The next day, the heavens were not kind, pouring down torrential rain.
Concubines of the seventh rank and above from the imperial harem had to go to the Yikun Palace of the Empress to pay respects.
Fortunately, Jiang Xinyue was just granted the rank of a seventh-grade noble lady, so she didn't have to endure the sarcastic insults from those women.
Otherwise, she would have become a laughingstock, first being punished by Concubine Li, and then by the Emperor, losing all favor.
After copying the palace rules all night without finishing, she rubbed her aching wrists. "Xi Que, let's go appreciate the lotuses! Viewing lotuses in the rain must present a unique sight."
Xi Que trembled with fear, "Ah? Young Miss, we should... better not go out!"
Mainly because her young mistress always caused trouble whenever she went out!
"If you don't go, I'll take Shuang Jiang."
With that, she had already pulled Shuang Jiang, who was holding an umbrella, and rushed into the rain.
Xi Que was a maid Jiang Xinyue brought from her mansion, wholeheartedly serving only her young mistress. Shuang Jiang was a palace maid assigned by the palace. Not feeling reassured, Xi Que hurriedly grabbed an umbrella and followed.
It was August, and the lotus flowers in the pond were in full bloom. Raindrops pressed on the emerald-green lotus leaves, creating a sound like pearls falling on a jade plate.
If one's heart was at peace, the sound would be soothing.
"Xi Que, Shuang Jiang, hold me, I want to pick a few flowers to put in a vase."
"No, Young Miss, let us servants pick them! Please be careful."
On this side, the noisy rain drowned out the approaching sounds of the Emperor's entourage.
The bright yellow imperial carriage stopped not far away, and the Emperor parted the curtains. "Why have we stopped?"
Wang Dequan looked troubled. "Your Majesty, it seems there is a lady picking lotus flowers ahead, blocking the way."
It must be one of the newly arrived palace ladies; the experienced palace servants were used to such sights and wouldn't brave the rain to appreciate lotuses.
The Emperor's brow furrowed slightly. "These new palace ladies have no manners? How dare they act so recklessly one after another?"
Girlish laughter came from the lotus pond. "You don't understand, one must pick the flowers themselves to fully appreciate their beauty."
The Emperor jumped down from the carriage, and Wang Dequan hurried to hold an umbrella for him, feeling pity for the young lady picking lotuses.
Whether it was a breach of rules, intruding on the Emperor's procession, or simply picking flowers innocently, it would still incur the Emperor's disdain.
She would likely be disfavored like Concubine Jiang from the Xihuo Palace.
"What are you doing?"
Xi Que and Shuang Jiang were startled by the voice and turned to see it was the Emperor. Terrified, they quickly knelt to pay respects.
But their reflexive kneeling doomed Jiang Xinyue, who cried out and fell into the lotus pond.
"Young Miss!"
Xi Que lay on the railing, trying to pull her up, but couldn't reach.
The Emperor didn't expect these two maids to be so timid either, and the splash startled him, making him take two steps back. He quickly recovered and ordered the attendants to rescue her from the water.
"Splash!"
Before they could enter the water, a stunning beauty emerged from between the lotus leaves and pink lotuses.
She was like a fresh lotus blossom, without makeup yet charming and alluring. Water droplets trickled down her forehead, beautiful eyes, jade-like nose, and cherry lips, each feature more exquisite than the last, utterly captivating.
The wet palace attire clung to her body, tracing her bewitching, voluptuous curves.
Truly embodying the phrase: "Emerging from the mud unstained, bathing in the clear stream untainted."
If Wang Dequan didn't recognize Jiang Xinyue, he would have thought this beauty was the Lotus Fairy herself.
The beautiful woman's heavy breathing amid the rain had a unique sensuality, adding a contradictory sultriness to her pure, youthful demeanor.
The Emperor's gaze darkened as he reached out to the obliviously seductive Jiang Xinyue in the water. "What is my consort doing? Quick, come up before you catch a chill and lose your beauty."
Jiang Xinyue was like a startled little rabbit, blushing as she shyly took the Emperor's hand.
"Ah!"
But the Emperor was still quite virile, giving just a light tug to pull her into his embrace, eliciting a shy cry from Jiang Xinyue. "Your Majesty!"
Wang Dequan was astonished, seeing that the Emperor seemed to have forgotten who the beauty in his arms was. He quickly stepped forward. "Your Majesty, you and Consort Jiang are drenched. The Xihuo Palace is just ahead; why not go there to bathe and change clothes? I'll inform Concubine Chu."
"Mm! Go ahead!"
Consort Jiang?
This woman was so different from the one he favored a few days ago. He didn't even recognize her at first.
Was she usually this... lively in private?
Jiang Xinyue didn't care what others thought of her. Today, she had put in so much effort to intercept the Emperor at the Xihuo Palace. If nothing unspeakable happened, she wouldn't let him leave.
Although it was summer, the rain brought a chill to the air. After emerging from the lotus pond, Jiang Xinyue was shivering from the cold.
Xi Que and Shuang Jiang hurried back to the palace to have the servants quickly prepare hot water for the Emperor and their young mistress to bathe.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry, it's my fault... I've implicated you. You... Achoo~"
Nestled in the Emperor's embrace, the beauty covered her mouth, her dewy eyes looking at him with shy innocence.
Too adorably pure.
The Emperor set her down, unable to resist pinching her soft cheeks. "Let's see if you dare do something so dangerous again."
Jiang Xinyue shyly covered herself as Xi Que undressed her, then swiftly entered the water, peering over the edge of the bathtub with her large eyes. "It wasn't dangerous, I know how to swim."
Her blinking eyes seemed to silently invite him.
The Emperor would never disappoint his beloved consort. As his throat moved, he had already dismissed the serving maids and joined her in the bathtub.
"Your Majesty..."
Finally able to seduce a man, Jiang Xinyue was a little excited.
In the novels, the emperor was said to be vigorous, coupling seven times a night, leaving his favored consorts unable to get out of bed.
This Xuanwu Emperor looked fierce with his sharp brows and starry eyes, his imposing figure suggesting he must be quite skilled in that aspect too!
As he approached, the maiden trembled, her snow-white skin flushing pink through the steamy mist, appearing bashfully alluring.
But when the majestic Emperor drew near, though shy, the maiden resolutely wrapped her arms around his neck and tilted her head to kiss his lips.
Their bodies pressed tightly together in a passionate embrace.
After the bathwater cooled, the Emperor carried the pliant, spring-water-like Jiang Xinyue to the bed, fiercely taking her several more times.
The woman's voice, body, and the bedroom utterances she let out while doing that act, her daring frankness, all deeply stimulated his senses.
This feeling was too marvelous.
In the harem, there were women who adhered to rules, elegant and graceful ones, lively and charming ones...
But absolutely none like her... one so... so perfectly in sync with his body, making his very soul tremble.
By the time the Emperor finished, it was time for the noon meal.
