Chapter 1 The Shugui Consort

The harem, within the Shugui Consort’s chambers.

Having received news of the Emperor's imminent arrival, the Shugui Consort had bathed and dressed early, waiting outside her door, eager to be the first to greet Jiang Chen.

Before long, the sound of wheels turning echoed from beyond the gate.

The Shugui Consort’s beautiful face lit up with joy, and she hurried out to meet him. “Your Majesty, you’ve finally arrived! I’ve been waiting for you for ages. Have you had your supper? Should I tell the small kitchen to prepare something?”

As she spoke, she noticed an unusual excitement in Jiang Chen’s expression, so different from his usual demeanor. Curiosity piqued, she asked, “Judging from your expression, has something joyous happened in court? May I hear about it?”

Perhaps it was due to the many events he had experienced recently, but Jiang Chen, who had once been more outwardly emotional, had become increasingly reserved, his emotions hidden. He possessed the full aura of an emperor.

Many officials and subordinates could not fathom or discern his thoughts.

However, before the Shugui Consort, he remained consistent, never deliberately concealing his emotions.

“Yun’er, you understand me best!”

“Indeed, a momentous occasion has occurred. Let's go inside to discuss it. As for supper, there's no need. I'm not hungry.” Jiang Chen wrapped his arm around the Shugui Consort's slender waist and whispered in her ear.

The Duke of Ding’s arrival in the capital was a secret. It was alright for the Shugui Consort to know, as she was family, but the loyalty of the surrounding eunuchs and maids was questionable.

For safety's sake, Jiang Chen planned to wait until they were in bed to tell her.

Surrounded by maids and female officials, the two entered the inner hall.

Jiang Chen could barely contain himself. He waved away the serving palace staff, then scooped up the Shugui Consort in his arms and pinned her firmly onto the canopy bed.

He inhaled deeply, savoring the delicate fragrance emanating from her beautiful body.

“Haa, Yun’er, what incense are you burning? This scent, I truly adore it!”

As he spoke, Jiang Chen's large hands began to roam like serpents, exploring the shapely curves beneath him.

The Shugui Consort’s fair face flushed crimson, and her beautiful eyes seemed to drip with spring water as she scolded playfully, “Your…Your Majesty, please don't rush…You haven't explained what joyous event occurred yet!”

Her soft voice made Jiang Chen pause, a surge of heat rushing through his lower body.

“Mmm…Your Majesty, please be gentle, show some tenderness to Yun’er…”

One by one, garments were tossed aside. The violent movements caused the gauze curtains on either side of the large bed to tremble incessantly.

Only after a long while did the clouds disperse and the mist fade. No more sounds of pleading were heard, and the carved wooden bed returned to stillness.

“Your Majesty, you’re becoming increasingly excessive!”

“Where did you get these improper things? They’re simply mortifying!” The Shugui Consort’s soft voice was slightly hoarse, carrying the lingering scent of desire, sparking the imagination.

Jiang Chen gently stroked her jade-white shoulder with one hand, while with the other, he picked up the two small, thin pieces of fabric soaked in fragrant liquid.

He grinned mischievously. “Just a bit of fun between husband and wife. Didn’t Yun’er enjoy it just now?”

Before he could finish, his lips were covered by a pair of soft jade hands.

The Shugui Consort's slightly trembling voice sounded in his ear. “Your Majesty, if you continue to be naughty, Yun’er will get angry!”

Hmm, wouldn’t she? Was she really throwing a tantrum?

It was just a set of lingerie. She’d already worn it, so couldn’t he tease her a little?

Muttering inwardly, Jiang Chen looked into his arms and met the Shugui Consort's face, like a lotus in the morning sun, beautiful and stirring, with a hint of annoyance in her bashful expression.

Coupled with her slender, snowy neck dotted with red marks, and the vaguely visible, full curves beneath the silk quilt, the fire that Jiang Chen had just released flared up once more!

He rasped, “Yun’er, you’re not as considerate as you used to be. Is it because you know I adore you that you’re acting spoiled?”

“A little fun in the boudoir, and you’re already getting angry with me? It seems I need to ‘discipline’ you, my little enchantress, and assert my husbandly authority!”

Having said that, Jiang Chen knocked the Shugui Consort down before she could object, throwing open the quilt that covered her.

The sudden movement startled the Shugui Consort, and she furrowed her brow. “Your Majesty, you haven’t told Yun’er what the joyous event is yet!”

“Didn’t we agree just now? If Yun’er puts them on, these little clothes, you'll answer Yun’er’s question…You can't go back on your word!” Pressing down on Jiang Chen’s roving hands, the Shugui Consort emphasized.

In the past, she would never have dared to be so presumptuous in front of Jiang Chen, but their long-term relationship had taught her that this man held her in his heart, cherishing her as he would a wife.

Therefore, she was gradually opening up, no longer suppressing her true emotions, and daring to indulge in a little temper.

Jiang Chen could sense this transformation and was happy to see it.

From the moment the Shugui Consort shielded him from the assassin, this woman was the one he had decided to spend his life with.

Rather than Emperor and Consort, he preferred to interact with the Shugui Consort as an ordinary couple, and he would naturally tolerate this little bit of capriciousness.

“Alright, I won’t touch you yet.”

With that, Jiang Chen kissed the Shugui Consort’s delicate face and pulled her into his arms. “Before coming here, I met with the Duke of Ding and made arrangements regarding the South.”

“You know, I’ve been troubled by the affairs of the Zhenhai Jiedushi (military commissioner) these past few days…Now, with the Duke of Ding’s allegiance, unless something unexpected happens, the South is unlikely to cause trouble.”

Hearing this, a hint of delight flashed in the Shugui Consort’s beautiful eyes. She was about to offer her congratulations when she suddenly remembered the iron rule that the harem must not interfere in politics, and her fair face turned pale instantly.

Panicked, she said, “Your Majesty, how can a woman like me be qualified to inquire about such important news? If the court officials were to find out about this, I fear there would be another storm!”

As she spoke, she clung helplessly to Jiang Chen’s arm. “It was presumptuous of me. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of your tolerance to casually inquire about state affairs…”

“Nonsense!”

Jiang Chen interrupted her apologies. The Shugui Consort raised her head in a daze, only to meet a pair of deep eyes.

Jiang Chen held her shoulders and said, word by word, “Yun’er, you are the Empress I have chosen, the mistress of Great Wei, and you are entitled to know everything about me!”

“As long as I am here, you will be free from all restrictions! There is no need to be bound by rules!”

The overbearing yet sincere vow brought tears to the Shugui Consort's eyes.

Jiang Chen's love and regard aroused waves in her heart. “Your Majesty, with these words from you, Yun’er is content in this life!”

“Even if I were to die now, I would have no regrets!”

Having said that, before Jiang Chen could react, the Shugui Consort took a deep breath, completely abandoning the restraint she usually showed as a lady of high society, and proactively threw back the quilt. Her red lips parted slightly as she bent down towards Jiang Chen…