Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine

Chapter 218.3

Before he could react, she had already awakened, her eyes still closed, and she snuggled closer, murmuring, “What time is it? Why are you lost in thought again? Can’t you get up in the morning without making trouble?”

Her voice was husky from just waking up, soft and enticing.

As she moved closer, his large hand automatically sank into her silken skin. But before he could respond, she had slipped back under the covers. The sky-blue cloud-patterned brocade quilt puffed up into a large lump, and he was about to say something when suddenly his body tensed.

In less than half a cup of tea’s time, she emerged from under the covers. Her face was slightly flushed, but her eyes remained closed as she turned away, pulling out a small cloth from under the pillow and spitting something onto it before tucking it back under the pillow.

“Hurry and get up; don’t delay the morning court,”

With that said, she fell asleep again, unaware that the person behind her had been shocked into a daze.

Emperor Jin An sat up abruptly after a long while, feeling his stiff neck. He turned his head to look at her. It was early morning, and the faint light from outside revealed her luscious, enticing lips glistening like dewdrops, making them even more tempting.

He suddenly felt very hot and uncomfortable, as if sitting on pins and needles. Therefore, he instinctively rolled off the bed.

Someone entered the room, holding the curtains, and asked, “Your Majesty, are you ready to get up?”

He made a vague sound in his throat, and soon there were footsteps outside. He instinctively glanced at the figure on the bed, feeling an inexplicable desire to keep her hidden from others. He turned and covered the curtains tightly.

Several young eunuchs came in to help him dress, and no one said a word. It seemed they were accustomed to this situation and didn’t want to disturb the sleeping person in the bed.

It wasn’t until Fu Cheng came before him that he looked at this old man who had followed him for almost a lifetime with astonishment in his eyes.

This was because unlike before, Fu Cheng now looked much younger, appearing to be in his early forties. He didn’t resemble the elderly man from the previous era. He had once mentioned for him to retire in glory, but Fu Cheng refused, saying he wanted to serve by his side for a lifetime.

“Bring Zhen a mirror,” he said, his first words since waking up.

Although some were surprised, someone quickly brought a mirror.

It was a hand mirror, obviously one used by women. The mirror’s back and handle were decorated with cloisonné enamel in a twining lotus pattern, but the mirror itself was not made of bronze; it was inlaid with a Western mirror. When one looked at themselves, every strand of hair was visible; it was extremely clear.

The man in the mirror was in the prime of his life, at most in his thirties, with a high nose bridge, long slanted eyebrows that met his temples, and a pair of narrow phoenix eyes. At this moment, those eyes held astonishment.

This was clearly him when he was still young.

There were no white streaks at his temples, even though he had had white hair for a long time. And there were no wrinkles there either…

He stared at the man in the mirror, dumbfounded.

What in the world had happened?

“Your Majesty, you’re going to be late for the morning court,” a eunuch said, startling Emperor Jin’an. He handed the mirror to a eunuch standing nearby.

“Let’s go,” he said, leading the way out as he used to.

Fu Cheng followed behind him, saying, “Your Majesty, you haven’t had your morning meal yet. Her Majesty instructed us that you must have breakfast in the morning, even if there’s not enough time…”

Just as he was speaking, a young eunuch hurriedly caught up with them, and Fu Cheng took the small wooden box from his hand. He opened it and offered it to Emperor Jin’an, saying, “Would Your Majesty like to have some?” Seeing Emperor Jin’an hesitate, he added, “It was specially prepared by the empress for you.”

As long as he mentioned the empress, His Majesty would surely agree.

Indeed, Emperor Jin’an stopped in his tracks, picked up what looked to be a meat bun from the box, and took a bite.

It was indeed a meat bun and it was still warm.

“The empress personally made these, with thin skin and plenty of meat, and the juice is delicious. This old servant has had the privilege of tasting them a few times, and they’re so delicious that this servant couldn’t help but almost swallow my tongue.”

Actually, this was just the flattery Fu Cheng was accustomed to saying. It was meant to help Emperor Jin’an overcome any psychological barriers and quickly eat the meat bun. Back when His Majesty was still in the Ministry of Works, he would eat buns while walking on the street, but now his status was different, and he naturally had to maintain his dignity. As a servant, one had to provide various forms of support to make the master appear dignified.

This remark was indeed effective. Emperor Jin’an raised the meat bun and took a tentative bite. Since he wasn’t prepared, the meat juice flowed out of the place he bit from, and it dripped from the corner of his mouth.

Fu Cheng was quick to react, handing him a handkerchief while smiling and saying, “Wasn’t this old servant right? The empress’s culinary skills are truly excellent.”

Taking advantage of this conversation, Emperor Jin’an quickly wiped off the meat juice from his chin with the handkerchief. Afterward, he ate the bun bite by bite, all while continuing to walk.

During the morning court, Emperor Jin’an didn’t speak, and after the court session, he didn’t stay to discuss matters with the ministers. However, things in the court had been calm lately, and there was nothing significant to demand any serious attention.

After this period of time, Emperor Jin’an had already figured out his current situation.

It seemed that he had come to a peculiar place, one that appeared to be the same world as his own, yet also different. Here, he had become younger, and so had Fu Cheng, but there were too many differences between this place and his world.

Leaving aside the differences for now, the most important thing was that she was here.

Although her face had changed significantly from his memory, Emperor Jin’an recognized her at a glance. Was it the incredible reversal of fate by Han Chuanzi’s method, or…

Lost in thought, Emperor Jin’an had already arrived at Kunning Palace.

He didn’t notice that his steps were too hasty, causing Fucheng to have to run after him the whole way. The palace maids in front of the Kunning Palace only saw a streak of bright yellow before they could even bow to greet him, and he had already entered.

Since Emperor Jin’an’s actions were too abrupt as he barged in, those sitting around the table all looked at him in surprise.

“They said you hadn’t eaten your morning meal. Are you hungry? Please, have a seat,” someone said.

A cute little girl with snow-white skin also said, “Father, come and eat quickly.”

Beside the little girl was a boy of similar age. Although he didn’t speak, the look in his eyes conveyed the same message.

Emperor Jin’an was instantly stunned.