Chapter 14 Chapter 14
All the color drained from Yuan Mu's face.
Her voice trembled: "What are you talking about?"
Yuan Mu's white knuckles were clenched tightly, her eyes were shaking, and her ears were buzzing. She could hardly believe what her father said.
The emperor attached great importance to women's chastity.
Yuan Mu lost her virginity before marriage, and she suffered a lot because of it.
He couldn't tolerate her meeting her ex-fiancé at all.
If the emperor knew that she was pregnant with another man's child...
The consequences were so terrible that Yuan Mu didn't even dare to think about it. The joy he had just felt from seeing his aunt and sister quickly disappeared.
Her emotions were suppressed, but Yuan Wei's expression was calm to the extreme.
He looked at the setting golden crow and raised his eyelids slightly: "Let's try it first."
How can you try such a thing?
Yuan Mu was shocked. She tried her best to refute, but before she could say anything, the emperor came over.
The status of a palace concubine is special. Even when meeting her biological father, she often has to sit behind a curtain.
Yuan Mu suppressed the words that were on the tip of her tongue. She bowed and called softly, "Your Majesty."
But her body was still slightly bent, so the emperor held her hand.
Yuan Mu's identity is special, and they rarely get so close in front of others, let alone in front of Yuan Wei.
However, both of them looked very calm, as if nothing had happened.
The emperor held Yuan Mu's hand, gently kneading her finger bones, and said slowly: "It's getting late, Yuan Qing, you should return home as soon as possible."
The sunset glow illuminated his dark almond-shaped eyes.
In the darkness, there seemed to be a golden-red light.
Yuan Mu suddenly didn't dare to look into the emperor's eyes. Her fingertips were burning, and she resisted the urge to withdraw her hand.
Yuan Wei was not one to be ignorant of humour. He laughed heartily and said, "Then I will not trouble Your Majesty any more."
He bowed and left, his clothes fluttering in the wind as he stood up.
The emperor was very satisfied with Yuan Wei.
This was his founding hero and the person he trusted most today.
Even the sons he gave birth to were talented people who could be put to important positions.
"If only your father had a few more sons," the emperor said with a faint smile, "I wouldn't have to worry about not having capable ministers to serve in the future."
Yuan Wei had many wives and concubines, as well as many illegitimate sons and daughters.
But the only legitimate son is Brother Yuan Mu.
Mrs. Cui had no children for many years, and she married in early, so she treated the two children of the previous wife as her own children.
Before Yuan Mu entered the palace, his brother had been working outside.
He came from a noble family, was cold and serious, had outstanding abilities, and became a local official at a young age.
It's just that he has never liked Yuan Mu.
Yuan Mu wanted to answer the emperor seriously, but his mind kept replaying what his father had just said.
She was very confused and only came to her senses after he patted her face.
The emperor stared into Yuan Mu's watery eyes and lowered his voice: "What are you thinking about?"
She was very afraid of his expression, so she quickly pursed her lips and shook her head, saying, "I'm not thinking anything, Your Majesty."
Yuan Mu's expression changed quickly, but the emperor's eyes still darkened a little.
Walk up the long steps and you will enter the Ziwei Hall.
"New Year's Day is coming soon," the emperor said casually, "You haven't recovered yet, so you should stay here for the next few days."
His knuckles caressed Yuan Mu's face.
When the cold ring touched her snow-white cheek, she trembled slightly.
Yuan Mu really wanted to return to Qingning Palace. Being under the emperor's gaze day and night would only make her tense all the time.
But in the end she didn't dare to say no.
Sleeping and waking up with the emperor was an extremely stressful thing, as his temperament was unpredictable and his moods were changeable.
Yuan Mu would rather he stay in Qingning Palace every night than live in Ziwei Palace.
Fortunately, the emperor has been very busy recently, and his schedule is very different from Yuan Mu's.
Every time she woke up, he had left, and when she fell asleep, he had not returned.
At least I don't have to face him during the day.
Concubines are not allowed to interfere in government affairs.
Yuan Mu was often favored by the emperor, but she never knew what the emperor was doing. She knew him perhaps even less than the court ladies.
But this also fits her purpose, which is to be favored.
Occasionally, when Yuan Mu was woken up in the middle of the night, he felt uncomfortable all over.
She bit her lips, her knees were swollen and red, and her shoulders were shaking.
Yuan Mu really wanted to stop it, but after his sobs and begging came out, what he got in return was not pity, but even deeper torture.
The emperor looked depressed, with dark and gloomy eyes.
Yuan Mu was not good at talking and didn't know how to comfort him, so he just exposed his body and endured his plunder.
This happened every night, and it was difficult for her to wake up early.
The only advantage of being in Ziwei Palace is that you don’t have to see the queen anymore.
In other words, you don't have to meet anyone.
When Yuan Mu was in Qingning Palace, she rarely went out. Whenever she went to see her elder sister, she had to inform the emperor first.
But after arriving at the Ziwei Palace, she almost never even stepped out of the inner hall.
I feel confused at night and not very clear-headed during the day.
The days were too chaotic, and most of the time, Yuan Mu didn't feel like she was a living person with flesh and blood.
She was more like a plaything for men to do whatever they wanted. Having her chin lifted up and pressed down for a kiss was the last act of pity for her.
Negative emotions permeate silently.
But Yuan Mu was not awake for much of the day, so she could bear it. However, when she occasionally looked up at the dome of the Ziwei Palace, she felt that it was like a cage.
And she is a caged bird that cannot even flap its wings.
When the New Year came, Yuan Mu finally ended his chaotic life of partying every night.
The emperor's affairs were also completely completed.
Early in the morning, he lifted her up from the quilt. His brows relaxed and he patiently changed her clothes.
This is the third New Year they have spent together.
The atmosphere outside was cheerful, Yuan Mu had stayed on the terrace for a long time yesterday.
Hearing the gossip of the passing palace maids, a new flower pond was added to the Plum Garden. By next summer, we will be able to see the magnificent sight of lotus leaves reaching the sky.
After the emperor ascended the throne, he did not even expand the palace.
He never built any large-scale buildings, but he was particularly attentive to the renovation of the plum garden.
I heard that even the design drawings were drawn by him personally. When Empress Yuan heard this, her eyes were red with excitement.
No wonder the emperor is so busy as the year draws to a close.
Previously, the emperor was angry because of the two girls from the Cui family, and even Yuan Mu was affected.
But there is no overnight hatred between husband and wife.
Within a few days, the emperor and the empress had resumed their previous closeness.
The emperor doted on the queen even more than before.
Yuan Mu lowered his eyes, curled up his slender white fingers, and finally left the terrace quietly.
In the early morning of New Year’s Eve, the desolate sky seemed to be dyed with the joy of the world.
In the mist, there is a light red sunrise.
The sun shines brightly, like strands of gold.
"You've been stuck in the palace for so many days," the emperor said softly, "it's time to go out for a walk."
His expression was calm and clear, completely different from the sickly look that appeared behind the curtain.
Yuan Mu didn't know where the emperor was going to take her.
She had a nightmare last night. After having breakfast and washing up, her mind was still not very clear, and she sat sluggishly beside the emperor.
When he saw the King of Chu in a crimson robe, Yuan Mu suddenly raised his head.
She wanted to stand up and salute the King of Chu, but before she could open her mouth, the emperor grabbed her waist and made her sit down.
The King of Chu was composed and said calmly, "My Lord greets the Empress Zhaoyi."
He still looked the same, wearing a crimson robe that illuminated the solemn and majestic Ziwei Palace.
Do you want to go out with the King of Chu?
Yuan Muwei was stunned for a moment, and before she came to her senses, she heard a sweet laugh.
"Brother, if you don't come back," the girl said in a soft voice, "I'm going to rush all the way to Shuofang to find you."
A gentle male voice responded to her.
"Little Ancestor, even if it's just for you," he said with a smile, "I'll have to come back as fast as I can."
The brother and sister were very close, and when they walked side by side, it was like a rising moon.
They are the Xi brothers and sisters.
If we were to say which clan is the most eye-catching in the capital today, it would undoubtedly be the Xi family, whose ancestral home is in Gaoping.
When the country was first founded, the Xi family was a hero. Although they have experienced setbacks over the years, their status remains second to none.
The reason is simple: the emperor's mother was from the Xi family.
Among the entire Xi family of this generation, the most outstanding ones are the Xi Rongjing siblings from the main branch.
Three months ago, the emperor went to Shuofang, and he was accompanied by Xi Rongjing, the young head of the Xi family.
Equally famous in the capital is his sister Xi Lanyan.
Xi Lanyan is still young, having just turned sixteen this year, but she has an extraordinary temperament and a kind heart, and is a well-known talented woman.
Among the girls, she is the most dazzling pearl.
Few people would not feel ashamed when standing in front of such a person.
Yuan Mu is one year older than Xi Lanyan, but when the two stand together, no one would think they are the same age.
Xi Lanyan is so bright and beautiful.
Yuan Mu is like the moonlight in the ditch. She is certainly beautiful, but no one would yearn for such beauty.
The emperor leaned back and saw the two people come in, his eyes and brows still lazy.
He said calmly, "If you dare to go to Shuofang, I will have your pass sealed."
Since Shang Yang's reform, the household registration system has been gradually established. Even if the powerful and wealthy want to travel, they need to have a written certificate. In the previous dynasty, it was called a "Guosuo", but now it has been changed to a "Luyin".
Xi Lanyan was stunned, and her pretty face wrinkled.
She said coquettishly: "Your Majesty, why are you like this?"
Yuan Mu rarely accompanied the emperor to meet outsiders.
It was the first time she knew that a girl dared to do this in front of the emperor.
There was more respect between Empress Yuan and the Emperor. They respected and loved each other and treated each other like guests.
But perhaps because they lacked the proper respect between husband and wife, they were never close enough to the point of inappropriate behavior.
The emperor wasn't angry. He stroked the folding fan in his hand, a smile on his lips: "I can not only grant you a pass once, but also grant you a pass every time. What can you do to me?"
He is extremely powerful, even cold-blooded and murderous, and rarely so gentle.
Xi Lanyan was so angry that her face turned red and her beautiful eyes widened.
But as the emperor said, she really couldn't do anything to him.
His elder brother, Xi Rongjing, was also amused. His gentle face lit up and he said with a smile, "Did you hear what His Majesty said?"
The two of them sang the same tune, which made Xi Lanyan very angry.
Only the King of Chu stood up to her and said lazily, "What's there to be afraid of? I'll take you out of the capital, and everything will be fine."
Xi Lanyan's eyebrows curved again.
She smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Zhang."
They chatted very casually, and the boundary between the monarch and his subjects seemed to be non-existent.
If Empress Yuan were here, she would surely be able to act like a sweet talker, accompanying the Emperor appropriately and gently joining in the conversation.
It can give the guests enough face without appearing too excessive.
But Yuan Mu just felt awkward. She was not good at dealing with such occasions and didn't know what to say.
She is like a beautiful vase, useless.
The emperor put his arm around Yuan Mu's waist, and seeing that she lowered her eyes and remained silent, he didn't say much. He took her hand and stood up.
He said nonchalantly, "Well, it's getting late. We have a banquet in the evening. We must be back before sunset."
The carriage had been prepared long ago, and the emperor's black-clad cavalrymen were accompanying him.
Their faces were covered by helmets, with only a pair of dark eyes visible through the gaps.
The emperor had something to say to the King of Chu, leaving Yuan Mu behind.
She was slightly startled when she saw so many soldiers, and almost fell down when she was going down the stairs. Fortunately, Xi Rongjing beside her was quick-witted and caught her.
His voice was gentle: "Are you okay?"
Xi Rongjing was a gentle and refined gentleman, but the big hand he held on Yuan Mu's arm was very powerful.
Yuan Mushu breathed a sigh of relief and pursed his lips, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Xi."
Xi Rongjing was very polite and immediately let go of Yuan Mu's hand after he stood firm.
The emperor didn't pay attention to what was happening here. After telling the King of Chu about the matter, he brought Yuan Mu back to his side.
Today is New Year's Eve, and the palace lanterns are particularly bright.
The sun had not risen for long, and the mist was dotted with stars, like a magnificent glow of light.
Yuan Mu got into the carriage with the emperor, while the Xi brothers and sisters got into the same carriage with the King of Chu.
The emperor has been very tired these days, and there is a hint of fatigue in Danfeng's eyes.
Yuan Mu lived in Ziwei Palace for many days, but he didn't spend much time with him during the day. He only knew that he was extremely cruel when he demanded things at night.
The emperor put his arm around Yuan Mu's waist, his long eyelashes half closed, and leaned against Yuan Mu's shoulder. She thought he wanted to rob her in the carriage, and she struggled instinctively.
But the next moment, the emperor's slap landed on the tip of her buttocks.
"What are you making a fuss about?" His voice was hoarse. "If you make a fuss again, I'll..."
The carriage was very quiet. There was a very crisp "pop" sound. The emperor did not hold back his strength. Yuan Mu felt so much pain that his eyes suddenly became moist.
After hearing the emperor's words, she dared not move.
"Let me lean on you for a while." The emperor whispered.
Perhaps he was really tired, as he closed his eyes and did not open them for a long time.
The emperor's carriage was extremely spacious and tall.
But when the two men leaned against each other, and the emperor was tall, the originally spacious space became cramped.
Yuan Mu's buttocks hurt, she took a deep breath, and her eyes became more and more tearful.
The inhalation sound was very low, but it could not be ignored.
The emperor closed his eyes, changed his position, and held Yuan Mu in his arms.
He held her buttocks like a child, rubbing them and coaxing her: "Did it hurt you just now? Let me rub it."
Yuan Mu didn't like being intimate with the emperor anywhere except under the bed curtains.
But she couldn't hide, so she had to bite her lips and accept the emperor's comfort.
There is a distance from the palace to the villa in the suburbs of Beijing.
At first, the emperor just rubbed Yuan Mu lightly, but his actions gradually changed in meaning.
The weariness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a very dangerous emotion.
Yuan Mu noticed it very quickly. She turned her face to the side and gently pressed the emperor's hand: "It doesn't hurt anymore, Your Majesty."
Her cheeks were lightly pink.
It was a gorgeous color similar to peach blossoms, which disturbed her cool temperament.
The burning mature red at the corners of the eyes is even more alluring.
There was a flicker of light in Yuan Mu's eyes. Her forbearing expression would not make people feel pity, but would only arouse a deeper desire for aggression.
The emperor didn't force it, but he didn't let go of his palm.
"Is it really not painful anymore?" He leaned over and said, "I hit you a little too hard just now. Let me take a look."
As the emperor spoke, he lowered his head and kissed Yuan Mu's neck.
She was forced to raise her head, and the defensive posture she had just put up was easily dismantled by the emperor.
Yuan Mu whimpered, and without any preparation, his soft lips were kissed thoroughly.
-
The carriage traveled for half an hour and finally arrived at the villa on the outskirts of Beijing.
The Xi brothers and sisters and the King of Chu were all talkative people. The three of them chatted all the way and did not feel that the journey was long at all.
The King of Chu was the first to get off the carriage.
He stretched his arms and stroked the sword at his waist like a young man.
Xi Lanyan smiled and said, "Brother Zhang is really handsome, but when can you find me a sister-in-law?"
She was spoiled by her family, so she was naturally calm when teasing the prince.
They had a very good relationship when they were young, and even after not seeing each other for many years, they kept in touch through letters.
After the King of Chu returned to the capital, the few of them quickly got in touch again.
This is not the first time we have met.
The King of Chu stroked his sleeves and said softly, "You should find me a brother-in-law first."
Xi Lanyan was about to jump up when she heard that.
She possesses the virtuousness and elegance of a noble lady, as well as the vigor and liveliness of a young girl, and is very popular among the powerful and wealthy.
Everyone, young or old, male or female, likes her very much.
Xi Rongjing smiled helplessly and secretly made a gesture to the King of Chu.
The King of Chu did not indulge Xi Lanyan and continued, "You are sixteen years old, aren't you in a hurry to get married?"
The two of them quarreled for a while before the emperor's carriage finally arrived. However, after the carriage stopped, he did not get off immediately.
The emperor rarely brought female relatives with him when he traveled.
None of the concubines in the harem are easy to deal with.
Empress Yuan said she was the only one favored, but in fact she was weak and sickly, and could not even accept the favor.
Is she really that weak?
Not necessarily.
Except for the critical moment when she fell ill, Empress Yuan's body was not so weak that it would break at the slightest touch.
She was unwilling to take the risk of having a child.
With a body like hers, once she entered the delivery room, even if no one interfered, she would most likely die from dystocia.
Therefore, Empress Yuan did not dare to give birth.
The emperor has been on the throne for two years, but he is still the same as when he was the crown prince.
Standing like a delicate orchid and a jade tree, smiling like the bright moon in your arms.
He was so elegant and graceful that Xi Lanyan always believed that he had never been involved with women.
But when she saw Yuan Mu in Ziwei Palace just now, the string in her heart suddenly tightened.
This one from the Yuan family truly has a beauty that could bring disaster to the country.
Everyone said that Empress Yuan was outstanding in appearance and beauty, but no matter how she dressed up, her face could not compare to that of her younger sister whom she looked down upon.
If we just compare beauty, she is not even worthy of carrying Yuan Zhaoyi's shoes.
Yuan Mu's aura was not strong, but she looked ethereal and transcendent, like the cool moon in the sky, clear and cold, like a fairy who was not of this world.
But her presence is not weak at all.
Xi Lanyan dared to guarantee that if it weren't for the emperor's presence, even her brother would not be able to help but cast a glance at Yuan Mu.
She was so beautiful.
But what made Xi Lanyan even more unbearable was the intimacy between her and the emperor.
When Xi Lanyan saw the emperor secretly holding Yuan Mu's knuckles in the Ziwei Palace, she almost lost her composure.
She had never seen him treat anyone so affectionately in all these years.
No wonder he hid in the palace, refused to be brought out to see people, and was not allowed to attend ordinary banquets.
No one knew what happened in the carriage. In the end, Yuan Mu was carried down by the emperor. Her cheeks were buried in his chest. Her face seemed to be red from crying, but it also seemed to be red for some other reason.
The emperor said calmly, "A Luo just bumped into something. Let's go and deal with it first."
His expression was still calm, but there was a faint scratch on the side of his neck.
After saying this, the emperor went into the villa first.
When the previous emperor was alive, he built many palaces near Jingzhao.
But they travel privately and don't like to disturb others, so they often come to the villa here.
The emperor would also accompany them in disguise.
Youth is such a beautiful time.
Xi Lanyan was invited to go on a trip today. She thought everything was the same as before, but she didn't expect that things and people have changed.
She clenched her fingers, the joy she had felt in the early morning gone.
When the emperor brought Yuan Mu out again, her dress had changed and her hair accessories had changed from golden and jade to emerald green.
The seemingly ordinary lily is actually translucent green all over and is definitely a priceless treasure.
But Yuan Mu seemed to be uncomfortable and kept pursing his lips.
Xi Lanyan clenched her knuckles until they almost bled, only then did she avoid losing her composure.
She lowered her eyes to hide all the abnormalities, then raised her face and looked at Yuan Mu with a smile: "Sister, is your leg better?"
Yuan Mu pursed her lips tightly. She subconsciously avoided Xi Lanyan's gaze, unwilling to answer this embarrassing question.
But before she could say anything, the emperor spoke: "Call me sister-in-law."
There was a look of satisfaction in his almond-shaped eyes, sweeping away the previous lethargy. There was a charm in his dark eyes, and his hand was around Yuan Mu's waist.
"No," Xi Lanyan said coquettishly, "Sister-in-law calls me old."
She raised the corners of her lips and said, "Sister is so young and beautiful, of course I have to call her sister."
This is a troublemaker. Once you get involved with her, there will be no end to it.
"It's up to you." The emperor turned his head to look at Yuan Mu, "Are you thirsty? Drink some water first."
She said "hmm" softly, and a servant brought her cups.
There are many things to do in the courtyard.
Make a hole in the middle of the frozen lake, move a small stool, and start fishing.
Yuan Mu was kept in a farm when he was young, and after entering the palace he rarely left.
The farthest place she has ever been to is Qingyun Temple, where she goes every year.
Yuan Mu's heavy and troubled mood began to improve after he caught several fish in succession.
She had rarely been out and knew nothing, so the emperor taught her step by step. When he changed into casual clothes, he looked like an ordinary, elegant and handsome young man.
Xi Rongjing and the King of Chu are also very good at having fun.
Yuan Mu's eyes widened as he watched them scale the fish, marinate it with seasonings, and then roast it over the fire.
She had never thought that people of their status would also have these things.
It was the first time Yuan Mu ate grilled fish like this, and he only put it down after eating two pieces.
She has a small appetite and always wants to leave after drinking half a bowl of porridge.
The emperor put his arm around Yuan Mu's shoulders, leaned back, and said with a smile, "I really should ask you to be the chef of Ziwei Palace."
The sun rises to the zenith, and the golden light spreads.
Yuan Mu felt a little hot after dinner, so he untied the tassel of his coat.
The neckline of her petticoat was slightly low, revealing the mark on her collarbone. When she raised her hand to cover it, the thin bracelet on her wrist was also exposed.
The Emperor and the King of Chu took Xi Lanyan to go ice skating somewhere else.
There are only Xi Rongjing and Yuan Mu here.
He saw the jade bracelet on her wrist, and his expression changed slightly: "You still have this bracelet."
Xi Rongjing's words were very implicit.
What he really wanted to ask was, are you still thinking about Helan Zhen?
Xi Rongjing didn't say the name out loud, but Yuan Mu understood what he meant.
She was raised in Zhuangzi for many years and was unknown to the dignitaries in the capital. She only met Xi Rongjing once when she was in Qingyun Temple.
Later, Yuan Mu was forced to enter the palace and seek to live with Xi Rongjing.
As a result, he became one of the few people who knew about Helan Zhen's existence.
Yuan Mu lowered her sleeves and covered the thin bracelet again. She lowered her head and her long eyelashes drooped.
Her voice trembled slightly: "You are mistaken, Mr. Xi."
Xi Rongjing was a gentleman, so he didn't ask any more questions and slowly changed the subject: "How are your sister and His Majesty doing lately?"
Yuan Mu didn't want to answer this question even more.
She hummed a low "hmm" and then fell silent.
Fortunately, the emperor came back soon.
He naturally reached out to Yuan Mu's lower abdomen and touched her belly: "Are you full?"
Yuan Mu was a little embarrassed, turned his head and replied, "I have eaten, Your Majesty."
"After eating, take a rest for a while," the emperor picked her up and said, "Go to sleep for a while."
Yuan Mu's body suddenly flew into the air, and she hugged the emperor's neck tightly, being held in his arms like a young bird.
In this era, we can’t say that we are very conservative, but we can’t say that we are very open either.
When the King of Chu came over, Xi Rongjing was looking at the two people's departing backs, without saying a word for a long time.
He asked casually, "What were you talking about with her just now?"
Just like Xi Lanyan, the King of Chu did not use the title "sister-in-law".
Xi Rongjing shook his head, his expression returning to its gentle and elegant state. "What else can I say to Empress Zhaoyi? Of course I'll ask her if the grilled fish is delicious."
"Your Highness the Prince of Chu," he smiled, "what did you talk about with A Yan just now?"
Yuan Mu had no way of knowing what the two of them were talking about.
She was caught in the waves, being pushed up and down again and again, suffering endless torture.
This is no rest at all.
Yuan Mu's eyes were filled with tears. She kept trying to escape, but the emperor held her waist tightly.
He finally let her go when the sun began to set.
When he was about to finish, the emperor kissed the back of Yuan Mu's neck and said in a hoarse voice: "Let me kiss you again."
He was like an addict who tried to fight his addiction but ultimately failed.
I tried to resist and stop indulging, but the result was that I fell deeper and deeper, until it was like being in a quagmire and there was no way out.
Yuan Mu raised his chin in confusion and was kissed by the emperor again.
She screamed and cried, unable to bear any more torture, and tears kept falling down.
If there is no banquet in the evening.
There is a great possibility that the emperor will seize Yuan Mu's entire afternoon and evening here.
Even so, they were a little late returning to the palace.
The emperor changed his carriage midway and left first.
Yuan Mu slept soundly all the way and didn't even have the strength to lift a finger.
After all, it’s a New Year’s banquet.
As Yuan Mu was a Zhaoyi and the Queen's sister, it was not easy for her not to attend.
So the emperor arranged for Xi Lanyan to accompany Yuan Mu and go together when the time comes.
The two of them rode in the same carriage, but they were silent all the way.
Yuan Mu just woke up when she entered the nine-story palace. The palace maid hurriedly changed her clothes and makeup, and then sent someone to take her there.
Yuan Mu hurried to the banquet, and when he saw that the time was up, he said goodbye to Xi Lanyan.
The two have different identities. She is a concubine, and Xi Lanyan is an unmarried noble lady.
If people really saw them together, it would probably affect Xi Lanyan's reputation.
Yuan Mu was too anxious and didn't even think about why Xi Lanyan, who was talkative and lively during the day, was always so quiet.
All her thoughts were focused on the year-end banquet.
When Empress Yuan saw Yuan Mu coming, she immediately let her in.
"Are you feeling better?" Empress Yuan asked anxiously. "You've been sick lately, and I thought something was wrong with you."
Yuan Mu's cheeks were unnaturally flushed because of his haste.
She shook her head and whispered, "I'm much better now, my lady."
Empress Yuan tightly grasped Yuan Mu's hand and breathed a sigh of relief: "It's all right, it's all right."
Yuan Mu didn't dare let Queen Yuan know that the truth behind her repeated illnesses was because of her nightly revelry with the emperor.
Fortunately, they had a lot of things to do tonight, so they didn't need to continue reminiscing.
After three rounds of drinks, Yuan Mu was finally able to catch his breath.
She walked to the warm room by the water, and the scent of cosmetics lingering in her nose gradually disappeared.
Yuan Mu was drunk and pushed the door open, walking into the warm rest room. Just as he stepped over the screen and was about to lie down on the couch, he smelled an extremely strange fragrance.
Several strange tall men surrounded her from behind, casting a heavy shadow.
They were masked, dressed in black, and walked silently, approaching her like ghosts.
"Your Majesty, we are here to serve you on the orders of Lord Yuan."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
