But this time, bringing the Emperor here meant that this woman would have no chance with him.
In his mind, Prince Zhuangyong thought wickedly, it’s true that she must be sent to the Imperial Palace, but she won’t go for a few days, during which time he could have a taste!
The Emperor naturally saw her as well.
Among the group of young ladies, she was the most outstanding, wearing a lake blue off-shoulder long dress, appearing ethereal like a fairy. That fleeting glance, seductive as silk, and considering her figure, with a full chest, slim waist, and curved hips, one look was enough to make one’s heart race with the urge to possess her immediately.
Thinking about the feeling of her long legs wrapped around his waist...
The Emperor coughed twice, suppressing the desire in his heart.
"Your servants pay respects to Your Majesty and have seen our (father) Prince!"
The Emperor waved his hand grandly, "All rise, to speak the truth, it is I who have disturbed your refined pleasures!"
Although a bit older, he was still in his prime of life. In his forties, he remained handsome and graceful. His clothes, embroidered with subtle dragon patterns, revealed his supreme status and position.
He had a tall and stately figure, showing no sign of age.
This made the young ladies sneak peeks at him, blushing and lowering their heads, saying, "We dare not!"
As they got up, Le Xun’s thoughts shifted slightly. "Oh dear!" she cried out softly as she leaned to one side.
She was prepared to fall to the ground but was caught by a pair of strong hands supporting her arm and waist.
Blushing, she looked up and said, "Thank You!"
"Are you alright?" the Emperor asked, his tone warm and concerned.
The skin beneath his hands was soft – a sensation he had never felt before.
"I’m fine, thank You, Your Majesty!" Le Xun said, hastily standing up, but she found she wasn’t very steady on her feet.
The Emperor was somewhat reluctant to let go, but under the watchful eyes of everyone, it wouldn’t be appropriate to be too bold.
Chu Lilan immediately stepped forward to support Le Xun, "Cousin, are you alright?"
Others might not know, but she clearly saw that Le Xun had purposely fallen.
"I’m fine, thanks to you, cousin!"
The two of them indeed seemed like sisters with a deep affection for one another.
After saying a few more words, the Emperor took a look at Le Xun before he left, a look whose meaning was self-evident.
Therefore, after the Emperor departed, he became even more cordial toward Le Xun.
Dai Hanmi and Chen Danyan stood to one side, exchanging glances without saying much.
Dai Hanmi was related to Prince Zhuangyong’s wife’s distant family, and her mother’s side was the main branch of the Zhuangyong Marquis Residence. Before the hottest days of summer, her mother stayed home to take care of her grandmother and second sister-in-law, while her elder sister-in-law had brought her here.
"Le Xun may be beautiful, but she exudes an aura of seductiveness that doesn’t seem like it comes from a respectable person," Chen Danyan spoke softly.
Such a woman would only be welcomed by lechers into their homes, while families who value propriety would never consider accepting her, let alone marrying her.
Hearing this, Dai Hanmi took another look at Le Xun.
She held Chen Danyan’s hand and said, "Why bother with these concerns? No matter what her future holds, it has nothing to do with us!"
As Dai Hanmi spoke, though, she couldn’t help but worry about the Empress.
But then, considering the Empress’s character, she was unlikely to pay attention to such a bewitching creature.
Gradually, she felt reassured.
Chen Danyan nodded, gripping Dai Hanmi’s hand tightly.
Suddenly, she thought of Yun Jinnian, the woman of peerless beauty and unassailable dignity.
And Le Xun, in contrast, appeared as someone who could be easily played with, lowly and cheap.
One was exalted, the other lowly as dust – they were incomparable.
Chen Danyan chuckled to herself, cursing for thinking too much.
"What are you thinking?"
Chen Danyan shook her head; this was not the time to speak of such things.
Dai Hanmi did not press further.
Watching Le Xun being surrounded by everyone, she was curious to see what fortune this woman could encounter, and as for the Emperor...
Dai Hanmi thought of her aunt, the Empress in the Imperial Palace, and felt it was necessary to investigate this Le Xun.
A distant relative of Prince Zhuangyong’s wife? She didn’t believe it.
Just looking at this woman, she did not appear to come from a decent place...