Wen Yunmian lowered her gaze, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.
If the Emperor were to see her true appearance at first glance, that would be a ten.
But if he saw only six parts, the next encounter would be worth twelve.
Seeing her crimson-tinged eyes, the Emperor ultimately could not bear it and sat down, asking, “Is there anywhere else you feel unwell?”
“Concubine feels fine now, thank you for Your Majesty’s concern.”
That delicate, pale face was streaked with tear stains, appearing as pure as flawless snow jade, yet beneath her dampened gown was a figure both graceful and alluring.
“Do you have nothing to say to Zhen about what happened today?”
In the flickering light, the Emperor’s handsome, sharp features were shrouded in ambiguity.
Gazing at the Emperor’s striking face, Wen Yunmian had long seen through his protectiveness toward the Guifei. Given Wen Leyan’s temperament, in her previous life, after being tormented by the Guifei, she would likely have caused a scene.
But she would not. What she sought was only wealth, honor, and the Emperor’s heart!
Thus, she would not act impulsively but would give him the outcome he desired.
Wen Yunmian knelt weakly at his feet. “Your Majesty, today’s incident was Concubine’s fault. It was Concubine who lacked propriety and offended the Noble Consort, and then accidentally fell into the water, injuring herself and choking. I have disturbed Your Majesty and Her Ladyship. Please forgive me.”
The Emperor raised his slender, sharp brows, looking down at Wen Yunmian with probing eyes.
He lifted her chin, her damp hair brushing against his fingers.
Her intense gaze, snow-white skin, and lips red as blood stared back at him timidly.
“The Guifei injured you, yet you have no intention of complaining to Zhen?”
His tone was icy, revealing no emotion.
The Emperor’s depth of cunning was such that any young maiden would surely fall into his trap.
If she were to weep and accuse the Guifei now, the next moment she would be cast into the cold palace!
Jun Chenyu was that kind of man.
He could be gentle one moment and kill you the next.
After all, in her previous life, Imperial Consort Shu had effortlessly won Jun Chenyu’s heart.
In the deep palace, gaining the Emperor’s deep affection and pity was the perfect ladder to the pinnacle.
“Your Majesty, Concubine understands that Her Ladyship did not act intentionally. She was merely heartbroken, which led to her impulsiveness. Thus, Concubine understands and holds no resentment.”
“You understand?” Jun Chenyu frowned, looking down at her imperiously.
Wen Yunmian prostrated herself at his feet, her voice trembling slightly. “Concubine knows that Your Majesty and Her Ladyship deeply love each other, having grown up together since childhood. Seeing the one you love with another, how could one not feel heartbroken, shed tears, and lose composure? Concubine empathizes deeply, which is why I understand why Her Ladyship acted as she did.”
Jun Chenyu’s sharp brows suddenly furrowed.
He raised his brows dangerously. Though Wen Yunmian had shared a bed with him in her previous life, the Emperor’s majesty still filled her with fear.
“Empathize?” Jun Chenyu curled his lips coldly. “So, does Zhen’s Yun Changzai have someone in her heart from before entering the palace?”
To make Jun Chenyu remember her, she had to take a risky move amidst his unpredictable moods.
Wen Yunmian lowered her eyes, her peach-blossom-like face shadowed with sorrow. “Yes…”
Jun Chenyu said nothing. As he stood up, his tall, imposing figure blocked the only light she could see.
Wen Yunmian curled her fingers, her mind racing as she tried to discern what Jun Chenyu was thinking.
But the next second, Jun Chenyu reached out and lifted Wen Yunmian’s chin. His slender, bony fingers had prominent veins on the back of his hand, exuding immense strength.
The depth in his phoenix eyes was unfathomable, making Wen Yunmian’s heart flutter with unease.
Still, he said nothing.
Seeing him about to leave, his dragon robe brushing past her side, Wen Yunmian immediately reached out and grabbed the lapel of his robe.
He looked down at her. Wen Yunmian slightly raised her flawless, jade-like face, her watery eyes fixed on him with clearly visible tears. “Don’t go.”
Jun Chenyu’s cold gaze sharpened as he looked at the pitiful woman.
Wen Yunmian trembled in fear and quickly released her grip.
“What, can Zhen eat you?”
“Your Majesty, the one Concubine admires…”
She choked up, as if mustering immense courage, “…is you.”
Jun Chenyu’s words halted on his lips, his sharp phoenix eyes lowering.
“Admire Zhen? Do you know that deceiving the Emperor is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine clans?”
Wen Yunmian’s gaze was hidden beneath her thick, dark, curled lashes. Drawing from her past life’s experience, she knew that if the usually taciturn Jun Chenyu asked such a question, it meant he was pleased.
At the very least, she had piqued his interest.
That was enough.
After all, she was facing an Emperor who had ascended the throne at a young age and solidified his power amidst treacherous political storms.
Such a man had seen everything—she had no confidence in capturing his heart from the start.
She wiped her tears haphazardly, her red lips delicate and even more striking from being bitten. “I… I’m not lying…”
Seeing Jun Chenyu staring at her coldly and unmoving, Wen Yunmian’s tears fell in streams. In her panic, she tugged lightly at his sleeve, as if too flustered to choose her words carefully, though every sentence was meticulously prepared.
“I have always admired you. I admire your talent, your governance, and even more, your courage in ascending the throne at a young age and eliminating treacherous officials…”
As if realizing she had spoken too much or just noticing she hadn’t used honorifics, Wen Yunmian flushed with anxiety. “Concubine has spoken out of turn, please…”
Before she could finish, her slender waist was suddenly encircled by those large hands. Wen Yunmian let out a soft cry and quickly wrapped her arms around Jun Chenyu’s neck as he effortlessly lifted her.
When placed on the bed, Wen Yunmian timidly shifted inward, her delicate, slender ankles and jade-like feet catching his eye.
He couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. How could the Marquis of Yongyi, who slaughtered enemies on the battlefield, raise such a delicate daughter? A few drops of rain would likely startle her.
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Jun Chenyu’s phoenix eyes were filled with cold severity.
He was doubting her again.
He despised women who schemed and flaunted their cleverness.
Wen Yunmian bit her lip. “Because Concubine did not wish to disrupt Your Majesty and Her Ladyship. Concubine knows she is insignificant, so please, Your Majesty, forget today’s words. Concubine will never dare speak recklessly again…”
Jun Chenyu paused. The slight stirring in his heart moments earlier was brought back to reason by her mention of Guifei.
“Enough. Keep everything that happened today in Chaoyang Palace to yourself. As for what you just said, Zhen will act as though he never heard it.”
A flicker of amusement passed through Wen Yunmian’s eyes.
She knew Jun Chenyu had been moved by her earlier, but she wanted him to remain clear-headed, constantly wavering between reason and impulse.
She understood all too well that the more certain desires were suppressed, the more they would backfire.
She was waiting for the day Jun Chenyu would act on impulse.