Honestly, he didn't look like someone who had avoided the harem for years in the name of discipline and purity.
So much for the rumors. Clearly, not everything whispered in palace corridors could be trusted.
They said the Emperor only ever doted on Noble Consort Wei. Well, she'd have to test that herself someday.
[Host, don't be nervous. These things are awkward the first time, but they get easier with practice.]
Meng Wenyao rolled her eyes. "Oh? You sound awfully experienced for a glorified piece of code."
Just then, Ruxin's voice came from outside. "My lady, the water's gone cold. You should come out now."
Wenyao jolted. She'd been soaking far too long. She had no idea how long the Emperor had been waiting outside. Did he think she was stalling?
A maid approached with a sheer gauze robe in her hands. Wenyao blinked, dumbfounded. "That's it? That's all I'm supposed to wear?"
The maid nodded solemnly.
Wenyao nearly fainted on the spot. What was the point of wearing this? She might as well walk out naked.
In the end, she relented—only after the maid draped a formal outer robe over her to preserve some shred of decency.
Clutching the robe tightly around her, she stepped into the inner chamber. The moment she entered, she felt the searing heat of his gaze lock onto her like a predator.
The palace maids filed out silently, leaving only the Emperor and the newly minted consort.
As his eyes fell on her—wet hair, pink cheeks, and that near-transparent robe clinging to every curve—the Emperor felt his throat go dry. He downed half a cup of tea, hoping the bitterness would calm his blood.
"You're finished bathing?" he asked.
Wenyao couldn't bring herself to look at him. Her head stayed bowed, her hands clenched. She was too embarrassed to speak.
Without warning, the Emperor swept her into his arms.
Startled, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. As she moved, her outer robe shifted, loosening just enough to reveal an indecent glimpse underneath.
The Emperor's breath caught. His eyes burned crimson. He froze, staring.
Panicked, Wenyao quickly tugged her robe shut. "Your Majesty, p-please put me down…"
He didn't.
Instead, he walked over to the bed, sat down, and placed her on his lap. His voice dropped, deep and suggestive. "Did your matron teach you how to serve your lord in bed?"
Flushed, Wenyao dared to glance up at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why not let Your Majesty teach me instead?"
His Adam's apple bobbed.
He had studied the art of pleasure in books and scrolls. He'd even had it demonstrated for him by trained eunuchs and concubines. But in all these years—since the moment he ascended the throne—his body had never responded.
Until her.
He had first heard of her dream while secluded at Fahua Temple, but dismissed it as superstition. Later, he learned the Empress Dowager had no intention of bringing her into the palace. He'd been… irritated.
So he'd gone to the Wei estate, half out of spite, intending to see the girl for himself. Fate intervened, and she landed—literally—right in his arms.
That moment, something in him awakened.
Apparently, he wasn't incapable—he just wasn't aroused by women who threw themselves at him.
He was the kind of man who liked to hunt.
"Are you afraid?" he asked, voice low and raspy.
Wenyao nodded shyly, her face buried in his chest. "But… Your Majesty will be gentle with me, won't you?"
His lips curved. "Of course. I'll treasure you well."
The curtains fell, and moonlight faded behind silk drapes.
Outside, Granny Hua, Ruxin, and Ruyi stood guard, pretending not to hear the moans and breathless cries echoing from within. All three wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.
Granny Hua, however, looked worried. The young lady's body was far too frail. The Emperor, on the other hand, clearly had years of pent-up frustration. If he didn't rein it in, could Wenyao even survive the night?
When she woke the next morning, Wenyao felt like she'd been hit by a carriage—twice.
Groaning, she mentally yelled at her system. "I've taken so many strengthening pills. Why do I still feel like a disassembled puppet?"
[Host, I already told you—these things get easier with practice. Do it a few more times and your constitution will adjust.]
She wanted to yeet the system into the void.
Ruxin helped her into the bath. As Wenyao sank into the warm water, she caught sight of herself in the polished bronze mirror—bruises bloomed like petals across her collarbone and thighs. She flushed.
The Emperor, gentle? The man had said he'd treasure her. On the bed, he'd been a beast in scholar's robes. If she hadn't faked fainting, who knew how long he would've kept going?
As if summoned, Ruxin returned with a small porcelain bottle.
"His Majesty sent this over," she mumbled, face red as a cooked prawn. "For… external use."
Wenyao raised an eyebrow. "Where?"
"…Not where you can reach without a mirror."
Wenyao sank deeper into the tub, steam rising around her. That pervert. She cursed the Emperor silently. Shameless dog in dragon robes.
After she was washed and dressed, Wenyao instructed the maids to escort her to Changle Palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.
Before they even reached the doors, she spotted an old friend waiting outside—Granny Li. Familiar faces really did ease the nerves.
Led into the hall, Wenyao respectfully bowed to the Empress Dowager.
To her surprise, the Dowager was beaming with maternal warmth. "Such a sweet child. No wonder His Majesty brought you into the palace himself. You must serve him well—do not waste the Emperor's grace."
Wenyao's reply was pure perfection: "Your Majesty flatters me. To serve the Emperor is my greatest honor. I'll cherish it with all my heart."
The Dowager looked pleased. "What a delightful girl. Granny Gui, fetch that ruby hair ornament set. It'll suit her—she's still young, and bright colors flatter youth."
Wenyao was stunned. So generous?
She quickly bowed again. "Thank you, Your Majesty. You are too kind. I lost my mother young, and seeing Your Majesty now… I feel as if I've found a mother again."
As she dabbed theatrically at her eye with a handkerchief, she was secretly impressed with her own acting skills. Since binding with this blasted system, her emotional performances had reached Oscar-level.
She wondered what the Dowager really thought. The woman had once intended to marry her off to her grandson—now she was her son's consort.
But since the Dowager was putting on a show, Wenyao was happy to play along.
The Dowager took her hand and whispered kindly, "You're still so young, and new to palace life. If you ever feel wronged, don't keep it to yourself. Come to me. I'll protect you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Wenyao said, voice trembling just enough to be believable. "You're too good to me."
Just as she was about to kneel again, a voice rang out from outside.
"The Emperor arrives!"
Wenyao turned to greet him, but a pair of large hands caught her before she could kneel. The Emperor not only stopped her but gently took her hand.
The Empress Dowager and Granny Gui exchanged knowing looks.
Looks like Noble Consort Wei was about to get some competition.
"My, Your Majesty," the Dowager teased, "Did you think I'd gobble up your precious little darling if you didn't rush over to protect her?"
The Emperor didn't flinch. "Mother is teasing me. I came to pay my respects, nothing more."