The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

Qi Yitang has never done this kind of thing with anyone else, so she doesn't know how to compare.

However, purely in terms of the experience with Xie Ling, it was quite... good.

Although he was a novice not long ago and almost hurt her on his first time, he is now quite skilled and acts like a seasoned pro.

Is this a man's innate talent?

I don't know when it ended, but it was all daytime debauchery, and it was still broad daylight when it was over.

Xie Ling was full of energy, but Qi Yitang was covered in sweat and exhausted. She didn't even have the strength to move her fingertips and could only lie bonelessly on Xie Ling's firm and broad chest.

So tired, so sleepy...

Actually, Xie Ling wasn't entirely satisfied.

To be precise, given his energy levels, he's never been completely full even after eating meat for so long.

The late emperor decreed that every eligible and healthy prince must undergo military training, not only to temper his mind and spirit, but also to assess his ability to lead.

In fact, the ministers all understood that only princes who were favored by the emperor and had undergone trials had a chance to seize the throne.

Those who are mediocre and incompetent were eliminated long ago.

Xie Ling was sent to the Northwest by the late emperor when he was twelve years old. He spent three years training under General Qin Zhenxiong.

To outsiders, Qin Zhenxiong was his maternal uncle, so he must have taken good care of him.

In reality, Qin Zhenxiong treated him with contempt, even more harshly, despite him being a prince and his own nephew.

Xie Ling had endured such torment, so what was the pleasure of such tenderness and beauty now? He could easily fight another three hundred rounds without batting an eye.

But Qi Yitang was delicate and frail; even a small scratch would hurt for days. No matter how beastly he was, he had to endure it.

After giving Qi Yitang a quick clean and wash, Xie Ling said, "...Go to sleep, I'll stay with you."

Qi Yitang drifted off to sleep, and when she woke up, Xie Ling was indeed still there.

He had the eunuchs move the memorial to Yaotang Palace, where he was currently reviewing it.

Through the beaded curtain, the young emperor's profile was clearly defined, with sharp, angular brow bones, a high, straight nose, and slightly pursed thin lips. His long, strong fingers held the brush, and vermilion ink dripped onto the folded paper, marking each stroke.

The sound of the imperial brush rustling was delicate and calming.

Qi Yitang suddenly realized that she had been blind and heartless before, abandoning her good husband, the emperor, and instead becoming infatuated with Xie Jingyu, that hypocrite.

No wonder his whole family ended up in such a miserable state.

In fact, Qi Yitang's criteria for choosing a partner were quite demanding. She liked Qin Shi Huang, who served tea and water, and unexpectedly, Xie Ling perfectly fit the bill.

"woke up?"

As her thoughts returned to normal, Xie Ling had already come over, lifting the bed curtains. "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

There is definitely a little bit, but it's not uncomfortable, and it doesn't cause any injury.

Qi Yitang shook her head: "No."

Seeing her sullen expression, Xie Ling sat down on the edge of the bed, touched her forehead, and asked, "Are you unhappy?"

Qi Yitang suddenly hugged Xie Ling and buried her head in his chest. "I'm not unhappy, I just suddenly realized that I'm not worthy of being this Imperial Concubine..."

Xie Ling frowned slightly. "Did someone say something to you?"

"No, it's just that I've reflected on my actions over the past two years since entering the palace, and I feel ashamed. His Majesty values ​​filial piety most, yet I have repeatedly angered the Empress Dowager..."

Xie Ling must have known about the Empress Dowager's avoidance of him, and said, "Tangtang, I am your husband. It's enough that you care about me. Besides, it's not that the Empress Dowager won't see you; she won't even see me."

He cupped Qi Yitang's face in his hands, "So, don't worry about it."

Qi Yitang suddenly remembered what Xie Ling had said about the Empress Dowager's favoritism towards him and the Ninth Prince.

Thinking back to when she wasn't yet enlightened, she was so upset because her family favored Ning Nishang that she acted up in all sorts of ways...

If she's like this, what about Xie Ling?

The late emperor had many children, eight princesses and twelve princes. Xie Ling was just one of them. She was neither the eldest son nor the legitimate heir, and she came from the cold palace, so she was inevitably mistreated by the palace servants.

If he didn't get his biological mother's love, he might not have lived as well as she did.

Qi Yitang felt that she was the kind of person who would throw a tantrum because she didn't use her favorite tableware while eating. When she turned around, she saw Xie Ling squatting on the ground eating, without even a broken bowl.

Suddenly, I felt a sense of shared misfortune. "Yanzhi, tell me about your childhood."

Xie Ling remained silent for a moment.

There's not much to say about his childhood...

What childhood fun could one find in the Cold Palace? After leaving the Cold Palace, he was sent to the Palace of the Virtuous Consort, and had little affection for his birth mother.

From as far back as he can remember, all he ever thought about was surviving.

However, the atmosphere was just right today. Xie Ling liked the feeling of Qi Yitang nestled in his arms, so he stroked her head and told her a few interesting little stories.

Qi Yitang listened attentively and finally promised, "Yanzhi, since the Empress Dowager favors Prince Jin, then I will favor you."

"Let's not become a estranged couple. Tell me everything that's bothering you, okay?"

Xie Ling curled the corners of her lips: "Tangtang, you must keep your word. Even if we have children, will you still favor me the most?"

Qi Yitang readily agreed, "Of course."

Qi Yitang truly kept her word, and after having children, she loved Xie Ling the most—because she was simply impatient with taking care of children, and maternal love was nonexistent for her.

Xie Ling, who doesn't cry or make a fuss, is still the least troublesome.

……

Prince Gong sent someone to deliver a formal invitation to Ning Nishang, leaving everyone in the Grand Tutor's residence looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Why would the Prince suddenly invite Xuan Niang?"

So suddenly, no one knew what Xie Jingyu was up to.

It's understandable that Prince Gong invited Tangtang, given their childhood friendship. However, now that Tangtang is a concubine, they should be more mindful of avoiding any appearance of impropriety in their interactions.

Especially last time, Tangtang's words clearly showed that she cared about His Majesty.

Could it be... that Prince Gong has fallen for someone else and set his sights on Chang'er?

Ning Wanrong frowned and tentatively asked, "Xuan Niang, you and His Highness Prince Gong...?"

Meeting the questioning gazes of the crowd, Ning Nishang's face paled for a moment. She quickly explained, "Aunt, although I haven't read many Confucian classics, I know that private relationships are a major taboo in the inner quarters. I've only met the Prince twice, and there has absolutely been nothing improper between us. Tangtang can vouch for me!"

Everyone naturally believed her.

However, the Great Qian Dynasty emphasized strict separation between men and women. Even if men and women of marriageable age were to get married, it was necessary for their elders to take the lead.

Find some excuse to admire the flowers, invite each other out, and watch from afar through the curtain.

If they hit it off, then they would go through the proper rites of marriage.

After all, no matter how much mischief Qi Yitang had caused in the past, she had only met Prince Gong when they were both studying with the Fourth Princess in the palace, along with many other princes and princesses. It could not be considered a private meeting between a lone man and a lone woman.

Otherwise, even if they are completely innocent, it would still damage a young lady's reputation if word got out that she was secretly meeting with a man outside the home.

In addition, Ning Wanrong has recently been looking for a husband for Ning Nishang, so she can't let people think that the daughter of the Grand Tutor's mansion is ill-mannered.

However, Prince Gong is a member of the imperial family and nobility. If he does not attend the appointment, he will lose face, and it will be difficult to deal with in the future.

Qi Wenyuan thought for a moment, "Ji Yun, you stay with me—"

Before she could finish speaking, she remembered that Qi Jiyun had been forced to study at the academy and wouldn't be back for a while.

Since Qi Shubai happened to be on leave and had some free time, he offered, "Father, I'll go with my cousin."