I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 26 Serving in Bed!

"Your Majesty," she said softly.

"The North is harsh and cold, far less prosperous than the capital. Winters are long, with raging snowstorms. There's really... nothing to see."

She was telling the truth.

The North is indeed bitterly cold.

But that was also the place where she and Xu Longxiang grew up together, a place with which they shared memories.

Those memories have now become the most painful things she dares not touch.

"Is that so?" Qin Mu asked thoughtfully. "Where in the Northern Territory is my beloved concubine's family? Are there any other people in her household?"

Jiang Qingxue's heart skipped a beat.

This is a problem we can't avoid in the end.

Fortunately, Xu Longxiang had already arranged her identity before she came, and every detail had been carefully considered to ensure there were no flaws.

She raised her head, a faint sadness appearing in her eyes at that moment, and her voice lowered slightly:

"Your Majesty, I am an orphan. I lost both my parents at a young age and do not know where I came from. After wandering around the northern border, I did odd jobs in a tavern. Later... later I was noticed by the troupe leader and learned singing and dancing for a few years, and became a courtesan."

She paused, her voice becoming even softer, carrying just the right amount of vulnerability:

"A few days ago, the Prince of Zhenbei happened to see me and said that I was quite beautiful. He suggested that if I could enter the palace to serve His Majesty, I would have a place to settle down. I... I am deeply grateful, which is why I had the honor of entering the palace and seeing His Majesty's face."

These words, spoken with heartfelt sincerity, vividly portray the image of an orphan girl with a tragic past and overflowing gratitude.

Especially her eyes, brimming with tears, would make anyone feel pity.

Qin Mu listened quietly.

After a long while, he slowly nodded:

"I see. I was being presumptuous, stirring up painful memories for my beloved consort."

"Your Majesty is too kind," Jiang Qingxue quickly bowed her head. "It is my honor to receive Your Majesty's inquiry."

Silence fell once again in the hall.

The candlelight flickered, casting their shadows on the wall, overlapping, separating, and then overlapping again.

The water clock dripped and ticked, marking the passage of time.

Jiang Qingxue lowered her head, but could feel Qin Mu's gaze still fixed on her.

His gaze was calm, yet it carried an invisible pressure that made her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles.

She had no idea what he was thinking.

I don't know how much of it he believed.

She could only wait.

Wait until this test is over, wait until this ordeal is over.

Finally, Qin Mu put down his teacup and stood up.

"It's late," he said, his voice ringing out clearly in the silent hall.

Jiang Qingxue froze.

What was bound to happen has finally happened.

She also rose, stood with her head bowed, and spoke in a voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "Yes... Your Majesty, I will attend to you and help you rest."

Qin Mu walked up to her and put his arm around her waist.

The arm was strong and warm, its heat radiating through the thin fabric.

Jiang Qingxue's body stiffened instinctively, but she forced herself to relax and obediently snuggled into his arms.

The scent of ambergris, mixed with a uniquely masculine aroma, enveloped her, creating an unfamiliar and oppressive atmosphere.

Qin Mu lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against her ear:

"My beloved concubine has the fragrance of plum blossoms on her body."

Jiang Qingxue's heart skipped a beat.

That was the incense she used; it was Xu Longxiang's favorite scent.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty loves plum blossoms," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

"What a coincidence, I like her too." Qin Mu chuckled, tightened his arms, and picked her up in his arms.

"Your Majesty!" Jiang Qingxue exclaimed, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

This movement allowed her to press her entire body against his chest, clearly feeling the rise and fall of his chest and his strong heartbeat.

The temperature was so hot it made her heart race, and the breath made her feel suffocated.

Qin Mu carried her and walked towards the large canopy bed.

The pink curtains gleamed with an ambiguous sheen in the candlelight, and brocade quilts and embroidered mattresses were laid out, awaiting their arrival.

Jiang Qingxue closed her eyes and buried her face in his shoulder.

I dare not look.

OK.

She could only repeat it silently in her heart over and over again:

For my brother Longxiang.

For the greater cause.

Just bear with it, it will pass.

Qin Mu placed her on the bed, his movements not rough, but rather gentle.

The bed was soft, and I sank into it.

Jiang Qingxue opened her eyes and was met with Qin Mu's face as he leaned down.

The candlelight behind him gilded his silhouette, making his handsome face appear deep and unfathomable in the light and shadow.

"Afraid?" Qin Mu asked, his fingers stroking her cheek.

Jiang Qingxue bit her lip, shook her head, then nodded, and finally forced a broken smile: "Your Majesty... I was just nervous."

"Relax," Qin Mu's voice deepened, "I won't hurt you."

As he spoke, his fingers slid to the buttons on her collar.

The clasp was made of jade and carved into the shape of a butterfly; it was exquisite and delicate.

Qin Mu's fingers were very nimble; with a gentle flick, the knot was undone.

One, two, three...

The neckline of the crimson palace dress gradually opened, revealing the moon-white inner garment and a glimpse of snow-white skin.

Jiang Qingxue trembled all over, her nails digging deep into her palms, the pain keeping her conscious.

She could not resist.

No.

She could only close her eyes and let those hands roam over her body, loosening her hair and removing her clothes.

The gold hairpin was removed and placed beside the pillow, making a crisp sound.

Her long, black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, covering the entire pillow.

Outer garment, inner garment, ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress)...

One by one, the clothes were removed and thrown onto the carpet beside the bed.

Crimson and moon white intertwine, piled up haphazardly, like withered petals.

In the end, only a thin, gossamer-thin nightgown remained.

The candlelight filtered through the sheer gauze, outlining her exquisite curves.

Her skin was as white as snow, gleaming like pearls against the backdrop of pink curtains.

Very beautiful.

It's breathtakingly beautiful.

But Jiang Qingxue only felt cold.

A chill welled up from the depths of her heart, causing her to tremble uncontrollably.

Qin Mu leaned down and kissed her forehead.

The warm touch felt like an electric shock to her.

Then the eyes, the tip of the nose, the cheeks...

Finally, the lips.

His kiss was not rough; it was even gentle, with a hint of probing and patience.

But for Jiang Qingxue, this gentleness was more terrifying than rudeness.

Brutal means possession, it means end.

But gentleness means torment, it means she has to cooperate, she has to respond.

She endured it stiffly, trying to relax her body, and responded awkwardly.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingertips touching his loose hair, cool and smooth.

As their lips met, she could taste the aroma of tea in his mouth, clear and slightly bitter.

The kiss was long, so long that Jiang Qingxue almost suffocated.

Just when she was about to reach her breaking point, Qin Mu finally released her and raised his head.

In the candlelight, a cloud of lust clouded his eyes, and his breathing became heavy.

"Open your eyes," he commanded.

Jiang Qingxue opened her eyes with trembling hands and met his gaze.

"Look at me." Qin Mu's voice was low and hoarse. "Tonight, you are my concubine."

These words were like a knife, piercing deeply into Jiang Qingxue's heart.

She was his concubine.

It's not Xu Longxiang's.

Never again.

Tears finally welled up uncontrollably in her eyes, and she blinked hard to force them back.

Can't cry.

If you cry, you've lost.

She forced a broken smile, her voice barely audible: "Your Majesty... I understand."

As Qin Mu watched her struggle to hold back her tears, a faint smile flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by a deeper desire.

He lowered his head, and the kiss landed again.

This time, there will be no gentleness.

The straps of her nightgown were ripped open, and the thin fabric slipped down, revealing more of her snow-white skin.

The candlelight flickered, and the curtains swayed gently.

The canopy bed creaked slightly, mixed with suppressed gasps and soft sobs.

Jiang Qingxue closed her eyes and turned her face to one side.

Tears finally slid down, silently seeping into the brocade pillow, leaving a small, dark stain.

She bit her lip hard, trying not to make a sound.

But the body's reactions don't lie.

Pain, discomfort, and a strange, intense pleasure that she desperately resisted.

The hands that roamed over her body, calloused and rough, ignited flames wherever they touched. Those flames consumed her reason and her resolve.

She hates herself for being like this.

She hated this body that had betrayed her will.

She hated the man on top of her even more.

All she could do was endure it.

She let him conquer and seize territory, let him lead her into unfamiliar and terrifying waves.

Consciousness gradually faded.

She seemed to float away, drifting to a very far place.

There is snow in the North, plum blossoms in Tingxuexuan, and Xu Longxiang's gentle smile.

"Qingxue, wait for me."

"When I rule the world, I will use the entire land as my dowry to marry you as my queen."

The image shattered.

Instead, there was a handsome yet unfamiliar face before me, golden tassels at the top of the curtains, and the flickering light of candlelight.

Jiang Qingxue finally couldn't hold back and let out a broken sob.

There was pain, humiliation, and a pleasure she herself was unwilling to admit in that voice.

Qin Mu lowered his head and looked at the tear-streaked face beneath him.

It's beautiful, yet broken, like pear blossoms ravaged by wind and rain.

He reached out and wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, his gesture surprisingly gentle.

"Does it hurt?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

Jiang Qingxue shook her head, then nodded, and finally buried her face in his shoulder, silently shedding tears.

Qin Mu didn't say anything more, but gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

But this gentleness is more torturous than brutality.

Time became long and blurred.

The sounds of the water clock, panting, and sobbing mingled together.

When one of the candles burned out, the palace maid quietly replaced it with a new one.

The flickering light and shadows within the curtains recorded this long ceremony.

After an unknown amount of time, everything finally calmed down.

Qin Mu rolled over and lay on his side, his breathing gradually stabilizing.

Jiang Qingxue curled up on the inside of the bed, her back to him, and remained motionless.

Her chastity.

Now, it's gone.

She gave it to the man she hated.

Tears flowed silently, soaking the pillow.

But she dared not cry out loud, dared not let him know.

I heard steady breathing behind me.

Qin Mu seemed to be asleep.

Jiang Qingxue slowly turned around and looked at the man beside her in the dim candlelight that shone through the curtains.

He fell asleep.

His sleeping face was peaceful, his eyebrows and eyes relaxed, the deep and playful look of his waking state gone, revealing a pure and handsome appearance.

Jiang Qingxue stared at Qin Mu for a very long time.

Then, she gently reached out and touched the white jade phoenix hairpin from beside her pillow.

The hairpin was cool to the touch, and the ruby ​​at the phoenix eye gleamed faintly in the darkness.

She held the hairpin tightly in her palm and pressed it against her heart.

It's as if in this way, one can draw a sliver of warmth and a sliver of strength.

"Brother Longxiang..."

She called out silently in her heart.

"sorry……"

"I still... couldn't hold on."

Tears welled up again.

She buried her face in the pillow and cried silently, her shoulders trembling slightly.

I don't know how long I cried, but finally, weariness overcame me.

She held the phoenix hairpin and drifted off to sleep.

In her dream, she returned to the Northern Border, to Tingxuexuan.

Xu Longxiang stood under the plum tree, reaching out his hand to her, his smile as gentle as the rising sun.

"Qingxue, come here."

She ran over happily, but just as she was about to touch his hand, the image shattered.

Xu Longxiang's face transformed into Qin Mu's.

Those smiling eyes were unfathomable.

"My beloved concubine, you are mine."

She retreated in alarm, only to find herself dressed in a scarlet palace gown, standing in the sleeping quarters of Yuxiu Palace.

There is nowhere to escape.

........