Chapter Thirty-Two: Bewitched

When Gao Buyi returned to the Hot Spring Palace, he was surprised to see Consort Yang waiting for him in the courtyard. He frowned slightly—what were these women up to, not sleeping in the dead of night? Didn’t they know staying up late was the enemy of good skin?

He cleared his throat, pretending not to notice the forlorn look in Consort Yang’s eyes, and forced a smile. “It’s late. You should all get some rest.” With that, he tried to slip away.

But Consort Yang was swift as the wind and caught up to him, linking her arm through his. “Your Majesty, I admit my faults. However you wish to punish me, I’ll accept it. But your well-being is paramount—please allow me to accompany you back to the chambers and rest.”

She knelt on the ground as she spoke, joined by Consort Wang.

“What are you doing? The ground is cold—get up, quickly.” He offered a hand to each, helping the pair of exquisite beauties to their feet. To his left, one could cause flowers to blush and the moon to hide; to his right, another could make fish dive and wild geese fall from the sky. And standing before him, Shangguan Peihui—she too was unrivaled in beauty. Gao Buyi felt truly conflicted.

After a long moment, he sighed deeply. “Go back to your own chambers and rest. I’ll sleep elsewhere tonight. Peihui, come and give me a massage.”

Without giving Consort Yang a chance to protest, he turned and walked away.

As Gao Buyi’s figure faded into the distance, Consort Wang sighed softly. Consort Yang asked, “Sister, you’ve been with His Majesty more these days—do you know why he’s been distancing himself from us?”

Consort Wang shook her head with another deep sigh. “Perhaps Vice-Dean Shangguan knows.”

“She said nothing when I asked her before,” Consort Yang replied.

Consort Wang glanced at Yang Yuhuan, who wore only a thin shawl. She felt a surge of emotion—once, they had been rivals, but now they stood side by side, facing the same predicament. Truly, fate has a way of turning the tables.

“You’re not dressed warmly enough. It’s chilly at night. Go back and rest early so you don’t catch cold,” Consort Wang advised.

Consort Yang gave her a slight nod and returned to her chambers. She wasn’t sure what to say to Consort Wang; their mutual resentment lingered, and truth be told, Consort Yang still wished she could see her rival ruined.

In another wing, Gao Buyi lounged in a hot spring barely two square meters across, enjoying Shangguan Peihui’s skillful massage.

“Peihui, you’ve spent long enough in the harem to know these consorts better than I do. Tell me about them, one by one.”

“Your Majesty, the affairs of the harem concern your family. I dare not speak out of turn.”

“Don’t worry. It’s just the two of us here. Go ahead. I can see Consort Yang and Consort Wang aren’t on good terms.”

“Consort Wang once held your greatest favor, until Consort Yang supplanted her,” Shangguan Peihui said hesitantly.

Gao Buyi picked up, “And after you favored Consort Yang, she tried to monopolize your affection, making Consort Wang her sworn enemy, and with the help of Lady Guo and her sisters, pushed Consort Wang out of favor—even into the Cold Palace, isn’t that so?”

Relieved that Gao Buyi had said it himself, Shangguan Peihui relaxed. The generous curves barely concealed by her robe rose and fell with her breath.

“I must say—” Gao Buyi turned his head and was momentarily stunned at the sight of the radiant beauty, her wet hair clinging to her skin. His gaze glinted like a wolf spotting prey, making Shangguan Peihui’s heart flutter like a startled deer.

He stared for a long time before regaining his composure. Smacking his lips, he laughed. “I never expected our Peihui to have such a remarkable figure, and a face to match. Truly, a beauty for the ages.” He shifted in the water, flushed with warmth—or so he told himself.

“Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty, but I am an ordinary woman, unworthy of such compliments. It’s the two consorts who truly possess peerless grace, and who love Your Majesty deeply.”

“Enough, Peihui. Since when did you start speaking in circles for others’ sake? And you must have confidence in yourself. Now, tell me more about the other consorts—over eighty, just thinking about it makes my knees weak.”

It took Shangguan Peihui a quarter of an hour to recount everything she knew. Gao Buyi now had a clearer picture of the fierce rivalries that raged in his harem. People say three women make a drama—what chaos could eighty-two bring?

At last, Gao Buyi said, “Maintaining harmony in the harem is no small task, Peihui. Luckily, Consort Wang is gentle by nature and doesn’t vie or compete. Otherwise, this palace would be in constant upheaval. Even now, there’s no shortage of trouble. Do you have any ideas?”

“I do not, Your Majesty.”

He laughed. “You may not, but I do. Just let them meddle less in affairs. Making Consort Wang head of the academy was the right move—it balances the Yang family’s influence. Keep an eye on those with outside connections, and any royal kin. If anyone breaks the law, punish them severely.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“See, Peihui, you truly are the most virtuous—obedient, gentle, and lovely, a rare and indispensable helpmeet. It’s late. Stay here tonight; there’s no need to return.”

Shangguan Peihui trembled at his words. Ever since Gao Buyi appointed her as his personal attendant, she had expected this day to come, though not so soon.

Unaware of her thoughts, Gao Buyi climbed out of the hot spring, wrapped himself in a towel, and hurried to bed. He was truly exhausted, and as soon as he lay down, he drifted off to sleep.

Shangguan Peihui, seeing him lying still, thought he was waiting for her. Biting her full lips, she washed herself carefully, wrapped herself in a towel, and inched toward the bed, pausing with every step—her anxiety was plain. Yet she knew, from the moment she entered the palace, this was her fate.

Taking a deep breath, she reached out a trembling, fair arm and slowly opened the bed curtains. Instead of the hungry look she expected, she found Gao Buyi sprawled out, already fast asleep.

Her cheeks flushed crimson, the heat spreading down her neck and over her body—she was truly a rare beauty.

She patted her chest to calm herself, feeling both relieved and comforted. It wasn’t that she was unwilling; she simply hadn’t prepared herself.

Just then, Gao Buyi opened his eyes sleepily. Their gazes met. Seeing Shangguan Peihui, ripe as a peach, he instantly sobered and gave a wry smile. “Peihui, are you trying to seduce me? I’m warning you, I’m no saint—if I do anything beastly, you can’t blame me.”

Mortified by his words, Shangguan Peihui wished she could bury her face in the depths of her bosom.

Seeing her embarrassment, Gao Buyi stopped teasing. There was only one bed in this wing, but two quilts. He shifted to the inside and pulled out the spare quilt, pointing to it. “You can sleep on the outside. I’m too tired to move.”

“Ah—yes, Your Majesty, I’ll be right back.”

“What are you fussing about?” Gao Buyi muttered, turning over and falling asleep again.

Shangguan Peihui, still burning with embarrassment, hurried back to the hot spring, taking deep breaths to calm herself. Her ample chest heaved enticingly as she slowly composed herself. After tidying up her appearance, she returned to the bed. Seeing Gao Buyi already in deep sleep, she gently lifted the quilt and slipped in beside him. Lying on her side, she gazed earnestly at his peaceful, sleeping face, and found herself a little entranced.