The poor beauty on the bed felt overwhelmed by the attention, gazing at the handsome and imposing Emperor, wishing she could pounce on him.
However, the Emperor sat upright with utmost seriousness, not even a flicker of his brow betraying any emotion. This made the beauty feel something was amiss, though she couldn't quite pinpoint what.
Outside the gates of Jingfu Palace.
Little Tingzi, along with a group of eunuchs, stood guard. Seeing that the Emperor had summoned a consort and had not emerged for a long time, they were overjoyed. It seemed the Emperor had finally regained his vigor, otherwise, he wouldn't have been inside for so long.
Just then, a sedan chair stopped at the entrance of Jingfu Palace.
A beauty as exquisite as jade alighted from the sedan chair. She was dressed in a transparent gauze gown, revealing the vibrant red bodice underneath. Her full breasts seemed on the verge of bursting forth, trembling and causing the hearts of the onlookers to pound like startled deer.
Little Tingzi and the eunuchs at the palace gate immediately prostrated themselves, daring not to look. "Greetings, Your Noble Consort."
Yan Ling walked straight forward, stopping directly in front of Little Tingzi. She asked in a deep voice, "Did the Emperor favor a consort tonight?"
"This?"
Little Tingzi slightly raised his head, gazing at the soft shoes adorned with gold threads and red silk in front of him. The captivating fragrance assailed his senses, making his mind wander. However, he knew the person before him was a formidable character, leaving him in a difficult predicament, unsure of how to respond.
"Your Majesty?"
"You'd better use your brain before you speak."
Consort Yan spoke in a low voice. Little Tingzi's face contorted with misery. He had intended to fabricate a story, but unexpectedly, this noble consort had seen through him.
How did the Consort know the Emperor had favored a consort? Could it be Young Master Leng Yue? This fellow was truly a troublemaker, Little Tingzi grumbled. Finally, he spoke cautiously.
"The Emperor summoned Noble Beauty Lan inside."
As soon as he finished speaking, the feet before him lifted and moved inside. Little Tingzi quickly followed the figure ahead, calling out as he walked, "Your Ladyship, please do not enter. Trespassing into Jingfu Palace without the Emperor's summons is a grave offense."
Unfortunately, the Noble Consort paid him no heed. Frost and snow seemed to gather in her eyes, and a chilling aura emanated from her.
Little Tingzi did not dare to block her, only shouting from behind to alert the Emperor within the sleeping chambers that the Noble Consort was approaching.
In the sleeping chambers, Shangguan Yao indeed heard it. His figure flashed, swift as a whirlwind.
Noble Beauty Lan on the bed had no idea what was happening when a tall, imperial yellow figure pressed down on her. A large hand began to caress her body with astonishing force. Noble Beauty Lan let out a soft cry of pain.
But then the Emperor's lips kissed her, and instantly, Noble Beauty Lan's soft cry transformed into ambiguous moans of receiving his favor.
Just as the two were entwined in passion, a group of people emerged from behind the screen. Leading them was Consort Yan, her face frigid, radiating a chilling aura, her eyes blazing as she glared at the two on the bed.
Little Tingzi, along with two young eunuchs, entered. Upon seeing the figures entwined on the bed, their faces changed drastically. Without time to ponder how the Emperor and Noble Beauty Lan had reached this stage after such a long time, and why the Emperor was fully dressed, Little Tingzi stammered,
"Your Majesty, this servant deserves death, this servant deserves death."
Little Tingzi kowtowed repeatedly. The sound of his pleas from the ground finally caused the figures on the large bed to lazily cease their actions. The Emperor turned his head elegantly, one hand resting casually on the bed.
On Noble Lady Lan's ample bosom, Shangguan Yao's pupils were dark, like a bottomless abyss, as he cast a sinister glance at Yan Ling's face. His voice, cold and low, rang out.
"Go and receive twenty boards."
"Yes, yes." Little Tingzi looked utterly miserable. As servants, they were always the unlucky ones. No matter who they offended, it was always them who got beaten.
He recalled that ever since Consort Yan entered the palace, he had not been beaten. The Emperor usually turned a blind eye, but today, he had even been struck by him. Little Tingzi's heart felt like bitter wine. He didn't dare utter a word of defiance. Accepting his fate, he rushed out to receive the punishment.
Within the sleeping chambers, Shangguan Yao shot a furious glare and said sternly, "All of you, withdraw."
All the palace maids filed out obediently, leaving only the imposing Consort Yan and Noble Beauty Lan on the bed, still caught in the throes of passion.
Noble Beauty Lan, seeing the wolf-like glare in Consort Yan's eyes, couldn't help but feel afraid. She turned over and lowered her head, fiddling with the brocade quilt. The Emperor had not told her to leave, so she would not leave.
"Noble Beauty, please withdraw first."
"Ah?"
Noble Beauty Lan was surprised that the Emperor actually told her to leave. A multitude of frustrations welled up within her. Why? They hadn't even done anything yet. She resentfully raised her head to look at the Emperor.
The Emperor did not look at her, but a chilling aura enveloped him.
The sleeping chambers felt cold. Noble Beauty Lan, being an intelligent woman, naturally knew when to advance and when to retreat. She quickly grabbed her clothes and put them on, withdrawing with nimble movements, her heart filled with a touch of melancholy.
She had thought tonight would be her chance to achieve her desires, but unexpectedly, she had encountered this capricious Noble Consort.
Noble Beauty Lan retreated, leaving only two people in the sleeping chambers: the Emperor and Yan Ling, clad in her transparent gauze gown.
Shangguan Yao's clear, cold eyes fixed on Yan Ling. This woman was dressed so alluringly and sexily, her figure indeed commendable. However, her personality was too capricious and willful. Relying on her status as a princess of the Northern Dynasty, did she think he wouldn't dare to touch her?
The more Shangguan Yao thought about it, the angrier he became. His handsome features were etched with murderous intent. It seemed that if Yan Ling provoked him any further, he would unleash his fury.
Princess Yan Ling of the North, seeing that only the Emperor was in the sleeping chambers, and observing that despite the killing intent on the Emperor's features, his handsomeness was undeniable. His fair skin, flushed from the intense activity, added to his allure.
Consort Yan swallowed, her steps slow and her expression gentle. She gradually walked to the side of the bed, crouched down, and placed her jade-like hands on Shangguan Yao's body. She then snuggled into the Emperor's embrace, her voice as sweet and seductive as a beautiful snake's.
"Your Majesty, please don't blame me. I just missed Your Majesty too much."
Shangguan Yao watched without moving. Frankly speaking, Consort Yan Ling was indeed a natural enchantress. Looking at her curvaceous, plump, jade-like body, any man would be moved.
Since he wished to cure that illness, why not let her try?
Yan Ling saw that the Emperor did not show anger at her actions, and emboldened, her small hands, like a snake's, directly climbed onto the Emperor's robes. She slowly unfastened his clothes, exhaling like an orchid, and spoke with extreme ambiguity.
"Your Majesty, this concubine has been waiting for Your Majesty. Does Your Majesty not know? Your Majesty's majestic and extraordinary presence, a figure as handsome as green mountains, has long been engraved in this concubine's heart."
Yan Ling observed Shangguan Yao slightly closing his eyes, appearing to be savoring the moment. Her movements quickened. The imperial yellow outer robe was removed, revealing pure white inner wear. The slightly open chest muscles, smooth as jade, caused Yan Ling's heart to seize, making it difficult for her to breathe. Her cheeks burned with a rosy flush.
She looked at Shangguan Yao, who still leaned back motionlessly on the bed, allowing her to do as she pleased. However, his face grew more alluring, his features handsome, as if he were trying his best to suppress something.