“Hot?”
Ming Yueni was dazed for a moment before she belatedly realized the meaning behind the Emperor’s words.
In an instant, her face flushed a deep crimson, her entire being radiating a seductive charm. Yet, her beautiful eyes remained shimmering and innocent. “Your Majesty, can this concubine choose to have neither?”
She was a delicate and enchanting creature, her voice so soft it seemed to melt one’s bones. It was the kind of voice that made it impossible to refuse her anything—one would give her the world just to keep her happy!
As for refusing?
Bei Chenyuan let out a low laugh. His hand, which was already imprisoning Ming Yueni’s willow-slender waist, gave her a firm pinch. “You must.”
“Your Majesty…”
Ming Yueni, her body soft and fragile, leaned innocently against Bei Chenyuan’s chest. Her eyes were veiled with a shimmering mist as she looked up at him with utter reliance. Her voice was timid and sweet: “This concubine is… afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
Bei Chenyuan’s voice was steady and powerful, wordlessly guiding and encouraging her to speak her mind.
Ming Yueni curled up shyly. Her feet brushed against his legs as she lowered her head, revealing the snow-white curve of her swan-like neck and the exceptionally alluring cinnabar mole at the nape.
Like a kitten huddled in the embrace of a powerful tiger, she whispered fearfully, “Your Majesty, you are… too big.”
“Little liar, you really did see it.”
The corners of Bei Chenyuan’s mouth curled up, and a vibration of laughter echoed from his chest, betraying his pleasant mood. He reached up to gently pinch the back of Ming Yueni’s neck, his thumb rubbing against the cinnabar mole as he continued, “Are you afraid of me?”
Ming Yueni shook her head. Her expression was obedient yet bashful, and her voice was honey-sweet. “This concubine is not afraid of Your Majesty. I am only afraid that I will not serve Your Majesty well and will disappoint you.”
“Why are you so well-behaved?”
Bei Chenyuan was pleasantly surprised. Ming Yueni was sweet, soft, obedient, and breathtakingly beautiful. She suited his preferences in every possible way—so much so that she made him lose his legendary self-control.
“Your Majesty, it hurts,” Ming Yueni furrowed her brows and shifted her body, her tone soft and aggrieved.
His legs were just too hard! Sitting there was becoming unbearable.
“Be good, don’t move.” Bei Chenyuan tightened his grip on her waist, his gaze turning dark and heavy, his voice growing hoarse.
In that instant, Ming Yueni finally understood.
She froze, not daring to move or even lift her head. Only her breathing grew increasingly hurried, and her heart beat so fast it felt as if it might jump out of her throat!
“Don’t be afraid. I am not a beast.”
Bei Chenyuan’s movements were gentle and affectionate as he stroked Ming Yueni’s soft back. “You still need to be looked after. We must nurse your body until you are healthier.”
“Stay and talk with me.”
His voice was low and raspy, his breathing steady, and his posture lazy and relaxed. His self-control was truly terrifying!
Influenced by him, Ming Yueni began to relax, and her mind started to whir with possibilities. It was often said that a man is easiest to persuade when he is being gentle.
Ming Yueni’s eyes flickered. Resting her soft cheek against Bei Chenyuan’s chest, she spoke cautiously: “Your Majesty, this concubine has a matter she wishes for Your Majesty to guide her on.”
Bei Chenyuan held her close. “Speak.”
“This concubine’s brother, Ming Yuechang, is twelve years old, but he has never attended school. Previously, it was always this concubine who taught him to read and write, but I am dull and my handwriting is not beautiful.”
“I want my brother to study so that he can become a useful person in the future and serve the State of Yan.”
“However, this concubine has rarely left her home and does not know where her brother could go to study.”
Bei Chenyuan let out a light laugh upon hearing this. “What is so difficult about that? Fu Lai, pass on my oral decree—starting tomorrow, Ming Yuechang shall enter the Imperial Academy to study. See to it personally.”
Fu Lai immediately bowed. “This servant obeys the decree.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Ming Yueni was thrilled, her happiness radiating from the bottom of her heart. She broke into a dazzling, enchanting smile and, in a sudden burst of boldness, leaned forward to plant a fragrant kiss on Bei Chenyuan’s right cheek.
Bei Chenyuan was stunned.
“Your Majesty, please forgive this concubine’s rudeness!” After the kiss, she immediately looked distressed and timidly admitted her fault.
Bei Chenyuan looked at her deeply before finally releasing his hold on her. “You may go.”
“This concubine takes her leave.” Ming Yueni looked back every three steps, her little face full of trepidation, fearing she had angered him.
But Bei Chenyuan was a man who kept his emotions hidden. He sat as steady as a mountain, majestic and noble. It was only after Ming Yueni had left that he let out a hot, heavy breath.
“Little goblin, she really isn’t afraid of death.”
Though his handsome face remained cold and dignified, his tone was full of smiling indulgence. He looked down for a moment and commanded, “Prepare water and a change of clothes.”
As he rose, Bei Chenyuan remembered something and instructed Yin Guo: “Since she doesn’t want to use those things, tell her she doesn’t have to.”
“She is so delicate; I will teach her myself.”
Ming Yueni didn’t yet know that good things were coming in pairs. She walked lightly along the palace path, her face beaming with joy. The problem of her brother’s education was solved!
When the Duke saw her letter, he would surely have a massive headache. He’d be so anxious he wouldn’t be able to sleep. As for the Duchess, she would likely go insane with rage…
Thinking of this scene, Ming Yueni couldn’t help but spin in a joyful circle. She was just too happy! Her graceful figure was as light and agile as a butterfly. Her skirt bloomed beautifully, as dazzling as the most exquisite peony in the Imperial Garden!
Suddenly, someone swallowed hard.
“Crown Prince!”
Ming Yueni stopped. Seeing Bei Chenjing standing under an archway, his eyes staring straight at her, she felt nothing but disgust. She turned to leave immediately.
“Stop right there!”
Bei Chenjing caught up in a few strides. “Why is Beauty Ming running away the moment she sees me?”
“The Crown Prince should be careful! I am His Majesty’s Beauty!”
Ming Yueni stared at him warily, maintaining a distance of ten paces, refusing to let him get any closer.
Bei Chenjing was fuming inwardly, unwilling to let go. This was clearly the beauty he had spotted first! She had been within his reach, yet in the blink of an eye, she had become his Imperial Father’s woman.
He was both jealous and lecherous. He also hated Ming Yueni for being so ungrateful!
“Beauty Ming, you will regret this!”
Bei Chenjing glared at her fiercely, his tone arrogant and certain. “You will definitely regret it! Now that you’ve entered the Imperial Father’s harem, you can look forward to living like a widow, lonely and pathetic in the depths of the night!”
“Presumptuous!”
Ming Yueni rebuked him angrily. “Is the Crown Prince not afraid I will tell His Majesty?”
“Go ahead and tell him! When I see the Imperial Father, I will say that it was you who seduced me! Let’s see who the Imperial Father believes.”
Bei Chenjing acted completely at ease. “At most, I’ll get a scolding and be confined for a few days. But you? How will you survive being cast into the Cold Palace?”
Ming Yueni took a deep breath. She looked at Bei Chenjing coldly. “Crown Prince, I will never regret it!”
“His Majesty is a man of honor! He is a true gentleman!”
He was a man who could remain unmoved even with a beauty in his lap, a man of restraint and self-discipline.
But Bei Chenjing? He was nothing more than a beast that went into heat whenever he pleased!
“You are not fit to be compared to His Majesty!”
With that, Ming Yueni walked away. Bei Chenjing froze on the spot, so angry his composure shattered.
“Blind fool! Ming Yueni, just you wait. The day will come when you crawl back and beg me on your knees!”
“Bah!”
Ming Yueni spat in disgust!
The reason Bei Chenjing was so arrogant and emboldened was entirely because of his status as the heir to the throne. If only His Majesty weren’t sterile…
Ming Yueni’s eyes flickered as she recalled her recent “experience”—it had been quite intimidating! Just thinking about it made her legs feel weak.
She bit her lower lip, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts. Only by successfully “attending the bed” would she know if there was a shortcut to deposing the Crown Prince!
She would have to make more preparations…