That night, inside the Xuanming Hall.
After finishing processing the memorials, Yan Beimo leaned back lazily in his chair. After a while, he seemed to remember something, opened his eyes, and casually looked at the woman kneeling on the ground.
Peony was dressed in a light blue dress, her kneeling body swaying gently in the breeze. Her face was washed clean, and her eyes were fixed on the emperor before her, her gaze alluring.
Yan Beimo stared at her face, momentarily lost in thought.
He leaned back in his chair, watching quietly without saying a word or moving.
At first, it was alright; Peony could kneel and withstand his scrutiny. But as time went on, she couldn't help but feel afraid.
The emperor of the Central Plains had a truly frightening gaze.
Thinking of the immense wealth and power the adults spoke of, and the position second only to the emperor, she couldn't help but harbor wicked thoughts.
She tugged at her dress and said in a soft, seductive voice.
"Your Majesty, you must be tired. Let me help you rest."
There was no sound from the person in front of her. She bit her lip, mustered her courage, and moved forward a little, wanting to get up and hug them.
Yan Beimo watched her movements indifferently, "Move again, and I'll kill you."
"---"
Peony was stunned, feeling all the joy in her body collapse from his words.
She thought she was brought here to serve the emperor, but since arriving, she's been kneeling on the ground waiting for him to finish reviewing the memorials. Now he's just staring at her without saying a word.
Is the emperor of the Central Plains a madman?
Her knees ached terribly from kneeling, but she remembered what the official had said: no noblewoman had ever had the chance to get close to His Majesty, but she could be in the same room with him as soon as she arrived, so she couldn't give up.
"But what did I do to displease Your Majesty?"
Before she could finish speaking, the man interrupted her.
“Say one more word and I’ll pull out your tongue.”
A chill ran down her spine, and she broke out in a cold sweat, shutting her mouth.
For several days in a row, every night, Peony would be summoned, kneeling quietly on the ground, letting the person above her scrutinize her.
People in the palace were saying that she was favored by the emperor, and even the Empress Dowager had summoned her.
Peony was pleased with herself, and inevitably became a little carried away.
When she was in the Gaoche Kingdom, she heard about the Central Plains Emperor's military achievements, and many women in the northern frontier wanted to see his beauty.
Originally, she was to be trained and sent to the young master of the Western Regions royal court.
Later, a powerful family from the Central Plains came to their place and took a liking to her at first sight. He specifically requested that she be presented as tribute to the Emperor of the Central Plains.
She was brought here, and thinking of His Majesty's appearance and strong physique, she couldn't help but feel her heart race.
"Let's go. What are you thinking about?"
Urged on by the guards behind her, Peony snapped out of her daydreams and entered the hall.
His Majesty, who is usually hunched over his desk, did not review any memorials today. He was standing by the window, looking at something.
Peony looked at that tall figure and slender waist, and couldn't help but feel weak in the knees.
She didn't want to come in every day kneeling on the ground and being stared at, so she gracefully walked over.
Yan Beimo heard the noise and spoke calmly.
"roll."
Peony was startled and dared not overstep the bounds, so she quietly knelt down on the spot.
She didn't know how long she had been kneeling before she felt the man standing by the window slowly walk to the imperial table. She swallowed hard and hurriedly said...
"Your Majesty, let me grind the powder."
She barely spoke a few words to this emperor from the Central Plains from the moment she met him.
He would just stare at her without saying a word.
Sometimes, she would sneak a peek and see him staring at her intently; other times, she would see the murderous intent in his eyes.
She was genuinely afraid and dared not seduce him as the master had instructed. His Majesty's eyes were too cold, unlike what the master had described.
"Your Majesty~"
The man above seemed lost in thought. She called out again, and he seemed to snap out of it.
"Go and pour a pot of tea."
The clear, cool voice was like jade striking each other, and Peony's heart fluttered. She quickly smiled and agreed, then stood up.
She deftly poured hot tea, brought it over, placed it on the table, and then very attentively began grinding the tea leaves.
But Yan Beimo's expression didn't seem very happy; it was so indifferent that his emotions were unreadable.
"You're quite efficient."
Peony thought it was a compliment and smiled, "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty."
"This tea isn't hot enough."
Peony, not understanding what he meant, didn't dare to reply.
Yan Beimo didn't seem to expect her to speak. He stared quietly at the pot of tea, lost in thought.
Just then, the sound of a night hawk came from outside.
"Your Majesty, the young prince has arrived."
Yan Beimo snapped out of his daze. "Come in."
Night Hawk carried A-Yu over and placed her on the imperial table.
Peony was annoyed at being disturbed. She glanced to the side and saw His Majesty looking at the little prince on the imperial table with indifferent eyes. Although his expression was indifferent, it was clear that there was more warmth in his eyes than when he looked at her.
She was even more annoyed and glared at Ayu, who was looking over.
Ayu sensed her displeasure, blinked, and stared at her.
The night hawk who brought Ayu in noticed the little prince's expression and couldn't help but look in the direction of the peony.
Actually, this peony only resembles the lady somewhat in appearance; their temperament and complexion are far different.
He couldn't help but sigh. Half a year ago, during the battle at Xishan Pass, His Majesty fainted after coming up from the bottom of the cave to save his wife.
The snow was falling heavily, and when they chased after her, the lady was gone. They could only take His Majesty back to Libei for treatment.
Later, the Qi army almost turned the snow cave upside down, but they still couldn't find the lady's body.
His Majesty was like a madman, constantly waging war, and destroyed Northern Liang in just six months. During that time, no one dared to mention the Lady's name.
At that time, His Majesty had been fighting for months and his body was exhausted, so he fell into a coma. The Great Qi needed to recuperate, so a truce was declared. Otherwise, a war with the Western Regions would have been inevitable.
After His Majesty regained consciousness, he suddenly ordered them to secretly search for the Lady's whereabouts, but they could not find her, and almost no one in the palace dared to mention the Lady again.
The young prince did make a fuss once, and was locked in the quiet room for three whole days, not allowed to see anyone. After that, he never made a fuss about seeing the madam again.
"Father---"
Ayu reached out her little hands for a hug.
Yan Beimo leaned back in his chair and pulled him into his arms.
Nighthawk waited quietly to the side, like an invisible man, showing no intention of going out.
Peony looked at Ayu's face, secretly glared at her, but pretended to like it and said.
"Your Highness is so handsome."
Yan Beimo said calmly, "Get out."
Peony thought that Night Hawk was to leave, and proudly raised her chin at Night Hawk, "My lord, please leave."
Night Hawk thought he was being referred to and was about to leave when he heard...
"You, get out."
Peony protested, "Your Majesty~"
Night Hawk quickly stepped forward to pull her along, saying, "Please, young lady."
His Majesty must not be pleased that the young prince sees this woman.
Peony wanted to say something, but she saw the gaze that was sweeping over her, which made her back tremble. She didn't dare to say anything more and silently followed them out.
"This concubine takes her leave."
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