Murong Yi was already famous for his beautiful voice, and speaking in such low, melodious tones made all the young ladies blush.

Shi Xiaoci was even more flustered, nearly losing control of her boat. It took her quite a while to tremblingly approach and moor the small boat at the shore.

There were stacked stones at the water’s edge for stepping, where Murong Yi stood. Shi Xiaoci seemed troubled, but Murong Yi had already bent slightly and extended his hand to her.

The envious and jealous voices of the ladies behind could hardly be concealed.

The Imperial Consort’s smile in the distance could barely be hidden.

Only Zhao San watched the water surface with slight nervousness, exchanging glances with Mu Si.

Mu Si remained expressionless.

Shi Xiaoci lowered her head, looking at the hand before her.

Pale and slender, with distinct knuckles, each finger like jade, the palm lines clear—though the palm lines seemed to form a broken palm…

This thought flashed by. The next instant, because she hadn’t taken his hand, Murong Yi seemed impatient and reached forward, grasping her hand.

The joy in Shi Xiaoci’s heart hadn’t yet burst forth.

Suddenly she felt her body lighten, and with a whoosh she was flying through the air. Blue sky and white clouds crashed into her vision, sunlight stabbed her eyes, and the next moment came a great splash. The water was ice cold, and in the spray of water everywhere, thorny lotus stems and broken lotus petals struck her face.

The screams from the shore could almost overwhelm the water spray that erupted in that moment.

The young ladies shrieked and scattered, the Imperial Consort’s face changed dramatically as she lifted her skirts and rushed over.

A figure flashed, and Murong Yi was already above the lotus leaves. Shi Xiaoci was struggling among the lotus flowers. Having some martial arts skills and able to swim, she quickly grabbed a lotus stem to steady herself. She had just wiped the water from her face when she felt silk gauze brush her cheek.

She looked up to see His Imperial Majesty standing on a lotus leaf ahead. The leaf swayed in the wind, and his form also swayed, his long snow-white silk robes enveloping the blue waves and red lotus like mist.

This scene should have been extremely beautiful.

But in Shi Xiaoci’s eyes at this moment, it was like seeing a hellish demon suddenly appear before her.

She screamed and desperately tried to turn and escape by treading water.

The next instant, as wind and lotus moved and waves rippled, His Imperial Majesty appeared before her again like a ghost.

Still extending his hand, he once more threw her into the water.

Shi Xiaoci screamed, soaked through. Her hair ornament fell out, and her black hair clung wetly to her cheeks. Not daring to struggle or surface, she could only hold her breath and dive underwater.

As she sank into the water holding her breath, she heard His Imperial Majesty on the lotus leaf say coldly: “Imitating her—how dare you?”

Shi Xiaoci didn’t understand. Her appearance and attire were completely according to the Imperial Consort’s instructions, but somehow she had touched His Majesty’s sore spot.

Then she vaguely recalled some comments about herself—people had said she resembled someone…

That person, according to legend, had once had a romance with His Majesty, but they ultimately broke apart…

Shi Xiaoci buried her head underwater, seeing the dense lotus roots and stems before her eyes. Through the transparent water surface, she could still see His Majesty’s flying robes. At this moment, fear and regret in her heart threatened to drown her like the pool water.

So it was truly “divine appearance, demonic heart.”

So the supposed heavenly favor was merely wishful thinking.

So the truth of that supposed break-up was known only to her and him…

A furious shout rang out as the Imperial Consort rushed to the poolside, pointing at Murong Yi and angrily demanding: “Your Majesty, have you gone mad!”

Murong Yi turned around.

Lady Bao met his eyes, and the questioning words at her lips were suddenly pressed back down her throat.

The next instant, Murong Yi was suddenly beside her, extending his hand to support her as he said coldly: “The shore is slippery. Imperial Consort, be careful.”

It would have been better if he hadn’t spoken. Once he did, Lady Bao suddenly felt overwhelming fear and instinctively shook off his hand.

Just as she shook it away, Murong Yi suddenly let go. His timing was perfect—Lady Bao’s swinging hand collided directly with his elbow.

With a snap, great force surged forward. Lady Bao couldn’t maintain her balance and stumbled backward.

Naturally there were nannies and palace maids beside her who rushed to help when they saw this, but with the Emperor blocking in front, who dared to go around him to rescue her?

And at this moment, Murong Yi happened to be coughing with his fist raised.

With a “splash,” Lady Bao tumbled into the water, landing in exactly the same spot where Shi Xiaoci had fallen earlier.

As she fell, facing Murong Yi directly, through the splash of water she clearly heard Murong Yi say: “Try this again, and I will kill you.”

…

When the Imperial Consort fell into the water, countless people came to rescue her.

Murong Yi paid no attention, coldly watching as the Imperial Consort and Shi Xiaoci were pulled out one after the other. The former couldn’t swim and after falling in was entangled by lotus leaves, becoming quite panicked and swallowing several mouthfuls of water. She had now fainted and was having water expelled from her lungs.

The latter was actually fine, but when she came up, she walked around the shore, staying far away from Murong Yi.

The frightened ladies were arranged to rest in a pavilion. Murong Yi seemed to have returned to normal, very thoughtfully arranging for the ladies’ rest, ordering tea, water, and refreshments to calm their nerves. His expression was gentle and his manner elegant, completely unlike his madness of the previous moment.

This left the young ladies who had just been frightened with very complex expressions and feelings, not knowing whether the person before them was immortal or demon, whether he was someone they could aspire to among mortals.

The commotion here also alarmed the front court, and many ministers who had remained in their duty rooms rushed over upon hearing the news to request an audience.

At this time, Murong Yi was half-reclining on a soft couch in the water pavilion, and without any reservation, he had all the noble ladies present sit below the hall. On the low table before him were piled various fruits. The ladies gazed longingly at those slender, white fingers as they lingered over deep purple grapes, dark red watermelon, orange-yellow plums, and pale green lychees. They thought his every word and action was beautiful as a painting, while also thinking this painting seamlessly switched between immortal scrolls and demon illustrations.

The several predetermined candidates should have all been seated in positions close to His Majesty, but now with the Imperial Consort absent and most people fearful, the Court of State Ceremonial Minister’s daughter had already hidden behind the crowd. Only Qi Yun still sat properly in the first position to Murong Yi’s lower left, calmly watching the Emperor pick and choose among the fruits. After Murong Yi hesitated several times, she even spoke up to suggest: “Your Majesty, lychees and watermelon are both too cold in nature, and plums also harm stomach qi. Better to eat some grapes, just don’t drink too much afterward.”

Murong Yi’s fingers paused as he glanced at her.

Qi Yun showed no expression of being favored or flattered, nor did she smile shyly. Her expression was calm, her back straight, as she looked at him quite seriously.

Clearly she was earnest about what she had said.

Murong Yi only glanced over briefly before withdrawing his gaze, then picked up a plum to eat.

There were low titters from all around.

Someone whispered: “Even in this situation she doesn’t forget to flatter, and got snubbed for it.”

Qi Yun remained composed, turning to those speaking quietly and saying: “I was advising the Emperor, not flattering. Sister, please don’t speak carelessly.”

This made those few who had been whispering turn bright red with embarrassment.

Murong Yi’s fingers paused again, but he didn’t look up.

Mu Si came to report that ministers were requesting an audience. He laughed and said: “Announce them.”

After a while, a group of ministers came hurrying over, lifting their robes. Seeing their daughters, nieces, and granddaughters all in that water pavilion looking distracted, they couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

The corridor bridge before the water pavilion was filled with kneeling ministers. After paying respects, they all spoke in unison, advising His Majesty that the imperial dynasty could not go a single day without heirs—this concerned the fate of the nation. They begged His Majesty to prioritize the imperial dynasty and the world, filling the rear palace soon.

They knelt on the ground with earnest, pleading voices, appearing determined not to rise until the Emperor agreed.

Half was from public spirit, because Murong Yi was nearly twenty and his health wasn’t very good. If he didn’t quickly ensure imperial succession and someday suddenly passed away, with no talent remaining among the other imperial family members, wouldn’t Da Feng be finished?

Half was from private interest—the Emperor was young, and once he knew the taste of intimate relations, his attention would turn to the rear palace, giving them some respite.

Murong Yi looked at the mass of people kneeling below and laughed.

Behind him, the Imperial Consort hadn’t rested but insisted on having palace maids support her as she came out, saying through tears: “Your Majesty, I know you resent me, but no matter how much you resent me, you cannot use this great matter of imperial succession and continuation to throw a tantrum. Today I was pushed into the water by you, but even if you push me again, even if you want to kill me, I will still arrange this matter of filling the rear palace for you!”

The ministers looked at Murong Yi in shock and began another round of frantic kowtowing and pleading.

Murong Yi paid no attention to the Imperial Consort, supporting his head with one hand as he looked at the ministers below: “You all think I must take a wife, is that it?”

The ministers kowtowed frequently with earnest words.

“The imperial dynasty cannot be without heirs, Your Majesty!”

Murong Yi nodded: “That makes sense.”

The ministers were overjoyed.

“However, I am the Emperor, possessing an entire nation. When I select empresses and consorts, surely I cannot shortchange myself, can I?”

The ministers thought they understood. The Grand Secretary of Zhongji Hall quickly said: “Your Majesty speaks truly. Today’s lotus appreciation banquet for selecting consorts was indeed too hasty. This minister will immediately draft an edict requesting Your Majesty to order the Ministry of Rites to conduct national selections.”

“That’s not necessary—too much trouble.” Murong Yi held up two fingers with a tiny distance between them, smiling: “I have only one small requirement. As long as you can fulfill it, I will marry.”

Having finally gotten him to relent, the ministers immediately wanted to agree, then remembered this one never played by the rules. They instinctively became wary and remained silent in contemplation.

Murong Yi said gently: “What are you thinking? It’s just a small requirement about women’s appearance.”

Everyone relaxed, thinking appearance was no big deal. Even if none here were suitable, searching the entire nation, how could they not find one beauty to the Emperor’s satisfaction?

The Emperor himself was absolutely beautiful, so having high standards for appearance was normal.

Some thought more deeply—perhaps he wanted someone similar to Da Qian’s Female Emperor?

But the Shi family daughter did resemble her somewhat, yet didn’t seem to receive favor.

Maybe she wasn’t similar enough?

After thinking for a while, the ministers feared missing this opportunity and quickly kowtowed: “We submit entirely to Your Majesty’s will.”

The Grand Secretary of Zhongji Hall carefully asked: “Your Majesty’s requirement is…”

Murong Yi flicked away a plum pit with his finger and stood up: “Please wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Everyone watched in bewilderment as he leisurely left, going directly into the Imperial Consort’s sleeping quarters. Not only that, he ordered the doors closed, shutting everyone including the Imperial Consort outside.

No one understood what medicine he was selling in his gourd as they looked at each other in confusion.

Time passed drop by drop. After about a quarter hour, the hall doors opened.

Mu Si emerged first, still expressionless. Zhao San followed behind him, head lowered to prevent others from seeing his expression.

As everyone waited with bated breath, Zhao San slowly extended his hand.

A figure appeared from behind the hall doors.

Everyone gasped in amazement.

Sunlight passed through the partition, leaving the area behind the doors half-bright and half-dark, like being veiled by thin gauze. The woman slowly appearing behind the gauze was like a mural painted by immortal hands—so exquisite and three-dimensional yet richly colored, suddenly striking their amazed vision.

Like seeing a bright pearl emerge from dusty light, moonlight rise from seas of clouds, spring wind pass through ten thousand flower gardens—absolute earthly beauty filling the courtyard with fragrance.

The moment she completely emerged from the hall, even the sunlight seemed to instantly retreat. The young ladies in the water pavilion all gasped in unison.

As she walked slowly forward, everyone felt dazzled—she seemed extremely tall, thus possessing otherworldly grace. When she walked, her long dress rippled like waves, her sash fluttering in the wind. Her long trailing silk danced over the lotus pond corridor, making people almost believe a flying celestial had truly descended from high walls, a fairy fallen to the mortal world.

Dark eyebrows spread charm across distant peaks, green hair richly dyed with spring mist.

As she walked past carved beams and embroidered pillars, mother-of-pearl towers and golden palaces became dim background.

As she walked past vermillion railings and jade bridges, the full pond of fresh lotus instantly lost color.

As she walked past transparent wind, even the wind seemed to gain radiance.

As she walked past the crowd, the young ladies all lowered their heads and covered their faces.

Until she walked before the group of ministers, who kept their heads down, eyes on the ground, not daring to look up.

They wondered in their hearts: Where is His Majesty?

The beauty never spoke. It was Mu Si following behind her who said: “His Majesty said that for selecting empresses and consorts, use her as the standard. Anyone more beautiful than her will do.”

Everyone: “…”

Wait, isn’t this a bit insulting?

But this beauty seems somewhat familiar?