The Emperor certainly wouldn’t forget the stinging sensation on his rear after being spanked by the Empress in the afternoon. However, it no longer hurt now. Did the Empress not really hit hard?
No, that’s not the main point!
How could the Empress have such strength? And she actually dared to lay hands on him!
The Emperor carefully recalled what the Empress had said at that time.
"I’ve lived too aggrieved in the past. From now on, I won’t wrong myself anymore. I plan to be a true Empress, enjoying the life an Empress should enjoy."
Lived aggrievedly?
Upon thinking of this, the Emperor furrowed his brow.
Was it a culmination of too much discontent, suddenly bursting out, letting everything go?
"Go, have someone keep an eye on the Empress for me. From tomorrow on, every move of the Empress must be reported to me truthfully." After making the decision, the Emperor felt hungry, "Serve the meal."
The Chief Eunuch hastily went to pass on the order for the meal.
The next evening, a eunuch came to report.
"What? The Empress ordered the construction of a grape trellis in her garden? And with grape vines full of grapes? Absurd! How could they possibly survive? It’s sheer nonsense!" The Emperor listened to the eunuch’s report, scolding angrily. It was right at the time when grapes were ripening; how could the transplanted grapevines survive? Just for a few days of comfort, this kind of absurdity?
"And cleaned out her warehouse?" The Emperor frowned. What was the Empress planning?
I’ll go see what sort of mischief she’s up to tomorrow.
No, I can’t.
The Emperor instinctively touched his own back; what if that woman spanks him again?
Absurd!
A true humiliation.
He was spanked by the Empress, and on his backside too, completely powerless to retaliate.
It’s driving me mad!
"Get out, I wish to retire for the night." The more the Emperor thought about it, the more enraged he became, sending away the reporting eunuch, then instructing the Chief Eunuch to have someone come in to assist with washing up.
The third day.
"What? The Empress held a bonfire in the garden and roasted a whole lamb? In such hot weather, eating such a fiery dish, isn’t she afraid of getting heatstroke?"
The fourth day.
"What? Summoned craftsmen from the Storage Bureau to make clothes and jewelry? Even had many golden melon seeds and peanuts made?"
The Emperor slightly frowned; was the Empress truly speaking seriously? Intending to genuinely enjoy life? Is this how she plans to enjoy it?
Never mind, it’s nothing major; let her be.
The subsequent reports were all about the Empress indulging in food, drink, and amusement, without anything peculiar.
That day, while the Emperor was reviewing memorials, the Chief Eunuch came to report that the Noble Consort sought an audience.
Only then did the Emperor recall that he hadn’t visited the harem because he had been observing the Empress these past days.
"Let her in," the Emperor said calmly.
The Noble Consort soon gracefully walked in, her beautiful eyes smiling as she saluted the Emperor.
"Rise, my dear," the Emperor smiled, putting down his pen.
"Your Majesty, with the weather so hot, I’ve brought you some lily mung bean soup to cool you down." The Noble Consort turned around, taking a food box from the Palace Maid behind her.
The Emperor glanced at the Chief Eunuch, who stepped forward to receive the food box.
Only then did the Emperor remember that he seemed to have promised to visit the Noble Consort one night. As a result, he forgot all about it after being spanked by the Empress.
"In recent days, due to being busy with state affairs, I haven’t visited you. Today, I have some free time. Would you like to accompany me for a walk through the Imperial Garden?" The Emperor stood up.
The Noble Consort’s eyes lit up immediately, gazing fixedly at the Emperor.
The Emperor smiled, got up, walked over to the Noble Consort, and led her out of the hall.