How could someone say that so easily?
In front of so many of his sisters, and in front of the woman he had long doted on, he was actually able to say those words to her so calmly.
He managed to offend neither side.
The Empress was unsure how to react to this unexpected situation.
She lowered her head, coughed softly, trying to use this subtle movement to cover up her helplessness, and forced a smile as she replied, "Your Majesty is quite the joker. It seems Your Majesty hasn't stepped into the inner palace for quite some time; you must be missing Consort Xian."
"Then I will not disturb Your Majesty's time with Consort Xian any longer. I will take my leave now."
After saying this, the Empress got up and left.
The emperor, however, showed no intention of trying to keep her.
Seeing this, Consort Shu and Consort De quickly followed the Empress in taking their leave, afraid that they would become superfluous at this awkward moment.
Rong Yang felt both embarrassed and helpless as she watched this scene.
She knew that the Emperor's long absence from the inner palace, and his direct visit to her, meant it couldn't be just for a casual chat. Therefore, she had no face to ask the Empress and other concubines to stay, and could only quickly rise to see them off. "Your Majesty, my two elder sisters, I am truly sorry for today. I will definitely come to pay my respects to you again when I have more free time."
"OK…"
The Empress responded softly, a nonchalant smile on her face, and then led her entourage away in a grand procession.
As soon as they left, the once bustling hall fell silent. The servants also quickly withdrew, leaving only her and the emperor sitting opposite each other, the atmosphere somewhat awkward.
Rong Yang's eyes flickered uncertainly, clearly feeling somewhat uneasy about this sudden solitude. She moved her feet slightly, trying to find a more comfortable distance, while carefully pouring him a cup of hot tea. Her movements were gentle and meticulous, as if afraid of displeasing this imposing figure.
She lowered her eyes and whispered, "Your Majesty... what brings you to the inner palace today? Is there something important?"
Upon hearing this, the emperor's lips curled into an enigmatic smile, a smile that seemed to hold many profound meanings. He suddenly reached out and pulled her onto his lap, a move so swift that Rong Yang was caught off guard.
She gasped, her cheeks instantly flushing red. She struggled to get off his lap, but the emperor's arms were like iron hoops, holding her tightly and preventing her from moving. He then said, "If I hadn't come, you would have been run away by the empress. I am busy with state affairs and rarely have time to attend to the harem. These women brought into the palace are more like playmates for the empress!"
She could only lower her head, avoiding his deep, unfathomable eyes, her voice tinged with shyness and unease, "Your Majesty, why do you sound like you're jealous of the Empress? Are you upset that I'm getting too close to her?"
Upon hearing this, the emperor's smile deepened. He gently stroked Rong Yang's delicate cheek, the warmth of his fingertips seemingly penetrating her skin and reaching her heart.
His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of barely perceptible tenderness. "Jealous of the Empress? I've never heard of such a thing before, but it does sound rather interesting."
Rong Yang felt the warm breath brush against her cheek, and her heart couldn't help but beat faster.
She tried to calm her inner turmoil and make her voice sound more composed: "Your Majesty and the Empress are a model of a loving couple. I still remember when I traveled from the Southern Dynasty to the capital of Dajing, I heard many stories about you and the Empress!"
Upon hearing this, a complex look flashed across the emperor's eyes, but he quickly regained his nonchalant demeanor.
He chuckled softly and pulled Rong Yang a little closer, so close that they could almost feel each other's breath.
His deep voice sounded in my ear, "Oh? You've been in the palace for quite some time now. Do you still hold this view of the relationship between me and the Empress?"
With that, he suddenly pulled Rong Yang closer, so close they could almost feel each other's breath. Rong Yang's heart tightened, but she dared not resist and could only let him do as he pleased.
A strange feeling welled up in Rong Yang's heart. She looked up into the emperor's deep eyes, as if trying to find the answer within them.
But then she lowered her head again, not daring to look directly into those eyes.
She replied softly, "Your Majesty is foolish and dares not presume to speculate on the feelings between Your Majesty and the Empress. But I know that no matter where we are, we should be dutiful and serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly."
The emperor smiled slightly upon hearing this, "You put it well, as if all my women have this advantage, they are all quite eloquent."
“Your Majesty… Your concubine…” Rong Yang dared not reply.
She looked at the emperor timidly.
That look carried an indescribable sense of familiarity, as if I had seen it somewhere before, yet it was also mixed with a touch of strangeness, making it impossible to pinpoint exactly which fragment of memory it was.
A complex emotion welled up in the emperor's heart. He tried to pinpoint the source of this emotion, but found himself sinking deeper and deeper into it.
In the end, he chose to escape, gently covering her eyes, as if this would shut her out the things she didn't want to think about.
In terms of beauty, no one in the magnificent imperial harem could compare to Rong Yang. Her beauty was like a flower blooming in spring, unforgettable at first glance.
However, if judged solely on the eyes, no one can match even a fraction of the Empress's beauty.
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