A slender new moon traced across the exquisite corner tower, casting a dim, mellow glow within the high walls, bathing the Xihuo Palace in warmth and tranquility.
From afar, the palace perched above the lotus pond was partially obscured by flowering trees, its glazed tiled roofs peeking through, enticing one's curiosity like its mistress.
Today, Jiang Xinyue donned a soft, flowing gown of delicate pink hue, her waist cinched by a sky-blue silk sash tied in an ample butterfly bow.
Her hair was loosely gathered, with just a freshly plucked pink lotus blossom tucked behind her ear as the sole adornment.
She stood outside the Xihuo Palace, the evening breeze rustling the lotus petals and her flowing sleeves, as if she were dancing.
An indescribable charm – innocent yet alluring, spirited yet graceful.
Whenever Jiang Xinyue paid her respects, the Xuanwu Emperor would pull her into his embrace by the arm. This time, she boldly flung herself into the Emperor's arms.
No need for the Emperor to make a move – she took the initiative, offering herself to his embrace.
With this soft, fragrant beauty in his arms, the Xuanwu Emperor felt his bones melting.
Inside the palace, a dainty wine pot sat on the table, exuding a faint yet alluring aroma.
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, "Has my beloved consort been drinking?"
With an alluring, downcast gaze, Jiang Xinyue murmured, "Shuang Jiang and Concubine Xue mentioned that my concubine was drunk last night, so I wished to try the wine that could intoxicate me so."
Thinking to herself: Why else would I drink, if not to indulge your unmentionable little fetish?
The Xuanwu Emperor chuckled, "So my beloved has an impressive tolerance for wine?"
Jiang Xinyue insisted eagerly, "Of course, Your Majesty. If you don't believe me, let us share a few cups together. This time, I assure you, I won't get drunk."
This time she wouldn't get drunk, implying she had gotten drunk after just a few cups previously.
Those with poor alcohol tolerance often boast of their capacity to drink, while true drinkers downplay their abilities.
Like the concubines of the harem, each claiming to drink endlessly, yet as soon as they were before him, a couple of cups would have them feigning dizziness, seeking to nestle in his embrace.
He was the Emperor, not a fool. Without even a flush, they claimed to be drunk – a mere ploy for intimacy.
Not like this one before him...
"Drink up! Why aren't you drinking, Your Majesty?"
Jiang Xinyue's face was flushed crimson, as if ready to drip blood. Not just her face, but her ears, neck, even her arms were all flushed red.
If the Xuanwu Emperor were a modern man, he would recognize the phenomenon of "alcohol flushing."
Jiang Xinyue took it to the extreme – alcohol flushed her entire body.
Like a beauty entranced, she danced with the wine pot, sipping from the cup before downing it in one gulp. Her steps unsteady, she swayed as she danced, parting the palace's pink silk curtains.
The Xuanwu Emperor deliberately lured her forward as he stepped back.
Jiang Xinyue's hazy eyes seemed to look at him, yet not at him. Her disheveled robe slipped off one shoulder, revealing the snowy curves and deep collarbone that accentuated her ethereal allure.
Amateur. She had watched countless actresses portray drunken consorts in television dramas like 'Empresses in the Palace' – even Yang Guifei had bewitched An Lushan into rebellion. Surely she could master at least seven or eight tenths of that act?
For all the Xuanwu Emperor's vast experience, he had never encountered a beauty from a thousand years in the future, versed in such dramas, coming to seduce him!
The wine stains trailing from the corner of her lips, down her pointed chin and into the unfathomable valley between her heaving peaks... Her loosened tresses framing her face, swaying precariously...
"Plop!"
Suddenly, her eyes blazed as she tackled the Xuanwu Emperor to the ground, straddling him with a dazed smile, "Caught you! You're not getting away!"
If Wang Dequan were present, he would surely lament Jiang Xinyue's outrageous impropriety once more.
But the Xuanwu Emperor was no prudish eunuch like Wang Dequan. He let out a muffled groan, grasping her slender waist, "Your Emperor has no intention of fleeing. How does my beloved consort intend to treat me?"
The inebriated beauty tilted her head, struggling to keep her glistening eyes open as she shook her head vigorously, dislodging the lotus ornament to fall pitifully to the ground.
Her partially undone tresses now framed her doll-like face, evoking a protective urge to gather her fully into one's embrace for passionate adoration.
Thinking thus, the Xuanwu Emperor proceeded to do just that.
Outside the Xihuo Palace—
Hong Xi pleaded with Wang Dequan, "Duke Wang, my lady Consort Chu is suffering from her old ailment again, crying out for the Emperor! This servant is heartbroken. Could you please inform His Majesty? I only ask to take a quick look, and as soon as my lady falls asleep, Consort Zhen can send someone to call for the Emperor's return."
She spoke so lightly.
Not to mention his reluctance to disturb the Emperor's intimate moments with Consort Zhen, but if the Emperor did go to the Changchun Palace now, would he ever come back?
Consort Zhen lacked the audacity to summon the Emperor, and any pent-up resentment would surely fall upon this eunuch's head.
If the Emperor later favored Consort Zhen again, and she vented her grievances with a mere flick of her pillow, what would become of him should the Emperor take a dislike to him?
He would never jeopardize his own future prospects for a minor Consort like Chu.
"If Consort Chu is unwell, send for the imperial physicians at the medical academy. The Emperor governs the nation's affairs – we cannot disturb His Majesty's rest when he has finally retired, Hong Xi. Please return."
Disturb the Emperor's rest?
Listening to the sounds emanating from the Xihuo Palace, Hong Xi inwardly cursed Jiang Xinyue as a shameless hussy, solely focused on keeping the Emperor entangled in bed.
Resentful as she was, Hong Xi dared not show it before Wang Dequan.
Upon her return to the Changchun Palace, Consort Chu would undoubtedly throw another tantrum.
Hong Xi could only wait outside the Xihuo Palace, attempting to make some noise to draw the Emperor's attention.
The Xuanwu Emperor had captured the "delicate" Jiang Xinyue, whose eyes were now flushed red as she feebly struggled to escape.
But in her drunken state, the more she squirmed, the more the Emperor's desire was inflamed, pushing him to the brink of desperation.
"Stay still."
Gripping her shoulders, he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his restraint hanging by a thread as he gently nipped and kissed the delicate skin.
Within the canopied bed, the crimson silk sheets undulated. The flickering candlelight danced as the moon's glow enveloped the Xihuo Palace, the lotus pond's pair of mandarin ducks nuzzling intimately.
Where there is joy, there is also sorrow.
The Changxin Palace remained lit even past midnight as Concubine Li continued to dance the long-sleeved dance in the hall, her movements watched with concern by Layue, who said, "My lady, please stop now. If you keep going, your body won't be able to take it."
After an intense whirl, Concubine Li collapsed, and Layue rushed to help her up. Wiping the sweat from her brow, Concubine Li said, "I suppose I'm just getting old. In the past, I could dance all night without feeling tired."
"My lady is still in the prime of life. How could you be old?" Layue said comfortingly as she helped Concubine Li sit, "Everyone in the palace knows that you are the most beautiful, the one the Emperor cherishes most in his heart."
"Is that so?" Cupping her still-youthful face, Concubine Li's mood soured. "Am I still the one he cherishes most?"
