The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 15 - Enchantress

The confrontation between the two women was being watched from behind a rock garden. A figure dressed in bright yellow had been standing there for some time. The people behind him kept their heads lowered, except for Eunuch De Fu, who couldn't help but grimace as he observed the two women not far away.

"I never knew that Li Liangdi could display her claws like this. It seems like the little kitten has some sharp ones," Emperor Rui remarked with a chuckle to himself.

With that, he started walking toward them.

"What's all this excitement about? What are you talking about?"

The emperor's voice rang out, interrupting Zhang Liangyuan, who had been on the verge of attacking Bai Jingxian.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live long and well," both women said as they hurriedly bowed.

To everyone's surprise, Emperor Rui personally walked forward and helped Bai Jingxian up. "What were you discussing, my dear? I could hear you two from far away."

Bai Jingxian blushed. "Your Majesty..." This man must have seen and heard everything that just happened, yet he still asked her! Truly, he was too much.

"Nothing much, really. It was Zhang Liangyuan praising me, saying how fitting it was for Your Majesty to bestow the title 'Li' upon me."

If he had seen and heard it all, then she wasn't going to play the victim anymore. After all, she wasn't the original Bai Jingxian, doomed to a lifetime of meek submission. She had backbone now, and it was his favor that gave her that confidence.

"Ha! Is that so?" Emperor Rui turned his attention to Zhang Liangyuan. "You like the title 'Li' that much?"

His tone shifted unpredictably, making it impossible to discern his true feelings.

Just as Zhang Liangyuan was about to argue, the emperor spoke again. "In that case, I shall give the title 'Li' to Zhang Liangyuan. De Fu, Zhang Liangyuan is lively and charming. Henceforth, she shall be known as Liying Liangyuan."

The moment those words were uttered, Zhang Liangyuan collapsed onto the ground, utterly stunned. She never imagined that her cousin, the emperor, would treat her like this. The title 'Li' was already Bai Jingxian's — for him to give it to her now was an insult to her family, to Zhang's name. How could he dare!

"Your Majesty!"

Zhang Liangyuan's voice was filled with despair. "I am a daughter of the Zhang family. How could Your Majesty give me a title already bestowed upon another? Please, Your Majesty, take back this decree." The humiliation was unbearable. If this was set in stone, she would become the laughingstock of the entire harem.

The emperor's smile disappeared. "How dare you! Are you saying that I must consider the opinions of the Zhang family when I bestow titles in my own harem?"

Already displeased with the Zhang family, the emperor's mood darkened even further at her words. "The Zhang family certainly knows how to throw its weight around. Are they trying to manage my harem now? If Liying Liangyuan dares to defy my decree... De Fu!"

Seeing the emperor's anger, Zhang Liangyuan grew fearful. She didn't spend much time with her cousin and had never seen him this enraged before.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. Forgive me, Your Majesty. I accept the decree and thank you for your grace," she said, kowtowing heavily, her forehead knocking loudly against the ground. She knew she couldn't involve her family in this. Otherwise, her aunt would never forgive her.

"Storms or blessings, all are the emperor's grace. Liying Liangyuan, do not disappoint the emperor," Bai Jingxian added with a smile. She wasn't a naive little rabbit; she was a fox, and she knew when to bear her fangs. This was one of those times.

"Indeed. My beloved concubine is right. All of it, from rain to sunshine, is my grace," Emperor Rui echoed approvingly. "What I give is yours. What I don't give, no one can take."

Bai Jingxian understood that this wasn't meant for her ears, but for the woman still kneeling on the ground.

"Exactly, Your Majesty. Everything belongs to you, and no one can take it," she said as she gently took hold of his hand, placing her delicate fingers in his. "I am yours, Your Majesty, and yours alone."

Their flirtatious banter completely ignored the person still kneeling on the ground.

"Ha! That's right. You are mine, my beloved concubine, and I adore you." Emperor Rui laughed heartily, clearly pleased.

He seemed to find her more and more charming with each passing moment. "Come, let me accompany you on a walk," he said, holding her hand as they strolled away, leaving Liying Liangyuan behind.

As they walked, they chatted and laughed, with Emperor Rui occasionally teasing Bai Jingxian. At one point, she covered her mouth in embarrassment, her cheeks flushed with shyness.

As they neared Qingliang Palace, Bai Jingxian suddenly pulled her hand away from the emperor's, flustered by something he had said, and hurriedly ran back to her chambers. In her haste, she nearly knocked over Madame Wang, causing the old woman's soul to almost leave her body.

Left with no choice, Bai Jingxian paused briefly to help the old woman up and ask if she was alright. After receiving a reassuring response, she quickly darted back into her chambers, her face glowing with embarrassment.

Inside, the emperor's laughter echoed even after he had followed her in. Chun Feng and Chun Yu looked at their mistress, who had hidden herself under the blankets, and no amount of coaxing could get her to come out.

Emperor Rui entered the room with a smile. He waved the maids away, "Leave us. De Fu, prepare the meal."

Seeing that the emperor wasn't angry with their mistress, the two maids bowed and left the room.

Once they were alone, the emperor swiftly pulled the covers off Bai Jingxian's head. "Still feeling shy? There's nothing here that I haven't seen before. What's there to be embarrassed about?" he teased as he picked her up and held her close. The soft warmth of her body stirred something within him.

"Hmph! You're terrible, saying such things in public!" Bai Jingxian pouted, recalling the teasing earlier. How could she not feel embarrassed? This man had no sense of decorum!

Her fresh and lively expression made the emperor laugh even harder, his chest rumbling against her cheek, causing her face to flush even more.

Unable to resist her pout, he planted a light kiss on her lips. Feeling the softness, he kissed her again, and again, until their playful pecks turned into a passionate, deep kiss.

As they kissed, Bai Jingxian playfully responded, her nimble tongue dancing with his, making the kiss both enjoyable and mischievous.

Sensing her playful defiance, the emperor was eager to subdue her teasing tongue, to assert control.

"No... stop, please. Your Majesty, I'm sorry, I'm not upset anymore, I promise," Bai Jingxian gasped, pulling away breathlessly. She didn't dare engage with the emperor any further during the day.

Her flushed face and slightly dazed expression only fueled the emperor's desire. "You're not upset? Then how about helping me out, hmm?" He lifted her hand, guiding it toward his lower body.

But as her eyes filled with panic, the emperor stopped. His earlier teasing seemed like a distant dream.

After a long pause, he exhaled deeply. "You really are a little seductress."

Bai Jingxian was speechless. Over something so trivial, how did she become a seductress in his eyes? Didn't he do the same things with other concubines?

"Your Majesty," she said with a playful pout, "You're the one always tempting me, yet I'm the seductress? Clearly, it's Your Majesty who's the real seducer."