“Mingwei, your hand is injured?” Linhui Emperor’s gaze fell on the wound in his palm.
“A minor injury. Not worth mentioning.”
“Not worth mentioning?”
So the rigidity of the Jing family truly ran in their blood.
He looked delicate, yet when he bit, he was ruthless. By that logic, His Majesty’s own charm must be quite formidable—otherwise, if those teeth marks had ended up on him…
The Jing family genealogy might as well be burned for firewood.
Ruan Xi lowered his head, kneeling respectfully, though an uneasy feeling stirred within him.
“I’ve heard that General Ruan was seriously injured, yet his daughter-in-law still had to personally tend to him. At such a late hour, Madam Shen remains in the Duke’s residence?”
Ruan Xi’s heart tightened. How did the Emperor know about this? Could it be that Shen Jue Ming, that wretch, had reported it behind his back?
His eyes narrowed, his hand clenched within his sleeve.
Did that man think that just because he’d become the Princess Royal’s plaything, he was untouchable?
A mere clown.
A hint of amusement flickered in Linhui Emperor’s eyes as his lips curled slightly. “The general may be rough, but Madam Shen is known to follow propriety. With all these rumors… does the general intend to add another scandal to his name?”
“It was my adopted son’s concern for me. I did not think it through carefully,” Ruan Xi replied respectfully, the darkness in his gaze vanishing in an instant.
“I will inform Lord Shen not to trouble himself further.”
Not necessary? Then what fun would be left?
She claimed such deep marital devotion, acting as though she’d rather die than live apart.
If he didn’t want to be the villain, someone else could take that role.
The Emperor lazily beckoned. “Come here.”
Ruan Xi couldn’t read the Emperor’s thoughts. Sweat formed faintly on his forehead. Serving a ruler was like accompanying a tiger.
He had never once underestimated this young emperor.
He moved forward a few steps but didn’t dare approach too closely.
“What?” Linhui Emperor raised a brow. “Afraid of me?” He chuckled softly, his tone strangely gentle. “Mingwei, you are the one I trust most.”
Trust? That word meant little to him.
Ruan Xi quickly knelt. “To earn Your Majesty’s trust is this subject’s honor.”
Linhui Emperor found it utterly dull. He was wise, mighty, considerate of his officials, and devoted to his people—yet no one could take a joke.
He walked toward the Duke, speaking lightly, “The Han emperor longed for a beauty to topple nations, yet could not find one for years.”
“When my late father sought to marry my mother, he once declared before all officials…”
He patted Ruan Xi’s shoulder with apparent concern, then, meeting the other man’s puzzled gaze, strode into the inner chamber with his hands behind his back.
“These past few days, I keep hearing a woman crying in my ears. It disturbs my sleep. General, your aura is steeped in bloodshed—kneel outside and guard my rest.”
Li Dequan’s heart skipped a beat. He followed the Emperor every day—how had he never heard any crying? Was the Emperor ill?
He hurried after him, eyes brimming with tears.
The Emperor was just about to climb into bed when he turned and saw Li Dequan’s mournful expression.
He grabbed a boot and threw it straight at him. “You dog slave, why are you crying? I’m not dead yet. Save it for when I am.”
“Your Majesty is blessed with long life and eternal fortune!” Li Dequan dropped to his knees and scrambled forward. “It is this servant’s negligence. Your Majesty is unwell, and I failed to notice.”
The Emperor glanced at the snot clinging to his sock and clicked his tongue, kicking him aside and tossing the sock at his face.
“Stop that nonsense,” he said, sitting boldly on the bed. “Go out and enlighten the one kneeling outside.”
“I spoke too subtly. That brute out there—he probably didn’t understand a word.”
Li Dequan: “…”
His native language was now silence.
He hesitated. His emperor… why go through all this trouble? For a mere woman, a single decree would suffice—divorce her from Shen, bring her into the palace.
The late emperor had taken remarried women before.
Why complicate things like this?
If Shen was an obstacle, he could be quietly eliminated. A man who sold his wife for advancement was hardly worth keeping.
“What are you thinking? Whispering about me in your heart?”
“This servant wouldn’t dare.”
“Get lost. I know everything about you—even what you do in the privy.”
Li Dequan: “…”
Should he feel honored?
“This servant will go at once.” He hurried out before he could be punished.
Ruan Xi knelt outside, his face dark. After years in the army, this was the first time he had suffered such humiliation.
Shen Jue Ming… it seemed he had been too lenient.
He gazed at the waning moon. Shen Jue Ming, do you think you’ll live to see the next full moon?
Footsteps approached. He suppressed the killing intent in his eyes.
“General, you’ve suffered,” Li Dequan said.
“Eunuch Li.” Ruan Xi’s tone was respectful. Li Dequan was the Emperor’s most trusted attendant—whether in court or the harem, all treated him with courtesy.
“Do not blame His Majesty. This is for your own good.”
“If the name is not proper, the words will not be justified.” Li Dequan paused, then added, “General, some marriages can continue, and some cannot.”
“But you can’t go coveting another man’s wife, can you?”
“Ah!”
Seeing Ruan Xi’s stunned expression, Li Dequan nodded.
Yes, General—exactly what you think.
Break them apart.
Let the tree be planted so others may enjoy the shade.
Act swiftly, secure the divorce, restore Madam Shen’s freedom.
As the Emperor’s subject, you should serve him wholeheartedly.
Do the dirty work now, and His Majesty will remember your loyalty.
Ruan Xi stared at Li Dequan’s oddly eager expression and leaned back slightly.
The Emperor… wanted him to forcibly take another man’s wife?
Was this truly something the Son of Heaven would do?
Li Dequan was practically frantic. Could this general really not understand such plain words?
He coughed softly. “General… do you understand His Majesty’s meaning? Even favoritism must not be too obvious.”
Ruan Xi’s lips twitched. Their emperor truly was… unconventional.
But with imperial approval, he had nothing left to fear.
The next day.
Li Dequan stepped out of the hall, looking at the Duke who had knelt upright all night. Even he felt a trace of admiration.
Not everyone could kneel all night and remain so composed.
No wonder the Emperor had chosen him among the rising elites.
“The general has labored greatly for His Majesty. You are excused from morning court today.”
Li Dequan gestured, and a young eunuch stepped forward with medicine. “His Majesty, concerned for your health, had me fetch the finest blood-circulating ointment from the Imperial Medical Bureau.”
Enduring the piercing pain in his knees, Ruan Xi bowed. “This subject thanks Your Majesty.”
“Careful, General.” Li Dequan personally helped him up. “Although Censor Pei has been tasked with overseeing matters, he is, after all, a civil official.”
“There are certain… establishments where he may not look too closely.”
“His Majesty takes this matter seriously. You must be diligent.”
Ruan Xi: “…”
Who had angered their emperor so much that such an absurd decree was issued—assigning two third-rank officials to enforce it?
As Ruan Xi left the palace, Chang Qing stepped forward to support him. “My lord, what happened?”
“Where is she?”
“Miss Jing wished to leave. Our men refused, so she has begun a hunger strike.”
“A hunger strike.” Ruan Xi glanced out the window and let out a chilling laugh.
“Where is Shen Jue Ming?”
“After leaving the Princess Royal’s residence, he returned home briefly, then hurried to court.”
“Ha.” His eyes darkened. “He’s enjoying himself.”
“Go to the Shen residence. Retrieve something.”
His voice was cold enough to freeze.
He hadn’t slept all night. His knees throbbed with pain.
Shen Jue Ming… your bones had better be strong.
Closing his eyes, her image filled his mind again—the sacred, untouchable face.
Qingzhou, the wind of April carrying the scent of blossoms.
She stood by the river, her veil lifted by the breeze, revealing those compassionate eyes.
A Bodhisattva—pure and untouchable.
His fingers traced the bite mark she had left on his hand, pressing deeply into it.
Last night’s Bodhisattva in his arms had been alluring, her clear eyes captivating.
That red mole on her collarbone…
Truly born to entice.
Bodhisattva, you stood above all, bestowing mercy—yet refused to save him.
No matter. Now, you belong to me alone.
Blood seeped from the wound and dripped onto the carriage.
“The temple—how goes its construction?” he asked.
“Rest assured, my lord. It will be completed by year’s end.”
“Everything must be the best. We’ve waited this long—there’s no need to rush.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Ruan Xi opened his eyes. “Send plainclothes Imperial Guards to patrol the pleasure districts. Any official found entering—report immediately.”
“Yes.”
At the Duke’s residence—
Jing Miaoyi pushed open the door, only to find two sturdy matrons blocking her way.
“Miss Jing, please do not make things difficult for us servants.”
She would not be imprisoned here as she had been in her previous life.
She could only hope Senior Brother Yan understood her hidden message.
No matter how arrogant Ruan Xi was, he would not dare bring this matter into the open.
“I want to see my maid, Baozhu.”
Since entering the residence, she had been separated from Baozhu. She needed to ensure her safety.
“Without the Duke’s orders, we dare not act.”
“Please eat first, Miss Jing.”
Jing Miaoyi clenched her handkerchief, suppressing her anger. “Do not call me Miss Jing. I am already married. Can you not see my married hairstyle?”
“What a temper.”
Ruan Xi stepped inside, his expression dark. The mottled light cast shadows across his cold features, offering no warmth.
He sat at the table, his tone indifferent. “Who styled her hair? Such ignorance of propriety. Drag them out and cut off their hands.”
“Spare me, my lord! Spare me!” The maid fell to her knees, kowtowing desperately.
“Miss Jing, save me! Please save me!”