Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine

Yaoniang seemed to be in a good mood today. She prepared a table full of dishes, and the children were all present, gathering as a family.

Laughter filled the room during the meal, and after they finished, Emperor Jin’an asked about Xiaobao’s studies. Yaoniang spent some time playing with the children before sending them off.

The palace became quiet, and it was still early for rest. Emperor Jin’an leaned back on the large kang and held a book titled “Records of the Supreme Pure Teaching.”

Curious, Yaoniang glanced at him and asked, “Your Majesty, why are you reading Daoist texts?”

Emperor Jin’an was surprised; he didn’t expect Yaoniang to recognize such a book. Little did he know that although Yaoniang had been taught to read and write by the previous owner, her knowledge had grown significantly over the years. She might not understand the content, but she knew it was a miscellaneous book on Daoist teachings.

“Zhen has some free time, and is just reading casually,” he replied.

Yaoniang nodded and decided to go for a bath. As she was about to enter the bathing area, she glanced back at Emperor Jin’an with a somewhat unusual look in her eyes. However, Emperor Jin’an seemed lost in his thoughts and didn’t notice.

She spent quite some time inside and emerged wearing a different outfit. Her long black hair flowed down to her waist, and she was dressed in lilac silk nightwear.

The fabric of her nightwear was somewhat thin and, under the illumination of the light, it was slightly transparent, revealing her slender waist. The curve between her waist and hips was astonishing, but it was partially hidden by her flowing black hair, making it nearly impossible for one’s eyes not to linger.

Emperor Jin’an took a sharp breath and felt unexpectedly uneasy.

With his thoughts in turmoil, Yaoniang approached him and asked, “Your Majesty, would you like to take a bath?”

He cleared his throat, “Yes, Zhen will take a bath.”

“I’ve prepared the water for you. Shall I assist you in bathing?” Yaoniang asked with a hint of coyness.

“Zhen can do it myself,” he replied.

Yaoniang sounded somewhat disappointed, “Does Your Majesty not want me to assist you?”

“It’s not that. I just don’t want to trouble you,” Emperor Jin’an said.

Yaoniang held his hand and shook it playfully, “I don’t find it troublesome at all. Your Majesty, please come with me.”

As if under a spell, Emperor Jin’an followed Yaoniang to the bathing area.

The bathing area resembled the one in Jin Wang Manor but was even more luxurious. Emperor Jin’an had it built specifically, and there was a hidden passage underneath it, ensuring a constant supply of hot water.

Steam filled the room, and a strange floral scent wafted through the air. In the center, there was a pool made of white jade, approximately two meters square, with golden phoenix heads at each corner. Hot water gushed from the mouths of these golden phoenixes.

Yaoniang helped Emperor Jin’an untie his jade belt, but he stopped her and said, “I can do it myself.” He quickly removed his clothes, leaving only his undergarments, and entered the pool.

It wasn’t that Emperor Jin’an was eager to do something, but his clothes were thin, and any unusual reactions would be difficult to conceal. Only when he sat in the water did he let out a slow breath.

Before he could finish exhaling, he suddenly tensed as a soft female body pressed against his back. He could feel that she was wearing clothes, but in the water, it seemed there was little difference between clothed and unclothed.

Emperor Jin’an didn’t turn around.

A beautiful face appeared from behind him, and the breath it exhaled was like an orchid. “Your Majesty, shall I help you wash your back?”

Without waiting for his refusal, she moved away from him, took a piece of cloth, and started rubbing his back. He let out a sigh of relief, feeling an unexpected melancholy.

After that, Yaoniang didn’t make any more unsettling moves, but she talked a lot. Most of her stories were about their past, with a nostalgic tone, sometimes sweet and sometimes teasing.

Emperor Jin’an felt a deep bitterness in his heart, so bitter that even his tongue tasted it. He recalled what he had said to Han Chuanzi when he took the opportunity to test him earlier, and Han Chuanzi’s response: “Although I don’t know whom Your Majesty is referring to or the concept of body possession, it’s not impossible. However, you should understand that fate is predetermined, and forcibly reversing it is defying the heavens. It’s better to follow the path of destiny, which is the right way.”

Afterward, he had casually dismissed Han Chuanzi, who had been sent away.

He had spent the entire afternoon alone in his study, deep in thought, until it was dark when he returned to the Kunning Palace.

Although he had already made a decision in his heart, he hesitated when facing her.

The person who made her happy was not him, and it was not him who gave her everything, even though he had already thought that if it really came to pass, he would do everything he could to be good to her. But what would happen if she found out about all this? Even if he was sure not to let her know all this, could his heart really get past this threshold?

It was all a pretense; he wasn’t “him,” even though they were technically the same person. He didn’t share their memories or experiences, and all the missed moments were missed forever…