The Emperor was immersed in the water, leaning against the edge of the bath, watching her face.
This woman disdains the aging emperor, feigning ugliness to avoid his favor. But now, she boldly stares at him, looking like a female hooligan, with not a trace of shyness.
He furrowed his brow slightly, with an expression of surprise flashing across his eyes.
She wasn't angry but instead found his boldness amusing.
"Have you seen enough? Can this body of mine still meet your eye?"
The Emperor glanced at her sideways, with a playful and inscrutable smile on his lips, and spoke mockingly.
Yu Yao's face turned redder, but she didn't take her eyes off him. On the contrary, she boldly met the Emperor's gaze and stared back at him, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
She parted her lips slightly, her voice carrying a hint of provocation and pleasure, "Your Majesty's majesty and grace are indeed a rare sight in the world. As an ordinary person, I can never see enough."
It's just flirting with the emperor, she does it so easily, as if it's something she does casually.
The Emperor, upon hearing this, had an even greater smile in his eyes. He never expected that this seemingly mild-mannered woman would have such a straightforward side. He couldn't help but feel more interested.
He reached out and gently lifted a petal floating on the surface of the water, speaking with a mysterious tone, "Oh? Then perhaps Your Majesty would like to tell me, in your heart, how do you compare me to the former emperor?"
As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere in the bathroom instantly became subtle.
Yu Yao's heart tightened, knowing that Rongyuan was testing her limits and also warning her not to forget her own identity.
She kept her composure, bowing slightly and pointing her finger gently across the surface of the water, creating a series of delicate ripples.
"The late emperor was solemn and imposing, forever fearful in my heart. And your Majesty, you are handsome and romantic, possessing an irresistible charm. I dare not make any comparisons, for each of your Majesties has their own unique qualities, all of which are beyond my reach."
Her voice was sincere, laced with a touch of helplessness.
The Emperor listened, and the corners of his mouth turned up further. A hint of admiration shone in the beautiful peach blossom eyes.
The woman in front of him was not only physically attractive but also handled situations with grace. She neither made a show of herself nor overstepped her boundaries.
He slowly rose to his feet, water droplets sliding down his tight muscles, outlining the perfect contours.
He stood naked, step by step, walking towards her.
Until they were only one step apart, the warm mist surrounded her face, making her blush.
"Do you know, your words have only made Your Majesty more interested in you?"
The Emperor's voice was low and melodious, very captivating, as if it could penetrate one's heart.
He reached out and lifted Yu Yao's chin, forcing her to look into his eyes, "You clearly don't want to die in the tomb, and I can understand that. But why did you specifically hide in the palace? Is it that you want to use this method to catch my attention?"
Yu Yao's heart skipped a beat. At that time, when she first arrived in this world and was to be buried with the emperor, she didn't even understand the situation. She had run frantically, without considering where she was going.
It was only after she had entered the Taihe Hall that she had time to leisurely examine her surroundings, and then she realized that it was the emperor's private quarters.
She strived to maintain an outward calm, gently brushing aside Rongyuan's hand, taking a step back, bowing with serious expression and said:
"I, Yu Yao, am well aware of my humble status and dare not have any improper desires. As for hiding in Your Majesty's palace chamber, it was a measure of last resort, a result of being at my wit's end. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
The Emperor chuckled and the sound of his laughter echoed in the bathroom, carrying a touch of freedom and playfulness.
He leaned closer to her, and the two were so close that they were almost pressed together. His body was covered in water vapor, and he stood before her in nothing but his natural state, his warm breath almost spraying on her face.
The air was filled with an unspoken tension.
Even if she was an experienced woman, she couldn't help feeling embarrassed at this moment.
"Since it was a matter of last resort, I will not pursue it."
He turned and walked back to the bath, casually throwing on a bath robe. The pose was extremely relaxed yet still maintained the aura of an emperor.
"Change your clothes, Your Majesty. I will have someone arrange for you to stay here later."
Yu Yao lowered her eyelashes and respectfully said, "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace."
With that, she naturally stepped forward to attend to him, dressing him in the robe and tidying it up with natural and skilled movements.
"Your skills in serving others are quite good."
Rongyuan sat in front of the bronze mirror, allowing her to brush his wet, lengthy hair. His lips curled into a playful smile, and every once in a while, when he glanced at her, his gaze was filled with deep meaning.
"Your Majesty flatters, but I am merely doing my duty."
She lowered her eyes, speaking softly, but her hands did not stop working.
She had a very good attitude. She could be a queen or a servant. As a qualified missionary, one should have a thousand faces and adapt to any role.
"Do you know how many women in this deep palace desire Your Majesty's favor?"
The Emperor looked at her through the mirror, speaking softly once again, with a deep and meaningful expression.
Yu Yao didn't understand what the man meant and only respectfully said: "My ignorance, I dare not speak of the affairs of the palace."
"Oh?" Rongyuan's laugh was light and teasing, his voice carrying a hint of flirtation, "Are you willing to become one of them? With your beauty, you would stand out even in my harem."
She couldn't help but furrow her brow slightly, not quite sure if this man was testing herself or if he really meant it.
She kept her composure, "Your Majesty flatters me. I am merely a willow in weak beauty, how could I compare to the fair ladies of the harem? I only wish to serve Your Majesty with all my heart and have no other desires."
Rongyuan's gaze met hers in the mirror, those beautiful peach blossom eyes deep as the night sky, hiding emotions that were hard to decipher.
"That's a good one, you are indeed more discerning than those who spend their days fighting for favor with the emperor. You are very clever."
He laughed lightly, his tone filled with appreciation but also with a hint of testing, "However, the harem of the emperor is never short of people who are smart enough. What is lacking is someone who can touch the heart of the emperor."
Yu Yao raised her brows slightly. For an emperor to seek true love seemed a bit comical, didn't it?
Moreover, the man in front of her was a charming emperor.
Although she was inwardly mocking, her face remained calm. She continued with her task of meticulously arranging Rongyuan's long hair and wringing out the excess water with a towel.
"Your Majesty is the emperor, a ruler of ten thousand chariots, naturally attracting the admiration of all women under heaven. I am just a servant, wishing only to silently protect Your Majesty."
"Silently protecting?"
Rongyuan repeated those four words, his lips curling into a playful smile, "Do you know that in this harem, silence means being forgotten. If you really want to stay here, you must let me see what sets you apart."
Upon hearing this, she secretly pondered in her heart. Although she didn't intend to court this man, she did plan to have a child and receive some favor.
Otherwise, in this deep palace, anyone can step on you.
"I dare not expect the favor of Your Majesty, but I will prove my worth with actual actions. As long as Your Majesty likes, I am willing to do anything."
The Emperor chuckled, turned around, and his deep eyes locked onto her. He extended a finger to lift her chin, speaking in a suggestive tone, "Then tonight, you will sleep with me. Are you willing?"
Yu Yao stared at this man in amazement. Although she knew she would eventually be summoned to his bed, she never expected it to happen so soon.
At least wait until the mourning period is over, right?
The late emperor has just passed away, and his body has not even been buried. It is currently lying in state in the palace, which is the mourning period.
According to the ancestral rules, Emperor Jing, as the son, must wear mourning clothes, avoid makeup, eat vegetarian food mainly, abstain from alcohol, and prohibit entertainment. He should live simply.
Of course, he also cannot call for concubines or take pleasure in women.
But then she remembered that the man was notorious for his love of women, and it would be impossible for him to abstain from intimate relations for such a long time.
The rules only prohibit the use of the lucky draw system for concubines, not that he cannot sleep with women privately.
As long as it doesn't spread, no one can say anything.
"Everything depends on the will of the emperor. If the emperor likes it, I am naturally willing to do so."
She collected her thoughts, her face slightly flushed, and whispered.
