The Duke’s Estate was in total chaos!
The Duchess tore the letter into tiny shreds, stomped on them several times, and cursed in a fit of rage: “That little wrench, she’s dreaming!”
“She wants that little brat to enter the academy? Bah!”
“And she wants that mute slut to be promoted to Equal Wife? Hahaha, she’s hilarious! She must have lost her mind!”
“She should look in a mirror and ask herself—is she worthy?”
The Duke of Ming’s expression was dark and unsightly. He frowned and shouted, “Duchess, look at you! Is this how the mistress of a household behaves? You’re acting like a shrew; I’ll be too ashamed to show my face if word gets out!”
“My Lord!”
The Duchess jumped in anger. “Listening to that little wench Ming Yueni is what will truly make us lose face!”
The Duke of Ming fell silent.
He stared at the shredded paper on the floor—
In her letter, Ming Yueni wrote: As long as one of two things could be achieved—her brother entering the academy or her mother being promoted—she would be obedient in the future and act on behalf of the Duke’s Estate.
He weighed the options!
The Duke of Ming spoke: “Ming Yueni is now a Beauty and will surely be titled a Consort in the future. It is indeed improper for her biological mother to remain a mere concubine.”
“My Lord! Unless I am dead, you can forget about promoting that slut!”
The Duchess was desperate and exasperated. “Why won’t you let that little bastard go to the academy? Are you afraid people will find out you’ve been cuckolded…”
Slap!
A single blow sent the Duchess tumbling to the floor.
Fu Lai happened to witness this scene and caught an earful of their argument!
His eyes darted around, and pretending not to have noticed anything, he stepped through the door with an “Oh my!” “What is going on? A joyful occasion is at hand; why have you started fighting? Duchess, please, get up quickly!”
The Duchess was mortally offended, tears welling in her eyes.
The Duke of Ming gave her a warning glare before putting on a smile to greet Fu Lai. “Eunuch Fu, why have you come? What joyful occasion?”
“I am here to congratulate the Duke! His Majesty has issued a decree: the young master of the Duke’s Estate—Ming Yuechang—is to enter the Imperial Academy to study, starting tomorrow!”
Fu Lai gave a smiling, dainty gesture with his fingers. “Duke, out of all the civil and military officials in the court, only your family has received His Majesty’s golden words and permission to enter the Imperial Academy!”
“The young master will have a great future! Truly, congratulations are in order!”
The Duke of Ming’s face turned so pale he looked as if his parents had just died.
“Hahahahaha—”
The Duchess slapped her thighs and laughed wildly, as if she had lost her mind. “My Lord, this is indeed a great joy!”
The Duke of Ming’s beard trembled, but he said nothing.
Fu Lai observed the couple’s reaction and added with a smile, “I have delivered the decree. I must return to the palace to serve His Majesty. Farewell. No need to see me out!”
No one saw Fu Lai out.
Both husband and wife were on the verge of a mental breakdown!
The Duke of Ming felt a stinging pain on his face; Ming Yueni had done this on purpose!
If she could get the Emperor to speak, why did she even bother looking for him?
Was she just playing with him!
The Duchess was both furious and resentful. “My Lord! You aren’t really going to promote that slut, are you? Don’t forget, she had an affair and gave birth to a bastard!”
“Shut up! Don’t you dare mention it again!”
The Duke of Ming’s gaze looked as if he wanted to tear her apart. “If it weren’t for your failure to educate our daughter, Lan’er would be more than just a Side Consort! Would I need to rely on Ming Yueni for my future?”
“Is Lan’er only my daughter? I don’t care! As long as I am in this estate, that slut can only be a concubine!”
The Duchess gritted her teeth with jealous hatred. “If she dares to sit as my equal, I will poison her to death!”
“Your Majesty, this servant heard it with his own ears. There is no mistake!”
Fu Lai pounded his chest in guarantee.
Yin Guo took a sharp breath in surprise. Ming Yueni’s brother was actually a bastard!
If she had a mother who was unfaithful, would this affect Ming Yueni’s favor?
Worried, Yin Guo stole a glance at the Emperor’s reaction.
Bei Chenyuan sat behind his desk, his features deep and his handsome face dignified in contemplation. “This matter is suspicious.”
Fu Lai hurriedly explained, “Your Majesty, this servant would not dare to embellish the truth!”
“It has nothing to do with you.”
Bei Chenyuan was wise and discerning, his sharp mind piercing through to the heart of the matter.
His tone was majestic and cold: “If the fault lay with the woman, a mere concubine would not have lived long enough to give birth to a bastard.”
“Since she has lived until today, nine times out of ten, the fault does not lie with her; she is a victim.”
“Or, perhaps this lover was someone so extraordinary that the Duke of Ming didn’t dare to utter a word even while wearing the green hat of a cuckold.”
The Emperor suddenly became interested.
Did Ming Yueni know? Her business was now his business.
The Emperor commanded: “Go and investigate!”
“As you command! Your Majesty, should Ming Yuechang still go to the Imperial Academy?”
A bastard’s status was not honorable.
Bei Chenyuan didn’t care at all. “I have already promised the Beauty. An Emperor does not go back on his word.”
“Yes!”
Fu Lai left to carry out the task.
Bei Chenyuan read the memorials for a while and casually asked Yin Guo, “What is Ming Yueni doing?”
“In response to Your Majesty, Consort Rou sent word that Beauty Ming has been staying in Fu Rou Palace… reading.”
“Reading?”
Bei Chenyuan raised an eyebrow. He didn’t even need to guess what kind of books she was reading.
For a moment, he couldn’t help himself; a look of utter indulgence appeared in his smile.
How could she be so cute?
Pure and obedient. It made his heart ache with affection.
“Pass the decree—I will dine at Fu Rou Palace tonight.” After giving the order, Bei Chenyuan focused back on state affairs.
“This servant obeys the decree.”
Yin Guo personally went to Fu Rou Palace to deliver the imperial command.
With her appearance, the Imperial Kitchen didn’t dare to be negligent; the fine dishes and wine were arranged perfectly.
Everyone in Fu Rou Palace was busy cleaning.
Shen Rou even rolled up her sleeves to work herself!
Ming Yueni wanted to help, but Yin Guo pulled her aside to whisper, “Beauty, His Majesty is coming to Fu Rou Palace tonight. You must seize this opportunity!”
“Sister Yin Guo, I want to serve His Majesty well, but I…”
Ming Yueni twisted her handkerchief with both hands, her ears turning red as she stammered, “I have no experience. I don’t know what to do.”
“When it comes to love between a man and a woman, let nature take its course.”
Yin Guo looked at her like a younger sister, her gaze tender and affectionate as she touched Ming Yueni’s cheek. “His Majesty likes you; he will naturally cherish and love you. There is no need to fear.”
Ming Yueni nodded obediently. Her shy and lovely appearance even made Yin Guo’s heart skip a beat.
But she didn’t know that Ming Yueni was secretly worried.
She was afraid that due to her past trauma, she might subconsciously resist or struggle, ruining the Emperor’s mood.
But she couldn’t hide! She had to face the challenge head-on!
She had to overcome it and use it.
“The Emperor has arrived—”
“This concubine welcomes Your Majesty.” Ming Yueni knelt to pay respects, adding an explanation: “Sister Rou strained her waist this afternoon and it is inconvenient for her to receive Your Majesty. Please forgive her.”
“Mm, no need to mind her.”
Bei Chenyuan stepped forward to lift Ming Yueni up. Taking her hand, he walked toward her room.
Ming Yueni lowered her head submissively, thinking helplessly: Consort Rou and His Majesty aren’t even pretending anymore!
Or perhaps they thought she was too weak and harmless to bother acting for.
Fine, the advantage was hers! No other concubines would be fighting for favor and ruining her plans!
“Your Majesty, please sit.”
After Bei Chenyuan sat down, he naturally reached out, pinched Ming Yueni’s waist, and pulled her onto his lap.
He took the opportunity to sniff at her neck and shoulder, frowning slightly. “Did you change your incense?”
“Huh? No. This is the first time I’ve used incense; does Your Majesty not like it?”
Bei Chenyuan understood. “So it was your natural body scent. I prefer yours; there is no need for incense in the future.”
Ming Yueni nodded shyly. “Alright.”
She picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of emerald shrimp, and fed it to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, please dine.”
Bei Chenyuan swallowed it in one go, his deep eyes staring straight at her face.
He wanted to eat—her!