Lately, Ning Wanwan had been living in the lap of luxury. With Beauty Chan pregnant and confined to her quarters, she had no opportunity to orchestrate any schemes against her. The concubines from every palace vied to curry favor with Ning Wanwan, allowing her to finally experience the treatment of a pampered imperial favorite in ancient times.
However, a major dilemma still loomed: once her health fully recovered, she would be expected to fulfill her marital duties.
Ning Wanwan was distressed. Though she loved reading romance novels, she had no practical experience—she hadn't even been in a relationship. Tsk, and since she didn't love the Emperor, she couldn't bring herself to share a bed with him.
Come evening, Ning Wanwan paced her bedchamber in a panic. Her personal maid, Lüqiu, looked on, confused.
"Your Ladyship, what is the matter?"
Ning Wanwan’s breathtakingly beautiful face was crumpled into a knot. "What should I do? Pei Jinxiu will be here any moment. What excuse can I use to avoid sleeping with him this time?"
"Your Ladyship does not wish to serve the Emperor?" Lüqiu was even more perplexed. Hadn’t her mistress previously prayed for His Majesty to visit every single day? Had she truly lost her wits after falling into the water? Still, it was for the best; it spared everyone a great deal of suffering. Since the accident, she had actually become much more generous toward them.
Just as Ning Wanwan was about to speak, a shrill, duck-like voice announced from outside that Pei Jinxiu had arrived.
Pei Jinxiu was somewhat puzzled by Ning Wanwan’s current attitude, though he did not show it on his face. He maintained his persona of a gentle husband, doting solely on her.
As the two sat on the edge of the bed, Pei Jinxiu asked her what was wrong. Ning Wanwan struggled to answer. She had previously used her poor health as a pretext, but what could she use now?
"Your Majesty, I feel that my mind hasn't been right since I fell into the water. I’ve forgotten so many things..."
"I can tell." The man’s gaze darkened, his deep eyes filled with an unfathomable tenderness.
Ning Wanwan was stunned for a moment. What had he noticed?
"Ever since you fell into the water, you no longer call me 'Pei-lang,' nor do you take the initiative to seek me out." He sighed, his long, slender fingers flicking her forehead firmly. "Could your brain really be damaged?"
"Ah!" Ning Wanwan couldn't help but cry out in pain. Tears welled in her eyes as she shot him a resentful, coquettish glare.
A flicker of dark intensity crossed Pei Jinxiu’s eyes, and he began to gently stroke her cheek.
Ning Wanwan was speechless. *Brother, it’s my forehead that hurts, not my cheek!*
"Have you forgotten everything that passed between us, then?" the man asked, his thin lips pressed together.
"I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn't do it on purpose," Ning Wanwan said, pouting her delicate red lips and speaking in a soft, sugary tone. "Give me a little time, let me remember everything, and then I can love you properly again, okay?"
Remembering was impossible, of course—the original Ning Wanwan was dead, and she was now Niohuru Wan!
"Then what does Wanwan want?" Pei Jinxiu asked.
Ning Wanwan feigned distress and resignation. After a moment of thought, she said, "Why doesn't Your Majesty visit the other sisters for a while? Since falling into the water, I can no longer bear children. It has been such a source of pain for me, knowing I cannot provide heirs for you. But I cannot be so selfish as to keep you all to myself. I only hope the others can bear you an heir." With that, she squeezed out a few tears, pretending to be heartbroken.
Pei Jinxiu assumed she was suggesting he go to Beauty Chan, so he coaxed, "I don't care about the Noble Consort’s concerns. In my heart, you are the most important."
"If you want a child, once Beauty Chan gives birth to a prince, I shall have the child brought to your palace for you to raise. How does that sound?"
"What?" Ning Wanwan was dumbfounded. Why would he make her raise someone else's child?
"What is it?" The man’s dark brows furrowed slightly.
"No, I mean... wouldn't that be improper? It would be so unfair to Beauty Chan," Ning Wanwan said with a sheepish smile.
"Hmph," the man sneered. "To be adopted by the Noble Consort is a blessing for that child; she should be thrilled."
Far away in Jixiang Palace, Beauty Chan: ?