Chapter 2

That handsome young man looks so familiar... ? ... Following that beautiful person, so it turns out that last night was not a dream, it was all real

The man suddenly saw Yan Ben standing at the door, and a moment of realization flickered in his eyes. "That girl is the one I asked you to save last night."

The man looked at her and said with a smile, "You have a point in everything you say. However, my name is not convenient to mention. Besides... let me find someone who seems likely to live longer than I do. His name will remain, and when you grow old, he should still be alive, right"

She appears to be in good spirits, though her eyes still carry a hint of drowsiness. In her childhood, she did not care much about her appearance, believing herself to be quite cute. It was only later, through comparisons among her sisters and the gossip at home, that she realized her looks were considered not particularly attractive, at least not in accordance with the aesthetic standards of the capital.

If it is truly the fault of the aphrodisiac, then both the young master and I are victims of an unwarranted disaster Her voice carried a hint of bitterness

The slight rocking of the boat made her drowsy, reminding her that she was still on board. Her body longed to dive back into her bed and sleep for a day or two. Even someone like her, who considered herself to be in decent shape, felt this way, and she suddenly began to sympathize with those young women who had married into wealthy families.

Her gaze wandered around the room. The bed was covered with a bright red carpet and a finely embroidered quilt, everything from last night had been replaced with new items. Beside the bed stood a rosewood cabinet, intricately carved with cloud dragons, and... She was slightly surprised and reached out to touch the irregular piece of wood on the cabinet. Is it wood? It seems to be glowing.

After all, she is a young lady ... She fell and it hurt a lot, yet she could only pretend that the pain did not exist. She also pretended to be tough, no, now she is truly tough; often, after pretending for a long time, it becomes real. Perhaps one day, if she were to kill someone, she would be able to do it.

She is as well

Xizi said softly: "Yan Ben, do you have a grudge against her?"

The young lady has awakened

At that moment, Zhong Lian had already knelt down

Misunderstanding

The night market by the shore had long dispersed into the night, appearing somewhat desolate. A massive houseboat lay anchored on the river, shrouded in mist that obscured much of its form

He laughed uncontrollably, and in the end, he had to cover his mouth, yet he still chuckled quietly.

Yan Ben said: "Last night, I saved..." Upon mentioning the word 'saved', his face, as dark as charcoal, flushed with a hint of red. "The young lady I saved last night actually did not need my assistance. She accidentally collided with me, fell, and was injured. Her skirt was also torn by my sword, making it difficult for her to walk. Therefore, I took the liberty of bringing her onto the ship, asking the young lady on board to help her with medicine and change her clothes. I thought she had disembarked on her own, and I was unaware that she had entered Your Majesty's chamber without permission. I humbly ask for Your Majesty's pardon." She accidentally collided with me, fell, and was injured. Her skirt was also torn by my sword, making it difficult for her to walk. Therefore, I took the liberty of bringing her onto the ship, asking the young lady on board to help her with medicine and change her clothes. I thought she had disembarked on her own, and I was unaware that she had entered Your Majesty's chamber without permission. I humbly ask for Your Majesty's pardon.

After her voice had become hoarse and her breath had calmed down, she remained silent for a moment before saying: "I can drink this bowl of medicine, but please have your master come over."

Now, she is left with only calm contemplation

The man stopped laughing almost entirely before raising his eyes to look at her. His eyelashes were dark and long, and the deep brown of his irises lingered with a residual cold smile. His well-defined hands partially obscured his handsome face, creating an illusion of a fierce fire burning through the icy wilderness. Feng Wuyan's heart skipped a beat, and in that moment, the man before her connected in her mind with the vibrant man from the previous night.

Or rather, it could be said that the intense desire within her had surpassed the pain. Her palm instinctively slipped into the man's half-open garment, pressing against his skin, and she let out a sigh of satisfaction

Feng Wuyan turned her head to follow his gaze... The handsome man was looking at her. His gaze lightly skimmed over her face, lingered on her body for a moment, then swept over the intertwined limbs of her and Xizi. His handsome face showed little sign of disturbance as he said: "Miss, for the sake of last night when I was used until dawn, please let go of this ungrateful lowly person."

If others were to find out, it is possible that one day she would succumb to such pain and pay for it with her entire life: therefore, each time she always pretends to be completely unaffected in front of those so-called brothers-in-law or men who covet her skills

Feng Wuyan was taken aback. "Arousal incense?" Wasn't it something that originated from her own will?

The man's bowing motion came to a halt

Upon hearing this, Xi Zi furrowed her brows and interrupted, saying: "Miss, to speak frankly, my master's status is noble, and it is absolutely impossible for him to take you as a wife or concubine. This is not a market transaction, so I have no intention of haggling with you." At this point, a barely noticeable disdain appeared on his face, "I believe you also understand that you are not a rare commodity, so do not overreach; it would be best for you to take the medicine."

However, she is quite unwilling to accept it

Does the young master have a family?

I also wish to take this medicine. I have accepted the compensation from the young master, but I also have some savings, although they cannot compare to the young master's. After disembarking, I will still compensate the young master.

Xizi immediately fell silent. He saw that His Majesty was about to leave and desperately signaled to Yan Ben, urging him to inquire about how this current misplacement would conclude. Would it be a return? Or a silencing?

What kind of perfect person can it be? Men do not mind either, casually responding: "Rest assured, your body is enough to compensate for any shortcomings. I believe that anyone you have been with finds it hard to forget you."

Although the memories are merely fragmented images, those images depict her taking the initiative. She does not believe that she is merely destined to endure; therefore, as long as her body aches now, he must feel the same ache as well

I initially thought that your eyesight was poor and you had mistaken the person, but that is clearly not the case. Where are the people I asked you to bring on board last night

"Send her off the ship," the man said without turning his head.

Could Your Majesty say a bit more? Xizi's expression was somewhat bitter. Zhong Lian is a female official in the palace, and she was not originally supposed to go out. Now that she has been asked to board the ship, it indicates that there will be women on board. Which one? If the one in Your Majesty's chambers chooses not to stay, what is the significance of Zhong Lian remaining on the ship? Is it because of the desire to keep this beautiful young girl?

I am Long Tianyun. Feng Wuyan, I have been waiting for you for a long time

The man glanced sideways. "Overseas. It is called luminous wood, which I use for lighting on the ship. If the young lady likes it, she may take it for herself."

The kneeling Xizi could not help but interject: "The young lady's clothing is infused with an aphrodisiac fragrance, it is indeed a strong demand."

The man did not turn back, pointing at Yan Ben who was kneeling at the door. "I borrow his name from you. Yan Ben, are you willing?" Yan Ben replied without hesitation, "I am willing."

She stopped in her tracks. Although the man had no particularly distinct expression, she sensed a hint of surprise in him. A person's expression is shaped by the movement of facial muscles. In her usual practice of making her prints lifelike, she had devoted effort to observing people's expressions, just as she could tell that the hero felt awkward because he realized she did not need a hero to save her.

He looked at the not-so-beautiful girl as she got off the ground, feeling a bit puzzled. She was petite, and her complexion was not very fair. After steadying herself, she walked towards him

"... ... is that you?" It is also true... When she boarded the ship, she already knew that the hero was related to that beautiful person, so it was not surprising to encounter him on the ship. ... ... Her voice seemed to be a bit hoarse compared to usual, and the breath she exhaled carried a hint of warmth. She noticed that the man's expression changed slightly upon hearing her voice.

She turned her head again and scanned the room; indeed, there were no lights at all. Was it relying on that for illumination? Where did it come from? She had never heard of such a thing before

Zhong Lian pretended not to see, kneeling on the floor beside the bed, presenting the medicine bowl, and gently said: "This medicine is for precautionary measures; it will not harm the young lady's health in the slightest."

Xizi quickly mentioned the habit of the flower boat girl wearing fragrant clothing. "Who would have thought that you cannot tolerate even a hint of fragrance"

The man looked at Xizi expressionlessly and suddenly kicked out, striking Xizi squarely in the chest

Feng Wuyan wore a smile that was neither a smile nor not a smile, and then said: "It is evident that there is no Liu Xia Hui in this world; that was my unreasonable demand"

She is physically strong and proactive, seemingly unaffected by her injuries... He said: "Go find a clean dress for the girl, hire a maid to help her on the ship with her medicine and changing clothes, give her..." After a pause, he continued: "Ask her what she wants, give her what you can, and for what you cannot provide, send her off the ship with a sum of silver."

She pressed her hands against his strong and solid chest, only then realizing that she was completely naked. Her slightly damp long black hair fell onto the bed, and the man's gaze remained fixed on her smooth and delicate body. His hands rested on her waist, ready to take the next step at any moment

In an instant, everything went black. When she regained consciousness, she found her entire back pressed against the wall, and a man was forcefully kissing her neck, without any gentleness, her short shirt torn in half. She should have been panicked, but now all she wanted was to respond. Her heated skin craved to endure every one of his scorching kisses, a dizzying desire that was extremely unfamiliar to her, yet completely uncontrollable... She even realized that her arms were wrapped around his sturdy neck, and her legs seemed to be entwined around his waist...

Upon reaching the entrance, Yan Ben stopped: he had caught a faint whiff of an aphrodisiac scent. The room was not large, centered around a bed, with alluring erotic paintings adorning the walls. Lying on the bed was an exceptionally beautiful young girl. Yesterday, one could say that in the haze, one could not see clearly, but now, at close range, he beheld the sleeping beauty. Her eyes remained closed, lacking a bit of liveliness, yet even so, it was evident that this girl was radiant and charming, evoking an involuntary sense of pity... Men who have seen such women usually know that with such beauty, once obtained, it cannot be retained without sufficient power. Her eyes remained closed, lacking a bit of liveliness, yet even so, it was evident that this girl was radiant and charming, evoking an involuntary sense of pity... Men who have seen such women usually know that with such beauty, once obtained, it cannot be retained without sufficient power.

She could not help but gradually close her eyes, when suddenly she heard the door creak open, and she quickly opened her eyes again, warily staring at the doorway.

The man looked at his arm and indeed found a bloodstain. ... He recalled last night ... . ... The woman seemed to be injured, but at that moment, he felt too good to think much about it. Such an injury would be a trivial matter for him, but what about for the woman?

"You brought her onto the ship and sent her to my chamber?" The man's lips curled into a smile, "It seems that there are so many presumptuous individuals around me, making me appear incompetent."

A man is watching her

"My surname is Feng, Feng Wuyan, just call me Twelve." As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed the man who had been smiling as he entered the room suddenly freeze.

Zhong Lian lowered her eyes and said softly, "You are the master, and I am the servant specifically here to attend to you."

The sky has gradually brightened.

In a state of complete confusion and unpreparedness, she kicked him in the abdomen.

Her gaze met that of the handsome man... She knew it was him, but whether from a distance before or from the memories of last night, she had never clearly seen his features. Now, upon closer inspection, she noticed that this handsome man had strikingly good looks, his features naturally exuding a hint of cynicism. His brows appeared amiable, yet there was a sharpness in his eyes that revealed a piercing intensity.

The man seemed to have become a spectator, wanting to see what she truly wanted to ask and what she hoped to gain. He smiled and said, "The boat has set sail. It is heading towards Jin City along the river"

Sometimes, she would wonder if inflicting some injury on her hands, resulting in her prints being far inferior to others, would allow everything to come to a halt

The man gazed deeply at him with half-closed eyes. "You are quite considerate, even noticing my emotions. This makes me... deeply appreciate your cleverness; I want to take you with me wherever I go"

"Since you have no family, if you were to settle elsewhere, may I borrow your name for my use? After this occasion, it may not be convenient for me to marry, so I wish to borrow your name as my husband, so that I can return and have a title to live alone in your residence. " She noticed that the three kneeling on the ground had all raised their heads to look at her, and added, "You only lend me your name, nothing else. Once you leave the capital, we shall no longer have any dealings with each other."

Upon hearing this, the man blinked and then wore a half-smile, seemingly indifferent to her compensation

She casually glanced around and took the silk cloth from the bedside to bind his eyes

Shut your mouth

Not only did she not drink it, but she also set it aside and then actively requested the warm water from earlier, sipping it slowly

She thought it would be better to go back early. Otherwise, if this continued, she might faint

Xizi said cautiously: "Your Majesty, she has an aphrodisiac fragrance on her clothes..."

The hero descended from the heavens to save her life ... . ... She remembered.

Seeing this, a similar irony flashed in her eyes, and she asked again: "Has the ship set sail? Where is it headed?"

I see. " he said with a gentle smile, pausing for a moment, and then clearly stated word by word: " Long Tianyun. Feng Wuyan, I am called Long Tianyun.

She tucked her long hair behind her shoulders, recalling how she boarded the ship last night and was helped to change her clothes... It wasn't long before she ended up in bed with that beautiful person. She pondered the cause and effect, gently touching the bandage on her arm. Would such an injury stimulate desire? Why is it that now she feels only calm and cannot provoke any physical reaction?

She was in excruciating pain, yet her heart felt warm beyond measure, even though she was still somewhat dazed... Had this hero ever saved anyone? She was filled with guilt. If she did not move and curled up in a corner, she thought the hero would not be so clumsy... This was the first time someone had saved her without expecting anything in return... In the end, she still found that she was more suited to saving herself.

She looked down and saw that she was wearing soft and comfortable undergarments, her arms had been rewrapped by someone, and the bed and thin blanket were clearly brand new, only having been slept in by her, not last night

She added, "However, I hope that you, young sir, can make amends for one matter."

Xizi was dumbfounded, unable to comprehend. He had always been clever, but the Emperor's words were too profound, leaving him momentarily at a loss.

Feng Wuyan is actually a person who is very afraid of pain, but she has never let anyone know.

The man finally withdrew his gaze from the young girl's face and settled it on the picturesque features of Xizi. "In my boat, there unexpectedly appears another person. You do not know, and I do not know how she got here"

By what right do the robbers come to take her belongings? She must destroy it to avoid these shameless robbers; what kind of reasoning is this? How is this different from preserving oneself by first ruining one's appearance to make those lecherous men give up? Why is it not those lecherous men who should disfigure themselves to atone?

His gaze fell again on the bowl of medicine, and he said gently, "Miss, this medicine will be ineffective once it cools down, so it is better to drink it quickly. What happened last night was indeed a misunderstanding; no one wanted this, right?"

Feng Wuyan appeared to have a good temper and patiently said: "I have mentioned that you should invite your master over; perhaps I will then drink this bowl of medicine"

So it turns out you are a girl from there... Am I truly mistaken? I genuinely thought you were a virtuous young lady. However, with such a level of aphrodisiac, you actually caught on so quickly; have you become addicted from using it too many times?

Hmm. The man responded absentmindedly.

Feng Wuyan stood up slowly, attempting to conceal his caution through slow movements

Is Your Majesty injured

The handsome eyes, the handsome eyes, the handsome lips... all became rigid in that moment, overwhelmed by an immense shock

Such possibilities uplifted her spirits

As long as she experiences enjoyment and achieves satisfaction, she does not mind the rest. After all, she has desires; it is not about satisfying the other party, but rather using their strength to fulfill her own needs

"Twelve? You?" He repeated it once more, as if speaking to himself

The man trembled slightly under her palm... Suddenly, she recalled the spring palace paintings she had seen, scenes flashing through her mind, leaving her feeling both empty and yearning all over again

She caught a glimpse of the brand new garment set aside, and before anyone arrived, she pulled it over. The faint pain in her arm made it difficult for her to wear it properly. The garment was plain black and conservative, which gave her a sense of security.

How extravagant, she thought. She looked at the man for a while; the feeling of losing all reason from last night was completely gone, indeed it was due to the aphrodisiac.

As if the expression has frozen

After she caught sight of Zhong Lian again, there was a man kneeling in the corridor outside the cabin. When he slightly raised his head and made brief eye contact with her, she saw the apology on his face

He did not resist, and even chuckled lightly. "A new game? No wonder you can survive there, so bold and proactive." His voice also carried a slight huskiness.

The man did not speak

"Indeed, it is a new way to play," she thought she was speaking fluently, but her words were somewhat fragmented. She also learned to smile slightly like a man and said, "I can accept any partner, so it is better not to see your face."

Indeed

The man's presence was so close that it made her feel a tingling sensation all over, causing her to tremble uncontrollably. In the end, she could no longer suppress her desire and actively brushed her soft lips against his cheek.

Because this statement offended men? Indeed, a man of some standing would not accept such an insult. Even so, Feng Wuyan still sensed that this remarkable person was so noble that she probably could not reach him

She felt so dry and comfortable that it seemed as if someone had wiped her down. Feng Wuyan tried her best to remain calm, but her pale complexion still betrayed her fluctuating emotions at that moment

The one who appeared at the door was that handsome young man

The man was speaking, but she could not hear him clearly. However, the sound of his voice stirred her heart, as if it were being roasted by fire. It was truly strange; although her mind was very calm, her body yearned to merge into his, to devour this man.

Before he could take the next step, he was pinned to the ground

Xizi's heart skipped a beat, realizing that something was wrong, but he truly had no idea where the problem lay. He lowered his head and stood up, leading the man into another cabin.

Feng Wuyan glanced at him, unable to discern any signs of illness... However, to be honest, such matters were of no concern to her. Thus, she straightforwardly drank a full cup of bitter medicine, without any pact of allegiance. If the agreement were to be broken, given the unequal status, what could she say? Moreover, she had no desire for this man's child at all

Since Feng Wuyan entered the engraving profession, she had long admired Jincheng. Her heart stirred for a moment, and then, before she could regret it, she returned to fetch the medicine bowl. As she caught sight of the shining wood on the cabinet, she turned around and saw the man following her. She took a step back and asked, "Where did that piece of wood come from?"

Suddenly, she pushed him down and turned to sit on him

Xizi was filled with anger, feeling utterly humiliated. If this were to get out, it would be nothing less than a disgrace to His Majesty. He turned sharply, intending to make her lose her balance, but to his surprise, she skillfully dodged his move.

Xizi was a bit taken aback, and after regaining composure, said: "Your Majesty, it seems we cannot be blamed for this. It must be that the woman from Huafang mistook that young lady for a colleague, which is why she gave her Huafang's clothing to change into. It is no wonder that Your Majesty carries the scent of an aphrodisiac. This circle has turned so wide, and yet it still led her to Your Majesty's bed; this is indeed the fortune she has earned over three lifetimes, and no one can stop it. Moreover, Your Majesty, this scent is merely for enhancing the atmosphere; it is not enough to completely cloud one's reason. If she wanted to refuse, she would have done so long ago... This circle has turned so wide, and yet it still led her to Your Majesty's bed; this is indeed the fortune she has earned over three lifetimes, and no one can stop it. Moreover, Your Majesty, this scent is merely for enhancing the atmosphere; it is not enough to completely cloud one's reason. If she wanted to refuse, she would have done so long ago..."

No wonder that when the beautiful person first arrived in the Central Plains, it was customary to have monogamous marriages. It was only later that polygamous marriages began to emerge due to assimilation. It turns out that it was not assimilation, but rather that the women of Jin could not bear it.

"Wait... wait a moment, young lady... let us speak calmly..."

This is precisely what the servant seeks

Immediately following that, the completely unfamiliar room took her by surprise, and fragments of memories surged into her mind, causing her expression to change dramatically as she sat up abruptly

Then, Your Majesty, what about this young lady? Will she also... remain on the ship? He inquired very cautiously. He was inclined to keep her.

The man was almost unprepared, seemingly not expecting that a petite woman could have the strength to push him down, and was even somewhat taken aback as a result

Just as Xi Zi was about to take the order, the man suddenly added, "Before that, first ask her if she wants to stay. If she chooses to stay, once we disembark in the future, I can provide her with a large residence."

The man was almost unprepared, seemingly not expecting that a petite woman could have the strength to push him down, and was even somewhat taken aback as a result

Xizi bent his body and retreated several steps in succession. ... Such a fragrance ... . ... He did not dare to smell too much. He explained: "Your Majesty, this is not the servant's doing. It is the women on those flower boats who usually perfume their clothes with this scent to enhance the atmosphere ... ... "

Grandfather

She is a prostitute

Feng Wuyan locked eyes with the handsome young man at the door, who was momentarily taken aback, and then she heard him say, "It must be consumed," or something to that effect... Then the door closed.

Xizi's expression changed. "This servant does not dare to..."

It is truly only for entertainment, and the capital is like this. I will not allow anything strange to approach Your Majesty. Previously, to convince Your Majesty that this girl is from the Flower Boat, I summoned the girls from the Flower Boat, and the clothes she is wearing were changed by them. However, before she was sent into Your Majesty's chamber, I heard that there was already... It seems that a courtesan, having seen Your Majesty, conceived an idea and quietly entered... to catch Your Majesty's eye. However, before she was sent into Your Majesty's chamber, I heard that there was already... It seems that a courtesan, having seen Your Majesty, conceived an idea and quietly entered... to catch Your Majesty's eye.

The man's clothing was not from last night, and it was somewhat disheveled, clearly hastily put on before coming out... Xizi could still detect the faint scent of intimacy and the alluring fragrance on the man, indicating that it was not a full night's sleep, but rather... ? ... was it? He instinctively glanced inside the door, but the man promptly closed it.

Feng Wuyan stared at the securely closed door, a sarcastic smile playing at the corners of her mouth. They wanted to force her to drink this medicine, as if they deemed her unworthy of bearing the child of that perfect person; she certainly understood that. However, why did no one consider whether she was willing to give birth? She did not want to.

Zhong Lian smiled at her, turned around to open the door, and received the medicine bowl

Yan Ben replied honestly: "In the past, whenever I came to the rescue, it was always a one-man effort, with the person in need hiding aside. This young lady did not hide aside... It is fine even if I do not need to intervene."

Throughout the entire night, Xi Zi occasionally came down to take a look. Until this moment, the door suddenly swung open, and a glimmer of joy appeared in his eyes as he was about to enter to serve. However, a man walked out from inside, forcing Xi Zi to retreat repeatedly.

Because it ranks twelfth

Long Tianyun

Feng Wuyan had a good sleep. When she woke up, she felt very refreshed, but her body was experiencing an unprecedented soreness, accompanied by a slight sense of unfamiliar discomfort.

Xizi knelt on the ground. "I dare not. It is not uncommon for the royal family to take an interest in common women, and even the emperors of Jinbi have been known to bring back a woman from a fleeting romance during their travels, giving her a title if they take a liking to her for a while. For them, even a one-night affair with the emperor is enough for them to be grateful. " Xizi looked at His Majesty, who seemed like a deity to him, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke freely: "Since ascending the throne, Your Majesty has been cautious and has borne all the unorthodox rumors, making bold reforms and taking many actions: they refuse to understand, but I do. Clearly, some state affairs could be pushed forward over the years without provoking resentment among officials, yet Your Majesty is in a race against time, with no moments to rest. Especially this year, Your Majesty seems troubled by something; although almost no one has noticed, how could I, who have been by Your Majesty's side for many years, not be aware? Now that Your Majesty can take this opportunity to relax during the palace's preparations for selection, I can only feel joy in my heart. Let me speak my mind: as long as Your Majesty is happy, even if the people of the world were to offer their lives, it would be their duty, let alone just a girl. This is only a matter of joy for her."

Xizi now understood. It seems that His Majesty was quite pleased last night, which is why he made this request. However, "Your Majesty, she is originally a courtesan, and serving good people is simply her duty; there is no need for Your Majesty to be so considerate of her feelings."

... ... sustained an injury, the body will heat up? It seems so

Your Majesty, please do not be angry

He asked her, "Why is it called twelve?" His tone clearly expressed confusion.

The man looked at him, his expression momentarily complex

Zhong Lian fell silent for a moment before saying, "I will go and inquire." Having spoken, she respectfully exited the small room

The man's gaze fell upon the borrowed garment she wore, and suddenly he stepped forward to her, leaning down to sniff her neck

Yan Ben disembarked and happened to witness this scene, quickly approaching and kneeling beside Xi Zi

Xizi looked utterly bewildered

Beside the wooden wall stood a transparent mercury mirror, capable of reflecting a person clearly. She had the fortune to see one once, mostly collected by the powerful and wealthy; the financial strength of such a person should not be underestimated. She slightly turned her body, allowing a corner of the mirror to perfectly reflect herself.

Xizi was left speechless. Previously, he had questioned her procrastination, but now he was equally astonished by her decisiveness. He almost thought they were two different women. He casually asked, "What is your surname, young lady?" As he pondered, he decided to let Xizi send the person off the ship...

"You have quite the audacity to deceive me. Do you wish to try sitting in my position as well?" The man coldly stared at him

"Just for fun?" he thought about her passionate reaction from last night, how much of it came from her own will? It seemed not to matter; what was important was that he was very satisfied

The man's deep brown eyes held a hint of mockery. He said, "Not yet."

She had never sustained such a large area of injury before. When she fell, it was actually her palms that made contact. In that moment, she truly wondered if her fingers had been hurt, thinking that it might allow her to avoid the ensuing troubles. In the end, however, she changed her mind, protecting her hands and using her arms to brace against the ground

"I am your servant, Zhong Lian. Miss, you have been sleeping for quite a while; you must be thirsty. Here, have some water, and once you finish..." Before she could finish her sentence, she heard a gentle knock from outside.

"Zhong Lian, the medicine has arrived." The voice was low and delicate

The man walked to the door and suddenly said, "Go bring Zhong Lian aboard the ship"

She recalled that yesterday, sixteen had mentioned the bravery of the person in this regard... To be honest, it was somewhat uncomfortable; should she be grateful that her memory was not so complete

Yan Ben was taken aback, feeling a bit dumbfounded, while an awkward expression appeared on his face

She trembled uncontrollably

"Serve me? What merit do I have? If there were any intention to marry me, you wouldn't have given me this medicine, would you? Has your master married yet?"

Upon hearing this, the man turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the alluring, milk-like skin of the sleeping girl, and then looked at Xizi, with a half-smile, he said: "What kind of grudge do you hold against me, that you must make me a habitual offender of forcibly seizing maidens?"

Yan glanced at him

Feng Wuyan looked at her

The tone was calm, showing no signs of anger, yet the wrath of the Emperor has always been concealed; those around the Emperor have long since become adept at this. Xizi was kicked in the chest, which was painful but not life-threatening; this was the punishment bestowed upon him by His Majesty, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief

The man's expression was slightly strange, then quickly faded away. He suddenly thought that perhaps keeping this woman had already deviated from his original intention. Her soft and supple body unexpectedly captivated him, and one could even say she was a treasure in bed. However, without the wild passion from last night that burned like an unquenchable wildfire, it would be dull for him to indulge alone

She turned her gaze towards the sound, and a woman brought a bowl of water to her. This woman was tall and slender, with slightly pronounced eyebrows and a somewhat wide mouth, yet she was attractive. Is she of mixed heritage?

Xizi spoke with a tone that carried a hint of indifference, one that even she was unaware of. "My master is certainly not one to seize and plunder. This ship belongs to my master, and it is you who has appeared on this ship, rather than us appearing in your home. Now that things have come to this, the ship has already set sail. I propose that you stay on the ship for the next six months, and in due time, when we return to the capital, the estate will naturally be transferred to your name as a remedy for this unintentional mishap"

This time, Feng Wuyan did not respond, but merely looked at him

This was the funniest thing she had ever encountered: no, she could not laugh, the hero had good intentions, but she simply did not need it. She could handle those well-dressed beasts on her own; the hero's arrival only hindered her, causing her to stumble and scrape off a patch of skin from her arm, and his long sword had also torn her dress.

As Yan Ben was about to proceed without any objections and replied with a "yes," Xi Zi's head had already turned several times, unable to restrain himself from asking, "Your Majesty, is it the same as before?"

The man turned to Yan Ben. "Let someone guard the door, so as not to startle those inside." After speaking, he lowered his gaze and fixed it on Xi Zi, "Where are the people?"

Yan Ben did not keep up; he first instructed someone to come down and guard the original door, commanding, "If the person inside wakes up and wants to come out, knock her out again." After saying this, he followed along.

She pulled the corner of the quilt, covering the wooden surface, and the room became much darker. She did not know where this wood had come from, from the ends of the earth... Thinking of that perfect person, she lowered her head to look at her properly dressed undergarment, opened the collar, and saw red marks on her skin... That perfect person's strength was not small; are all men like this?

Grandfather

Your Majesty?

What is wrong with being proactive? What is wrong with having desires? A one-night affair is also acceptable, she thought. This man does not know who she is, does not know that she can carve prints, and there is no conflict of interest; this strong male body is also very suitable for appearing in a painting... Suddenly, a bold idea flashed through her mind— the tall man, upon hearing this, raised his slightly flushed handsome eyes, his lips tightly pressed, enduring something, and it was evident that he could lose control at any moment

"I like the person of virtue," she said hoarsely

The man kept his head down, and she thought it was because he did not want to see her face

The man, upon hearing this, stared at Xi Zi.

Xi Zi and Yan Ben immediately knelt down. "I, your servant, do not dare!"

Last night. The man spoke only two words before pausing, a subtle look of embarrassment crossing his face. He covered his mouth and coughed to clear the roughness from his throat, then said: "Who do you want me to bring on board, hmm?"

As soon as he entered, he raised his eyes and met the woman's gaze, feeling a slight shock in his heart. This woman did not have the appearance of someone who was weeping like a pear blossom, nor did she look aggrieved; instead, she was scrutinizing him with an uncomfortable gaze. This look seemed somewhat familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before... Perhaps he was overthinking it; with his current status, who would dare to look at him in such a condescending manner?

The handsome young man immediately sprang up nimbly and retreated behind the man. At the door stood someone named Zhong Lian, who was saying, "used until dawn"

The man looked at the dress she was wearing. It was almost the same garment that he had torn off another woman just last night: of course, his clothes remained intact, not because she did not try to tear them, but because she was unable to do so

His face revealed disdain as he rolled up his sleeves and walked towards her. In his mind, there were priorities; first, the medicine had to be administered. To have an unnamed child first would truly be something only seen in the previous dynasty, and he would never allow His Majesty to become the first emperor to face such a situation. Why was it so difficult to handle? He imagined that this Jin woman would cry and resist, but they would not treat her poorly; the best farmland and residences would be allocated to her, and at most, upon returning to the capital, they would ask others to take good care of her. He believed that even if she lost the chance to grow old with someone, a life of stability and wealth would far surpass that of other women: after all, he too would not be marrying, right? It was not a big deal, was it...

Yes, Long Tianyun

Whose is it to extinguish? Or is it to embrace on both sides? Although he is a eunuch, he understands the psychology of men to some extent. His Majesty must have seen that beautiful young girl before requesting someone, in other words, the girl who entered His Majesty's chamber last night should also possess similar beauty, and it is possible for her to stay... How infuriating that Yan Ben is staring intently, not giving him a single glance.

She has been injured, but only slightly; it is the first time her arm has been scraped to the skin. Could such an injury stimulate desire? Otherwise, how can one explain the sudden waves of unfamiliar heat that surge within her? Now, it seems there is a great fire in her heart, like the explosive lights of the night market, which burn fiercely until nothing remains... She wants to touch others, and she also wants to be touched intensely by others; this is truly strange

Feng Wuyan pressed her lips together and finally managed to perform a slight bow. "Last night, it takes two to clap; your martial prowess should far surpass mine, so it is acceptable for you to keep your distance from me"

"Father!" The three kneeling individuals all displayed expressions of shock, yet none dared to stand up voluntarily

Jincheng is located to the east of the capital and by the sea. If the capital is considered a bustling city, then Jincheng can be regarded as a city of culture and the arts. The culture there largely stems from the continuous development during the Great Jin Dynasty. This has been demonstrated by the emperors of various dynasties, who exhibited great breadth in their cultural pursuits. Of course, some privately suggest that this is due to the relatively singular nature of the Bi clan's culture. However, it is undeniable that the cultures of the two clans have persisted and flourished to this day. Among them, the renowned woodblock print masters residing in Jincheng are famous throughout the world, with many illustrations produced collaboratively by the woodblock artists of Jincheng.

Upon hearing the man's tone, Xi Zi immediately understood that this matter had already passed. He was still puzzled by His Majesty's implication when he suddenly caught sight of the dried bloodstains on the arm inside His Majesty's sleeve.

Feng Wuyan looked down at him. "I’m sorry, but I have always believed that the first move is the strongest. You are about to forcefully drug me; should I not take action while you are distracted? Should I really wait for you to drug me before I resist? Moreover, this is not without reason. You seem unable to understand human speech; don’t you need to wake up and think clearly?"

Her heart felt a vague sense of unease and confusion, but it was quickly washed away by her own desires

The man touched the jade ring on his finger, gazing at the girl's stunning beauty, and without turning his head, asked: "So, is this all you can do? To use aphrodisiacs on them? Do I need to go this far?"

"... Feng Wuyan? Twelve?" He murmured softly

Light is like a bowl of warm water; she can probably guess that the identity of that distinguished person is not lacking, at least wealthy: only when one is affluent can one have the opportunity to consider altering one's lifestyle. Furthermore, observing the elegant demeanor that Zhong Lian carries, it is not difficult to imagine that the background of that distinguished person may be mixed with a few elements of Jin aristocracy. After all, families like the Ma family, which only covet wealth and cannot aspire to anything else, could never cultivate such a maid.

The man was momentarily speechless. After a long while, he finally shouted, "Get lost. Go practice your eyesight first; can't you even recognize a person?"

Oh? If I were to leave this world one day, would you accompany me in death?

The corners of her mouth revealed bitterness, only to vanish swiftly thereafter

"How can you speak such coarse words to my master!" He was so agitated that he was about to retort when he suddenly caught sight of the corner of a brocade robe resting beside the woman. The hem of the robe was familiar to him; it was worn by His Majesty just this morning. His heart skipped a beat as he looked up along the hem, and there stood His Majesty beside them.

Beast. At this moment, she truly feels like a beast, driven solely by an uncontrollable instinct, yearning for some form of satisfaction, unable to control her desires. She thinks in confusion that perhaps this is the reason why men in the previous dynasties had multiple wives and concubines. And what about that woman? How could she maintain her fidelity? How did she manage to do so?

Her memory seems to have gaps. She only remembers being brought to the ship by a hero, and after a young woman helped her change clothes, she felt a bit dizzy... Can one feel dizzy after being injured? It seems so.

The man suddenly burst into laughter

Her eyes, flushed and glistening with moisture, caught sight of the bandage on her arm that he had accidentally pressed down on with force: he did not pay it any mind, and she felt no pain either

Your Majesty, you are the sovereign of the world; whoever you declare to be a courtesan must be so: whoever you desire must come. Therefore, I have hired all the performers from that flower boat to sing and dance, allowing her to blend in among them, so that Your Majesty will not find it unusual.

Gripping his collar and pinning his body down so he could not move, Feng Wuyan sighed and said, "I just don't understand why most people prefer to speak for themselves and cannot listen to others' words." Pausing for a moment, with a hint of sarcasm, he continued, "Your master needs to compensate me, and I also need to compensate him. He is not someone who can be treated as a rare commodity, but after all, he has been used by me for a night; once used, payment is due. Do you understand?"

After a long time, it seems that I have become indifferent to my own beauty or ugliness, as there are always complaints in my ears. My features are just as they are; at sixteen, I was beautiful, but doesn't everyone, no matter how beautiful, still need to eat, drink, relieve themselves, and sleep?

Feng Wuyan still bore a hint of bewilderment, and in her moment of distraction, her gaze crossed with that of the man. After all, she was not as profound as he was; he could see a complex array of emotions on her face—her desires and longings from the previous night were not rooted in reality. Even the satisfaction or other feelings she experienced in his presence were magnified.

Feng Wuyan glanced at her and said expressionlessly, "Is he your master or your man"

"Not yet," Zhong Lian added. "My master holds a noble status, so if he were to marry, it would either be a match of equal social standing or perhaps someone with sufficient beauty to boast about?" She continued, noticing Zhong Lian's look of surprise, and with a slight smirk, she tried to sound amiable as she said, "I am not being sarcastic. There is nothing wrong with boasting; everyone should have one or two things they can talk about for a lifetime." She realized her voice was a bit hoarse, covered her mouth to cough, and took the medicine cup from Zhong Lian amidst her continued astonishment.

He glanced over her face without revealing any emotion. Her expression was serious, her lips tightly pressed, and her eyebrows calm and devoid of allure, not the type to indulge in flirtation proactively... The man felt a considerable sense of regret, which simultaneously strengthened his resolve to have her disembark.

Feng Wuyan looked at him warily. "It is indeed me."

Xi Zi had not fought with anyone for a long time. It can be said that although he served His Majesty, it was more of a mental effort than a physical one, and his body had long been pampered. He was knocked to the ground, unable to believe it, clutching his stomach, gritting his teeth: "You wicked woman, how dare you beat someone without reason..."

"The esteemed name of the young master must never be borrowed," said Xizi

Feng Wuyan's lips curled slightly. "What a coincidence, I was just thinking of meeting your master to see how compensation is to be handled"

Xizi's face brightened. "Your Majesty, a hundred years from now, be sure to include Xizi on the burial list."

This time, the man did not speak

She felt a moment of dizziness, causing her to briefly lose her memory. When she regained her senses, she found the two of them entangled on the bed, the man pinning her down, his clothes already shed. Each time she became aware, the man did not lift his head to meet her gaze.

Zhong Lian gently said, "Miss, this medicine will also be beneficial for you, so you should drink it."