Xie Zhihang was determined to observe Yun Jiao’s background and character, guarding against her with the same vigilance he reserved for important court officials. Maintaining an inscrutable expression, he refused to be swayed by desire. How difficult could this be? Even that old fox Ji Chengzhong had repeatedly fallen for his schemes, yet he nearly lost his composure before this low-ranking Daying.
After discovering that no matter how many times she reloaded, the Emperor wouldn’t refresh to another consort’s quarters, Yun Jiao had no choice but to steel herself and prepare to serve the night.
To be fair, this wasn’t exactly a hardship.
The Emperor was more perfect than any SSR illustration in “Deep Palace,” with the only drawback being that he wasn’t a two-dimensional character but a sovereign who could make her entire clan vanish at any moment. Yun Jiao was somewhat afraid, yet possessing the reliance on reload and a modern soul, her fear didn’t translate into caution, often leading to verbal missteps.
“You’re very afraid of me.”
Xie Zhihang stood firm before the bed, easily noticing her trembling fingertips as she helped him undress: “What are you afraid of?”
Yun Jiao: “Afraid Your Majesty will execute my nine familial clans.”
Xie Zhihang: “…”
Yun Jiao clutched his robe hem, immediately reloaded, and sweetly amended: “Your Majesty is extraordinarily majestic, this concubine is overwhelmed.”
She had no grand ambitions.
Her sole goal for this first night was simply not to offend the Emperor.
As the buttons of the Dragon Robe were undone one by one, Yun Jiao glimpsed the revealed eight-pack abs and couldn’t help an audible intake of breath.
Due to censorship, “Deep Palace” contained no content below the neck!
This was scenery she’d never witnessed before!
“If you like it,”
Noticing her hesitation, Xie Zhihang seized her hand and pressed it against his abdomen, attempting a honey trap: “Feel free to examine it closely.”
No sooner had he spoken than Yun Daying swiftly raked her fingers across his abdominal muscles with lightning speed, even boldly poking at his Adonis belt, before Rewinding time three seconds to see her lowering her head demurely: “Your Majesty’s body is priceless, this concubine wouldn’t dare.”
Her cheeks flushed crimson, bearing no resemblance to the bold libertine from moments before.
Xie Zhihang had never encountered such a shameless woman.
Yet soon he discovered she was actually quite timid – the slightest touch from him made her blush deeply, her watery eyes gazing at him fearfully, which improved Xie Zhihang’s mood somewhat. After all, he was a healthy adult male, and even if not particularly lustful, he’d been pent up for quite some time.
“Your Majesty, slower, please wait…”
Yun Daying’s voice was so soft it seemed dripping with sweetness.
What she didn’t realize was that the more she showed weakness, the more it stirred a man’s desire to conquer.
“I don’t want to wait.”
Xie Zhihang raised an eyebrow.
Since she kept Rewinding time to prevent him from visiting other consorts, she should be prepared to bear all of him…
The next second, his underwear was back on him.
The Dragon Vein forcibly extinguished.
“Your Majesty, this concubine is ready.”
Yun Jiao lifted her face, giving him a sweet smile, completely unaware that the man before her was nearly exploding with frustration.
As Xie Zhihang suffered internal injury from suppression, he clearly saw Yun Jiao’s expression of obvious relief.
She kept reloading to buy herself breathing time!
Xie Zhihang found it unbelievable.
Such miraculous ability, used for this purpose? Suppressing the impulse to question her aloud, he reluctantly slowed his movements, leaving her ample space to catch her breath: “Ready now?”
“Your Majesty needn’t concern yourself with this concubine.”
“I told you not to force yourself.”
If she persisted now, Rewinding time later would only damage his Dragon Vein.
The night watchman Yinglu outside the door felt his heart roiling with shock—though the Emperor’s tone was cold and stern, his words conveyed genuine consideration for Yun Daying. When the Emperor visited his consorts, he never bothered to care for them, nor did he engage in unnecessary acts, never indulging in exploring methods of pleasure… How much favor did this Yun woman actually possess?!
Yun Jiao had expected to suffer during her first time, but unexpectedly, the Emperor was very considerate toward her.
Afterward, she curled up into a small ball in his embrace and softly called out, “Your Majesty.”
Her voice, clear and sweet, dispelled Xie Zhihang’s irritation. He condescended to lower his head and listen to her words: “Hmm?”
Yun Jiao: “Your Majesty, you’re actually quite nice.” She had misunderstood him earlier, thinking he was incapable.
Xie Zhihang: “…”
Expressionless, he pressed her head into the bedding: “Rest early.”
That night was difficult for the entire rear palace to endure.
The Emperor had not visited the rear palace for a long time, often having consorts’ name plaques flipped only to send them back untouched. Today was like a long-awaited rainfall after a drought, yet this rainfall had landed on someone none of them had expected. Many consorts sent people to inquire, and upon hearing that the Emperor had stayed with Yun Daying of Xianfu Palace, they thought for a long time without recalling who she was.
Many others consoled themselves that they weren’t the most aggrieved.
The first to suffer should be Shufei.
The Ji family and she had schemed for so long for Consort Ji’s entry into the palace, only to be upstaged by an unknown minor consort with no backing. The two sisters were utterly humiliated.
The second to suffer was Li Pin of Xianfu Palace.
The Emperor happened to take shelter from the rain in her palace, yet she failed to keep him there.
Li Pin had always prided herself on her beauty and would hardly push the Emperor toward another to secure favor. Now, the one in the six palaces who hated the Yun woman the most should be her.
…
“Miss, miss.”
When Yun Jiao was gently roused from her dreams by Xue Ya, she instinctively reached to the side.
It was empty.
Seeing this, Xue Ya said, “His Majesty had to rise early for the morning court session and specifically instructed us not to disturb you, but you’ve slept until now and should get up to wash and dress.”
“Did I oversleep by much?”
“Not by much. His Majesty has only just left.”
After sitting up from the bed, Yun Jiao closed her eyes and let the palace maid attend to her.
Once fully dressed, she headed to the main hall, where she encountered Sun Changzai, who had been waiting there since early morning. Sun Changzai accepted her greeting without allowing her to rise, instead glaring at her resentfully: “Yun Daying, your luck is truly remarkable! You must have been exhausted last night.”
“I was a bit tired, but I cannot neglect paying respects to Lady Li Pin and Her Majesty the Empress.”
Sun Changzai sneered coldly and still showed no intention of letting her rise.
Yun Jiao maintained the half-crouch salute for a while, her knees trembling slightly.
There was no helping it—those of higher rank could crush those beneath them.
Just then, Li Pin hurried out and, seeing the situation, raised her willow-leaf eyebrows sharply: “Why is Yun Daying crouching here? I haven’t even arrived yet, there’s no need to salute so early. Rise!” As soon as Yun Jiao straightened up, Li Pin pressed on: “Did you serve His Majesty well last night? If His Majesty gave any instructions, you must tell me everything.”
Sun Changzai couldn’t help but show an expression of utter disbelief.
Yun Jiao was also slightly surprised.
The two had originally thought that since the Emperor had stayed in the western side hall, Li Pin would be the most furious one. Even if she dared not openly vent her anger, she would certainly not give Yun Jiao a friendly look. Unexpectedly, when Li Pin cautiously glanced at Yun Jiao, she nervously rubbed her hands and asked, “Let me be blunt—did His Majesty seem displeased yesterday?”
At this point, Sun Changzai understood.
Most likely, Li Pin had offended the Emperor, which was why he had gone to the western side hall, allowing Yun Jiao to reap an enormous advantage. While being “intercepted” by Yun Jiao certainly displeased Li Pin, if she had brought it upon herself, she was even more afraid that the Emperor would hold a lasting grudge against her.
But Yun Jiao hadn’t grasped this point.
She simply thought that Li Pin was rather kind.
If it were one of the high-ranking consorts in The Deep Palace with a jealous nature, she would have already ordered Yun Jiao to be caned.
She cheerfully replied, “Your Ladyship, His Majesty did not appear displeased yesterday.”
Just as Li Pin breathed a sigh of relief, an imperial decree arrived.