As soon as the Emperor’s questioning words left his lips, Yin Guo was startled!
Oh no, did I misread the Emperor’s heart?
Just as she was about to step forward and confess her guilt, Ming Yueni moved a step ahead and knelt before the Emperor. “May Your Majesty calm your anger. As a maid of the Chen Palace, now that my injuries have healed, it is only right that I fulfill my duties and serve Your Majesty with the utmost devotion.”
“If Your Majesty dislikes it…”
Ming Yueni bit her lip slightly, her expression filled with grievance and sadness as she timidly admitted her fault. “It is this servant’s mistake. Please, Your Majesty, punish me!”
She looked so obedient and pitiable—timid and delicate like a precious kitten. It felt impossible to find the heart to punish her.
Bei Chenyuan’s gaze remained cold as he scrutinized her. “Devoted to your duties? And what is it that you can do?”
“This servant can serve tea, grind ink, and massage Your Majesty’s shoulders and legs.”
Ming Yuelan had used her like a common servant, pinching her whenever she did a poor job. Ming Yueni knew how to do many things, but she wasn’t foolish; she only chose the lighter tasks that would allow her to get close to the Emperor.
She could be his servant, but she couldn’t only be a servant.
Ming Yueni hid her true intentions and slightly tilted her small face upward. The corners of her eyes were naturally upturned, pink without the need for makeup. Her pupils were clear and watery, and her gaze seemed to carry a hint of lingering affection—seductive without her even realizing it.
Her voice was soft and obedient. “Whatever Your Majesty commands this servant to do, I shall do it.”
So obedient!
The desire for control in the depths of Bei Chenyuan’s heart began to stir. He commanded, “Come here and grind the ink.”
“Yes.” Ming Yueni stood up and walked over.
She stood by the side of the desk, focused entirely on her task as she tucked up her sleeves and began to grind the ink stick. The room was filled with the rhythmic sound of the ink stick rubbing against the inkstone. Bei Chenyuan was usually meticulous when handling government affairs, but at this moment, he couldn’t help but let his gaze fall upon Ming Yueni’s hands.
Her fingers were like jade, her skin as white as frost or snow. Unfortunately, there were calluses on her fingers, as if she were accustomed to manual labor; the flaw was a regrettable imperfection in her beauty.
As his gaze traveled further, Bei Chenyuan’s eyes froze. Even the most ordinary low-ranking palace maid’s attire looked beautiful on Ming Yueni. Her body was soft and delicate, her curves graceful, and her waist was so slender it seemed it could be encircled by a single hand, as supple as a willow branch.
“Your Majesty.”
Ming Yueni handed him the brush tipped with ink. She was standing very close, and a scent of peach blossoms wafted toward him—sweet and clear like a hook, scratching at his heart. Her small face was devoid of makeup, appearing both pure and alluring. Her nose was fine, her lips were ruby-red, and her eyes were full of him.
“Get out!”
Bei Chenyuan didn’t even take the brush. His voice was cold and heartless. “Your service is not needed here!”
“This servant takes her leave.”
Ming Yueni’s expression was one of frantic helplessness. She set down the imperial brush, and as she bowed to retreat, the corners of her eyes were flushed red, and a watery sheen appeared in her gaze.
Bei Chenyuan’s eyes were dark and deep. He didn’t even touch the brush near the inkstone; instead, he took another brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write… He took a deep breath, focusing his mind entirely on the important affairs of the state.
Outside the Hall
Ming Yueni hid in a corner and wiped the corners of her eyes. Yin Guo followed her out, her heart filled with guilt upon seeing this—it was she who had sent Ming Yueni in. Yet Ming Yueni hadn’t exposed her and had taken the blame herself; she was truly an obedient and good girl!
“Yueni.” Yin Guo walked over, her tone gentle and friendly as she comforted her. “Don’t be afraid. His Majesty won’t punish you.”
“Sister Yin Guo, did I do something wrong?” Ming Yueni put on a pitiable, innocent, and aggrieved look. She had rubbed the corners of her eyes until they were red, and her voice was soft and trembling. “His Majesty… he doesn’t like me.”
Yin Guo’s expression was conflicted. If the Emperor didn’t like her, he would have kicked her out of the Chen Palace long ago! But if he did like her, why would he kick her out of the study the moment she showed her face? Ming Yueni had only served tea and ground ink; she hadn’t done a single unnecessary thing! Yin Guo had seen it with her own eyes—what an obedient child!
Yin Guo could only comfort her. “Yueni, don’t overthink it. Just wait here! Who knows, maybe His Majesty will call for you again?”
“Mhm, thank you for the guidance, Sister Yin Guo.” Ming Yueni rubbed her reddened eyes, her voice sounding soft and reliant. Her smile was both obedient and sweet.
Yin Guo’s heart practically melted. If she were a man, she would be holding Ming Yueni and coaxing her in a heartbeat. How could the Emperor remain unmoved? Could it be… that the rumors of his infertility were true? Impossible! Others might not know the truth, but how could she not? The rumors were all false!
After Yin Guo went back inside, Ming Yueni appeared to be well-behaved, standing guard at the door. In reality, she was surreptitiously straining her ears, trying her best to eavesdrop! Unfortunately, the distance was too great, and she couldn’t hear the movements inside.
She waited and waited. The Emperor was diligent; Ming Yueni didn’t know how long she had been standing there, but her calves were aching and numb by the time she finally heard footsteps.
“This old servant will leave the palace now to announce the decree; I should be able to return before the palace gates are locked.” Fu Lai walked out with a smile, his high-pitched voice instructing the little eunuch behind him, “Serve His Majesty carefully. Speak less and do more.”
The little eunuch nodded repeatedly.
Ming Yueni’s gaze fell upon the two imperial edicts in Fu Lai’s arms. Ten to one, they were about the Crown Prince’s marriage. Her peach blossom eyes turned cold, and she clenched her fists in secret.
“Eunuch Fu, please wait.” Ming Yueni chased after him and stopped Fu Lai.
Holding the edicts, Fu Lai’s round, smiling face looked at Ming Yueni with a meaningful expression. “Have you come to ask about the imperial decree?”
“No!” There was no need to ask about something she already knew. She had another purpose for chasing after Fu Lai.
Ming Yueni fell to her knees with a thud, looking up at Fu Lai with a sincere and pitiable face. “I want to beg a favor of Eunuch Fu!”
“Oh my! Get up quickly! You mustn’t kneel!” Fu Lai made a move to pull her up, but Ming Yueni refused to budge.
She said urgently, “Eunuch Fu, this won’t be much trouble. Since you are leaving the palace, I beg you to take a message to my mother and brother!” Ming Yueni took out a token and all the silver she had on her—a total of three taels.
With a sob in her voice, she said, “My mother is in poor health, and my brother is still young. Please tell my mother that everything is well with me in the palace! This silver is a small token of my respect for you, Eunuch. I will surely repay your kindness in the future!”
Upon hearing this, Fu Lai’s expression softened immediately. What a filial and good child! Considering he was still hoping Ming Yueni would win the Emperor’s favor, and since he was already going to the Duke’s Mansion to deliver the decree, it was a simple matter to help.
“Alright, I agree.”
“Thank you, Eunuch Fu!” Ming Yueni gave Fu Lai a sincere kowtow.
As she watched Fu Lai depart, her eyes brimmed with tears, but the corners of her mouth curled upward slightly. Her mind was racing—Fu Lai was the Head Eunuch and the Emperor’s trusted confidant! If she could persuade him to check on her mother and brother, his influence alone would be enough to make the people at the Duke’s Mansion reconsider before they dared to torture or humiliate her family again.
Today, she could use his reflected authority to protect her family. Sooner or later, she would use this momentum to rescue them from that misery!
Filled with determination, Ming Yueni turned around and looked up, only to instantly freeze! She looked straight into a pair of deep, dark eyes. The gaze was as sharp as a knife, seemingly ready to flay her and see right through to her soul.
Ming Yueni immediately knelt. “This servant pays her respects to Your Majesty!”
When did the Emperor arrive? How much did he see? Ming Yueni bit her lip in anxiety. I won’t be kicked out, will I?
“Come here.”
Bei Chenyuan left behind two cold words. His eyes held no warmth whatsoever as he turned and walked away. Ming Yueni followed him with a sense of trepidation. They passed through the palace gates and entered the imperial bathhouse.
Bei Chenyuan stood with his back to her and spread his arms. “Undress me.”