Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Legend of Zhen Huan - An Lingrong 8

So this was the first time she'd ever been rolled up like a cabbage and carried around like that. As for how it felt...

If you ignore the fact that she was naked, it's actually quite funny.

After being carried onto the dragon bed, a hand lifted the blanket covering her face, and An Lingrong opened her eyes, slowly raising her gaze to look at the emperor.

Her wet, doe-like eyes held a hint of timidity, making her incredibly endearing. Despite her obvious fear, she remained fixed on the Emperor, her eyes filled with unmistakable adoration.

The Emperor's voice softened unconsciously as he gently asked, "May I call you Rong'er?"

"Mmm." An Lingrong nodded softly, her eyelids lowered, her face showing a hint of shyness, and the faint pink on her cheeks added to her charm.

The initial intention to chat vanished; the Emperor's eyes darkened, and he leaned forward...

...

After calling for water three times, the bedchamber finally fell silent. An Lingrong, exhausted, had already fallen into a deep sleep.

The emperor didn't mention sending her back, and went to sleep contentedly.

The next morning, Su Peisheng led people into the room to help the emperor change his clothes.

The Emperor glanced at the sleeping An Lingrong and said, "Keep your voice down, don't wake her."

Su Peisheng and the others fell silent, and the noise they made became less loud.

"Wake her up later, so she can pay her respects to the Empress. Also, have someone prepare a sedan chair to take her to Jingren Palace, since it's quite far from Yangxin Hall, and Rong'er is frail."

"He was a bit too rough last night and forgot that it was Rong'er's first time and that she still had to pay her respects to the Empress the next day," the Emperor thought to himself.

"Yes." Su Peisheng clicked his tongue.

I thought that among the newly promoted concubines, Consort Wan would be the most favored, but I never expected that Consort Shu would be just as good, and even more so, the Emperor would show her more affection.

Consort Wan relied on the legacy of Empress Chun Yuan, while Consort Shu relied solely on herself.

"By the way, have the Imperial Household Department repair Yongshou Palace as soon as possible."

The Emperor was thinking of promoting An Lingrong in a few days, but then he remembered that Consort Fucha was living in the main hall of Yanxi Palace.

It makes no sense for an untitled noble to live in the main hall, while a titled noble lives in the east side hall; it would be better to move the palace.

Su Peisheng: "Yes, this servant will send someone to give the order immediately."

After the Emperor left, An Lingrong opened her eyes. She had woken up as soon as Su Peisheng entered the room, but she was too lazy to serve the Emperor.

After closing her eyes and dozing off for a while, An Lingrong woke up at the appointed time. After calling for help, Siyun and Qingwu came in to serve her, bringing with them a change of clothes, shoes, and jewelry.

After getting dressed, An Lingrong did not refuse the sedan chair arranged by the Emperor and went to Jingren Palace to pay her respects to the Empress.

The reasons are twofold: firstly, it's an honor bestowed by the Emperor, and refusing it would be ungrateful; secondly, it's also an affirmation of the Emperor's abilities.

It wouldn't be appropriate for you to go and pay your respects to the Empress as if nothing had happened.

After performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony for the Empress at Jingren Palace, An Lingrong became a true member of the harem.

Throughout this time, Consort Hua made her usual sarcastic remarks, but they were all harmless and innocuous. An Lingrong would just smile weakly and say "yes" and "I will listen to Consort Hua's teachings."

After a few rounds, Consort Hua found it all pointless and only made herself angrier, so she simply rolled her eyes and ignored An Lingrong.

If Consort Hua didn't say anything more, then no one else would say anything either.

The first greeting went smoothly, and afterwards An Lingrong returned to Qutai Pavilion to catch up on her sleep.

She also served the emperor for three days before being replaced by Consort Shen. After that, apart from Consort Fang, all the other concubines had finished serving the emperor.

The emperor began to select women to serve him in bed according to his own preferences, and the most favored first-tier concubine in the palace was the beautiful and charming peony flower—Consort Hua.