Sleep tugged heavily at Mei Liang's eyes. She had expected to rest well the previous night, yet the Emperor had refused to let her sleep, keeping her in his embrace until the fourth watch.
At dawn, she had been forced to rise at the fifth watch to prepare—lest she arrive later than the other concubines and draw the ire of the Empress Dowager.
She truly did not care for the nagging of that old woman bound to etiquette, but if she could avoid the endless scolding, it would be far better.
She couldn't help but curse Xiang Long Wei a thousand times in her heart as she fumed in silence. If she had known he would act like a beast last night, refusing to release her no matter how she begged and pleaded, she would have taken precautions.
"Cuìyù," she muttered, pressing a hand against her aching forehead, "wake me once we've left the city. Just listening to this racket is giving me a headache."
"Yes, Mistress," Cuìyù replied softly.
