Chapter 116 Serving a Ruler is Like Serving a Tiger

Inside the bedchamber, heavy brocade curtains hung low, still blocking out the gradually brightening sunlight outside.

The lingering stench of last night's passion has not yet dissipated.

Xie Nu'er had actually been awake for a while.

Or rather, she never really fell asleep at all.

My body felt like it had been taken apart and hastily put back together. Every joint was sore and painful, especially my waist and abdomen, where even the slightest movement caused discomfort.

The lingering sensation and smell on her skin made her stomach tighten.

She lay there stiffly, like a soulless shell, staring blankly at the top of the tent, listening to Pei Yan's steady, deep breathing beside her.

Every minute and every second was torture.

Finally, the dull tolling of a bell came from outside the window—it was time for the morning court session!

Xie Nuer almost immediately perked up her ears. She endured the soreness all over her body and turned her head very slightly to look at the emperor who was still sleeping beside her.

She felt disgusted and wished he would disappear from her side immediately!

She held her breath, trying to move her body out from under the arms that were gripping her waist.

"Um…"

Pei Yan uttered a muffled murmur, her eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Perhaps because he had just woken up, his eyes were incredibly gentle, filled with a tender longing, as he murmured, "Ruyue... stay with me a little longer..."

Xie Nuer felt as if something had exploded in her mind!

Another stepmother!

Is this lunatic still not fully awake?!

After Pei Yan finished speaking, he pulled her closer into his arms!

His hot breath sprayed on her shoulder, his nose rubbed against her neck, like a large dog that was still in bed after being full, and he closed his eyes as if he was about to continue sleeping soundly!

Morning!

The morning court session is about to begin!

Xie Nu'er's heart sank into an ice cave in an instant!

Are you kidding me?!

It's only her first day in the palace!

My first night serving you in bed!

The emperor stopped attending morning court because of her?!

If this news gets out, Xie Nuer's name will immediately be labeled as a femme fatale and a vixen!

She could be drowned by spittle!

She was fired before she even started working hard!

Those covetous concubines, civil officials, and censors…

Everyone will immediately point the finger at her!

She'd barely settled into this ruthless palace, her footing not even firmly planted, and she was already being branded with the unforgivable crimes of bewitching the king and neglecting state affairs?!

That's practically suicide!

No! Absolutely not!

We absolutely cannot let this tyrant pin the blame on himself!

Xie Nuer forced herself to turn around, her face instantly softening.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

She called softly in a delicate voice, "It's getting late...you should...you should get up and prepare for the morning court session..."

She even reached out her fingertips and gently pushed Pei Yan's chest, the force so weak it was like teasing him.

Pei Yan's brows furrowed instantly!

He opened his eyes, and the tender affection he had felt moments before vanished, replaced by displeasure at being disturbed.

He stared at Xie Nu'er's face, his voice tinged with impatience: "What? I want to spend more time with my beloved consort, is she... trying to send me away?"

"If other concubines could make me linger in their bedchamber and miss the morning court... that would be a source of great pride, an honor I'd be eager to spread throughout the harem! But why is it that with my beloved concubine..."

His tone suddenly turned cold, tinged with anger, "You're so wary of me now? So eager to push me away?"

He suddenly grabbed Xie Nuer's wrist with such force that it hurt her bones!

"My beloved concubine... tell me... why are you so afraid... could it be that... you don't even have me in your heart?!"

These words struck Xie Nu'er like a thunderbolt!

He's not there?!

She wished he would just disappear on the spot!

But can I say that?!

Saying it is suicide!

In the blink of an eye!

Survival instinct and acting skills instantly took over my brain!

Xie Nu'er's eyes instantly reddened!

Tears streamed down her face like beads from a broken string!

It wasn't an act; it was from my wrist being squeezed so hard it hurt so much that I had to hold it in!

"Your Majesty, you have been wronged!"

She seemed to have suffered a tremendous injustice, her voice trembling with sobs, her body shaking violently with fear, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I wish I could stay by your side day and night! Never to be separated for a moment! But... But..."

She raised her tear-filled face, her eyes filled with panic and helplessness, like a child about to be abandoned, her voice choked with sobs:

"Your Majesty, think about it... You are the supreme ruler! The monarch of Daqing! If I were to miss the morning court session because of you... what would the ministers... the historians... say about me?!"

Her tears flowed even more fiercely, as if she could already see that terrible scene. "They will definitely curse me as a wicked concubine who has brought disaster to the country and the people! A vixen who has bewitched the king! They will pin all the blame on me! They wish... they wish they could drag me out and behead me right now!"

As she spoke, she seemed overcome with grief, suddenly throwing herself into Pei Yan's arms, clutching the front of his nightgown tightly, her whole body trembling with sobs:

"Your Majesty... I am not afraid of death... I am only afraid... I am afraid that I will never see you again! If... if they force Your Majesty to banish me from the palace... or throw me into the cold palace... how can I live! Rather than that... I... I would rather die in Your Majesty's arms right now!"

She raised her tear-streaked face and looked at Pei Yan with deep affection, "Your Majesty...you...can you understand my heart? I...I'm afraid of losing you!!"

This tearful plea was so moving and expressive!

She portrayed a woman deeply in love yet afraid of being separated from her lover perfectly!

Especially the last line, "I'm afraid of losing you," precisely hit the deepest, most morbid possessiveness in Pei Yan's heart—he couldn't tolerate "Lin Ruyue" leaving again!

really!

Pei Yan's clenched wrist instantly loosened!

The coldness and displeasure on his face vanished quickly, like snow melting in the warm sun, replaced by pride and gentleness!

"So... that's what my beloved concubine is afraid of!"

He sighed softly as if suddenly realizing something, looking at the pitiful little woman in his arms, her face streaked with tears.

He reached out and gently wiped away the tears on Xie Nu'er's face with his fingertips, his gaze so tender it could drown a person:

"With me here, no one can touch you! However, since you have just entered the palace, we really cannot let you bear this unpleasant title."

He lowered his head and planted what he thought was a tender kiss on Xie Nu'er's smooth forehead, his voice domineering:

"Alright, stop crying. Your crying is breaking my heart..."

He cupped Xie Nu'er's face in his hands, his tone softening to soothe her, "I'm going to court now! Let those noisy fellows see that I'm in excellent spirits! Let's see if they dare to gossip like that again!"

Having said that, Pei Yan finally stood up, satisfied, and called out, "Someone! Help me change my clothes!"

The heavy curtains were carefully lifted by a palace maid.

Sunlight streamed in.

Xie Nu'er remained curled up in the brocade quilt, her face still wet with tears, her eyes full of exhaustion.

The saying "Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger" is absolutely true.

She wanted to learn from Grandpa Desheng.