Chapter 106:

The days always flew by quickly; before one could even realize, July had arrived just like that.

To everyone’s surprise, Consort Qi’s pregnancy had been progressing steadily, without any complications or incidents.

In fact, Layue had anticipated this situation all along. Leaving aside other considerations, just looking at Consort Qi’s capabilities, those petty tricks wouldn’t even be worth her attention. Since she had even handed over the management of palace affairs to focus on nurturing her pregnancy, it was evident how much importance Consort Qi placed on this pregnancy.

Consort Qi was already nearly four months along, but Layue hadn’t visited her very often, as Consort Qi rarely left Qingxiang Palace.

It wasn’t so much about guarding against others, but rather because summer had made going out quite uncomfortable due to the heat.

Because of the sweltering weather, Layue had been feeling rather listless these days.

“Your Grace, the Emperor has issued an order summoning you to accompany him tonight at Xuanning Hall,” a eunuch reported.

Late in the evening, just as Layue was about to go to bed, Lai Xi came with an urgent message.

Layue glanced at her attire, then picked up a light crimson silk robe, slipped it on, tied her hair into a bun, and casually inserted a green jade hairpin.

She looked very fresh and elegant.

As she sat in the palanquin, Layue was somewhat drowsy. She had already been tired, rubbing her eyes and even pinching herself slightly to stay alert.

When she arrived at Xuanning Hall, she entered the room and immediately saw Emperor Jing leaning back in his chair, his face slightly flushed.

After a brief moment of surprise, she quickly approached him with a graceful gait, smiling.

Her cool small hands touched his forehead.

The Emperor opened his eyes, and seeing her leaning over, her chest was partially exposed, causing his gaze to darken slightly.

“They say cold hands mean no love, but I cherish you so much. Why are your hands still so cold?” The Emperor took her hands into his large palms. Her fingers were slightly plump, and the sensation of squeezing them was quite pleasant. The Emperor even brought her hand to his lips, looked at her for a moment, and then gently bit it.

As expected, the sensation was amazing.

“Your Majesty, I’m not unloved at all. Those words can’t possibly be accurate. I was just thinking how nice it is to be so cool in this summer heat!”

Seeing him speak with a hint of alcohol on his breath, she guessed he must have consumed quite a bit, otherwise he wouldn’t have acted like this.

Sitting beside him, she asked, “Has Your Majesty had a lot to drink?”

The Emperor smiled; indeed, he had.

“Mm. Yue’er, help me go rest.”

Actually, Emperor Jing was quite self-disciplined. If it came to the point where he couldn’t control his actions due to drinking, that was absolutely impossible. This was just his way of teasing her.

Layue was only fifteen, with a soft and tender figure, and quite petite. Helping him into the room was somewhat difficult for her, but both the palace maids and Lai Xi had been sent out by the Emperor.

As the Emperor looked at Layue from his angle, he could see her ample chest.

“Is that how you came?” The Emperor’s tone wasn’t very pleasant.

Layue thought it was because he was drunk and explained lightly, “I came in a palanquin.”

Hearing this, the Emperor felt reassured.

He leaned his lips close to her neck and rubbed against her, “Don’t dress like this anymore. I won’t allow others to look at you.”

Layue only realized his meaning afterward and blushed.

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

Helping him onto the bed, Layue bent down to take off his shoes.

“Will Your Majesty bathe in the inner chamber?”

The Emperor just stared at Layue without speaking.

Biting her lip, Layue didn’t know what he wanted. She decided to start by taking off his clothes. The Emperor sat on the bed, supporting himself with his hands behind him, half-lying down. Seeing her begin to unfasten his robe, he let out a low chuckle.

“Uh…” Perhaps Layue had touched a sensitive spot, causing him to make such a sound.

Layue stole a glance at him and saw his half-closed eyes and the expression of pleasure on his face.

At that moment, Layue felt a rush of heat to her face.

Noticing her peeking at him, the Emperor smiled, his tone teasing, “I’ve been busy with state affairs these days. Have you missed me?”

Layue didn’t answer.

As usual, if she answered that she had missed him, he would punish her severely. If she said she hadn’t, it would be even worse, and she might not get any rest for the entire night.

The Emperor, perhaps due to the alcohol, suddenly lifted his foot and gently stepped on her chest.

This earned him a glare from Layue.

Seeing her reaction, the Emperor became even more amused.

He fell back onto the bed directly.

“Climb up and serve me.”

Seeing him act like this, Layue thought for a moment, took off her shoes, and climbed onto the bed. She tried to adjust his position, but he was, after all, much heavier than her delicate frame. After much effort, she had already broken into a sweat.

Then she thought of something and lowered the bed curtains.

Watching her actions, the Emperor smiled smugly, “I know, you missed me.”

Layue took off his clothes. Because the Emperor was being uncooperative and it was summer, she soon was covered in sweat, kneeling there glaring at him.

Seeing her like this, the Emperor reached out and pinched her little foot.

Layue quickly dodged but accidentally got caught by her own dress, causing her to fall on top of him.

The Emperor laughed even more heartily, then flipped her over and pinned her beneath him.

In no time, the two of them were completely naked.

“Mm…” Layue murmured as she was pinned beneath him.

The Emperor’s eyes darkened.

“Chen…” She poked his shoulder with her finger.

She hadn’t expected the Emperor to actually respond, but to her surprise, he really rolled off of her.

He lay on his back, catching his breath, and murmured softly, though his tone was firm, “Go down and serve me.”

Layue lay beside him, inwardly scoffing, knowing all too well that he wouldn’t let her off so easily.

Because of his previous movements, Layue’s hairpin had already fallen out, her long hair cascading over her body, making her look even younger.

Seeing her delicate appearance, the Emperor smiled wickedly, “Go down and serve me…”

Layue noticed that the Emperor was indeed acting a bit out of the ordinary today, and she knew that pleasing him well was the key to maintaining his favor.

With a look that was both tender and resentful, she glared at him, a look that made the Emperor’s heart melt.

Slowly lowering her head, Layue saw him flaunting himself proudly before her, and she caught his encouraging gaze.

Knowing how much he enjoyed this from her, she finally took him into her mouth.

She had intended to set the pace herself, but the Emperor seemed unsatisfied. As soon as he felt her mouth around him, he began thrusting wildly, causing Layue to tear up from the discomfort.

After a long while of this torment, just as he was about to climax, the Emperor suddenly pushed her down and entered her forcefully.

It didn’t take long before he released inside her.

Layue lay there, breathing heavily. Before long, she saw him climbing on top of her again…

***

After that day, the Emperor summoned Layue several more times to accompany him at night, each time indulging in such behavior. Layue actually enjoyed these intimate moments, but during such hot weather, it was indeed quite uncomfortable.

Although she grumbled inwardly, she still served him diligently.

Perhaps men were just like that—even emperors were no exception. When a man was satisfied in this aspect, he would naturally show more affection and care.

Time flew by like a wisp of smoke.

Before they knew it, another month had passed.

Recently, Layue had been feeling somewhat unwell, often restless and irritable.

Although autumn had officially begun, where was the slightest hint of coolness?

“Has Your Grace felt any better?” Xing’er stood behind Layue, continuously fanning her.

Sitting cross-legged on a small couch, Layue pouted and complained, “How come it’s still so hot even though it’s already autumn? It seems like it hasn’t rained much these past few days, and there’s not even a hint of coolness.”

Xing’er rarely saw her mistress in such a state of agitation and tried to soothe her, “The servant heard from Xiao Dengzi that the dragonflies in the imperial garden have been flying very low today. There’s an old saying that when dragonflies fly low, it probably means it’s going to rain soon.”

“I wonder when it will finally start raining. I’m feeling so restless.”

While they were chatting casually, Jin Xin entered with a plate of sour jujube cakes.

“Your Grace, earlier you mentioned that your mouth felt tasteless, so Qiao Ning made some sour jujube cakes. Please try them and see how they taste.” Although she said this, Jin Xin was smiling, seemingly confident that her mistress would like them.

It was only natural, after all, since Qiao Ning’s cooking had always been favored by Layue.

Qiao Ning had shaped the sour jujube cakes into flower-like forms. Looking at the dark red pastries, they were so delicately made that Layue almost felt reluctant to take a bite.

However, no matter how reluctant she was to ruin their beauty, her taste buds were already signaling their desire.

Picking up a piece and putting it into her mouth, she closed her eyes in satisfaction.

Before long, Layue had eaten up the entire small plate of sour jujube cakes. Seeing her appetite, Jin Xin smiled and asked teasingly, “Would Your Grace like some more?”

This was meant as a joke, as Jin Xin was quite familiar with Layue’s usual eating habits.

Layue looked at the plate, tilted her head in thought for a moment, and said, “Yes, bring me the same amount again.”

Upon hearing this, several senior palace maids exchanged puzzled glances.

Jin Xin quickly nodded.

In recent days, her mistress’s appetite had indeed changed somewhat, seeming to eat more than usual.

Hearing that her mistress wanted more, Qiao Ning in the kitchen was also surprised. After a moment, she murmured hesitantly, “Putting on autumn weight?”

The few of them got along quite well. In front of others, they were all dignified attendants in the presence of their mistress, strictly following palace etiquette. But in private, their interactions were much more relaxed and carefree.

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Jin Xin smiled and gave her a playful glare.

In the Southern Qin Kingdom, slimness was considered beautiful, and their mistress was already not particularly slim. If she continued to say such things, their mistress might get upset again. Besides, their mistress had indeed been acting rather strangely these days, her temperament having changed quite a bit.

Qiao Ning also smiled, “I was just joking. Besides, I think it’s actually quite nice to have a bit of roundness.”

Jin Xin, holding the tray of cakes, was about to leave, “Then you’d better not eat so much or you’ll end up like that yourself.”

Qiao Ning chuckled.

Compared to the others, Qiao Ning’s figure was indeed much rounder.

“You’d end up like me too if you spent every day with me in the kitchen experimenting with food. Anyway, I suggest you talk to the mistress and see if she should call for a physician. Her appetite has definitely increased noticeably these past few days.”

Jin Xin paused for a moment, then nodded.

“I know.”