Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

Yanshu had just finished bathing and emerged wearing only her nightgown, her hair not yet combed. She hurried to the door to bow, "Welcome, Your Majesty."

Though she had met him a few times before, this was the first time greeting him so openly, and she still felt somewhat awkward.

Yuwen Lan appeared at ease, looking her up and down before saying, "Just finished bathing?"

For a moment, the scene he had witnessed on the rooftop flashed through his mind.

Oblivious, Yanshu replied honestly, "Please forgive my disheveled appearance, Your Majesty."

[How do you always pick the perfect timing?]

Yuwen Lan nodded, "It seems I've arrived at just the right moment."

Yanshu: "???"

What did he mean by "just the right moment"?

She watched as he took a few steps into the chamber, glancing at the prepared bed before saying, "Well then, let's retire for the night."

Yanshu: "...Huh?"

What did he mean by retire?

While she was still confused, she saw the eunuch Fu Hai respond with a "Yes, Your Majesty" before bowing and withdrawing with his feather duster.

Rendong also belatedly followed suit, giving Yanshu a blushing glance before leaving.

In the blink of an eye, only she and the emperor remained in the chamber.

Yanshu looked at him in disbelief, "Your Majesty intends to rest here tonight?"

Yuwen Lan cast her a leisurely glance, "What else did you think I came here for?"

Yanshu: "..."

Was he being this direct?

Were they really going to sleep together just like that??

While she was still in shock, she saw the man look at her again, raising an eyebrow as he said, "Aren't you going to help me undress?"

Yanshu: "???"

She had to undress him too?

Of course, as an imperial consort, this was part of her duties.

She could only respond affirmatively and move forward to assist him.

Unexpectedly, this skill she had learned upon first entering the palace was finally being put to use today.

Yuwen Lan wore casual attire tonight, much simpler compared to his formal court robes. Yanshu removed his headdress, untied his belt, and took off his outer robe, leaving him in just his inner garments after a few swift motions.

She could vaguely make out his excellent physique - broad shoulders, narrow waist, long limbs. A faint scent of musk wafted to her nose, which was admittedly quite pleasant.

However, Yanshu still felt awkward and wasn't in the mood to appreciate it.

Next, she watched as he walked naturally towards the bed, turning to say, "Hurry and get in bed, lest you catch cold."

Yanshu: "..."

On such a night, with a virile emperor and a freshly bathed beauty.

The atmosphere should have been ambiguous, and yet...

Yanshu's face darkened. He wasn't a normal man after all.

Hah, was he just using her as target practice, putting on such an act?

Yuwen Lan: "???"

The emperor's dignity had been repeatedly trampled by this girl lately. It must be said that his temper had improved considerably - hearing her internal criticism of him again, he didn't even feel the urge to kill her anymore.

However, he wasn't using her as target practice at all.

The previous attempts at probing had all failed due to various circumstances, mainly because their clandestine interactions were too brief. So last night, he had seized the opportunity to elevate her rank, allowing him to openly spend time with her and discern her true thoughts.

Of course, they would need to spend as much time together as possible.

Preferably sharing a bed for an entire night.

He couldn't reveal any of this, so he could only force a casual smile and say, "You are my consort. Isn't it only natural for us to share a bed?"

With that, he lifted the covers and lay down.

Yanshu looked at him speechlessly.

What nonsense was this? "Only natural"?

Where was this attitude for the past three years when you forgot you even had consorts?

Yuwen Lan continued to look at her, "Why are you still hesitating? Do you want me to carry you to bed?"

Yanshu could only say, "I wouldn't dare, Your Majesty."

Since there was no way out, she steeled herself. [Fine, target practice it is! I'm not the abnormal one here, let's see what you can do to me!]

With that thought, she climbed into bed.

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Hmph, this girl actually dared to disregard him so!

As his temper flared, he heard her say, "This humble consort has poor sleeping habits. If I disturb Your Majesty in the night, I beg for your forgiveness."

With that, she lifted the covers and lay down.

—As the chamber was warm, only one large brocade quilt covered the bed. This meant they would have to share the same blanket tonight.

Yuwen Lan felt a waft of fragrance envelop him, along with the warmth of a young woman. It reminded him of what he had seen on the rooftop that night.

Now those snow-capped mountains and red plum blossoms, that peach grove dusted with spring snow, were separated from him by just a thin layer of fabric...

He recalled her earlier thoughts—

Let's see what he could do to her?

With a hint of complex displeasure, he suddenly reached out and pulled her into his embrace.

Yanshu was startled, letting out a small cry that was cut short as her body pressed against his firm chest.

"Y-Y-Your Majesty?"

She stared at him with wide eyes.

What was he doing?

He smiled roguishly, saying in a low voice, "What's with the formality? Am I not your husband?"

His deep, magnetic voice so close to her ear made Yanshu go weak. She stammered, "Th-this consort is not yet accustomed..."

What was going on here?!

Mmm, his chest muscles were so hard...

As her mind wandered, he pinched her waist, saying, "You'll get used to it eventually."

His warm palm pressed against her skin, making Yanshu dizzy once again.

What was happening?

How was he so smooth?

Yuwen Lan: "???"

What did she mean by "smooth"?

Still, the feeling beneath his palm was quite nice. He decided to slip his hand under the thin silk, directly caressing her skin.

As his hand roamed aimlessly, he asked in her ear, "Are you comfortable living here?"

Yanshu was already in a daze, but couldn't refuse. She struggled to maintain her composure as she answered, "Yes, thank you for Your Majesty's great kindness."

What was going on?!

Why did it feel so good???

Yuwen Lan was secretly pleased and continued questioning, "What have you been doing since entering the palace?"

Yanshu bit her lip, "Just... This consort spends most days reading and writing in the palace, and doing some needlework..."

Suddenly she shuddered - his hand had reached her... chest!

He seemed quite interested, kneading and squeezing as if playing with a toy.

Yanshu screamed internally, [Stop! If this goes on, I won't be able to control myself!!!]

Yuwen Lan was thoroughly intrigued.

Unable to control herself?

What would that entail?

He heard her thoughts continue, [Should I try stimulating him? If it works, I'll have rendered a great service!]

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Stimulate... him?

Tsk, thinking about it, he supposed it wouldn't be so bad...

Mmm, regardless, this really did feel quite nice.

As he continued fondling with interest, Yanshu could no longer endure. Throwing caution to the wind, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him directly.

Yuwen Lan was stunned.

This was his first time kissing a woman.

Their lips and tongues intertwined, so incredibly close...

Of course, to be precise, he was entirely passive in this.

But he didn't want to stop it, so he simply went along.

He even reciprocated quite enthusiastically.

Yanshu was currently struggling between lucidity and haziness.

Mmm, she had kissed the emperor - surely the first in the harem to do so. If others knew, they would certainly want to tear her to pieces.

But she had to admit, the emperor's lips felt quite nice - soft and springy, tasting like... jelly.

Yuwen Lan: "???"

What was this "jelly"

Still... she wasn't bad either, like a freshly ripened peach, impossible to put down.

For some reason, although he hadn't physically reacted, he felt somewhat dazed and intoxicated, momentarily forgetting his original purpose.

The bedside lamp flickered, casting shadows of their entangled figures.

Seeing how responsive he was, Yanshu grew bolder. She flipped their positions, pinning him beneath her as she moved to undo the front of his robes.

However, this was her first attempt, and in her excitement, she accidentally pressed down on his hand.

Immediately after, she heard Yuwen Lan let out a muffled groan.

She froze, hurriedly asking, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?

She saw him furrowing his brow in a pained expression.

This terrified Yanshu. She quickly examined him herself, only then noticing the bandage still wrapped around one of his hands. Carefully unwrapping it, she saw it was where she had bitten him before.

Blood had seeped through.

Yanshu was shocked. Had she pressed on it?

"This consort didn't mean to, should we summon the imperial physician?"

Tsk, why hadn't such a small wound healed yet? He looked so strong, surely he couldn't be this fragile?

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Now she was blaming him?

Glancing at her, he said, "Call Fu Hai in."

Yanshu responded affirmatively and was about to get out of bed.

But he stopped her again, "Wait."

Yuwen Lan looked at her, seeing her loosened collar, slightly disheveled hair, and rosy cheeks...

How could he let others see her in this state?

"Stay behind the curtain."

After saying this, he got out of bed himself and went to the door to call someone.

At this time, Fu Hai, the head eunuch, was waiting in the antechamber, thinking to himself how difficult it had been, but finally, His Majesty had come to his senses. He imagined the passionate encounter would last at least half the night.

Unexpectedly, he suddenly heard his name being called from inside.

Fu Hai hurriedly responded and entered the hall, wondering to himself, "Is it over so quickly?"

As he stepped into the hall, he saw the emperor with his collar slightly open and his black hair somewhat disheveled. The brocade curtains were tightly closed, and the entire hall was filled with an ambiguous atmosphere. He hesitated for a moment and asked, "Does Your Majesty have any instructions?"

But he heard the emperor say, "Bring some wound medicine."

Huh?

Fu Hai was stunned, "Wound medicine?"

Yuwen Lan frowned, "Do I need to repeat myself?"

"This servant wouldn't dare."

Fu Hai had heard clearly this time and quickly responded, heading towards the door. As he walked, he marveled inwardly, [Such high spirits? Even needing wound medicine? His Majesty is truly formidable!!!]

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Was the room not cleaned properly?