Chapter 15

Her eyes widened slightly, her feet frozen in place, unsure whether to advance or retreat.  

The man heard the noise and looked over, his eyes filled with amusement. “Bao’er, come here.”  

Nie Long’s mind was in turmoil, feeling utterly betrayed by her own mother!  

She instinctively took a step back, but then realized—wouldn’t retreating make her seem guilty? She hadn’t done anything wrong! It was her mother and that lewd book that had started this mess!  

The man smiled meaningfully, his dark eyes smoldering like fire. He beckoned Nie Long with a gesture and shifted his posture on the soft couch.  

“Come in quickly, it’s cold outside. Don’t catch a chill.”  

Behind her, Chun Feng cleverly closed the door, leaving only the two of them in the room.  

Nie Long glanced at the man lounging on the couch, then lowered her eyes and tightened her robe. She skirted around him and walked to the bed, speaking softly, “Your Majesty isn’t planning to rest yet? This consort will retire first. Please do as you wish.”  

“Bao’er, can’t you see I’ve been waiting for you?”  

Nie Long shot him a glance, feigning composure. “Then… have you not bathed yet?”  

“I bathed before coming. It’s inconvenient to bathe in Kunning Palace, so I washed beforehand.”  

Chu Ji seemed to think of something, raising an eyebrow. “Though… if Bao’er is willing to share the tub with me, I promise to come bathe here every day. How about that?”  

Nie Long: “…”  

The more he spoke, the more shameless he became. Nie Long wanted to retort, but when her gaze landed on the book in his hands, her defiance deflated.  

Chu Ji carried the book to the bedside and sat down, leaning slightly forward to spread it open before her. The night was deep, the lamplight dim, casting an ambiguous glow between them.  

“Where did Bao’er get this book? I was flipping through it out of boredom and found it quite… intriguing.”  

Nie Long, whether from embarrassment or agitation, flushed red. She dared not meet his gaze and pushed his hand away, her voice soft. “This consort… is going to sleep…”  

“Bao’er… why not discuss the plot with me? There’s one part I don’t quite understand. Perhaps you could enlighten me?”  

“…This consort is foolish. I don’t understand it either.”  

She ducked her head, trying to evade his scorching gaze, and instinctively burrowed deeper into the blankets.  

But the quilt was pinned beneath the man’s weight, refusing to budge. Her cheeks burned, and her lovely almond eyes unconsciously took on a pleading look.  

Nie Long didn’t know what came over her, but she impulsively tugged at his sleeve, shaking it slightly as she stared up at him.  

She hoped he would let her off, allowing her to sleep peacefully and forget this whole ordeal by morning.  

The man remained unmoved, watching her struggle without blinking. The more he watched, the more amused and enticed he became. The girl before him was like a little lamb desperately trying to escape the tiger’s jaws—frantic, naive, and utterly adorable.  

“But Bao’er, I’m eager for answers. How about we study it together before sleeping?”  

Nie Long: “…”  

She had humbled herself for so long, yet this man only grew bolder. Perhaps it was the principle of extremes reversing, but a surge of courage suddenly rose within her, banishing all fear and hesitation.  

Following her instincts, Nie Long glared at him in annoyance. With a swift motion, she snatched the sinful book from his hands and pressed it firmly beneath her, hiding it completely. Now that the “evidence” was in her possession, let’s see what else this man could say!

After successfully pulling off a series of maneuvers, her eyes unconsciously revealed a hint of lively triumph as she smiled at the man. “This book was probably sneaked into the palace by some mischievous little maid. You’re the Emperor—how could you read such frivolous novels? Tomorrow, I’ll take it to be burned and have the kitchen use it as kindling. At least it’ll serve some purpose.”

Nie Long, having momentarily gained the upper hand, straightened slightly and tilted her delicate frame, locking eyes with him in defiance.

Chu Ji’s gaze deepened, turning dark and unfathomable.

The sleeping robe she wore was tied with ribbons, its collar loose enough to reveal a generous glimpse of her fair, jade-like skin. Yet in her moment of triumph, she remained oblivious to the half-exposed, half-concealed view that now captivated the man’s attention.

He idly twirled a lock of her long hair between his fingers, his voice husky as he murmured, “Bao’er…”

With what sounded like a sigh, his scorching lips suddenly engulfed hers, his towering frame pressing down on her. Nie Long, caught completely off guard, panicked. Her slender, pale hands pressed against his chest in feeble resistance.

For Chu Ji, this was the first time in what felt like a lifetime that he had kissed the woman he loved, and it only intensified his uncontrollable desire. His breath grew heavier, his ardor nearly overwhelming him.

Ignoring her weak struggles, he ravaged her mouth like a starving wolf, drinking in her sweetness with reckless abandon.

When he finally came to his senses and noticed the tear at the corner of her eye, Chu Ji panicked. He quickly gathered her into his arms, soothing her with gentle strokes along her silken hair. “Bao’er, be good, don’t cry…” Your tears shatter my heart.

He steadied his breathing, burying his face in the crook of her neck as he inhaled deeply, his large hand tenderly caressing her head. “I lost control. Bao’er, be good. Get some rest…”

Nie Long had mentally prepared herself for this moment since entering the palace, but perhaps the man’s recent indulgence had made her spoiled and unprepared. Overwhelmed by fear and confusion…

The girl nestled in his embrace, gradually calming under his comforting touch, her voice muffled and slightly nasal. “Mm.”

The next morning, Eunuch An noticed an unwelcome blemish on his peerless Emperor’s face and a blister at the corner of his mouth. Alarmed, he hastily summoned the Imperial Physician for a wellness check.

Chu Ji, indifferent, extended his arm for the examination while continuing to review memorials.

Eunuch An watched the physician anxiously, ears perked for the diagnosis.

The Imperial Physician stroked his beard and said meaningfully, “Your Majesty is suffering from excessive internal heat. A couple of days of cooling herbal remedies should suffice.”

Before leaving, the physician hesitated, then added, “Your Majesty is in robust health, but it would be wise to… release pent-up energy occasionally. Prolonged restraint is inadvisable.”

Chu Ji: “…” His brush slipped, leaving an ink blot on the memorial.

His ears flushed red, his expression slightly awkward as he sternly dismissed the physician.

Eunuch An took a moment to grasp the implication, but once he did, it dawned on him—how could His Majesty, so formidable in court, still struggle to win over the Empress?

The young eunuch fretted endlessly, scheming ways to help his Emperor bridge the gap with Her Majesty.

——

“How is Little Prince An faring?”

“Your Majesty, the Young Master’s condition has stabilized. The Imperial Physician prescribed a new remedy, stating he should recover fully in two more days. His appetite has also improved—he now finishes two small bowls of porridge with side dishes per meal.”

Nie Long nodded and instructed, “Tell them to take extra care. There’s no need to restrict his meals to just soups and porridge every time. Occasionally, stew some broth and prepare a few light dishes to go with rice. Let him put on a little weight—it’ll make him look healthier.”

“This servant understands. Don’t worry, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, and after the Young Master woke up, he asked the nanny about you. When he learned it was you who saved him, he counted on his little fingers, saying he wanted to recover quickly so he could come and kowtow to thank his imperial aunt. These past few days, every time he wakes up or goes to bed, he asks when he can see his imperial aunt. He’s been asking the maids and nannies all about you!”

Nie Long chuckled softly. “What a filial child, so grateful. I didn’t save the wrong person.”

“Indeed! To be honest, at first, this servant didn’t agree with saving the Young Master either—after all, Your Majesty’s Dragon Body is of utmost importance. But the Young Master is such a sweet and well-behaved little thing, it’s hard not to soften one’s heart. He’s truly endearing.”

“In a few days, once I’ve recovered, I’ll speak to the Emperor and have the child brought to the palace for a visit.”

“That would be wonderful! The Young Master will be overjoyed!”

But before the child could be brought into the palace, the very incident Nie Long had been worrying about quietly unfolded.

During lunch with the Emperor, Nie Long caught a eunuch attempting to poison their meal.

Strangely, the Emperor apprehended the eunuch effortlessly, without the slightest mishap. Nie Long had been fretting over how to avoid the danger, but Chu Ji simply waved his hand, had the man seized, and unceremoniously ordered him dragged away and beaten to death—without even an interrogation?

Chu Ji had long anticipated this day. In his past life, it was Bao’er who drank the poisoned soup in his stead. From then on, Bao’er’s already frail health deteriorated further. It was only then that Chu Ji realized how her condition worsened over time, until eventually, even the Imperial Physicians could do nothing.

How he regretted not being more attentive back then, when his feelings for her hadn’t yet deepened. By the time he realized, her body was beyond saving. The Imperial Physicians always said the Empress’s Dragon Body was too weak and could only be gently nursed—yet in the end, even that failed to heal her.

Even after the poison was neutralized, her health inexplicably continued to decline…

Chu Ji snapped out of his memories and saw Bao’er looking at him with curious eyes. All he felt was relief—relief that he’d been given a second chance to protect her in his arms.

He was well aware his actions might seem suspicious. There were countless flawless ways to expose the culprit, but he couldn’t tolerate even the slightest risk. He had to resort to such crude measures to eliminate every threat around her.

“Eat, Bao’er. Don’t be afraid.”

Uncovering a hidden danger actually eased Nie Long’s mind. Unfamiliar with the original plot, she had known of the threat but not how to guard against it.

This incident didn’t dampen her mood—if anything, her appetite improved.

Seeing her eat happily, Chu Ji smiled fondly.

Most women would either be frightened into hiding behind him or, at best, put on a brave face. But his Bao’er’s reaction was the most delightful—not only unafraid, but even eating with extra relish. Just like back then…

In her good mood, Nie Long occasionally used serving chopsticks to pick out a few tasty dishes for the Emperor, who had just averted disaster. Chu Ji was momentarily stunned, warmth flooding his heart. Setting aside his troubled thoughts, he finished every last bite in his bowl.

After finishing his meal, he set down the empty bowl and stared at her intently. Nie Long didn’t notice at first. Once she was full and put down her chopsticks, she saw his gaze and asked in confusion, “Does Your Majesty want another bowl of rice?”

Chu Ji: …

Author’s Note:

Mini Theater:

The emperor had a little notebook where he would jot things down whenever he had free time, then flip through it later.

Emerging from the empress’s chambers, the handsome and majestic Master Emperor gritted his teeth and made another entry.

He wrote: Bao’er owes me one! To be repaid another day.

Later…

Page after page was filled with: Today Bao’er owes me again!… Bao’er owes me yet another one…

…

One day, when Nie Long accidentally discovered this little notebook while rubbing her sore waist, “…”

This deranged dog emperor!!!!!!!!!!