Chapter 49

The mountain temple on Youyun Mountain had always been a place of tranquility, far removed from the smoke and fire of the mortal world.

Once the noon bell had sounded to mark the hour, silence returned once more.

One could even hear the birds outside in the forest chirping “jiu jiu” in melodious turns, as if glimpsing their boundless joy as they leapt and fluttered freely in the lush woods.

Yet at this moment, Nie Qinglin found herself helplessly trapped beneath a hungry wolf.

The once-sturdy and durable gray monk’s robe, under the Grand Tutor’s hands, had been reduced to a tattered rag, ripped apart and peeled from her body.

These past few days, the weather had turned warmer.

Beneath the robe, she wore only a bellyband brought from the palace by Nanny Shan.

The fabric was light and thin, barely wrapping her soft curves in a way that was endlessly alluring.

With a mere bow of his head, the Grand Tutor caught the sweet scent rising from the little Guo’er beneath him, and the long-held desire that had been fermenting during their five days apart surged several times over.

Soon, he could finally welcome this precious treasure of his heart back into the palace as a woman, imprisoning her within the golden chamber he had prepared with utmost care, to lavish her with unrestrained affection…

Such thoughts were the finest aphrodisiac.

The Grand Tutor was so aroused his blood rushed like a raging river, with no outlet for release.

As the flood gathered, all he could do was plunge forward, determined to completely claim the tender clam flesh he had long hungered for.

“Grand… Grand Tutor, please have mercy… my monthly flow has not yet arrived…”

Nie Qinglin felt that the man pressing down on her now was entirely different from the previous teasing and playful encounters.

Every move carried a commanding, no-retreat momentum.

Trembling slightly, she pleaded softly with the tall man atop her.

The Grand Tutor’s hand had already explored downward.

His mouth seized her tender lips with a fierceness, and he panted roughly as he declared with no room for refusal, “Your Majesty, rest assured. This subject will not force an entry. Though your monthly flow has not arrived, your desire is already surging. My fingers have already felt the abundant fragrant dew. I ask that Your Majesty part your legs slightly, so I may first stir your pleasure—then help you open the gateway to womanhood…”

The rooms within the mountain temple had thin walls.

Lu Yuda and the others were tactful enough to remain outside in the courtyard.

Still, faint moans and gasps could be heard.

Nanny Shan quickly ordered the guards to retreat even farther.

But who knew what methods the Grand Tutor used—for Nanny Shan, standing at the door, could hear that sweet, coquettish voice grow louder and louder, until at last it fell completely silent.

Not long after, the Grand Tutor opened the door halfway, wearing only a thin undershirt.

His face was dark with suppressed frustration, his voice hoarse: “Summon Imperial Physician Wei immediately…”

Nanny Shan’s heart leapt.

Had the Grand Tutor, after bottling himself up for so long, ravaged that delicate flower inside the room into a pitiful state? Calling for a physician in the midst of pleasure?

In truth, it was the Grand Tutor who was most stifled.

He had tidied the now-unconscious little Guo’er on the bed, wrapped her in a quilt, and was preparing to move her to another room.

Yet when he glanced at the rough cloth bedding on the pallet—it was soaking wet.

The scene just moments ago had caught him completely off guard.

At first, he thought his technique had been too much for the little dragon pearl to bear and assumed she had lost control.

But then he caught a whiff of that slightly sweet fragrance—it didn’t seem like that at all…

This little brat really knew how to time things perfectly—after receiving all his tender efforts and reaching ecstasy, she fainted before he could even “enter the alley.”

Alarmed, he had hastily withdrawn his bold fingers and gently patted her face, but no matter what he did, she wouldn’t wake.

In the end, he could only endure the three-thousand-li river of spring swelling within him and, bearing the full weight of his frustrated desire, order Nanny Shan to summon the imperial physician.

When Imperial Physician Wei entered the meditation chamber, sandalwood incense filled the room in thick, curling clouds.

The beauty lay hidden behind layers of gauze.

After taking her pulse, he frowned in confusion: strange—summer’s heat hadn’t yet set in, so why did this noble lady show signs of excessive fluid loss?

When he inquired further, the Grand Tutor fixed him with a soul-piercing gaze, lips sealed tight like a clam, refusing to say a word.

The physician sighed—this task was getting more and more difficult.

Of Bian Que’s “look, listen,smell, question, and feel,” only “feel” remained for the Grand Tutor.

(T/N: Bian Que is a legendary figure in Chinese history, known as one of the earliest and most famous physicians in ancient China. His name is often used in literature, idioms, and historical texts to symbolize great medical skill.)

Even if Bian Que or Hua Tuo had returned from the dead, they’d be left scratching their heads.

(T/N: Hua Tuo was another legendary physician in ancient China, often considered one of the greatest doctors in Chinese history, alongside Bian Que. He lived during the Eastern Han Dynasty (around 140–208 AD).)

At last, he could only advise, “No major concern. Just drink plenty of water.”

The Grand Tutor was clearly dissatisfied, but burdened by the repeated frustrations of his bedroom affairs, he couldn’t bring himself to explain the full story.

Fortunately, after the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the little dragon pearl slowly regained consciousness.

She looked somewhat listless.

The Grand Tutor pulled her into his arms and had her drink a full bowl of tea.

Nestled together under a thin quilt, she began to shed silent tears—different from the wailing of ordinary girls.

She made no sound and didn’t sob or twitch—just let glistening tear after tear roll down her tender cheeks.

The Grand Tutor awkwardly whispered words of comfort, but seeing more and more tear streaks on her delicate face, his heart ached and he felt lost.

Finally, he grew annoyed and barked, “Enough! Are you crying because you think not enough water flowed today?!”

That shout thoroughly ignited Nie Qinglin’s sense of shame.

No matter how thick-skinned one might be, she was still a blossoming young girl.

Under a man’s coaxing touch, she had shamefully released everything—half the bed was soaked… Even the steamiest erotic novels or secret court paintings couldn’t compare! She wished she could bury herself under the quilt, pretend the hateful man who had caused her disgrace didn’t exist.

This was precisely the peak of her embarrassment.

She hadn’t even fully recovered herself when the Grand Tutor’s one remark struck the bullseye.

She truly had no face left.

Like a cornered kitten, she parted her lips and bit down—right on the Grand Tutor’s large hand.

Seeing the little Guo’er act so “vicious and fierce,” though his hand throbbed slightly, the Grand Tutor felt relief in his heart.

Whether shy or angry, his little Guo’er remained clever and adorable.

He let her gnaw for a while, then pulled her into his arms, gently pinched her cheeks, and said, “Be good. Let go now. This marquis’s hands have long held swords—they’re a bit calloused. If you bite too long, you’ll wear down your teeth.”

The Grand Tutor knew exactly what had made the normally calm and cool-headed little Guo’er upset, so he comforted her further: “Your Majesty, don’t feel ashamed. This abundance of fragrant dew is a good thing. You’ve never known the joys of the boudoir before—naturally you’re more sensitive. Once we return to the palace, I shall slowly teach you through ample play…”

“…”

Nie Qinglin’s tears gradually stopped.

Her girlish shame slowly tucked itself away.

But coldly in her heart, she thought: judging from the Grand Tutor’s stance, he’s dead set on reviving the Princess Guo’er who died at age three—only now it’s through me. Does he intend to seize that dragon throne in haste? Now I’ve lost my excuse to leave the palace. Am I really to become one of the imperial harem, living like Mother Consort did—depending on the Grand Tutor’s occasional affection to pass the rest of my life?

That day, the long-waiting ministers finally saw the Grand Tutor accompanying the Emperor, seated together in the imperial carriage, returning to the capital.

When ascending the carriage, the Emperor, who had kept hs head lowered and face covered with a handkerchief the entire time, appeared overcome with grief.

His foot slipped, and he murmured softly, “Ai-yo…”

Fortunately, Eunuch Ruan supported him just in time.

That one cry caused Ge Qingyuan, who had been kneeling beside the imperial carriage, to tremble slightly.

By the time he raised his head a little, the Emperor had already entered the imperial carriage, his figure obscured by layers upon layers of heavy curtains…

Three days later, an imperial decree was issued: His Majesty’s younger sister has shown the utmost filial piety, with an innately gentle and obedient nature. Since childhood, she had concealed her identity and left the secular world to cultivate with her hair unshorn, praying for her imperial brother’s fortune. Deeply moved by the Princess’s sincerity, His Majesty now commands her to return to secular life and be welcomed back into the palace.

The Grand Tutor, meticulous in thought, concurrently granted promotions to a number of princely daughters and heir apparents of the capital’s royal households, symbolizing shared joy among the imperial clan.

Many of these newly titled county princesses were daughters of princely lines of differing surnames, a considerable number of whom were the old direct subordinates of Wei Lenghou.

Overnight, the circle of nobility in the capital was infused with fresh blood.

As the investiture ceremony approached, the young county princesses and heir apparents awaiting their titles were each assigned to one of two side halls to await summons.

Among the newly named county princesses, the most striking was none other than Lin Miaosheng, daughter of Prince Yonghe, Lin Tangzhi.

Lin Tangzhi’s ancestors were founding heroes of the dynasty, and in the previous emperor’s reign, his family had already inherited a first-rank marquisate.

With a discerning eye for talent, he had set his sights on the then-top-scoring scholar Wei Lenghou at first glance.

If it hadn’t been for some hesitation over his daughter’s young age and Wei Lenghou’s polite refusal, the Marquis Wei might have become the Prince’s ideal son-in-law.

This matter remained a lingering regret for the old prince, had he insisted on an early engagement, it would have truly been a wonderful match for his daughter.

Even later, when Wei Lenghou fell out of favor with the late emperor and was dispatched to the frontier, it was Lin Tangzhi who worked behind the scenes at court to secure a future comeback for him.

Thus, Wei Lenghou had always regarded Prince Yonghe as a mentor.

Lin Tangzhi was not only a man of insight but also one with a keen sense of timing.

Aware that excessive fortune invites disaster, he tactfully declined further promotions offered by Wei Lenghou, brought along a favored concubine, and distanced himself from the capricious court, choosing instead the life of a carefree recluse.

His daughter, Lin Miaosheng, was sixteen this year, a legitimate daughter of the primary wife, blessed with beauty and charm.

With her father being Wei Lenghou’s benefactor, and her own status as a noble lady of a prominent household, suitors had lined up endlessly at her door.

Yet, since the age of fourteen, when she had caught a glimpse of Wei Lenghou at her own residence, she had secretly pledged her heart to him—vowing never to marry another, rejecting all the eligible young men of the capital.

The Princess Consort of Yonghe came from an esteemed background and had always been proud and dignified.

Never would she have expected that in her husband’s middle age, he would slap her pride across the face by abandoning his family and official post to travel freely with a beautiful, younger concubine.

If this had been in the past, she would’ve leveraged her maternal family’s status, being the legitimate niece of the late emperor to petition the current emperor directly and accuse Lin Tangzhi of favoring a concubine and abandoning his wife.

Unfortunately, times had changed.

Now, Grand Tutor Wei held real power like an invisible emperor, and the imperial Nie clan had declined.

All she could do was swallow her bitterness and spend her nights alone with nothing but a dim lamp for company.

But having lost face herself, she intended to reclaim it through her daughter.

Wei Lenghou had initially declined due to Miaosheng’s young age, but after repeated efforts from the girl and several nudges from Prince Yonghe, she had quietly observed from the sidelines and noticed that the Grand Tutor’s expression was not a complete refusal—more like he feared implicating his old mentor.

His attitude carried the subtle implication that once the world was settled, he would welcome his mentor’s beloved daughter into his household.

Now, though her husband had abandoned his marital vows and left, the dignity of the princely household still rested on her shoulders.

As long as her daughter entered the palace and became Empress, all the face she had lost would be restored.

Thus, for this conferral of title, the old Princess Consort paid special attention to every detail of her daughter’s appearance, everything from head to toe was prepared to perfection.

Looking at her daughter’s stunning appearance, she genuinely believed Miaosheng to be a national beauty.

She could only hope that when the Grand Tutor saw this now-matured, elegant young lady in court, he would recall his promise to his mentor and promptly take her in as his official wife and eventually as the mistress of the harem, mother of the realm.

Among the noble young ladies present today, the old Princess Consort had seen most of them in their respective households.

Not to be biased, but none of them could hold a candle to her daughter.

As for that princess who’d grown up cloistered in a temple—she hadn’t met her, but had heard she resembled the Emperor: thin and frail.

Even if she wasn’t ugly, she had still grown up in a nunnery, surely ignorant of worldly ways and far inferior to her own daughter, who was skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood.

Besides, as the sister of a soon-to-be-deposed emperor, that princess was destined to enter the palace only to fade into silence—how could she compare to her pampered, high-born daughter?

In her mind, today’s court would be dazzled by her daughter. Captivating the Grand Tutor? A matter as easy as water flowing downhill.

Now the auspicious hour had come.

A young eunuch announced that the heirs and princesses were to enter the hall for their titles.

Court officials and the young nobles, all dressed in resplendent robes, stood to either side, awaiting the arrival of His Majesty and the Grand Tutor.

When the Emperor was seated behind his thick curtain, the Grand Tutor also took his place on the coiled-dragon chair in his full ceremonial regalia.

Lin Miaosheng raised her eyes slightly and gazed longingly at the elegant, handsome man on the dragon chair.

Her heart fluttered, her breath faltered, and she became slightly dazed with admiration.

Yet the Grand Tutor merely swept a faint glance over the gathered heirs and princesses, before slowly shifting his gaze toward the palace gates.

At that moment, Eunuch Ruan, upon seeing the Grand Tutor’s signal, announced loudly:

“Summon—Her Highness, Princess Yong’an of Great Wei, to enter the hall!”

With that cry, a small palanquin appeared, slowly making its way toward the main hall.

Within the inner city of the imperial palace, none besides the Emperor and the Grand Tutor had the privilege of riding a palanquin to the front of the main hall.

Yet now, a long-forgotten princess who had left the palace years ago had arrived, unimpeded, riding one all the way to the front.

A young woman clad in luxurious garments stepped out, assisted by a maid.

For many officials, this was the first time laying eyes on the princess reputed to resemble the Emperor.

One by one, their gazes froze in stunned awe.

The Princess Yong’an wore a dazzling, floor-length ceremonial gown, its fabric of unknown rare origin glinting in the sunlight with shifting colors.

As she walked, the robe shimmered with all the hues of a rainbow.

Indeed, she did resemble the Emperor, but with the added charm and softness unique to women.

Her raven-black hair was styled into a simple and elegant palace knot, with a single loop of hair coiled into a graceful topknot, adorned with a seven-colored peacock-feather hairpin.

A teardrop-shaped jewel dangled beside her ear, swaying gently.

She was undeniably beautiful.

What set her apart, however, was the air about her—her brows and eyes carried a calm poise.

In such a solemn court, even hardened soldiers clad in gold armor and ministers used to battlefields couldn’t help but stare in astonishment.

An ordinary girl, unaccustomed to such scenes, would have trembled and stumbled.

Yet this princess, raised in the secluded mountains, perhaps due to her imperial blood, showed neither arrogance nor fear.

Her bright eyes lowered respectfully, her posture upright and steady.

She walked as though through a blooming spring meadow—composed and serene.

Only when she reached the front of the hall did she kneel onto the soft cushion prepared by the young eunuch, and bowed deeply before saying in a clear voice:

“Your servant pays respects to Our Sovereign, ten thousand years of peace; to the Grand Tutor, thousand thousand years of prosperity…”

The crowd was dumbstruck.

The Grand Tutor, however, frowned slightly in his heart.

Hadn’t I told Nanny Shan to dress her more flamboyantly, to avoid drawing too much attention to her face?

Yet even clad in a robe of rainbow plumage woven from the feathers of celestial birds, she still couldn’t hide her pure and otherworldly beauty.

Seeing how several young heirs below gazed at her with dumb admiration, the Grand Tutor felt a twinge of regret.

Had I overplayed my hand? His intention had been to present the dragon pearl openly before the court to avoid future rumors but he hadn’t anticipated that even this Guo’er appearance would stir such fascination.

She truly is a treasure best kept hidden.

His expression darkened.

After the Princess received her title and took her seat on the soft throne bestowed by the Emperor, Lin Miaosheng was overcome with a strange panic.

Her outfit had been meticulously prepared by her mother, each piece a precious, peerless treasure.

She had believed she’d be the unrivaled beauty of today’s court.

Yet the moment that temple-raised princess appeared, it was as if the entire hall became her backdrop.

That serene elegance, that noble composure, it seemed innate.

Even the Grand Tutor, who always looked at others with indifference, seemed to be drawn to her…

Could it be…? No, impossible! Lin Miaosheng recalled what her mother had said: the Grand Tutor was destined to ascend the throne. If so, then the current emperor was nothing more than a walking corpse. No matter how enamored the Grand Tutor might be, how could he take in a woman who looked exactly like the emperor?

That princess should’ve stayed hidden in her temple forever! Now that she’s returned to the palace, even if she escapes death, her fate will be nothing more than a discarded plaything of men!

With this in mind, County Princess Lin Miaosheng gradually calmed herself.

When she looked again at that noble beauty, her eyes held a faint trace of scornful pity.

Meanwhile, Ge Qingyuan stood to the side, thoughts churning.

His eyes were fixed tightly on the princess, filled not just with awe, but deep suspicion.

He had heard the Emperor speak on the dragon boat—that uniquely resonant voice still echoed in his ears.

But that day outside the mountain temple, the Emperor’s “Ai-yo” held none of that divine resonance.

Strangely enough, it was this radiant princess whose delicate voice like a string of silver bells that had drilled straight into his heart.

With that thought, Ge Qingyuan shifted his gaze subtly toward the heavy curtain of the golden hall…

Just who is it, exactly, sitting behind that veil?