Entering the palace means entering a high position; I'm His Majesty's cousin, who am I afr

Shen Jiayu seemed oblivious to the approaching danger. She lay on a small table on the soft couch, one hand cupping her face, the other gently adjusting the candle wick with a lamp pick: "I didn't initially plan to get married so soon. I intended to discuss marriage after I came of age. However, I couldn't resist the good intentions of others. Many matchmakers came to my door. These ladies were all old friends, and I couldn't refuse them. Besides, the selection process wasn't too difficult, so I simply went along with it."

Pei Yan's dark eyes were fixed on her intently. "Then why didn't it work?"

Shen Jiayu explained, "Of the young men from prominent families in Beiyuan, aside from those that my father and mother disapprove of, the rest each have their own shortcomings. Some are too reserved and awkward when we meet them. Others are too eager and frivolous. In short, none of them are quite suitable."

A dark glint appeared in Pei Yan's eyes.

He knew these men's behavior all too well.

He was awkward and uneasy because he was too surprised by her beauty and didn't know how to react for a moment.

Those who are frivolous and dissolute are mostly attracted to her family background and her outstanding appearance, which is why they are so eager to please her.

Looking at it this way, there aren't many good things.

Shen Jiayu continued, "After returning to the capital this year, I inevitably had to visit various residences with my mother during the holidays. After catching up, the topic of conversation always came up again. Originally, I had selected more than a dozen young men and planned to take my time to meet them, but then the imperial concubine selection came up."

Pei Yan nodded and slowly repeated, "A dozen or so..."

Shen Jiayu tilted her head to look at him, and said rather provocatively, "Your Majesty won't be jealous, will he?"

Pei Yan gave her a cold look, then gave his answer: "How could that be?"

Shen Jiayu smiled, a beautiful curve appearing on her lips. She put down the lantern, cupped her face in her hands, and said cheerfully, "That's right. As the supreme ruler, how could His Majesty be jealous of those mere mortals? But among them, there are indeed a few who are exceptionally beautiful..."

Her chin was suddenly pinched, and Shen Jiayu was speechless for a moment.

After a moment of silence, she asked, "Didn't His Majesty say he wasn't jealous?"

Pei Yan's expression was indifferent, and he felt cold: "It's because you're too noisy."

Shen Jiayu nodded knowingly, staring intently at him, and said softly, "I see."

Through the flickering candlelight, their gazes met silently.

Pei Yan made the first move; he stretched out his long arm and pulled the person over.

Caught off guard, Shen Jiayu was pulled forcefully into a broad embrace.

Before she could react, the man turned her face to one side.

The man bent down and bit her delicate neck, which was as smooth as the moon, as if punishing her.

"Hiss..." Shen Jiayu gasped, instinctively pushing the man's body away.

But in return, it resulted in even greater force.

Shen Jiayu struggled amidst a tingling pain: "It is Your Majesty who is breaking the rules."

Pei Yan's voice was devoid of emotion: "The rules of Xuanzheng Hall shall be set by me."

The implication is that he can do whatever he wants.

Shen Jiayu couldn't escape his control at all. She complained aggrievedly, "Your Majesty is so fierce!"

These words made Pei Yan pause. He looked up amidst the rich fragrance, his eyes dangerous and deep. "Take it if you're mean to me."

Shen Jiayu was slightly taken aback.

The next moment, Pei Yan gripped her slender waist, pulling them closer together, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

"Be good. Just accept whatever I give you. Otherwise, I can't guarantee how many hours you'll cry tonight."

After saying that, he lowered his head again.

Overwhelmed by pleasure, Shen Jiayu's eyes were filled with spring water, and her waist trembled slightly.

Helplessly, she could only cling to the man's neck, letting tears well up in her eyes.

In her dazed state, she vaguely realized that she had been thrown onto the dragon bed, and then the curtains were lowered by a pair of large, well-defined hands.

……

……

The red candles flickered, and spring was in full bloom.

This person claims not to be jealous, but his behavior tonight tells a completely different story.

Shen Jiayu was completely under control and couldn't even utter a complete sentence.

Tears soaked the soft, gold-threaded pillow, waves of heat washed over her, and her whole body felt utterly limp.

She dared not and had no strength to escape, so she could only display her most beautiful appearance.

After the two encounters, Shen Jiayu had no strength left. She just stared blankly at the brocade curtains with her bright eyes wide open.

Pei Yan put on his nightgown, carried her, and took her to the hot spring to bathe and cleanse herself.

Shen Jiayu refused to move and lay motionless against the pool wall.

Before she could catch her breath, a pair of large hands touched Shen Jiayu's fair and smooth shoulders, gently caressing them with an ambiguous meaning.

Shen Jiayu couldn't help but tremble.

She couldn't take it anymore, turned around, and was about to beg for mercy.

The man covered her lips directly, his tone leaving no room for refusal: "I said, whatever I give you tonight, you'll have to accept it."

Shen Jiayu wanted to cry but had no tears.

I should have known better than to provoke him on purpose. Now look what I've done, I've brought this upon myself.

Pei Yan looked at her pitiful appearance and sighed softly, "The night is still long, what are you going to do?"

That's a nice way of saying it.

Pretending to be considerate of others.

But in the next instant, Shen Jiayu was pressed against the cool, hard pool wall, with no way to escape.

Amidst the rising steam, ripples slowly spread across the hot spring, growing ever larger and inspiring endless imagination.

*

When Shen Jiayu woke up, Pei Yan had already gone to court.

She didn't linger in bed any longer; she jumped up, dressed, and headed to Yihua Palace.

Her cousin is far too possessive and controlling.

If she stays here, her life is truly in danger.

Even though she was in a sedan chair, Shen Jiayu was still exhausted. When she walked, her legs felt unsteady and she seemed about to fall.

Having finally returned to the palace, she first took a birth control pill before checking the marks on her body.

Red marks covered the area, resembling peach blossoms, while deep red spots on the neck were even more unsightly.

Shen Jiayu's face flushed, not daring to think whether the palace servants in the two palaces had seen it.

That's so embarrassing.

She was furious and angry with Pei Yan.

Therefore, Shen Jiayu did not go to Xuanzheng Hall for several days in a row.

However, Yihua Palace is not yet fully renovated and there are still some finishing touches to be done, so there is still some activity during the day.

Shen Jiayu then hid in Cining Palace.

Every day when she gets up, she first covers her body with a thick layer of makeup so that no trace of makeup can be seen before she takes people out.

Empress Dowager Shen led a very simple life, spending her days worshipping Buddha and watching plays, and rarely seeing her concubines.

Shen Jiayu followed her, enjoying opera and reading every day, living a very pleasant and leisurely life for several days.

After hiding for several days, Shen Jiayu was cornered by Pei Yan at Cining Palace.

Or rather, Pei Yan came to find her on purpose.