Chapter Seventy: Offending the Emperor

As they traveled along this road, to her surprise, they exited the imperial palace altogether.

The jostling carriage tossed Hua Rong’s thoughts into confusion, leaving her restless and agitated. She dared not lift her head to face the man sitting opposite her, afraid that one glance at his exquisite visage would send her into another fit of infatuation. She scolded herself inwardly, “Hua Rong, of all things, must you be hopelessly enamored? This could cost you your life!”

“What are you thinking about?”

The unexpected voice startled her. Jun Yeli looked up suddenly, his gaze unwavering and fixed upon her, showing not the slightest hint of restraint.

His lips curled upward, carrying the warmth of a gentle spring breeze, utterly different from the cold, distant emperor in golden robes she had seen before. That lighthearted smile was like a pebble tossed into a lake, effortlessly stirring ripples in her heart.

“N-nothing, Your Majesty. Why do you keep staring at me?” Hua Rong turned her head, letting her gaze drift to the scenery outside the window.

In truth, this was her first time leaving the palace since she had arrived in this world.

“This place truly is breathtaking, just like the flourishing scenes painted in old masterpieces. It makes one envious,” she sighed, realizing how dull and monotonous life within the palace had been.

Pedestrians on the road sometimes quarreled, sometimes laughed, unlike those in the palace who wore false smiles while plotting grave matters.

Taking a deep breath, Hua Rong leaned gently against the wall of the carriage, her heart filled with restless longing. “When will I ever live such a life…”

Jun Yeli, observing her silent musings, rested a hand lightly on the nearby table and let a subtle smile bloom. “What’s this? Does Consort Rong find the world outside more captivating?”

Hua Rong dared not speak the truth, hurriedly forcing a smile and shaking her head, her words flitting out in haste: “Of course not! To accompany Your Majesty is the greatest fortune I could ever hope for!”

She thought a string of flattery would please the emperor, but his face darkened instead. He had long grown weary of the palace’s insincerity and could easily discern it.

Clearly, Hua Rong was wearing a smile while speaking words she did not mean, deliberately placating him.

Jun Yeli saw it all, displeasure simmering within, and he could not help but snort coldly. “Do you know why I treat you differently? Because you are unlike those other women.”

Whether in wit or in freedom, she far surpassed those who schemed and fought for favor, obsessed with petty struggles.

Hua Rong felt embarrassed at his words. “Your Majesty should treat all fairly, bestowing grace upon all. If it is because of me that Your Majesty breaks with principle, please tell me your expectations—I will do my utmost to change!”

At this, Jun Yeli laughed heartily, his gaze playful as it lingered on her. He teased casually, “With that mind of yours, do you really think you can outmaneuver the women of the harem?”

He wasn’t wrong—her attempts at avoiding favor had only backfired, and she doubted her ability to accomplish anything at all.

For the first time, Hua Rong felt utterly helpless. “I’m truly useless—even bad at being bad!”

Her frustration deepened, and just as her mood soured, the carriage suddenly jolted violently. She lurched forward instinctively, tumbling straight toward Jun Yeli.

“Oh no, move out of the way!”

Hua Rong’s eyes widened as her uncontrollable body leaned ever closer. Those delicate lips of his, tinged with a faint, alluring red—like newly blossomed peach petals—drew near.

She swallowed nervously and, before she knew it, collided directly with him, landing right in his arms.

Soft breaths mingled, carrying a subtle scent of fresh grass, intertwined with her own.

Jun Yeli was stunned, instinctively reaching out to steady her waist.

The carriage came to an abrupt halt, and silence settled around them. The two stared at each other, awkward and flustered, hearts racing wildly as if ready to burst from their chests.

At that moment, the carriage door swung open and a startled voice greeted them, “Your Majesty, there’s a beggar lying in the middle of the road outside, claiming we hit him. But…”

The rest of the sentence caught in the driver’s throat as his round eyes took in the scene: the two in a most suggestive position.

“Your Majesty, My Lady, next time you do something like this, please let me know in advance…”

The driver hastily tried to shut the door. Hua Rong, belatedly realizing what had happened, quickly pushed away the still-stunned Jun Yeli.

Turning aside, she unconsciously touched her lips, which still held his lingering warmth, her mind awash in turmoil. “Heavens, what have we done? I actually took liberties with the emperor!”

Though they were husband and wife, to act so suddenly and without permission was indeed improper.

Moreover, they had just been quarrelling—how humiliating was this?

“Oh dear, this is mortifying! Have I no shame left?”

In that instant, Hua Rong felt her face grow so thin it might reveal the flesh beneath, burning crimson as if scorched by fire.

Once the warmth faded, Jun Yeli finally turned around. Watching Hua Rong’s back as she muttered to herself, he recalled the scene and could not help but chuckle, feigning nonchalance as he said, “Consort Rong, what are you doing? There’s trouble outside—shall we go take a look together?”

Called out by name, Hua Rong could only nod awkwardly. “Ah, yes…”

They stepped out together, Jun Yeli thoughtfully offering his hand.

The moment his hand touched hers, the memory of their encounter surged back like a tide. The electric sensation made Hua Rong quickly withdraw her hand, her heart full of mixed feelings. “I’ve already taken advantage of the emperor, and now he’s helping me out of the carriage—am I courting disaster?”

Fortunately, there were no other consorts traveling with them; otherwise, she might not make it back to the palace alive.

Before she had time to recover, a clamorous voice sounded from outside, “You rich folk think you can bully me just because I look easy to deceive? You hit me and now you ignore it? Come, everyone, judge for yourselves…”