SRAD Chapter 8

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【Extra • The Emperor and His Consort】

Ever since I became the empress,

I have been the sole recipient of the emperor’s favor~

Though the imperial harem boasts three thousand beauties,

His Majesty only dotes on me alone~

Thus, I urged the emperor,

He must shower his grace evenly!

But His Majesty refused to listen!

Just me! Just me! Just me!

As soon as the attire for the Marquis of Chang’an was completed, they had to rush to make my empress’s ceremonial robes. Feeling sorry for the tailors, I tactfully suggested to the emperor: How about postponing it?

Duan Mingzhang gave a simple "Oh," then, right in front of me, rewarded the servants with persimmons—one whole jin (500g) each. Those who received the reward were moved to tears, exclaiming how boundless the emperor’s grace was and how delicious the persimmons were, promising to eat them up immediately.

I was on the verge of tears myself. From that day on, I dared not challenge the emperor’s authority again.

Thus, trembling in my hastily tailored wedding robes, I married into the palace and took residence in Kunning Palace—only to move out immediately.

Why?

According to the Imperial Astronomer, my birth chart didn’t align well with Kunning Palace’s location.

I almost believed it.

That was until Duan Mingzhang, with a completely justified expression, stated the real reason: "Kunning Palace is too far. It would be inconvenient for me to visit my empress."

After that, rumors spread outside the palace, saying that the male empress personally chosen by the emperor was fated to be unfit for the position—even the Kunning Palace refused to accommodate him. Surely, he was destined for the Cold Palace.

I squatted in Haiqing Pavilion, utterly miserable—I wanted to live in the Cold Palace! At least I could stay far away from that lust-driven, desire-consumed emperor!

I stared into the mirror over and over again, unwilling to give up, examining myself repeatedly—no matter how I looked, I was, at best, just average in appearance, right?

Compared to the dragon-like elegance of Duan Mingzhang, I felt I wasn’t even worthy of a single strand of his hair.

So no matter how hard I thought about it, I simply couldn’t understand—how could someone as plain as me be treated like a delicacy by Duan Mingzhang, eaten day and night, over and over again for three whole months—without him ever getting tired of it?!

Since entering the palace, I had been the sole recipient of the emperor’s favor. Le Ping informed me that ever since the decree to establish me as empress was issued—no, ever since I was first granted the marquis title and moved into the palace—His Majesty had not once summoned any other concubine.

Not even once!

Which meant that what was once a duty shared by three thousand beauties in the harem had now become my sole responsibility!

Not to mention, before the wedding, the emperor had lived an ascetic life for over half a year; so after our marriage… he visited me every night, ceaselessly and tirelessly.

Although Duan Mingzhang claimed that holding me was particularly comfortable, I still felt—even farmers don’t water their crops this excessively!

Spoiled with fine food and drink but deprived of proper rest, I drowsily lay on the table, yawning, thinking to myself: The emperor should be arriving soon.

"Is my dear Huaizhen so exhausted that he won’t even rise to welcome me?"

Listen, listen! Speak of the devil!

I weakly replied, "Your Majesty is mighty and vigorous, while I am but a mere mortal. I simply cannot endure it and thus must succumb to exhaustion."

He chuckled, walked over, and embraced me. "Are you truly that tired? But last night, Huaizhen, you were the one who tearfully begged me to go faster, to be rougher, to do it again and again… Wasn’t that you?"

With every word he spoke, my face turned a shade redder. By the time he finished, I was ready to die of shame. And yet, he still had the audacity to say with a perfectly straight face, "Have you forgotten? Let me help you remember tonight…"

I immediately shook my head frantically. "Your Majesty, forgive me, but I cannot serve in bed tonight!"

"Oh? And why is that?"

I declared with righteous conviction, "I believe I am suffering from kidney deficiency!"

"…Huaizhen, there is no need to worry. The imperial physicians check your health every day and say you are in excellent condition." He pinched my cheek, then kissed the spot he had just pinched. "Very well, I shall spare you for tonight."

Relieved, I quickly praised him, "Your Majesty is truly kind to me!"

He smiled, his beautiful eyes curving, his gaze gentle like a boat drifting on a moonlit lake, swaying ever so softly… Seeing how pleased he was, I finally gathered my courage and said, "Your Majesty, I have one more request…"

"Mm, speak freely, Huaizhen."

"Well, there are so many concubines, palace maids, and attendants in the harem… In the future, could Your Majesty, um, perhaps… shower your favor a bit more evenly?"

Silence.

A long, long silence.

Duan Mingzhang stared at me expressionlessly, and I, having mustered my courage, stared right back at him… only to immediately deflate like a punctured ball.

"Did someone say something to you?"

I quickly shook my head like a drum rattle—no, no, absolutely not!

"Huaizhen, I think you are in dire need of punishment."

"…?"

"Hmm, I’ll punish you by making you continue serving in bed tonight."

"??!!"

…The only consolation was that the next morning, Duan Mingzhang did not force me to wake up with him.

In fact, I couldn’t even get out of bed… I lay on my pillow, rubbing my sore waist, groaning in pain.

Last night, Duan Mingzhang was probably truly angry—his movements were utterly merciless, and he had even growled: "Just wait and see, Huaizhen. You want me to shower my favor evenly?—I’ll show you sooner or later!"

I thought to myself, There’s no need! I don’t want to see it at all!

…Anyway, from what he said, it seemed inevitable that he would eventually favor others. When that day came, I would likely become nothing more than an empty title of an empress, clinging onto my powerful family background, only to be visited on the first and fifteenth of each month…

But oh, the pain! So sore and painful, I thought I was going to die—I wiped my eyes forcefully, rubbing the dampness onto Duan Mingzhang’s discarded inner robe.

But good times never last.

After just a few months—Duan Mingzhang finally demonstrated his so-called "showering favor evenly."

I was utterly dumbfounded.

—He… he… he actually dismissed the entire imperial harem!

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