Chapter 6: Night of Warm Embers (The Empress's Secret)
The moon had already climbed high past the rooftops of the palace by the time Li Feng (the Emperor) finished reorganizing his security detail. Torches flickered across the training grounds as disciplined footsteps echoed in synchronized rhythm.
Li Feng watched from a darkened corridor as the man he had summoned—a seasoned officer with a stern jawline—stepped forward. This was General Bai Hu (War general), a man Li Feng had mentally labeled as "Dumb but Strong" from his research.
General's Summoning
Li Feng:
"From today, these one thousand Imperial Guards answer to you under my direct authority. The Dragon's Shadow Corps. Train them properly, General Bai Hu. Their task is simple—protect me and the Empress Wan Qing. No slacking. No favoritism."
General Bai Hu:
"As Your Majesty commands. I will reshape them into a shield worthy of the Crown. I promise they will not know a single basic sword move until I personally teach them all the advanced forms first."
Li Feng (mentally): ...Oh, right. The 'Dumb but Strong' part.
Li Feng nodded, forcing a satisfied look. "Excellent, General. Begin."
As he walked away, the crisp sound of contradictory orders began filling the night. It made Li Feng feel strangely grounded, if slightly nervous about the future competence of his bodyguard.
But the moment training matters settled, a softer worry tugged inside him. He needed to check on his sudden, unexpected ally.
Meeting the Empress — Softness in Her Words
The Empress's residence was bathed in the glow of warm lanterns, the faint scent of jasmine drifting through the halls. Empress Wan Qing stood near the window when Li Feng arrived, the moonlight outlining her soft figure.
Her eyes widened slightly when Head Eunuch Gao Ming announced him. She clearly wasn't expecting a visit after her dramatic exit from court.
Empress Wan Qing:
"…Your Majesty, you came again?"
Her voice was gentle, almost hesitant, lacking the authority she wore in court.
Li Feng walked closer, feeling the familiar prickle of nervousness.
Li Feng:
"I had some time. I wanted to see how you were. You seemed unwell this morning."
The Empress blinked, touching her own chest lightly, a gesture of profound surprise.
Empress Wan Qing:
"…You're… thinking about my well-being?"
The way she said it—soft, fragile, as if the concept was foreign to her—hit him deeper than any court intrigue. In the world she lived in, an Emperor visiting was usually a prelude to a demand, not a question.
He froze for a moment.
Li Feng:
"...Of course. You are the Empress." He settled on the safest answer.
His simple, honest response was enough. Her expression shifted—eyes softening, cheeks warming slightly. Something in her gaze, vulnerable and grateful, tugged directly at his heart.
Nonsense… why does she look at me like that…? I just gave her water.
Empress Wan Qing stepped forward, dipping into a low curtsy.
Empress Wan Qing:
"…Thank you. Truly."
Enter the Divine Emperor — Chaos Ensues
Later that night, the Empress drifted into sleep earlier than Li Feng. Her breathing softened. Her eyelashes trembled faintly. Li Feng sat by her bedside, watching her in silence. Her beauty, without her awareness, was disarming.
He sighed, rubbing his forehead.
Li Feng:
"…She's so beautiful… how the hell did I end up marrying her…?"
A voice answered immediately. A shimmering golden spirit form of Divine Emperor Xuan Tian popped beside him like an irritated ghost.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Trust me, kid, I'm puzzled too. How the hell did you, the five percent Emperor, get a wife this valuable? It's a miracle only I could have arranged."
Li Feng glared at the ancient being.
"You're not helping."
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Helping? You? Nah. I'm mainly here for entertainment and to watch you fail."
"...Shut up. Won't you give any encouraging words at least once?"
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"No. I hate you. It's a core element of our dynamic."
Li Feng choked on air.
"Why do you always—"
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"—because it's fun. And I'm bored. If you keep looking at her like a lovesick puppy, I might have to go back to watching cosmic dust settle, and that's a tragedy."
Li Feng sighed, exhausted.
"...Divine Emperor, I do love you, you know. You're my entertainment."
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"What the— I'm not your entertainment! I'm the progenitor of worlds! I have a life!"
"Yeah, yeah, you have a great life watching me stumble."
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"DON'T USE THAT TONE WITH ME, YOU MORTAL TRASH!"
Their bickering lasted until the celestial being finally vanished in a spark of annoyance, leaving Li Feng in silence again.
The Empress Moves in Her Sleep
The room quieted. Li Feng slowly returned to her bedside. He sat.
And then—
The Empress, like a kitten seeking warmth, shifted. Her hand reached out unconsciously, searching for comfort.
Then—without warning—she pulled herself toward him, hugging him tightly around the waist and placing her head gently on his lap, burying her face into his robes.
Li Feng's entire brain shut down.
Li Feng (mental): PLEASE, PLEASE STOP— WHAT ARE YOU DOING SUDDENLY— I—I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO— THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL MOVE—
His body stiffened like carved stone. His breathing stopped. His soul nearly left his body.
Meanwhile, the Empress murmured softly in her sleep.
Empress Wan Qing:
"…Warm… you're warm…"
She tightened her hold.
But somehow, somewhere, his conscience woke up. He exhaled slowly. He raised a shaky hand, hesitant to disturb her.
He gently combed her hair with his fingers.
Her body relaxed in response. A faint smile touched her lips.
Li Feng felt something inside him melt—quietly, helplessly. This was a vulnerability he had not expected from a political wife.
Within minutes, the warmth, the closeness, and the gentle weight on his lap lulled him into sleep as well.
The two slept connected like that—slow breaths blending with the soft glow of moonlight.
Morning — Ripened Tomato Empress
The first light of dawn crept across the bedsheets. The Empress stirred gently, her eyelashes fluttering.
Then she opened her eyes.
Saw his lap.
Saw her arms around him.
Saw herself practically cuddling him.
And froze.
A deep, deep red flooded her entire face—ears, neck, everything.
She jerked away so fast she nearly fell off the bed, clutching the blankets to her chest.
Empress Wan Qing:
"W-W-W-Wha— WHAT WAS I DOING—?! Your Majesty, I—I am so sorry!"
She grabbed her face with both hands, steaming like a kettle.
Empress Wan Qing:
"N-No… no… no way… I didn't… I didn't do that… right…? Right…?!"
She peeked at him—still half asleep, confused.
Li Feng blinked awake, entirely disoriented by the abrupt motion.
Li Feng:
"…Morning…?"
The Empress curled up like a blushing bunny, face redder than a ripe tomato.
Empress Wan Qing:
"D-Don't look at me—!!" Her voice cracked with mortification.
Li Feng stared, stunned. Then, despite the immense danger and the Divine Emperor's anticipated mockery, he smiled softly. It was the first truly genuine, unguarded smile he'd worn since his reincarnation.
Li Feng has an unexpectedly kind and vulnerable Empress