Targeted

Emperor Jing'an truly had not expected Hua Meng to say that.

He had thought the young woman would say she had entered the palace because she admired him, but he had not expected her to say such things instead.

Was she bold, or did she simply not know how to lie?

With that thought, he asked her outright, "Aren't you afraid I'll be angry if you say such things?"

Hearing Emperor Jing'an's question, Hua Meng, who had been lying in his arms, suddenly rolled over onto her stomach on the bed. She blinked her bright almond-shaped eyes at him and said, "I am." After a pause, she hurriedly continued, "But I don't want to lie. You're the emperor; I don't think I could hide it from you."

Finally, Hua Meng glanced timidly at Emperor Jing'an. Just as he thought she would say no more, she spoke again, her voice firm. "Your Majesty, I want to bear you sons, so that in the future they will kneel before me and not dare rise."

Emperor Jing'an had had many women, but never had one said such a thing to him on their first night together.

It was true that he had chosen them to enter the palace to bear sons, but this was the first time he had met someone who dared say so the first time she attended him in bed.

At that thought, he looked down again at the delicate young woman lying in his arms, and a surge of heat rose in his heart.

"In that case, make another effort with me." As he spoke, Emperor Jing'an pulled Hua Meng up and bent over her again.

Hua Meng had not expected Emperor Jing'an to want a second time. She had been hesitating over whether to give him the spiritual spring water that very day.

But seeing him like this now, she decided to wait a little longer.

It was indeed rare to conceive the first time, but she had other plans.

After two rounds of lovemaking, Hua Meng was so tired that she fell asleep. Emperor Jing'an, however, carefully studied the woman beside him by the faint candlelight in the hall.

Thinking of her elder brother and sister, as well as those healthy nephews and nieces, Emperor Jing'an savored the memory of their two encounters and suddenly felt he could come here a few more times in the days ahead.

Whether or not she would truly prove as fertile as her mother and sister, her striking looks and exceptional body alone were worth a few more visits.

Besides, this was the first time he had met a woman who dared speak the truth.

Early the next morning, at the beginning of the hour of the rabbit, Emperor Jing'an rose and left.

After he had gone, Hua Meng slowly opened her eyes. Recalling how he had told Qiu Die not to disturb her as he left, she softly called for Qiu Die.

Qiu Die hurried in. Seeing Hua Meng sitting on the bed with the brocade quilt gathered around her, she quickly stepped forward and said, "Mistress, you can rest another quarter of an hour. The empress dowager won't summon you until the beginning of the hour of the dragon."

Hua Meng shook her head, then looked at Qiu Die and said, "It's my first time paying respects to the empress dowager. I'd better make myself presentable."

Since Hua Meng had said so, Qiu Die naturally did not try to persuade her to rest any longer.

After Hua Meng had washed, dressed, and eaten a simple breakfast, it was time for her audience with the empress dowager.

Hua Meng was one of the two highest-ranked women selected this time. Since she had been the first to attend the emperor in bed, she led the other four into Chaohuang Palace.

As soon as Hua Meng stepped into Chaohuang Palace, she sensed a piercing gaze fall squarely on her.

Before she could even wonder who it was, a discordant voice rang out in the hall.

"I wondered what sort of person you were, but you're nothing special!" As if that were not enough, the speaker gave a cold laugh and continued, "Look at that seductive appearance. You certainly don't look like the daughter of a respectable family!"

Hua Meng was certain that both remarks had been directed at her.

But she was utterly baffled. She did not know whom she had offended, or why she was being targeted like this.