Chapter 3, Detour

I smiled and said: "Take whichever you like, but you must not give it to others. Items granted by the emperor are all recorded in the archives."

I am at a loss for words, unsure how to discuss matters of men and women with Yan'er. It has been two months since the grand wedding, and the Emperor has only summoned Yan'er for jest and amusement, without mentioning the matter of sharing a bed again. I cannot discern the Emperor's thoughts. Whenever I think of him, I am reminded of that quiet night when the gentle breeze lifted the curtains, and the warm gaze of that man, as soothing as water, was fixed upon me. I strive to avoid recalling it, yet it surges forth at all times, impossible to forget. Holding a handkerchief, I gently wipe the sweat from her forehead and say with a soft smile, "Perhaps he desires more jewels as gifts; the Empress need not take it to heart." I strive to avoid recalling it, yet it surges forth at all times, impossible to forget. Holding a handkerchief, I gently wipe the sweat from her forehead and say with a soft smile, "Perhaps he desires more jewels as gifts; the Empress need not take it to heart."

I successfully kept him

He smiled slightly, his icy fingers gliding across my face, evoking a strange, tingling shiver. His warm lips gently brushed against mine, carrying a hint of bitterness, a trace of medicinal fragrance, and something unknown that sank into my heart. He was as meticulous as a teacher, while I was as earnest as a student. The enchanting scenery of the room, infused with his essence, enveloped me, and I found myself sinking into a gradually fading, hazy dream.

As the new moon approaches, the Emperor issues a decree, and tonight I will stay at the Weiyang Palace. I send away Jin Mo to sleep in another room, and I quietly change shifts with the night watchman Cui Zhu, wearing only a thin garment. I dispatch the two young eunuchs on duty to rest; upon hearing they need not endure the cold or toil, they are naturally delighted and scamper off to sleep. Yan'er is already fast asleep, while the Emperor is still reading. After entering the inner chamber, I lift the red silk lamp and walk gracefully to his side. Taking a deep breath, I gently place my hand on his pale hand. His hand is slightly warm, and the warmth travels from my fingers to my heart, amplifying my courage. Yan'er is already fast asleep, while the Emperor is still reading. After entering the inner chamber, I lift the red silk lamp and walk gracefully to his side. Taking a deep breath, I gently place my hand on his pale hand. His hand is slightly warm, and the warmth travels from my fingers to my heart, amplifying my courage.

However, her response made me chuckle inwardly; I did not expect Yan'er to answer so cleverly. It seems she is becoming increasingly accustomed to this way of life. "I have heard that the chrysanthemums bestowed by the Emperor in Lady Chen's Yuhua Palace are blooming beautifully. Here, I have received no such gifts. If you have the time, you might as well bring some for me, as I find this place too plain," the Empress changed the subject. "Of course, of course, it is my oversight; please do not blame me, Your Majesty," Lady Chen said, so flustered that she forgot about the matter of the Wang beauty.

His deep laughter came from above, as he gently pinched my chin with his long fingers, slowly lifting it: "Is it a case of wanting to welcome yet refusing?"

Stepping out of the palace door, I circled around the corridor and arrived at my dwelling. Such boldness was unprecedented for me, and my unsteady steps secretly revealed my fear. Upon entering the room, I did not light a lamp, but instead gazed at him through the soft, shimmering moonlight filtering through the window. His clear brows and pale face made me smile gently as I leaned into his embrace. The breath of this man in his prime, mingled with the bitter scent of herbs, left me in a daze, greedily absorbing the rare warmth. Gathering my courage, I said softly, "Your Majesty cherishes this servant, and this servant naturally understands. However, I am fearful of the harshness of the elements and dare not accept your kindness. Today, allow this servant to attend to Your Majesty as a token of my intentions, but I earnestly request Your Majesty to grant me one thing." "Speak," he replied. Upon hearing my mention of the harshness of the elements, I could clearly sense his body tremble slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, he spoke.

My previously disordered mind suddenly returned, and I stared blankly at him. So this is how he looks at me. "This servant does not understand Your Majesty's intentions," I said, lowering my head and speaking even more humbly. He did not press further, let out a soft hum, dropped his hand, flicked his sleeve, and turned to enter the palace. I hurriedly summoned the palace maid from the previous night to serve inside the palace.

"Then let tonight's events go unrecorded." I gritted my teeth and resolutely stated. He looked at me in disbelief, deeply pondering my intentions. Recording is a means to document the time and place of the Emperor's favor towards his concubines, which can later verify the authenticity of any pregnancies. My refusal to record this is tantamount to cutting off my own means of survival; if a pregnancy were to occur, I would be left with no place to be buried. Without waiting for his reaction, I began to unfasten his dragon-patterned buttons, fearing that any hesitation on my part would cause me to lose the resolve I had just mustered.

I gazed up at him, his moon-like eyes following my every movement. A voice in my heart whispered that if I yielded to him, I could live without worry for food and clothing, and enjoy unexpected wealth and splendor. Gritting my teeth, I turned my head away once more and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress has been waiting for a long time. Please, do rest early."

As each layer of clothing fell to the ground, I became increasingly anxious, my stiff and immobile fingers betraying my innocence and naivety

Jin Mo nodded, "Mm, understood, but let's keep it with you. I am careless and will always lose it. Sister, please keep an eye on it for me, and I will ask for it when I need it." "That's fine. The empress's bathing water is getting cold; you should go help her add some water." Jin Mo went to find someone to change the water. Watching her retreating figure, I decided not to share my thoughts with her, as such a naive Jin Mo would not understand my concerns. Speaking of Yan Er, she remains indifferent to my gifts; being young, she cannot comprehend what her husband is doing with other women. However, I am worried that the commotion has likely reached Jianzhang Palace by now. Watching her back, I still chose not to reveal my thoughts to her, as this innocent Jin Mo would not grasp my intentions. Regarding Yan Er, she is unaffected by my offerings; her youth prevents her from realizing what her husband is involved in with other women. Yet, I am concerned that this disturbance has probably been noticed by Jianzhang Palace. To avoid becoming the target of public criticism, I decided to take a risk.

The Emperor looked at me, his sword-like brows slightly raised, filled with unspoken doubts. I lowered my head, not daring to meet his gaze, the red glow casting a flush on my cheeks. I merely shook his hand gently and then walked outside at a leisurely pace. He seemed curious about my intentions but did not voice it, following me quietly.

The Queen's request startled her; years of palace intrigue had made her wary of everything. Every word and action left her in prolonged suspicion, causing her expression to darken, and she remained silent. Yu Bazi was even more terrified, lowering his head and fiddling with the teacup in his hands, trembling slightly. Yan'er gave me a look, "I am tired; you all can play here for a while longer, I will go rest." I immediately supported the Queen as she turned to leave. Observing this scene, Madam Chen and Yu Bazi awkwardly took their leave. Yan'er gave me a look, "I am tired; you all can play here for a while longer, I will go rest." I immediately supported the Queen as she turned to leave. Observing this scene, Madam Chen and Yu Bazi awkwardly took their leave. Yan'er and I walked into the inner chamber, laughing as we flopped onto the bed. Yan'er, due to her heavy clothing, had beads of sweat forming on her forehead, which sparkled alongside her smile. Yan'er said, "Sister Qingyi, did you see their faces? They were so angry they looked distorted." I nodded, unable to contain my laughter. Suddenly, Yan'er lost her smile: "Why? Why do they care where Emperor Uncle sleeps? What benefit is there?" Yan'er said, "Sister Qingyi, did you see their faces? They were so angry they looked distorted." I nodded, unable to contain my laughter. Suddenly, Yan'er lost her smile: "Why? Why do they care where Emperor Uncle sleeps? What benefit is there?"

Re-lighting the lamp, I attended to the Emperor's washing. The spacious inner hall appeared somewhat busy. "You stay," the Emperor said without turning his head, as he let the palace maid change his nightclothes. I knew whom he was referring to, even though he had his back to me. I assisted him in lying down, tucked in the quilt, and Yanyan was sleeping soundly; these movements did not wake her. He looked at Yanyan with affection, gently kissed her forehead, and turned to me. I hurriedly lowered my head, not daring to meet his gaze, let down the gauze curtain, and sat by the table. It was destined to be another sleepless night. Ever since that night, an endless stream of rewards had been sent to Weiyang Palace, each time specifically named for Xiao Qingyi to receive, which made many palace maids envious. "How beautiful! Sister, look, this golden hairpin is no less than the Empress's. And these bracelets are made of golden threads, oh my, and this..." Jinmo's chatter had not stopped since she saw these rewards. I sighed, ignoring these gifts; they were too ostentatious, and I feared they were not a good sign. "Sister, are you not happy? Cuizhu and the others are envious to death; why are you not the least bit happy?" Jinmo looked at me with disappointment.