She entered the hall.
The first thing Jiang Yunshu noticed was the magnificently ornate ceiling beams. The Hall of Heavenly Sovereignty glittered with gold and jade, dazzling enough to hurt the eyes.
The air was filled with the scent of dragon’s saliva incense—the fragrance reserved exclusively for the emperor. She had smelled it once before in Fenghua Palace.
Eunuch Qing carried her to the imperial bed before leaning close and whispering into her ear.
“My Lady, His Majesty dislikes women who cry or make a fuss. Please keep that in mind.”
After hearing his warning, Jiang Yunshu curled her lips into a mocking smile, her eyes full of ridicule.
Just then, a flash of imperial yellow entered her sight.
She immediately concealed the sarcasm in her eyes and looked at Chu Yi with apparent delight.
“Your Majesty, are you unharmed?”
Hearing her question, Chu Yi sat beside her, narrowing his eyes slightly as though asking why she would ask such a thing.
Jiang Yunshu rolled her eyes innocently.
“The situation in Fenghua Palace was so chaotic, and it was so dark… I couldn’t tell whether Your Majesty had been injured. I’ve been worried ever since.”
The corners of Chu Yi’s lips lifted in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. It was as if he had already seen through her insincere concern.
He casually raised a hand and extinguished two of the palace lamps.
The room immediately grew dimmer.
Her eyes struggled to adjust, and she froze for a brief moment.
Then someone suddenly closed the distance between them.
A broad, icy hand settled around her neck.
Jiang Yunshu instinctively held her breath.
“Your Majesty…”
Chu Yi ignored her.
His hand continued tracing slowly around her slender neck.
Once her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she noticed a hint of satisfaction on his handsome face.
She couldn’t help wondering…
Does this tyrant have a thing for women’s necks? What a bizarre fetish…
In the dim light, she could finally see his face clearly.
She had to admit—even she was jealous.
His features were as flawless as those of the biggest celebrities in her previous life. From every angle, he looked impossibly handsome.
The tyrant was utterly domineering.
He controlled everything from beginning to end.
Jiang Yunshu’s mind gradually became muddled.
Suddenly, it felt as though a heavy carriage had rolled over her body, threatening to tear her apart.
Instinctively, she grabbed his arm.
Chu Yi frowned slightly.
“Let go.”
Half-conscious, Jiang Yunshu paid him no mind.
Not only did she refuse to release him, but her grip tightened even further. She vaguely felt her fingernails rake across his back, breaking the skin.
As a result…
She paid dearly for it.
Chu Yi!
Dog Emperor!
You damned tyrant!
She cursed him hundreds of times in her heart.
Some time later…
A voice suddenly sounded from outside the chamber.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Your Majesty cannot go in! His Majesty has already retired for the night!”
“Your Majesty, please don’t make things difficult for this old servant!”
Hearing that the Empress had arrived, Jiang Yunshu instantly became more alert and stared at the man above her.
Without the slightest change in expression, Chu Yi said,
“Let her in.”
Jiang Yunshu nearly exploded.
What the hell?!
He actually wants the Empress to come in?
Dog Emperor!
Are you insane?!
She turned her head just in time to see silhouettes moving behind the screen.
The Empress had actually come in!
A wicked smile spread across Chu Yi’s lips as he leaned close to Jiang Yunshu’s ear.
In that instant, she felt as though she were standing on a narrow bridge suspended over a bottomless abyss.
One wrong move…
…and she would fall.
She stared at him nervously.
He merely looked back at her with amused anticipation.
Outside the screen, the Empress clearly knew what was happening behind it. Yet she seemed completely accustomed to it and spoke without hesitation.
“Your Majesty, I beg you to grant this concubine death and spare everyone else in the palace.”
Chu Yi sneered.
“You wish to die? Why haven’t I seen any sign of that?”
“Your Majesty! Please grant this concubine death!”
His expression remained unchanged.
“Death?”
“It won’t come so easily.”
“What your father and brothers once did to me…”
“I’ll repay it to you a hundredfold.”
His voice grew colder.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yunshu was cursing nonstop in her heart.
Damned tyrant! Dog Emperor! Why don’t you just die already?!
Again.
And again.
And again.
A long while later…
She didn’t even know when the Empress had left.
She only knew that she had been treated like nothing more than an outlet for his frustrations.
Now, even walking made her legs tremble.
After washing up, she had to be supported by palace maids as she came out.
Chu Yi glanced at her.
“So delicate.”
Jiang Yunshu shook off the maid’s support and slowly made her way over before dropping to her knees with a thud.
Chu Yi lazily lifted a brow.
“What is it now?”
Pressing her forehead against the floor, she said in a trembling voice,
“Your Majesty… this humble concubine begs for a bowl of rice as a reward.”
“I truly have no strength left…”
“I can’t even walk anymore.”
The entire hall fell silent.
Every servant stared at her in shock.
Who in the palace dared be so bold?
After spending the night with the emperor, she was actually asking for a reward?
Others sought rewards too, but never this openly.
And of all things…
She asked for food.
Not jewels.
Not silk.
Not gold.
Just… a bowl of rice.
And she pitifully claimed she had no strength left to walk.
Chu Yi lifted her chin with evident interest.
His fingers were as cold as the man himself.
Cold enough to chill someone to the bone.
He’d used me as he pleased, and if I walked away empty-handed, wouldn’t that be a huge loss?
If I want to stay alive, I’ll shamelessly ask for what I need.
Chu Yi studied her.
Jiang Yunshu met his gaze without flinching.
His eyes drifted toward her neck.
Without warning, he removed something from himself, pulled her into his arms, and fastened it around her neck.
“Are you satisfied with this reward?”
Jiang Yunshu touched the object hanging there.
It was cold.
A black gemstone.
Under the palace lanterns, it reflected a chilling glow.
An imperial reward…
I can’t eat it.
I probably can’t even sell it.
But that’s not what I wanted!
I wanted food, not a gemstone!
Remaining respectful yet firm, she said,
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s generous reward. I like it very much.”
“But…”
“I still want a bowl of rice.”
“I haven’t eaten any meat for days, and I’m starving.”
“If Your Majesty doesn’t believe me…”
“You can feel for yourself.”
As she spoke, she guided his hand to her stomach.
Chu Yi looked at her with an amused smile.
“It is indeed quite empty.”
Then he looked toward Wang An and made a slight gesture.
Wang An immediately understood.
Jiang Yunshu was overjoyed.
She sprang to her feet before dropping to her knees again.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous reward! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings!”
Chu Yi gave a faint hum.
“Rise.”
She stood up happily and sat beside him again, smiling brightly.
On the outside, she was all smiles.
Inside, she was still cursing.
Dog Emperor! I hope you die early!
Chu Yi narrowed his eyes.
“Why are you staring at me?”
You won’t let me leave.
If I don’t look at you, who am I supposed to look at? Your eunuchs?
Putting on an innocent expression, Jiang Yunshu suddenly smiled brightly.
“This concubine simply thinks Your Majesty is very handsome.”
“You are the most handsome man I have ever seen.”
Apparently, Chu Yi didn’t dislike the compliment.
There was no trace of annoyance on his face.
He merely closed his eyes again, as though taking a short rest.
At that moment, Wang An entered quietly.
“My Lady, why are you still here?”
“Your meal has already been delivered to your palace.”
“You should hurry back and eat.”
“His Majesty also wishes to rest.”
Hearing that, Jiang Yunshu immediately got off the bed and happily started to dash away.
Wang An frantically signaled to her with his eyes.
Only then did she realize her mistake.
Turning back, she bowed.
“Your Majesty, this concubine shall take her leave now. Please rest well.”
Chu Yi answered with a faint hum.
Only then did Jiang Yunshu limp away with an awkward gait.
Watching her leave, Wang An found it rather strange.
Did His Majesty really wear this young lady out to such an extent?
She’s certainly quite delicate…
As he was thinking this, Chu Yi suddenly spoke again.
“Investigate her.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After leaving the Hall of Heavenly Sovereignty, Jiang Yunshu spotted Erya waiting in the distance.
She happily waved.
“My Lady!”
“You came to pick me up, Erya!”
“Eunuch Wang asked this servant to come. My Lady… are you all right?”
Seeing Jiang Yunshu’s unusual way of walking, Erya couldn’t help asking.
Jiang Yunshu forced a smile.
“His Majesty favored me. Naturally… I’m doing wonderfully.”
On the outside, she smiled sweetly.
Inside…
Bullshit!
That damned Dog Emperor has monstrous stamina.
She didn’t even know when the Empress had left.
Now every single step she took felt like torture.
If it weren’t for staying alive…
If it weren’t for that bowl of food…
I never would have served him.
Thinking about how miserable her fate was, Jiang Yunshu couldn’t help wanting to cry again.
She had thought that transmigrating into the body of an insignificant imperial concubine—one who never had enough to eat or wear—was already miserable enough.
Who would have thought…
Being favored by the tyrant was even worse.