The Noble Consort waved her hand impatiently. "If you can't make it back tonight, come back first thing tomorrow morning. Hurry now—don't ruin something this important to me."
The palace maid took off at a near run. She was so rushed she almost crashed into the imperial palanquin headed for Hanxiang Palace. Luckily, His Majesty was even more eager than she was—he didn't even notice, let alone punish her for the near collision.
After half a day of rest, Meng Wenyiao finally felt somewhat recovered.
Then came the dreaded sound: His Majesty has arrived.
Her heart plummeted like a stone. Again? Already?
Even oxen pulling the same millstone every day get time to rest. Was the Emperor really trying to wear her into the grave?
"Yao'er," the Emperor said, eyes dripping honey and mischief, "have you missed Us?"
His gaze was enough to drown someone. Wenyiao forced a smile and leaned into him.
"Nope."
But her fingers were already tracing lazy circles across his chest.
The Emperor's throat tightened. He grabbed her restless hand and leaned in, voice low and sultry. "Truly? Then tonight, We must make sure you remember Us clearly… or else you'll forget again by morning."
"Your Majesty~"
Her soft, coaxing voice curled around him like morning mist. The Emperor was instantly swept up in it.
"Let's eat first," he said, teasing. "No need to rush."
Wenyiao stiffened. Rush? Who's rushing? Do I look like I'm rushing? This lecherous Emperor sees every woman as prey.
Just like the night before, the Emperor scooped her into his lap and insisted on feeding her himself.
"What would you like to eat?"
"Meat. I think my body's too weak. I need meat to build up my strength."
The Emperor nodded approvingly. "Very wise. You're right—your stamina has been far too poor lately. We haven't had nearly enough fun. Don't faint again tonight."
Wenyiao awkwardly nodded, then cleared the table of every meat dish in sight. She ate until she was slightly overstuffed before signaling that she was done.
The Emperor beamed. "So obedient. We should reward you."
"What will Your Majesty reward me with?"
Gold? Silver? Pearls? Jade? Jewels the size of pigeon eggs? She ran through her mental list of sparkly loot.
The Emperor leaned in and whispered in her ear with a wicked smile, "Dragon meat."
…
Yes, eating too much really was a mistake. Wenyiao now felt it deep in her bones.
The curtains whipped about the room like they were caught in a storm. The old wooden bed creaked like it was on its last legs. Wenyiao felt like screaming for help.
She'd taken the fertility pill earlier—any more, and it wasn't just her virtue in danger, but her life.
As for the Noble Consort? Let her give birth first, then Wenyiao would make sure she didn't live to see the baby. She wouldn't leave that woman a chance to use her child as leverage.
Outside the door, Mama Hua wasn't just worried about her mistress's health anymore—now she was worried about the bed itself.
After some hesitation, she leaned toward Xiao Dezi and whispered, "Eunuch, don't you think the bed sounds like it's about to fall apart?"
Xiao Dezi was still floating in his own euphoria. His Majesty—His Majesty! After thirty years, His Majesty had finally taken a woman in truth.
Just hearing the noises from inside told him how satisfied the Emperor was. Honestly, Xiao Dezi might've been even happier than the Emperor himself. Not that anyone would believe that. But he hadn't slept properly in days out of sheer excitement.
Okay, fine. He could've slept during the day, but he was too thrilled to rest even then.
His Emperor deserved everything he desired. No one—man, woman, god, or ghost—should be allowed to ruin that.
Expressionless, Xiao Dezi replied, "It won't break. But if Mama is worried, I'll have the Imperial Physicians prepare more tonic for Her Grace tomorrow."
Mama Hua blinked. That… wasn't what she meant. After a pause, she clarified, "I meant the bed. It's about to fall apart."
Xiao Dezi finally tuned in to the creaking. "…Ah. Yeah, that doesn't sound good. What do we do? We can't swap beds now."
Mama Hua rolled her eyes. Why did you send over such an old bed in the first place?
But it was too late now. If they barged in to change the bed, it'd be their heads rolling.
Xiao Dezi started pacing in a panic. At this point, he was seriously considering going in there himself to hold up the bed legs.
Mama Hua prayed to all the gods she knew.
At long last, when dawn began to break, the noises from the room fell silent. The bed hadn't collapsed. Everyone could finally breathe again.
Inside, Meng Wenyiao was practically dead from exhaustion. She rasped out hoarsely, "Isn't Your Majesty going to morning court?"
If the Emperor fell asleep now, skipped court, and rumors started flying, the officials would tear her to shreds—assuming she wasn't dead from fatigue first.
"Today's a rest day. No court. Sleep, Yao'er."
Wrapped in each other's arms, the two quickly drifted off.
Outside, the weary entourage began heading off to nap, too. Xiao Dezi ordered a few attendants to stand guard while the rest went to catch some much-needed sleep.
"Your Majesty!"
"Out of my way—I demand to see His Majesty!"
The Noble Consort came storming down the walkway, fury in her eyes. Anyone who tried to block her was immediately kicked aside.
Xiao Dezi rushed forward. "Peace and blessings, Noble Consort. If Your Grace has any commands, this servant will see to it at once—"
"Out of my way, dog! You think you can stop me? I said I want to see the Emperor!"
Xiao Dezi's body moved instinctively, stepping in front of her. "Your Grace, His Majesty just fell asleep. Perhaps Your Grace might rest in the side hall and—"
"Just fell asleep? Who are you trying to fool?" she snapped. "The Emperor and Consort Chen were up all night. What, were they reading picture books by candlelight? Step aside!"
She and the Emperor had known for ten years that he was… unable. There was no way she'd believe Xiao Dezi's nonsense now.
Xiao Dezi opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. Yes, His Majesty used to be impotent. But ever since meeting Consort Chen… well, that clearly changed.
But he couldn't say that out loud. Not with all these people watching. So he tried again. "Your Grace, even if I had ten lives, I wouldn't dare lie to you. His Majesty truly just went to bed. If you wake him now, this servant's head won't stay on long."
Earlier that morning, the palace maid sent to the Wei estate had returned in a panic.
She stammered out that something had happened to the eldest son—apparently, he'd been hung from the city gates. Details were fuzzy, but it was clear he was in grave danger. If the Noble Consort didn't act fast, he might not live.
Someone had dared to touch the Wei family? That was a declaration of war.
She came straight to the palace to get the Emperor to issue a decree for an investigation—and send the Imperial Physicians to the Wei estate immediately. She wouldn't rest until she saw her brother with her own eyes.
But from top to bottom, Hanxiang Palace stood firm. No one would let her in.
Tears of rage filled her eyes, her face twisted in fury.
"If anyone gets in my way again—kill them!"
Even Xiao Dezi blanched. If she truly lost her mind, she would kill him.
Eventually, the main hall doors swung open. The Noble Consort stormed through like a hurricane.
Inside the bedchamber, the Emperor and Consort Chen still slept soundly.