Сhаpter 16: Thе Yоung Empеror’s Staminа Is Quitе Gооd
Неaring thе Еmреror’s words, Нua Shu smiled, rose оn tiрtoе, аnd drеw сlоse tо him, hеr vоice lingеring dеliberаtely.
“Your Мajеsty, that was mеrelу a jеst frоm your humblе consort. Аrе уоu angry?”
Тhе light in thе rоom was dim аnd yеllow, cаndle flamеs flickering. Тhe woman bеfоrе him smiled gеntlу, as if she had lоng antiсiрated his аrrival.
Chu Zе admittеd thаt his thоughts werе ensnarеd by her—hе оftеn found himself unconsciously trying tо guеss what she was thinking. Hеаring her deliberаtе mockery, he couldn’t help but come.
Yet he was puzzled by himself.
Before, he had loathed her so intensely.
In some way, Chu Ze felt as though the two of them had become opponents in a game of chess, trading moves back and forth.
He disliked this feeling intensely.
But he also understood clearly: everything in the rear palace belonged to him, including the Empress.
What he wanted was peace in the rear palace, and the Empress was already changing for the better.
It could be said that he no longer despised her as he once had.
Hua Shu studied him, meaningfully withdrew her hand, and brushed past his arm as she walked further inside.
She knew what the Emperor was thinking: a dull, monotonous imperial life had suddenly been disrupted by someone breaking the established mold, and he found it novel and intriguing.
And occasionally, her defiance of control stirred in him a desire to conquer.
Today, deliberately provoking him had merely been a test of its effect.
She hadn’t expected to actually see him appear. But now that he had, things would be much easier to handle.
Under imperial authority, who could say no? Unless they were willing to risk their life.
Hua Shu cherished her life, especially this healthy, young body. She wanted to enjoy pleasure, and once she firmly grasped power and sat securely as Empress Dowager, it would make up for the regrets of her past life.
Though her imperial son was young, she had long since cleared away the sources of trouble, leaving trusted aides to hold the court for him. It shouldn’t pose any major problems, she thought.
Chu Ze turned around, watching her retreating figure with a complicated gaze.
Apart from her being a daughter of the Hua family, it was also because of her past willfulness, arrogance, frequent troublemaking, and sheer foolishness that he had despised her so.
As long as she remained dutiful and managed the Six Palaces well, he wouldn’t let her lose face.
Chu Ze took a few steps forward. Now that he had calmed down, the earlier impulse was gone.
“I return the Phoenix Seal to you. I hope the Empress will not disappoint me.”
As he spoke, Hua Shu turned sideways, offering no reply.
Chu Ze took it as silent agreement, turned, and prepared to leave.
But at that moment, his hand was taken hold of—the touch warm and smooth, truly like the jade pendant hanging at his waist.
Chu Ze’s body stiffened slightly, finding himself unable to take a single step.
Hua Shu had pulled him back by the hand, turned to face him, and fixed her almond-shaped eyes directly on him, her red lips parting gently.
“Since Your Majesty wishes your humble consort to manage the rear palace well, you should also know that today is the fifteenth. If you were to favor another consort, where would that leave your humble consort’s dignity?”
Chu Ze’s eyes darkened, unreadable. After a long while, he finally spoke, “You may rest assured. I intend to return to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.”
He had already felt it improper and abandoned the thought.
Hua Shu curved her lips into a smile. Soft light spilled over her, making her fair skin appear even smoother, flawless.
She drew closer bit by bit, crooking a finger. “Come here.”
Chu Ze frowned, keenly aware of her bold behavior. As she drew near, he caught the faint scent of fruit wine.
She had been drinking. No wonder she seemed different from usual.
Soon, his thoughts felt as if ensnared in a great net as he watched the woman before him reach out and grip his jaw.Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked around freely, like someone born to a noble position, looking down upon everyone, including him, the Emperor.
Chu Ze did not like this feeling—the sense of being out of control.
Before he could speak, Hua Shu gently pressed her fingertip to his lips.
She wasn’t drunk; she was just deliberately testing him bit by bit, provoking him, making it impossible for him to think clearly.
Chu Ze grabbed her hand in return, pulling it forcefully, but unexpectedly, the woman before him seemed to lose her balance and fell into his arms, forced to clutch his clothes.
He even heard the sound of fabric tearing.
Chu Ze’s lips trembled slightly, but his hands were quite strong.
Hua Shu lowered her head and smiled sheepishly, pretending as if nothing had happened while slightly tipsy, though her voice carried a hint of lament.
“Your Majesty, your word is law. If you say not to use cow’s milk, then I won’t use it. I haven’t committed any grave offense, so please don’t always speak to me that way.”
Hua Shu was most skilled at manipulating people’s hearts. Having been in a high position for so long, everyone valued their pride.
Giving a small step down at the right moment made things easier for both sides.
Chu Ze was left speechless. He couldn’t help but wonder, was his tone really that bad?
The Empress carried a faint, delicate fragrance, and now that they were close, it completely enveloped Chu Ze’s senses. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he replied, “Mm.”
He was agreeing to Hua Shu’s words.
Hua Shu slowly released her hand, like a patron who had just teased a courtesan, brushing her sleeves as she prepared to leave. “Thank you, Your Majesty. You may go now.”
Chu Ze was taken aback. He looked up and saw that she had already turned and was walking inside, with no intention of stopping him.
His eyes darkened slightly as he followed her. “Empress, I also have something to say to you.”
As he spoke, Chu Ze had already reached Hua Shu’s back, wrapping his arms around her waist and effortlessly pulling her into his embrace, enveloped by his wide dragon robe.
Hua Shu peeked out her head, but the Emperor pressed the back of her head and lowered his own, forcefully kissing her lips—clumsy and entirely meant to assert dominance.
The sweet taste of wine intertwined, pushing the atmosphere to its peak.
Hua Shu was kissed until she felt dazed, even struggling to catch her breath. She could clearly tell that Chu Ze had no idea how to kiss—there was no technique at all.
It was like a cow chewing on raw grass.
It had been a long time since she had tasted such passion, but even so, it shouldn’t have been like this.
After what felt like an eternity, she finally caught a moment to breathe, only to hear Chu Ze whisper in her ear, “If you provoke, you must take responsibility.”
With that, he lifted her and pressed her onto the bed.
Things had already reached this point. The Emperor had been the first to lose control—or perhaps he never intended to hold back in the first place, though he dared not admit it.
Hua Shu silently wrapped her arms around his neck. For her own comfort, she subtly and unintentionally guided him.
In her past life, she had served the old emperor, exhausting all her schemes and consuming countless doses of fetal stabilizing medicine just to conceive a child.
Those few minutes of effort had to be performed as if they lasted three days and three nights.
But this—this youthful body was truly something to look forward to.
Moreover, she must have a child—
The Empress’s legitimate heir, the best position.
Chu Ze, however, seemed to have fallen in love with the taste of her lips, lingering there.
The curtains fell, and a captivating melody began to play.
The maids waiting outside blushed, lowering their heads as if trying to bury themselves in their clothes.
Occasionally, they could even hear the Emperor’s murmurs, sparking endless imagination.
The night was truly long.
Later, Hua Shu didn’t even know where she was. Hazily, she wiped herself clean and lay flat like a corpse.
When she woke the next day, Hua Shu felt a dull ache in a certain place, swollen and unbearably uncomfortable.Hearing the commotion from outside, Nanny Wen, Yun Xiu, and others entered to attend to her.
Nanny Wen approached Hua Shu and spoke.
“Master, you’re awake. If you’re feeling unwell, perhaps we could have Chief Eunuch Wang inform them to excuse you from the morning greetings of the consorts today.”
Her gaze fell upon her master and noticed the reddish marks on her chest.
It seemed the Emperor had not been gentle last night.
Still, it could be considered that Her Ladyship had finally tasted sweetness after enduring bitterness.
Hua Shu sat up, raising her hand only to feel a soreness in her wrist. Her mind wandered to something, and she gritted her teeth silently.
“No need. Proceed as usual.”
With the Phoenix Seal returned to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, those people must be eagerly watching to see what happens.
“Last night, the Emperor rested in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.”
Lady Yang, holding her peony round fan, walked along the path with a smile on her face.
No wonder Beauty Wu returned so early last night.
It turned out she never attended the Emperor at night.
At that moment, Beauty Wu emerged from the side hall. Her face was free of makeup, her eyes red, yet she maintained her composure.
She must have been seething with anger inside, yet dared not voice any resentment.
Lady Yang approached, and upon seeing her, Beauty Wu curtsied in greeting.
“Why are you crying, sister? Be careful not to let outsiders see, lest they think you resent the Emperor and Empress!” Lady Yang looked down at her, speaking teasingly.
Beauty Wu suppressed her resentment. “How would I dare? Please do not speak nonsense, Lady Yang.”
With a mocking smile, Lady Yang said nothing more and drifted gracefully ahead.