Sui Huan hesitated, saying, “Moreover, Yan Xuan is obsessed with beauty and dissolute by nature. After ascending the throne, he built Qixia Palace, where newcomers must reside. Only those who satisfy him can leave, while those who do not are killed or sent to the Cold Palace.”
Qixia Palace… Ruan Ning narrowed her eyes, feeling she had heard the name before.
“Also,” Sui Huan leaned in, lowering his voice, “there’s a rumor that Yan Xuan cannot perform sexually.”
Suddenly, Ruan Ning recalled: “Someone died in Qixia Palace before, a concubine named Ning who was strangled to death by the emperor.”
Concubine Ning, Qixia Palace. Ruan Ning realized she had transmigrated into another body destined to die.
The original story featured a palace maid rising to empress. Qixia Palace was where she first stayed, soon to be demolished due to ghost rumors mentioned by minor characters.
Ruan Ning half-laughed and half-sighed, reflecting on her role as a high-quality cannon fodder, recalling a single sentence from countless words. It seemed she was the concubine strangled by the high emperor. Her frown deepened; why had she said “again”? Had she transmigrated into a body destined to die before?
Sui Huan misinterpreted her low exclamation as surprise about Yan Xuan’s sexual inability. His jealousy tinged his voice as he softly said, “Don’t be afraid, A’Ruan. He can’t touch you. I’ll find a way to rescue you soon.”
Ruan Ning, however, hadn’t heard the “cannot perform” part. Looking at him blankly, she asked, “What do you mean, touch me?”
Sui Huan felt a surge of desire. The longer he was with her, the harder it became to control his attraction. While this guilted him, her bewilderment delighted him. She was an undeveloped land waiting for him to cultivate.
Seeing her slightly furrowed brow and trembling eyelashes, he was stirred and reached out to embrace her, whispering in her ear: “The thing a man does to a woman, the thing I want to do to you right now.”
Ruan Ning noticed his body’s reaction and blushed, pulling away. Sui Huan did not pursue her.
If he touched her again, he would lose control. But he couldn’t touch her now; it would reveal his intentions. Yan Xuan was incapable anyway, and she would eventually be his. He must be patient.
