In the inner chamber, she saw an elegant woman around fifty years old reclining on a soft couch. Her jet-black hair was impeccably arranged, her delicate features exquisite beneath her makeup, wearing a pale yellow gold-trimmed gauze dress adorned with jewels, looking incredibly noble! This was undoubtedly the Empress Dowager, with her graceful demeanor and refined mannerisms.
“Daughter-in-law pays respects to the Empress Dowager, wishing you good fortune,” Mei Siyu said softly, bowing slightly in respect.
“You are Mei Siyu?” the Empress Dowager inquired impassively, scrutinizing the infamous concubine. She saw a delicate, elegant woman with exquisite features, smooth skin, clear eyes like an autumn pond, a slender yet strong figure, and an otherworldly elegant temperament – clearly a captivating woman.
No wonder her stern son was infatuated, and even the usually aloof Yu was deeply in love. These two excellent princes whom she favored had been silently stolen by her!
“Yes, I am Mei Siyu,” she replied with a light laugh.
“How dare you address me directly!” the Empress Dowager shouted angrily, striking her.
Mei Siyu covered her stinging face, bewildered by the seemingly gentle Empress Dowager’s harsh treatment, feeling her face burning with an inexplicable sense of grievance.
“This slap is to teach you the palace rules. Do not think you can disrespect your elders just because the prince favors you,” the Empress Dowager said sternly to the teary-eyed Mei Siyu.
“This slap is to remind you of your identity and not to create chaos in the harem and ruin my son’s reputation,” she continued contemptuously.
Mei Siyu had never endured such humiliation. The physical pain was nothing compared to the contemptuous words that broke her heart. Meeting her unseen mother-in-law for the first time, she was treated with such cold cruelty, causing her immense emotional pain. Tears uncontrollably streamed down, quickly soaking her garments, leaving her in a pitiful state.
Don’t worry, I’m fine now, calm down, I can handle it. You shouldn’t worry about me, go and rest quickly. You look a bit pale, are you sick?” Mei Siyu held Wan’er’s hand and asked carefully.
“I’ve been feeling tired lately. I think my old illness is acting up again, but it’s nothing,” Wan’er said calmly.
“You can’t be careless. How about I ask Xiao Rou to call the imperial physician to check your pulse?” Mei Siyu advised sincerely. She now considered Summer Wan’er like her own sister, far better than the mediocre Mei Yanyan! She truly loved this understanding sworn sister from the bottom of her heart.
“No need to trouble anyone. I’m fine. Seeing my sister return safely puts my mind at ease. I’ll take my leave now and we can talk another day,” Summer Wan’er bowed slightly and turned to leave.
Watching Wan’er’s slender, thin figure walk away, Mei Siyu couldn’t help but worry. Could her gentle demeanor truly adapt to the chaos of palace life?
After seeing Wan’er off, Mei Siyu remained alone in the room, even sending away Xiao Rou who usually stayed by her side. Her previous strength now completely dissolved, and tears she had just wiped away welled up again. Her delicate makeup was ruined, making her look like a wronged little kitten cowering in the corner.
“Your Majesty, I’ll go inform the Empress of your arrival,” Xiao Rou knelt trembling by the door.
“No need. I’ll go in myself. Wait here,” he said, entering with a slight smile. He saw Mei Siyu curled up on the floor, her head buried between her legs, her delicate hair disheveled, and her jade hairpin nowhere to be seen.
His first impression was that she had been wronged! Who could have hurt her so in this place? Even with her current favor, who would dare?
He approached her carefully, gently touching her forehead. As she felt his touch, she slightly trembled, lifting her head with teary, blurred eyes. Seeing it was the Emperor, she forced a dry smile and quickly wiped away her tears, not wanting to show her vulnerability.
“Your Majesty, why are you here without announcing yourself? I would have come to welcome you,” she said weakly, trying to support herself.
Mu Lengchen simply swept her into his arms, paying no mind to her surprise.
Mei Siyu looked intently at her husband, who had once cast her into the Cold Palace. His beautiful phoenix eyes, straight nose, sensual thin lips, and perfect physique were breathtakingly handsome! Being with such a beautiful man was indeed a pleasure, but remembering the Empress Dowager’s words made her eyes well up with painful tears.
She nestled into his embrace, her tears soaking his imperial robes. Mu Lengchen was surprised to see the usually bold Mei Siyu so vulnerable, gently stroking her back as she softly sobbed.
“What’s wrong? Can you tell me?” he asked, lifting her face and wiping away her tears, feeling his heart tighten at her distress.
“Can I just stay like this for a while?” she asked, nestling into his embrace without waiting for an answer, her arms loosely around his waist.
He stopped questioning her, his hawk-like eyes watching the weeping woman in his arms, already guessing the cause.
“Yuer, would you like to leave the palace for a walk? You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” he tentatively asked.
Mei Siyu looked up in disbelief, asking him to repeat his words, hardly believing what she’d heard.
Their conversation continued with playful banter, ultimately leading to a potential outing together, marking a tender moment between them.
Today, I was summoned by the empress dowager early in the morning and scolded severely, with a touch of physical intimidation, leaving me utterly depressed. I wanted to hide in a corner and lick my wounds, but unexpectedly, Ming Lengchen casually ran over and caught me in my most embarrassing state, seeing both my miserable and infatuated appearance. Oh, what an inauspicious start! Fortunately, he had a conscience and promised to take me out of the palace, which slightly improved my mood!
I don’t seem to dislike his care; on the contrary, I’m secretly delighted, tasting the sweetness of love for the first time! If he could love only me and abandon his many concubines, staying by his side might not be so bad! Quickly retracting my wandering thoughts, I’m glad he didn’t notice this time, or I would have been thoroughly embarrassed. Mei Siyu secretly rejoiced to herself.
Just as she was about to pick up her chopsticks to eat some braised carp, “Yuer, you’ve looked enough. Come eat this fried mullet with cloud threads, it’s good for your complexion.” His movements were elegant, a smile on his face, his demeanor gentle and courteous, with no hint of joking.
“Cough, cough, who’s looking at you? I was just thinking about something,” Mei Siyu said with a laugh.
“Oh, is that so? Tomorrow we’ll leave the palace and visit your family home. How does that sound?” Ming Lengchen spoke while adding food to her bowl, which was now piled high, his doting love evident.
Mei Siyu said nothing, simply eating the abundantly filled bowl, deeply touched. Her current emotions were beyond simple words, her beautiful eyes like an autumn pond, slightly misty, her nose slightly congested.
After the meal, Mei Siyu, unable to handle the alcohol, had long fallen asleep in his arms, soon emitting rhythmic snores. Her slightly reddened cheeks and alluring lips occasionally mumbled, a mix of seduction and innocence that drove him wild with desire!
Ming Lengchen gently wrapped his arm around her waist, laying her on the bed, involuntarily leaning down to kiss her – first her forehead, then her flushed cheeks, and finally her tempting lips. Their tongues intertwined, bodies heating up. Mei Siyu unconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck. “Chen, I’m so hot!”
