Chapter Sixty-Seven: Unmoved by Temptation

Watching Lady Wen’s gentle smile, Huarong felt a subtle sense of relief in her heart. “At last, I’ve managed to flatter her properly. It seems that forging good relations with them is truly the path to longevity!” With such thoughts, Huarong congratulated herself on her cleverness; yet just as she was inwardly rejoicing, Jun Yeli suddenly reached out his hand.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing?” Huarong grew a little nervous and instinctively retreated two steps, like a startled rabbit. Her reaction made Jun Yeli furrow his brow and utter a light, mocking remark, “Why are you afraid? Do you think I’ll eat you?”

Without further ado, he raised his hand and let it fall gently upon Huarong’s hair, plucking a delicate pink petal that had nestled at her temple. With the petal pinched between his fingers, Jun Yeli raised Huarong’s wrist and placed the petal in her palm. “A touch of crimson amidst your hair is indeed beautiful, but it does not belong there.”

There was an implication in his words that Huarong could not quite decipher; meanwhile, Lady Wen was stunned. Though the gesture was ordinary, between the two of them it seemed laden with ambiguous meaning.

Huarong, oblivious to this, tugged awkwardly at her lips, unsure what to do with the peach-pink petal in her hand. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” she said, glancing at the sky. The moon was already high; it was late. She hurriedly added, “Your Majesty, it’s getting late. I should return to my confinement. Please excuse me.”

She intended to leave, but before she could slip away, Jun Yeli seized her wrist and refused to let go. “I haven’t given you leave. Why are you in such a hurry? Is there something you’re hiding?”

“Your Majesty, you overthink things. Today is Lady Wen’s special day; you should spend time with her. May you both enjoy a lovely night together!”

With those words, Huarong gritted her teeth, tugged at her sleeve, and hastily fled, running away from that place of trouble. As she ran, she glanced back timidly, as if afraid someone was chasing her.

Jun Yeli was left with nothing but air, feeling somewhat dissatisfied. Still, watching that fleeing figure, he could not help but let out a soft laugh.

Lady Wen caught that smile and felt a pang of discomfort. “Your Majesty, you are the ruler of the realm. This woman disobeys you at every turn, makes mistakes time and again—how can you treat her so…”

They were all consorts, yet Huarong received such special treatment. Lady Wen felt a surge of resentment.

Beside her, Jun Yichen observed Lady Wen’s expression and feigned delight, remarking, “Consort Rong’s free and unrestrained nature certainly draws affection. No wonder Your Majesty favors her so.”

His words were layered with meaning, unclear as to whom he truly addressed. Lady Wen found them distasteful, murmuring with a complicated expression, “If flouting palace rules and disregarding the emperor can garner affection, then order in the harem will be lost. What use are rules then?”

Hearing this, Jun Yeli glanced at her, then suddenly wrapped an arm around Lady Wen’s waist, softly comforting her, “Enough, the night is long, and it’s your special day. It’s late; let us return and rest.”

With that, he led Lady Wen toward the bedchamber, offering her a measure of solace.

Yet, upon returning to the palace, Jun Yeli went straight to the desk, picked up a book, and sat upright and proper, showing no intention of retiring.

“Is it always to end like this? Why must it be the same every time?” Lady Wen bit her lip, watching the man’s earnest demeanor. It reminded her of his tender manner with Huarong, so different from his cold gaze toward other women.

Drawing a deep breath, Lady Wen loosened her sash and slipped out of her clothes, moving gently toward Jun Yeli. Placing a delicate hand on his shoulder, she embraced him from behind.

Her alluring voice drifted through the flickering candlelight, “Your Majesty, surely there are things more interesting than reading on such a long night?”

Her slender hand slid to the book in Jun Yeli’s grasp, lightly pinching it, while her other hand caressed his chest.

Anyone else would have succumbed to such seduction, but Jun Yeli’s expression darkened. He seized Lady Wen’s restless arm and flung it aside, reclaiming his book.

“Lady Wen, do you not know that I am the ruler of this realm? There is a time and place for everything—when did I ever need you to meddle? Don’t forget your station!”

His low voice carried a warning, its deadly edge sending chills down the spine.

Lady Wen’s heart trembled; terrified, she released him and knelt to the ground. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I was impulsive!”

“That’s enough. It’s late. Rest.”

With those words, Jun Yeli returned to his book as if nothing had happened, reading with utmost concentration.

Lady Wen lay on the bed, restless and cold, unable to sleep. Jun Yeli, on the other hand, remained utterly absorbed in his reading, as though unaware of her presence.

Meanwhile, Huarong lay on her bed, gazing at the moon outside her window, her heart stirred with turbulence.

The memory of Jun Yeli brushing away that petal for her lingered in her mind, bringing a sense of uneasy complexity.

“Does the emperor treat every woman like this? Perhaps he has a peculiar fondness—I must be overthinking it!”

With these thoughts, Huarong forced herself to quell her inner agitation and calm her mood.

The night passed, and Huarong woke with dark circles under her eyes, her body weary and confused.

Suddenly, Suxin burst in, her face alight with joy. “My lady, wonderful news! The emperor has lifted your confinement. He said your gift yesterday pleased Lady Wen greatly, so he’s rewarding you!”

Hearing this, Huarong showed little delight, her expression growing more complicated. “I see… It seems the emperor truly cares about Lady Wen.”