Chapter 05 [5]

【5】

The man's eyes were sharp and clear, as if he was looking straight into her heart.

Lu Zhiwan clenched her palms even tighter, relying entirely on the faith of an actor to withstand the numbing pressure, and nodded sincerely: "A man as wise and powerful as Your Majesty, there is probably no woman in the world who would not admire him, and I am no exception. Does Your Majesty not believe in my feelings?"

"Your feelings..."

Xiao Jingting glanced at her tense shoulders and neck, and raised his eyebrows slightly: "Since you made me laugh, I will believe you for the time being."

Lu Zhiwan relaxed his shoulders and breathed a sigh of relief: "As long as your Majesty believes it, that's good."

Oh, that's not right. Who made him laugh?! So he was really laughing at her confession?

Before she could think about it, a eunuch came in carrying the emperor's court robes and crown.

Lu Zhiwan was not idle either. She fulfilled her duties as a concubine and helped him dress. Although her movements were a little unfamiliar, with the eunuchs helping her, the whole process went smoothly.

After they were fully dressed and the sky outside had brightened considerably, a eunuch came forward to remind the courtiers in the Hall of Supreme Harmony that they had arrived. Xiao Jingting raised his hand and rubbed his brow, seeming a little impatient: "I know."

Looking at Lu Zhiwan, who was yawning quietly with her head drooped beside the pillar, his eyes moved slightly and he beckoned her: "Come here."

Lu Zhiwan was startled when his name was suddenly called. He immediately stepped forward with full alertness and asked, "Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?"

"Hold hands."

“……?”

Despite his doubts, Lu Zhiwan still followed his instructions and held his hand like he did last night.

The difference from holding hands last night was that this time she held the hand for a while, and then the big hand suddenly held it back.

Not only did he hold it in reverse, but he also squeezed it twice, neither too hard nor too light, as if he had discovered something interesting.

Lu Zhiwan was stunned and didn't know how to respond to this "teasing" behavior.

Until Xiao Jingting let go of her hand, his tone was calm: "I am going to court."

She finally came back to her senses after a moment of shock: "...Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell."

The young emperor, dressed in a scarlet court robe with a dragon pattern, turned and left, followed by a group of eunuchs.

The bedroom, which was bustling just now, suddenly became quiet, leaving only Lu Zhiwan touching his strangely hot cheek, feeling completely confused.

What's wrong with this emperor? He won't sleep with her, but likes to hold her hand? Don't be a pure love god of war, right?

Lu Zhiwan couldn't figure it out and was too lazy to think about it anymore. While it was still dark and no one was coming to take care of her, she lay back on the bed, pulled the quilt over her and went to take a nap.

But this time she didn't sleep for long, as she was woken up again.

The one who woke her was a smiling, round-faced auntie who stood at the head of the bed and bowed respectfully to her: "Your servant Qiu Rong greets Concubine Lu. Concubine Lu wishes you good health and happiness."

Lu Zhiwan hugged the quilt, looking sleepy: "No need to be polite..."

Wait, Jieyu? Isn't she a talented person?

"Aunt, what did you call me just now?" Lu Zhiwan opened his eyes and looked at the person in front of him.

"Your Highness, you were asleep just now, so you probably don't know. His Majesty issued an edict before he went to court, saying that you served him well last night and promoted him to the rank of Imperial Highness." Aunt Qiu Rong smiled broadly and bowed, "I, your servant, am here to congratulate Your Highness."

Just by sleeping under the quilt, she was promoted from the lowest-ranking talent to a third-rank concubine. Such a good thing actually exists in the world!

Lu Zhiwan felt dizzy and had a dreamlike feeling.

Aunt Qiu Rong noticed her daze and smiled softly, "In all the years I've served in the palace, you, Concubine, are the first to be promoted twice after sleeping with him. This truly shows the great favor His Majesty has for you."

After a pause, she said, "It is already morning hour. According to palace rules, concubines who are sleeping with the emperor for the first time should go and pay their respects to the imperial concubine... May I help you, your Highness, with your dressing?"

Lu Zhiwan came back to his senses from the joy of his promotion and said in surprise, "I'm going to pay my respects to the imperial concubine now?"

Aunt Qiu Rong nodded. "Before His Majesty appointed a queen, Imperial Concubine Gu was the most important concubine in the harem. Concubines of the fourth rank and above were required to pay their respects to the Imperial Concubine at Yonghe Palace every day. Previously, you were a fifth-rank talent, so you didn't need to pay your respects. Now that you are a Concubine, you are required to meet with the Imperial Concubine."

Hearing this, Lu Zhiwan instantly imagined a tit-for-tat harem drama.

As the first concubine to sleep in the Yangxin Palace, she was already hated. Now the emperor had directly promoted her by two levels—not that the promotion was bad, but it was too eye-catching, and she was afraid that she would have to fight a tough battle later.

However, if you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. Since she is aiming to become the favorite concubine, she doesn't need to worry about those trivial things and can just go for it.

After calming down a bit, Lu Zhiwan showed Aunt Qiu Rong a polite smile and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you to do your makeup."

***

The sky was bright and the wind was blowing gently, but inside Yonghe Palace there was a heavy and solemn atmosphere.

Concubine Gu had not come out yet. In the main hall, other concubines who had come to pay their respects were gathered in groups of two or three, whispering to each other with their hands covered. The focus of their conversation was naturally Lu Zhiwan, who had served her in bed last night.

"Didn't they say she fell into the water last time and was so sick she couldn't get up? How did she catch your Majesty's eye?"

"Your Majesty has never summoned any concubines to visit him. Even the Imperial Concubine has never entered the Yangxin Palace. What right does she have to come from Yuezhou..."

Most of the concubines in the harem were noble ladies from the capital, who had a natural sense of superiority and looked down on the selected beauties from other prefectures. But it was this little talent from the countryside that caused His Majesty, who was averse to women, to break his vow and start summoning concubines!

The concubines were envious and jealous, but also had a vague expectation.

In the past, when His Majesty didn't summon his concubines, they had secretly wondered if he had a hidden illness. Now that Lu Zhiwan had appeared, didn't that mean His Majesty actually liked women? If they worked hard and approached the type of woman His Majesty liked, perhaps they too would have a chance of being summoned!

Thinking of this, several concubines from the capital took the initiative to walk towards Concubine Hu and Concubine Zhao.

Concubine Hu thought they were here to talk to her and just put on a fake smile to greet them, but she didn't expect them to all look at Concubine Zhao beside her: "Sister Zhao, if we remember correctly, you and Concubine Lu are from the same hometown and went to the capital together for the selection. You must have a close relationship. Do you know how she managed to please His Majesty?"

Lady Zhao had a complicated expression. In the past, these imperial concubines in the capital ignored her, but today they took the initiative to talk to her, but it was all because of that little bitch Lu Zhiwan.

How could she know what methods that vixen used! If she knew, she would have used them herself a long time ago. Why is she still being surpassed by Lu Zhiwan in status today? How hateful!

"Please forgive me, sisters. Although she and I are from the same hometown, we have different personalities and we don't have much contact with each other on a daily basis..." Lady Zhao smiled wryly.

Upon seeing this, the concubines in the capital exchanged glances with each other, said a few perfunctory words indifferently, and then turned and left.

Lady Zhao's face became increasingly embarrassed, and she clutched her handkerchief and hummed softly.

Hu Jieyu squinted at her and said, "Alright, stop whining. I know you're unhappy, but who told you that you're not as skilled as others? Just hold it in no matter how aggrieved you are."

Lady Zhao bit her lip, thinking, "Are you happy about this? Now that Lu Zhiwan is a concubine, she's on equal footing with you. I'm afraid you hate her even more than I do."

Some people had not arrived yet, but the flower hall of Yonghe Palace had already become the center of a storm with dark clouds covering the city.

When Lu Zhiwan's sedan chair stopped in front of the Yonghe Palace, a strong chill came over her, giving her goose bumps. She felt that the magnificent building in front of her was not a palace for concubines, but a dangerous place where good or bad luck could befall her.

"Don't be afraid, Concubine. You are a Concubine appointed by His Majesty himself. As long as you follow the rules and don't make any mistakes, others who want to find fault with you should think twice before doing so." Aunt Qiu Rong reached out and helped her get out of the sedan chair. Her gentle and steady comfort made Lu Zhiwan feel much calmer.

"Fortunately, my aunt is with me, otherwise I would be so panicked."

"Your Majesty, your words are too humiliating for me. Since Your Majesty has sent me to serve you, I will naturally consider you wholeheartedly."

Aunt Qiu Rong looked at the charming yet simple-minded Concubine Lu, and she had some thoughts in her mind, but she didn't show it on her face. She respectfully reminded her, "I don't care about the other concubines in the harem, but Concubine Gu is the empress dowager's niece. In front of her, I still have to be cautious..."

Lu Zhiwan's only memory of Concubine Gu was the day she fell into the water, the luxurious purple color that made her look like the moon surrounded by stars.

The Empress Dowager's niece, that meant the Emperor's cousin? This background was indeed not to be underestimated.

"Aunt Qiurong, I wonder what the Imperial Concubine's personality is like, what are her likes and dislikes?" Lu Zhiwan walked towards Yonghe Palace, while trying to get some information at the last minute: "Tell me about it, so I can have a better idea."

Aunt Qiu Rong pondered for a few breaths before speaking softly, "The Imperial Concubine is the legitimate daughter of the Gu family. Her aunt is the current Empress Dowager, her father is the Prime Minister, and her brother, Gu Rongyu, is a rare talent. At such a young age, he is already a Third Rank Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice. A noblewoman raised in such a pampered family always has a bit of arrogance..."

Although the words were said in a tactful way, Lu Zhiwan understood the meaning - Concubine Gu had an arrogant temper and should not be provoked.

However, Lu Zhiwan could also understand that if he had such an impressive background, he would also walk sideways with his hands on his hips when going out.

But why does the name of Gu Rongyu, the Minister of Justice, sound familiar?

Lu Zhiwan frowned and thought about it, but before she could remember, the man had already walked to the door of the flower hall.

The hall, which had been filled with whispers and endless discussions, suddenly fell silent, and all the concubines looked at the beautiful yet hateful slender figure outside the door.

Lu Zhiwan, who was about to cross the threshold: "..."

Help! This strong murderous aura is rising straight to the top of my head. Is it too late to run away now?