To care for my aging parents and to repay them for their nurturing, I thought I would surely die the moment the Former Emperor passed away.
But Jing Xun gave me a glimmer of hope.
He was the child I had raised with my own hands.
Now, he had become the New Emperor, wielding the power of life and death.
On the day of his ascension, he came to the side hall where I resided.
Seeing him again after so many years felt like a reunion from another lifetime.
He was no longer the mischievous boy who used to play with me.
His youthful face had matured, and he now stood before me with a composed demeanor.
Dressed in a Dark Brocade Robe, he stood with his hands clasped behind his back, blocking much of the sunlight streaming through the window.
I had never seen him look so stern and imposing.
Without thinking, I knelt before him.
"Long live the Emperor."
Jing Xun stepped forward to help me up. "No need for such formalities."
He scrutinized me with deep-set eyes. "You've grown."
I felt a shiver run down my spine under his gaze. "Your Majesty..."
Before I could finish my words, Jing Xun suddenly picked me up in his arms.
I was startled and instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck.
Jing Xun carried me to the side of the Dragon Bed and leaned down to place me gently onto it.
He suddenly reached behind me and unfastened my clothing.
I was so frightened that I quickly pressed down on his hand. "Your Majesty!"
Jing Xun gazed at me with deep eyes. "I just want to see your back."
"You’re injured."
As he spoke, he took out some medicine and carefully applied it to my wounds.
I winced in pain. "It hurts..."
Jing Xun paused. "Did I hurt you?"
Before I could respond, he continued, "That’s impossible."
"I was being very gentle."
After applying the medicine, he helped me put my clothes back on and reached out to smooth the loose strands of hair at my temples.
His voice dropped low. "Was last night your first time?"
My heart raced, and I denied it vehemently. "No."
But Jing Xun replied, "I saw the bloodstains."
Bloodstains?
Could it be...
I realized it belatedly, and a flush crept onto my face.
Before I could say anything, Jing Xun asked urgently, "Is it?"
He was usually calm and composed, rarely losing his composure like this.
I was startled by his reaction. "Why are you asking this?"
Jing Xun stared at me intently. "Answer me!"
His gaze made me uneasy, and I could only brace myself and reply, "Yes."
Jing Xun pressed on, "Am I your first man?"
His words plunged me into memories.
Eleven years ago, during the Spring Flower Appreciation Festival, the dancer summoned by the Empress suddenly fell ill.
I was forced to replace the sick dancer and perform a dance for the Emperor.
It was because of that dance that I caught the Emperor's eye.
He granted me a title.
The Empress worried that Jing Xun might take an interest in me and threatened me with the lives of my parents in Lingzhou.
She instructed me to find a way to make Jing Xun give up on me.
Later, when Jing Xun came to find me, I asked him if he truly needed me.
Jing Xun's expression changed slightly. "What do you mean?"
I shook my head. "Your Highness, Peiyao has her reasons."
"Peiyao did not voluntarily take the place of the dancer."
Jing Xun's gaze deepened. "Did the Empress force you?"
I did not answer his question; instead, I said, "Peiyao knows her lowly status and does not dare to aspire to Your Highness."
Jing Xun did not believe me. "You're lying."
"Peiyao, you clearly have feelings for me."
I feigned surprise. "What are you talking about, Your Highness?"
"You are the exalted Crown Prince, and Peiyao is of such humble status; how could she dare to reach for you?"
Jing Xun grasped my hand. "Sister, do you have some kind of burden?"
"Tell me, and I will help you."
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