[Fantasy] The Captive Concubine's Tale (Complete) - 16

Chapter 126, Why Not Him (Part 2)

Mingruo's body was folded into a strange and alluring arc. Her upper body was naked and delicate, while her lower body was being ravaged by him. One small foot rested on his shoulder, bouncing back and forth with each thrust and withdrawal. "Ah... Father... Father..." Her purple eyes were closed, and glistening tears still glistened on her long eyelashes.

Why?

Emperor Xuli still couldn't understand. He thrust forcefully, asking himself the same question over and over again in his heart. Why not him? Why wasn't he the most important person in her heart?! They were both the most important people in her life, so why was he not as important as Duanmu Yun?!

He was the one who gave her life, so why did Duanmu Yun occupy more of her life?!

He couldn't understand. He felt like he was being driven mad by this girl, yet he couldn't show it. No one knew how much struggle and pain he was experiencing. No one knew.

Lowering his head to kiss Mingruo's soft face, Xu Lidi traced the outline of her beautiful lips with his tongue. Just looking at her filled him with love and satisfaction—a feeling he had never experienced before, both fresh and unsettling.

Mingruo, of course, had no idea what Xu Lidi was thinking. She simply opened her eyes and stared blankly at the man on top of her. He was both her father and the man who possessed her; this contradictory relationship was driving her to the brink of madness! "Father, Father..." she murmured, tears streaming down her face like pearls from a broken string.

"Call my name, Ruo'er. Father hasn't heard you call my name in so long," Xu Lidi whispered in her ear, his thrusts continuing without pause, becoming faster and more forceful. Each thrust sent shivers down Mingruo's spine, eliciting soft moans of both pain and pleasure. "Ah... Xuan, Xuanzhen, Xuanzhen..."

Only she could call his name in the entire world!

Emperor Xu Li, satisfied, traced his path along Ming Ruo's neck to her chest, nibbling and licking until her pinkish-white breasts were covered in bite marks and kisses, the air thick with ambiguity and lewdness. He then slowly chewed her snow-white flesh, tearing it all into a bright red stain, the creamy white mixed with vibrant red, a sight that drew attention. "Good girl, call out louder, louder!"

The impact between her legs was too intense; Ming Ruo couldn't help herself. Her small hands clenched into fists on the blanket, clenching and unclenching repeatedly, almost twisting her delicate body in a writhing motion. Her slender frame seemed to both yield and resist; for a moment, even she couldn't explain why. All she knew was that the feeling was too intense, the immense pleasure exceeding her capacity to bear it. A sensation she couldn't quite describe—a tingling, a numb, numbing feeling—overwhelmed her. Aside from moaning and calling out Emperor Xu Li's name, she forgot everything else. "Xuan Zhen, Xuan Zhen, Xuan Zhen—" Her bright eyes suddenly closed tightly, and a torrent of tears streamed down her face, some disappearing into her hair, others soaking the brocade quilt beneath her.

Aroused by Ming Ruo's cries, Emperor Xu Li thrust into her petite body without restraint. Each time he entered, he went all the way in, pulling out only the glans, then pounding back in fiercely, squeezing out countless drops of nectar, leaving their joined genitals a messy, muddy mess.

This feeling…this feeling…ahhh…

Mingruo closed her eyes, feeling as if she was about to be shattered by Xulidi. He entered her with a savage urge, his large, hot glans rubbing against the tender inner walls, forcing its way in, creating a passage for his tender caresses. Mingruo even felt as if her body didn't belong to her anymore. So much water…so much water, so much that it was almost drawn out with every thrust of Xulidi. The thick hair between his legs was soaked with her fluids, forming clumps. When he penetrated her, the hair, hardened by the love fluid, pressed against the pink opening, trying to enter as well. Some of it pricked the soft, delicate pink clitoris, further stimulating Mingruo's nectar to flow uncontrollably. “Xuanzhen, Xuanzhen…be gentle, be gentle, waah…” She couldn't help but reach out to Xulidi, unsure whether she wanted him to hold her or was seeking comfort.

This time, he didn't refuse her. Instead, he readily embraced her, showering her face and body with gentle kisses. Her two small nipples, red and swollen from his caresses, stood proudly in the air, a truly captivating sight. "A little gentleness isn't enough; a little harder is needed for my darling Ruo'er to experience the ultimate bliss."

She could never win an argument with him anyway, and Mingruo always had no choice but to obey whatever Emperor Xuli decided. Knowing he wouldn't easily forgive her or go easy on her, Mingruo pouted, feeling incredibly wronged, but could only silently accept it. Emperor Xuli, seeing her obedient and compliant, was naturally pleased and removed her legs from his shoulders. Mingruo thought her father was going to let her go, and she was secretly delighted. However, Xu Lidi had no intention of sparing her. Instead, he lifted her other leg, then grabbed both her ankles and lifted them above her head. Luckily, Mingruo was very flexible; otherwise, she would have been injured by such a flip! With

her legs pressed to her sides, Mingruo looked at Xu Lidi with undisguised fear. He had already withdrawn from her body, and now his hot penis was poised to enter her private parts. Tears welled up in her large, misty eyes. Mingruo looked at Xu Lidi with tear-streaked eyes, her delicate appearance incredibly pitiful.

Pressing her slender, white legs down a little further, Xu Lidi smiled slightly, his purple eyes burning with desire as he stared at the alluring area exposed between her delicate legs. Because of his previous frenzied thrusting, the two originally thin and tender petals had become red and swollen, yet they still diligently guarded their posts. If it weren't for the red and swollen petals, he would have thought the girl beneath him was still a virgin, this enchanting paradise yet to be explored by any man.

Sweet love juice flowed even more, and her pink little mouth would even occasionally open and close, each time releasing a mouthful of even thicker and more fragrant nectar, tempting him to greedily suck up a large mouthful to quench his thirst.

His free hand rubbed the head of his penis against her tender opening, smearing some nectar on it, and then Xu Lidi thrust in with unstoppable force—still just as tight, not loose at all.

"Mmm..." he hummed softly, his large hand gripping Mingruo's ankle tightly, forcefully pushing into her opening.

Soon, Emperor Xuli had cleaved a perfect passage, but he was still not satisfied. His thick, large penis continued to thrust inside. Mingruo cried out in pain as he penetrated her, tears welling up and flowing like a beautiful spring.

He was really going in too deep. Although it wasn't the first time, she still couldn't bear it.

Chapter 127, Why Not Him (Part 2)

The feeling was as if her entire soul had been cleaved in two. As her body was torn apart, Mingruo felt as if her heart had also been torn in two, both halves given to others, leaving her with nothing.

"Father... Father..." She reached out, ignoring Emperor Xuli's thrusting, wanting him to hold her. "Father..."

"Why are you calling me Father?" He lowered his head, his movements gentler, and his lips landed on her beautiful face. "Hmm?"

"Waaah..." Sensing the large, active member within her beginning to move wildly again, Mingruo couldn't help but sob, "Father... Father, hold me... Waaah... Hold me..." As she spoke, she opened her arms wider, as if she wouldn't be satisfied unless he held her.

Her petite body bounced up and down with Emperor Xuli's thrusts, but even so, Mingruo still insisted on reaching out for him to hold her. Her watery eyes narrowed with tears and pleasure, even her eyelashes glistening with crystal-clear tears. "Father..."

Unable to resist her repeated calls, Emperor Xuli, who had initially intended to maintain his iron-fisted stance, ultimately couldn't bring himself to be ruthless. He cupped Mingruo's round, plump buttocks and pressed them against his lower body, deliberately penetrating deeper. Mingruo didn't resist at all, only reaching out her hands and begging him to hold her. He kissed her lips and, yielding to Mingruo's wishes, embraced her. Their bodies met, so perfectly in sync, as if they were born to be together. "I'll hold you, but Ruo'er must be more obedient from now on, or Father will never speak to you again."

In her dazed state, Mingruo was like an ignorant child, clinging tightly to Emperor Xuli's neck, refusing to let him go, even though her legs trembled from his penetration. "Be obedient, Ruo'er will be obedient from now on... Father, Father..." she called out to Emperor Xuli again and again, her eyes filled with a captivating allure and dependence.

See, no matter how much she denies herself in her heart, her worship and admiration for Emperor Xuli will betray her.

She just can never see it clearly.

"Good girl." Emperor Xuli smiled, kissed her lips, and thrust forcefully into her—Mingruo cried out, her delicate, crisp voice tantalizing, making one want to hear more to soothe their tormented heart. "Ruo'er is so obedient, shouldn't Father reward her?"

Reward…reward what?

Mingruo opened her hazy eyes, looking at Emperor Xuli in confusion. He understood what she was thinking, chuckled softly, and thrust deeply inside her, grinding up and down, his hot glans making Mingruo's love juices flow freely, her entire orifice becoming incredibly itchy and tingling. "Is this a suitable reward?" He broke through her tender cervix, the small nest capable of bearing offspring contracting rhythmically, welcoming his arrival.

"Ah... Father, Father—" Mingruo's cries became urgent. The immense pleasure made her arch her back, but she was held tightly in Emperor Xuli's arms and couldn't move. She had nowhere to escape, and no way to resist. She could only hide in Emperor Xuli's arms and sob pitifully. But it seemed as if he was deliberately trying to make her cry. He wouldn't let her go. Instead of withdrawing, he pushed even harder and more fiercely inside her, making Mingruo writhe in pain. Especially her fair insteps, where the veins and blood vessels were taut. "Don't go in so deep, Father, Father... Waaah—" she cried and shook her head, unable to bear it any longer.

But Emperor Xu Li's answer horrified her: "Ruo'er is of childbearing age. This time, Father will plant the seed in this tender hole. Ruo'er must give Father a well-behaved and obedient little princess." Afterwards, he would pass the throne to their little princess, and then leave the palace with his precious child to live the secluded life she had always longed for.

Ming Ruo was terrified. Her eyes widened in horror, and she hurriedly tried to refuse: "No, no—"

"Why not?" Emperor Xu Li didn't give her any chance to speak. As soon as Ming Ruo uttered "no," his face darkened, and even his purple eyes turned cold. Ming Ruo could even feel the enormous thing inside her roaring and raging, saying it wanted to devour her whole. "Ruo'er, what excuse are you going to use now, saying you're too young to have children?! Girls your age in the common world are already mothers. I only spared you because I pitied your naivety and innocence. Now you've betrayed me, and I have leverage over you, yet you dare refuse my demands?!"

He addressed her with such obvious anger that Ming Ruo was terrified and stood frozen in place, unsure what to do. This moment of stunned silence led Emperor Xu Li to believe she truly didn't want to bear him a child, and he immediately narrowed his eyes... Instead of being angry, he laughed: "You don't want to give birth, do you? I'll make you give birth!" With that, he thrust into Mingruo's body with unprecedented ferocity—

the pain was indescribable. Mingruo trembled, feeling excruciating pain in her private parts, as if she had been split in two. She bit her lip tightly, her face pale with pain, and her slender white legs trembled uncontrollably from the penetration. Emperor Xuli's thrust was truly ruthless. If it weren't for this, Mingruo wouldn't even know that his previous attempts to seduce her had been merciful. "Ah—" Still using your hands? How can that bring pleasure? Forum reputation guaranteed! High-grade silicone video, Fan Bingbing's lower body, realistically molded, highly realistic vulva shape, soft and delicate skin! Built-in large granular protrusions, close to the female physiological structure, providing a more realistic experience... rhythmic swallowing, irresistible! Click to enter.

Even so, she couldn't help but cry out in pain, her small hands gripping Emperor Xuli's neck even tighter. "Father, Father—"

"This time, even calling me Father won't spare you!" Emperor Xuli roared, his large hand gripping her waist and pressing her against his groin. This position meant he was practically squeezing his testicles inside her, so one could only imagine Mingruo's pain. "You won't bear my child, huh? What did you say the other day? Didn't you say you'd have my child when you reached a certain age? A girl who lies should be punished properly!"

"Ah...no, no—" Mingruo shook her head repeatedly, but couldn't finish a complete sentence. Emperor Xuli seemed filled with rage as well. He no longer held back, thrusting forcefully hundreds of times before ejaculating into her womb. The scalding semen instantly filled Mingruo's body. When Emperor Xuli pulled out of her, a thick, milky-white liquid flowed down her swollen petals, staining her bright red buttocks, a scene of eroticism that made one blush.

Her vulva still looked as pink and tender as ever, but Emperor Xu Li didn't say anything. He simply reached out and smeared some bodily fluids on his throbbing penis, then, with the abundant semen and vaginal fluid, thrust it in hard again. Ming Ruo let out a muffled groan and knew nothing more.

This time, Emperor Xu Li's duration was noticeably shorter; he seemed more focused on ejaculating into her than enjoying the process of intercourse. After Ming Ruo's uterus was filled with semen, he stopped, looked at her for a long time with a complicated expression, and then put on his robe and left.

Chapter 128, The Wonderful Uses of Vermilion (Part 1)

When Ming Ruo woke up, Emperor Xu Li wasn't beside her.

She struggled to sit up in bed, the brocade quilt covering her slipping down, revealing a large patch of bluish-purple skin—the marks Emperor Xu Li had left on her.

He was angry; that was an obvious fact. But Ming Ruo was still worried about her mother, Granny Duan, and Yun Lang, but she couldn't ask in front of Emperor Xu Li—that would only intensify his anger.

As for the words "having a child" that Emperor Xuli whispered in her ear during their lovemaking, Mingruo didn't even dare to think about it. She originally wanted to explain to Emperor Xuli when he returned, but he didn't come back even as night deepened.

Mingruo didn't want to admit it, but she was indeed worried.

Emperor Xuli didn't return, and Mingruo sat on the edge of the bed fully clothed all night.

She didn't know why she didn't go to bed, nor why she felt so bitter inside. This feeling was really strange, something she had never experienced before. If he didn't come back, no one would torment her, wasn't this something she had longed for for so long?

But even as dawn broke, Emperor Xuli still hadn't returned. He hadn't appeared before her since Mingruo fainted. She didn't even have a chance to say a word to him. He left in anger, but before leaving, he didn't forget to cover her with a blanket and wipe her body clean. Mingruo didn't understand the feeling that was swirling in her heart; she only felt uneasy, filled with a bewildered unease.

Yesterday… Father Emperor ejaculated inside her, and he even said he wanted her to bear him a child… Mingruo covered her face, not sleepy at all. She thought blankly, suddenly feeling incredibly cold—even while sleeping on this warm jade dragon bed.

He was so angry that he didn't even want to go back to his palace…

Just as Mingruo bit her lip, about to shed tears, Eunuch An's voice came from outside the beaded curtain: “Your Highness, may I enter?”

She quickly straightened her clothes: “Eunuch An, please.”

The beaded curtain rustled, and Eunuch An entered, his face full of concern. "I heard Your Highness didn't eat anything yesterday? That won't do! If Your Highness's health is harmed, this servant cannot bear the blame. His Majesty might take my life!" He clapped his hands, and two rows of palace maids entered carrying food boxes. "Your Highness, please eat something. That way, this servant can explain to His Majesty, lest His Majesty—"

"Eunuch An, may I ask you a question?" Mingruo interrupted him, her lips pursed, her large, shimmering eyes seeming to glisten with tears. Eunuch An looked at Mingruo, as if seeing the same eyes as Emperor Xuli. This girl was gentle, but after all, she was of royal blood; her innate nobility and majesty could not be ignored. “Your Majesty, please ask. This servant will answer to

the best of my knowledge.” “Where…where did he go?” She hadn’t intended to ask this, but once she opened her mouth, Mingruo found herself uncontrollably asking the question that was most on her mind. “…I…I mean, Father—no, His Majesty, where did His Majesty go?”

Eunuch An immediately raised his face, his shrewd and worldly-wise old eyes fixed on her. Mingruo felt incredibly embarrassed under his gaze and quickly looked away. Eunuch An quickly realized he shouldn’t be looking at his master like that, and then bowed slightly: “His Majesty spent two days in the Imperial Study reviewing memorials. Just now…he has already chosen Consort Chen’s name. He won’t be returning to the palace.”

Her purple eyes widened suddenly. Even a bolt from the blue couldn’t compare to the shock Mingruo felt at that moment. She couldn’t describe the sudden, overwhelming sense of loss, but one thought kept echoing in her mind: Father doesn’t want me anymore! Father doesn’t want me anymore!

Mingruo covered her mouth with her small hand, unsure whether she wanted to stifle her sobs or question him. She only knew she didn't want to make a sound; it would drive her mad, it definitely would!

"Your Majesty need not worry," said Eunuch An. "As Emperor, it is your duty to ensure the continuation of the royal bloodline. Because Your Majesty has not visited any of the concubines for nearly a year, the officials are in an uproar over your monopolization of the harem, and the rumors are rampant among the common people. Therefore—please put your mind at ease, Your Majesty. No one can compare to your place in His Majesty's heart. As long as Your Majesty remains virtuous and kind, no one will say anything." He spoke while observing Mingruo's expression, constantly watching for any changes in her emotions.

Eunuch An's words were perfectly reasonable. Mingruo bit her lip tightly to prevent herself from making a sound, but her slender body began to tremble. She lowered her head, her heart filled with mixed emotions, unsure of what she truly wanted.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness.” He glanced at her, making sure she was listening, before speaking. “It was this old servant who informed the Emperor about the General’s matter.” Seeing Mingruo suddenly look up, he continued, “Your Majesty, don’t forget, Fu’an is just a servant—the Emperor’s servant. This old servant watched the Emperor grow up. Although we’re not exactly close, this master-servant relationship is etched in Fu’an’s heart. No matter who it is, if they do anything bad to the Emperor, this servant will remember it. The Emperor loves Your Majesty, so this servant treats Your Majesty as a second master. But—does Your Majesty truly not understand the Emperor’s feelings for you?”

“He has shown you his true feelings, doing everything he can to please you, yet you remain unmoved and heartless? Are blood ties and worldly conventions really that important? Even if they are, can’t there be an exception when that person is Emperor Xuli?!”

“There are few people in this world who know your true identity. The Emperor dotes on Your Majesty so much; Your Majesty should repay him, not run away!”

"Whether as father and daughter or ruler and subject, Your Majesty belongs to the Emperor. The General is merely a passerby in Your Majesty's life, not someone unforgettable."

Mingruo remained silent, staring blankly at Eunuch An as if she hadn't understood anything. Then, she closed her eyes weakly, letting out broken sentences: "...You may leave now. I need to think it over."

"I hope Your Majesty has thought it through. This servant will take his leave."

He bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Mingruo lay down on the soft bed, the bright yellow curtains coming into view, the brocade quilt around her exuding the scent of Emperor Xuli. Tonight, she was destined to be sleepless.

Since someone else was bearing his child, she was no longer needed. What child wasn't a child?

She closed her eyes, suddenly feeling incredibly sleepy. But no, she couldn't sleep yet. She had waited for him for so long, without even having time to be cleansed.

Mingruo summoned the palace maids to prepare bathwater and rose from the bed. She glanced listlessly around the palace, then suddenly noticed the paints on the desk. Emperor Xuli had prepared them so she could pass the time by painting and writing, fearing she would be bored. Remembering something she had read in a book long ago, Mingruo called the maid in again: "Go and get me some cinnabar."

The maid hesitated. Mingruo, afraid she wouldn't understand, explained carefully—but anyone could see the weariness and exhaustion in her eyes and brows. "I need natural cinnabar, not refined pigment. Go to the Imperial Hospital; they have it. Just say… say I painted a picture and the colors are wrong, so I need to grind it myself."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Seeing the maid leave, Mingruo finally breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart remained heavy.

Chapter 129, The Wonderful Uses of Cinnabar (Part 2)

Long, long ago, she had read in medical texts that cinnabar had contraceptive properties.

This wasn't the first time Emperor Xuli had ejaculated inside Mingruo, but it was the first time Mingruo had been so determined to clean up the mess. She recalled what she had read in books, and the more she thought about it, the more afraid she became, and the more afraid she became, the more she felt she had to do it. Why hadn't she done it before? Was it because her father had said he wouldn't let her have children for the time being, and she had believed him?

Getting up from the bath, Mingruo pulled a thin blanket from the screen to wrap herself, drying herself as she slowly turned her gaze to the small bowl of cinnabar on the dressing table.

After changing into light nightgown, she went to the dressing table and sat down. This Panlong Palace hadn't had a dressing table before; it was only because she moved in that Emperor Xuli had sent people to put in many things for women—rouge, powder, gold hairpins, jade hairpins, silks, and satins—nothing was lacking, but none of it was what Mingruo wanted.

Now, how was she supposed to cope? Her father had chosen other concubines; could she still stay here? But Zhuohua Palace had been sealed off; where could she go? The Cold Palace?

No, she couldn't go there. Her mother was there. If she went in too, what excuse would she give? "You gave birth to me, yet I had an affair with my father and was banished to the Cold Palace?"

Mingruo didn't have the courage. If her mother found out, she wouldn't be angry, but she would be disappointed, heartbroken. Her mother had been locked up in the palace for decades, her greatest wish being for her daughter to be happy, to not follow the same path, and ideally, to live a simple life among the common people. But what had she done?

She had committed adultery with the Emperor, ruined her husband, and now she wanted to ruin her mother and her nanny too. Was there a more unfilial daughter in the world?! She had shamed everyone, even ruined herself!

Her own life was in chaos, and she was making everyone else's incomplete as well!

With delicate hands, Mingruo lifted the lid of the teacup and placed cinnabar inside. The palace maid had brought only a small, shallow dish, but Mingruo filled it halfway. She stared blankly at the vibrant cinnabar at the bottom of the cup, sitting motionless. After about half an incense stick's time, she finally lifted the teapot like a puppet and poured in some water. Emperor Xuli preferred clear water and tea, and she had gradually adopted this preference. The clear water immediately dispersed the cinnabar, turning the originally colorless water a deep red.

It was originally tasteless, but Mingruo smelled a faint, borneol-like aroma, almost imperceptible unless one sniffed closely.

She picked up the teacup, brought it to her lips, and took a small sip. The expected discomfort did not occur. The taste… was very faint, so faint that Mingruo thought she was drinking just water. Of course, it was also possible that she was mistaken and couldn't taste it.

After taking three or four sips, her stomach began to ache slightly, and she felt dizzy. Everything before her seemed incredibly blurry and unsettling. Mingruo even felt as if she saw three reflections in the bronze mirror, each looking at her with a face identical to hers—smiling and pale. Her

small hands holding the teacup began to tremble, almost causing her to drop it. She couldn't feel anything around her, her mind a complete blank. The only thought still lingering in her mind was to keep drinking—if she wanted everything to remain the same.

But this time, just as she raised the cup to her lips, before she could even open her mouth, a gust of wind swept over her. Her weak hands couldn't support the weight of the teacup, and a clear sound of shattering ceramic exploded in her ears. Mingruo frowned. The sound wasn't actually very loud, because there was a thick blanket on the ground, but to her ears it sounded like a thunderclap.

How strange! She couldn't hear anything just a moment ago, and now her hearing had suddenly become so acute?

Mingruo didn't have much time to think, because Emperor Xuli's furious voice had already reached her ears—he had never shown such emotion in his speech before, even when he was angry, it was never obvious, but this time, Mingruo was certain she had heard his roar: "Don't drink!"

How strange... what she drank was none of his business? Mingruo vaguely watched as the tall figure rushed towards her, then her body was lifted into the air and she sat in his lap, her helpless soul instantly finding solace. She nestled softly into Emperor Xuli's neck, her small mouth open as she breathed, neither speaking nor crying, seemingly unafraid of him at all.

"Imperial physician, call the imperial physician, quickly!" Emperor Xuli turned and roared at Eunuch An, his hands holding Mingruo trembling, "Or I'll take your lives!"

Eunuch An panicked and ran out without even responding, but Emperor Xuli didn't care, only holding Mingruo and roaring at her. "Do you want to die? Do you even know what you're doing?!" If he hadn't had people watching her constantly, who would know what she was doing? What if she died? What if she died... how could he live with herself?!

Mingruo didn't answer him, only closing her eyes as if she were half asleep.

"If you want to die, I might as well kill you with one blow, rather than keep me from having a moment's peace!" She just didn't want the child, not even caring how harmful the cinnabar would be to her frail body!

He was so angry he wanted to kill her, but holding her petite body, feeling her nuzzling against his neck without saying a word, and not crying like usual, his heart ached terribly. What did he owe her that made him so swayed by her, letting her manipulate him like a puppet, powerless to resist? Wouldn't it be better for her to just stay obediently in his arms? Why did she have to be so stubborn? Ignore her, she wants your hug; but even if you open your heart to her, she won't reciprocate—or rather, she won't give you the heart you desire. He doesn't need any fatherly affection, yet ironically, it's become the only thing holding her back.

"Don't you know how bad this is for your health? What have you been reading all those medical books for?!" Pulling Mingruo from under his neck, Xu Lidi cupped her bewildered face, demanding an answer. His deep purple eyes were startled by her unusually pale complexion. How could she have become so haggard in just two days? Her lips were as white as snow, her face had a faint bluish tinge, and her dark circles were severe. What happened to her? "Ruo'er, speak to me, do you hear me?"

Mingruo just blinked blankly, as if she didn't even recognize him.

"Ruo'er, Ruo'er?" Emperor Xuli's calls grew increasingly alarmed, a profound panic engulfing him. "Speak! Speak to your father!"

But Mingruo remained unresponsive. She simply stared blankly at the shards on the ground, the deep red liquid staining the pale carpet a shocking sight, resembling blood.

She wanted to drink it?!

This thought fueled Emperor Xuli's rage, but Mingruo was far more important than anything else. He roared, "Guards! Clear these shards away!"

The palace maids frantically cleaned the floor. Mingruo remained expressionless until she saw the shards removed and the liquid wiped clean, at which point she panicked. Her small hands thrashed at Emperor Xuli's shoulders, trying to get away. But how could Emperor Xuli allow it? She began to struggle violently, her small hands reaching out to the palace maids for the shards, but the maids dared not give them any!

Fortunately, Eunuch An arrived with the imperial physicians. Mingruo seemed to have had enough of her fussing and slowly nestled into Emperor Xuli's arms without resistance, behaving very obediently—because the shards of the teacup had been removed, she couldn't see anything.

Chapter 130, The Wonderful Use of Cinnabar (Part 2)

Under Emperor Xuli's intimidation, the imperial physicians trembled as they prescribed medicine and then fed Mingruo fresh milk. They were then dismissed by the school leaders, who knew she was alright. He sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at her pale face, devoid of any color, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

He dismissed all the palace maids and eunuchs from the vast palace, leaving only Mingruo and himself.

His slender fingers traced the lines of Mingruo's pale face inch by inch. She had become terribly thin; in just two days, she had become so sickly. If he weren't by her side, what would she become?

She refused everything he offered, yet what she wanted was precisely what he was unwilling to give.

Mingruo remained asleep with her eyes closed, seemingly utterly exhausted. Emperor Xuli learned from the palace maids that she hadn't eaten or drunk anything for two whole days, not even closing her eyes. Why? Why did she do this?

Just because he ordered Fu'an to give her a false message that he had chosen a concubine?

Ruo'er, Ruo'er, do you truly love me or are you heartless? How much of this love is the romantic love I desire?

Emperor Xuli narrowed his eyes, realizing his hands were still trembling. The scene from just moments ago was so vividly displayed in his mind: Mingruo's pale face, her lifeless eyes, and her resolute determination to rather perish than surrender.

He slowly closed his eyes, took Mingruo's hand, and lay down beside her, feigning sleep. After a while, as if he had thought of something, his purple eyes instantly became unfathomable, and upon closer inspection, they seemed to conceal an irresistible resolve. He called out softly, and immediately a guard appeared behind him like a ghost, kneeling respectfully. Emperor Xu Li gave a few instructions, and then the guard left.

Ming Ruo slept for a long time. She felt as if she had a very long dream, a dream filled with many people who had bullied her since childhood, calling her the most useless royal child. Her mother was imprisoned in the Cold Palace, and her father never even glanced at her. Only Granny Duan cared for her, but Granny Duan had to work and couldn't stay with her. She grew up with books, flowers, and trees.

Zhuohua Palace was always cold. She had no beautiful clothes or jewelry. Her father seemed to have forgotten that he had a fourth child. Of course, it could also be because he had never cared. If it weren't for her mother, a concubine, asking for rewards, perhaps her older sisters and brothers would be in the same situation as her. This thought made Ming Ruo feel a little better. She had read in books that real family wasn't like this. Real family was people who would eat together, laugh together, and strive together to survive, not like this, always scheming and afraid of being killed one day.

To survive, she couldn't even show her purple eyes and true face. Her nanny found her a secret medicine, allowing her to live peacefully for seventeen years.

When that man entered her life, Mingruo never knew these things would happen. If she had known, she would have preferred to stay in the palace forever, or be sent away for a political marriage. Perhaps that would have been painful, but at least something would have changed.

Duanmu Yun.

He treated her so well, cherishing her like a precious gem. He was a man of great stature, a patriotic hero, a brilliant military strategist, a first-rank general of the imperial court, with a promising future. Yet, he chose to marry her as a reward for his victory. Mingruo remembered being terrified then. This man, this man she had never met before, never known, she didn't even know his purpose, and now she was to marry him, this extraordinary man who had captured the hearts of three imperial sisters.

The days after their marriage were the happiest time of her life. She could playfully tease Duanmu Yun on his back without restraint, he would plant trees with her in the garden, they had promised to grow old together, and he still owed her a peach blossom.

When did things begin to change?

Was it when she began to yearn for her father's love? If Duanmu Yun hadn't taken her to see the peach blossoms that day, would everything have been different?

Mingruo didn't know, and she didn't think about it. What's done is done, there's no point in reminiscing.

She finally returned to that cannibalistic palace. Even with her father's protection, she withered day by day, like a flower battered by a storm. The world said she was the most favored concubine, but who knew her suffering? She couldn't die, nor could she accept the heinous crime of incest! She couldn't even reveal the truth.

She could only quietly submit to Emperor Xu Li, becoming his obedient lamb.

Day after day, year after year.

Her father wanted her to bear his child… Could she? Their relationship was already a colossal mistake, condemned by all. The birth of a child would be a sin; why torment such a life?

A child… what wife wouldn't want to bear a child, to watch them laugh and cry, to teach them to speak and walk, to raise them single-handedly? But this was the palace, where every blade of grass and every tree was poisoned. Who could guarantee a young child's safe growth? Her father doted on her, but one day the throne would have to be passed down, and her poor child would have to continue down this old path, a cycle of struggle and killing, with no end in sight. "

My poor child," she thought, "it's not that your mother didn't want you. I don't know if you're even in my womb yet, but if you are, listen to me. What will you call your father? Father, or Grandfather? How will you face this treacherous palace full of schemes and traps? I can't protect you. I'm destined for hell. If you hear this, find a good family, so you won't have to bear this burden of sin."

Water droplets began to slide down the back of her hand. Emperor Xu Li looked up and saw tears welling in Ming Ruo's eyes. He knew she was awake, so he gently stroked her face, looking at her pale lips and bluish complexion.

She could never gain weight; the moment she managed to plump up a little, she'd lost it all in just two days. Holding her hand, even her fingers were bony and thin.

"Father..." Mingruo called him slowly, tears streaming down her face. "This isn't right."

"Then what is right?" he asked softly.

"I don't know..." Mingruo closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks. "I really don't know." She was even

starting wonder why she had become like this. Was it because he wanted her to have a child, or because he had chosen another concubine?

"Tell me why, Ruo'er, don't you want a child?" His large hand gently stroked her lower abdomen, imagining a little girl inside who looked exactly like her.

Mingruo didn't speak, only breathing quietly. In fact, if she weren't still breathing, Emperor Xuli would have thought he was seeing a corpse. In just two days, Mingruo had rapidly withered.

"Why?" he persisted, reaching out to help her up, allowing her to lean against him.

Chapter 131, A Child is a Must

...

How could anyone not want a child?

Mingruo stared blankly at Emperor Xuli, her eyes brimming with tears. The caress on her stomach was so gentle, so tender, as if he had never threatened her before.

When would this dream end?

Tears welled up uncontrollably, and Mingruo softly asked, "Father, if we really have a child, can you guarantee he will grow up safely?" Emperor Xuli's answer didn't matter; she already knew the answer. Even if he protected the child perfectly, he would still have to proceed cautiously, as if walking on thin ice. She didn't want her child to follow the same path so many royal children had taken, fighting for power and risking their lives for the throne. “If it were a boy, as Father Emperor said, he would inherit the throne. Father Emperor was once a prince himself, you should know how difficult it is to survive in this palace. The concubines, the ministers, the brothers, all will plot against him for various interests. If it were a girl… she could never rule the Great An Dynasty, the world would not allow it. And then… would she be sent away like every princess before her, to be married off, to be a pawn sent out by the royal family for nothing? Father Emperor… please don’t make things difficult for me anymore, this child, Ruo’er absolutely refuses to give birth to.”

Her tone was calm and even as she spoke, but her tears never stopped. This magnificent palace was like a lock on

her throat, keeping her only a hair’s breadth from death, yet preventing her from dying a quick and easy death.

“Is this what you’re worried about, and why you’re so worried about it that you’d risk your life to drink cinnabar water?” Emperor Xu Li did not formally answer Ming Ruo’s question, his purple eyes slowly darkening. "Just because you don't want to have a child for Father?"

Mingruo knew she couldn't argue with him, so she simply stopped, closing her eyes as if she were asleep.

Emperor Xuli wasn't annoyed. He held her hand and gently kneaded it, feeling the protruding bones on her slender fingers. "Does Ruorer think that the other princes and princesses, or their mothers, would kill our child for their own benefit?"

Mingruo didn't answer, and Emperor Xuli didn't need her answer, because he already knew everything in his heart.

"Or is it that, compared to having a child, Fu'an telling you that Father has chosen a concubine makes Ruorer feel more hurt, that she feels betrayed?" He asked softly, as if he were just saying that the sunny day was perfect for going out for a walk.

Her beautiful purple eyes snapped open. Mingruo suppressed the urge to reveal her feelings, her lips trembling for a long time before she finally managed to stammer, "Father... Father is the ruler of a nation. It is your freedom to choose whom you wish to favor. I dare not inquire."

"Is that true?" Emperor Xuli chuckled, leaning down to lick and suckle her jade-white neck with his cool, thin lips, murmuring as he asked. "Even if you kiss them with the same lips that have kissed me, even if you caress them with the same hands that have touched me, even if you penetrate them with the same penis that has penetrated me, I wouldn't care?" Upon

hearing this, Mingruo instantly stiffened. She felt a sudden chill on her neck where he had kissed her, her eyes closed, then opened again. "...I didn't... I didn't!"

"Really?" Emperor Xuli didn't expose her lie, but simply smiled, stopping his kissing. “If you hadn’t risked your life today, I would have certainly not let you off the hook, and would have made you never dare to do it again! Besides, Ruo’er, are you really unaware or are you pretending to be stupid? Since you entered the palace, has your father ever stepped into the inner palace? Looking at you like this, it really seems like I have wronged you. I taught Fu’an to say those words, and Ruo’er’s reaction was a bit intense, but overall, your father is quite satisfied.” At least he knows that the little thing’s affection for him is slowly changing.

Ming Ruo could hardly believe what she had heard. She quickly turned her head to look at Emperor Xu Li, who was smiling at her, his eyes and brows full of a gentle smile. This was very rare, enough to show how happy Emperor Xu Li was.

Her face flushed, and she inexplicably felt that she was being unreasonable—although in fact she wasn’t.

He was lying to her… he was actually lying to her!

Ming Ruo was embarrassed and ashamed, and for a moment she didn’t know how to react.

Emperor Xuli grasped her shoulders, pressed a kiss to her lips, and then gazed at her blushing face with a smile: "Ruo'er, you must remember, whatever you hear about your father's infidelity, it's all false. You know, there is no other woman in the world who can captivate me like you."

Mingruo was startled by his words, her face slightly dazed. The ordeal had left her with almost no energy. She just looked at Emperor Xuli, her eyelids slowly growing heavier. She wanted to sleep, but she also felt a pang of regret if she didn't say something.

But... what should she say?

His large hand pulled up the slightly disheveled quilt and covered her, then tucked her bare hands under the covers as well. He then took off his shoes, socks, and robe and got into bed, wrapping her and the quilt in his arms: "Sleep, your father is here with you."

Mingruo obediently closed her eyes, still feeling uneasy.

"Consort Huai has returned to the Cold Palace. Granny Duan and Duanmu Yun are both fulfilling their duties. You can rest assured." While giving her the answer, Emperor Xu Li didn't forget to add a threat. "If there's a second time, Father won't be as lenient as this time."

Having received reassuring news, Ming Ruo slowly felt drowsy, but just as she was about to drift off to sleep, she suddenly shivered. She couldn't help but look up at Emperor Xu Li, asking hesitantly and fearfully, "Father..." Seeing him staring intently at her, she suddenly lost her confidence. "I...I..."

Emperor Xu Li raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to continue.

"About...about the child..." They hadn't made a decision yet.

"The child must be born." Emperor Xu Li was adamant about this. He knew Ming Ruo was afraid and uneasy, unwilling to let the child live in such a treacherous and deadly palace, but—"Trust Father, I will protect you and your child. No one will be able to bully you." They just needed to stay obediently under his wing.

“But—” Mingruo couldn’t help but reach out her small hand from under the covers, but Emperor Xuli grabbed it. “No buts. We will definitely have a child. There’s no room for argument.” Emperor Xuli’s attitude was firm.

“But…but…” She was already a little incoherent. She had just experienced two days of sleepless nights without food or water, and the stimulation from the cinnabar water had left her already frail body as broken as a candle in the wind. Yet, instead of resting, she insisted on talking to him. “But—but the book says…”

“What does it say?” His large hand gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Emperor Xuli looked intently at his reflection in Mingruo’s eyes. At this moment, just looking at him was enough.

“There are indeed cases of incestuous children…but medical texts say that children born to close relatives are mostly…mostly born with defects—” Before she could finish, Emperor Xuli interrupted her. “So what? Even if they have defects, they are still our child.”

Mingruo stared at him blankly, but Emperor Xuli was unwilling to say anything more. He simply held her tighter and coaxed her to sleep.

There was no turning back. After this incident, Emperor Xuli would undoubtedly keep a closer eye on her, preventing her from using contraception again. Was the child… truly destined?

Chapter 132, The Uninvited Guest.

This illness was quite serious; Mingruo had to rest in bed for a full month before Emperor Xuli allowed her to get up. During this time, she received numerous gifts and greetings from the concubines and officials, but Eunuch An blocked them all at the door. Except for court sessions, Emperor Xuli was almost always by her side. Mingruo had frightened him greatly this time, and he was determined not to give her another chance to harm herself like that. So now, whenever Mingruo opened her eyes, he was there; whenever she turned around, he was there; whenever she looked up, he was there; whenever she reached out, he was there.

But these past few days, Emperor Xuli seemed rather busy. According to Eunuch An, the Jiang Kingdom seemed to be stirring again, recklessly stationing troops at the border between the two countries, and even secretly sending soldiers to infiltrate the border city.

Mingruo didn't understand. Since the intelligence was so clear, why didn't her father send troops to wipe them out directly, instead watching them grow stronger and more arrogant?

She was confused, but this was not something a woman like her should ask, so although Mingruo was worried, she didn't say anything. But on this day, an unexpected visitor arrived.

"It's been a long time. Is my health any better, sister?" Consort Shu walked in with an elegant demeanor, followed by several palace maids and eunuchs carrying various gifts. "I specially brought some ginseng and lingzhi to help my sister recover." As she spoke, she gestured for the palace maids to put the things down. She smiled at Mingruo, who was sitting on the bed with a pale face, feeling both hatred and jealousy. She had never set foot in Panlong Palace before, and the emperor had issued an edict forbidding anyone from entering. If it weren't for Mingruo's permission today, she probably would have waited her whole life without ever getting in. "My sister's complexion isn't very good yet; she needs to rest well."

"...Thank you for your concern, elder sister." Calling a woman who should be considered her mother's generation "elder sister" was quite strange—although Consort Shu was well-maintained and didn't look nearly forty at all. But in Mingruo's heart, the only one who didn't age and only grew more alluring was Emperor Xuli. "What brings you here today, elder sister?"

"Isn't that too formal, younger sister?" Consort Shu walked to the bedside. Because it was the imperial bed, she didn't dare sit down, so she had a maid bring her a fine sandalwood stool. Then she covered her mouth and giggled, her alluring eyes fixed on Mingruo. "It's true that your illness, younger sister, has made you more perceptive than Bi Gan, and your beauty surpasses even Xi Shi's by three points. No wonder the Emperor is so infatuated with you. It's fortunate that you're a woman; if you were born a man, you would surely fall for your beauty." Her words were clearly praise but actually criticism; how could Mingruo not understand?

She sat up a little higher, and Eunuch An, who was attending her, immediately brought over a soft cushion to make her more comfortable. "Sister, you're too kind. Zhuohua is unworthy of such praise."

"Hehe..." Consort Shu chuckled, glancing at Eunuch An with a hint of flirtatious charm. "His Majesty truly dotes on you, sister, even having Eunuch An attend to you. I, your elder sister, am truly envious."

Mingruo smiled slightly, her pale lips curving into a beautiful arc. Consort Shu saw that although Mingruo looked sickly and hadn't dressed up, her innate, unparalleled beauty completely overshadowed her own elaborate attire, making her feel like dust in comparison. Consort Shu felt a mixture of jealousy and resentment, but since she needed Mingruo's help, she could only swallow her jealousy and resentment and grasped Mingruo's hand: "Sister, I won't beat around the bush. We're both His Majesty's people, so let's speak frankly, shall we?"

Her purple eyes flickered slightly. "Please speak, sister."

"Actually… today I want to ask you for a favor, sister. I wonder—would you be willing to grant it?" Consort Shu tightened her grip on Mingruo's hand, as if to say, "You must agree first."

Even without the shrewd Eunuch An attending to her, Mingruo wasn't a fool. For the usually proud and arrogant Consort Shu to be so humble and soft-spoken in trying to establish a relationship, it must be no simple matter. "Sister, speak first. If Zhuohua can do it, she certainly won't dare refuse."

Having been rebuffed, Consort Shu knew that Consort Ming was not someone to be trifled with, and with Eunuch An standing guard beside the Emperor, she couldn't show the slightest disrespect. "Sister… this—could Eunuch An please excuse us for a moment? It's always awkward for a man to overhear a woman's private conversation."

Eunuch An raised an eyebrow, inwardly thinking: "After your first night with the Emperor, have you forgotten who wrapped you in red silk and carried you out?" Besides, is he, Fu'an, even a man? The birds are all gone… “Your Highness, the Emperor has given his word that this servant must stay by Your Highness’s side. Unless the Emperor arrives, this servant shall not leave your side. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Choked by Eunuch An’s words, Consort Shu dared not say anything more. Who would dare disobey the orders of the most noble man? She glanced at Eunuch An, then shook Mingruo’s hand twice: “Sister, then I will speak frankly. Do you know that my family are high-ranking officials in the court?” Of

course she knew. “Are you referring to Grand Tutor Long?” Consort Shu’s maiden name was Long.

"Exactly. Sister, you must help me with this." Consort Shu said urgently.

Help?

Mingruo was taken aback. "What kind of help are you talking about, sister?"

"The Long family of Jiangnan. Have you heard of them, sister?" Seeing Mingruo nod, she quickly said, "They are blood relatives of the Long family in the capital. A month ago, General Qianmu returned to court, proving that it was the Long family of Jiangnan who murdered him. When the Emperor sent people to search for the General, they came to the Long family, but they claimed to know nothing. Now the General has returned, but the Fourth Princess is missing. This is not only a crime of deceiving the Emperor, but also a crime of murdering a royal princess and insulting a first-rank official! If it is really investigated, it will be a crime of confiscating the property and exterminating the entire clan!"

"So, sister, can you say a few good words for me to the Emperor and beg him to spare the Long family of Jiangnan?"

In other words... the Fourth Princess's murder is a fact, and from now on, Mingruo will no longer exist? The Emperor pinned the blame on the Long family, allowing him to openly proclaim her identity, and Duanmu Yun would have no chance to defend herself! Mingruo could hardly believe what she was hearing. She took a deep breath, feeling a throbbing pain in her temples. "But they have indeed committed heinous crimes. How can we plead for them?"

Consort Shu, sensing there was still room for maneuver, hurriedly said, "Everyone knows the Emperor's favor towards you, sister. If you say a few good words to him, my poor blood relative will naturally be spared. Sister... I wonder if you would be willing to help with this?"

This was forcing Mingruo into a corner, leaving her no room to refuse.

Eunuch An cleared his throat, about to speak, but Mingruo stopped him with a look. He looked at her in confusion, not believing that the delicate young girl could possibly handle Consort Shu.

He was frantic with worry, but Mingruo remained calm and unhurried. "Sister, have you ever heard this saying?"

Consort Shu looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"A hen does not crow at dawn; a hen crowing at dawn means the ruin of the household." Mingruo spoke slowly, word by word, as if afraid Consort Shu wouldn't understand.

Consort Shu's expression changed instantly. She stood up abruptly, glared at Mingruo with resentment, then glanced at Eunuch An. In the end, she didn't dare say anything and could only turn and leave.

URL 1:https://www.sexlove5.com/htmlBlog/158081.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=158081&aspx=1

Previous Page : [Fantasy] The Imprisoned Concubine's Tale (Complete) - 15

Next Page : [Fantasy] The Imprisoned Concubine's Tale (Complete) - Chapter 17

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

[Fantasy] The Captive Concubine's Tale (Complete) - 16

comment Open a new window to view comments