Chapter 47 Imperial Favor

Chapter 47: A Night of Imperial Favor

To A Wu, all of Jingxi Emperor's gestures tonight could not truly make up for anything. She would never be his principal wife, yet... compared to their past casual liaisons, there was now a hint of solemnity.

She was no longer a faceless plaything to be casually discarded in Nanqiongzi.

A Wu's eyes grew moist.

Just then, palace maids stepped forward gracefully, unrolling a pearl-studded carpet embroidered with dragons. Upon it, they placed a long red-lacquered table adorned with four gem-encrusted golden goblets bearing dragon motifs, along with two golden chalices.

A Wu was puzzled. She knew the golden goblets were both drinking vessels and ceremonial objects—such opulent pieces were surely not for casual use, even within the palace. Perhaps they were reserved only for grand rituals?

Yet Jingxi Emperor took A Wu’s hand and led her to the carpet, where the two chalices had already been filled with sweet, fragrant fruit wine.

Adjusting his sleeve, he picked up a chalice and offered it to A Wu, then took the other for himself.

His long fingers curled around the golden vessel as he looked at her with a quiet smile.

A Wu was momentarily dazed.

Before her stood a man of refined dignity, his regal grace evident in his every gesture.

Yet he was smiling at her—warm, tender, like the golden warmth of spring.

Flushing, she nodded dreamily.

Jingxi Emperor spoke softly, "What night is this, that I may share fine music with A Wu? Let us drink together, and may the years ahead be filled with enduring tenderness and shared joy."

A Wu felt her heart utterly stolen. Blushing, she nodded in a daze and drank the wine.

It was fruit wine—sweet, velvety, and exquisite.

She licked her lips, tempted to drink more, but clearly, the night called for rest...

Silently, the palace maids collected the chalices and withdrew. Jingxi Emperor then took A Wu’s hand and placed it upon his jade-embellished belt.

After a brief moment of confusion, she understood. Stepping forward, she began to assist him in undressing.

Today, he wore an ornate and elaborate ceremonial robe. Unfamiliar with its fastenings, A Wu struggled awkwardly, but Jingxi Emperor patiently guided her hands, refusing to undo it himself.

As if she were his bride, he insisted on her hands alone undressing him.

Though clumsy, A Wu eventually removed the emperor’s lavish outer robe, revealing a silken underrobe of pristine white beneath.

Hesitating, she glanced at Jingxi Emperor.

His gaze was gentle and encouraging, even leaning down to help her.

Standing on tiptoe, A Wu continued to undress him.

After much effort, she succeeded and couldn’t resist a furtive look.

His figure was striking—broad shoulders, hints of muscle across his chest, a narrow and taut waist. Who would have thought such a refined frame lay beneath those opulent robes? Even a youth half his age might envy.

In her mind, A Wu instantly shaved ten years off his age!

The Jingxi Emperor lowered his eyelids, watching her furtive expression with an amused glint in his amber eyes. "What comes next—can you handle it?"

A Wu widened her eyes. "Your Majesty, what would you like me to do?"

A faint blush colored the emperor's temples as he smiled slightly. "What would *you* like to do?"

His voice was deep and mellow, as if teasing her.

He had always been solemn and aloof, like a ceremonial inkstone—dignified and steady. But now, he had transformed into a languid ink wash painting, his lowered gaze radiant with captivating charm.

A Wu flushed and stammered, "I can do... anything?"

The Jingxi Emperor gazed at her intently. "Mm."

Just a single word, yet it carried limitless indulgence, as if he would forever indulge her mischief.

A Wu bit her lip, thinking to herself—she wouldn’t hold back.

An emperor was still just a man, after all!

Summoning her courage, she hesitantly reached out a finger and lightly traced it over him.

The texture was surprisingly pleasant—smooth, taut skin with a springy resilience that made her want to pinch it!

She peeked at him. He remained silent, watching her as if yielding to her every whim.

Mischief rose in A Wu’s heart. Testing her strength, she gave a firm squeeze—only for what she was pinching to suddenly *jump*!

The Jingxi Emperor let out a muffled groan, his muscles clenching suddenly.

Startled, A Wu quickly withdrew her hand.

Her eyes lowered, her face burning, her heart racing—she wished she could hide her face in shame!

The Jingxi Emperor’s gaze grew heated as well. Watching her flustered expression, he slowly reached out, took her hand, and placed it against his chest.

A Wu felt all the blood rush to her face, scalding hot.

She didn’t dare look at him, keeping her head bowed as she covered her burning cheeks and whispered pleadingly, "Your Majesty, let's begin. A Wu can’t take this anymore."

If they kept staring at each other like this, her heart might burst.

The Jingxi Emperor chuckled lowly but didn’t torment her further. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her waist, leaned down, and breathed against her ear, "Then this emperor shall undress A Wu."

Her mind went hazy with desire, and she could only nod helplessly.

What followed proceeded smoothly—until the moment the brocade curtains fell, when a voice outside respectfully bade the emperor goodnight.

By then, A Wu was already boneless in the emperor’s arms. Startled by the interruption, her body stiffened instantly.

The Jingxi Emperor gave her a warning glance to stay quiet before commanding, "You may withdraw."

The voice outside acknowledged, bowed, and retreated.

The emperor’s large hand soothingly stroked A Wu’s back.

The poor thing had gotten such a fright—her back arched like a startled cat’s as she curled tightly against him, gripping his waist for dear life.

Holding her hand, he explained in a low voice, "That was the *Qǐjū Láng*, the *Tóng Shǐ*, and the eunuchs from the *Jìngshì Fáng*." The *Qǐjū Láng*, palace chronicler, and eunuchs from the *Jìngshì Fáng* were responsible for recording imperial activities and managing concubine records.

A Wu stared in shock. So many people? Were they there the whole time?

Did they all hear how she undressed the Emperor? What sounds had she made just now? How embarrassing!

The Jingxi Emperor, sensing her fright, drew her tightly against him, soothing her with gentle pats and whispering in her ear, "Don’t be afraid. They’ve withdrawn outside the hall now. They won’t hear us anymore."

From his words, A Wu vaguely understood that they were originally meant to wait just outside the door, listening for any movement. Letting them withdraw beyond the hall was already a rare concession.

The Emperor’s voice was a whisper, barely audible. "Later, just hold back a bit. Don’t make too much noise."

A Wu turned bright red. Was she loud? She had no idea.

It suddenly hit her. Her eyes widened as she cautiously asked, "They’re going to write this down?"

The Jingxi Emperor curved his lips. "Yes, it will be recorded."

A Wu: "Ah?"

He cradled her face, his honey-brown eyes holding an unprecedented solemnity. "Of course she knew the rules," he murmured. "Affairs of the royal consorts are to be recorded in the *Inner Court Diaries* and the *Imperial Annals*."

A Wu bit her lip. "I see..."

She knew the rules, of course, but experiencing it firsthand still felt strange.

His fingers combed gently through her hair. "They will record it—'In the eighteenth year of Jingxi, on the day of Bingzi, the hour of Jia Chen, at the first quarter of Xu hour, the Emperor visited Langhua Hall and claimed Noble Consort Ning—'"

His tone was low and resonant, carrying a gravity utterly incongruous with the intimacy of the moment.

A weird sensation came over A Wu. She gazed at him blankly.

This man was cold and commanding, his straight, narrow nose seemingly emblematic of his supreme authority.

Now, as the Emperor, he was claiming her—and all of this would be written into history, preserved, perhaps even read by future generations?

This was a matter so solemn it would enter the annals of history, becoming part of the Great Hui's imperial chronicles.

In truth, the moment she stepped into the Forbidden Court, her name might already have been written into history.

The Jingxi Emperor’s thumb lightly traced A Wu’s lips as he murmured, "A Wu, now, I am going to kiss you."

His voice was tender, layered with tenderness.

A Wu was taken aback, her lashes fluttering slightly.

She knew—he didn’t want to kiss her.

Twice before, she’d playfully asked for it. The first time, he had brushed her off and walked away. The second, he had dutifully kissed her forehead.

As for the reason, A Wu didn’t ask. Nor did she wish to know.

She never wanted to know.

In the dim glow of the brocade curtains, the sharp-eyed Emperor noticed the flicker of emotion in the woman beside him.

He said nothing, only cradled A Wu’s face before tilting his head slightly and pressing his lips to hers.

At first, it was just a gentle tracing of her lips, then a hesitant exploration within.

A Wu arched her neck, accepting his kiss.

The Jingxi Emperor closed his eyes slightly, savoring every inch of A Wu’s honeyed softness.

She was like an autumn fruit, oozing nectar at the gentlest bite, so intoxicating it made him want to drown.

As he kissed her, overwhelmed by unparalleled satisfaction, a rough murmur tore from his throat: "I have never..."

The last few words were too low, almost a whisper, ambiguous and lingering. A Wu didn’t catch them, but she didn’t ask either. She just lazily looped her arms around his neck and surrendered herself to him.

...

The colored silk palace lanterns drenched the bed in hazy light through the layers of curtains. And in that very dimness, he looked down.

The Jingxi Emperor’s eyes scorched; his breath hitched.

He knew he was handsome—in his youth, his face could’ve been carved from jade, and strangers would surely have called him a beautiful young man. He was also accustomed to morning exercises, skilled in riding and archery, his body lean and agile, wrapped in splendid dragon robes, every line of him regal.

One could say that even without his imperial status, he would still be an undeniably striking man.

Except for *there*. It was ungainly—too formidable, thicker and more imposing than most men’s. Years ago, the old imperial physician had examined him and even remarked on it, saying the Emperor was born with an extraordinary form, his loins prodigious, capable of harboring innate essence, symbolizing the enduring blessings of the Great Hui imperial family.

Flowery drivel, gilded in flattery.

At the time, he hadn’t cared, dismissing it as trivial. But now, seeing the sight before him, his scalp tightened, blood roaring.

Meanwhile, the clueless little thing kept writhing, lost in pleasure, tilting her neck, her watery eyes dazed.

This blissfully ignorant creature.

The Jingxi Emperor suppressed his ragged breaths, thinking it was fortunate she hadn’t seen. If she had, she’d have gone white as rice paper, shaking.

His heart swelled with boundless tenderness and guilt—or perhaps even shame?

After all, he was older than her.

She was so utterly lovable, yet he, in his worldly dominance, had taken her, plundering without mercy, making this fragile woman endure what she should not have to bear.

At this moment, the Jingxi Emperor began to feel that all his experience, authority, riches, and power turned to dust before her.

Stripped of these, what remained was fanged hunger, vicious fantasies—to tear her apart, devour her, possess her completely.

When his rhythm faltered, A Wu murmured softly, "Your Majesty..."

She was protesting, wanting more.

This blissfully ignorant creature had no idea what she was enduring, let alone what demons haunted the mind of the towering man above her. And yet, she still begged for more.

Such a glutton—never satisfied!

Ragged gusts scorched her pinkened skin in bursts.

Provoked, A Wu arched her slender waist in a daze, letting out a mewl like a starved kitten.

Any man who heard that sound would’ve been undone on the spot!

A vein throbbed at the Jingxi Emperor’s temple—his control hung by a thread!

He bent down, pressing close to her ear, his voice taut and trembling: "Every last drop is yours. Only yours."

...

That night, he summoned her four times in total.

At one point, someone seemed to be paying respects outside, but the Jingxi Emperor, consumed by ravenous desire and unable to restrain himself, only rasped out a single command: "Leave."

By then, A Wu's eyes were blurred with tears, her mind utterly blank. She had no attention to spare for whoever was outside, nor any awareness of how wanton her moans were.

The Jingxi Emperor gripped A Wu’s waist, his voice hoarse and domineering as he proclaimed over her, "Ning A Wu, you are mine. Your name will dominate my imperial chronicles!"

Perhaps a century later, descendants might speculate, upon reading those repeated accounts of favor, just how infatuated that notorious emperor—who took his son’s concubine—was with his newly favored Little Noble Lady.

So much so that he disregarded the centuries-old customs of the Great Hui imperial family, even employing the imperial wedding chalices, and took her with reckless abandon throughout the entire night.

*********

A Wu had no strength left, her fingers limp against the jade, only able to lie there panting weakly.

The Jingxi Emperor drew her close with one arm.

At this moment, A Wu’s eyes were damp and dazed, her mind completely blank. Instinctively, she pressed her small face against the man’s powerful chest and clung tightly to his taut waist.

The Jingxi Emperor’s Adam’s apple bobbed. She truly resembled a pup, innately knowing how to nestle against a person.

He smoothed her damp, disheveled hair and said, "Catch your breath for a moment, then I’ll call for your maids."

Truthfully, the Jingxi Emperor disliked others witnessing such intimacy, but palace attendants were necessary to attend to the necessary arrangements.

A Wu’s mind was a hazy fog, incapable of deeper thought. She merely nodded faintly, "Mm."

And so the two lay entwined, the bedchamber silent and warm. A Wu was so content her toes curled—everything felt sweet and perfect.

Then A Wu recalled something. Looping her arms around his neck, she asked, "Your Majesty, what did you say earlier?"

The Jingxi Emperor: "Earlier? What did I say?"

A Wu: "When Your Majesty was kissing me, what did you say?"

His voice had been muffled at the time, and she hadn’t caught it clearly.

The Jingxi Emperor let out a soft "Ah," then replied, "It was nothing. I’ve forgotten."

A Wu furrowed her delicate brows and gazed up at him with wide eyes.

The Jingxi Emperor thought she looked like a little deer in the woods, peeking at a stranger.

He rumbled with laughter, "What a sly creature."

A Wu immediately pouted and turned her face away. "Hmph!"

The Jingxi Emperor only laughed more deeply.

Still warm from their coupling, his laughter was dark and velvety, like aged liquor—utterly intoxicating.

Then A Wu remembered the matter of the Crown Princess.

She knew this man’s temperament all too well—once off the bed, his demeanor would shift entirely. If there was something to discuss, now was the best time.

She rolled over, her soft, slender body twining about him.

In honeyed tones, she said, "There’s an urgent matter I haven’t yet told Your Majesty!"

Your servant...

Upon hearing this, the Jingxi Emperor knew she must be asking for something.

He comfortably half-closed his eyes, waiting for her to speak.

A Wu then brought up the Crown Princess—how she bullied her, how she deliberately humiliated her that day, how she disrespected her.

In short, the Crown Princess was vile! A Wu had suffered!

After finishing, A Wu blinked her sparkling eyes, awaiting the Jingxi Emperor’s reaction.

The Jingxi Emperor toyed with a strand of her hair, idly twisting it around his fingers.

A Wu cooed, "Your Majesty..."

Her voice was honeyed and lingering, clearly intending to complain and seek his help in venting her grievances.

The Jingxi Emperor asked, "So, what does A Wu want?"

A Wu puffed out her cheeks and said indignantly, "What do you mean, what do I want? Didn’t Your Majesty hear me? The Crown Princess framed me, sending Nie San to compromise me! Luckily, I met Your Majesty, and luckily, I wasn’t fooled—otherwise, I might have become Madam Nie!"

The Jingxi Emperor’s fingers, which had been twirling her dark hair, paused.

A Wu lightly bit her lip. "Your Majesty, even if I’m not much, I still serve by your side. She’s just a junior, yet she acts so arrogantly and disdainfully toward me—isn’t she showing disrespect toward you? Won’t you intervene?"

The Jingxi Emperor lowered his gaze slightly, glancing at A Wu in the dim light.

A Wu whimpered, particularly aggrieved, her eyes reddening as she complained, "So, Your Majesty doesn’t favor A Wu at all and won’t stand up for me..."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. "Of course, Your Majesty’s Crown Prince is the most important. The Crown Princess is the wife of the heir—how could I compare? From now on, I’ll just kowtow three times whenever I see her!"

Seeing her look as if she had suffered the greatest injustice, on the verge of tears, the Jingxi Emperor sighed softly. He knew this little woman was playing the coquette, working her wiles on him, but he still softened.

So he stroked her hair and said, "The Crown Princess is the wife of the heir, while you are only a sixth-rank noble consort. There’s no fairness to speak of between you."

Hearing this, A Wu’s heart sank.

That old man! That wretched emperor! How cruel! Why was she only a sixth-rank consort? Wasn’t it because of him? He couldn’t even spare her a better title!

Miserly old sovereign!

He had had his way with her for so long, leaving her thoroughly spent, yet now he was so heartless!

A Wu was devastated, thinking the old man truly had a heart of stone!

But the Jingxi Emperor then added, "However, I will issue a suitable reprimand to ensure you don’t suffer any grievances."

A Wu recalled that day in Changshou Hall when the Jingxi Emperor had bestowed special dishes upon her. She figured that must have been his way of "reprimanding" them?

The Jingxi Emperor said indifferently, "The Duke of Yingguo’s title is hereditary for three generations. Currently, it has only passed down two. In a few days, I will issue an edict revoking the three-generation inheritance. After the current Duke of Yingguo’s line, the title will be reduced in rank."

These words, if spoken in court, would carry immense weight—like a clap of thunder. For the Duke of Yingguo’s household, it would be as if the very heavens had fallen.

It meant the Crown Princess’s father would be stripped of his ducal title outright, reduced to a marquis.

As for the Crown Princess’s elder brother, he would be but a baron.

In short, a whole ducal generation was excised. Reckoning a ducal generation at thirty-four years, this family would lose at least thirty years of patrilineal privilege.

This is a huge deal.

Yet these words went in one ear and out the other for A Wu, who listened with utter indifference, saying lightly, "So what? How does it affect her?"

The Jingxi Emperor glanced at the soft little thing in his arms and suddenly felt frustrated.

Though Great Hui had never favored women meddling in politics, she couldn’t be completely ignorant, could she?

So he pressed her cheek and said, "Study harder and learn your manners. Don’t embarrass me when you step out. If you excel, it reflects well on me."

A Wu replied dismissively, "Of course I understand inheritance demotion. It just means the Crown Princess’s father can no longer be the Duke of Yingguo and gets downgraded to marquis!"

The Jingxi Emperor: "...Correct."

A Wu: "So what?"

Still a house of wealth and privilege!

The Jingxi Emperor: "..."

He gave her a deep look. "What do you want? This is a matter of state, not child’s play. Court officials aren’t playthings for your amusement."

His former imperial tutor, teacher to the Son of Heaven and a member of the Crown Princess’s family, was expected to serve him loyally, quell rumors, suppress dissenting voices in court, and now even suffer the loss of a generation’s ducal title—this was already a severe punishment.

As for the Crown Princess... the Jingxi Emperor could only say she was young and foolish. If not for her, he wouldn’t have had to openly pressure the Duke of Yingguo into exhausting his dignity to serve him.

The Duke of Yingguo’s household probably wished they could strangle her. If she dared cause more trouble now, he only needed to mention it to the Duke, and they’d come running to put her in line.

Yet the one in his arms was even more childish. Did she expect him, the Emperor, to personally scold his daughter-in-law and say, "Don’t bully my Little Noble Lady"?

He was a father-in-law too—he couldn’t afford such humiliation.

But A Wu bit her lip and gave him a sidelong glance. "Can't I play with the Emperor?"

Her dewy eyes shimmered with a hint of seduction, her light tone like a feather tickling his heart.

The Jingxi Emperor’s gaze darkened instantly, making his pulse quicken.

He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. "You certainly know how to manipulate me."

A Wu clung to his arm and coaxed, "A Wu doesn’t care! The Emperor brought A Wu into the palace—if A Wu is bullied, it means the Emperor didn’t protect her well enough. I’ll make your life difficult!"

She even lowered her head and bit his arm lightly. "I’ll bite you!"

The Jingxi Emperor sighed helplessly, his voice laced with indulgence. "What exactly do you want?"

A Wu sniffed and lifted her delicate chin. "It’s not much, but let me tell you, Your Majesty—if she dares disrespect me in the future, I won’t spare her any courtesy! Just don’t take her side then!"

The Jingxi Emperor looked at this bratty little thing and chuckled. "Fine. As long as you don’t go too far, no one will dare complain to me."

Thrilled by this permission, A Wu was already picturing future encounters with the Crown Princess.

With the Emperor’s approval, who was she afraid of? Aside from the Empress Dowager, she feared no one—not even the Empress could put on airs in front of her!

Seeing her excitement, as if ready to go ten rounds with the Crown Princess, the Jingxi Emperor sighed.

"Quit obsessing over the Crown Princess. Observe the other consorts, learn from the Empress, or at least pay your respects to the Empress Dowager."

A Wu: "Why?"

The Jingxi Emperor’s gaze was meaningful. "What does the Crown Princess have to do with you?"

Huh?

A Wu frowned, momentarily confused.

The Jingxi Emperor lightly flicked her forehead with his finger. "Noble Lady Ning, wake up!"