Li Shengyuan glared resentfully at the soundly sleeping Li Zhu, truly wishing he could wake her to prove just how capable he was!
He refused to let her slander him.
Though he didn't know how Li Zhu had learned about his alleged impotence, Li Shengyuan had his suspicions.
The truth was, he deeply despised physical contact with women. The mere thought of intimate relations with a woman made him nauseous.
In Li Shengyuan's view, relations between men and women were no different from beasts mating.
His memories drifted back.
Li Shengyuan first witnessed such acts at age six, involving a Palace Maid and a eunuch.
When he was five, his mother had died, and her younger half-sister was sent to the palace.
Being his aunt, she naturally took him under her care.
Everyone knew how well his aunt treated him—outwardly.
In private, however, she hurled the vilest words at him, blaming him for his mother's death and accusing him of being unloved by his father.
In truth, his dear aunt had been jealous of his mother.
Her hatred extended to Li Shengyuan himself.
To destroy him, his aunt would frequently arrange for him to "accidentally" witness eunuchs and Palace Maids engaged in intimate acts.
Sometimes the maids were willing, sometimes not.
Li Shengyuan would shut his eyes and cover his ears, but the slimy, repulsive sounds still reached him.
When he grew older, Li Shengyuan realized eunuchs lacked the physical means, and the woman had purely intended to disgust him.
As he matured further, when the woman tried to disgust him again, Li Shengyuan drew his sword and killed the eunuch.
After that, the woman never dared again, finally realizing the pup she controlled had grown into a wolf cub.
She frantically tried to kill Li Shengyuan, but was effortlessly counter-killed.
To this day, Li Shengyuan still felt her death had been too merciful.
Had he been stronger then, with greater power in his hands, that woman would have experienced the agony of begging for death.
He detested skin-to-skin contact with people.
Yet Li Shengyuan discovered he didn't dislike Li Zhu's proximity at all.
Li Zhu was strange—every part of her was peculiar.
But her peculiarity was somewhat endearing.
Breathing in Li Zhu's fruity scent, Li Shengyuan turned and embraced her.
Slender and soft.
The reaction below grew more intense.
Gritting his teeth, Li Shengyuan called for bath water.
Outside the hall, the night attendants Ji An and Fo Shou were drowsing when the summons for water from the bedchamber jolted them awake.
Could it be that the Emperor and the Jieyu had…?
They exchanged glances, eyes filled with surprise.
As Fo Shou entered, Li Shengyuan raised a hand, signaling silence.
"Prepare the bath."
"Yes. What about Her Ladyship…"
"She's still asleep. I'll bathe in the adjacent room. Don't wake your mistress."
"Yes."
After Li Shengyuan left, Fo Shou observed the still-sleeping Li Zhu. Though her clothes were slightly disheveled, she showed no signs of any intimate activity.
Fo Shou sighed. Her mistress!
~~
With court attendance required today, Li Shengyuan woke early as dawn barely lightened the sky outside.
Feeling the weight on him, Li Shengyuan sighed helplessly.
He didn't dare look down at Li Zhu's current state, especially after her restless movements throughout the night.
Closing his eyes, he tucked the blankets around Li Zhu and rose.
Parting the bed curtains, the faint candlelight illuminated Li Zhu's flushed face—not just her cheeks were rosy, but her lips too, temptingly red.
A wave of inexplicable irritation washed over Li Shengyuan. This woman slept as soundly as ever, sparking envy.
Once again, he felt unbalanced.
Li Zhu dreamed she was swimming in a river filled entirely with fruit tea, then suddenly felt herself drowning in it.
Opening her eyes, she realized it was that dog emperor Li Shengyuan pinching her nose.
"Dog emper—"
About to say it aloud, Li Zhu realized this wasn't a dream and immediately stopped herself.
"Hmm? What was my consort saying?" Li Shengyuan released his fingers from her nose.
"Nothing… nothing, your humble consort was just talking in her sleep."
"Humph, get up and help me dress."
Though Li Zhu felt ten thousand resentments in her heart, her body moved with honest compliance.
Sitting up, the quilt covering her slipped down, and Li Zhu felt a sudden chill.
Despite all Li Shengyuan's precautions, he still failed to guard against this – the spring scenery entered his view, utterly captivating.
Li Zhu looked down, her pupils contracting as she hurriedly pulled up the quilt.
She stared at the stunned Li Shengyuan, her eyes filled with accusation.
Pervert!
Li Shengyuan understood perfectly.
He was wronged!
"Your clothes were torn by yourself."
Li Zhu didn't believe him. "Your humble consort sleeps very properly."
Li Shengyuan twitched his lips. This woman truly had no self-awareness.
"You ate too much mutton yesterday…"
"Yes, Your Majesty makes a valid point."
[Well, the dog emperor can't perform anyway.]
"Heh."
People really do laugh when they're speechless.
[Definitely a pervert.]
Li Shengyuan gave her a sidelong glance before turning to draw the bed curtains.
"Hurry up and get ready to dress me!"
Li Zhu hid behind the bed curtains, vigorously straightening her messy sleeping garments.
After a moment, Gu Gu Qi entered with a group of palace maids.
Li Zhu picked up the vermilion dragon robe with coiled dragons and walked over to Li Shengyuan.
She wasn't familiar with dressing someone in the dragon robe, but fortunately Gu Gu Qi was there to guide her.
Finally reaching the step of fastening the waistband, their bodies pressed extremely close, almost as if they were embracing.
With her arms wrapped around Li Shengyuan, Li Zhu suddenly looked down.
Looking up, she met Li Shengyuan's pitch-black eyes.
[Pervert.]
[But… isn't he supposed to be incapable? Dog emperor…]
After quietly listening to this string of thoughts, Li Shengyuan felt mixed emotions.
[What a pity, what a pity.]
"What are you pitying?"
Li Shengyuan's sudden question caught Li Zhu completely off guard.
"Your humble consort must part with Your Majesty again, and she cannot bear it."
[Gag!]
Gag what!
Li Shengyuan pinched Li Zhu's chin, his gaze dangerous. "Don't worry, my consort, I'll return today."
Li Zhu smiled politely, her mind filled with ***.
After seeing Li Shengyuan off, Li Zhu casually had breakfast.
Since she was already awake anyway.
After finishing a hearty breakfast, Li Zhu felt drowsy from the carbs and happily went back to sleep for a nap.
Two hours later, Li Zhu woke up to a surprise – an invitation from Consort Xian.
"Consort Xian's palace maid said that since you entered the palace as a consort, you haven't met the other consorts. She specially invites you to Jinxiu Hall tomorrow for a gathering."
Since the invitation had been extended, she couldn't casually refuse.
Just as well, Li Zhu wanted to watch some drama.
"Jieyu, what would you like to wear tomorrow? This servant will prepare it."
"Hmm… that watery red pleated skirt."
"Yes. Tomorrow, shall this servant style your hair in a cloud chignon?"
"Whatever, whatever. Zhi Zi, your skills are excellent, any hairstyle you do looks beautiful!"
Zhi Zi said shyly, "It's because Jieyu was born beautiful. This servant's skills merely add flowers to brocade."
"That's true too. Your mistress is indeed very beautiful."
Li Zhu's completely unmodest statement made the palace maids laugh, and even the serious Gu Gu Qi had a bit more laughter in her eyes.