Chapter 10, the night watch is nearly over

However, she had taken in his earlier words; he meant the same as Tongyun, that he would be with anyone. When the emperor favors you, do you not also have to lie there exposed? The difference lies in the fact that when the emperor calls, she can openly let others know, while the Prince of Fortune keeps his actions hidden and in the dark. Regardless, the title of Grand Consort is here; if she truly agrees... what does that mean? Regardless, the title of Grand Consort is here; if she truly agrees... what does that mean?

I have truly never encountered such cunning! Xiao Duo furrowed his brow and said, "Your Highness, please go to the palace. It is late at night and there is dew; it would not be good if your handkerchief gets damp."

The color demon excels in painting, just as a tidy person like Xiao Duo must please the queen, evoking both awe and a sense of filth. This illustrates the difficulty of balancing worldly affairs; the closer one is to the center of power, the more complex they become. Yin Lou couldn't help but laugh as she tapped her forehead; how much did she really know about Xiao Duo? Just based on the fact that he had saved her twice, she had already developed so many sentiments. Perhaps he was simply that kind of person!

She was momentarily taken aback, recalling Xiao Duo's ethereal face, and found it rather unlikely, "How many eunuchs with authority are there in the Ministry of Rites?"

Yin Lou experienced two shocks in one day and felt somewhat overwhelmed, sitting on the kang and staring blankly. Tong Yun, sitting next to her feet, observed her and said, "My lady, you mentioned that your peach blossom luck was not strong; don't you see that it has arrived this time?"

Tong Yun glanced at her and said, "I am also doing this for your good. Sometimes you get stuck in a dead end and need a wake-up call. I risk my life to offer my honest advice, which is the mark of a loyal minister"

She sat up with a sob, and he hurriedly reached out to support her. In the light of the brazier, he noticed her eyes were red, thinking she must have cried excessively, causing irritation. However, as she dabbed with her handkerchief, a distinct red mark was left on the white silk, revealing that she had prepared in advance by applying rouge to her eyelids.

Tong Yun fell silent, and ambiguously said: "It is not pitiful; those who serve as servants have all gone through this. Only with effort can there be rewards. Otherwise, how do you think he manages the Ministry of Rites and oversees the Eastern Inspection Bureau? Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trivial matters. You, my lord, should also learn from Director Xiao!"

The sound of the building creaked as I nodded, "I understand, you must hate me for taking back the things I rewarded you with"

She lay on the ground, unable to rise, feigning distress with her whole body shaking, her display of sorrow moving even the heavens and the earth. Xiao Duo had just finished discussing matters and came out from the eaves, standing on the platform to observe for a while. Seeing her so sincere and heartfelt, he was also taken aback, but he did not believe that her feelings were genuine. He approached with his hands clasped, bowing slightly, and said: "Your Highness, please take care of yourself in this time of grief."

Some people find it difficult to express what is on their minds, and Tong Yun belongs to that category. After a long period of beating around the bush, she will still rush to tell you if you don't ask her. Indeed, once the fishing line is cast, the fish bites without even needing bait. She whispered slyly, "The Empress and the Chief Eunuch have a secret, don't you know?"

I am speaking the truth, you haven't heard of it, not only several concubines, but even the empress...'' She covered her mouth, ``Damn it, damn it, I almost let it slip, if someone finds out, they will have my tongue cut out

As for the bruise under her jaw, it did not recover well after a few days. Xiao Duo sent someone to deliver a medicated plaster, which was promptly applied all over her neck. By the evening, when it was removed, it had faded considerably; although it had not completely disappeared, her voice had become clearer, allowing her to cry more decorously in front of the spirit tablet

Yin Lou is undoubtedly a person who takes life as it comes; she has a big heart and can encompass the entire Forbidden City. After a night's sleep, she wakes up with a fresh perspective, and it is her good fortune that she was not called to accompany someone in death. Being taken advantage of in the middle of the night is of little consequence; it is simply because she is too lovable. The troubles of a beauty are indeed many.

Tong Yun was giggling under the covers, "I am quite clever, what method can I not think of? In the Queen's palace, there is a shamanic mask, with a ghostly face and a red nose. That nose is unusual, the tip is the size of an egg, and the whole thing is about four and a half inches long, resembling a wooden donkey used for punishment..." Such a shocking revelation made her blush, and she hurriedly fell silent.

She buried her face in the crook of her arm. Hearing her say that, she turned her face, revealing one eye to look at her, "What kind of peach blossom is this? Coming up and touching me, pulling here and there, and even saying that senior brothers and sisters are getting engaged. Is this how engagements are made? I can see it now; these arrogant nobles have this kind of nature, they don't regard others as human!"

Therefore, you cannot be so lazy; you must be active. I initially thought that Lady Li being with Yan Sunlang was quite good, but now looking at you, you have the favor of Prince Fu, which is a hundred times better than Lady Li. Prince Fu lacks nothing, and you have gained a great advantage; go find a place to enjoy yourself!

A minor talent who has never been favored by the emperor yet inexplicably ascended to the position of a noble consort harbors a sense of foreboding about her uncertain future. The legitimate noble consorts, reflecting on their own twilight years, feel an even deeper sense of desolation that is hard to articulate, and they burst into loud wails. Naturally, the sound of crying in the music hall is even more fitting; she fears that the empress might suddenly appear and summon her to kneel by the imperial bed for a ritual, which would be utterly terrifying.

What does that matter! Once you achieve great success, will you still worry about not benefiting from me? When I step out, I will also hold my head high, bringing honor to myself. " Tongyun yawned and murmured, "In this lifetime, you are destined to be connected with the imperial family; staying in the palace is the right path. Do not worry about loneliness; many favored eunuchs are close to their masters. By then, we can also raise one to entertain you.

The title of Prince Fu resounds loudly, and there are few in Daye who do not know him. This prince is the youngest son, affectionately referred to as "Dian Woer". His elder brothers have all passed away, leaving only him and Emperor Daxing as the surviving siblings. Later, when Emperor Daxing ascended the throne, he conferred a title upon him, allowing him to live comfortably in the capital. Speaking of this man, he has no major faults, except for his lecherous nature; if a girl or a wife catches his eye, he will go to great lengths, even climbing walls and prying open doors, to possess her. Despite such a detestable temperament, he possesses remarkable calligraphy skills, which seems to be a misallocation of divine favor. It is said that he has a profound mastery of calligraphy, and when he copies anyone's writing, it is sure to be deeply impressive. It is rumored that a piece written in the slender gold script, bearing his illustrious name Murong Gaogong, could fetch several thousand silver coins at Liulichang.

Yin Lou did not respond to her, and before long, the girl fell asleep, her breathing resembling that of a bellows. Yin Lou could not sleep, her mind spinning like a windmill.

She leaned by the window, gazing at the golden sun shining on the roof of the front hall. The weather was clear, and it quickly became warm. It had rained for about forty days prior, likely mourning for the late Emperor. Upon reflection, he had not accomplished much; the Heavenly Bodhisattva was being unusually generous this time, crying so sorrowfully and for such a long duration. When a person breathes their last, they instead take on a different appearance, perhaps knowing that a funeral is imminent, making arrangements to ensure that matters proceed smoothly.

"This statement is incorrect; I did not benefit, but rather someone else took advantage. " Yin Lou turned the person over to lie down, "Moreover, I am the master; you cannot say that I am lazy or that I do not follow the rules. You should say that I am easygoing and accepting of fate; that sounds much more pleasant to hear."

In front of the solemn hall, white banners fluttered in the sky, and the gold and silver foil rustled in the wind. Inside the hall, the sound of chanting echoed continuously, and only by being present could one truly feel the weight of the funeral. As the body had not yet been prepared, a tall canopy was erected inside the hall, beneath which lay the emperor's coffin bed, while outside, a high altar was set up with ceremonial vessels and offerings. The palace ladies and close ministers who had kept vigil for two days knelt on either side of the green pavilion, looking up whenever someone arrived. Yin Lou was somewhat flustered, yet managed to maintain her composure. Fortunately, she had a pair of urgent tears; holding her mourning attire, she staggered up the steps, kneeling three times and bowing nine times outside the hall, collapsing on the platform in tears.

Yin Lou's large, dazed eyes swept over, and his words were peculiar, perhaps having unraveled something. When he looked down again, his face immediately turned sullen, and he hurriedly stuffed the handkerchief into his sleeve.

Feeling dejected, "If I were to enter the mausoleum and no one came to rescue me, I would surely never come out. In the end, I would have to end up like the old empresses, dead and buried in the tomb of the concubines."

Yin Lou nodded again, lying straight and staring at the ceiling, "That makes sense"

Tong Yun had her mouth slightly pursed and her brows furrowed, giving her features a somewhat comical appearance. "No matter what, she is still a flower, albeit a rather lustful one, and can be tolerated for a glance. If you wish to have a good life in the future, you cannot avoid suffering some hidden losses. In an ordinary family, it would be shameful for a younger brother to steal his sister-in-law, but in the imperial family, it is different. You know about Emperor Gaozong, right? But Empress He Dun was the legitimate wife of Emperor Taizong, and in the end, she still became a concubine for Gaozong! The Xianbei people are not so particular; they can be with anyone, don't you think?" Empress He Dun was the legitimate wife of Emperor Taizong, and in the end, she still became a concubine for Gaozong! The Xianbei people are not so particular; they can be with anyone, don't you think?

Yin Lou listened with a frown and said, "You really have the nerve to say that. If you were a man, you would probably be even more lecherous than Prince Fu."

Tong Yun sighed, "You shouldn't just have reason; you should really think it over! From now on, your fate is to be in a high position. If you want to find a man, he must be someone of high status and power; otherwise, you'll have to strike the wooden fish every day. Is striking the wooden fish fun? For the first few days, it might seem quite peaceful, but after ten or eight years, you'll go mad! I've heard that many of the concubines guarding the tomb eventually couldn't even recognize people, wandering off to die in some corner, and no one could find them."

Yin Lou initially did not understand, but later realized, leaving her dumbfounded. She turned over and lay on her back, feeling inexplicably that a beautiful flower had been wasted, and her heart was filled with deep regret. She sighed deeply, "Xiao Changchen is so pitiful!"

"You have already taken action, so what is there to fear!" Tongyun returned to the bed, hugged the mattress, lay down, and turned over to say: "If you think this way, what if the Emperor has not passed away and calls for you to serve? Would you go? It's the same reasoning; who knows whom in this palace? Aside from the palace maids, there are only eunuchs who have been thoroughly cleansed. There is only one man, and he is dead now. Perhaps Prince Fu will become the next master. Regardless of that, when the time is right, you can ask him to make a decision for you. After all, he is a prince and can easily rescue you from Tai Ling without any effort."

"I don't want to, so what should I do? Should I go and seduce Prince Fu again?" She made a nauseating expression, "Just thinking of him makes me feel sick; I really can't bring myself to do that!"

Are you ready to open up now? Tongyun moved a little closer, saying, "Once you pass this village, there won't be another shop. Do you plan to die old in Tailin?"

Think it over carefully, do not rush, and decide what to do after thorough consideration. One cannot neglect the debt of gratitude; delaying repayment may lead to unforeseen consequences, and one might end up in a situation where they are harmed again out of anger.

There is an indescribable feeling in my heart, "It is too difficult for people, to use something that cannot be presented, how anxious that would be!"

On the third day, the body was to be prepared for burial, and she had to kneel in the respectful hall in advance. Tongyun helped her get ready, the mourning hat was deep, and with one fastening, even her eyes were obscured. The two of them supported each other as they entered through the back right door under the cover of the dark night and strong winds

Yin Lou sneered: "If you really want to pull out tongues, you have so many all over your body that it wouldn't be enough to pull out. What's wrong with the Empress? Does the Empress also raise eunuchs?"

Are you confused? There is only one person in the palace, and if there are too many seals, it will surely be chaotic! Tong Yun raised her voice and said, "It's Xiao Duo, your life-saving benefactor. I have a childhood friend who works in Kun Ning Palace, serving by the side of the Empress. Every time the Empress summons Supervisor Xiao, everyone standing in the palace has to tactfully step back. What can be said in front of others? Supervisor Xiao stays in Kun Ning Palace for two quarters of an hour; you know, a lone man and a woman, what can they do?" As she spoke, she changed the subject, "This is something I only tell you; you must not spread it. The Eastern Depot is the best at gathering intelligence in the world, and if this kind of gossip reaches Xiao Duo..." She made a gesture of cutting her throat, "By tomorrow morning, the sun will be shining on our graves!"

She was taken aback for a moment, "That sounds quite reasonable. Could it be that I just didn't see it clearly at the time?"