Fu Lingxi was extremely unwilling when she was “escorted” to Qianqing Palace.
But she did not expect that, led here and there by Sheng Shizan, she would be brought to the imperial bathing pool!
Within the bath, mist curled and lingered…
“Lady Yi, please disrobe and bathe first.”
“…Alright.”
[So they’re going to wash me clean and then send me onto that dog emperor’s bed!!!]
For the sake of survival, Fu Lingxi was forced—no, pushed—by the attending palace maids and Surang into bathing in full view. Afterward, dressed in a silver-red palace sleeping robe, she was escorted into the inner chamber of Zichen Hall—
Pale yellow gauze curtains hung high from the beams, swaying gently in the evening breeze like drifting mist, adding a romantic warmth to the chamber.
On the dragon bed sat a figure, clad in black, his ink-dark hair loose over his shoulders and falling onto the couch, unrestrained and casual.
[It is indeed Emperor Taiyong.]
Just from the way he sat, tall and imposing, one could already tell that Emperor Taiyong possessed a robust physique and a commanding presence!
“Hm?”
With a soft rustle, Xie Subing turned a page, letting out a faint nasal sound.
“Ah—this concubine, Fu, pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed and in good health.”
Startled, Fu Lingxi immediately lowered herself into a crouching bow where she stood.
With only a brief glance, she felt that this spacious, golden-hued chamber was like a cage suffocating her!
The emperor’s dragon aura carried the brilliance of the Purple Star, which exerted a natural suppressive pressure on cultivators—
This alone made Fu Lingxi clearly aware of her situation. Clenching her left palm, she dared not let her thoughts wander further.
“Come here.”
Xie Subing did not even lift his head. His deep phoenix eyes remained fixed on the illustrated records of the Martial Spirit Continent in his hands as he casually ordered:
“There is Golden Dew on the table. Bring it to me.”
“Yes.”
Rolling her eyes inwardly, Fu Lingxi obediently stepped to the side table, took the silver tray, poured the wine, and presented it. Bending slightly, she offered the cup with both hands, lowering her head and softening her voice:
“Your Majesty, please drink the Golden Dew.”
[Damn it, being a woman in ancient times really isn’t easy. Half-kneeling while acting all delicate—are they all born actresses?]
Fortunately, acting had been her passion in her previous life, and she had performed many costume dramas. With the original host’s memories as well, her body instinctively knew how to behave upon seeing the emperor—
[This is too hard.]
[Women in ancient times really have it miserable. I’m never acting in historical dramas again!]
“Raise your head.”
When Xie Subing sensed Lady Yi approaching, his body had already instinctively become alert. Only after confirming that he did not smell any cloying cosmetics did he narrow his phoenix eyes and glance at her, taking the cup as he issued the command.
“Yes.”
Fu Lingxi also wanted to see what this emperor looked like, so she raised her face openly. Her fox-like eyes met a pair of deep phoenix eyes—
“Hm?”
[Senior Brother?!]
In an instant, she screamed inwardly. Her pupils shrank, her mouth opened soundlessly in shock, and she abruptly lowered her head again, blurting out the excuse she had prepared:
“Y-Your Majesty, please forgive me. This concubine… this concubine is meeting you for the first time and is too nervous.”
At this moment, Fu Lingxi was truly nervous!
Seeing the face she had longed for in her previous life, her heart raced uncontrollably, and tears welled in her eyes. If not for the probing look in the emperor’s gaze, she might not have regained her senses in time to restrain herself.
“You… are not afraid of me?”
Xie Subing pressed his lips together, drained the cup, and set it aside, his sharp gaze fixed on her forehead. Though phrased as a question, he was certain—this Lady Yi was bold and truly unafraid of his imperial authority!
“Why would Your Majesty say so? You are my husband. I can only admire you—how could I feel fear?”
Clutching her handkerchief tightly, Fu Lingxi’s mind went blank, yet she still managed to respond. She knelt beside his legs, speaking with earnest sincerity.
Xie Subing was first startled by her blatant flattery, so unconventional in its tone!
Then, as she slightly raised her delicate face, revealing a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, his finger twitched, and he laughed:
“Haha—very well. With such a clever tongue, you shall be rewarded!”
Now that he was certain she had bathed thoroughly, and with no unpleasant scent reaching him, his resistance eased.
With a hearty laugh, he extended his arm, pulling her onto his lap. With his other hand, he refilled the cup and casually brought it to her lips—
[Hm, from what I’ve seen of Prince Huai and Prince Ping, this is how they tease their women. I shouldn’t be doing anything wrong, right?]
“Th-Thank—cough! Your Majesty!”
Suddenly forced to drink, Fu Lingxi choked immediately, coughing repeatedly in embarrassment.
What made it worse was that this body had barely ever tasted alcohol. In the past, she had only ever had light fruit wine during rare occasions—
To the emperor, Golden Dew was mild, likely under twenty degrees, something he drank casually.
But for Fu Lingxi, the sudden intake made the alcohol hit quickly—
After all, anything presented to the emperor could hardly be ordinary!
“Haha, you cannot drink?”
Seeing her porcelain-white skin flush pink so quickly, Xie Subing was briefly surprised before laughing, holding her soft body in his arms.
Among noblewomen, such low tolerance was rare.
“Y-Your Majesty… this concubine has never really drunk before…”
The alcohol rushed to her head, and her emotions softened. With misty eyes, she spoke in a sweet, aggrieved tone, gazing at him deeply—instantly slipping into the role of a favored consort.
Yet even so, she had not forgotten she was acting.
At first, Xie Subing, being rather straightforward, felt nothing as the woman in his arms leaned against him, thinking only that she was adorably drunk.
But when her slender arms wrapped around his neck and her natural fragrance reached him, he suddenly stiffened.
At that moment, Fu Lingxi closed her eyes and held him, thinking that since this emperor bore the exact face of the senior brother she had longed for in her previous life—
It was too similar. Even the small tear mole beneath his left eye was identical.
In her previous life, her love had already died.
In this life, even if he was only a substitute, she would still take him!
[The only question is… is this Emperor Taiyong truly a real man?]