The Emperor's deep voice echoed from above.
Meng Wenyao shyly shook her head and said, "Back at the Wei estate, I didn't know it was Your Majesty… I thought I'd run into a lecher."
The Emperor burst out laughing. A lecher? That was a first. Usually, it was women throwing themselves at him. Today, he'd finally taken the initiative, only to be rejected and even scared someone into fleeing. Now that was amusing.
"Did I frighten you that badly?" he asked, his arm sliding smoothly around her waist.
Meng Wenyao stiffened, subtly resisting, her eyes pleading. "A little, Your Majesty… I was scared."
Recalling how terrified she'd looked running off earlier that day, the Emperor realized he shouldn't rush things. He released her waist, deciding to take his time.
[Host, don't be afraid! Your mission is to seduce the Emperor—don't push him away!]
"Shut up, you dumb system. Ever heard of playing hard to get?"
[Okay okay, you clearly know what you're doing.]
The Emperor found a chair and sat down, intending to chat and build some rapport.
"Why did you try to drown yourself today?" he asked.
With tears brimming in her eyes, Meng Wenyao put on a sorrowful expression. "The Empress Dowager assigned a nanny to educate me. I heard rumors… that she wanted to marry me off to Prince An. But my mother had always planned for my sister to marry him. She's never liked me, always saw me as an obstacle, and now she wants me gone.
"Today at the Wei estate, someone led me to a guest room filled with a strange fragrance. I believe they were trying to harm me. I ran away in fear… But even if I escape this time, who knows how many times they'll try again?
"The more I thought about it, the more hopeless it felt. I'd rather die than suffer more, at least that way I'd keep my dignity intact… I never imagined it would be Your Majesty who saved me. If not for you, I…"
The beautiful girl sobbed quietly, her tears falling like strings of pearls. Even the coldest heart would waver seeing such a pitiful sight.
The Emperor pulled her into his arms, gently wiping away her tears. "From now on, as long as I am here, no one will dare bully you again."
He gritted his teeth. "Your stepmother is truly vicious. She dared dream of marrying her daughter to Prince An? What nonsense. Tell me, what punishment would you like for her?"
Punishment? Oh, Meng Wenyao wanted to tear Lady Liu limb from limb. But now wasn't the time. She had just entered the palace—this was the time to appear kind and fragile, not vengeful.
Besides, direct revenge would be too easy. She wanted Lady Liu to watch her precious daughter walk the same doomed path Meng Wenyao once had, step by step, until it destroyed her. Only then would it be satisfying.
"Though my mother doesn't love me, I understand she's just trying to do what's best for her own daughter. I can't hold that against her. In fact… if not for her pushing me into this situation, how would I have ever met Your Majesty? I should be grateful to her."
The Emperor's gaze softened to the point it could melt butter. This woman—so beautiful, so good-hearted. How could such a delicate flower survive in the treacherous harem? He would have to protect her himself.
"You're far too kind," he said. "But your sister? I won't allow her to marry Prince An."
It seemed the Emperor didn't yet know what Meng Wenxian had done. Time to fan the flames.
"Today at the Wei estate… my sister was accidentally compromised by Young Master Wei. Her innocence is gone. I heard the Wei family is willing to accept her as a concubine—but my mother and sister seem dissatisfied with that outcome."
The Emperor snorted coldly. "A scheming girl like her? Even being a concubine in the Wei family is too generous. Since they're unhappy, I'll make the decision for them."
A eunuch quickly brought over paper, ink, and brush. Within fifteen minutes, an imperial edict was written: Meng Wenxian was to marry Wei Quan as a low-ranking concubine.
Watching the whole thing unfold so swiftly and cleanly, Meng Wenyao was in awe. The power of the throne is terrifying… I really do need to cling to this golden thigh.
"Your Majesty is so good to me… I don't even know how to repay you," she said sweetly.
The Emperor swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. Holding her soft, fragrant body in his arms, it took every ounce of willpower to suppress his burning desire.
He had lived a brutal youth. The fight for the throne among the princes was deadly. Two of his older brothers were executed by the late emperor after being caught "flirting" with concubines.
But he knew the truth—those weren't just indiscretions. They were traps. The concubines had seduced them, drugged them. And he had almost fallen for it too.
Once, someone laced his food with aphrodisiacs. In agony, he'd plunged into ice water just to fight the effects. He endured it. Every. Single. Time.
He'd survived the harem's snares and won the throne through sheer restraint and discipline.
But years of feigning affection for concubines, of lying to the court and to the Empress Dowager about his "favor" for Consort Wei, had drained him. He was disgusted by women. Their greedy eyes, their desperate seductions, their manipulative tactics—he couldn't stand it anymore.
Until today.
Until her.
Her clear eyes, her despair, her fear as she fled—those awakened something primal in him. She hadn't thrown herself at him. She'd tried to run. She'd pushed him away. And now… he couldn't stop wanting her.
Was it the rejection? The challenge? Whatever it was, she was the first woman in years to stir his desire.
"I don't need you to repay me," he murmured, voice husky. "Just offer me yourself."
His hand tightened possessively around her waist. Alarmed, Meng Wenyao pulled away.
"Your Majesty… I haven't yet paid respects to the Empress Dowager or Consort Wei…"
Her flushed cheeks gave away her nervousness. The Emperor swallowed hard again. "Tomorrow is soon enough."
Meanwhile, in Changle Palace...
The Empress Dowager nearly dropped her prayer beads when she heard the news.
"What?! The Emperor granted that Meng girl a title and brought her into the palace? Does he know about her dream too?"
Granny Gui hesitated, recalling the day it happened.
That day at Fahua Temple, she and the abbot had been listening to scripture in the main hall. There were sounds coming from a side hall… She hadn't paid it much mind. But perhaps… perhaps the Emperor had been there and overheard the dream?
The Empress Dowager frowned. "Don't forget—before he ascended the throne, the Third Prince poisoned him once. It was the abbot of Fahua Temple who cured him. Their relationship runs deep… It's not impossible the abbot told him about the dream."