Ming Yueni’s face was filled with unconcealable astonishment!
It was as if she had been shocked silly by Shen Rou’s words. On her face, the only things missing were pleasant surprise and excitement! Her subconscious reaction was the most direct: she absolutely did not want to become his woman.
Beichen Yuan’s face instantly turned cold. He let go, straightened up, and his figure enveloped Ming Yueni as his sharp gaze scrutinized her from above…
Oh no!
Ming Yueni’s reaction was also quick! But still a bit too slow; she hurriedly lowered her head to adjust her emotions.
When she raised her head again, Ming Yueni looked at Beichen Yuan with delicate timidity. Their eyes met, and his imposing aura enveloped her layer by layer.
Ming Yueni secretly swallowed, forcing another bit of moisture into her rippling eyes. With a hazy, watery sheen, the outer corners of her eyes were a delicate, alluring red.
She spoke softly, “This servant… obeys Your Majesty’s arrangements.”
After speaking, she bashfully lowered her head, revealing a bright pink flush on her ears and neck. The cinnabar mole on the back of her neck was coquettishly red, enchantingly red.
Beichen Yuan, however, remained unmoved, his dark gaze fixed on her.
The atmosphere froze.
“Your Majesty?” Shen Rou called out softly.
She stole a glance at Beichen Yuan, then at Ming Yueni, her eyes darting around as she asked, “Is this concubine’s idea not good?”
“Good, very good.”
Beichen Yuan’s voice was cold, deep, and majestic. “Issue my decree! Bestow upon the Ming family’s daughter, Yueni, the title of—Beauty.”
Ming Yueni didn’t raise her head, nor did she look at him.
Beichen Yuan paused, “She shall move to…”
Shen Rou perceptively chimed in, “Your Majesty, this concubine’s Furou Palace is deserted, there is plenty of room.”
Beichen Yuan’s eyes were deep, dark, and stern. Going along with Shen Rou’s words, he finalized Ming Yueni’s residence.
Shen Rou was overjoyed and hurriedly urged Ming Yueni, “Sister Ni’er, aren’t you going to thank His Majesty for his grace?”
Ming Yueni bowed low, “This ser… This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your grace!”
Beichen Yuan’s face was cold, stern, and steady, revealing no emotion. But as soon as he spoke, it was obvious he was angry: “Bring Liu Yingwu here!”
Liu Yingwu followed behind Fulai, feeling uneasy and anxious. Covered in sweat, she asked nervously, “Eunuch Fu, His Majesty summoned me, is there something the matter?”
“The future Crown Princess will naturally know once she arrives.”
Fulai’s address to her was clearly problematic, as if carrying a hint of sarcasm.
Without giving Liu Yingwu time to think deeply, Fulai cast a cool glance at her and urged, “Future Crown Princess, please hurry, His Majesty is still waiting!”
Liu Yingwu could only quicken her pace and agree.
They went all the way to the gates of Furou Palace. Liu Yingwu’s internal unease reached its peak. “Isn’t this Her Ladyship Consort Rou’s palace?”
Fulai ignored her and walked straight in.
A cold sweat broke out on Liu Yingwu’s back from fright!
No!
Ming Yueni is just a lowly wench! The lowest maid in the imperial harem! And she is the future Crown Princess! What does it matter if she beats a maid to death?
Besides, Ming Yueni isn’t dead, she just took a slap from her. As long as she doesn’t admit it, hitting a maid is even more insignificant. His Majesty couldn’t possibly punish her, his future daughter-in-law, for the sake of Ming Yueni!
Having prepared herself mentally, Liu Yingwu threw her chest out, raised her head again, and walked into the palace with a confident smile.
“This commoner pays her respects to Your Majesty! Her Ladyship Consort Rou!”
Shen Rou reminded her, “And Beauty Ming.”
What Beauty?
Liu Yingwu subconsciously raised her head, only to see Ming Yueni sitting properly beside Consort Rou! She still bore the hideous, red and swollen handprint on her face.
“Sister Ni’er is a Beauty just conferred by His Majesty! An orthodox fourth rank!”
Shen Rou, in her soft and delicate voice, continued to remind Liu Yingwu: “Miss Liu hasn’t married into the Eastern Palace yet. Seeing Beauty Ming, why aren’t you quickly paying your respects?”
Liu Yingwu’s head buzzed.
She cried out in disbelief: “How is that possible! Ming Yueni is delusionally infatuated with His Highness the Crown Prince; she couldn’t possibly enter the palace to be His Majesty’s consort!”
“Miss Liu, I have never had any improper thoughts about the Crown Prince!”
Ming Yueni’s eyes grew red with anger and grievance, her soft voice resounding powerfully: “The man I admire and love in my heart—is His Majesty!”
“From beginning to end, there is only His Majesty! The sun and moon can bear witness!”
Beichen Yuan’s eyes were as dark as pools of ink, staring intently at Ming Yueni alone for a long time, not showing his joy or anger.
He was hearing Ming Yueni’s confession once again!
Aside from a trace of dark fluctuation deep in his eyes, his handsome face was steady and cold; all emotions were swallowed and controlled without batting an eye.
“What did you say?”
Liu Yingwu still couldn’t believe it. How could this be possible?
The Emperor had no heirs!
What was the difference between entering his palace and living as a widow? The Crown Prince was young, handsome, and the heir apparent, the absolute successor to the throne! How could Ming Yueni give up the Crown Prince’s favor?
The Emperor was heirless and had stayed away from women for a long time! How could he possibly confer a title on Ming Yueni?
Fake!
She must have heard wrong!
“Seize her!”
With Ming Yueni’s command, Fulai personally took the lead, grabbing Liu Yingwu’s shoulders along with the young eunuchs and firmly pressing her to her knees on the ground.
Liu Yingwu was in a daze and confused, “What are you doing? I am the future Crown Princess! Let me go!”
Smack!
Ming Yueni walked over and, without a word, raised her hand and slapped Liu Yingwu directly.
Liu Yingwu’s face was struck aside. As the pain hit, she was filled with shock and anger, glaring fiercely at Ming Yueni: “You dare hit me!”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
Ming Yueni rolled up her sleeves, revealing wrists as white as frost and snow. Gathering all her strength—Smack!
One slap for the left cheek, one for the right.
It wasn’t enough!
Ming Yueni’s hands struck from left and right, “Smack, smack, smack, smack—” slapping her continuously over a dozen times.
It made her pant from exhaustion, sweat broke out on her forehead, and her hands were sore and trembling.
Ming Yueni raised her hand again—
“Enough,” Beichen Yuan spoke.
Ming Yueni immediately and obediently withdrew her hands, quietly hiding them behind her back to rub her sore wrists.
“Your Majesty…” Liu Yingwu’s face was swollen into a pig’s head, her speech slurred as she struggled to lodge a complaint!
Beichen Yuan directly ignored her.
Standing up and walking over to Ming Yueni, Beichen Yuan lowered his brows, his tone cold and cruel: “Have you vented your anger?”
“Mm-hmm.” Ming Yueni pretended to be obedient.
With hindsight, she reflected: was she a bit too fierce just now?
“Drag her away!”
Beichen Yuan ordered coldly and ruthlessly: “Send her back to the General’s Mansion. Before the grand wedding, she is not allowed to enter the palace again!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Fulai efficiently dragged Liu Yingwu away.
Following the Crown Prince’s Secondary Consort Ming Yuelan, this future Crown Princess Liu Yingwu had also been loathed and disliked by the Emperor—the capital was about to get lively!
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for standing up for me! Your Majesty is so good to me!”
Ming Yueni’s voice was sweet, soft, and seductive, her expression obedient, her eyes full of reliance and admiration for Beichen Yuan.
“Heh.” Beichen Yuan let out an inexplicably meaningful chuckle.
Pretending to be obedient?
Little liar!
Truly begging to be thoroughly ravished!
Beichen Yuan reached out, bending a finger to caress Ming Yueni’s pitiful, red and swollen cheek, finally pinching her chin, “Recuperate well. I will be waiting.”
“This concubine obeys the decree.”
Ming Yueni appeared obedient and compliant on the surface, but in reality, she was baffled and didn’t understand—what was the Emperor waiting for?
Before Ming Yueni could figure it out, Beichen Yuan had already turned and left.
The palace servants left in a mighty entourage accompanying the Emperor, and Furou Palace became quiet and deserted once again.
“Sister Ni’er, from now on it will be just you and me keeping each other company.”
Shen Rou took Ming Yueni’s hand, smiling until her eyes curved, “If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can always ask me!”
“Sister Consort Rou, can you tell me about His Majesty?”
Shen Rou was pleasantly surprised, “Do you really like His Majesty that much?”
Ming Yueni’s gaze was unwavering, “That’s right! Absolutely!”