I'm Coming Clean

The Central Palace was grand and imposing, radiating a sense of majesty.

Yet the decor inside was clearly no match for its exterior; it was extremely simple and austere.

The palace had already reached its present scale during the expansion under Di Xin's father, Emperor Yi. As for its furnishings, those had been arranged by Empress Jiang herself.

As Di Xin stepped into the palace, he couldn't help admiring Empress Jiang's character. To be so frugal as the mistress of the imperial harem—she was unquestionably a virtuous and worthy woman.

"Your subject pays her respects to the Great King!"

The greeting rang out. Empress Jiang, dignified and graceful, hurried over with more than a dozen palace maids to welcome him.

"Rise, Empress!"

Di Xin let his gaze rest on her face for three seconds, nodded with a smile, and gently helped her to her feet.

If he was playing Di Xin, he had to make it convincing.

In his memories, Di Xin hadn't set foot in this palace for half a month. Perhaps the reason was that he and the Empress were too familiar with each other, making him feel awkward about making a move.

But for him, a fake who had crossed over from another world, it was all thrillingly new.

He just couldn't let it show.

Empress Jiang didn't bother with any more formalities. She rose at his words, and a faint sadness slipped into her eyes.

Di Xin happened to catch it and immediately thought of what had happened that day.

"Empress, today in Xianqing Hall, I bestowed a title upon Su Daji..."

It had indeed been improper to go around the Empress, so he softened his tone, intending to offer an explanation.

"Your subject already knows. The Great King rules all under heaven. You may bestow a title on whomever you wish; your subject has no objections." Empress Jiang dismissed the palace maids accompanying her and replied softly.

Di Xin knew that a woman's heart was as unfathomable as the sea. What she said wasn't necessarily what she thought.

But after carefully studying her expression, he found her calm and her gaze clear. She seemed genuinely unconcerned.

Alas, had their love, as familiar as a hand touching its other hand, simply died?

Di Xin couldn't help sighing to himself. An Empress who didn't get jealous clearly didn't love her husband.

It was easy to imagine that a three-foot layer of ice couldn't form in a single day. Perhaps the Empress's family had long known about their situation, which was why the Jiang family raised the banner of rebellion in Donglu after she died unjustly.

He really needed to put some thought into how he treated Empress Jiang. Setting aside her character, even her influence on Shang's fortunes was not to be underestimated.

"Heh. Whether or not the Empress cares, I still ought to tell you. Since that isn't why you wanted to see me, is there something more important?"

Di Xin asked amiably. He had forbidden the Empress from coming to see him as a way of protecting her.

That seductive Fox Spirit who had taken over Daji's body could just as easily take the place of any other woman in the harem. To keep her from getting any ideas, he had to make her believe she was his favorite—that no one else's body could compare to her own.

This was so difficult!

Emotionally, Di Xin couldn't accept it, but for the greater good, he had no choice but to keep placating Daji.

Now he had to preserve his relationship with Empress Jiang without letting Daji notice.

Di Xin needed to find a balance. After all, his father-in-law, Marquis of Dong Jiang Hengchu, governed the two hundred feudal states of Donglu. He was the foremost among the eight hundred feudal lords, and there could absolutely be no unrest there.

Besides, Di Xin didn't dislike Empress Jiang.

Empress Jiang forced a smile. "The Great King has only just married. Your subject shouldn't disturb you, but there are rumors that in Xianqing Hall, the Great King openly asked the court officials to present tonics and even allowed them to fight one another, resulting in a death. How could such outrageous things possibly happen under the Great King's rule? So... your subject would like to hear the explanation from your own lips."

Di Xin immediately understood. "Rumors" was just an excuse. Yin Jiao must have come here, which was how Empress Jiang had learned the details.

"An explanation from my own lips?"

A hard-to-read smile appeared on Di Xin's face as he glanced around.

"Yes. Your subject doesn't believe the Great King could be so outrageous." Empress Jiang nodded firmly.

"Very well. I'll do as you ask..."

"Smack..."

As he spoke, Di Xin's powerful arms suddenly wrapped around Empress Jiang. Without giving her a chance to refuse, he pressed his lips to hers and planted a loud, smacking kiss.

"Great King... you?"

The Empress hurriedly pushed Di Xin away and looked around. Fortunately, there was no one nearby, sparing them both the embarrassment.

The Great King and Empress had never openly flirted before. If word got out, what would become of the royal family's dignity?

But... he'd actually kissed me?

Amid her fluster, an indescribable feeling rose in the Empress's heart.

"Heh, there's no one here. You asked me to explain with my own lips. I've kissed you; now I'll explain..."

Di Xin laughed shamelessly. The Empress was still far too traditional. Why worry about being seen over something so trivial?

What would she think if she knew about the bold scenes in those island films of later generations, where anyone could watch the actresses?

"Great King, you're being outrageous. Don't do that again!"

The Empress gave a soft reproach. A blush had spread down her fair neck, and her heart was pounding like a startled deer.

Why was the Great King behaving so improperly?

Still, this feeling... tsk, tsk...

"I'm coming clean. Those weren't rumors. They were true."

While the Empress was still stunned, Di Xin regained his usual air of authority.

"But, Great King, you are the Great King..."

The Empress launched into earnest remonstrance.

Di Xin simply waved a hand. "What's wrong with needing tonics? Would you rather I were as frail as a little puppy? And what's wrong with the court officials fighting? Are you trying to plead Fei Zhong's case?"

"No... that's not what your subject means!"

Empress Jiang felt she could no longer keep up with the Great King's train of thought.

"Since that's not what you mean, then let's leave it at that. Empress, I don't mean to criticize you, but you should pay more attention to your appearance. Look at this—why are you binding yourself so tightly?"

As Di Xin spoke, his wandering hand was about to touch her chest. By later generations' standards, she had what they called a flat chest.

It wasn't that she had nothing there. It was just that something called a chest binder had flattened it.

"Great King..."

Empress Jiang was so startled that her face went pale. How could he do such a thing?

In broad daylight, was he trying to defile the imperial harem?

Di Xin stopped while he was ahead. He didn't actually touch her, withdrawing his hand in time. He only needed to give the Empress the sense that he was still interested in her.

Everything could happen gradually!

He couldn't stay here long. If he lingered too long, Daji might think the Empress was still in favor, and then Empress Jiang could be in danger.

For now, he couldn't kill that Fox Spirit named Daji.

"Enough. Since this is settled, I'm going back to my palace!" With that, he paid no heed to Empress Jiang's reaction and left.

"I've heard the Great King hasn't attended court in quite some time, and has neglected the affairs of the realm. The court officials are full of complaints. The Great King should put state matters first!"

Thinking King Zhou was displeased with her, Empress Jiang skipped any further explanation and hurried after him to offer her counsel.

"I know, I know!"

Di Xin merely waved his hand and gave her a couple of halfhearted replies as he left the Central Palace.

Empress Jiang stood there, dazed, her worries weighing heavier than ever.

The Great King had been treating her better, but why did he seem even more outrageous?

This could not possibly be good for Yin Shang!