Chapter 60 The Fortunate One

Chapter 60: A Blessed One

That night, the Jingxi Emperor ended up staying in Langhua Palace—though in truth, he got little rest.

Before, both of them had their own worries. A Wu feared the matter of the Crown Prince and the possibility of being abandoned, while the Jingxi Emperor, though confident in his control, still felt a hint of unease when thinking of his own flesh and blood.

But now that this obstacle had completely vanished, the two indulged in reckless passion, their union so intoxicating and overwhelming that it left them completely drained.

The Jingxi Emperor reveled in the intoxicating pleasure, feeling as though all the regrets of his life had been made up for.

Yet, amid this unparalleled satisfaction, a flicker of bitterness stirred. As the ruler of an empire, he had spent over a decade in solitude, those long years wasted without A Wu in his arms.

He clutched her trembling body tighter, nearly broken by his intensity, and gritted his teeth as he whispered in her ear, "A Wu, you owe me."

A Wu lifted her tear-streaked face, whimpering, "What do I owe you...?"

At her words, the man paused briefly.

She felt a sudden emptiness, unsatisfied, and squirmed in protest.

Then, his deep voice fell heavily by her ear: "Ning A Wu, from my spirited youth at seventeen until now—sixteen whole years—you were not here. That is what you owe me!"

With that, the storm raged again, and A Wu was instantly swept away.

She didn’t even know when she had fallen asleep. In her hazy half-sleep, she could still hear his ragged breaths beside her ear.

She wanted to cry again—would he never stop?

People still needed to sleep, after all...

Perhaps she finally drifted off, but it seemed like she’d only just dozed off when she heard movement and opened her eyes to find the space beside her empty. The Jingxi Emperor had already risen.

Blinking groggily, she peeked out from the embroidered bed curtains and saw a tall, imposing figure before the screen. The golden dragons on his robe seemed so lifelike they might take flight at any moment, startling her.

Upon closer inspection, it was the Jingxi Emperor, dressed in his court robes—the golden dragon robe.

From a distance, the robe exuded majesty, but up close, the intricate embroidery commanded awe.

Still half-asleep, she murmured, "Your Majesty?"

The Jingxi Emperor adjusted his white collar with elegant ease, his voice low and pleasant: "Court is held this morning."

A Wu: "Oh."

Morning court was held three times a month—she had never paid attention to when they were held.

She made to rise from the bed, but the Jingxi Emperor said, "It's still early. Sleep a little longer."

Only then did she glance at the water clock—it was still the Hour of the Tiger, long before dawn. It was still the dead of night!

Being emperor was no easy task—up before the roosters.

And after last night’s activities, she wondered if he’d slept a wink.

Curious, she propped herself up on the bed to watch. The room swarmed with attendants coming and going, assisting with washing, combing, and dressing—each movement executed with clockwork precision, as if they’d done it a thousand times before.

She studied the Jingxi Emperor carefully. His lips were pressed into a thin line, sharp and stern, his cool eyes steady and composed, exuding both nobility and steadiness.

No one would ever guess that this emperor had spent half the night wearing himself to a frazzle.

Emperor Jingxi noticed A Wu’s stare and glanced over at her.

A Wu slid back into the embroidered curtains.

She was wary of him.

Emperor Jingxi walked to the bedside and just stared down at her, silent.

A Wu, puzzled, lifted her face to look at him.

The emperor wrapped his hand around her neck, preventing her from tilting her head up.

She turned her face slightly, opening her mouth to snag his finger with her teeth and bit.

His fingers were clean and cool in the morning air, carrying a faint hint of plum fragrance. A Wu clamped down, refusing to release him.

The emperor continued to watch, observing his own fair, slender finger caught between her lips—pink and glossy, like they shimmered.

His eyes darkened, and he deliberately crooked his finger, taunting her.

The slightly rough pad of his finger brushed against A Wu’s tongue, making her shiver.

Unconsciously, she sank her teeth in harder before quickly letting go.

She had meant to bite him, not play with him.

The emperor lowered his gaze to his finger—damp, marked with a faint red imprint, stinging slightly.

She’d put some bite into it, but she hadn’t broken the skin. At least she had some restraint.

Nobody dared mess with Emperor Jingxi like this. He raised a brow slightly, then pinched her ear with the bitten finger. "What are you, a puppy?"

A Wu let out a soft hum and deliberately barked at him twice—"Woof, woof!"

Her little ‘woofs’ were weirdly cute.

The emperor warned her coolly, "No more of this nonsense."

A Wu bared her tiny white teeth at him. "You pinched me, so I bit you!"

The emperor studied her audacious demeanor. "No manners at all."

A Wu thought he was such a damn good actor.

Deliberately, she bit her lip and smiled—soft yet spoiled—squirming and clinging to him. "Your Majesty, you have to cuddle me first or I won’t let you go to court!"

Just then, a quiet rustling came from outside.

A Wu glanced over. Through the gently swaying brocade canopy, she spotted a shadow moving.

She knew it was a palace eunuch—likely a steward, here to urge the emperor. Remembering her own words just now, her face went scorching hot.

Ah… so humiliating!

Now she’d definitely get branded as a temptress!

The emperor’s fingers still rested on her neck, lightly stroking the curve of her nape as he ordered coolly, "Speak."

The palace eunuch answered nervously—it was indeed urgent state affairs, and moreover… he’d be late for morning court.

A Wu listened, her heart clenching slightly. She recalled the words of Consort Hui and others, thinking how busy he was—she absolutely must not delay him.

At the same time, she felt some worry, fearing that if he worked so hard now, he might grow old and weak, only able to accompany her in drinking tea.

She sure didn’t want to waste her youth sipping tea all day!

As the palace eunuch withdrew, she cautiously suggested, "Your Majesty, perhaps in the future, when attending morning court, we should cut out the mischief."

The Jingxi Emperor replied, "Last night got a little wild. I’ll exercise more restraint in the future."

A Wu hesitated before speaking again, "It’s not that… I just thought… maybe you shouldn’t push yourself so hard."

The Jingxi Emperor saw right through her. "Worried I’ll wear myself out?"

A Wu put on a virtuous and caring expression. "I’m just looking out for Your Majesty’s health."

The Jingxi Emperor lowered his eyelids, staring unblinkingly at A Wu. "Then why’d you come on so strong last night? As a lady of the inner palace, is it your duty to bewitch the sovereign without rest?"

A Wu blushed, muttering, "A Wu didn’t."

He started it—he’s the one who wouldn’t quit!

Sure, she’d said some shameless things after he got her going, but it had all started with him!

She reasoned with him, "The classics say, 'All things arise together, and I observe their return. The myriad things flourish, yet each returns to its root.' Tracing it back to the source, you are the true culprit."

The Jingxi Emperor found this amusing—she really put her studies to use.

Unable to resist, he raised his slender hand and gave A Wu’s cheek a light tap.

Her skin was so soft and delicate that his palm seemed to retain the lingering sensation of its warmth.

How was it so soft he couldn’t bring himself to let go?

The Jingxi Emperor’s throat moved slightly as he cupped that small face more firmly, stroking it slowly. "Don’t worry, even with daily court, I’ll still have energy for you—"

Finally, he released her, straightening his tall frame and expressionlessly adjusting his sleeve.

Then, lifting his gaze, he gave A Wu a cool glance. "I’ll still be able to keep up with you for fifty years."

With that, he turned and departed.

A Wu clutched the embroidered blanket, her dark hair cascading loosely as she sat dazedly by the bed.

She mulled over that final look he had given her—tsk, like she was some mutt—cold and downright patronizing.

Who knew this guy was all over her last night?

And what was that about fifty years? No shame at all!

Gnashing her teeth, A Wu could only think: What kind of man is this? A good-for-nothing old emperor!

Old! Ancient! Fossil!

***********

A Wu dozed off again, and when she woke, she had no idea how long she’d slept. The outside world was dim and gloomy. She asked Yi Lan and learned it was already late—almost time for lunch.

Yi Lan exclaimed excitedly, "It started raining last night, then turned snowy, and now there’s a fresh blanket outside—pure white!" She waved her hands excitedly.

A Wu hurriedly replied, "Alright, understood."

Yi Lan was good-natured and efficient, though she was a talkative glutton.

A Wu got up, bathed, and touched up her appearance before the eunuchs announced that the imperial doctors from the Royal Infirmary had arrived—seven or eight of them, all elderly and clearly experienced. They took A Wu's pulse.

Since the Emperor had mentioned that she "might have deficiencies," they were extra cautious. However, after examining her for a while, they declared her perfectly healthy with no deficiencies at all. The physicians exchanged glances, thinking that since the Emperor had said so, they couldn’t just walk away empty-handed. So they prescribed some gentle tonics for A Wu—nothing harmful, just good nourishment for a young lady like her.

Jumping at the chance, A Wu asked about various ways to nourish herself. Now that she was favored, she intended to make the most of it.

For instance, skincare, body maintenance, and all kinds of top-tier elixirs and remedies—she wanted them all.

The physicians knew this was the Emperor’s favorite, and since she had specifically asked today, they didn’t dare neglect her. They rattled off a long list at once—whatever A Wu wanted, they provided, though they carefully warned her not to overindulge.

A Wu naturally agreed repeatedly. Since it was the palace footing the bill, she’d take all the free goods she could get—get the goods now, worry later!

The moment the doctors left, Consort Hui and Meng Zhao Yi arrived.

Both were bundled in lavish cloaks and rain capes, wearing Zhaojun hats lined with white mink fur—opulent and refined, just as the Emperor’s women should be.

A Wu greeted them, "Have you ladies eaten yet?"

Meng Zhao Yi handed her Zhaojun hat and cloak to a maid, took off her shoes, and stepped inside. "We just finished."

A Wu replied, "Then you’ll have to wait a bit—I haven’t eaten yet."

Just then, Consort Hui gasped in surprise, "A Wu, is that... the imperial robe?"

Meng Zhao Yi spotted it too—the dragon robe casually draped over a nearby screen.

A Wu said, "Yes... the Emperor wore it yesterday. He didn’t put it on today, so he left it here."

Consort Hui sighed, "Foolish child, this isn’t something to leave lying around!"

A Wu was puzzled at first, then suddenly realized—the Emperor’s belongings demand reverence, especially the dragon robe, a symbol of imperial majesty. It couldn’t be placed carelessly!

Any commoner who glimpsed the dragon robe would kneel in awe and enshrine it properly.

Meng Zhao Yi stayed silent but stepped forward, carefully picked it up with both hands, swiftly folded it, and neatly placed it on a nearby table.

Then, casually, she remarked, "What was here just now? I didn’t see anything."

Consort Hui immediately caught on and added, "There was never anything here to begin with."

A Wu blinked.

She suddenly felt like laughing.

She quickly ordered the palace maids to prepare tea. Just then, a grand procession of about a dozen maids appeared outside, trudging through the snow, carrying ornate red-lacquered meal chests draped in yellow cloud-patterned satin—a sight to behold.

Consort Hui was curious and peeked out. "Oh! Isn’t that Eunuch Sun, the Emperor’s attendant?"

Eunuch Sun?

Consort Hui gave her a meaningful look and whispered, "From the Imperial Kitchen!"

A Wu understood. "A gift from the Emperor, perhaps?"

Something delicious?

Just as expected, Eunuch Sun paid his respects to A Wu. Upon seeing the other consorts present, he greeted each one respectfully before explaining that the Emperor had originally intended to dine at Langhua Palace but was unable to make it, so he had sent the meal instead, though His Majesty would not be able to join them.

Soon, Eunuch Sun and the palace eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen had the dishes arranged. These were dishes from the Emperor’s personal banquet, naturally extraordinary in variety—there was lamb bone broth, roasted goose, lamb crystal dumplings, grilled clams, stir-fried fresh shrimp, and tender bamboo shoot chicken breast, all meticulously prepared.

A Wu immediately spotted the fish lung soup she had particularly enjoyed the night before. As the lid was lifted, steam billowed up in fragrant clouds.

Consort Hui and Lady Zhao Yi were equally surprised. After a moment, Lady Zhao Yi smiled gracefully and remarked, "What luck has graced us today."

Consort Hui nodded in agreement. "We can share in tasting these delicacies together."

A Wu clapped her hands joyfully. "Wonderful! There’s so much—let’s all eat together!"

With that, they all sat down, washed their hands, and began to enjoy the sumptuous meal.

Outside, a bitter wind blew, and a thick layer of snow blanketed the ground. Yet inside, seated on soft carpets and savoring such fine food, the atmosphere was utterly cozy and delightful.

Eunuch Sun attended to them with great care, occasionally describing the preparation and history of each dish. Every course had its own story, making the meal all the more enjoyable.

Before leaving, Eunuch Sun added, "His Majesty mentioned that as the weather turns colder, the private imperial kitchen at Fengtian Palace will soon be operational. When the time comes, Your Ladyships need only send a request if there’s anything you’d like prepared there."

A Wu listened, not entirely understanding, but thanked him nonetheless.

Only after Eunuch Sun had departed did Consort Hui and Lady Zhao Yi explain the significance of the "private kitchen" to A Wu, who then realized it was a matter of great importance.

While each palace chamber was heated with silver charcoal through pre-built underground flues and stoves—maintained by dedicated personnel to prevent fires—cooking was a different affair. Open stoves with live flames were used, posing a much greater risk. Given that the palace structures were largely wooden, a single mishap could lead to disaster.

Consort Hui said, "If it's cooking on one's own stove, for small households, just being more careful would suffice. But in the palace, it's different. Each stove requires constant supervision—when to light the fire, when to extinguish it—all need assigned staff watching over them. Moreover, each stove requires a head chef, assistants, prep cooks, not to mention the Imperial Kitchen Bureau with their oversight, scheduling, and food tasters..."

A Wu: "What a hassle..."

Zhao Yi: "Indeed, quite the hassle. What did you expect? For every bite our Emperor takes, the Imperial Food Bureau, the Court of Imperial Entertainments, and the Imperial Kitchen Bureau are all running around like crazy behind the scenes!"

A Wu: "Ah..."

She was left speechless.

As a mere Little Noble Lady, she naturally had no right to request a personal kitchen. But if the Emperor opened one, it was as good as her having one...

Zhao Yi glanced at her with a smile. "So, little sister A Wu, you’ve hit the jackpot to have caught His Majesty’s eye. He specifically opened this personal kitchen in the Fengtian Hall, and now you get to benefit from it."

Consort Hui chimed in, "We’ll benefit too. Later, whatever you want to eat, just tell His Majesty what you're craving."

A Wu rubbed her hands eagerly and agreed cheerfully, "Alright, wait! Both elder sisters, list everything you’re craving—I’ll remember it all!"

Then she added with a laugh, "Also, the imperial physician prescribed many health tonics today—bird’s nests, donkey-hide gelatin, and all sorts of pills, more than you can shake a stick at. Later, when you both visit, we’ll share them!"

Hearing this, Consort Hui and Zhao Yi were thrilled and tickled pink!

In the palace, daring to milk the Emperor for all he’s worth—she was truly the first!

Zhao Yi sighed, "Little sister, your little racket is truly impressive!"

A Wu was quite pleased with herself. She had already planned it out—using the palace’s resources to build her own favors.

Since the Old Emperor wanted her to recuperate, she would take full advantage of it.

She was over the moon thinking, *After the New Year, with two promotions in a row, life will be all peaches and cream.*

Yet she had no idea that during the upcoming festivities, the palace would be bustling, and she would have to face countless busybodies.

Among them, Lu Yunjian was someone she couldn’t avoid.