Chapter 5, the intention of the drunken old man is not in the wine

Nongzheng does not dare to, talented person, today Nongzheng knows that it was wrong. Nongzheng kneels down to plead for forgiveness

It was clearly the talented person who first encountered the Emperor. Nong Zheng felt somewhat indignant

Why not continue to undress

When I first arrived at the garden, there was not a single person present. It was evident that this noble lady Yu was here specifically for Emperor Dingxi. During the last visit to Cining Palace to pay respects, she was not seen, so Tingyou had only heard her name but had never encountered her in person

Indeed, flat books are not as captivating as three-dimensional shadow plays, and immersing oneself in the lively spring scenes is even more delightful. Ting You thought to herself that many of the things her ancestors taught her in a roundabout way were actually unnecessary to learn, because Emperor Dingxi was undoubtedly a master in this regard; one only needed to follow his lead.

Ting You smiled playfully and said, "Your Highness, you are truly bothering me, rushing to send me away like this." If I were to be promoted, it would no longer be possible to stay in the Cining Palace.

"I humbly wish for Your Majesty's peace." In the secluded pavilion, she knelt, unwilling to let go of the lotus leaf in her hand

Ting You rubbed her sleepy eyes, opened them to look at the sky, and said, "There is no rush, I will eat another handful of lotus seeds; listening to the rain hitting the lotus leaves is also a kind of pleasure"

Bao Qin played the piece "Quiet Night Thoughts" on the guqin. After a moment, she saw Ting You fall into a deep sleep, and the two maidservants did not dare to speak much, only using lotus leaves to chase away the small insects for Ting You.

Perhaps it was due to a loss of interest, or perhaps he felt that Ting You was deliberately teasing him. However, at this moment, Ting You found himself in a difficult position, unable to back down. Even if he wanted to make amends, it was impossible; he could only endure the situation.

Every year during the hot summer days, Emperor Dixi either took his consorts to the summer palace in the northern Yan region to escape the heat, or he went to the Western Garden. In recent years, the Empress Dowager's health has not been good and cannot withstand much disturbance, so this year it is certain that they will go to the Western Garden

Long Zheng complained, "I fear the rain will strike first." Although she spoke this way, her hands did not slow down in peeling the lotus seeds. Ting You enjoyed the service of two charming maids, feeling quite carefree.

Ting You crossed her arms, and this action stirred her into a state of tingling discomfort, making it difficult for her to sit still. She shifted slightly, only to see Emperor Dingxi leaning closer to her, sniffing at her nose and lips, "It is the scent of Qinghe dew"

Ting You turned her head slightly upon hearing her words, but said nothing more. She continued to happily allow everyone to choose flowers from the flower baskets, selecting only those that were about to bloom, with their fragrance still restrained.

Emperor Dingxi donned his robe and called Wang Jiufu to attend to him. After a while, a group of people descended the stairs and left. Tingyou saw Emperor Dingxi walk out of the Min Nong Pavilion for quite some time before hearing the sounds of the qin and zheng being played as they ascended the stairs.

At this moment, Empress Dowager Jing truly transformed her anger into joy, saying, "At least you are not confused."

This sentence is more effective than any rouge, and every time Tingyou thinks of that night, her face flushes and her heart races; even the slightest touch upon the edge of her memories makes her quickly avert her gaze

I will not say much to you; I just want to point out that my body cannot hold out for many more years. What will you do then

You go find the matron in the palace and receive ten wooden paddles

"It would be truly comfortable to get drunk and take a nap in the shade of these lotus flowers." Ting lazily leaned against the small boat, opening her mouth to catch the lotus seeds fed to her while playing the zither.

Ting You placed the lotus leaf over her face, lay back, and said, "I will take a nap for a while, play me a tune on the zither."

Emperor Dingxi did not force Tingyou, but slowly sat up and gazed at her motionlessly for a while, as if trying to get to the bottom of the matter. Finally, he smiled, somewhat sarcastically, and said, "I have seen those who are arrogant due to favoritism, but I have never seen anyone who is arrogant without any favoritism."

Do you intend to cling to me for a lifetime

Suddenly, the sun tilted to the west, dark clouds approached, and Nong Zheng hurriedly woke Ting You, saying, "Talented person, look, it seems it's going to rain. Let's hurry back."

It was not until she returned to her own chamber that Ting You called for Nong Zheng to speak, her face stern as she said: "Nong Zheng, do you know that the Emperor is going to the Imperial Garden today?"

Ting You turned her head and said to a slightly older palace maid beside her: "Could you please help me find two outfits for my two maids to change into"

Playing the zither, she noticed the pavilion's secluded beauty, yet her face bore no warmth. Lowering her head, she said: "Yes, it was mentioned by Aunt Song this morning. I am also anxious for my master."

The emerald green lotus leaves, contrasting with skin as white as fat, present such a fresh color that it surprisingly gives rise to a hint of allure under the scorching gaze of Emperor Dingxi.

He... could not bring himself to say the latter half of the sentence after the Empress Dowager swallowed it. How could he possibly discuss such matters with Tingyou, who was equivalent to his own wife? However, his tone clearly indicated his disagreement with Tingyou

Baoqin and Nongzheng have become somewhat numb from their initial anxiety; this master is impervious to persuasion, as their mind is more resolute than anyone else's.

Ting You nodded slightly, then turned back to look at Bao Qin and Nong Zheng, both of whom, like a sawed-off gourd, did not dare to make a sound

I am thirsty. " Emperor Dingxi held onto Tingyou's lips and murmured, " Indeed, it is the sweetness of the clear lotus dew. " He chuckled softly and added, " This place seems a bit larger.

The three of them were momentarily taken aback, not expecting that the Emperor Xidi would actually be in such a simple place. Ting You awkwardly held a lotus leaf in front of herself, glancing at the heavy rain outside the eaves, "Chief Wang, can we take shelter from the rain under this eave for a while without disturbing His Majesty"

Ting You then said: "In response to Your Majesty, this humble servant ventured out to stroll in the garden today because the weather is pleasant."

Ting You felt a sense of discomfort in her heart, always thinking that Emperor Dingxi's intention was to criticize her, as the Empress Dowager was in poor health, yet she still had the leisure to come out and have fun

"Everyone said to go back earlier, and now look what happened, we must be drenched like drowned rats." Nong Zheng complained, as she and Bao Qin had indeed become drenched, their lotus leaves now resting atop Ting You's head

The damp clothes clung to her body, undoubtedly uncomfortable. Ting You did not decline, performed another bow, and retreated to the inner room. After removing her outer garment, she hesitated over whether to also take off her undergarment. Although it was not completely soaked, it was still damp.

Since Tingyou entered the palace over four months ago, she has not experienced even a trace of rain or dew, yet she remains unperturbed. Each day, she leisurely takes her guqin and zither to the pleasure garden at the eastern corner of Hongchi to admire the lotus flowers. The waters of Hongchi are vast, with lotus flowers densely planted only in the eastern corner, creating a unique scene. Tingyou loves the tranquility here, often rowing a small boat into the pond to pick lotus pods to eat, living a life akin to that of an immortal

Upon hearing this, Ting You abruptly turned her head, swiftly placing the lotus leaf in front of her chest, "Your Majesty." This utterance was a blend of reproach and charm, surprise and joy.

The two attendants served Tingyou as she put on the newly delivered clothes. She endured the discomfort in her legs and stood up to walk to the window. Given her current physical condition, even if she were given another chance, she would certainly choose to offend Emperor Dingxi. This person truly lives up to the title of "True Dragon Son of Heaven," possessing the vigor of both dragon and tiger.

After Dongzheng returned from receiving punishment, Tingyou asked Baoqin to personally apply medicine to Dongzheng. Only then did she say: "From now on, do not be so clever for your own good. You have been by the side of the ancestors since you were young; how can you lack this little bit of patience?" As the old saying goes, haste makes waste.

Forget it, let's just consider it an opportunity to make an appearance. Ting You helplessly shrugged her shoulders

Moments later, Wang Jiufu returned, "Your Majesty summons the talented person to come upstairs"

Emperor Ding Xi stood by the window, gazing at the Lotus Courtyard and the beautiful mountains behind it. Today, he wore a long robe with a white base and a golden bamboo leaf pattern, adorned with a green satin pouch embroidered with bamboo leaves, and his hair was tied up with a jade crown, presenting himself as a refined young gentleman of noble lineage.

Nongzheng said with some embarrassment: "It is I, Nongzheng, who have overstepped; not only did I fail to assist the talented person, but instead..." Today, upon hearing Emperor Dingxi's words, she realized that she had misjudged her master.

What a true friend. Emperor Dingxi smiled as he looked at Tingyou

The pavilion was dimly lit, which perhaps revealed a hint of sarcasm at the corner of her mouth when she was unaware. At that moment, there was no need to rush, "In my humble opinion, a true friend is hard to find, so is not a frank friend even better?"

Ting You helplessly remarked: "It seems to me that the Emperor is not particularly enthusiastic about women." This is because, compared to the previous dynasty, the number of consorts in the reign of Emperor Dingxi can only be considered few. Moreover, he is busy with state affairs and does not often visit the imperial harem

The list of concubines accompanying Noble Consort Yu was made in duplicate and distributed to Qianyuan Palace and Cining Palace. The favored Huifei, Fangpin, and Yuguiren were all included on the list, while Tingyou, who relied on the blessings of Empress Dowager Jing, naturally accompanied them as well. The others, who were not favored, did not appear on the list.

Having been punished for playing the zither, Empress Dowager Jing naturally became aware of it. For several consecutive days, she did not show any favorable expression towards Tingyou. However, Tingyou's ability to be stubborn and clingy eventually softened her demeanor. Finally, the Empress Dowager lightly tapped Tingyou's forehead with her index finger and said, "You truly lack ambition"

After this, Emperor Dingxi did not utter a word for a long time, and Tingyou also did not dare to speak much, standing quietly. After a while, Emperor Dingxi turned and said: "Today's rain reminds me of the first time I met you"

According to Ting You, the emperor claims to be solitary and lacking in companions, so where would friends come from? Yet, it is surprising that Emperor Xi actually enjoys this place

This thatched cottage is officially named the Compassionate Farmer Pavilion, but it is commonly referred to as the Thatched Cottage due to its roof being covered with thatch

Wang Jiufu, seeing the three individuals in such a disheveled state, found it difficult to refuse, and said, "Please wait a moment, esteemed guests, while I report to His Majesty."

Ting You truly admires the Empress Dowager. Seeing that the people in her palace could no longer deceive Ting You, she began to incite Baoqin and Nongzheng, saying, "Not only are you worrying for me, but you are also making decisions on my behalf."

The second floor of the Min Nong Pavilion faces the Qu Garden, where a pond of lotus flowers is in full bloom during the summer. This is an excellent spot for flower viewing. On the second floor, there hangs a plaque with golden characters on a black background, inscribed with the words "Pure Friend." The pavilion's tranquility reminds one of the poem by Tang poet Meng Gong, which states, "Only by observing the purity of the lotus can one understand a heart untainted." There is also a verse from the Song dynasty that says, "The water bathes the hibiscus pure." Therefore, the lotus flower is also referred to as the Pure Friend. It is unclear whose intention it was to hang this plaque here.

As the three were about to enter the pavilion, they saw Wang Jiufu, who was beside Emperor Dingxi, stepping out and saying, "I have met with Lady Jing. The Emperor is in the pavilion and does not wish to be disturbed."

The Empress Dowager had no way to deal with Ting You, and could only let out a soft snort, "You shallow-eyed one, back when the late Emperor was still around, the treasures in my palace were abundant."

Upon arriving at Xiyuan, only Yu and Fang followed Emperor Dingxi throughout the day. Tingyou often caught sight of the three of them together from a distance, pondering to herself that this was a good sign, indicating that Emperor Dingxi was still somewhat affectionate. Once favored, as long as no major mistakes were made, there was no need to worry about losing that favor.

Once the three of them, the master and the servants, had landed and secured the boat, the rain began to fall in a gentle patter. Summer rain is not like autumn rain; in just a moment, it transformed into a torrential downpour. Tingyou quickly held a lotus leaf over her head, and the three of them, holding up their skirts, joyfully ran towards the nearest thatched pavilion by the lake

Ting You waited for a while until she heard the sound of Emperor Dingxi walking away before she straightened up. Baoqin, knowing that she could hardly endure the pain of kneeling, hurried over to help her adjust her clothing and gently massaged her knees

Ting You felt the genuine care of Empress Dowager Jing for herself and smiled faintly, "Ting You knows that the Empress is good to me. I heard that the Emperor is going to the Western Garden for summer retreat in May..."

The Empress Dowager's health fluctuates between good and bad. I, a humble servant, only stepped out for a walk after seeing Her Majesty take a short rest. Since Emperor Dingxi has not called for me, I can only lower my head and speak while kneeling.

The Pavilion of Tranquility indeed holds such expectations; this Cining Palace is better than any other palace in every aspect

Emperor Ding Xi walked over and wrapped his arms around Ting You's waist, and the two of them fell onto the bamboo couch in front of the window. "Are you waiting for me to help you take it off?"

"That is Lady Yu," Suier said, tilting her chin towards Lady Yu's direction

Emperor Dingxi took a lotus leaf from Tingyou's hands, teasing her with the leaf stem in a gentle manner, slowly sliding it down to the gold chain at her chest, which was the chain for her bellyband

When Ting You was pressed against the windowsill by Emperor Dingxi, she was already unable to think

Due to Emperor Dingxi's merciless punishment, after one such encounter, Chengxing felt a burning pain between her legs, unable to endure any more torment. However, the Emperor, in the prime of his life, clearly did not share the same sentiment.

Is Mother feeling any better?

After the initial victory, when Emperor Dingxi wished to reignite the flames of war, Tingyou quickly tightened her legs and resolutely said: "Your Majesty, I cannot endure this any longer"

Wang Jiufu left early without anyone knowing when. After a while, Emperor Dingxi turned his head, gazing at Tingyou with great interest, "I noticed that when you looked at this plaque, you seemed to have quite an opinion. May I hear it?"

This statement is truly infuriating. Ting You silently questioned himself at this moment, having no intention of "clinging to the powerful"; it was merely a coincidence. However, reasoning cannot be clearly articulated, so he could only bite his lip in silence. Emperor Dingxi did not pursue the matter further and stepped forward.

Is it precisely at this moment in this place?" Emperor Dingxi retorted

"Talented individuals should drink less, lest they become overly intoxicated," Baoqin advised.

Your clothes are wet, aren't they? Go change in the inner room. Although it is summer, be careful not to catch a chill. I will have Wang Jiufu bring you a set of clean clothes.

Emperor Ding is very considerate, which unexpectedly brings a trace of gratitude to Ting You's heart. Look at this, this is a revered figure; as long as he grants you a small favor, you feel immensely grateful.

Alright, dear aunt, I was wrong, is that acceptable? Let's go inside and see if there is a place to take shelter from the rain

Upon arriving at Xiyuan, Tingyou no longer accompanied Empress Jing to reside there, but instead chose to settle in Congyuxuan, which is located near Empress Jing's Lvyidian. Congyuxuan is constructed of green bamboo and backs onto Hongchi, making it particularly cool in the summer. However, due to its small size, others did not choose it, which inadvertently benefited Tingyou.

The function of the beauty couch is so profound and serene that I am experiencing it in its entirety for the first time. I thought to myself, once I return to Congyu Pavilion, I must dispose of the beauty couch in my room

In fact, from my perspective, it would be quite good for us to live this way for a lifetime. Long Zheng has come to a complete understanding; nowadays, living without competing with others allows one to live a carefree and worry-free life

Ting You saw Emperor Dingxi walk up to Noble Consort Yu, personally helping her up, and the two of them left together. Noble Consort Yu had a willow-like waist and a slender figure, as if she would float away with a gust of wind. Ting You then recalled Concubine Fang and Consort Hui, thinking to herself that Emperor Dingxi indeed favored such delicate women

However, the list prepared by Consort Yu is quite interesting, as it takes into account both the Empress Dowager's side and that of Emperor Xidi. Tingyou reflects inwardly and realizes that even if she were to draft this list herself, she might not be as thoughtful as Consort Yu. Indeed, she is a woman of exceptional charm and tact.

Ting You picked a lotus leaf and rolled it up, pouring the fresh lotus dew she had brought into the leaf, sipping it gently. In the end, reluctant to part with that last drop of fragrant sweetness, she even curled her tongue to savor it before stopping, exclaiming: "This fresh lotus dew is best enjoyed when drunk from a genuine lotus leaf."

As the gaze of the crowd followed Emperor Dingxi, they immediately spotted a woman kneeling in greeting at the other end of the Moonlight Bridge