Ji Feiyu didn't dare to look at him anymore.
Seeing Ji Feiyu turn her head away, the emperor heaved a huge sigh of relief and then started chatting with the third-place scholar, Yan Huan.
Ji Feiyu stole glances at him from the side. Unconsciously, she murmured his name in her heart, Lin Zhiran, Lin Zhiran. Truly, he was like the moon over Lin Mountain, clear, bright, and peerless.
After the third-place scholar finished toasting and walked away into the distance, Ji Feiyu's eyes involuntarily followed him. But then, remembering what had happened to the top scholar before, she quickly put away her longing and waited seriously for the second-place scholar to come...
After a few rounds of fine wine, Ji Feiyu's face turned slightly red. With a hint of charm in her languid eyes, she said, "Since all the top three scholars are so handsome and talented, I wonder how Your Majesty plans to arrange them?"
Ji Feiyu had never asked about such things before. Her sudden question must mean she had some naughty idea in mind. Yong Yaxuan smiled faintly and countered, "What's your opinion, Empress?"
Ji Feiyu asked curiously, "My opinion? Can I give my opinion on this arrangement?"
Yong Yaxuan laughed, "Even if the Empress gives her opinion, it doesn't mean I'll follow it. But it can be used as a reference." Yong Yaxuan was determined to see Ji Feiyu's attitude towards the top three scholars.
Ji Feiyu understood his intention and said, "The second-place scholar is upright and unyielding. He can be appointed as the clerk in the Privy Council."
"The third-place scholar is gentle and elegant. He can be given the position of the instructor in the Imperial College. By the way, he can also teach the eighteenth prince to see his capabilities."
Yong Yaxuan nodded.
"As for the top scholar..." Ji Feiyu glanced at his expression and tentatively said, "Your Majesty, how about letting him enter the Hanlin Academy?"
"The Hanlin Academy?" The emperor pondered for a moment and then smiled. "I think it's better for him to return to his hometown in glory and serve as a county magistrate first."
A county magistrate? That's fine. Ji Feiyu thought that she had basically saved his life. Otherwise, with his dullness and lack of awareness of the emperor's mood when he introduced himself, staying by the emperor's side would surely lead to great trouble. It was better for him to stay away from the imperial capital.
Ji Feiyu couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Seeing that Ji Feiyu had no objections, the emperor felt quite relieved. It was like finishing a piece of business. But Ji Feiyu was secretly delighted. The person she wanted to keep was still within her reach.
Lin Zhiran.
After the Qionglin Banquet ended, Ji Feiyu felt an inexplicable sense of happiness. It was as if after all these years, she had finally won against Yong Yaxuan once. However, her elation only lasted until she returned to her palace.
Because she saw Yong Yaxuan standing with his back to her, his hands behind his back, cold as the moonlight.
Ji Feiyu staggered. She wanted to leave quickly before he saw her.
But just as she took a step, his cold voice came from behind her. "My dear, is it because I haven't come to see you for a long time that you're acting up?"
Ji Feiyu quickly turned back, curtsied, and said, "I didn't know Your Majesty was here. I've kept you waiting." She was so used to this false flattery.
Yong Yaxuan turned around. His figure was elegant and his face was cold. Now it was obvious to everyone that the emperor was unhappy.
"Come here." A cold voice came.
Ji Feiyu quickly got up and walked forward. She lowered her eyes and came in front of the emperor.
"Lift your eyes."
Ji Feiyu lifted her innocent eyes. Those eyes were full of charm and wateriness, looking so tempting to be bullied.
Seeing this, Yong Yaxuan hooked Ji Feiyu's chin, leaned in, and asked in a low voice, "Am I good-looking, or are other men better-looking?"
The two were so close that Ji Feiyu's heart was about to jump out.
"Your Majesty is of celestial appearance..." Ji Feiyu stared into his deep eyes and said. Yong Yaxuan slowly lowered his eyes. With his other hand, he pulled her into his arms and planted a passionate kiss on her. Ji Feiyu stopped breathing.
At this time, the palace servants automatically retreated.
A gentle breeze blew through the hall, carrying a bit of warmth. The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. The gentle wind caressed the willows.
When Ji Feiyu was released, her body went limp.
Yong Yaxuan held her in his arms. His gaze turned cold again. "My dear, you've become bolder recently."
Ji Feiyu knew he was talking about the incident at the Qionglin Banquet when she "stole glances at the top scholar". So she blinked her eyes aggrievedly and said, "I'm wronged! Like Your Majesty, I just cherish talent."
"Cherish talent?" Yong Yaxuan looked at her and couldn't help but find it funny. "You just did this on purpose because I didn't satisfy you last time, right? Fine. I'll satisfy you well tonight."
Seeing that things were going badly, Ji Feiyu quickly struggled out of his arms.
"Want to run?" Yong Yaxuan pulled her back and imprisoned her in his arms again.
Seeing this, Ji Feiyu immediately closed her eyes, supported her head, and said weakly, "Your Majesty, I suddenly feel dizzy. I'm so dizzy!"
"What's wrong with you?" His face tightened. He immediately realized that Ji Feiyu was feigning illness. He directly picked her up horizontally and walked towards the bed, sneering, "Dizzy? It's even better. I'll cure you later!"
Ji Feiyu squinted her eyes and peeked at him. Seeing his determination, her heart felt as bitter as gall. Her face showed even more exhaustion.
Just then, the shrill voice of Eunuch Li came from outside the door.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Zhen sent someone to ask if you'll go to her tonight. Concubine Zhen said the snacks are all ready..."
Only then did Ji Feiyu come to her senses. She remembered that the emperor was supposed to visit Concubine Zhen after the Qionglin Banquet. She quickly said, "I'm not feeling well today, Your Majesty. You'd better go to Concubine Zhen..."
Then she heard Yong Yaxuan snort and say, "Tell Concubine Zhen that I won't go."
Hearing this, Ji Feiyu wailed, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong."
"It's too late now." Yong Yaxuan threw her onto the bed and pressed himself on top of her.
Ji Feiyu screamed, and Yong Yaxuan got even more excited.
Just then, Eunuch Li's untimely voice rang out again.
"Your Majesty, there's an urgent military report."
Why does it always happen at this time? Yong Yaxuan was about to be depressed.
Yong Yaxuan climbed up with a dark face. He tidied his clothes and walked out angrily.
Ji Feiyu lay on the bed and took a deep breath. Finally, that nuisance was gone. The heavy court clothes on her were wrinkled by Yong Yaxuan, and her phoenix crown was askew.
After she heard the emperor's footsteps fade away, she called out to the chief maid in her palace, "Someone, come and change my clothes!"
After burning incense and taking a bath, Ji Feiyu's long hair fell over her shoulders. She was wearing a soft and loose nightgown. She came to the window. The evening breeze was slightly cool. The wind blew through her hair, carrying a hint of fragrance. Looking at the moon in the sky, Ji Feiyu somehow thought of Ran Wei. She wondered if Ran Wei had reached the Northern Cold by now. Could the military report just now be related to her?
Just as she was thinking, someone brought good news. It was said that the mighty general had sent Princess Ran Wei to the capital of the Northern Cold. The wedding would be held in a few days. At the same time, the Great Yong had successfully regained the two cities of Xingzhui and Yelai.
A faint smile appeared on Ji Feiyu's lips. Finally, she got good news about Ran Wei. She could finally feel a bit more at ease. But from then on, Ran Wei would have to rely on herself.
She didn't know if Yong Yaxuan would come back to find her in the second half of the night. As usual, Ji Feiyu left a lamp on for him outside and then went to bed.