Side Story 5: Where Did the Vixen Come From?
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In order to honor the memory of the Empress Niang Niang who tragically passed away a year ago, the Emperor, deeply moved by her devotion and emotions, was finally swayed by the erosion of time. He fell in love with another woman, a mysterious female assassin who descended from the heavens.
Once this news broke, countless young women in the capital who had hoped to marry were heartbroken. They had believed that with the Empress Niang Niang’s passing, they might have a chance to rise to prominence. Among the court officials, the revelation that the woman was an assassin caused a frenzy. Many officials had daughters waiting to be married and saw this as an opportunity to have their daughters enter the palace, hoping to win the Emperor’s favor and secure their family’s rise to prominence. After all, everyone witnessed the unprecedented love Feng Tingye and Rain had for Xia Yuqing in the past.
As for the common people, when they heard the news, they were startled. Just a year ago, their Emperor had declared in front of all that the late Empress Niang Niang was his first and last Empress in this lifetime. Little did they know that shortly after, the Empress Niang Niang would tragically meet her end, for an entire year, Emperor struggled with his grief. However, he ultimately couldn’t resist the passage of time and began to develop feelings for another woman.
The common people sighed at the transience of love and the changing of circumstances. But they dared not express any extreme opinions. After all, this was a matter within the royal family, and they had no place to intervene. The royalty had always been fickle in matters of the heart. In ordinary families, it was rare for a man to remain devoted to a woman for a lifetime, let alone when that man was an emperor. Even having 3,000 beauties in the imperial harem and 72 concubines was considered extravagant. It was unreasonable to expect an emperor to remain faithful to a woman who had already passed away for his entire life.
With these thoughts in mind, the common people sighed briefly and acknowledged the fickleness of love. They quietly mourned for the former Empress Niang Niang who had provided them with endless topics. However, beyond these sighs, there were no further discussions.
At this moment, someone who was completely unaware that their reappearance had stirred up a storm was lying on the dragon bed in Qianqing Palace, sound asleep, oblivious to the passing night.
Until the gradually piercing sunlight slipped in through the window, casting a bright light onto the edge of the bed, the figure on the bed made a slightly uncomfortable groan. One hand went to their forehead, while the other extended beyond the edge of the bed, pushing aside the curtain.
Bathed in the translucent daylight, one could vaguely see the considerable bruises on the fair hand. It was evident that last night’s events in this room had been intense.
Reluctantly, Xia Yuqing opened her eyes. After a moment of stiffness, she suddenly widened her eyes. The events of yesterday rushed into her mind like a torrent, nearly overwhelming her and causing her head to spin.
After a moment of processing, Xia Yuqing couldn’t help but swear inwardly, “D*mn it, you scoundrel of an Emperor!”
Xia Yuqing vividly recalled that yesterday, she had followed the advice of an old quack. After enduring countless trials and tribulations, she had been kicked into a well by An Jinrui, only to find herself transported back. She stood soaked in the lotus pond in a courtyard not far from Qianqing Palace. Not only was she drenched, but the palace maids and eunuchs mistook her for an unknown assassin, nearly apprehending her. In the nick of time, Feng Tingye arrived. He not only recognized her but also declared that wet clothes were bad for her health. He swiftly carried her away, shielding her from the eyes of everyone, and brought her back to Qianqing Palace.
While being carried was quite comfortable, Xia Yuqing had a minor complaint. “Ultra Seme Lord, yes, I’m completely soaked, but I haven’t injured my leg. Do you really need to carry me like a severely wounded patient? Did you not notice that all the palace maids and eunuchs nearby are staring at us with eyes as wide as light bulbs?”
Despite her complaints, being able to return here, to see Feng Tingye again, and to see the people she cared about was the most joyous thing for Xia Yuqing. No joy could surpass this, and no delight could overshadow it.
Xia Yuqing couldn’t help but feel moved when she realized that Feng Tingye recognized her at first sight. She was overjoyed, completely immersed in the happiness of being back. She was so absorbed that she didn’t sense the impending danger. By the time she snapped out of it, she found herself pinned down by a certain hungry gray wolf near a steaming hot spring, like prey ready to be devoured.
As it turned out, when you’re with a big gray wolf, you have to be prepared to be devoured at any moment.
The naive little white rabbit only truly understood the real intention behind the big gray wolf’s eagerness for her to come here to change clothes at that moment. Sadly, it was too late.
When her back met the slightly cool marble countertop, Xia Yuqing suddenly became fully awake. Her body tensed, and she asked, “Your Majesty, what are you trying to do?”
Feng Tingye raised an eyebrow slightly, his narrow phoenix eyes calmly fixed on the person beneath him. His thin lips curled slightly, and under the misty water’s surface, there was a hint of restrained sensuality.
Restrained my foot! If this guy is restrained, there might not be anyone left in this world who is a pervert! This dude is a despicable pervert! Where are your hands even going?
Xia Yuqing watched helplessly as Feng Tingye’s slender and fair hand gently followed the curve of her neck. The way he focused on this task, as if he was studying how to land a precise and powerful blow to snap her throat, made her break out in a cold sweat. Then, Xia Yuqing saw Feng Tingye’s fingers slowly slide into the collar of her undergarment, which had just been fastened. He slightly lifted it, as if trying to see something.
The collar at her neck was completely lifted, leaving Xia Yuqing feeling a bit chilly. This also revealed the butterfly-shaped birthmark just below her neck. In an instant, Feng Tingye’s gaze flickered, and his entire presence underwent a change.
Unfortunately, at that moment, Xia Yuqing was preoccupied with trying to fasten her clothes, and she hadn’t noticed the change. Even though she and the person before her were already husband and wife, her body was still that of an innocent girl. Being looked at like this, even if the person was him, made Xia Yuqing feel embarrassed. However, before she could fully adjust her clothes, she was already entirely embraced by him.
Taken aback, Xia Yuqing attempted to struggle, but he held her even tighter. A slightly hoarse yet magnetic voice sounded in her ear, “Don’t move, let me hold you for a while.”
Xia Yuqing’s struggling halted for a moment, and her eyes slightly narrowed in surprise. Is the Ultra Seme Lord… crying?
Somehow, Xia Yuqing felt her heart ache, a mixture of joy and sadness swelling up within her. Her eyes grew moist, and she couldn’t help but shed a few tears.
Her hands, initially resistant, gradually moved to his back and tightly embraced his waist. She obediently buried herself in his familiar and warm embrace.
Almost like a sudden change in the scenario, the tearful emotion, filled with both gratitude and affection, was abruptly replaced by something different.
In an instant, the style changed abruptly. The tears, filled with both emotion and gratitude, forcefully retreated. Xia Yuqing tightly grabbed the clothes on Feng Tingye’s body, gritting her teeth, “Your Majesty, where are your hands wandering again? And… what’s the inappropriate thing below!”
“Ai Fei, haven’t I told you not to move recklessly? If you move, it’s not the fault of this Majesty.” Feng Tingye, who had been bowing his head on her shoulder, finally lifted his head. He spoke with a smile that seemed not quite like a smile.
Xia Yuqing clearly saw that the originally calm and still eyes now seemed to ignite two fierce small flames. The revealing fierce green light resembled the hungry eyes of a wolf, as if it could devour her completely in an instant.
Xia Yuqing immediately took a cold breath. D*mn… what crying, what gratitude, it was all deceptive! The reason the man’s voice was so hoarse just now was clearly due to stirred emotions! Blame it on her naivety; she actually believed this guy would cry for her!
Xia Yuqing truly regretted it now. Thinking about her recent sentimental display, she felt how foolish she had been.
With a twitch at the corner of her mouth, Xia Yuqing tried to avoid Feng Tingye’s aggressive claws, and dryly chuckled, “Your Majesty, I just returned, and I’m a bit tired. Can we discuss anything tomorrow?”
Xia Yuqing clenched the clothes on Feng Tingye’s body, gritted her teeth, and said, “Your Majesty, where are your hands going? And… what’s the meaning of that inappropriate thing below?”
A corner of Feng Tingye’s lips curled up, and his beautifully shaped phoenix eyes followed suit, tilting slightly upwards. His entire face seemed to emanate an aura of incomparable charm and lethal attractiveness, leaving Xia Yuqing stunned once again.
Oh, my God! A month apart, and the Ultra Seme Lord has become even more devilishly charming. Playing the handsome man card… seriously… No, I need to hold back! Ahh, Emperor, you’re taking unfair advantage of someone who’s been dreaming about you every night for a whole month and going insane missing you. It’s against the rules, absolutely against the rules!
Feng Tingye caught Xia Yuqing’s evasion, a trace of reluctance flashing in his eyes. However, he quickly suppressed that feeling and, when he opened his eyes again, they were filled with a strong sense of determination.
“No, Ai Fei, some matters are extremely urgent and can’t wait until tomorrow.”
“Uh…” Xia Yuqing’s mouth twitched. Seeing the unyielding determination in Feng Tingye’s eyes, she suddenly felt uneasy.
“Ai Fei, during the time you were away, I have remained chaste for you. Now that you’re back, shouldn’t you compensate me?”
“…” Ultra Seme Lord, although I’m thrilled you’ve remained faithful, you don’t have to make it sound like everything’s my fault, making me feel so guilty. Especially… can you please not touch my waist at a time like this?
As Xia Yuqing was busy expressing her complaints, she momentarily lost her focus. However, this moment of distraction was enough to seal her fate. When she snapped out of it, Feng Tingye had tightly embraced her waist and lowered his head to kiss her, and… well, she was already beneath him.
“Mmm!”
By the time Xia Yuqing realized what was happening and attempted to resist, it was too late.
Plunged into the hot spring, water splashed everywhere. All that was on Xia Yuqing’s mind was: Goodness gracious! Ultra Seme Lord, can you be a bit gentler? It’s my first time with this body!
After recounting the incident, Xia Yuqing collapsed onto the bed, tears streaming down her face as she bit into the bedsheets, her eyes full of accusations.
That vile beast, an absolute beast! I told him to be gentle, yet he’s making me weak all over. And most importantly, on the morning of my return, he’s nowhere to be found. After getting what he wanted, he just turns around and leaves. You unfaithful cad, Chen Shimei!
Little did Xia Yuqing know that the previous night, Feng Tingye had hardly slept at all. He had quietly stayed by her side, gazing at her unfamiliar yet familiar sleeping face for the entire night, as if wanting to etch that face permanently into his memory.
Until the break of dawn today, he reluctantly got up only when he heard the eunuchs outside urging him to attend court. He left a kiss on Xia Yuqing’s forehead and carefully tucked her in before leaving Qianqing Palace with a heavy heart.
Meanwhile, Xia Yuqing was busy complaining about Feng Tingye, completely unaware that a maid had noticed she had woken up. The maid approached her bedside and asked in a low voice, “Your Highness, would you like to get up? I’m here to help you freshen up.”
Hearing the message coming from outside the bed, Xia Yuqing suddenly stiffened, her eyes widening in astonishment. This voice…
Yes, standing beside Xia Yuqing’s bed, just a thin curtain away, was the maid, Lu Rui.
The night before, the maids in the Xiefang Hall had received news that a female assassin had suddenly appeared in the palace. What was more astonishing was that instead of punishing her, the Emperor had not only spared her life but had also personally carried her back to Qianqing Palace in full view of the palace maids and eunuchs.
Upon receiving this information, the maids from the Xiefang Hall were all abuzz. They were curious about the identity of this female assassin who could make the Emperor, who had been unwaveringly devoted to their Niang Niang and hadn’t touched another woman since her death, behave so shockingly upon their first meeting. Unfortunately, the maids and guards who had witnessed the event could only say that the woman appeared dripping wet, wearing peculiar clothes and with slightly disheveled hair. They hadn’t had time to see her face clearly before the Emperor arrived and took her away.
What the guards didn’t dare mention was that the young woman had only been wearing a thin white garment on top, which was something they referred to as a “white shirt” in modern times. It was soaking wet from the water, and it seemed… later on, when the Emperor arrived, he seemed to have noticed this and immediately hugged her, blocking everyone’s view. Before leaving, he had even given a fierce glare to everyone present, a gaze filled with obvious killing intent and coldness, making them feel as though their eyes might be gouged out the next moment and their lives were in danger.
Upon receiving this news, many in Xiefang Hall couldn’t help but entertain the thought: Could it be… could it be that Niang Niang had returned? After all, they had been in the palace for so long, and they had only seen the Emperor treat their Niang Niang differently.
Although some quickly dismissed this thought, considering that they had seen Niang Niang’s body lying in the coffin and witnessed her funeral, there were still those who held onto this hope. Lu Rui was one of them, especially after she was summoned to serve the woman who had spent the night in Qianqing Palace. Her hope had grown stronger.
Lu Rui’s clasped hands were slightly sweaty due to nervousness. Just at that moment, the gauzy curtain was pulled back from the inside, and the person in the bed suddenly poked her head out. Her eyes were bright as she looked at Lu Rui.
Lu Rui involuntarily gasped, startled by the sudden appearance. As she looked into those eyes, she felt a moment of suffocation and believed for a second that Xia Yuqing had returned. However, after clearly seeing Xia Yuqing’s face, her expression revealed a trace of disappointment.
No… it’s not Niang Niang. This face isn’t Niang Niang’s.
The higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment. In just a few short seconds, Lu Rui experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. She suddenly felt a bit aggrieved, and in her heart, a hint of resentment grew towards someone.
It’s not Niang Niang, which means the Emperor really treated a woman of unknown origin the same way he once treated Niang Niang. He not only allowed her to stay overnight in Qianqing Palace but also had the maids closest to the Niang Niang serve this woman. It hasn’t even been a year since Niang Niang left.
Lu Rui knew that harboring such outrageous thoughts was absurd, but she couldn’t help but think that way. She couldn’t help but feel heartbroken for the woman she had served for so long.
As Lu Rui wrestled with her conflicting emotions, she suddenly heard a familiar and excited voice from the side, calling out, “Lu Rui, it’s really you!”
Lu Rui trembled all over, her teary eyes suddenly lifted, but before she could inquire further, a figure rushing towards her suddenly tackling her to the ground. There was a loud thump as they fell onto the soft blanket beneath them. Although it wasn’t very painful, the person who landed on top of her pressed tightly against her, making it hard for Lu Rui to catch her breath.
“Lu Rui, Lu Rui, Lu Rui, I’ve missed you so much, missed you so much, sob…”
Almost instinctively, Lu Rui responded with a helpless tone, “Niang Niang, actually what you really want to say is that you’ve missed the delicious food I make for you, not me.”
“Aish, Lu Rui, you know these things in your heart, why say them out loud?”
“…”
Lu Rui helplessly shook her head, and then her neck stiffened suddenly, almost giving her a crick. She turned her head slowly with what seemed like a rusty neck, only to see a strange young girl frantically rubbing against her. Tentatively, she asked, “Are you… Niang Niang?”
Xia Yuqing naturally replied, “Of course, it’s me. Otherwise, who else…”
Before Xia Yuqing could finish her sentence, she also sensed that the atmosphere was odd. She suddenly lifted her head and looked directly into Lu Rui’s eyes.
The two of them stared at each other like this for a few seconds, tears welled up in their eyes simultaneously. After a moment…
“Niang Niang…”
“Lu Rui….”
The two silly fools simultaneously opened their arms and embraced each other, tears flowing freely.
“Wu wu wu, Niang Niang, this servant thought she would never see you again in this lifetime. I was really scared to death.”
“Ying ying ying, Lu Rui, Niang Niang also thought it would be difficult to see you all again in this lifetime. Fortunately, I finally came back.”
“Yes, yes, this servant said Niang Niang is blessed, how could you just leave like that? This servant heard that the Emperor brought a woman back to Qianqing Palace, immediately knew it must be you, Niang Niang. In this world, only you can make the Emperor treat someone so sincerely. Niang Niang…”
“Lu Rui…”
“Wu wu wu…”
“Wu wu wu…”
In an instant, the originally tense atmosphere in Qianqing Palace turned into another scene of relatives recognizing each other, a touching and heartwarming scene, until…
“Niang Niang…”
“Hmm?”
“Can you please get off this servant before chatting? This servant is almost out of breath.”
“…”
After a chaotic moment, Lu Rui, who had been pressed under Xia Yuqing, finally managed to catch her breath and crawled out from under Xia Yuqing.
While gasping for breath, Lu Rui kept staring at Xia Yuqing beside her, making Xia Yuqing feel uncomfortable. She finally spoke, “Niang Niang, why does your face look like this?”
Hearing Lu Rui’s words, Xia Yuqing unconsciously touched her own face. After hesitating for a moment, she patted Lu Rui’s shoulder with a serious expression, “Actually, this is a very long story.”
“…Niang Niang, you can make it short.”
“…”
On one side, the recognition between the mistress and servant in Qianqing Palace was joyous, while on the other side, the court was in turmoil with discussions and debates among civil and military officials.
Feng Tingye, with a lazy expression, leaned on the dragon throne. Although there was a bit of exhaustion from staying up all night between his brows, his spirits were surprisingly good. It just verified an old saying: “People are in good spirits when happy events occur!”
Seeing his appearance, the officials below suddenly felt an ominous premonition. Looking at the Emperor’s demeanor, could it be that he truly favored the rumored female assassin? This was definitely not good news for them! Many officials were beginning to stir, considering how to approach this situation.
Yan Ran coldly observed the bustling scene in the court below. He nudged the person next to him and whispered, “Have you noticed that our Emperor seems…?”
“Radiant?” Shao Zitang responded to Yan Ran’s inquiry with a calm expression, uttering the word effortlessly.
Yan Ran’s eyes grew chilly, his expression mirroring Shao Zitang’s nonchalant demeanor. “Exactly, exactly, you think the same way. Look at that contented expression of his. He looks like he finally got to feast on rare delicacies after a long time. Could it be that something happened last night…?”
“Who knows?” Shao Zitang smirked and curled his lips, feeling that Feng Tingye’s face, tinged with hidden satisfaction, was irritatingly arrogant.
“We all saw that girl fall off the cliff back then, and we personally retrieved her body from below. Now that the Emperor is acting this way, could it be that he’s truly found a new love? In that case…”
Yan Ran seemed to realize something grave and looked at Leng Ruofeng, who had been silent since the beginning. She swallowed hard with a panicked expression and asked, “Ruofeng, where is Third Princess?”
Leng Ruofeng’s face remained cold, his expression unchanged as he replied, “She went out.”
“She went out? Where could the Third Princess possibly go so early in the morning?”
Leng Ruofeng furrowed his brows slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, “Yun Er mentioned that she heard about a woman seducing her sister’s husband and making her wear a ‘green hat’. So, she’s going to see what kind of vixen this is, daring to steal her sister’s man.”
“…”
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