"You'd better know your place."
The cold voice echoed in the imperial bedroom. The merman无力地 lowered his neck, and the black necklace jingled. His bare upper body was covered with criss - crossed hickies that extended all the way onto his blue fishtail.
Such a scene was hard for any man to resist, but Sheng Jiu left within less than a quarter of an hour.
It was not until late afternoon that Wanwan learned that Sheng Jiu was selecting concubines.
This was the first imperial concubine selection since the new emperor ascended the throne. Such a grand event had gathered almost all the eligible young women from the royal and noble families in the imperial city.
He would have a queen, concubines, princes, and princesses. He would enjoy family happiness and have descendants around his knees.
What was he to Sheng Jiu...
Just a nameless plaything that could only bring him a moment of pleasure in bed. And in order to satisfy his desires, Wanwan had almost sacrificed his whole life's freedom.
Sheng Jiu had said during the day that he would allow Wanwan to sleep on the couch at night. But on such a special day, would he still remember him?
Wanwan turned to look at the window lattice dyed red by the sunset, and his thoughts drifted away involuntarily.
He wondered how the man in black was doing now.
Ming Lang pushed open the door and stood by the shore without saying a word.
Wanwan moved his lips and whispered, "Zhan Tianjian, is he still alive?"
Ming Lang nodded. "He's alive. Since the emperor needs him to read the horoscopes for the concubine - selection, His Majesty has spared his life. Don't worry, my lord."
Ming Lang seemed to be more talkative than before. Wanwan didn't know if it was out of pity for him or something else.
Wanwan slowly nodded and said nothing more.
After Ming Lang stood there looking at him for a long time, he suddenly spoke up to console him. "My lord, don't be too sad. The emperor's selection of concubines is for the sake of having an heir. A country this big can't be without a successor."
"I'll make sure our child will sit on the throne and enjoy a lifetime of wealth and honor."
The words Sheng Jiu had said that night suddenly came back to his mind. Wanwan didn't know why he thought of them at this moment. The words spoken just last night seemed meaningless now, as he was going to marry other women for the sake of having an heir.
It seemed that the momentary flutter in his heart last night should fade away...
It was all fake.
Wanwan smiled self - mockingly. "Why should I be sad? I always know my place. I'm just a plaything, no different from a cat or a dog he raised on a whim..."
When Ming Lang saw his expression, a flash of sympathy appeared in his eyes. He softly called out, "My lord... please don't..."
Wanwan found his hesitation strange. After a long silence, he turned to look at the usually taciturn man. "Ming Lang, what's going on?"
Ming Lang slowly lowered his head and said word by word, "My lord, today... His Majesty has taken a new concubine, and tonight he will..."
He stopped halfway through his words. Wanwan already knew what he meant and said indifferently, "He's going to favor her. I've been through this before. There's nothing strange about it."
Ming Lang moved his lips and continued, "It's not..."
He hesitated and looked at Wanwan. Wanwan lowered his eyes, looking calm. "Just say what you want to say. Do you think there's anything I can't bear at this point?"
Ming Lang buried his head deeply, as if he didn't dare to look into his eyes. "His Majesty is going to favor the new concubine here tonight..."
Wanwan was stunned and blurted out, "What about me?"
Ming Lang frowned. "You... will still be here..."
"His Majesty said you should watch from the water..."
These words seemed to explode in his mind. Wanwan looked at him in disbelief, muttering, "Watch from here? Watch what??"
"Watch him... favor the new concubine...?"
The last words were spoken haltingly, as if his thoughts were disconnected. Ming Lang's face was full of guilt and helplessness, and he looked at Wanwan uneasily.
Wanwan seemed to be frozen on the spot. After a long moment of stupor, he asked softly, "So... is he taking revenge on me?"
Ming Lang remained silent. He thought that even if Wanwan had no feelings for Sheng Jiu, this would still be a cruel punishment for him.
Wanwan rolled his eyes and looked at him. He said softly, "Thank you for coming to tell me this."
Ming Lang shook his head. "My lord, would you like me to get you some clothes?"
Wanwan gently refused. "No, thank you. If he knows, he'll blame you."
Wanwan couldn't imagine how Sheng Jiu had introduced his existence to the new concubine.
Maybe he had told her with a hint of flattery that he had a fun thing to show her.
Wanwan had thought his heart was numb, and nothing Sheng Jiu did could touch his heartstrings anymore, whether it was good or bad.
But he never expected that Sheng Jiu would always find ways to punish him. Just when he thought his heart was strong enough, Sheng Jiu would strike it with a force he couldn't bear.
Wanwan grasped the chain and said softly, "You can go."
Ming Lang didn't dare to stay any longer. After hearing his words, he gently nodded. "Take care, my lord."
Wanwan slowly raised his head and looked at the door of the imperial bedroom. It was almost dark. In a short while, his legs would grow back. He wondered if the man would give him something to cover his body at night...
Surely he wouldn't let him stand naked in front of them while they had sex?
The sky gradually darkened.
The sound of the door being pushed open, mixed with the rustling of clothes, came over, along with Sheng Jiu's gentle voice.
"Watch your step..."
Wanwan looked at his fishtail and sneered. It seemed that Sheng Jiu had brought this woman here specifically to show her his fishtail.
The red curtains fluttered. The figures of the two people stood at the door and looked over. The woman was wearing red and held a handkerchief to cover her nose and mouth. When she saw him, she exclaimed.
"Ah! It's a merman?! It's really rare!"
Wanwan didn't dare to look into her eyes that regarded him as a plaything, let alone look at the expression on the man beside her. But even when he closed his eyes, he could still hear their voices.
"How about it? Is this surprise big enough?"
Sure enough, it was a tone with a hint of flattery...
The woman said softly, "Your Majesty, can I touch its fishtail?"
The response to the woman was a long silence.