Chapter 49: with translation of chapter title

On the way back to the palace, I encountered a rather embarrassing incident; I was actually stopped by the guards guarding the palace and could not enter the palace gate.

In a panic, I did the very thing I shouldn't have—taking out the Purple Phoenix and trying to use it as a waist tablet to enter the palace. As expected, this high and mighty Empress of Qi was escorted to the prison to eat, and the Purple Phoenix was confiscated.

I offered no resistance at all and was obediently escorted to the prison, because I personally heard that guard, his face tense and excited, say that the jade must be presented to the emperor as soon as possible.

The smell in the prison was extremely foul, the air almost suffocating. I was fortunate to have let Xiao Yin enter the palace ahead of them while they were off guard; at the very least, it could bring Wuye and them to rescue me.

However, I hadn't been there long before the entire great prison erupted in an uproar, as if turned upside down.

I stared blankly as Wei Lingfeng walked in with a smile, humbly lowering himself to enter this incredibly stinky, lowly and filthy prison. He bent low, ducked his head, and the motion of slipping through the wooden door left everyone stunned.

I, too, was dazed—not from fear, but because I was utterly puzzled as to how he could perform such a… such a commoner's action with the grace of walking up to the court.

The prison was already small; the moment he entered, the cramped space seemed to contain only the two of us standing, and the air faintly carried the scent of sandalwood.

I had been leaning against the wall, but now I hurriedly propped myself up against the wall to stand, believing that no one would want to linger even a moment in such a place.

"Ah—you…" I hadn't even steadied my feet when I was suddenly lifted into an embrace; warmth and a faint sandalwood scent instantly enveloped me. I struggled a bit, protesting, "I'm not hurt—I can…"

That "go" character wouldn't let me finish speaking, for I was given a fierce start; Wei Lingfeng's face still bore a smile, but the smile at his lips carried an icy chill, and his narrowed eyes harbored the prelude to anger.

I promptly shut my eyes, lowered my brows and submitted to his will, allowing him to carry me all the way out of the great prison and into the palace; not even the nearby people trembling as they knelt, begging the empress for mercy and the emperor for forgiveness, dared to glance our way.

After walking a long while, I realized he was heading toward the Luoying Gong where I am currently residing, not his Wind Chant Hall, and I secretly breathed a sigh of relief—at least if he flew into a rage and struck someone, I could still call on Wuye and Xinhui for help… cough! What on earth am I thinking?!

"Miss! Miss!" Xinhui's cries rang out from the moment she spotted me all the way over.

I hurriedly struggled to jump down to meet her, but my body was tightly held by Wei Lingfeng, unable to move. I couldn't help but feel resentful, frowning as I said, "Wei Lingfeng, what exactly are you angry about? I didn't break our promise and run away, you didn't lose your warship, you…"

A strange thought suddenly flashed through my mind, and I asked somewhat uncertainly, "You… wouldn't be worried about me… would you?"

I wasn't sure whether I had caught a fleeting glimpse of embarrassment in Wei Lingfeng's eyes, for his face always bore his signature gentle smile; he loosened his grip, I landed lightly, and just then I turned and embraced Xinhui, whose eyes were red from crying.

Three days later.

"Xinhui, where is Wuye?"

Xinhui looked around, gave a sly smile, and said, "He's probably nearby."

I sullenly patted the beautiful flowers in the imperial garden, sighed helplessly, and said, "He still won't show himself? Is a grown man really that petty?"

"Xinhui, you said I shouldn't let him call me, yet he insists on addressing me as 'master' every time. But look at his arrogant attitude—where does he treat me as a master?"

Xinhui hehe'd, spread her hands, and said, "Who told you, Miss, that you don't look like master material at all?"

I raised my eyebrows, about to retort, when I suddenly heard Xinhui call out in surprise, "Miss, look."

I blinked and looked over, somewhat strangely seeing a group of consorts standing by the lotus pond's rail, laughing and playing. It was strange because I actually saw Yan Jing among them, and her expression was quite flustered and ill at ease.

Although I hadn't deliberately inquired, I had picked up a fair amount from observation. Yan Jing was a selected candidate who entered the palace two years ago; she was originally the third daughter of Marquis Xiangnan Yan Qunying. It is said she excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and could discuss state affairs and military strategy with her father at the age of ten. Moreover, having been sweet and lovely since childhood, she became the cherished treasure and heart's delight of the Marquis of Xiangnan.

Two years ago, when Wei Lingfeng held his first imperial selection of consorts, she, as everyone expected, was easily chosen and granted the title of Rong Consort, becoming the foremost favorite of the harem.

"Ah—" I gazed at the crowd laughing by the pond's edge, my mind spinning, when I suddenly heard a familiar cry of alarm. By the time I regained my composure and looked, Yan Jing was already midair, plummeting straight into the lotus pond.

By this time it was deep autumn; although the weather of Qi was strange, the temperature wasn't particularly low, yet the water in the pond had surely taken on a chill. Regardless of whether the pond was deep enough to drown someone, falling in would certainly bring on a serious illness.

My heart clenched with urgency; I was about to rush forward to help when a sudden odd flicker passed through my mind, causing my steps to halt. I heard Xinhui's urgent voice beside me: "Miss, don't act rashly; let me go save…"

Before Xinhui's words had finished, I saw a woman in green clothes rush to the water's edge and, without a hint of hesitation, dive straight in.

I brushed Xinhui aside and took a few steps forward, hiding behind a tree, looking out over the pond—only to see the disheveled woman in green clothes exerting all her strength to drag Yan Jing toward the shore.

The women by the pond frowned at the scene in the water; hearing their whispers and seeing their expressions, it was clear they were resentful of this sudden green-clad rescuer who had ruined their plans.

Judging by their reaction, this sort of nasty prank on Yan Jing must be something they do all the time—yet that is strange. Not to mention that Wei Lingfeng pays no heed to the palace's corrupt atmosphere; moreover… it doesn't make sense at all!

"Ah—!!" A series of sharp cries rang out; my heart leapt as I saw the green-clad woman finally run out of strength, flailing a few times, about to sink.

Those consorts who had been watching the spectacle, upon seeing that a life might be lost, panicked as well—some shouting "Lady Li!", others crying "Help!", and in a moment they scattered in disarray.

Time afforded no further thought; I kicked off my shoes, ignoring Xinhui's startled cry, and plunged into the pond……

My clothes were soaked through, my lips turned blue, my teeth kept chattering, yet I still dragged an equally exhausted green-clad woman; both of us were flung onto the shore in one heave.

This truly had nothing to do with the level of one's inner energy; a woman's physique is inherently weak, and no matter how high her martial skill, prolonged struggle in ice‑cold, bone‑piercing water cannot be sustained.

"Wuye… Wuye, you… you finally… finally know to show up… huh?" I shivered with cold, yet I gritted my teeth at the mask before me, speaking incoherently: "The… water… still… there's… one…"

Wuye shot me a furious glare, then turned and dove back into the water.

I hurriedly circulated my inner energy to dispel the chill, but the inner energy within me was ultimately not my own; in this helpless state, trying to control it properly was difficult—it just churned inside, and after a long while my teeth stopped chattering, yet my clothes remained thoroughly soaked.

Suddenly a warm current came from behind; I turned back and gave a light smile to Xinhui, who was channeling inner energy into me: "Xinhui, thank you. I'm fine—go ahead and save her."

After Wuye finally managed to pull Yan Jing from the water, a group of belated guards and palace maids also arrived. I had the maids lift Yan Jing and the green‑clad woman back to my Luoying Gong first; I was about to follow when a silhouette suddenly appeared before me.

I started and lifted my head; a face as beautiful as flowers and jade, capable of eclipsing the moon and shaming blossoms, instantly filled my vision. Dressed in yellow robes and so familiar, my heart leapt—I recalled that this was the sole beauty who had left an impression on me in the Empress Dowager's palace.

"May I ask what the matter is?" I found it strange; their attitudes toward me have all been arrogant, and aside from the first day in the Empress Dowager's palace, they seemed not to regard me as empress at all.

She gave me a disdainful glance, raised her eyebrows, and snapped, "Come here!"

"What are your orders, Lady Li?"

"Seize this man who has debauched the harem for my palace!"

"Yes!"

"A man who has debauched the harem? Who would dare such a thing?" I was puzzling over this when I saw the guards step forward and seize Wuye…… What, what is going on?

"Wait!" I hastily called out, questioning the woman in yellow robes: "Lady… Lady Li, when and where did Wuye commit the crime of debauchery?"

Lady Li glanced at me with contempt and huffed, "Women in the palace, especially the consorts, belong solely to the emperor; private contact with other men is absolutely forbidden, let alone intimate flesh‑to‑flesh contact."

"This person has just embraced the Rong Consort, Chen Jieyu, and… sister—you, in the water; he has ruined your reputations and therefore deserves punishment for debauching the palace under the charge of palace punishment."

"Palace… punishment?" My face changed; I clutched Wuye's elbow and snapped, "No one may touch him! I am the empress—why are you obeying a consort?"

"Ha ha…" Lady Li laughed, blossoms trembling, while the guards and palace maids beside her stared at my intimate gestures with Wuye, their faces turning pale.

I heard her clear yet piercing voice ring near my ear: "You must be day‑dreaming of becoming empress to the point of madness, right? Though you are the designated empress‑to‑be, you haven't undergone the investiture and coronation ceremony, so you are merely a newcomer with no rank at all—don't you even know that?"

"Xinhui, is that really the case?"

Xinhui sighed silently: "Miss, I've been telling you to pay attention to those etiquette lessons!"

I gave an embarrassed chuckle twice, unable to respond. My soaked clothes, hit by the cold wind, made my whole body break out in gooseflesh.

I hurriedly put on a fierce expression and looked at Consort Li: "In any case, no one is allowed to lay a hand on Wuye. Not to mention he just tried to save someone, and furthermore he has the Emperor's special permission, so his actions shouldn't be restricted at all."

"Special permission? What special permission? Sis, why don't you show me the proof?"

Consort Li gave me a half-smile, not reaching her eyes, then gestured to the palace maid behind her: "It's you, sister, embracing a man in broad daylight. Barely a few days into marriage, and you're already behaving so immorally—could it be that you've lost the Emperor's favor and can't bear the loneliness?"

As she spoke, two palace maids had already come to my side, the sturdier one grabbing my arm while the other glared at me tigerishly. Consort Li hadn't finished her remarks: "Normally, with your status, it wouldn't be our place to intervene, but I can't stand by and let the harem descend into such decadence, so I have no choice but to ask you to come with me to the Empress Dowager's chambers to explain yourself."

"Explain?" I gave a cold laugh, shook off the hand holding Wuye, tilted my body slightly, and bowed a little.

With a "Boom—", the palace maid who was about to seize me was slammed to the ground by my unorthodox yet splendid shoulder throw, writhing in pain.

I moved slightly and instantly stood before Consort Li, seeing her face turn pale from shock. I suppressed the chill in my body and gave a cold smile: "Consort Li, you said you wanted to go with me to the Empress Dowager's palace, right? Perfect—I'd like to ask you in front of the Empress Dowager why Consort Rong fell into the pool for no reason, why the concubines kept shouting your name as they scattered, and why you and these guards only showed up after the person had already been rescued ashore."

"With so many coincidences, I also happen to want to ask Consort Li to come with me to the Empress Dowager's palace to explain herself."

"You… you…" Consort Li's pretty face flushed red then turned white as she stared at my beautiful phoenix eyes, her annoyance slowly turning to hatred. She stomped her foot and shouted, "Are you all deaf? Take this man to the Ministry of Justice's great prison!"

"Yes!"

I lunged in front of Wuye, stretched out my icy hand to block him, and said coldly, "Who dares to move him!"

I then turned and glared fiercely at Wuye, who had remained silent all along as if nothing concerned him, and said in a low voice, "Hey! It's you who's about to be taken away! Please show some reaction, will you?"

Wuye glanced at me, a flicker of smile crossing his eyes before turning icy and indifferent: "Didn't the master say earlier that the one being arrested is you, and it has nothing to do with me? Now that it's your subordinate being taken, what does it have to do with the master?"

"Wuye…" I swallowed a mouthful of air and my curses, "A grown man, must you be so petty? I just misspoke for a moment, and you've held a grudge for three whole days—isn't that enough?"

Wuye glanced at my trembling body, the light in his eyes gradually softening as he was about to speak. Suddenly a shout rang out from not far away.

"The Emperor approaches!"

I jerked my head back in surprise to see Wei Lingfeng clad in bright yellow brocade, his black hair tied high, strolling over with a relaxed smile. I frowned in disgust—this guy was surely just here to watch the show, and maybe to see the women fighting over him.

All the guards and palace maids dropped to their knees, some trembling as they cried, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects."

Consort Li's face, still pale from my fright, had not yet regained color; she now assumed a delicate, helpless pose, moving to Wei Lingfeng's side and leaning lightly against him, her voice soft and alluring: "Your servant pays her respects, Your Majesty."

"Rise." Wei Lingfeng lifted his hand to help her up, then asked, "Mei'er, why is your face so pallid?"

Consort Li bit her blanched lower lip, glanced at me without a trace, then turned back weakly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty; I'm fine." As she spoke, her body naturally leaned into Wei Lingfeng's embrace.

Watching from the side, I was dumbstruck; I had to admit Consort Li's acting had reached perfection, and I couldn't deny that her current gentle, heart-wrenching beauty would move even a man like me.

Wei Lingfeng naturally slipped his arm around her waist and said in a pleasant tone, "Perhaps we should have the imperial physician take a look; otherwise I won't be at ease."

Consort Li's jade-like cheeks flushed faintly; she pursed her lips and smiled, "I will obey your order, Your Majesty."

Wei Lingfeng nodded with a smile, then lifted his gaze to me: "What trouble have you stirred up this time to summon such a large contingent of guards?"

I glared at him fiercely: "What do you mean 'again'? Don't blame every mishap on me… achoo… my person."

A gust of wind blew, and a sudden chill swept over my whole body; I couldn't help but sneeze, my frame trembling.

Wei Lingfeng's formerly gentle smile flickered; he pushed Consort Li aside, strode to me, seized my icy wrist, and examined me up and down. His voice low and deep, his beautiful eyes narrowing: "Did you fall into the water?"

His palm was warm, creating a stark contrast with the icy coldness covering my body, making me feel even more uneasy.

I struggled a bit but couldn't break free, and I frowned: "You know I fell in the water? Then let me go change my clothes quickly—if we keep dawdling like this, I'll surely catch a cold."

Wei Lingfeng's fine brows twitched slightly; then his long, strong arm shot out, and in the next second my body was lifted into a warm embrace.

"You—" I gasped, unable to speak, struggling to get down, but I couldn't.

The palace maids and guards nearby stared, eyes nearly popping out. Consort Li's face showed both shock and fury, laced with jealousy, as if she wanted to swallow me whole. Xianhui gave me an ambiguous smile, while Wuye's eyes held a faint light, aloof and unfeeling.

My face burned crimson, yet for my ice-cold body this embrace was truly warm—I couldn't help but appreciate Wei Lingfeng's thoughtfulness. Still, this situation is… too… strange, isn't it?

"Your… Your Majesty…" Consort Li bit her lip, stepped into the middle of the road, and looked at us with a wronged expression, her vermilion lips parting slightly.

Wei Lingfeng kept his smile, but his voice turned cold: "Someone, help Consort Li—she's unwell—back to the palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wei Lingfeng carried me past the ashen-faced Consort Li, then added casually, "Mei'er, don't forget to summon the imperial physician."

Wrapped in warmth, I suddenly realized something was off—this wasn't the way to Luoying Gong.

I jerked my head up and met Wei Lingfeng's gentle gaze, stunned for a moment before regaining my composure, intending to question him—but my earlier vigor had vanished: "You… where are you taking me? Wuye! Don't let them take Wuye away."

"My bedchamber."

"Why?"

Wei Lingfeng let out an amused sigh, turned to a nearby young eunuch, and said lightly, "Go fetch three 'tablet' pieces."

Seeing the faces of those around me shift dramatically, I guessed the tablets must be weighty, so I relaxed a bit. Instead, I completely forgot to press the matter; he brushed it off lightly, sidestepping my question.

Fengyin Hall.

I sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, feeling content, sipping hot tea in small mouthfuls, having changed out of my soaked clothes, with a room heater warming the air and the fragrant, soothing tea in my hand—the emperor's life really is nothing more than this.

Soft footsteps sounded as Wei Lingfeng, now in a light purple robe, stepped out leisurely from the room, saw my relaxed expression, and chuckled, "Just now you didn't want to come, yet now you seem reluctant to leave."

I gave a hehe laugh and changed the subject: "What tea is this? The aroma is pure and mellow, refreshing, with no bitterness or greasiness—really nice."

"You understand too?" Wei Lingfeng chuckled lightly as he sat beside me, "This is the famous Junshan Silver Needle, picked from the first tender buds of spring tea, then repeatedly roasted, cooled, and dried over forty-nine days, thus crafted. Its flavor is naturally fragrant and mellow."

"Oh." I took another sip, eyes crinkling in a smile, "I don't know all that; I just know whether it tastes good or bad. By the way, what kind is this—yellow tea?"

Wei Lingfeng nodded, took the teacup handed by a palace maid, and replied, "It's yellow tea, with a small amount of 'lingering fragrance.'"

"Lingering fragrance?" My heart gave a little thump, and a vague sense of unease flickered in my mind.

"Your Majesty, shall we light some dragon's saliva incense?"

Wei Lingfeng waved his hand lightly and said, "Go ahead and light it."

"Crack—" my whole body jerked, and the cup in my hand shattered with a sound.

Dragon's saliva incense… lingering fragrance… how could this be such a coincidence? Add mandrake, and…

My face darkened sharply; I strained to sit up and lunged toward the door.

Who knew, having sat cross-legged too long, as I stepped down the stairs I felt numbness below my knees and could no longer support myself. I let out a loud cry and stumbled awkwardly to the side.

The expected pain never came; all I heard was Wei Lingfeng muttering a curse as he barely caught my falling body, yet couldn't stop the forward momentum.

My body was firmly held in his embrace; with a sudden roll, I heard him grunt, and before I could react, we rolled over the steps, my back landing softly on the ground.

Immediately after, Wei Lingfeng's entire body weight…… pressed down on me.

"Your…… back, just now it hit the steps…… are you okay?" I, still shaken, lifted my head to look at his handsome face, brows furrowing slightly from the pain, I couldn't help but ask anxiously.

He pulled his hand from pressing against the back of my head; his slender fingers lightly stroked my cheek, the light in his eyes gentle yet scorching. His low, magnetic voice, accompanied by the warm breath blowing on my face, sounded at my ear: "What should I do with you……?"

The vexation in my heart rose and fell; I could faintly sense the ambiguity of the atmosphere. I barely suppressed the heat surging in my chest, and silently at his ear I said: "Wei Lingfeng, make them all leave; I have something very important to ask you."

Wei Lingfeng raised his brows at my solemn expression, a faint glint flashing in his eyes, then the corner of his mouth curled into a wicked smile.

The radiance on his face left me dazed for a moment. The next second, a scorching, warm breath suddenly pressed tightly against my lips; I flung my eyes wide open, staring at that handsome face inches away, his eyes seeming to burn, setting even the lips he pressed against ablaze with scorching heat.

I exerted all my strength to push him away, but men and women are naturally different, and moreover, lying on the ground I had no leverage.

"Unh——let go……" I braced my hands against his chest, opening my mouth to shout a rebuke, but unexpectedly he seized the chance to pry open my lips and teeth, pursuing my tongue, invading and conquering.

Anger surged up my heart; I clenched my fists, about to strike his chin hard. But the lips pressed against mine suddenly pulled away, and a pair of hands radiating heat grabbed my clenched wrists; cool air mixed with the warmth flowed into my mouth, and I couldn't help but greedily suck.

In the room, only our heavy breathing remained.

"Wei Lingfeng, don't go too far!" I violently shook the wrists he held easily in one hand, cursing angrily.

But immediately I dared not move again, for it was futile; my wrists were locked in his grip and couldn't budge an inch.

Yet the large hand clasping mine grew ever hotter from my struggle, and even the hand resting on my waist, through layers of clothing, I could feel its scorching temperature.

These things frightened me, and moreover I could clearly feel his…… lower-body changes; my face turned pale, and I didn't dare move at all.

Wei Lingfeng gazed at my bloodless face; the desire in his eyes gradually faded, turning into a faint helplessness and amusement. He lightly rolled to the side, hands leisurely behind his head, and lay flat beside me on the ground.

I took a deep breath, and my mind gradually calmed.

I turned my head and saw Wei Lingfeng wearing a smug, punch‑worthy grin; his voice, still hoarse, only added a touch of sensuality: "Now that they've all left, speak—what is it?"

Now I finally understand—I was played!

I glared at him fiercely, thinking: Once I finish speaking, let's see if you can still smile!

(End of chapter)