’s head, roast and grill it; take the rabbit’s head, grill and roast it.' Though rabbit isn’t one of the six prized meats, it has a unique flavor."

Hearing this, A Wu grew even more curious and took a bite. The outer layer was crispy, but the meat inside was juicy and tender, perfectly charred yet succulent, dripping with savory juices.

She couldn’t help but take a big bite. "Perfect!"

Her cheeks bulged as she stuffed her mouth, her thin lips shiny pink, as if tinted with rouge.

The Jingxi Emperor’s gaze lingered on her lips as he chuckled. "Eat slowly. No one’s fighting you for it."

Casually, A Wu asked, "How far have we traveled? Should we head back now?"

The Jingxi Emperor idly twirled a wooden stick. "If you don’t want to, we won’t. I’ll have them pitch camp here. Tomorrow, we can watch the sunrise by the lake."

A Wu’s eyes brightened instantly. "Perfect!"

The Jingxi Emperor took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of her lips. "Take your time eating."

The nearby attendants exchanged stunned glances.

Over the past few days, everyone had noticed how much the Jingxi Emperor doted on this young lady. She was young, delicate, and breathtakingly beautiful—it was no surprise she had won the emperor’s favor.

But this kind of favor was unheard of. After all, he was the emperor of Great Hui, with countless concubines in his harem, plenty of them stunning beauties. Yet never before had they seen the Jingxi Emperor show such meticulous care toward anyone.

As the attendants pondered this, A Wu herself felt a flicker of surprise and a secret thrill of pride.

She knew some women claimed that using beauty to win favor never lasted, as if it were a sin. But if men could earn the emperor’s favor through talent or martial skill, what did women have to offer?

How many women could truly win the emperor’s heart through genuine ability? Next to none.

Even if there were, it certainly wouldn’t be someone like her, Ning A Wu.

She’d mastered the art of charming the emperor—at least for now, the rewards were sweet.

This older man’s steady, doting manner sent a thrill through her.

With this thought, she playfully picked up a skewer of meat and offered it to the Jingxi Emperor, holding it up to his mouth.

As she did so, she suddenly felt a nearby guard’s sharp, warning glare.

She flinched, clutching the bamboo skewer as she gazed blankly.

Seeing this, Fu Tai on the side held his breath—what did she think she was doing with the skewer so close to the Emperor's lips? He immediately moved to intervene.

Yet, the Jingxi Emperor shot him a look, signaling for him to step back.

Fu Tai hesitated but ultimately withdrew.

A Wu, observing the scene, asked innocently, "What's wrong?"

The Jingxi Emperor didn’t answer, just stared at her—the meaning in his eyes clear: he wanted a bite.

A Wu eyed him warily but still handed it to him.

The Jingxi Emperor took the bite from her fingers, taking his time. His light brown eyes remained fixed on her with playful warmth, making her blush under his gaze.

The man’s gaze was full of indulgence and affection, a look so tender it could make one's legs go weak, melting hearts and softening bodies alike.

After he finished, A Wu withdrew the bamboo skewer.

The moment she pulled it back, she felt the tension around them noticeably ease, no longer as taut as before.

Then it hit her.

The skewer was sharp—it could stab someone. The attendants and guards had been watching her closely, wary of any threat to the Emperor.

Ice crept down her spine. What if her hand had slipped and injured the Emperor? It'd mean her head.

No wonder people said attending the Emperor was like walking beside a tiger. One must not only fear the Emperor but also the guards around him!

Noticing her unease, the Jingxi Emperor took her hand, keeping her delicate fingers in his palm, and said, "Come, let’s walk off our meal."

Twilight had fallen, and the man’s tall, elegant silhouette led her across the meadow bathed in dusk, with effortless grace, like a contented king surveying his domain.

***********

—And indeed, it was true. The Great Hui was his, Nan Qiongzi was his, even the reeds bowed to him.

Being led by the hand like this made her feel gilded, as if she, too, had become precious.

They strolled leisurely until they stopped by a shallow bank.

Sunset had washed the distant sky red, and the reeds swayed gently under the fading light.

The Jingxi Emperor kept A Wu’s hand in his and said, "The last time I came here was when I was young."

A Wu: "When you were young? How old were you?"

Jingxi Emperor: "You've seen sixteen summers, haven't you?"

A Wu: "Mm."

Jingxi Emperor: "About your age now."

A Wu listened quietly, knowing the Emperor beside her was reminiscing, wanting to share.

Jingxi Emperor: "That year, I was to be married—a match made long before by my late father."

A Wu: "And then? So you wed?"

The Jingxi Emperor replied, "Indeed."

He lowered his eyes, studying the shimmering water where ripples danced like flecks of gold. It was breathtakingly beautiful, just like that evening from his youth.

He smiled briefly. "And so, I married."

A Wu dared not say much, only murmured uncertainly, "Then... you must have been deeply in love and perfectly matched..."

The Jingxi Emperor said, "Indeed, showing each other every respect."

A Wu was at a loss for words. She stood there under the sunset, her hand held by this man, yet he spoke of his love for his wife.

It felt strange.

She quietly slipped her hand away.

Though, as someone who relied on her beauty to serve others, she had no business worrying about shame—and though the emperor was never the empress’s alone—sometimes, she still wished to keep some self-respect...

The Jingxi Emperor went quiet, his gaze fixed distantly.

A cool evening wind picked up, and A Wu felt a slight chill.

She knew she stood where she shouldn’t, accompanying someone she shouldn’t.

But... what could she do? She could only remain silent, standing there.

Then, the Jingxi Emperor suddenly reached out, taking her hand again, and said, "We should return."

A Wu was surprised, looking up at him, bewildered.

His expression was inscrutable, his eyes slightly downcast, giving no hint of his thoughts.

Not daring to speak, A Wu simply followed him back.

The Jingxi Emperor walked slowly, step by step, forcing A Wu to match his pace, holding her breath as she carefully accompanied him.

A Wu also noticed that, even during this casual stroll, hidden guards lurked in the shadows.

Likely not ordinary Imperial Guards but unseen protectors who followed him at all times?

She couldn’t see them, only sensed their presence.

An emperor was still an emperor—with a single glance or gesture, countless others sprang into action.

When they finally returned to the campsite, A Wu was surprised by what she saw.