Chapter 189 Narrow Escape

Chapter 189 A Narrow Escape

"My dear consort, you're looking out for me, how could I blame you?"

"But I was too hasty and did not consider your health."

"How about this: no need to serve me in bed tonight, but let me drop by your chambers for a while, what do you say?"

Consort Li could not refuse Emperor Jingyang's words.

Because she knew this was the best outcome she could secure for herself.

If she overstepped her bounds, Emperor Jingyang might grow suspicious of her.

Consort Li immediately wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, forced a smile, though it was clearly strained, and said,

"Then I shall have the servants prepare a table of food and wine."

Emperor Jingyang agreed, "Granted!"

Consort Li curtsied and left, while Emperor Jingyang turned and entered her bedchamber.

Consort Li's bedchamber was not large, but it was warm and cozy. In the center of the room stood a round table with auspicious patterns, against the inner wall was a large square daybed covered with a woolen rug of the same pattern, surrounded by screens painted with landscapes.

Looking further inside, a writing desk and a chaise longue were placed by the nanmu window, and on a small side table sat a small beast-shaped incense burner of purple gold, its incense still burning, giving the room a subtle, elegant charm far from ordinary.

Suddenly, Emperor Jingyang's peripheral vision caught sight of a protruding corner beneath the desk—a long black box.

He walked over, reached under the desk, and pulled out the box.

Just as Consort Li entered from outside, she happened to see Emperor Jingyang opening the box and removing a painting from it.

Consort Li: "!!!"

She was so frightened she nearly fainted, breaking out in a cold sweat at her temples as a shrill scream cut through the air.

"Your Majesty, do not open it!"

She rushed forward to snatch the painting from Emperor Jingyang's hands, but he dodged her hand and pinned her against the desk.

The entire painting unfurled, revealing what it held to both of them.

The man in the painting wore a purple dragon-embroidered robe, his black hair flowing, standing atop a peak of mountains, a golden goblet in hand, looking down upon the masses—the unmistakable bearing of an emperor.

Who else could this be but himself?

Emperor Jingyang raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with amusement. "What's all this fuss about, my dear consort? Is there something in this painting that I shouldn't see?"

Consort Li: "..."

Her heart fluttered in alarm. Before she could react, Emperor Jingyang continued, "You're always so reserved, bottling everything up and never telling me."

"If I hadn't seen your painting today, I would never have known how deeply you love me—that you would paint me in my youth and secretly admire it in your study every day."

Consort Li: "..."

Consort Li: "!!!"

Is Emperor Jingyang blind or what? Who said she painted him?

Unknown to others, Consort Li herself knew full well that the man in the painting was her true love.

And that man—Emperor Jingyang knew him too.

Seeing that she didn't answer, Emperor Jingyang wasn't angry. He smiled slightly and said,

"My dear consort, you truly are the most talented woman in the capital. This painting pleases me greatly. But why did you blot out my face with ink? Could it be that, even though you say you don't blame me, you still harbor resentment in your heart?"

Consort Li: "..."

Her lips twitched, and the stone in her heart finally settled.

She was incredibly grateful now that when Jian Lan had come to see her that morning, she had been startled, and the ink from the brush had accidentally dripped onto the man's face, covering his features.

This had fooled Emperor Jingyang into thinking the painting was of him.

Unexpectedly, Jian Lan's accidental mistake had actually saved her from a crisis.

"Your Majesty, you flatter me. I'm so grateful to you, I could never dare to blame you."

"As the ruler of a nation, you are divine in your grace, a god-like figure in my heart. How could my humble painting skills ever do justice to your majestic presence?

"By blotting out the face with ink, I can satisfy my yearning for you through every stage of life. Whenever I miss you, I take out this painting to look at it, as if you are with me every single day."

As Consort Li spoke, her expression was gentle, her eyes misty and shimmering, a faint peach blush spreading across her cheeks, giving her an ethereal look.

But only she knew that in her heart, she was thinking of another man.

And those words—she had meant them for that man.

Emperor Jingyang was clearly pleased!

So in Consort Li's heart, he was that wonderful?

Emperor Jingyang stepped forward, took Consort Li's hand, and gazed into her eyes with affection.

"My dear consort, having a woman as considerate and attentive as you by my side is truly my blessing. I am so happy."

His warm breath grazed her neck, sending goosebumps all over Consort Li's body.

She wanted to withdraw her hand, but dared not make any rash moves, fearing that this unpredictable bastard would get upset.

He drew closer, his gaze burning with possessiveness, as if he wanted to eat her alive.

Consort Li grew nervous. She knew that the words that dog Emperor Jingyang had promised at the door were all bullshit.

He said he wouldn't touch her, but now he clearly had other ideas.

Consort Li knew that at this moment, she had to rely on herself to escape.

Just as she was panicking, Jian Lan's voice sounded from the doorway.

"Your Majesty, Consort Li, the dishes you ordered have been brought from the imperial kitchen. Do you wish to dine now?"

Consort Li's heart leaped for joy. She quickly pulled away from Emperor Jingyang's embrace and said softly, "Your Majesty, how about we eat first? The food will get cold if we wait."

With the beauty slipping from his arms, Emperor Jingyang was displeased but didn't give her a hard time.

"Very well, I happen to be hungry too. Have the dishes served."

With that, Emperor Jingyang strode over to the table and sat down. Consort Li ordered the maids to bring in the dishes and personally attended to Emperor Jingyang's meal.

When he saw the dishes on the table, Emperor Jingyang's eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"My dear consort, don't you know I'm allergic to the smell of mutton? How could you have them make Dreaming Dragon Herb Lamb Rib Soup?"

"And this glutinous rice chicken—I don't like glutinous rice. Eating it keeps me up at night and makes my teeth ache. Don't you know that?"

Consort Li: ...

These were all dishes she loved herself. Why would she care if Emperor Jingyang liked them or could even eat them?

At once, she knelt on the floor, her face filled with fear.

"Your Majesty, forgive me. It was my oversight. I'll have these dishes removed and a new set brought in."

Emperor Jingyang glanced over the table—eight dishes, four meats, three vegetables, and one soup. At least four were dishes he disliked. He instantly lost his appetite.

"Never mind. Since they're already made, you eat them yourself. I'm going to Consort Rong's place tonight."

"Zhang Fugui, prepare the carriage for Liuxiu Palace."

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