Thump thump—thump thump thump—

"Your Majesty, this servant has entered."

Caiyue tentatively whispered something, and when there was no response, she reached out and pushed open the door.

The afternoon sun poured in from above, illuminating the surrounding ground through the opened gap.

Consort Shu was sitting sideways on the edge of the bed, smiling gently and kindly. "It just so happens that you have come to the Qianqing Palace on my behalf to ask the Emperor to come over."

Seeing her mistress acting out of character, Caiyue immediately raised her alarm bells to the maximum. She nodded calmly, then hesitated slightly before asking, "Your Highness, if the Imperial Eunuch asks about the reason, how should I answer?"

It's impossible to simply go to the Qianqing Palace and invite the Emperor; there has to be a reason to persuade him to come.

Caiyue was very self-aware, and her words were also a way of giving herself an extra layer of protection.

Consort Shu pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Just say that I have something to discuss with His Majesty."

Caiyue: ...Although, it seems even the Empress Dowager wouldn't dare use such a lame excuse.

"Yes, I understand."

Caiyue inwardly complained, but outwardly she obediently and respectfully agreed.

Turning around, she was about to make arrangements as Consort Shu had instructed, but just as she was about to leave, Consort Shu asked Caiyue to take the ginseng soup from the small kitchen with her.

The soup being cooked was the emperor's favorite, and Caiyue didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

In other words, she was originally there to deliver a message for her master, and it was more respectable to bring a gift than to go empty-handed.

Caiyue set off, carrying a food box she had taken from the small kitchen, her steps hurried.

Qianqing Palace

"Eunuch Liang"

Caiyue called out to Liang Jiugong, who was waiting at the door, her face still flushed from the journey.

Liang Jiugong quickly approached Caiyue, his eyes subtly scanning her around. "Does Consort Shu have any instructions?"

Caiyue handed the food box to Liang Jiugong, saying, "Our Empress specially prepared ginseng soup for His Majesty. She also asked you to inform him that His Majesty is unable to come due to health reasons and can only ask His Majesty to go to Yongshou Palace."

She spoke well at first, but Caiyue's voice grew softer and softer as she continued.

She couldn't help but feel uneasy. The idea of ​​the master of the house personally going to see his concubine seemed illogical no matter how she thought about it.

Sure enough, as soon as Caiyue finished speaking, Liang Jiugong's eyes widened in fright. "Miss Caiyue, did your lady really say that?" Is she out of her mind?

Caiyue nodded awkwardly, "Eunuch Liang, I was just following orders, please bear with me." She quickly stuffed a bulging purse into Liang Jiugong's hand, and did all she could.

But faced with such absurd words, Liang Jiugong really didn't know how to respond.

Oh dear, Consort Shu has really put him in a difficult position. How can she do things like this? She delivered the crucial message, and he didn't dare not relay it. Otherwise, when the Emperor goes to Yongshou Palace, the two sides will have a falling out, and he will be in trouble.

With a soft sigh, Liang Jiugong waved to Caiyue, "Wait here for me to come out. But even if the message is delivered, I can't guarantee whether the Emperor will go."

Caiyue nodded obediently, "Don't worry, Father-in-law, I understand. Thank you for your hard work."

"Hmph, what's with all this talk about hardship? We're all servants, it's only right and proper for us to serve our masters," Liang Jiugong waved his hand, then turned and carried the food box into the hall.

Caiyue watched Liang Jiugong leave, then rubbed her hands together and walked around the outside of the hall, hoping that Eunuch Liang would do something. If he couldn't bring back good news, she really couldn't imagine how crazy her master would go.

About fifteen minutes later, the tightly closed doors of the main hall were pushed open.

Caiyue looked up and saw Liang Jiugong walking out carrying a food box.

Her eyes lit up, and she hurriedly went over, "Eunuch Liang, how is the situation here with the Emperor?"

Reaching out, Caiyue took the food box from Liang Jiugong's hand. Feeling its weight, she understood that the ginseng soup inside had already been taken away. It seemed that regardless of whether the plan succeeded or not, she could return to report.

“Miss Caiyue, His Majesty said he will go to Yongshou Palace after finishing his state affairs.”

Liang Jiugong was also surprised. The Emperor only thought about it for a while before agreeing. Tsk, Consort Shu still has some tricks up her sleeve.

Hearing the Emperor's approval, Caiyue was overjoyed and repeatedly thanked Liang Jiugong.

Liang Jiugong waved his hand. He dared not take credit for it; he had only relayed a message and could only say that his master should not make wild guesses about his thoughts.

"I won't bother you any longer, Father-in-law. I'll go back and prepare now."

"Take care, young lady."

"Please wait, sir."

"..."

Caiyue bid farewell to Liang Jiugong and then turned to leave.

When Caiyue returned to Yongshou Palace after her busy trip, she heard the maidservant who was guarding Consort Shu report that Consort Shu had already gone to sleep.

"Asleep?"

At this hour, Caiyue wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked up at the sky. "The Emperor is coming today. Quickly go to the small kitchen and tell Xiaoshengzi and the others to prepare a better dinner. Also, make a trip to the Imperial Kitchen, get enough money, and make sure to prepare several dishes that the Emperor likes."

The young palace maid nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling brightly. "With the Emperor here, the Empress will surely be in a better mood," she said, as she knew she wouldn't be wronged.

“Yes, so we must put more effort into dinner and not disappoint the master,” Caiyue patted the little palace maid on the shoulder, sending her off to get busy.

And she herself finally had a chance to catch her breath and relax.

After returning to her room and quickly tidying herself up, Caiyue, taking advantage of the moment when Consort Shu had rested, informed her that the Emperor would be coming.

“You’ve done a good job, Caiyue. You’ve been by my side for over two years now.”

Consort Shu spoke gently, but Caiyue was still flustered by what she heard.

Caiyue clenched her fingers tightly. "It has been more than two years. It is my blessing to be able to serve Your Highness."

"What good fortune or bad fortune? I chose you at first sight," Consort Shu chuckled. "If I remember correctly, your original name was Wan Ning."

It's a good name, gentle and melodious; you can immediately tell from the sound that your elders have high hopes for you.

As Consort Shu finished speaking, Caiyue felt a jolt. Here we go again. It was the same tune last time, this person wanted to push her onto the dragon bed; and this time it's the same tune again. Is he going to make empty promises to her again?

"Caiyue, I asked you this question several times before, but I haven't been able to find an opportunity."

Now, I would like to ask you, do you wish to serve the Emperor?

Caiyue: ? ! !

…………

"How did you know that the Emperor had taken a concubine with him?"

In the side hall of Qixiang Palace, Xiuning had just opened her eyes when she heard Chunyu bring her news.

Chunyu was extremely anxious. "It was one of our people who said it, Caiyue, who is close to Consort Shu."

Putting on her shoes and getting out of bed, Xiuning stood up and walked to the dressing table. "The Emperor I served last night?"

With a soft "hmm," Chunyu hesitated, "Will this affect our plans?"

"What impact will it have? She's just a palace maid. No matter how outstanding she is, she'll only be a concubine," Xiu Ning said, picking up a wooden comb to tidy her hair. Her eyes unconsciously drifted to the beautiful woman in the copper bell, and she smiled slightly. "Consort Shu is digging a pit for us."