Chapter 385: The Phoenix Has Come; It Will Not Perch Without the Wutong

Who else could receive such preferential treatment? Ji Qingwu felt a little giddy.

Held in Zhao Mingyan’s embrace, her back felt warm, and her eyes moved as his voice sounded once more.

"The ministers and nobles of the court have previously discussed marriage proposals, all favoring Miss Ji of the Ji Family. Her gentle grace and virtuous character left none uncharmed."

Ji Qingwu blinked a few times. He was referring to that old affair stirred up by Wei Ting, when nobles had vied for her hand in marriage right in the middle of court.

Though she hadn’t been there, she’d heard how chaotic the scene was. Emperor Wu Su had flown into a rage and stormed out of the Golden Throne Hall with a flick of his sleeves, which was the only thing that managed to stop it.

Zhao Mingyan recalled the scene as well, the corners of his lips curling as he placed a kiss on the crown of her head.

The sound of the edict being read came to a temporary halt, and Ji Qingwu clenched her fingers, unable to bear the suspense.

In truth, she could have continued reading the rest of the imperial edict herself, but hearing it read from his lips made it sound all the more beautiful, letting the words travel from her ears straight to her heart.

Ji Qingwu still wanted to hear the Emperor continue reading. She tilted her head up to look at him.

Zhao Mingyan’s gaze fell back upon her flushed cheeks, and he saw the anticipation in her eyes.

Back then, he had told the courtiers who sought her hand that if they wished to marry her, they should come and ask for it themselves.

Today, he himself had come to her door to do the asking.

Zhao Mingyan didn’t look at the words on the silk paper, for he already knew by heart everything written on it.

Ji Qingwu grabbed his arm and shook it gently, looking rather impatient.

Zhao Mingyan chuckled softly, then parted his lips to continue, "Though We have not spoken on the matter, this woman holds Our heart. Fate brought us together in years past, and she conceived a royal heir. Though that pearl was later lost to the vast sea, it is by destiny’s decree that her rightful place be established."

Hearing his voice, Ji Qingwu turned her head and nestled into his embrace, contentedly reading along.

Her gaze slid toward the text that followed...

Ji Qingwu stared blankly at the final line. It was so quiet she could hear nothing but his voice and her own heartbeat.

"The phoenix sings, upon the high ridge. The wutong tree grows, facing the morning sun."

Zhao Mingyan’s tone grew ever more gentle and filled with emotion.

"A phoenix has come in its glory, and it will not roost without a wutong tree. Ji Qingwu, it is time you landed in the Phoenix Palace."

Ji Qingwu clutched the jade scroll and read it from beginning to end. She couldn’t seem to get enough of the last few lines, repeating them over and over in her mind.

The more she read, the wider her smile grew, until it nearly reached her ears.

Seeing her attention completely absorbed by the scroll, Zhao Mingyan reached out and covered the silk paper with his hand.

"If you like it so much, I can write more for you in the future."

Ji Qingwu sighed softly. "Even if you do, it won’t be as good as this one." She wasn’t referring to its literary merit.

This was the one-of-a-kind imperial edict appointing an empress. There would never be another.

Zhao Mingyan had to resort to drastic measures to get her attention. He cupped her chin with his left hand, forcing her to turn and look at him.

Ji Qingwu pouted, slightly displeased.

Zhao Mingyan looked down at her and said, "You’ve finished reading. Don’t you have anything to say to me?"

The moment Ji Qingwu’s eyes met his, she quickly looked away, feeling as if the emotion in his gaze could burn her.

"I do."

"Then say it."

Ji Qingwu lowered her head, tapped the writing on the scroll, and said, "Your Majesty doesn’t actually plan on proclaiming this edict to the entire world, do you?"

Zhao Mingyan raised an eyebrow. "And why not?"

’The first half was formal and solemn, but the rest... How is it any different from a love letter?’

Ji Qingwu said, "That wouldn’t be good. If the whole world sees it, there will surely be gossip."

The affection in this edict practically oozed from the paper. She didn’t dare imagine how the people would react when they saw it.

Zhao Mingyan leaned in close to her lips, his breath washing over her face.

"Ah Wu, those are not things for you to worry about. What you should be thinking about right now is how you’re going to show your gratitude for accepting this edict."

Ji Qingwu was somewhat bewildered. "How should I...?"

Zhao Mingyan pulled her tighter by the waist, pressing her against him, and said in a low voice, "Ah Wu is clever. I’m sure you can guess."

Ji Qingwu fell silent for a moment. Feeling the heat from his palm and his body, she thought, ’Even if I can guess, I can’t possibly do it here.’

She blinked. "...We’re still in my home."

Zhao Mingyan pecked the corner of her lips.

"I didn’t say right now. After you enter the palace. But surely you can offer a small down payment first, can’t you?"

Unwittingly, Ji Qingwu was drawn into his logic and nodded.

A trail of hot, teasing kisses began on the side of her neck. Ji Qingwu tried to pull away, her shoulders shrinking back slightly.

But Zhao Mingyan’s hands didn’t stop. He quickly untied the pristine white sash at her waist, and the wide collar of her robe, embroidered with crabapple blossoms, fell open.

Like a tender bamboo shoot, Ji Qingwu was peeled open layer by layer, revealing the fair, smooth skin beneath.

Today, the light in his eyes was deeper than ever, as if it would pull her into their depths.

His movements were urgent, the force of his kisses so powerful it was as if he wanted to devour her whole.

Knowing she couldn’t stop him, Ji Qingwu simply gave up her resistance.

’There are Hidden Guards outside, and Li Yuzong is standing watch at the gate. No one would dare come in.’

Warm sunlight streamed in, illuminating her body and making every inch of her skin seem translucent and smooth.

Ji Qingwu used her arms to cover her chest, blocking his hands as they roamed demandingly up from her ribs.

"It is impolite not to reciprocate a gesture."

In the next instant, Ji Qingwu flipped over, sat up, and placed her arms on Zhao Mingyan’s shoulders, pushing him down onto the couch.

Their positions now reversed, Zhao Mingyan’s eyes widened, a brilliant light flashing in their depths.

He lay flat, stretching out his limbs and allowing her to do as she pleased.

Ji Qingwu methodically undid his jade belt. Awkward the first time, familiar the second—this time, it went much more smoothly, and she easily found the hidden clasp at his waist.

Her face flushed, she suppressed her shyness and said, "I’ve read a few new books recently and learned quite a lot."

Both surprised and delighted, Zhao Mingyan raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile, "And what did you learn?"

Ji Qingwu lifted his outer robe, leaving his inner tunic half-undone, which only served to further accentuate the well-defined contours of his body.

A soft, cool hand, seemingly without bone, slipped inside.

The muscles beneath her touch were firm and well-defined, each one seeming to hold immense power.

Ji Qingwu said honestly, "I don’t know how well I’ve learned. I can only try to copy what I saw and see how it goes."

Her nimble fingertips traveled upward, slowly exploring.

Zhao Mingyan’s chest heaved, and his voice was incredibly hoarse, as if full of sand.

"Ah Wu... you are being... far too modest."

’It would have been better if she had just launched a direct assault. These slow movements were a form of torture.’

Seeing his strong reaction gave Ji Qingwu a great sense of accomplishment. Usually, it was he who was the one tormenting her.

This only spurred her on.

’These books were worth reading after all!’

Growing a little tired in that position, she half-leaned over his chest, her shallow breaths brushing against his abdomen.

Her fingers finally began their descent.

Zhao Mingyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his eyes turning terrifyingly dark.

He frowned slightly, beginning to regret having agreed to let her take the lead.

It wasn’t that Ji Qingwu’s skills were so masterful or practiced.

It was simply the thought that...

Right here, right now...

It was *her* hand, on *his* body...