Seeing Duobao's eyes change from bright to blank, Lvxiu immediately realized something. She quickly shut her lips, not uttering a single word, for fear of angering Mingyue.
"You can go down too!" Mingyue yawned and waved.
Green Sleeves felt as if she had been granted a pardon and immediately left the room.
After she left, Mingyue watched Green Sleeve's figure disappear from sight, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.
Perhaps because she had been consuming a diet containing alum for a long time, she became sleepy after only a short while.
Just as she was about to lie down on the bed, she remembered something and quickly stopped herself.
If we were to actually go to sleep, wouldn't that be falling into a trap set by someone behind the scenes?
So she fought off her sleepiness and started walking around the room, occasionally stretching her muscles. When she felt sleepy, she pinched her arm hard to stay awake.
Even after late at night, she continued in the same way, until finally midnight, when her body could no longer endure the torment.
She lay down on the bed, her breathing becoming deeper.
A faint floral fragrance filled the air, making her feel very comfortable.
Then she fell asleep...
The next morning, Mingyue woke up to find herself nestled in someone's arms. The unfamiliar scent made her open her eyes wide.
Her first reaction was to scream, but when she saw the face, she suddenly covered her mouth, her eyes filled with shock.
Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of her chest at any moment. This pounding wasn't a feeling of pleasure, but rather one of terror.
The man had long, thick eyelashes, like two small brushes. His skin was fair, but had many freckles.
Mingyue realized that the person in front of her was Xuan Ye, and the spots on his face must be from when he contracted smallpox.
"Mingyue, you're awake?" A gentle voice came from beside her ear, as if a spring breeze was blowing through her heart.
Mingyue glanced at him, then immediately lowered her gaze.
His voice was gentle, like a spring breeze.
Seeing that she had her head down, Xuan Ye assumed she was shy, so he lifted her chin and laughed, "Why are you shy? Don't you dare to look at me?"
His fingers traced her eyelids, the tip of her nose, and her rosy lips, finally landing on her ear. He said gently, "When I came over last night, you were already asleep, and I didn't want to disturb you."
Mingyue felt itchy, and she subconsciously dodged his hand.
A hint of sadness flashed in Xuan Ye's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and continued to ask, "Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat? I have already ordered some porridge and pastries to be prepared."
Upon hearing that he had prepared breakfast, Mingyue's stomach immediately began to rumble.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed and unsure how to react, she could only nod and say a single word, "Mm."
Seeing her shyness, Xuan Ye's mood improved considerably. He stood up, walked to the table, sat down, instructed the palace maids to serve breakfast, and personally served Mingyue porridge.
Looking at his attentive manner, Mingyue was momentarily dazed. Could the majestic and proud emperor in history be so gentle?
Seeing that Xuan Ye's gaze was fixed on her, Mingyue quickly lowered her head and drank the porridge in her bowl.
"Eat slowly," Xuan Ye said softly.
This concern and doting made Mingyue flustered. She quickly looked up and said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, you should eat too!"
"Okay." Xuan Ye nodded, then picked up the spoon and swallowed the porridge in front of him, spoonful by spoonful.
After finishing his meal, Xuan Ye lightly wiped his lips and asked, "I heard you punished Duobao yesterday?"
Mingyue smiled, as if she had expected this. She did not answer his question, but instead asked, "Who told Your Majesty this?"
Xuan Ye didn't mince words and said directly, "She said it yesterday when Consort Hui was having her evening snack."
Mingyue raised an eyebrow. "You believe everything she says?"
"Isn't it because you don't believe me? Otherwise, why would I ask you?" Xuan Ye shook his head, without a trace of impatience on his face.
Mingyue chuckled twice. "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty." She paused, then added, "If I were to say that this is a reward given to her, rather than a punishment, would Your Majesty believe me?"
"Oh?" Xuan Ye was a little curious, having never heard of eating someone's vomit as a reward.
He stood up and said, "Tell me about it."
Mingyue nodded and slowly said, "Duobao is a thrifty person. He was heartbroken to see me throw up my lunch. He not only said that I would be punished by heaven for wasting food, but also said..."
She brought this up on purpose, hoping to pique Xuan Ye's curiosity even more.
As expected, Xuan Ye immediately asked, "What else is there to say?"
“And you also said…” Mingyue paused, feigning difficulty, her eyes darting around, before continuing, “When Emperor Taizu of Ming was still a beggar, he ate pig swill, but he never vomited like I do.”
Xuan Ye's brows furrowed: "She actually said that about you!"
He was angry for two reasons: first, that Duobao, a mere servant, dared to speak so disrespectfully to her master; and second, that she was praising the former emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang.
“Yes.” Mingyue nodded with tears in her eyes and said, “But I didn’t mean to. It was just too greasy. I felt nauseous and couldn’t help but vomit. Since she thinks it’s good, I’ll give it to her.”
"You did the right thing!" Xuan Ye smiled and stroked her hair. "It's a pity you're too soft-hearted. This kind of lowly servant should be sent to the Shenxing Division for reform. Simply rewarding her with this won't change her."
"Wouldn't this be too harsh?" Mingyue asked cautiously, though she was secretly delighted.
She knew she couldn't keep Duobao around because she had already alerted him, but she didn't know how to deal with her. Since Xuan Ye had made the offer, she would naturally go along with him.
Xuan Ye shook his head. "No, if it weren't for the fact that she once served you, she would be a corpse by now."
"Yes! Thank you for your leniency, Your Majesty." Mingyue curtsied and said, though she really wanted to say that they shouldn't give her face and should just order her to die.
Unfortunately, she didn't have the courage. She was afraid that Xuan Ye would think she was ruthless, and that she would lose the original owner's favor.
Just then, a shrill sound rang out…
"Your Majesty, it is time for court at Chenshi (7-9 AM)." A eunuch respectfully reported from outside the door.
Mingyue glanced at the eunuch and thought to herself: Isn't this an old acquaintance, Li Dequan?
At this moment, she finally understood why the name Li Dequan sounded familiar; it turned out he was a favorite of Emperor Xuan Ye.
Xuan Ye nodded. "Yes, I understand. You may leave now."
"This servant takes his leave!" Li Dequan bowed and withdrew.
After the eunuch left, Mingyue stood up. "Your Majesty, let me help you get dressed!"
Xuan Ye shook his head, "Now that you are clumsy, I will handle these small matters myself."
"Yes," Mingyue replied softly.
She knew he was feeling sorry for her, but she understood that she didn't love him, and everything he did was just to move the original owner of this body.
After Xuan Ye left, she lost her gentle demeanor and resumed her usual expression. She sat in front of the bronze mirror, seriously considering who this Consort Hui was.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
