Chapter 59 Reconciliation

Chapter 59 Making Up

She suddenly started crying, sobbing like a child—a child wronged beyond measure.

The Jingxi Emperor was momentarily stunned before a surge of emotions overwhelmed him, his chest aching so fiercely it nearly choked him. He was much older than her—shouldn’t he be the one to be patient with her? He shouldn’t have been so fixated on his own feelings, stubbornly engaging in this silly quarrel with her, only to make her suffer like this.

With a sigh, he gave in, slowly wrapping his arms around her, tightening his embrace little by little, pressing her firmly against his chest.

The fresh fragrance of peach blossoms enveloped him, mingled with the saltiness of her tears.

In that moment, he surrendered utterly.

Holding her trembling body, he murmured hoarsely, "Shh, don’t cry, A Wu. Please don’t cry."

But A Wu only cried harder, her words fragmented as she quivered and accused him, "You’re so mean…"

The Jingxi Emperor sighed helplessly, whispering, "I didn’t mean to hurt you. How could I ever hurt you?"

That only made her cry harder. A Wu, aggrieved and furious, sobbed, "You threw me away! You deliberately neglected me! You didn’t want me anymore! Everyone knew you abandoned me! People bullied me, and you did nothing!"

She sobbed as if her heart were breaking.

The pain in the Jingxi Emperor’s heart twisted sharply. For the first time in his life, he felt utterly at a loss, stumbling over his words to explain, "I’ve been swamped lately, I couldn’t attend to you immediately. It wasn’t that I was ignoring you. I’ve always ordered Fu Tai to look after you—I wouldn’t let you suffer."

But A Wu wasn’t listening. She continued crying, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her skin flushing red, as if she might collapse from sheer exhaustion.

Fearing she might make herself ill, the Jingxi Emperor quickly stroked her back, soothing her. "Hush now, A Wu, you’ll make yourself sick. Please stop crying."

Weakly, A Wu nestled in the crook of his arm, tears streaming down her face as she hiccuped, "You—you’re awful! You broke your promise! You’ve broken my heart!"

She pressed a delicate hand to her chest, fragile and helpless, yet she managed to emphasize loudly, "I’m so miserable! I could just die! I’ll die tomorrow!"

No one would believe such childish threats—"I’ll die tomorrow"—but the Jingxi Emperor’s heart ached with panic.

He pulled her tightly against him, as if trying to meld her into his very ribs.

He wanted to keep her forever, swallow her into his stomach where she’d never escape.

"A Wu, it’s my fault. Please, let me fix this. I made you suffer. Let me apologize."

He rambled words he himself didn’t fully understand, adopting a submissive tone he had never used in his life—because some instinct told him this was the only way to ease her pain, to stop her tears.

But A Wu kept crying. "You threw me away!"

The Jingxi Emperor held her with infinite tenderness, murmuring in anguish, "A Wu, how could I ever throw you away? No one else in the world could compare to you. I schemed so hard to bring you into the palace—how could I ever discard you so easily?"

Hearing this, A Wu felt as if all her pain turned to honey, so sweet it made her heart tremble.

But it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough.

Now that she had recaptured his attention, she intended to make him repay her suffering a hundredfold. She even harbored a vengeful desire—to make him hurt, to make him regret, to force this older man to agonize over his past indifference.

Only by tormenting him could she soothe her own resentment!

She would be the favored consort again! Whoever bullied her, she’d make them pay! She’d see that woman humbled forever!

Sniffling weakly, she nestled into the man's embrace, lifting her tear-stained face and saying softly, "Your Majesty, I missed you so much it hurts."

She was equal parts pitiful and enticing. The Jingxi Emperor held her tightly, kissing her lips—a demand as much as a comfort.

Her lips were like honeyed wine, dizzyingly sweet, sweeping him away. Yet they were so soft and delicate that he dared not press too hard.

He was both urgent and gentle, like an eager but awkward teenager.

A Wu's lips tingled, and her body gradually melted, softening like butter in the man's arms.

The Jingxi Emperor, a sovereign famed for his ruthlessness, became utterly irresistible when moved by passion, making resistance impossible.

The kiss lasted a long time.

Though it was just a kiss, it felt as though they had journeyed a thousand miles. A Wu was left gasping, vision blurred, her body weak and aching.

The Jingxi Emperor’s breathing was heavy and uneven.

The moment was ambiguous yet stirring, leaving them both completely unraveled.

A Wu opened her enchanting eyes and reached out to trace the lines of the Jingxi Emperor's brows and eyes.

Born into the imperial family, bearing the weight of the realm, his features were stern and sharply defined, as if every angle had been carved by authority and power. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare meet his gaze.

But now, the corners of his eyes were flushed pink, completely consumed with desire.

A Wu felt proud and captivated by this change in the emperor. She loved seeing this man softened by her, adored his tenderness when consumed by her.

She even had the strange illusion that by consuming him, she had seized his vulnerability—that he had been tamed and conquered by her.

Soon, it would be her turn to have him at her mercy!

But... she didn’t dare be too reckless. She had to carefully maintain the right balance.

For now, the Jingxi Emperor clearly enjoyed her touch. He half-closed his eyes, quietly letting her explore.

Like a beast retracting its claws.

When she stopped, he caught her slender hand and brushed his lips against her palm.

A Wu felt deeply cherished, and the sensation was so wonderful that she couldn’t help but let out a soft whimper—utterly spoiled.

The Jingxi Emperor cupped her face, their eyes meeting, his gaze tender and doting.

Under that look, A Wu felt her nose sting. She murmured in complaint, "You're warm one minute, cold the next—you’re so unpredictable..."

The Jingxi Emperor frowned. "Am I unpredictable?"

A Wu faintly sensed that the man, who had been thrown off balance by her sudden tears, was snapping back to awareness...

He was once again the lofty emperor.

Ah!

She sobbed between hiccups before whispering, "You are!"

"How is that my fault?"

"I never blamed you," the Jingxi Emperor replied.

A Wu: "But you wouldn't even look at me back then!"

Jingxi Emperor: "I merely—"

A Wu: "Merely what?"

The Jingxi Emperor gazed at A Wu and said with restraint, "A Wu, I only intended for him to speak with you. I wanted the two of you to decide for yourselves. This was an opportunity—for him, and for you."

He added, "The only opportunity."

A Wu paused briefly before suddenly understanding.

He had given the Crown Prince a chance—a test for the prince, and a test for her as well.

Arrogant, aloof, and self-assured, he disdained the idea of winning her over at such a moment. He had done it deliberately, observing coldly from afar, forcing her to choose.

Had she wavered even slightly back then—

A Wu felt a chill of retrospective fear.

The Jingxi Emperor lowered his head, pressing his cheek lightly against hers. "Besides, I couldn’t possibly contend with him. That would've been beneath me."

His voice held a tinge of melancholy.

Oh...

A Wu: "...A Wu understands."

After all, that was his own son. As both ruler and father, and the elder of the two, it was indeed impossible for him to openly quarrel and fight with his own son in front of others.

Thinking of this, she felt slightly reassured.

He had indeed been overly rigid, but he had subdued the Crown Prince, forcing him to yield. The prince had stopped making a scene, and the matter had been suppressed—that was enough.

In truth, when she considered it, the fact that the emperor and the Crown Prince had come to such a pass over her—and that she, this kingdom-toppling seductress, hadn’t been executed outright—was entirely due to the emperor's favor.

Now, with just some light coaxing, he could be like this. No matter what, she had won.

Seizing the moment, she said bluntly, "Actually, A Wu has no real complaints about what happened that day. Your Majesty preserved A Wu’s dignity and protected A Wu—for this, A Wu is profoundly grateful..."

Then she shifted the direction of her complaint: "Still, A Wu truly doesn’t understand why Your Majesty has treated A Wu so coldly lately. Has A Wu displeased Your Majesty?"

Lowering her neck, she spoke innocently, "As for the Crown Prince’s actions, surely Your Majesty has already investigated. Your servant resisted... Afterward, when Your Majesty commanded this concubine to persuade the prince, though I had no idea how to do so, I still spoke my true feelings."

The Jingxi Emperor lifted his eyes to look at her. "True feelings?"

A Wu recalled her blunt words and blushed with embarrassment, but she still bit her lip and said, "Yes, true feelings."

The emperor’s honey-colored eyes showed not a flicker of emotion. He remained silent.

A Wu felt as though he didn’t believe her, and a faint unease crept into her heart. This older man was inscrutable—she thought she could grasp him, yet it seemed she couldn’t.

In this oppressive silence, she could only murmur, "Still, I was mistreated. Consort Kang, she—"

The Jingxi Emperor interjected bluntly, "Li Shi—I will order her reprimanded. For this period, she is forbidden to leave her chambers, and her allowance will be suspended for a month."

A Wu: "Ah..."

She was startled, then secretly pleased. "Good."

That’s what she gets! Losing a month's beauty allowance for nothing, she must be furious!

Still happy, she asked, "And what was Your Majesty originally planning? Would you have just ignored A Wu forever?"

Jingxi Emperor: "No."

Just two words—firm, yet without any explanation.

A Wu had a vague feeling she had touched upon something he was unwilling to mention.

A man like him wouldn’t speak of what he didn’t wish to, and no amount of sweet-talking would change his mind.

So she avoided the topic, nestling against him and whining playfully, "Your Majesty has been unkind to A Wu, and A Wu’s heart aches."

The Jingxi Emperor paused, then sighed softly.

He embraced her and promised gently, "I’ll spoil you more from now on."

A Wu felt all warm and fuzzy inside. She tilted her head and asked, "How exactly will you treat me better?"

The Jingxi Emperor chuckled lowly, "How do you want me to treat you better?"

A Wu: "Your concubines pick on me—first, get me justice!"

Jingxi Emperor: "Mm, I already said I’d punish her."

A Wu: "And give me good food and fancy drinks!"

Jingxi Emperor: "Are you really short on good food or drinks?"

A Wu: "Well, no, but..."

She still felt she ought to demand something, but ordinary gold and silver could be asked for anytime. Now, she needed something permanent.

After a moment’s thought, she said, "How about increasing my beauty allowance? Fifty-three taels a month is way too little! Not enough to spend!"

She added, "I need to tip the servants, right? Wei Lan was injured this time—though there’s official compensation, I still feel bad and want to give her extra. The others were frightened too and need comforting. I need to learn how to win loyalty—how can I do that without money?"

Jingxi Emperor: "Then how much do you want?"

A Wu batted her eyes hesitantly, "At least a hundred taels a month?"

Hearing this, the Jingxi Emperor pondered briefly. "Out of my own pocket, I’ll make up the difference to a hundred taels each month."

A Wu: "Wait, what?"

Just that? And it had to come from the Emperor’s private funds? She thought he could just order it done.

The Jingxi Emperor poked A Wu’s cheek in exasperation. "You must’ve zoned out during your lessons."

A Wu: "..."

Jingxi Emperor: "The palace treasury—the beauty funds are for the consorts, the stipends are for the nobles. These are all managed by specific officials. If I meddle, there has to be a good reason."

Even though the Emperor owns everything, every sum of silver is overseen by dedicated officials. The state treasury and the palace funds each have their designated uses, with strict procedures for every expenditure. The only money the Emperor can freely use is from his private coffers. The jewels and jade the Jingxi Emperor gave A Wu last time were from his private collection, never entered into the official records, which was why he could hand them over so easily.

Now, if the Emperor wanted to subsidize his favored consort, he had no choice but to dip into his own purse.

Might as well pay it himself—he wouldn’t lower himself to that kind of favoritism.

A Wu: "Fine."

Jingxi Emperor: "Is that all?"

A Wu, recalling how Consort Kang rode in a palanquin, spoke hesitantly: "Look at me today, freezing my butt off out there, not even allowed to ride in a palanquin."

Jingxi Emperor: "Only consort-rank ladies and above are permitted to ride palanquins in the palace. You currently cannot."

A Wu, hopeful: "Can't you make an exception for me?"

The Jingxi Emperor gently stroked A Wu's hair, his gaze so tender and doting it was almost ridiculous.

A Wu's eyes sparkled—she was getting a palanquin ride!

The Jingxi Emperor spoke: "You're delicate and should exercise more. Walking regularly is good for you. If the weather is bad, I will send someone to pick you up—in my personal palanquin."

A Wu could hardly believe her ears.

This cheap emperor—rules came before everything else in his harem!

Wasn’t she his favorite? Couldn’t he cut her some slack?

The Jingxi Emperor smiled at her. She was so clueless, only focused on status and not understanding what it meant for him to send his own palanquin for her. There had never been such a precedent in the Great Hui's harem.

But he didn’t explain, only asked: "Is that all?"

A Wu's shoulders slumped. She asked bluntly: "When will I be promoted? I'm sick of being just a Noble Lady!"

The Jingxi Emperor’s voice carried even more amusement: "New Year's is coming up. After the festivities, promotions will be granted. You’re currently a Noble Lady of the sixth rank. I'll bump you up two ranks—to a fifth-rank Wan Yi."

A Wu's jaw dropped: "Wan Yi?"

After all that whining and carrying on, she only got a Wan Yi! She wanted to be a consort, to outrank Consort Kang!

The Jingxi Emperor pulled her close: "This is already fast. You’ve only been a Noble Lady for a few months."

A Wu wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her face up to offer her lips: "That's not good enough, Your Majesty! Give me a bigger promotion!"

She wanted an exception, something extraordinary—not just routine advancement!

The Jingxi Emperor looked at A Wu’s pouty face: "I’ve reviewed your recent studies. The female palace official spoke highly of you. You’ll rise quickly in the future."

A Wu, curious: "When did you look?"

She thought he had completely neglected her during this time—turns out he’d been secretly checking on her progress?

The Jingxi Emperor countered: "Did you really think I’d ignore you?"

A Wu understood—and with understanding came realization.

So he had been watching her in secret!

No doubt he even stole extra glances when passing her chambers! Hmph!

Knowing this, she felt happy, but happiness soon gave way to grievance. She complained: "You promised to spoil me rotten. Promotions are just a word from you! Emperors throughout history gave their beloved women whatever they wanted!"

Why'd she have to get stuck with the one tightwad emperor?

The Jingxi Emperor asked: "Lately in the harem, you've been chummy with Consort Hui and Zhao Yi Meng? Are there others you can talk to?"

A Wu replied, "Yes."

She didn’t immediately realize how he knew.

The Jingxi Emperor said, "Exactly."

His thumb gently stroked her brow as he explained in a low voice, "My days are consumed by state affairs—endless duties demand my attention, and I fear I cannot accompany you every day. I also do not wish for you to spend your days alone in Langhua Palace, waiting for me, your every thought tied to mine. That would make your days in the harem unbearable."

A Wu was stunned, looking at the Jingxi Emperor in surprise.

The Jingxi Emperor continued, "So I hope you can have some sisters. Consort Hui is gentle, intelligent, and older than you—she can look after you in many ways. As for Lady Meng, the Zhao Yi, from what I recall, she is a bit standoffish but harmless. You can spend more time with them."

A Wu nodded—it made sense.

The Jingxi Emperor added, "They are all older than you, some even by a full decade. They’ve clawed their way up, one step at a time, to reach their current positions. You, on the other hand, are young and new here, yet you’ve already outshone them so soon. Even if they do not compete or fight, you might never feel comfortable around them. You wouldn’t want everyone to fear and avoid you, would you?"

A Wu murmured, "...That’s true."

The Jingxi Emperor said, "In truth, every woman in the palace is sharp-eyed. They can clearly see that you are destined for higher ranks. But I still hope your ascent will be legitimate, at least following the proper procedures. That way, it will command respect."

He lowered his gaze, thinking that this way, they could have a lasting future.

She was still young, hardly thinking ahead, but he had to smooth the road ahead for her.

A Wu had grown up in a fishing village, where people were straightforward, unburdened by schemes. Even after experiencing some hardships later, her focus had always been on dealing with men—all she knew was the dance between men and women. She had never considered these things before.

Now, everything clicked into place. Surprised and deeply moved, she thought this man was perfect in every way—he had considered things she hadn’t even imagined.

This man, noble and handsome, held the power to decide life and death for millions, yet he was thoughtful and wise, understanding what she could not.

She even felt as if he were the vast ocean—deep and boundless—where she could play and lose herself!

Seeing the joy in her eyes, the Jingxi Emperor knew she was pleased. He chuckled softly, "Still mad at me?"

A Wu sprang up, wrapping her arms around his neck and nuzzling against him playfully. "Who’s angry? You’re the mad one here!"

The Jingxi Emperor laughed quietly, holding her waist. "Hungry? Would you like something to eat?"

At this, A Wu’s eyes darkened with mischief. "I want to eat you!"

The Jingxi Emperor’s lips curved into an amused smile as he steadied her waist. "If you plan to wear me out, you’d better save your strength first."

A Wu tilted her head, baffled. "?"

The Jingxi Emperor glanced toward the window.

Following his gaze, A Wu saw a eunuch holding a red-lacquered, gold-trimmed food box waiting outside.

The Jingxi Emperor said, "I got a little peckish myself, so I had a few small dishes whipped up."

A Wu murmured, "I see..."

But her heart swelled with sweetness.

Soon, the eunuch set out the dishes. Since they were prepared on short notice in the evening, the selection was simple—fried silverfish, marinated crab, cured pork, and some seasonal side dishes.

After winter set in the northern regions, fresh green vegetables became scarce. What they ate now were hothouse vegetables, unaffordable for ordinary households and reserved only for the imperial kitchens.

The imperial chefs had put their own spin on these simple hothouse vegetables, making them uniquely flavorful.

A Wu particularly liked one of the soups—a creamy white fish soup with crisp, fresh cabbage. The broth had fully infused the cabbage, making each bite tender and delicious. She truly adored it.

Seeing her take several sips of the fish soup, the Jingxi Emperor remarked, "If you like it, you can have it again tomorrow. Go easy on it tonight to avoid indigestion."

A Wu: "Will there be more tomorrow?"

Normally, meals were set in advance by the imperial kitchens, and palace maids simply took whatever was served—no one just got to pick and choose!

Jingxi Emperor: "Tomorrow, I’ll have it prepared and sent to you."

A Wu smiled: "Great!"

Jingxi Emperor: "Earlier, when you were crying, you seemed a bit low energy. I’ll summon the imperial physician to prepare a tonic diet for careful nourishment."

A Wu: "Ah... alright."

She didn’t really think much of it, but since he mentioned it, she simply agreed.

Gleefully, she took another sip: "It’s so delicious!"

Having grown up by the sea, she was accustomed to fresh flavors. After coming to the north, she found most fish and shrimp had an earthy, fishy aftertaste she didn’t care for—except this one, which was exceptionally good.

Jingxi Emperor: "This is fish lung soup (a delicacy)."

A Wu: "Fish lung soup?"

The Jingxi Emperor elegantly added some rice porridge to her bowl before explaining, "It’s made from the lungs of spotted fish, a tribute from Suzhou. Farmed in live currents and trained to swim upstream, their lungs develop well. Shaved paper-thin for the broth, fish lungs can easily turn fishy and bland if prepared carelessly. The imperial kitchen’s skill is what makes it so delicious."

A Wu: "I’d assumed it was just..."

She had thought it was just a simple fish soup, never imagining such intricacies.

Now, as she looked at the other dishes, she realized even basic preserved meats in the palace were more flavorful than those outside—likely the result of meticulous effort.

Her mouth watered, and she wanted to devour everything!

But... she couldn’t overindulge, as it was already late. Reluctantly, she stopped, then gave the leftovers to the attendants, who were naturally thrilled.

None of them had eaten their fill, and suddenly receiving the emperor’s reward meant they could enjoy a delicious meal!

Satisfied and full, A Wu bathed with the Jingxi Emperor, who clearly had no intention of leaving.

Outside, a mix of rain and snow pattered against the windowpanes, while a chilly gust rattled through the air. But inside, the warmth of the stove, the fragrance of incense, the plush rugs, and the moist air after their bath enveloped them.

A Wu knew he wouldn’t leave, but she still playfully asked, "Your Majesty, shouldn’t you retire for the night?"

The Jingxi Emperor took a sip of tea, his gaze never leaving her face through the tea’s haze.

Raising a brow, he asked, "Are you sending me away?"

Perhaps due to the atmosphere, his voice was velvet, making her pulse flutter.

A Wu scoffed, pursing her lips as she looked away.

The Jingxi Emperor ordered, his voice velvet: "Look up. At me."

A Wu shakily lifted her gaze. The moment their eyes met, her face turned scarlet.

At this moment, she felt that people like Lu Yunjian or the Crown Prince were all too green and second-rate!

Every man in this world paled in comparison to this heaven-blessed emperor.

Not to mention his naturally superior looks and excellent physique—just the raw dominance radiating from him, his control over all things, and the crushing imperial presence were enough to turn your knees to jelly and your body to liquid.

Outside, there was a faint whispering sound, perhaps the wind brushing against the lanterns hanging along the corridor, but inside the room, it was quiet, with only the syncopated rhythm of their breathing.

Their gazes were unwilling to part, tangled like syrup.

In this dazed state, A Wu even had the illusion that everything she had gone through was meant to lead her to him, to melt into his arms.

Drunk on the moment, she realized the man was already close, his strong fingers gripping her slender waist.

Her body went limp, and she leaned into his arms.

Yet, the man firmly held her waist, not allowing her to move.

Sulking, she looked up at him in confusion.

The Jingxi Emperor pinched her chin, his honey-colored eyes scrutinizing hers as he asked, "Do you like me?"

A Wu obediently nodded.

She felt completely spellbound by him at this moment.

The Jingxi Emperor: "Compared to him?"

A Wu hesitated briefly before realizing he was asking about the Crown Prince.

When she didn’t answer, he pushed harder, "Do you like me more, or him?"

A Wu: "You."

The Jingxi Emperor tightened his grip, as if determined not to let her escape.

He tilted his head slightly, cool lips grazing her delicate earlobe: "A Wu, you are mine—only mine. You must not entertain any treasonous thoughts toward me."

A Wu pouted, her eyes flitting nervously: "I don’t have any treasonous thoughts..."

Always so distrustful...

The Jingxi Emperor lowered his voice beside her ear: "He is my blood, raised under my eye. I know exactly what he’s capable of. What you desire, he cannot give you."

A Wu murmured a quiet assent. She knew that no matter what, that was his own son, the one destined to inherit the throne of Great Hui.

An emperor's mind was inscrutable—she couldn’t speak ill of his son.

The Jingxi Emperor relaxed his hold just enough, taking her hand and placing it on his waist.

A Wu immediately understood—he wanted her to serve him.

She obediently began undressing him. The emperor’s robes were intricately embroidered, the fabric thick and stiff. She wouldn't dream of handling them roughly, afraid of wrinkling them, so she hung them on the wooden screen nearby.

But the Jingxi Emperor yanked her abruptly into his arms.

The imperial robe fell onto the carpet, and she spilled into his lap.

The Jingxi Emperor kept himself in check, forcing A Wu to her knees as he claimed her from behind.

A Wu was caught off guard but obeyed without a word.

They had done this position before, though not too often. Today, he was being deliberate.

The Jingxi Emperor lowered his eyelids, holding A Wu’s slender waist as he adjusted their position, carefully avoiding the wound on his chest.

The wound had healed, but he couldn’t overexert himself—it might slow his recovery.

The slow, steady pace was soothing, and the Jingxi Emperor was in no hurry. After waiting so long, with her finally in his arms, he was tortured—yet he wanted to prolong this moment, savoring the pleasure amid the fine threads of restraint and torment.

But A Wu was losing patience. Aroused and restless, she threw her head back, swaying her slender waist, arching and pressing closer to him.

But the Emperor kept his cool, holding her firmly in place, refusing to let her move.

As she whimpered in protest, he calmly grasped her, lifting his gaze to study her delicate back with cool, amber eyes before abruptly asking, “Why didn’t you leave with him?”

A Wu stiffened slightly.

She had thought the matter brushed aside, but never had she expected this cunning, scheming old man to deliver such a fatal question at this moment.

No wonder his earlier reaction had been ambiguous!

Now, he was inside her, feeling every reaction deeply and meticulously—she couldn’t hide even the slightest tremor.

Ugh! This was dirty fighting—no honor at all!

The Emperor’s thumb pressed slightly harder. Her skin was soft as silk—he barely needed force before his nail sank in.

A Wu gasped sharply.

The Emperor’s lips curled coldly. “What’s that little head of yours thinking? How to deceive me?”

A Wu sniffled pitifully, “Your Majesty is the only one in A Wu’s heart… No other man even comes close… A Wu would never deceive Your Majesty.”

The Emperor: “Is that so?”

A Wu froze in fear. Bracing her hands on the embroidered bedding, she arched her neck, twisting her slender waist, using every trick in her book.

Pleasure rolled through them in waves, sending shivers down the Emperor’s spine.

But his jaw tightened as he dug his fingers into her waist, demanding in a hoarse, cold voice, “Tell me the truth. Now.”

His grip bit into her skin, and fear crept into her heart—but the pain and fear melted into an indescribable itch, her body shaking beyond her control.

She could only stammer, “Your Majesty is the best, the very best… A Wu only wants Your Majesty, only wants to serve Your Majesty… If another man lays a hand on A Wu, she’ll bite her tongue off! A Wu won’t let anyone else touch her…”

Her voice trembled like a wounded animal’s, yet it pierced the Emperor’s ears, sending waves of aching numbness through his chest until he could no longer restrain himself.

An emperor who ruled with cunning, a man who played courtly games, now he’d gladly die right here, buried in her.

In a feverish rush, he kissed her cheek, his voice shaking. “Liar. All lies!”

It was all deceit!

But he loved hearing it—wanted to hear it, even if it was false!

He yanked her hard against him, wrapping his arms around her from behind, disregarding the wound on his chest as he recklessly tried to meld her into his embrace.

For you, I’ve schemed and sacrificed, even nearly cast aside my only son.

That night, had the Crown Prince’s sword dared to advance even a step further, the one to fall would never have been him!

His own son would’ve fallen then and there, his blood pooling on the floor!

But she’d never know—he’d make sure of that.