In the Chen Xiang Hall, upon learning that she had been chosen by the Emperor for a night of favor, Yun Fei's heart raced like a startled deer.
She sat in front of the bronze mirror as the palace maidens carefully groomed and dressed her.
Looking at her dignified face in the mirror, Yun Fei's heart was filled with some nervousness.
Her looks were not outstanding, yet she possessed a certain graceful elegance.
"Nanny, you look beautiful today, the Emperor will definitely like you."
The palace maid named Xiao Dieo whispered beside her.
Yun Fei forced a smile, knowing that the Emperor had always felt neutral towards her. This time, he had picked her simply because she had once been pregnant, and the Emperor was hoping for an heir.
After everything was tidied up, Yun Fei walked out of the Chen Xiang Hall under the escort of the palace maidens.
The night was like water, a crescent moon hung high in the sky, scattering faint silvery light.
She sat on the Feng Luan En Chariot, and throughout the journey, her hand tightly grasped the corner of her clothes, with visions of Jing Emperor's indifferent expression constantly arising in her mind.
Upon arrival at the Taihe Hall, Yun Fei took a deep breath and slowly walked in.
The Taihe Hall was brightly lit with lanterns, and Jing Emperor was leaning against the bed, his shirt slightly open, revealing the delicate and beautiful collarbone and the snow-white, finely textured skin.
He held a cup of wine in his hand, his eyes were misty, and he had a touch of romance and freedom.
Seeing Yun Fei come in, he slightly lifted his eyelid, casually glanced at her with little interest, then slightly nodded.
Yun Fei bent her knees in a deep bow, her body bending into an elegant curve, her voice soft as a gentle breeze: "Your Majesty, I have the honor to meet you."
Jing Emperor looked at her, a faint smile appeared on his lips: "Yun Fei, do you know why I chose your name first?"
Yun Fei lowered her head slightly, her eyes fixed on the ground, and spoke softly: "I know, Your Majesty is hoping for an heir."
Jing Emperor laughed heartily, straightening his body and carelessly placing the wine cup on a table beside him, "You're quite honest. But with your temperament, you always carry yourself so stiffly. Can't you relax a bit in my presence? It's rather boring indeed."
Yun Fei's face turned pale, and she looked a bit wronged. Tears welled up in her eyes instantly, but she dared not refute, and could only whisper: "I will try my best to make the Emperor happy."
With that, she went forward, her face flushed, "Your Majesty, allow me to assist You in undressing."
Jing Emperor merely nodded slightly, without speaking much.
Yun Fei bit her lip, began slowly unbuttoning Jing Emperor's clothes, her movements were gentle and dignified, with a touch of carefulness.
As she unbuttoned his clothes, she kept looking for topics to chat about, speaking words that would please and delight Jing Emperor.
However, Jing Emperor's interest was not high, and he simply said, "Be done with it."
Yun Fei's cheeks flushed with a tinge of red, lowering her head and slowly loosening her clothing, she lay down on the Dragon Bed.
Yun Fei was a very dignified woman; even though she wanted to please Jing Emperor, she did not dare to do anything overly bold, maintaining herself properly throughout the entire affair.
Jing Emperor looked at the wooden beauty before him, his interest lacking, feeling indifferent and uninterested.
It was like routine business, mechanical and lacking warmth, the whole affair lasted less than half an hour before it quickly came to an end.
He got off the bed, his brows furrowed with a hint of coldness and displease, and ordered the eunuch at the door, "Send Yun Fei back."
Yun Fei looked at the Emperor's expression and knew that she had not pleased him. She bit her lip and her face had a slight paleness.
She made great efforts to please the Emperor, but why was the result still like this?
She held back her tears, bowed respectfully, and allowed the palace attendants to take her back to the Chen Xiang Hall.
On the way, the night wind blew through the long corridors, making a woo-woo sound, carrying a faint coolness. It also dispelled the last bit of fantasy in Yun Fei's heart.
She gently touched her abdomen, hoping that this time she would conceive a child. If so, her life in the future would also have a reliance.
Otherwise... The loneliness of the palace is unbearable, without favor or children, how am I to endure it?
At this time, it's not late yet, and many concubines in the palace haven't gone to bed yet.
They were all secretly watching the movements at the Taihe Hall.
When the servants below reported that Yun Fei was sent back, and it took less than half an hour, they all rejoiced at her misfortune and secretly made fun of Yun Fei.
The Emperor is known for his promiscuity throughout the entire palace, and it is not uncommon for him to spend the night hareling.
Yun Fei was sent out of the Taihe Hall so quickly, which shows that the Emperor does not favor her.
What's the point of being the first to be summoned? The Emperor still doesn't like her, is he?
It's just that she had a child once, so she has a little special status.
With this in mind, the concubines in the palace no longer envied Yun Fei, secretly made fun of her a few times, and then went to rest.
After Yun Fei was sent away from the Taihe Hall, Jing Emperor Rongyuan lay on the bed but couldn't sleep at all, feeling uncomfortable.
He fidgeted and turned over a few times, then suddenly stood up and put on his outer robe before leaving the palace.
The moonlight spread on the palace path like water, and Jing Emperor's shadow appeared somewhat lonely in the moonlight.
He had originally intended to go out for some fresh air, but without realizing it, he had ended up at the doorway of Yu Yao's courtyard.
Jing Emperor looked at the courtyard in front of him, and he was stunned for a moment. He wanted to go in, but he found that the door was locked.
He decided to climb over the wall.
To say nothing of the thrill of an emperor sneaking into a woman's courtyard at midnight—it's like having an affair.
Although Emperor Rongyuan is an emperor, he himself is very skilled in martial arts, and he easily climbed over the courtyard wall, landing steadily in Yu Yao's courtyard.
The flowers and grass in the courtyard cast a shadow on the moonlight, and occasionally there was a low chirping of nocturnal insects.
The guards patrolling in the dark saw this and thought it was some thief breaking into the Taihe Hall, and were about to make a move to apprehend him.
He just caught a glimpse of the corner of the dragon robe, and it smoothly passed over the red walls and courtyard.
The guards, who were secretly patrolling, couldn't help but twist their lips. They know that the thief who climbed over the wall is the Emperor.
They then quietly stepped back, as if they hadn't seen anything.
Inside the house, Yu Yao, although already asleep, felt a breath enter her room in a daze.
And there were some faint sounds.
Her natural alertness made her open her eyes immediately.
"Who?"
She sat up tensely, using the moonlight to see a dark figure standing by the window. It was possible to vaguely discern its outline.
Yu Yao was taken aback, and upon recognizing who the person was, her heart settled back into her chest.
She got up from bed, lit the lamps inside the house, and frowned suspiciously at Jing Emperor, "Your Majesty, why did you come at this time of night? And how did you manage to climb over the wall? If someone sees it…"
Jing Emperor's mouth quirked with a touch of nonchalance, "I wanted to see you. The courtyard door was locked, and I didn't want to wake you up, so I climbed over the wall."
He definitely wouldn't admit it. He found it exciting to sneak into a woman's courtyard, so he did it.
The saying "A wife is not as good as a mistress, a mistress is not as good as stealing, and stealing is not as good as being unable to steal" exactly conveys this sentiment.
In the end, men have a little bit of a cheap bone in their body.
Yu Yao's lips twitched, and she didn't say anything. She naturally pulled Jing Emperor to sit next to the bed, "Your Majesty, tonight is Yun Fei's turn for attendance. You do this…"
If Yun Fei finds out that the Emperor has been here, she might harbor unfathomable resentment towards her.
This would only give her trouble.
Jing Emperor's interest in Yun Fei's name faded a bit, "Yun Fei is too wooden and uninteresting. I had her sent back, and then came here to yours."
She bit her lip, thinking to herself, You don't like her, yet you were the first to call her name?
But thinking about it, Yun Fei might have some special qualities.
Otherwise, it doesn't make sense for Jing Emperor to go and flip Yun Fei's name card even if he doesn't like her.
While she was lost in thought, Jing Emperor kissed her lips, and before she knew it, he stripped her naked and pressed down on her.
"Your Majesty…"
Yu Yao took a few breaths, her expression hazy as she looked at him, wanting to say something.
"Don't talk. Serve me well."
Jing Emperor whispered something in her ear, his warm breath spreading on her face as he kissed her.
She actually felt a bit disgusted. Yun Fei had just been in attendance, and now he came to find her. It's impossible to say she wasn't offended.
But the man in front of her is the emperor, and she can't refuse him. Instead, she has to try her best to please him and make him happy.
Otherwise, she might be banished to the cold palace.
She didn't say anything else, wrapping her jade arms around Jing Emperor's neck and doing everything she could to make this man happy.
Jing Emperor was indeed very happy and excited, and during the height of his pleasure, he even dragged her out into the courtyard for a few rounds.
It was late at night, and the sky was vast and the ground was spread. It wasn't too stimulating.
Yu Yao bit her lip tightly, not daring to make a sound, afraid that someone would hear it and attract the guards who were secretly patrolling.
Little did she know that the guards nearby had already moved far away, and they wouldn't come this way at all.
