As soon as she finished speaking, Lady Yang quickly lowered her head.
The room was silent as they all processed this shocking news.
To serve in bed? Or to arrogantly designate the current emperor, the supreme ruler of this empire, to serve in bed.
The empress was initially stunned into disbelief, then slowly turned to look at her husband, who had wide eyes and a half-open mouth, looking extremely surprised.
Indeed, it was always the emperor who favored his concubines; no woman had ever asked the emperor to sleep with her.
A feeling of schadenfreude welled up inside her. "So you've finally met your match?"
Li Yue mumbled a few words, which no one could hear clearly, his face shifting with emotions, but in the end he still agreed.
Although he knew that this "serving the emperor in bed" didn't mean what it usually meant in his life, Li Yue still felt extremely awkward.
Specifically, even when the moon was high in the sky, he was still in the Empress's palace, dawdling over his chess game.
"Your Majesty, it's getting late," the Empress said with a smile, urging him on.
"Zitong..." The voice was drawn out, filled with reluctance.
Holding his wife's hand, the emperor abandoned his airs and acted like a child, whining to the empress and refusing to depart.
Contrary to her usual sour tone upon hearing that the Emperor had gone to another palace, Lady Wen said very enthusiastically, "Alright, don't keep Aunt waiting too long."
She then pulled her husband to the bath, where the finest fragrant water was sprinkled with fresh flower petals. She washed him thoroughly and, smelling wonderful, sent him to Fengyang Palace.
"Your Highness, should I prepare red bean rice?" The head palace maid covered her mouth, amused and trying to join in.
Empress Wen, known as the "naughty girl," rarely laughed heartily, pointing at the head palace maid and scolding her with a smile.
The head palace maid put on a wronged expression, raised her sleeve as if to wipe away tears, and said, "What have I done wrong? It was His Majesty's first time serving him. It's one thing if Your Highness doesn't praise me for being considerate, but why is she like this?"
According to the customs of the Jin Dynasty, the newlywed bride eats red bean rice on the second day after her wedding night to symbolize a new beginning.
In order to win over customers, brothels would have the female prostitutes eat red bean rice the next day. This practice gradually evolved into the custom that women must eat red bean rice after their first time.
Using it on the emperor was utterly hilarious, and the empress couldn't help but laugh even more.
Laughter and cheerful voices filled the Empress's palace. Li Yue had already turned a corner on the imperial carriage. It was just a matter of putting the child to sleep.
At most, this kid is a bit too clever, a bit too old, and a bit too unpredictable...
As soon as he entered, Ling Xiao sat on the bed, grinning mischievously and drawing out his words, "Nephew, why are you so late? Come and warm your aunt's bed."
Like a petty thug.
Li Yue nodded calmly, waved the others away, and placed his hand on the first jade button...
"Wow, is this something I can watch without paying?" The system stared intently, trying to keep its mouth shut.
Next, "Hmm, the undergarment made of soft gauze looks quite good."
"Actually, six yuan isn't bad either."
"…………"
As Ling Xiao listened to the system's chattering in her head, she buried herself under the thick blanket and couldn't help but laugh, making strange noises as she was covered up.
When Li Yue finally fell asleep, his ordeal began.
He was kicked awake and wanted water, and he had to bring it to him personally.
Alright, Li Yue suppressed his anger and got out of bed to fetch water. Yan Pei, who was serving by the bedside, respectfully handed him the water cup, not daring to look at his master's expression.
It'll be fine after I drink the water, right? Haha, the candle's too bright, I need to move it...
"Aunt, did I do something wrong? Please enlighten me." After all that fuss, Li Yue couldn't hold back any longer.
Ling Xiao immediately replied innocently, "There's nothing wrong, but I'm not used to sleeping in new beds, so I can't fall asleep."
"What was the bed you used to sleep in like? I will have the craftsmen make an exact replica of it tomorrow—no, right now."
"OK"
Just as Li Yue showed a hint of joy, the little girl mocked, "But Auntie is afraid you won't be able to do it."
The ghost said, "The bed I used to sleep on was made of ten-thousand-year-old warm jade, and the Fire God personally carved and crafted it. It could gather yang energy without harming ghosts, and the curtains were woven by the Weaver Girl using the divine light of seventeen hundred different colors collected from the heavens."
"How is it, nephew..."
Li Yue, Li Yue has become withdrawn.
The next day.
During the morning court session, the ministers reported on the recent state of affairs, but found that His Majesty seemed listless, often closing his eyes for light sleep, and then suddenly waking up.
Wang Yi frowned deeply, thinking that the emperor was distracted by the scheming concubines vying for his favor.
The other officials weren't blind either, but they were hesitant to immediately offer their advice.
Xu Yan was straightforward and honest, a typical male chauvinist. He couldn't stand this kind of thing, so he immediately stepped forward and launched into a long and scathing attack on the emperor and the so-called vixen.
I was already sleep-deprived, and then I got yelled at.
Li Yue's anger grew stronger and stronger, and he suddenly stood up and left.
The emperor was left with a hall full of astonished ministers, for he had never before ignored a minister's advice during his long reign.
Yan Pei quietly went to Wang Yi's side, whispered something in his ear, and then left.
"Ahem, Minister Xu, His Majesty is still diligent in his duties, so we shouldn't be too harsh on him."
Xu Yan's gaze toward Wang Yi gradually changed, eventually turning into contempt for a treacherous official.
The head of all officials, the prime minister!
They actually became the emperor's mouthpiece. It was one thing for a minister to not fulfill his duty to advise the emperor when he made a mistake, but he also prevented loyal and upright ministers from remonstrating with him.
Traitor! Utterly treacherous.
Seeing Xu Yan's mocking look, Wang Yi felt helpless; he didn't want to get involved in this mess either.
But how could that reason be said in public?
Is she going to make another impolite request, asking the Emperor of Jin to sleep with her?
If this were to spread among the common people and be exploited by those with ulterior motives, the imperial authority would be completely destroyed.
To put it bluntly, you can do it, but you can't say it.
Wang Yi had a headache and no other choice. He pursed his lips, grabbed Xu Yan, and quickly explained the situation.
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