Chapter 56 Emperor's Birthday

Pei Tingyue sat in front of the couch and embroidered clothes.

The emperor's birthday is coming soon.

The concubines in the six palaces each showed their own ideas. Some prepared talents, some gave gifts of rare treasures, all wanting to gain face in front of the emperor.

Pei Tingyue doesn't know anything like music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. The original owner wasn't from a high status and wasn't proficient in these things. She only learned embroidery from her mother.

This was a good thing for Pei Tingyue. She didn't want to show off her talents for the emperor's birthday, but she could still embroider something to show her sincerity.

Last time she embroidered a sachet for the emperor, and this time she plans to embroider a piece of clothing as a birthday gift.

She had been embroidering this dress for many days. The silver piping with bamboo leaf patterns required a lot of eye work, and every stitch had to be done quickly.

Yun Shu sat on the embroidery cushion and sewed for her. She asked in a muffled voice, "My beauty, for the emperor's birthday, are we really only going to give him a casual dress?"

Pei Tingyue continued to move forward: "Isn't a casual uniform enough?"

Each one is enough to make her tired.

The emperor's clothes are really difficult to make, and they are delicate and exquisite in every detail. She will never choose this again next time.

Yun Shu frowned. "It's not that it's not good enough, it's just... it's not outstanding enough. I heard that Qu Baolin practices the pipa every day. When he takes the stage, I'm afraid he'll steal the Emperor's attention."

Last year, four newcomers entered the harem audition: Yan Baolin, Xu Baolin, Qu Baolin, and Pei Tingyue.

Pei Tingyue had an impression of Yan Baolin and Xu Baolin. One was seeking death, and the other was Concubine Jiang Shu's man.

Pei Tingyue didn't have much impression of Qu Baolin. She only remembered that she had a good family background but her appearance was not outstanding. But now it seems that she is also a brainless person.

"There will be a new concubine entering the palace that day. If Qu Baolin does this, he might steal the limelight from the two new concubines and arouse jealousy. It would be a good idea for us to send a piece of clothing. It won't steal the limelight but it can show our love."

*

The sun rises and the moon sets, the stars move.

In a blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of June, the emperor's birthday.

By the evening, Pei Tingyue started to dress up.

She was wearing a dress made of shimmering brocade today, and her movements were glittering and colorful, as if thousands of brilliant lights were swirling around her.

Her hair was combed into a bun like clouds, and the jeweled hairpins and golden hairpins inserted in it were bright and luxurious, shining brightly.

She was dressed brightly and had bright makeup on. Looking through the bronze mirror, she was a beautiful woman with a gorgeous and graceful figure that was eye-catching.

Pei Tingyue originally didn't want to dress so formally.

Recently, when paying respects, the new concubine was mentioned, and more and more people looked at her, simply because they wanted to see how frustrated and lonely she was.

With the new concubine entering the palace today, I'm afraid there will be even more people laughing at her.

Pei Tingyue just doesn't do what they wish, she wants to go with high spirits!

Seeing that she had finished dressing, Pei Tingyue slowly stood up and said, "Let's go."

She left the palace with Yun Shu and Yun Zheng, but did not go to Mingyue Terrace where the birthday banquet was held. Instead, she went straight to Chengming Palace.

Soon, she arrived at the place.

"Isn't it too late for me?"

Pei Tingyue bowed and walked quickly into the hall.

Xie Chen put down the book in his hand, stood up from the couch, raised his eyebrows and looked at the person who came: "It's not too late."

He was somewhat surprised by this sight and didn't look away for a long time.

Pei Tingyue noticed that he was staring at her, so she touched her face and asked, "Is there something on my face?"

Xie Chen pulled down her hand and held it, then asked with a smile, "Why are you dressed so beautifully today, Tingyue?"

Pei Tingyue raised her eyes to look at him and asked coquettishly, "What do you mean by that, Your Majesty? Am I not pretty on a normal day?"

Xie Chen touched her red lips with his fingertips and replied, "It's not that it doesn't look good, it's just that it's more formal today."

Pei Tingyue grabbed his hand and placed it on her face. She leaned forward, a glint in her eyes: "Because today is the emperor's birthday, this concubine attaches great importance to it. If the emperor likes it, this concubine will dress like this in the future."

Xie Chen lowered his eyes to look at the little face pressed against his palm. He used a little force to pinch her cheek and said with a smile, "That's not necessary. I like Tingyue no matter how she dresses."

After a while of clinging to each other, Pei Tingyue said, "It's getting late. Shall I help His Majesty change his clothes?"

This was what she and the emperor had agreed upon. Today she would personally change him into his casual clothes.

After saying that, she dragged the person behind the screen.

Pei Tingyue lowered her head, skillfully unbuttoned the jade button on his waist, and took off his robe.

Then she took out the moon-white brocade robe with snow bamboo pattern that she had embroidered and put it on him.

After putting it on, she couldn't help but leaned over and kissed him.

She boasted: "I am a skilled craftsman. The emperor looks so handsome in the clothes I made!"

Xie Chen did not agree with her, but asked what time it was. After getting the answer, he pressed the person against the screen.

"Tingyue prepared such a thoughtful birthday gift for me. How can I thank you?"

Looking at the elegant face so close, Pei Tingyue lowered her eyes, her thick and curled eyelashes trembling, and she whispered: "Your Majesty, there is no need for your thanks."

Xie Chen caressed those bright red lips, his Adam's apple rolling slightly as he leaned closer. "But I think I should give Tingyue a little reward."

It was obvious what he meant.

With such beauty before her, Pei Tingyue couldn't control herself. She forced herself to be rational, steady her breath, and looked up at him: "But I don't have any lip balm, and neither does Chengming Palace. Later... um..."

He was interrupted halfway through his words.

With warmth and softness covering her lips, Pei Tingyue could no longer speak. She was forced to exchange breath with someone.

…

It was not until the palace servants reminded them again and again that the time had come that the two stopped.

Pei Tingyue touched her slightly stinging lips and asked hurriedly, "Is there any lip balm left on my lips?"

Xie Chen wiped the red from her lips and shook his head, "Not much left."

Pei Tingyue: “…”

What should I do if I feel desperate?

When the concubines in the six palaces saw her like this, they knew what had happened.

Pei Tingyue took a deep breath and secretly cursed herself for losing control. She should have pushed the person away just now.

After looking at the emperor with sorrow, she walked around the screen and went out, asking each palace maid in Chengming Palace who had brought lip balm.

Fortunately, in the end, a little palace maid who served tea had some with her, but it was not very good and the color was not good either, it was just a bright red.

Pei Tingyue didn't mind and took it to use. Although the color was a little red, it just covered the swelling.

Xie Chen glanced at the young palace maid and instructed Liang Yao, "Give her three months' salary."

The young palace maid was overjoyed and went down with many thanks.

After packing everything up, the emperor and his empress went to Mingyue Terrace together.

This time, Xie Chen did not let Pei Tingyue ride in the dragon chariot with him, but instead asked someone to prepare a sedan chair for her.

About a quarter of an hour later, the two arrived.

Xie Chen stood in front of Pei Tingyue and asked her, "Would you like to go in with me, or go in first by yourself?"

Pei Tingyue was just thinking about whether he should go in and give those people a good slap in the face when he happened to catch a glimpse of Queen Cui's phoenix chariot.

Pei Tingyue pointed to the distance and bowed politely: "I will go in first, Your Majesty and the Empress will come together."

Xie Chen looked in the direction she pointed and nodded slightly: "Okay."