This wine, in fact, was a precious court vintage. Although fragrant, it could not be drunk in large quantities. Ordinary people could only have a cup for a taste, but he, due to frequent tasting, could drink three cups...
Outside the palace doors, Ah Jiu watched the Emperor walk out holding the Empress. He respectfully called out, "Your Majesty, how is the Empress?"
"She's drunk. I'm taking her to the sleeping quarters to rest. You all guard the palace doors."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ah Jiu and Mo Chou, along with the others, dared not speak and immediately responded with trembling voices.
The group followed the Emperor towards the main sleeping quarters. Once the Emperor carried the Empress into the sleeping quarters, everyone else guarded the doors. It seemed to be another night of perfect harmony.
In the sleeping quarters.
The Emperor gently placed the soft and adorable woman onto the bed. Her face was as red as a shrimp, and her long eyelashes, like small fans, veiled her intelligent eyes. Her intoxicating demeanor stirred the heart.
Since that night of tasting the affairs of men and women, he had been longing for her. His tall body leaned down and lightly kissed her flower-like lips.
The sleeping woman, unaware of this ulterior motive, stretched out her hands and embraced the Emperor's neck, instinctively responding to him.
Within the sleeping quarters, warmth surged.
The night was endlessly long, and the sleeping quarters were filled with vibrant life and fragrance...
They were intimate the entire night, until they were so exhausted they fell into a deep slumber. Before sleeping, he couldn't forget to kiss her moist little face, that desire to keep her by his side for life, seeming to stem not only from her intelligence but also from other emotions filling his heart.
As dawn broke, painting the sky with streaks of white, he got up and, as before, meticulously covered her with everything.
She was his, and he didn't want to share even the slightest bit of beauty with anyone else, not even with Ah Jiu, who was a eunuch.
In his eyes, a eunuch was still a man, and he couldn't bring himself to do what those incompetent and foolish emperors could, to engage in such acts so openly in front of eunuchs.
What he considered his, was his alone. No one else could even cast an extra glance.
Mu Rong Liu Zun tidied everything up with a satisfied smile. Finally, his gaze shifted, a sharp intensity lurking in his eyes, and he called out in a cold voice.
"Come in."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ah Jiu led two eunuchs inside.
Seeing the Emperor dressed in a white undergarment, his appearance disheveled and utterly unrestrained, it was unnecessary to explain what had happened.
His eyes briefly glanced at the bed, where only a mass of hair as dark as clouds was spread across the brocade pillow. Before he could avert his gaze, a cold reprimand came from above.
"What are you looking at? Be careful with those eyes."
Ah Jiu quickly withdrew his gaze. The Emperor's possessiveness was truly intense. He pursed his lips and chuckled inwardly, "This servant deserves death."
"I need to bathe, then attend the morning court," Mu Rong Liu Zun said, waving his hand with a stern expression. Ah Jiu quickly stepped forward to support the Emperor as he walked out and instructed the young eunuchs behind him, "Hurry and get the Emperor's clothes. Go bathe."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The two young eunuchs dared not glance again. Each picked up a few pieces of clothing and quickly followed the retreating figure.
Outside the sleeping quarters, Mo Chou and Mei Xin watched the Emperor leave and couldn't help but exchange glances. Finally, they revealed a smile, their expressions unreadable. The Emperor was truly insidious and cunning. He had clearly taken advantage of the mistress's drunkenness for a night of intimacy.
When the sun was high in the sky, shining brightly, Mu Qingyao finally woke up. She had a headache and her body ached as if she had been run over by a carriage. For a moment, she couldn't figure out what had happened to her.
After sitting for a while, she finally realized she had been drunk last night. The Emperor seemed to have stayed overnight again. Thinking about it, his deliberate invitation to drink with her yesterday evening clearly indicated his intentions.
This man truly stopped at nothing to achieve his goals, her gaze dark.
"Mo Chou, when did the Emperor leave?"
The two young maids were playing with a small fox under the window lattice of the sleeping quarters. The sunlight shone on the fluffy fur, making it as dazzling as snow.
"The Empress has woken up!" Mo Chou exclaimed, immediately letting go of the small fox and rushing over. Mei Xin followed closely, and even Mao Xueqiu, unwilling to be left behind, leaped from the chair under the window lattice and landed on the large bed, burrowing into Mu Qingyao's arms.
"The Emperor left a long time ago."
Mu Qingyao's gaze was calm, and she said nothing. In fact, she knew the Emperor was afraid she wouldn't stay by his side. She understood his actions and knew that she held a place in his heart. However, sometimes understanding did not equate to acceptance. Forget it, she wouldn't think about it anymore.
"I want to bathe, and then eat a good meal. I'm so hungry."
"Alright," the two young maids, seeing their mistress in a good mood, were immediately happy. They reached out to help the Empress up, and a warm current filled the spacious sleeping quarters.
Chu Qianyi had escaped, but the Chu family had all been imprisoned.
The King of Bei Jin was interrogated, but he remained silent, causing the days to drag on.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the Emperor's patience ran out. He ordered the Ministry of Justice to immediately convict the King of Bei Jin, to avoid further complications.
As for the Chu family, they would be dealt with after the King of Bei Jin. Even without the King of Bei Jin's testimony, the Chu family would not easily escape.
On this day, rumors circulated throughout the streets and alleys of Lin'an City, concerning the King of Bei Jin.
The rumor was that the current Emperor Xian could not tolerate his own younger brother and had conspired to frame him, leading to the King of Bei Jin's unjust imprisonment.
The Emperor had also seized the opportunity to arrest the meritorious Chu family and intended to deal with these powerful officials together.
The rumor was that the Emperor was ambitious and was not only targeting the King of Bei Jin and the Chu family but also a large number of officials in the court.
As rumors spread, the entire Lin'an City, and even the court officials, were filled with anxiety. Restaurants and teahouses were packed with guests, and even private rooms were booked well in advance.
The officials dared not gather in their residences. They formed groups of three or five, discussing their next move.
This news quickly reached the palace, and the Emperor was furious. Without a doubt, he knew who had spread these rumors.
It must be that Chu Qianyi. He had dispatched secret guards to search the capital. Not only could he deceive everyone, but he could also disseminate such powerful information, indicating his formidable strength.
And this strength did not solely stem from the Chu family. The Chu family had already been imprisoned, and their military power had been reclaimed. Which official in the court still dared to associate with them? Therefore, this person was not simple.
"Immediately summon the King of Nan'an, the Prime Minister, and the Censorate Minister to the palace."
The Emperor commanded with a cold and stern demeanor. Ah Jiu immediately acknowledged the order and went out to instruct the young eunuchs to summon the ministers. He then walked in to comfort the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, please do not be anxious. Once the Prime Minister and the others arrive, there will surely be a way to stop this from spreading further."