Chapter 16: Commanding Without Anger

His tone was calm, yet carried an unspoken authority that commanded respect without anger.

Lu Shuyao held the empty wine glass she had just finished drinking from, startled, and looked toward the young emperor.

She seemed frightened by him, shrinking back slightly. "I have never harbored such thoughts," she said softly.

"When I was still a maiden in my chamber, I often dreamed of marriage."

"My fixation on the wedding wine is because my mother and father never once shared that cup. Your Majesty may not know, but I am a concubine's daughter of the Lu family. It was only because my eldest sister fell ill that I was fortunate enough to enter the palace to serve you."

Having spoken, she knelt down. "I am ignorant of court etiquette. If I have offended Your Majesty, please allow me to punish myself with three cups first."

Ye Yancheng observed her for a moment, then pulled her back up. "That’s enough."

Lu Shuyao’s eyes reddened at the corners as she glanced at him quietly.

She leaned into Ye Yancheng’s hand, which he had placed firmly on her waist. Her body carried a faint fragrance, delicate yet impossible to ignore.

"Your Majesty, I come from humble origins and would never dare to covet what is not mine," Lu Shuyao said, a tear slipping from the corner of her eye, falling precisely onto the prominent vein on Ye Yancheng’s hand.

He felt a sudden warmth at the spot where her tear touched his skin.

His sharp gaze met Lu Shuyao’s, her eyes flushed red as they locked with his, filled with both fear and shyness, her thick dark lashes lowered.

"Look at you, you cried just because I said one sentence," he remarked, lifting his hand to point at the tear.

He continued to watch her tear-streaked face, seemingly with no intention of wiping it away for her.

Seeing the moment was right, Lu Shuyao stopped, knowing that overacting would only invite annoyance from others.

She nestled into his broad embrace, sniffled twice, then wiped away the tear. "Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Ye Yancheng tightened his grip on her slender waist, and Lu Shuyao had no choice but to sit upon his thigh.

The muscles of his thigh were solid and warm, making her restless.

Yet in this moment, she dared not escape—after all, she had been the one to lean in first.

With one hand, he refilled the wine glass she had just emptied. "Wedding wine isn’t drunk the way you did just now."

He brought the glass to her lips. "Bite it."

Lu Shuyao, puzzled, gently held the rim with her lips. He handed her another cup, and their arms crossed as they leaned closer. "This is how you drink it."

Not sure if it was the effect of the wine or her flushed cheeks, Lu Shuyao felt a warm heat rising to her snowy skin.

They sat extremely close, the scent of wine swirling between them.

Ye Yancheng prodded her soft red lips and asked, "Why aren’t you being proactive today?"

His meaning was clear.

Lu Shuyao widened her eyes and looked at him.

He simply stared quietly, as if daring her to make the first move.

"Hmph."

She let out a light hum, leaned in, and gently bit him.

Her eyes remained wide open, sparkling as she looked up at him.

---

Only when she looked into his eyes up close did she realize how deep their color was—like an unfathomable black hole.

"Unwilling?" he questioned between his lips.

With that, he launched his attack.

His gaze was sharp and piercing, causing Lu Shuyao’s lashes to flutter, unable to resist closing her eyes.

He was a starving wolf, ready to devour her whole.

Her sash was undone, and one delicate shoulder was exposed.

But just then, a low voice sounded from the closed window.

"Your Majesty."

They abruptly separated, their breaths lingering in the silent room.

Lu Shuyao gently took out a handkerchief and wiped her lips.

"What is it?"

Ye Yancheng half embraced Lu Shuyao as he asked.

"Lady Shen is ill. I was specially sent to inform Your Majesty, hoping you might visit her."

"If she is sick, summon the imperial physician. Do you think I possess miraculous healing powers?" Ye Yancheng’s tone was cold.

"The message came from the Empress Dowager’s attendant, Lady Ji. Your Majesty should still go." Yuanshu advised.

Ye Yancheng’s expression grew even sterner.

"Your Majesty should go," Lu Shuyao gently interjected. "Perhaps if you visit, Lady Shen’s condition will improve."

Ye Yancheng studied her for a moment before saying, "You will accompany me."

...

Shen Rushuang lay in bed, attended carefully by palace maids.

She had entered the harem with the ambition to become Empress.

The Empress Dowager’s relationship with the emperor had been deteriorating, and the Shen family had become a thorn in His Majesty’s side.

She carried the burden of her family’s mission—not only to temporarily ease the tension between the emperor and the Shen clan but also to secure another path forward for her family.

Yet now, the emperor had only granted her a seventh-rank title—a sheer insult!

Worse still, a minor official’s concubine had trampled over her status.

Shen Rushuang clenched her fists. After his ascension, his treacherous behavior was no wonder her aunt wished to support the posthumous child.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Hearing the eunuch’s announcement outside, Shen Rushuang quickly pulled the covers over her body.

The palace maid lowered the curtain and stood quietly nearby.

"Lady Shen, how are you feeling?"

The voice she hoped to hear did not come. Instead, Lu Baolin’s voice echoed.

---

Shen Rushuang did not respond, feigning sleep.

Not only Shen Rushuang but her maids also did not expect Lu Baolin to be so inconsiderate!

He even dared to follow the emperor to this place.

Lu Shuyao noticed the unfriendly glances they cast but could do nothing.

She couldn’t very well say, "Your Majesty asked me to come along."

This man was truly wicked.

He probably just wanted to see her clash with Lady Shen.

If the Empress Dowager intervened, he would be her ally.

Lu Shuyao pretended not to notice the hostile gazes, especially from Lady Ji, the Empress Dowager’s attendant, whose eyes nearly pierced her like daggers.

Lu Shuyao hurried to follow Ye Yancheng.

Since things were already like this, she might as well give them a stronger shock.

She reached out her slender hand from beneath her sleeve and took Ye Yancheng’s palm proactively.

Hand in hand, they entered the room and saw Shen Rushuang lying quietly beneath the bed curtains.

Shen Rushuang had not expected Lu Shuyao’s arrival and was too resentful to open her eyes.

"What illness?" Ye Yancheng asked in a low voice.

"Lady Shen is troubled by excessive worry and a depleted lower energy. The physician has already prescribed medicine for her."

Ye Yancheng arched an eyebrow. "Excessive worry?"

Shen Rushuang slowly opened her eyes and looked at Ye Yancheng. "Your Majesty..."

She had expected a tender gaze but found only a cold stare.

"If you are so troubled in the palace, why did you come in the first place?"

Ye Yancheng’s words cut like an ice blade. "If it truly doesn’t work, send Lady Shen back to the Shen family to recuperate."

Having said this, he turned and began to leave.

Lu Shuyao dared not say a word and hurried after him.

Lady Ji entered and saw two clear tears fall from Shen Rushuang’s cheeks.

"You may all leave now."

After everyone withdrew, Lady Ji comforted her with pity, "Young Mistress, please endure a little longer. The virtuous consort’s child will soon be born."

Shen Rushuang silently wept.