Jin Ning looked at Xiao Yi in front of her.
His appearance was very handsome. In fact, Crown Prince Xiao Chen was already considered a top beauty in Great Liang, not to mention his noble status.
Therefore, countless young ladies in their chambers regarded the Crown Prince as the man of their dreams.
However, Xiao Yi's appearance surpassed Xiao Chen's.
Although he didn't appear as refined and gentle as Xiao Chen, the majestic and stern aura he exuded made people unable to resist submitting to him.
Jin Ning said in a low voice, "Your Majesty's status is noble, and this commoner woman naturally fears your divine might."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi let out a cold scoff and continued, "You're scared now? Why weren't you scared in Weaving Snow Palace? I saw that you have quite a lot of courage!"
After Xiao Yi said this.
Jin Ning suddenly remembered the madness in Weaving Snow Palace.
A blush instantly appeared on her face, which had been pale from the cold.
Although today's meeting with Xiao Yi was not a coincidence... Xiao Yi bringing it up now still made her feel flushed and ashamed.
How could there be so many coincidences that they would run into each other?
She saw Xiao Yi walking this way and had sent Haitang away, then hid behind the rockery in advance.
She was gambling that Xiao Yi would be unable to resist coming to this secluded, deserted place.
In her previous life, during the years she was a ghost, although she was bound to the phoenix hairpin, as she became more accustomed to being a ghost, her range of movement increased.
Every time Pei Mingyue entered the palace to pay respects to the Empress.
She also had the opportunity to wander around the Imperial Palace.
Occasionally, she would see this Emperor seeking out deserted places to contemplate alone.
So, today she gambled that Xiao Chen would come near the West Palace. If Xiao Chen didn't come... it wouldn't be a loss for her; at most, she would be wearing thin clothes and freezing in the snow for an hour or two.
If it didn't work this time, she would try again next time.
There would always be a "chance encounter."
She also knew.
That she was actively seducing an Emperor.
As a daughter of a noble family who understood etiquette, she shouldn't be doing this.
But she also knew.
Although she had been reborn, deep down, she was no longer the Pei Jinning she once was. Now, deep down, she was merely a wandering soul.
If... she didn't want to repeat the mistakes of her previous life.
Xiao Yi was her only chance of survival.
If... she wanted those who harmed her in her previous life to pay the price.
Xiao Yi was also her only opportunity.
Seeing Jin Ning standing there with a flushed face and looking embarrassed, Xiao Yi retorted, "Why aren't you speaking?"
Jin Ning pursed her lips, looking very helpless, "What else does Your Majesty want to hear from this commoner woman?"
"Tell me your name," Xiao Yi said.
Jin Ning fell silent.
Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "What? You can't tell me your name?"
Jin Ning's voice was strained as she spoke, "This commoner woman's status is low, and I fear my name would defile Your Majesty's ears."
Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, and the Emperor's majesty was instantly revealed.
Jin Ning carefully chose her words before speaking, "Zhizhi."
Jin Ning paused slightly and added, "Zhizhi, from 'lingzhi' immortal herb."
After saying this, she seemed to think of something, and a hint of sadness appeared in the depths of her eyes.
Xiao Yi repeated, "Zhizhi?"
Jin Ning pursed her lips, "Zhizhi, from 'lingzhi' immortal herb."
This was her childhood name. Later, when her identity as the future Crown Princess was decided, this name was rarely mentioned.
Now, she finally understood why her father had named her Zhizhi back then.
She was the lingzhi immortal herb that consoled Madam Song's grief of losing a daughter. Now... their daughter had returned, and she, this lingzhi immortal herb, had become discarded dregs.
"Then, what is your surname? Whose daughter are you?" Xiao Yi continued to ask.
Since he had caught this little rabbit that liked to run away today, he naturally had to ask clearly.
Jin Ning was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Can I not say? Actually... there's nothing worth saying. This commoner woman comes from a humble background and dares not trouble Your Majesty with it."
Xiao Yi was amused to the point of anger, "This is the first time I've met someone who dares to bargain with me. Are you really unwilling to say?"
Now that the person had been caught, it would naturally be much simpler to investigate.
But Xiao Yi still wanted to hear Jin Ning say it herself.
Jin Ning looked at Xiao Yi and asked, "If I tell you, are you planning to have me enter the palace?"
Xiao Yi did not expect that Jin Ning, who had seemed timid just moments ago, now had clear eyes and an indescribable aura about her. This feeling was definitely not something an ordinary woman would possess.
But soon, Jin Ning's expression returned to its previous submissive appearance, making Xiao Yi feel that it must have been his illusion.
However, Xiao Yi still said, "Since you've become my woman, you should naturally enter the palace."
"Don't worry, I won't pretend nothing happened and let you wander outside," Xiao Yi said patiently.
He thought that the woman in front of him didn't look very old.
He hadn't selected new consorts for five years, and the youngest concubine in the palace was much older than the girl in front of him.
This little girl kept avoiding him, perhaps out of timidity.
Thinking this, Xiao Yi, as if to reassure Jin Ning, continued, "I will issue a decree to have you enter the palace as a Beauty... no, a Jieyu."
He had originally wanted to say "Beauty," but changed it to "Jieyu" as it came to his lips.
The way they met was not dignified. If it were someone else, Xiao Yi would have probably only bestowed the rank of Beauty at most.
In the harem of Great Liang, the hierarchy was strict.
The Empress, Imperial Noble Consort, Noble Consort, Consort, Imperial Concubine, Zhao Yi, Jieyu, Beauty. The Empress was at the head, and below Beauty were the newly entered Cai Nu.
For Xiao Yi to immediately offer a Jieyu position to Jin Ning, who had an unknown origin and claimed to be of "low status," was already a great exception.
Upon hearing this, Jin Ning said, "This commoner woman... thanks Your Majesty for your kindness, but this commoner woman does not wish to enter the palace."
Xiao Yi did not expect that Jin Ning's response would not be to express gratitude, but to refuse.
His expression darkened, "What? Do you think the rank of Jieyu is too low?"
Jin Ning quickly said, "This commoner woman dares not."
"One moment it's 'I dare not,' the next it's 'I'm afraid,' but I think you have quite a lot of courage!" Xiao Yi's voice deepened, with a hint of anger.
This was the first time Xiao Yi had actively wanted to take someone into the palace.
But he did not expect that the result would be a refusal.
Jin Ning knelt down, tears in her eyes, "This commoner woman knows Your Majesty's grace is vast, but... but what happened that day was that this commoner woman was schemed against by someone, took an aphrodisiac potion, and lost my senses, thus disturbing Your Majesty."
"Everything was this commoner woman's recklessness. Your Majesty need not take it to heart. Your subject does not require Your Majesty to take responsibility, nor do I need a rank to enter the palace," Jin Ning spoke rapidly, as if she had thought for a long time before saying this.
Having said this, Jin Ning paused slightly and added, "Please forget what happened that day, as if it never happened."
Xiao Yi had only been angry before, but after hearing Jin Ning's words, he was completely amused to the point of anger, "As if it never happened?"
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