Chapter 1

Chapter 1

A thin, icy breeze drifted into the hall.

The candlelight flickered, falling into Pei Xingzhi’s cold, shadowed eyes, making them unreadable.

I stared at him blankly for a moment before remembering I hadn’t finished speaking.

“It’s late.”

“Your Majesty, after you finish seeing Sister Liangyin, you should stay in her palace tonight. That way, you won’t have to trouble yourself coming back to me and wearing out your sacred body.”

After saying that, I put on a gentle, virtuous smile and waited for him to praise me for being so understanding.

Instead, he turned his face away and asked the palace maid expressionlessly, “Are the Noble Consort’s nightmares that severe? This is already the third episode this month.”

The maid clearly hadn’t expected to be questioned. She froze for a moment, then quickly put on an anxious expression.

“Her Highness has always been frail, and she keeps dreaming that Li Pin has come to claim her life. She wakes in fright in the middle of the night again and again, crying to herself…”

“I was afraid Her Highness wouldn’t be able to fall asleep, so I took the liberty of coming to ask Your Majesty to go and see her…”

At the mention of Li Pin, Pei Xingzhi’s brows knit almost imperceptibly.

After a brief silence,

he gave a calm order. “Go back and tell the Noble Consort that I will come at once. Have her make ready.”

The maid beamed with delight and withdrew from the hall.

Once again, only Pei Xingzhi and I were left inside.

I lowered my eyes and helped him get dressed properly.

Just as I raised my hand to smooth the dark gold trim along his collar,

someone suddenly caught my hand gently in his palm.

Pei Xingzhi lowered his head and kissed the tip of my nose. “We’re not done with our business yet.”

“You’re not allowed to sleep. Wait for me.”

He didn’t let go of my hand, watching for my reaction.

I took the opportunity to wrap my arms around his neck and said with a pout, “Your Majesty mustn’t break your word.”

Pei Xingzhi curled his lips in satisfaction and finally left.

I watched the man’s figure disappear deep into the snowy night.

Then I let out a breath of relief.

I ordered the candles extinguished, hot water brought in, and the lamps put away.

As Luyi helped me undress, she said worriedly, “What if His Majesty comes back in the middle of the night…?”

“He won’t come back.”

I cut her off flatly.

Luyi fell silent for a moment. “Then why didn’t Your Highness try to stop His Majesty?”

She set down the comb and said angrily, “Every time His Majesty comes to spend the night here, the one in Changchun Palace starts making trouble. If it’s not a headache, it’s nightmares. It’s like she’s terrified Your Highness will get pregnant before she does.”

I let her finish venting before saying calmly, “You’ve been with me for so long. If I tried to stop him, would it make any difference?”