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墨書 Inktalez
The Selection had taken a full three months, and after overcoming numerous challenges, I finally made it into the top five.
During this time, I hadn’t seen Zhou Chuyan again, and I wondered if he was currently entangled with the princess.
The first to be chosen for the emperor's favor was Xie Wanru, the daughter of the Prime Minister.
As Lin Ning walked past us five, she was the first to lift Xie Wanru's face.
Xie Wanru had an oval face, with fair and delicate skin that resembled the snow of Tianshan. Her black eyes were as pure as the bright moon.
That night, when she was brought back, Eunuch Xu called her "Virtuous Consort."
The young girl, in her blossoming years, had a hint of charm in her eyes.
In just one night, she had risen to become one of the four consorts—Virtuous Consort! A first-rank title! I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
The next day, Lin Ning flipped the card of Gu Caicai, the daughter of the Minister of Revenue.
After one night, Zhao Yuan was elevated to second rank.
Lin Ning would only choose three people in total. I knew I wasn’t unattractive, so why did Lin Ning seem to deliberately overlook me? It felt as if she was intentionally ignoring my presence.
Today was the last chance. If I wasn’t selected...
Unlike the previous losers who were sent home, another girl and I would remain in the palace, forever waiting for the emperor’s arrival—or perhaps we would die here or become palace maids.
Tonight, Lin Ning flipped the card of Mo Xiaoxiao, the general’s daughter.
Taking advantage of her cheerful mood, I secretly slipped a drug into her tea.
That night, she slept like a dead pig, and Eunuch Xu urged and urged but saw no sign of her. His face was filled with anger.
Eunuch Xu was a favored servant by the Emperor's side. I summoned Juxiang and brought some silver to pay my respects to him, which immediately brought a smile to his face.
I respectfully handed him a cup of water, my words laced with faint sorrow and indignation.
"Miss Mo seems unwilling to serve the Emperor and has gone to bed early."
I pretended to wipe away nonexistent tears. "How pitiful I am... without this opportunity..."
Eunuch Xu quickly comforted me, "It's unfortunate that she doesn't know her place. Don't worry, Miss Tang; tonight you shall take her place."
I expressed my gratitude, a slight smile appearing on my lips, unaware that a pair of eyes filled with resentment were fixed on me.
I was carried into Lin Ning's chamber.
When Lin Ning returned from the study, I crawled out from under the covers and lay on the floor before the dazed Lin Ning. "Your Majesty, Sister Mo is unable to come due to some matters, so Eunuch Xu asked me to take her place. I am Tang Wei, daughter of the Minister of Rites."
"Tang Wei?" Lin Ning raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised. After a moment, he said, "Come, help me undress."
I walked over respectfully, my sheer and flowing garments swaying with each step.
Lin Ning's gaze grew darker; I could feel his desire swelling within him.
I loosened his clothes, my hands deliberately brushing against his skin, teasing him as much as I could.
I believed that at this moment, I must look more enchanting than any courtesan.
Lin Ning suddenly seized my mischievous hand, lifting me effortlessly and placing me on the bed, his eyes filled with an inscrutable smile. "Tang Wei? How is this so different from what he described... The daughter of the Minister of Rites should be knowledgeable and sensible, right? I thought the pleasures of the boudoir were lacking... I didn't expect he deceived me."
Before I could grasp who Lin Ning was referring to, his lips were already upon mine.
It was rough and domineering, completely unlike the gentle caress Zhou Chuyan had once given me.
Ugh! Why am I still thinking about that heartless man?!
Lin Ning ascended to the throne at fourteen and had ruled for six years since.
Yet he showed no interest in state affairs, preferring luxury and beautiful women.
And my seduction was precisely what he desired.
"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has urgent matters to report." A voice intruded at an inopportune moment, causing Lin Ning's hands to halt in their task of undressing me.
"Let him report tomorrow; I am busy," Lin Ning replied impatiently.
I was utterly confused. Why was this old Prime Minister so stubborn, choosing this moment to bring up business?
"Your Majesty."
When I heard that familiar voice, my entire body froze.
Through the thin paper, I could clearly see a shadow reflected on the door.
That familiar outline, which I had once caressed in detail. Three months ago, I had been at his side, and now I lay in tattered clothes on the bed, another person leaning against me, while he stood straight at the door, speaking to stop me.
"Your Majesty, I have urgent matters to report. Please come out to discuss," he paused slightly, "This urgent matter cannot wait until tomorrow."
Lin Ning was momentarily stunned by his insistence on urgency. Although he had promised to return quickly before leaving, he did not come back that night.
I trembled with anger.
Zhou Chuyan, what tricks are you playing? You even obstruct me when I am with you! Do you know that if I miss this opportunity, how hard it will be to find another? Do you know that the child in my womb cannot wait!
Early in the morning, I was sent back to the courtyard.
Mo Xiaoxiao held a red whip and sneered at me coldly.
After washing up, I put on a thin, sheer white garment and rolled into bed.
"You shameless woman! You dared to drug my tea!" A red whip lashed out and struck my hand painfully.
"Mo Xiaoxiao, don’t wrongfully accuse me," I retorted.
"Still denying it? Zhang Ting saw everything yesterday," Mo Xiaoxiao shouted as she swung her whip forcefully.
I glanced at the daughter of the Grand Tutor, Zhang Ting, who was watching the scene unfold beside me. The faint smile at the corner of her mouth made everything clear to me.
The whip came at me swiftly and unexpectedly, leaving me with no way to retreat. I could only protect my belly with my hands, fearing that Mo Xiaoxiao would shatter the only belief I had left in this world.
But the pain never came.
The whip was tightly gripped by Zhou Chuyan, blood dripping from his hand drop by drop.
His cold gaze turned toward Mo Xiaoxiao, who was so frightened that she dropped the whip and shouted in unison with Zhang Ting, "Prime Minister Qi!"
I suddenly laughed.
I could still clearly hear Mo Xiaoxiao cursing, "Crazy."
Zhou Chuyan, oh Zhou Chuyan, I had thought you were just a frail scholar, but it turns out you have hidden depths.
From such a distance, with such a sharp whip, you managed to stop it accurately in such a short time.
What else have you deceived me about?
And what means did you use to persuade the old Prime Minister to hand over his position to you?
By what right?
"The Emperor has not favored you. In a few days, I will send you back home."
I trembled with anger, my gaze towards him growing increasingly hostile. Mo Xiaoxiao and Zhang Ting, sensing the tension, had already made their escape.
"Why should I go back?"
He furrowed his brow tightly and slowly uttered, "It's not safe in the palace; being near Lin Ning is dangerous."
Was he referring to the competition for favor in the harem?
I forced a smile, one laced with charm, "Don't worry about that. As long as you're alive, I won't die."
"You really are..." He paused before continuing, "Some things can't be judged by appearances."
"Then tell me, what is the truth?" I tilted my head back and sneered.
Yet he offered no explanation.
Countless times in my mind, I had thought that if he just explained or asked me to follow him, I might abandon everything and leave with him immediately.
But once again, he remained silent.
Once more, we parted on unfriendly terms.
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