Lenisha’s invitation had also arrived for Canaria.
Canaria walked lightly, carrying the invitation, and returned to Lexus’s embrace.
Canaria’s eyes crinkled as she unfolded the invitation.
‘The Empress shows me affection like this at times?’
Perhaps the Empress had come to her senses.
All this while, Lenisha had never invited Canaria to an official event.
As if to put Canaria in her place.
But this time, it was different.
This was the first invitation she had received from Lenisha.
‘Afraid now that I’m about to be driven away and I’ll stay in the imperial city? Well, anyone can see the next Empress is me.’
Canaria raised the invitation to her smirking lips.
It would be really good if she got pregnant at the same time.
Lexus, who had no heir yet.
If Canaria had a child, she could take her place without any opposition.
The problem is that, despite being eager, there’s been no effect so far.
‘Really, just like the Empress said… to the Emperor…?’
It was then that Canaria harbored such doubts.
Lexus seemed to notice her thoughts and snatched the invitation away.
Canaria suddenly came to her senses.
She had to be careful even thinking in front of Lexus and almost made a mistake.
Canaria blinked innocently.
“Your Majesty, please give it here. It’s the first invitation you’ve sent.”
Canaria pouted cutely.
“The first invitation you’ve sent? Lenisha?”
“Yes. Finally, it seems the Empress wants to get along with me. She’s been cold whenever I went to her before. Has she softened?”
Canaria giggled.
“Your Majesty.”
Canaria turned and sat on Lexus’s thigh after gracefully placing the invitation on the table.
Lexus wound Canaria’s brown hair around his hand.
“There’s a dress code. And you must be accompanied by a partner. Buy new dresses and shoes for Canaria, Your Majesty.”
Canaria whined cutely.
Indeed, Canaria could do it herself, but the things obtained from Lexus always had more power.
“Okay. As you wish.”
Lexus kissed Canaria’s forehead.
“And go with Canaria. I don’t know anyone. I might not be able to go without a partner, Your Majesty.”
Lexus stroked Canaria’s hair, lost in thought.
Seeing the silent Emperor, Canaria harbored a small anxiety.
‘Why doesn’t he answer right away? Maybe… as the Empress’s partner?’
Canaria gnawed at her lip, watching Lexus’s reaction.
But Lexus was thinking something else.
There was someone he had to send to that place, no matter what.
Casius.
There was a reason for continually creating places where Casius would clash with the Empress.
He could recklessly depose the Empress and toss her to Casius, but the temple would make a fuss.
Daring to defy Lexus’s will, the temple was annoying, but it was a force that helped Lexus.
He couldn’t tamper with it carelessly. So, he needed justification.
That Lenisha fell in love with Casius and was morally responsible, thus chased away.
Lexus chuckled.
That remarkable woman in love? It doesn’t make sense.
Throughout his life, Lexus had never seen Lenisha show affection to anyone.
And that Lenisha would fall in love with a mere slave and be deposed?
He was already looking forward to seeing Lenisha’s twisted face.
“I’m busy that day and can’t make it.”
“Your Majesty…?”
“I’ll attach someone else. How about Sir Casius, whom you saw at the banquet hall before?”
“Casius… Sir?”
Canaria said in a strained voice.
“I don’t want to!”
“Why?”
Canaria realized that Lexus’s languid tone had a thorn.
Lexus hated defiance.
Canary gritted her teeth.
That day, how joyful she had been watching the Empress with Casius.
It was her first time having the Empress at her feet.
But to become his partner?
She would rather die soon.
People will recall the past maid when they see Casius and Lady Canary.
And they might even rant that a slave is fitting for a maid.
But all Canary could say was one word.
“…I wanted to be with Your Majesty. Please be jealous, Your Majesty. Please love me.”
Canary sweetly wheedled.
“Can’t you say you’re jealous if Canary links arms with another man and goes there?”
Lexus burst into laughter.
He likes Canary, who curls up sweetly, unlike Lenisha.
He liked that she was different from Lenisha, who meddled in politics, deceived Lexus, carried Lotera on her back, and was selfrighteous.
All that Canary is demanding is just this.
Lexus scratched Canary’s chin.
“Sweet Canary, follow my will just this time. Next time, I will certainly grant your wish.”
Feeling the sharpness of the Emperor fading, Canary relaxed.
Canary wore a sullen expression.
Canary’s position is still precarious.
She felt it clearly just before.
‘The Emperor’s child … pregnancy …’
That word keeps popping up.
And the seed of anxiety planted by Lenisha is starting to sprout.
‘If the Emperor can’t bear a child …’
Canary bit her lip tightly.
Once the favor falls and she loses her beauty, Canary might not be able to stay by Lexus’s side.
Returning to being a maid would be worse than dying.
What Canary harbored in her heart that day was known to no one.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
