“Concubine will certainly abide by her duties.” As she spoke, Wen Yunmian prepared to rise from the bed. “Then Concubine shall return to her own palace now.”
Jun Chenyu glanced at her indifferently. He knew how opportunistic people in the palace could be. If he let her return tonight, tomorrow she would be someone everyone could trample upon.
A greenhouse peony like her would undoubtedly be devoured alive by those people.
“Stay. Zhen will not touch you tonight, but will still grant you dignity.”
Wen Yunmian looked up in surprise, the reddened corners of her eyes still misty.
“What are you standing there for? Attend Zhen in changing clothes.”
Wen Yunmian snapped back to reality and hurriedly stood up. Jun Chenyu spread his arms, standing silently in place as Wen Yunmian moved behind him to undo the sash at his waist.
She was petite and delicate, while Jun Chenyu was tall and imposing. Wen Yunmian’s head only reached his shoulders.
She moved to the front to undo his clothes. Perhaps because she had been keeping her head lowered, she suddenly leaned forward unexpectedly, and Jun Chenyu’s lips landed on her forehead.
Wen Yunmian looked up in alarm. “Concubine… Concubine did not mean to.”
Jun Chenyu’s throat moved slightly, concealing the momentary flutter he had just felt. His face remained cold and silent.
Wen Yunmian timidly continued to undo his clothes.
She thought the clothes would come off quickly, but unexpectedly, those delicate jade-like hands fumbled clumsily over his body.
Wen Yunmian pondered for a moment, then simply reached out and wrapped her arms around Jun Chenyu’s waist. As her soft, delicate body drew close, a subtle fragrance suddenly enveloped him, and she nestled sweetly and softly against his chest.
Jun Chenyu’s handsome face tightened. He wanted to scold her, to ask if she was doing this on purpose, but the flustered demeanor of the woman in his arms did not seem feigned.
Those hands were like hooks stirring desire, slowly wandering over his body, leaving no inch untouched.
Jun Chenyu’s breathing grew heavy. After enduring for a while, he directly lifted her out of his embrace.
Wen Yunmian looked like an innocent rabbit, her dark eyes fixed on him.
Jun Chenyu took a deep breath. “Xiao Luzi!”
The palace maids and eunuchs outside hurried in. They were already well-versed in the Emperor’s habits. With just a glance, a palace maid immediately stepped forward and skillfully helped the Emperor remove his outer garments.
Wen Yunmian stood awkwardly in place. Jun Chenyu ordered coldly, “What are you standing there for? Change out of your damp clothes.”
“Oh.” Wen Yunmian obediently scurried behind the screen. A palace maid brought clean clothes and then withdrew.
Only the two of them remained in the bedchamber.
Jun Chenyu had just sat by the bed to adjust his sleeves. Lifting his cold gaze, he saw the graceful, alluring silhouette behind the screen illuminated by the candlelight.
He stopped what he was doing.
The shadow’s projection outlined every curve of her body with vivid clarity.
Graceful and curvaceous, full and smooth—such a vivid and enticing scene crashed almost defenselessly into Jun Chenyu’s heart.
The desire he had just suppressed flared up again.
By the time Wen Yunmian finished changing and emerged, Jun Chenyu was already lying down.
Wen Yunmian bit her lip. In her previous life, she and Jun Chenyu had engaged in many intimate affairs. She knew him all too well.
She could tell at a glance that Jun Chenyu was acting unusual—for instance, the noticeable rise and fall under the blanket.
Perhaps he was waiting for her to take the initiative to attend the bedchamber?
Wen Yunmian curved her lips faintly and turned toward the nearby daybed.
Several candles were extinguished. Jun Chenyu opened his deep, cold eyes. “Does Noble Lady Yun forget that she is attending the bedchamber tonight?”
Hearing the voice, Wen Yunmian hurriedly knelt down. “This concubine remembers. But this concubine understands that for His Majesty to allow me to stay tonight is already a great kindness. Since Your Majesty holds Noble Consort in your heart, you surely would not wish to touch this concubine. Therefore, this concubine will not overstep again. Please rest assured, Your Majesty.”
Want to touch her? Just endure a little longer.
The more unattainable something is, the more it lingers in one’s thoughts.
Upon hearing Wen Yunmian’s words, Jun Chenyu let out a cold laugh in the darkness before falling silent. Only then did Wen Yunmian dare to return to the daybed.
The next day, Wen Yunmian woke very early. As soon as she rose, she caught the scent of medicine on her body. Looking down, she saw the wound covered with ointment; the already minor injury was nearly healed.
It must have been the Emperor who ordered the palace maid to apply the medicine for her.
The eunuch sent to escort her back was already waiting, treating her with exceptional respect. “Young Mistress, the sedan chair is ready. This servant will have someone take you back.”
“Very well, thank you, Eunuch Lu.”
…
Wen Leyan had not slept all night, eagerly awaiting news.
Yesterday, the Houfu had used connections to send someone from Lady Meng’s side into the palace, precisely to await word after this night of favor.
But when Ming Cui reported that Wen Yunmian had emerged from Chaoyang Palace, Wen Leyan was instantly stunned.
She—she wasn’t taken away?!
Madam Hong sighed. “Young Mistress, your mother wished for you to rise above others and suppress the First Madam. Not only did Second Young Lady steal your chance to attend the bedchamber last night, but today you must also come here to witness her glory. If your mother knew, she would surely be heartbroken.”
Wen Leyan shook her head in panic. No, this couldn’t be!
She had to go to Peony Pavilion and see for herself!
She refused to believe Wen Yunmian would return alive!
…
As soon as Wen Yunmian returned, she saw the horrified face of Wen Leyan.
Besides her, there were several other newcomers who had entered the palace in the same batch as her in her previous life.
Da Ying Su, Attendant Hui, and Noble Lady Wei.
Had Wen Leyan invited them all here to witness her humiliation?
Confirming that Wen Yunmian was still alive, Wen Leyan was nearly choked with resentment!
But it was fine—she must have been severely beaten!
And the Guifei would not let her off afterward either.
So, Wen Leyan put on an act, deliberately wearing a bright smile. “Sister, you’ve finally returned. Yesterday, you were the first to attend the bedchamber—was it to your liking? These three are sisters who entered the palace with us. I invited them over for a chat. You don’t mind, do you?”
Wen Yunmian curved her lips into a smile and bowed to Noble Lady Wei. “This concubine pays respects to Noble Lady Wei.”
Then, she exchanged a greeting of equal rank with Attendant Hui and glanced with a smile at Da Ying Su before straightening up.
Da Ying Su had a sweet appearance. Though not particularly outstanding, she was innocent and lively. “Greetings, Sister Yun. Last night, Sister Yun received the first favor—we are all very envious. I suppose the Ruyi Harmony Fan will be delivered soon, right?”
When a concubine attended the bedchamber for the first time, receiving this fan meant she had greatly pleased the Emperor and would find it easier to establish herself in the palace thereafter.
If she did not receive it, it meant the Emperor disliked and was repelled by her—a great humiliation.
Wen Leyan curled her lips smugly. “I recall that fan is delivered along with the sedan chair when the concubine returns. It’s been so long now with no sign of it—perhaps His Majesty forgot? Or did Sister displease His Majesty?”
Wen Yunmian raised an eyebrow at her.
To mock and belittle her own sister in front of outsiders—how utterly foolish!
“Alright, let’s go inside to talk,” said Noble Lady Wei, who held the highest rank and came from the best family background among them.
Noble Lady Wei was specially permitted to enter the palace because she had inadvertently discovered an assassin during the Mulan Autumn Hunt, thus averting a disturbance that could have alarmed the imperial carriage.
Moreover, being of the same clan as the Empress and of noble status, she should have been the first to receive favor upon entering the palace. However, Imperial Consort Shu deliberately made things difficult for her and replaced her with Wen Yunmian.
Noble Lady Wei remained composed. If not for wanting to see just how beautiful this Yun Changzai was, to gauge her true capabilities, she would have been too lazy to come.
But as she looked at Wen Yunmian before her, whose beauty surpassed snow and whose grace was otherworldly, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of vigilance. This person was likely no ordinary figure, and she might not be able to compete.
After entering, Wen Leyan pulled Wen Yunmian to sit down. “We are all sisters here. Let’s sit and talk first.”
Though she smiled on the surface, she deliberately pressed down hard on Wen Yunmian’s arm with malicious intent.
She knew that the whip marks would not fade, and Wen Yunmian would surely cry out in pain!