Wen Leyan truly dared not disobey, so she could only bite her lip and agree, “This concubine will go now.” Before leaving, she shot Wen Yunmian a fierce glare.
Xian Fei smiled and said, “I heard that Yun Guiren and Lady Le are biological sisters. Now one is the Emperor’s cherished favorite, born with peerless beauty, while the other is fiery and unrestrained, endearing in her own way. I fear that in the future, even the Emperor will find it difficult to decide which sister to dote on more.”
Wen Yunmian lifted her gaze to look over. This Xian Fei was always the one stirring up trouble and conflict. Back then, she had almost become the Imperial Noble Consort.
Sure enough, Imperial Consort Shu’s face instantly darkened. Chun Pin immediately chimed in, “I fear they might become like Feiyan and Hede in the future, causing chaos in the rear palace. Perhaps this is precisely the Houfu’s intention.”
Wen Yunmian’s expression turned cold. “Your words are too severe, Chun Pin. If sisters from the same family entering the palace together is considered causing chaos in the rear palace, then from now on, the laws would have to be rewritten—allowing only one woman per family to enter the palace. That way, families would avoid being implicated and branded with charges of rebellion.”
Da Ying Su looked at Chun Pin, frowning as she said, “But I recall that Chun Pin and Xian Fei are also from the same clan. Could it be that the Qi family harbors such intentions as well?”
“You!” Chun Pin was furious, yet Da Ying Su wore an expression of utter innocence.
At that moment, news arrived from Taihe Hall. After listening, the Empress responded, finally putting an end to the concubines’ dispute.
“Enough! We are all sisters here. Do not speak such divisive words. The Emperor is occupied with state affairs and will not be coming today. This Consort is also tired. You may all withdraw.”
The concubines rose to their feet and saw off the Empress before filing out one by one.
Imperial Consort Shu, noble in demeanor and commanding in presence, cast a cold glance at Wen Yunmian’s exceptionally beautiful face. “Yun Guiren. This Consort observes that you have been disrespectful to Chun Pin, showing no regard for hierarchy. It seems your etiquette training is lacking. Very well, return and copy the Admonitions for Women thirty times. Have them delivered to Yanxi Palace first thing tomorrow morning.”
Wen Yunmian lowered her gaze, showing no intention of arguing. “This concubine obeys the decree.”
Upon returning to Peony Pavilion, Yun Fei fumed indignantly. “Noble Consort is clearly deliberately making things difficult for our mistress.”
Yun Yang frowned. “The palace is full of eyes and ears, and walls have ears. Speaking of Noble Consort like that—do you have a death wish?”
Yun Fei quickly bit her lip and fell silent.
Wen Yunmian smiled slightly and walked to the writing desk. “Enough, no more complaints. Yun Yang, come grind the ink for me.”
She knew the Noble Consort would not let her off easily, and this was precisely a good opportunity to hook Jun Chenyu.
As night fell, the Imperial Study was brightly lit, with layers of Forbidden Army guards stationed outside.
Jun Chenyu had been handling state affairs all day and was still reviewing memorials.
Only after Jun Chenyu closed the memorial did Eunuch Lu quickly ask, “Where would Your Majesty like to rest?”
Jun Chenyu set down the purple-haired brush. “Summon Imperial Consort Shu.”
“Yes!”
Imperial Consort Shu was already waiting in Chaoyang Palace, graceful and alluring, her eyes filled with affection. “It seems the Emperor is no longer angry with This Consort.”
Her maid, Lu Yue, replied with a smile, “How could there be lingering anger between the Emperor and Her Ladyship?”
Just as she spoke, Jun Chenyu arrived.
Imperial Consort Shu hurriedly knelt. “Your Subject Consort pays respects to the Emperor.”
Jun Chenyu walked up to her and helped her rise. “Your hands are so cold.”
As the two walked toward the inner chamber, Imperial Consort Shu smiled shyly. “As long as I can wait for the Emperor to come, no matter how cold the weather, Your Subject Consort is willing.”
Jun Chenyu curled his lips, his sharp and cold gaze turning toward Imperial Consort Shu beside him. Just as he was about to speak, his deep eyes swept past her and landed on the hot spring pool.
The delicate, soft body that had fallen into the hot spring pool last night flashed through his mind.
Yet the sensation of those seemingly boneless jade-like hands wrapping around him from behind, slowly caressing his chest, suddenly surged forth.
Jun Chenyu’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and the expression in his phoenix eyes visibly shifted.
When the Noble Consort went to bathe, Jun Chenyu summoned Eunuch Lu. “What is Yun Guiren doing?”
Eunuch Lu was taken aback. The Emperor had never inquired about anyone other than the Noble Consort. This Yun Guiren was not simple…
“Your Majesty, I heard that today the Noble Consort punished Yun Guiren, saying she overstepped her bounds and showed disrespect to her superiors.”
Jun Chenyu raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “Overstepped her bounds? Disrespectful to superiors?”
A woman who could be brought to tears with just a harsh word—could she really have such courage?
Eunuch Lu added, “I heard it was because Chun Pin said that the Wen sisters might become seductive consorts who would bring chaos to the rear palace in the future, even suggesting that the Houfu had done so intentionally. Yun Guiren merely defended herself a few words.”
Under the flickering candlelight, Jun Chenyu’s sharp phoenix eyes were filled with icy coldness.
He sneered coldly, his eyes already showing dissatisfaction with Imperial Consort Shu.
Eunuch Lu quickly lowered his head, not daring to breathe loudly.
By the time Imperial Consort Shu emerged again, Jun Chenyu had long since left.
She was stunned, but a eunuch from Chaoyang Palace entered and said, “Your Ladyship, His Majesty has ordered that you return to Yanxi Palace.”
Imperial Consort Shu’s face turned pale. “Where is the Emperor? Just now he was…”
Before she could finish, the eunuch interrupted her, “Your Ladyship, His Majesty’s whereabouts must not be privately inquired about. Please be cautious with your words.”
Wen Yunmian was still in Peony Pavilion. The primary consort, Consort Rong, never received outsiders, so the entire Qi Xia Gong became exceptionally quiet at night.
Judging the sky and the hour, Wen Yunmian set down her brush. “Yun Yang, prepare my bath.”
Yun Yang acknowledged, about to instruct Shukui to add hot water, when Wen Yunmian stood up. “I heard there’s also a hot spring pool in the rear garden of our Peony Pavilion. I’ll go there.”
“Also, warm a pot of wine for me.”
When Jun Chenyu arrived under the cover of night, snow began to fall outside. Eunuch Lu held an umbrella for him. As soon as the imperial guards reached the outside of Peony Pavilion, Yun Yang led the palace maids and eunuchs out to greet them.
Jun Chenyu stood tall and imposing, his cold eyes looking toward the interior. “Where is your mistress? Why hasn’t she come out to see Zhen?”
Yun Yang knelt to reply, “Your Majesty, my mistress has gone to the hot spring pool at the back. This servant will go and call her at once.”
Jun Chenyu looked down at them imperiously, then after a moment said coldly, “No need. Zhen will go and see for myself.”
Seeing this situation, Eunuch Lu guessed that the Emperor would likely stay the night at Peony Pavilion.
When Jun Chenyu walked over, he saw a slender figure in a dazzling red dress, her fragrant shoulders half-exposed, dancing gracefully against the light by the hot spring pool.
Her posture was light and agile. As she danced, she tilted her head slightly, revealing delicate, snow-white skin. Her fingertips played with her hair, and the gleam in her eyes was breathtakingly beautiful.
Yet her expression carried a hint of liveliness and cunning, like a sly yet captivating little fox.
Jun Chenyu approached, his tall figure seeming to block out all the light. He crouched down as if observing prey, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Wen Yunmian turned her head and noticed the newcomer. With a soft, startled “Ah,” the red gauze casually draped over her body slipped off in an instant.
A stark-naked, snow-white figure abruptly filled Jun Chenyu’s phoenix eyes.
The pool water half-concealed and half-revealed her, making it all the more alluring.
Jun Chenyu’s gaze suddenly darkened, fixed intently on her. Just as he was about to reach out and pull her before him, Wen Yunmian slipped and tumbled straight into the water.
Jun Chenyu’s stern expression shifted slightly, and he immediately entered the water to pull her out.
The next moment, a pair of delicate, soft hands emerged from the water and hooked onto Jun Chenyu’s collar.
Splash!
A stunningly beautiful face, adorned with droplets of water, surfaced from the pool. Her lovely eyes brimmed with affection, and her gaze was as seductive as silk.
Wen Yunmian’s eyelashes were wet, and she smiled slyly, her eyes curving with mischief, as if tipsily murmuring, “You fell for it~”