Chapter 1
Edward Quan ·
I accidentally discovered that I could hear the emperor's thoughts.
While everyone else exchanged compliments, he was thinking:
【You idiot! He's sleeping with your wife, and you're still calling him your brother!】
As he reviewed memorials:
【Unbelievable. Is that admiral out of his mind? Every day he asks whether I want mangoes. I don't eat mangoes. I'm allergic!】
And in the imperial bed:
【I put on the underrobe with the little embroidered dragons today. The empress is bound to love it when I take my clothes off. Hehe~】
I had no words.
Could you please try to control yourself?
1
A few cups into the palace banquet, I was getting bored watching the Left Chancellor and the Minister of Personnel flatter each other.
Then a voice rang in my ears.
【Idiot. He's made a cuckold of you, and you're still calling him your brother!】
I froze. Who had said that?
Apart from the maid serving wine, the only person beside me was Emperor Bùi Dữ.
I turned to him instinctively.
“Is something the matter, my empress?”
His expression was cool. Even the slight lift of his eyebrow carried an air of inborn nobility.
I must have imagined it.
I gave a small shake of my head. Before I could speak, the voice came again.
【Why is the empress looking at me all of a sudden?】
【Has she noticed how devastatingly handsome I look today?】
【Damn it, when is this wretched banquet going to end? I want to go back and kiss my empress.】
It really was him.
My eyes widened.
“Are you unwell?”
Bùi Dữ frowned slightly, an involuntary note of concern slipping into his voice.
I parted my lips.
“It's nothing. I've only had a little too much wine.”
I had no idea why I could suddenly hear his thoughts, but I decided to keep it to myself for now.
He nodded without a change of expression and said nothing more.
I knew, however, that he was nowhere near as quiet as he appeared.
【The Censor took leave today. Apparently his wife caught him sneaking off to a brothel yesterday and beat him so badly he couldn't get out of bed. Tsk. Poor man. Married a tigress.】
【My Cẩm is so much gentler. So sweet, so soft. Especially that little waist...】
I inhaled sharply and choked on my wine.
“Cough, cough!”
“Careful, my empress.”
Bùi Dữ patted my back gently, murmuring the warning.
I gave him a complicated look and nodded.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
【Why is she looking at me like that?】
【She's acting so strangely today... Has she found out about the beauties those officials sent as tribute?】
My hand paused as I wiped my lips.
Bùi Dữ and I had grown up together. Since taking the throne and making me his empress, he had never accepted a single consort, no matter how the court urged him.
After holding out for so long, it would hardly be surprising if he wanted a few now. What emperor didn't have a harem of three thousand beauties?
I soon discovered how wrong I was.
【Damn nuisance. Why do those officials keep pestering me to take consorts? Can't they mind their own business? I'm not a stud!】
【I go to bed in the third watch and get up in the fifth. Then I have to read those damned memorials the admiral sends by express rider, asking whether I want mangoes. I don't eat mangoes! I'm allergic!】
【Honestly, do they think my stamina is limitless? How am I supposed to cope with that many women? If I don't look after myself now, what if the empress gets tired of me later?】
【Should I tell her about the beauties they sent? What a headache. I'd rather like to see Cẩm get jealous, but what if she gets angry? What if she won't let me into her room?】
My face burned. Afraid I would lose my composure if I stayed any longer, I said, “Your Majesty, I'm a little tired. I'd like to retire.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Tired? Then I'll come with you.”
【At last, I can leave this damned banquet and go back to hug her and kiss her and scoop her up! I put on the underrobe with the little embroidered dragons especially for today. She's bound to love it when I undress!】
I had no words.
Could you please try to control yourself?
2
I reminded Bùi Dữ that the ministers were still here.
He frowned faintly.
“Go and rest, then. I'll join you shortly.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. But as I turned away, his disgruntled thoughts followed me.
【Unbelievable. Can't these people go home and drink with their own wives in their arms?】
【Talk, talk, talk. What's left to talk about? Don't they get enough of it at court every day?】
【This damned banquet is keeping me from going back to bed and holding my empress. I'm cancelling it next year!】
Again, I had no words.
3
Bùi Dữ kissed me awake. By the time I realized what I was doing, I'd already slapped him.
I opened my mouth to apologize, only to hear his thoughts.
【Why isn't she saying anything?】
【Is she angry because I woke her up?】
【Still, her hand is so soft...】
His gaze settled adoringly on my hand.
“I'd like another one.”
What?
I mean, really. There are limits!
I pulled my hand back under the covers.
“Have you finished with the ministers, Your Majesty?”
“Mm. I've also cancelled all unnecessary palace banquets from now on. It will reduce our expenses.”
As he spoke, a hint of expectation crept into the look he gave me.
【Now I'll have even more time to cling to my empress!】
【What am I going to do? I'm brilliant! How can such a wise, far-sighted ruler exist?】
【Why hasn't she praised me yet?】
【Praise me! Come on, my empress, praise me!!!】
I was speechless.
【Oh well. If she won't offer me a reward, I'll just have to reward myself.】
【How many rewards shall I give myself tonight?】
His hot breath brushed the corner of my eye. Of course I knew what sort of “reward” he meant.
I caught the hand undoing his underrobe.
“Your Majesty, I heard the palace servants talking today. They said life has improved for the common people since you took the throne, and called you a wise ruler. I agree with them.”
His brows lifted slightly.
“You flatter me.”
【Aaaah! She called me a wise ruler! I'm so happy!!!】
【In that case, I'll take it easy and reward myself just seven times tonight!】
What?
Who taught you to reward yourself like that?
Are you trying to kill yourself?