“Sister, among us, isn’t it you who has received the Emperor’s favor? Are you really willing to remain a palace maid forever?” Jin Die said.

While brewing tea, Mei'er glanced at Jin Die and said, "You should cherish the days when you don't have a life like mine. That way, you can still get married after you turn 25, unlike me who will grow old and die in the palace like this."

Jin Die was surprised that Mei'er would say such a thing; she had always thought that Mei'er wanted to climb the social ladder.

"What's wrong, sister? Do you not want to be a benefactor?" Jin Die asked subconsciously.

"Hmph, didn't you see? Even though the Emperor keeps making me serve him in bed, my belly hasn't gotten any bigger!" Mei'er said.

“Sister, perhaps you’re just unlucky. This time, you’re practically the Emperor’s favorite. I see that Consort Qi and Consort Xiao are both over twenty and still have no children. They don’t receive much favor from the Emperor and are just there to save face! Sister, you’ll definitely be more fortunate than them if you stay by His Majesty’s side!” Jin Die said.

"Alright, you can serve this cup of tea to the Emperor! Since you've called me 'sister' so formally," Mei'er said, noticing Jin Die's envious expression. She knew that after each time she finished serving the Emperor, Liang Jiugong would instruct the eunuchs to give her a contraceptive soup.

"Really? Sister!" Jin Die exclaimed happily.

“Here you go. Hold this carefully, and don’t spill the Emperor’s finest Da Hong Pao tea. This is only a few ounces of tea produced from the thousand-year-old mother plant,” Mei’er said.

"Yes, sister, don't worry, Die'er won't let you down." Jin Die was overjoyed to see that Mei'er had indeed introduced her to Kangxi. Back in the palace, she had wanted Mei'er to introduce her, but she had asked for quite some time without success. Unexpectedly, the opportunity had come as soon as she arrived in the northern desert.

Seeing Jin Die's delighted expression, Mei'er sneered inwardly: You're so eager to climb into the emperor's bed, let me show you what it's like!

Mei'er felt little gratitude towards Jin Die. Although Jin Die had once worked for her, their relationship was purely based on mutual exploitation, not friendship. Kangxi's temper had become increasingly erratic lately, and he would sometimes even verbally abuse her. Therefore, Mei'er was now increasingly afraid of being favored by Kangxi.

Meanwhile, after being served a bath by several eunuchs, Emperor Kangxi finally washed away some of his fatigue.

After putting on his casual robe, a slight noise came from the tent entrance. Jin Die stood at the door with a cup of freshly brewed tea.

Liang Jiugong hurriedly went out, and as soon as he lifted the tent flap, he saw Jin Die, who was dressed up in a very nice outfit.

"Why is it you? Where's Mei'er?" Liang Jiugong was a shrewd man. As soon as he saw Die'er dressed like this, he knew she had come to seduce the Emperor! Alas, wealth and glory are so alluring that these girls are willing to risk everything to climb into the Emperor's bed! Mei'er sent this Die'er here, probably intending for her to "share the burden"!

"Sister Mei wasn't feeling well and was afraid the Emperor would see her, so she sent me to take her place!" Jin Die said sweetly.

“Alright, keep your voice down. Serving the Emperor is not like what you do in the Imperial Tea Room,” Liang Jiugong said.

"Yes, this servant wouldn't dare to be presumptuous. Sister Mei'er has already taught this servant some things!" Jin Die said, suppressing the joy in her heart.

Liang Jiugong nodded and went inside with Jin Die.

Emperor Kangxi was sitting on a soft cushion with his eyes closed, while a palace maid and a eunuch were fanning him from the side.

Jin Die, carrying tea, bowed her head and walked to Kangxi's desk, placing the teacup in front of him with slightly trembling hands.

Kangxi suddenly smelled a fragrance, a familiar scent. He squinted and scanned the figure before him. It wasn't Mei'er, but a strange woman. Jin Die only served tea in the Imperial Tea Room and had never been seen serving Kangxi. Moreover, she was indeed quite beautiful, with a full forehead and cheeks, and porcelain-doll-like features—a beauty completely different from Mei'er's.

"Where are you from? I've never seen you before," Kangxi asked, squinting his eyes.

"Your Majesty, I served in the Imperial Tea Room. Today, Sister Mei wasn't feeling well, so I had the opportunity to serve Your Majesty!" Jin Die said with a smirk. She had always felt that Mei was blocking their path, and now she indeed had a chance to get close to the Emperor.

Listening to this, Liang Jiugong sneered inwardly: Another woman trying to climb into the emperor's bed. Her last words not only failed to thank Mei'er for the recommendation, but also implied that Mei'er had been blocking her way all along!

Kangxi's expression remained unchanged. He simply took the teacup handed to him by Jin Die, took a sip, and the fragrance of Da Hong Pao tea lingered between his lips and teeth.

"Jiugong, all of you may leave!" Kangxi could tell what Jin Die meant just by looking at her. Since the little girl had offered herself up, he didn't mind indulging his desires.

When Jin Die saw that Kangxi had directly asked Eunuch Liang and the others to leave, he understood perfectly well that Kangxi clearly wanted to be alone with him!

After everyone had left, Kangxi said to Jin Die, "Come here!"

Jin Die was taken aback by Kangxi's sudden words, but she couldn't miss the opportunity. Suppressing her fear, she walked up to Kangxi.

Kangxi raised his hand and pinched Jin Die's chin, looking at her with a sneer: "Want to serve me?"

Jin Die nodded, her eyes sparkling!

Kangxi, perhaps engrossed in his bath, noticed her lack of shyness and immediately took Jin Die's hand, leading her to the prepared dragon bed.

"What are you waiting for! Mei'er hasn't taught you how to serve me yet!" Kangxi said, staring at Jin Die.

Jin Die felt a shiver run down her spine. She couldn't bear to look at Kangxi at all. She knew he was telling her to take off her clothes immediately!

After Jin Die was naked and pressed down on the bed by Kangxi, she suddenly felt a little regretful. Once this moment was over, she would have to stay in the palace forever.

Kangxi was only there to satisfy his desires, so he showed no pity for the woman beneath him. When Kangxi suddenly forced his way into Jin Die's lower body, she was in so much pain that she almost fainted! But she dared not cry, for fear of incurring Kangxi's disgust, so she could only grit her teeth and endure the pain without crying.

Kangxi, suddenly finding himself in a comfortable spot, became instantly aroused and began to thrust wildly. Jin Die was in so much pain that tears streamed down her face, but she refused to cry out. Little did she know, this only enraged Kangxi. He assumed she was indifferent to his actions and that's why she wouldn't scream; in truth, men crave to hear women beg for mercy! Unfortunately, the inexperienced Jin Die didn't understand this. The more she desperately tried to remain silent, the more frenzied Kangxi became, relentlessly ravaging her until she passed out.

When Jin Die woke up, she was no longer on that dragon bed!