Xi Xizhi's little brain quickly went blank. She was used to sleeping with An Honghan every day, and no one had ever mentioned this before, so Xi Xizhi had long taken it for granted. But when she heard Hua Fei say it, she was speechless.
Just by looking at the other woman's expression, Consort Hua had already determined the answer and continued to press, "Miss Xi, a woman's reputation is of utmost importance. I see that you are still young. Do you know what it means to sleep with a man?"
Following Hua Fei's words, Xi Xizhi immediately thought that only husband and wife in the mortal world sleep together. But were Xi Xizhi and An Honghan husband and wife? The answer was obvious: no.
"I'm only seven years old." Xi Xizhi paused for a moment, then quickly made an excuse for herself, making her age sound very young.
Is it okay for children to sleep with adults?
Having finally managed to extract some information, Consort Hua naturally pressed on relentlessly, "It is indeed common for children to sleep with adults, but what is your relationship with His Majesty? Besides, even your own child, by the time they are five, six, or seven years old, should already be sleeping alone. Could it be that Miss Xi is afraid of the dark?"
Compared to Hua Fei, a seasoned socialite, Xi Xizhi's presence seemed much weaker. She cursed inwardly, thinking that this woman was too cunning.
Meanwhile, Consort Hua was intently watching Xi Xizhi's expression, trying to verify if the rumors were true. Many of these rumors concerned that the child was His Majesty's, so how could Consort Hua not be wary?
"Your Highness, stop beating around the bush. I'm not An Honghan's child." Xi Xizhi touched her little face. "Look at me, my eyes, nose, and mouth—what part of me resembles An Honghan even slightly?"
An Honghan is the kind of cool, aloof, handsome man, while I am just a little kid with a baby face.
After hearing Xi Xizhi's explanation, Consort Hua finally felt a huge weight lifted from her heart.
"Miss Xi, then I won't bother you any longer. However, I would like to give you a piece of advice: certain things, once done, will inevitably attract gossip. What we fear most is our reputation. Miss Xi, you should be careful."
This isn't advice; it's clearly a warning.
Xi Xi forced a smile and replied, "Thank you for the reminder, Consort Hua. I will keep it in mind."
Isn't it just a hint that she should distance herself from An Honghan? If she can't even understand this, Xi Xizhi is a complete idiot.
He tried his best to forget what Consort Hua had said, but the more he tried to forget, the clearer he remembered it.
Should we sleep in separate beds?
This is a question worth considering.
It wasn't because of Consort Hua's words, but as Consort Hua said, public opinion is a fearsome thing.
The closer she gets to An Honghan, the more enemies she will make. Today it's just Consort Hua, but who knows if Consort Ning, Consort Liu, and Consort Shu will take turns appearing in the future!
Xi Xizhi sat back in the rattan chair, lost in thought for half a day, until An Honghan returned to Panlong Palace, which brought her back to reality.
Despite the table laden with dishes, Xi Xizhi ate with a complete lack of appetite, her mind preoccupied with... whether or not she should sleep in separate beds? If she really did, wouldn't her bed become a jade phoenix basin? Wouldn't she turn back into a little sable?
Time passed by in a blur, and night slowly fell. After Xi Xizhi and An Honghan finished bathing together, Xi Xizhi was only wearing a single layer of white silk, which made her rosy cheeks look even more adorable.
Standing by the bed for a long time without moving, Xi Xizhi stared at the bed, still thinking about that matter.
An Honghan keenly noticed the child's unusual behavior. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go to sleep. Are you going to sleep in again tomorrow?"
Xi Xizhi blushed, then slowly uttered a sentence: "I...I want to sleep alone tonight. There are so many rooms in the palace, how about just making a bed for me?"
An Honghan's gaze turned gloomy, and he slowly withdrew his hand that was lifting the quilt. "Why do you suddenly want to sleep alone? Is this dragon bed uncomfortable? I can order someone to change it tomorrow."
"It's very comfortable." Xi Xizhi blurted out, thinking to herself that this bed was so soft and fluffy, and she was used to sleeping in it, so how could it not be comfortable?
"Then why?" An Honghan asked coldly, looking at the little brat and recalling what Lin En had reported earlier that day. "Is it related to Consort Hua?"
“It has nothing to do with her,” Xi Xizhi said honestly.
"Unrelated?" An Honghan narrowed his eyes. "If it's truly unrelated, then why would you make this request?"
They used to sleep together, and she never mentioned wanting to sleep in separate beds.
Especially when she was first allowed to sleep on the emperor's bed, the little ferret was so happy that she jumped up and down.
Feeling uncomfortable under An Honghan's cold gaze, Xi Xizhi's tone weakened a bit. "Actually, there is some connection. I think Consort Hua is right. I am neither your biological child nor your concubine. Sleeping in the same bed with you will surely cause a lot of controversy."
Most importantly, which of the women in your harem is easy to deal with? Xi Xizhi just wanted to avoid them causing her trouble.
“So that’s how it is…” An Honghan took a few steps forward, put his arm around the child’s waist, and pulled her close. Xi Xizhi bumped into his arms. “If that’s all there is to it, there’s nothing to worry about. As long as I’m here, anyone who dares to gossip will have their tongue cut out. Besides, you’ve always slept with me. Do you think they won’t talk behind your back if you sleep in a separate bed?”
Some things, once done, can never be erased.
Even if Xi Xizhi agrees to sleep in separate beds, they will still remember that they used to eat and live together.
Xi Xizhi rolled her eyes a few times and realized that it really was true.
“Don’t care about what those people think.” An Honghan lifted the quilt and let Xi Xizhi lie down. “There are many rumors in the palace, but very few are true. Even if they make wild guesses, they can’t change the facts. Caring so much will only add to your troubles.”
An Honghan comforted Xi Xizhi with every word he spoke.
Xi Xizhi wasn't stupid; she understood some of what An Honghan meant—he simply told her not to mind those people's pointless nonsense.
The moment Xi Xizhi touched the bed, her last bit of resistance disappeared.
Why should she give up such a comfortable bed just because of what others think?
They lay down on the bed together, and the two fell asleep as usual. But in the pitch-black stillness, An Honghan's sharp eyes remained coldly open.
Consort Hua is really bold... she actually came here to sow discord.
Could it be that I haven't managed the harem for so long that those women have become so audacious?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com