Chapter 131: Chapter 130 Jinling City 2
Consort Yun conducted herself with decorum, yet inside, she was enduring a brutal blow. She was completely out of sorts.
Zhao Junyao turned around. Upon seeing her still paying respects, he said, "You may rise as well!" Then he sat down in the very spot he had been before. He picked up the teacup and took a sip, then lowered his head, preparing to gather up the chess pieces one by one.
Seeing this, Consort Yun hurried over. With a renewed smile, she said, "My lord, allow me!" With that, she sat down opposite Zhao Junyao.
He didn’t refuse and continued drinking his tea.
After Consort Yun had tidied up the chess pieces, she said, "It is so hot, yet it is rare for you, my lord, to be in the mood for chess. I have prepared some dishes and wine, which I believe you will enjoy!"
"Oh?" Zhao Junyao looked amused.
"If that’s the case, bring them out. I happen to be hungry as well!"
"Yes, my lord!" Consort Yun was elated.
Cai Die had already prepared everything in advance, and at a command, an array of dishes and fine wines were presented in no time at all.
Consort Yun introduced each one. "This is street food. I saw many people buying it, and I couldn’t resist my craving, so I had someone fetch some. I hope you won’t blame me, my lord!"
Zhao Junyao curved his lips into a smile. "Of course not!"
Seeing that the Emperor wasn’t angry, Consort Yun finally relaxed. No wonder the Emperor always favors Lady Xia,
she thought. So this is why! Doesn’t Lady Xia simply delight in these things? Since the Emperor likes it, what is the harm in me imitating her a little?Consort Yun, observing the Emperor’s gentle gaze, felt confident she had made the right move. Thinking this, she continued, "This is exquisite liquor from the alley, and this... a signature dish from the restaurant!"
Zhao Junyao listened to each description, occasionally nodding in response.
Consort Yun’s heart filled with even more joy, and she even began to daydream. She envisaged wresting the Emperor’s favor from Lady Xia, sharing intimate moments and receiving his grace night after night, possibly even seizing this opportunity to bear a royal heir. Then she would ascend to the pinnacle of her life, never again worrying about falling out of favor!
Though her face bore a smile, ambition was clearly etched across her features!
Zhao Junyao watched quietly, as though he were observing an insignificant clown.
Completely oblivious, she poured the fine liquor, intoxicated with her own delusions, casting flirtatious glances at the Emperor with a charming, artful smile.
Zhao Junyao accepted the drink she offered and took a sip, his expression slightly clearing. "Indeed, not bad!"
"If you like it, my lord, I will gladly accompany you for a few more drinks!" Consort Yun said, picking up her own cup.
Zhao Junyao squinted his eyes in thought but didn’t object. After all, he still had to spend the night. Which of the lesser consorts in the Harem didn’t have ambition? But should he forsake sleeping with them because of that? That was impossible! Take the Empress, for example. Even if he didn’t like her, he wouldn’t depose her. Replacing the Empress would only lead to the same situation, so why bother with such pointless exertions? The political marriages within the Harem were nothing more than arrangements of mutual benefit and restraint. Utilized appropriately, they could yield significant results with minimal effort. Why not use them to his advantage? In the Imperial Court, being too aloof was also unwise; it would give the Ministers the impression he was unfathomable and unapproachable. Would that motivate them to work diligently for him? Of course not! Consequently, pacifying the other lesser consorts to maintain peace in the Harem was quite necessary. Seeing him do so, those Ministers would naturally work harder. With their daughters in his hands, could they afford not to perform diligently?
In this respect, Xia Ruqing held him in high esteem.
"In a certain sense, the Emperor’s actions could also be regarded as a sacrifice for the country!"
Zi Yue spat out a mouthful of tea and laughed so hard that her stomach began to cramp!
However, Xia Ruqing didn’t see anything amiss. With a serious face, she flipped through a storybook salvaged by the servants from the street market, talking nonchalantly without even lifting her head. "What are you laughing at? Is what I said wrong?"
Zi Yue was speechless. My lady, you win!
Cough, cough, I digress, let’s get back on track.
「In Zhao Junyao’s room.」
It was mid-June, the moon was full, and the moonlight was exceptionally beautiful. Zhao Junyao and Consort Yun were sipping wine and nibbling on snacks, perhaps reciting a few lighthearted love poems; the atmosphere was perfectly suggestive.
Zhao Junyao’s usually expressionless face surprisingly showed some tenderness. Of course, he usually showed no expression at all toward the consorts, let alone any tenderness. His tenderness was pitifully rare, but it wasn’t entirely nonexistent, such as... right before bed!
She understood all too well, Consort Yun thought, her face aglow with pleasure, nearly soaring with happiness. Tonight... it’s highly likely things will happen. How wonderful it would be if I could get pregnant in one go! Hmm... should I try harder, aim for a few more rounds? Which position would be better?
Consort Yun let her imagination run wild.
Sleeping with one of his lesser consorts,
Zhao Junyao mused, not giving it much thought, as long as the atmosphere is good, nothing is a problem. After all, I’ve been with many women and have plenty of experience!(Author: Zhao Junyao, where is your chastity??
Zhao Junyao: I’m not a woman; why would I need chastity? At most... I’ll sleep more with those I like, less with those I don’t. If I despise someone, I simply won’t bed them!
Author: I’m done!)
All was ready; the only thing left was to get into bed!
Consort Yun poured one last cup of wine, filling it to the brim. Holding it, she stood up with a twist of her graceful waist, planning to share a ceremonial cup of wine with the Emperor, act coy in his embrace, and then naturally... cough cough!
However, just when the ambiance was most enticing and the scent of rouge and powder was intoxicating, suddenly, there came a series of urgent knocks from outside.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
In the midst of it all, Li Shengan’s angry yet helpless voice trying to stop the commotion could be heard. "Shopkeeper, please don’t knock anymore, our master doesn’t like to be disturbed!"
"Shopkeeper! Shopkeeper!"
The shopkeeper’s voice followed soon after. "Oh dear, I really have no choice! Please, you must hurry! Quickly tell your master to move out! We have a guest who cannot be trifled with, and I’m helpless as well!" The shopkeeper dared not gravely offend the esteemed guest in The Sky Room on the top floor either!
What else was Li Shengan unclear about at this point?! Unable to reveal his master’s identity, what could he do? After thinking for a moment, he could only announce loudly, "Master... the shopkeeper requests an audience!"
Consort Yun was on the verge of tears; such a rare opportunity had been ruined just like that! She truly felt murderous!
"What is it?" Zhao Junyao asked, also somewhat annoyed. He went to open the door himself. Consort Yun quickly hid behind the screen, straightened her clothes, and didn’t dare come out.
The shopkeeper bowed and entered, recounting the whole situation. "Third Master Huang, I am truly sorry for our small establishment! The eldest son of the Prefectural Governor has come, demanding this very room, and I really have no choice!"
"Oh? Which Prefectural Governor?" Zhao Junyao asked, his expression darkening a few shades.
The shopkeeper hurriedly said, "It’s... Magistrate Hou of our Jiangning Prefecture!"
Zhao Junyao’s expression grew even uglier. Finally, he glanced at the shopkeeper and said, "Then let’s move!"