Chapter 20 The Emperor Arrives

Emperor Yuan Yong gently stroked Xu Lanshan's face with his broad palm. "Does it hurt?"

Xu Lanshan smiled at him and said softly, "Your Majesty, please have mercy on me. I am only happy and don't feel any pain at all."

Then it still hurts.

Yes, how could it be possible? Concubine Lian was always domineering. She would not hold back when she hit someone. How could Lan'er's skin withstand it?

Emperor Yuan Yong's heart softened upon hearing her say this, and he felt extremely distressed. He could not help but embrace her in his arms, gently patted her on the back a few times, and said softly, "Take good care of her. Try not to meet her face to face in the future. If you have any problems, go to the Empress for a decision, and don't confront her head-on."

Your position is here, and a head-on confrontation will only lead to losses.

"Yes," Xu Lanshan chuckled and nodded, "I understand! The Queen said the same thing. She even gave me a plaster as a reward."

Hearing her adorable words, Emperor Yuan Yong couldn't help but smile and kissed her cheek: "I'm glad you understand. I'll come over to have dinner with you tomorrow. You can stay here."

This way she wouldn't have to run around so much.

Xu Lanshan was instantly happier, with stars sparkling in her eyes. She smiled brightly and looked up at Emperor Yuan Yong, "Yes, yes, Your Majesty. I'll be waiting for you tomorrow!"

Perhaps she was too excited and happy, she gently grabbed the front of Emperor Yuan Yong's shirt with both hands, tiptoed over and quickly leaned over to kiss him on the corner of his lips. Seeing that he was stunned for a moment, she giggled like a kitten who had succeeded in stealing some fish, with a look of slight pride on her face.

Emperor Yuan Yong laughed heartily, hugged her and kissed her without saying anything, then patted her lightly: "You are so brave!"

Xu Lanshan chuckled triumphantly, snuggled in his arms, wrapped her arms around his waist, and said affectionately, "My courage was given by the Emperor!"

Emperor Yuan Yong laughed out loud!

How come this enchantress makes me not want to leave as soon as I see her?

After a moment of boredom, Emperor Yuan Yong said half seriously and half jokingly: "Since you are so bold, I will give you a chance. Tell me what you want."

Xu Lanshan didn't expect this benefit.

The first thing she thought of was the silver, but then she changed her mind and decided to forget it. She would get her share in a few days, eight taels of silver, next month. She had no other place to spend the money, so it was enough for the reward.

"I thank the emperor for his grace!" Xu Lanshan made up her mind and did not refuse. If a man was happy to give a reward, she would accept it openly. Only then would he be happy. "I am just greedy and I am thinking about the delicious food in the imperial kitchen!"

Emperor Yuan Yong's expression darkened slightly: "Did the Imperial Kitchen withhold food?"

"No, no! I just want to try some more varieties."

Emperor Yuan Yong was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, "You are so greedy!" He thought she would ask for clothes, jewelry or curios, but it turned out that asking for them was the same as not asking for anything.

Emperor Yuan Yong turned around and instructed Dong Zhi, "Send someone to tell the Imperial Kitchen to serve Concubine Xu more attentively from now on."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Dong accepted the order with a smile, and was amazed. This Concubine Xu was really a smart person. It was hard for her to think of this.

If the emperor didn't know, how could he not know? The imperial kitchen was too lazy to serve meals to those who were not favored in the palace. Even some of the lower-ranking ones had their meals worse than those of the palace maids and eunuchs.

But with the emperor's words, unless Xu Changzai was completely disliked by the emperor, they would not dare not serve her meals well, even if she did not appear to be favored for a while.

After all, even if she fell out of favor for a while, who knew if the emperor would remember her one day? If she held a grudge and mentioned the matter once or twice, the head of the imperial kitchen would be in trouble.

Anyway, it's just a routine care, and there's no need for the imperial kitchen to subsidize them privately. There's no need for them to deliberately be the bad guy, or to be greedy for such a small profit and leave a handle.

This was exactly what Xu Lanshan had in mind. Now it was even better as her worries were gone.

"I thank the emperor for his grace!"

Emperor Yuan Yong smiled and said, "You've never seen the world, what's there to thank me for?"

Emperor Yuan Yong was even happier when he saw the little woman's slightly aggrieved and accusing look in her eyes, which seemed to her to be afraid to speak out.

He gently pinched the other side of her cheek and said, "I'm going to see the eldest prince today. I'm leaving."

"Your Highness is here to see you off!"

Emperor Yuan Yong smiled and then left.

As soon as he left, the gentle and charming look on Xu Lanshan's face disappeared in an instant. She sat lazily on the couch, looking very comfortable.

For dinner, Xiao Fuzi brought back four dishes and a soup, saying that one of the dishes was a gift from the imperial kitchen. There were also four other snacks: chestnut cake, pine nut tart, almond pastry, and small pastries with jujube paste filling.

Very good.

Xu Lanshan was very happy.

It seems that the emperor has already sent someone to explain to the imperial kitchen.

As expected, Emperor Yuan Yong stayed at Concubine Shu's place in Jingyuan Palace tonight. Xu Lanshan heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this. This was good. If she had been summoned to the emperor's bedchamber every few days during this period, how could that be?

Then it wouldn't just be Concubine Lian who was clearly targeting him.

The next day, when paying respects, Concubine Shu was beaming. Concubine Lian was under house arrest and didn't come, while Concubine Yu still had that lazy, half-smile on her face.

The empress was dignified and naturally would not be jealous. The other concubines were of lower status than Concubine Shu, so even if she felt jealous, she dared not show it, and she dared not target Concubine Shu like she did Xu Lanshan. Instead, she smiled and tried to please her in various ways.

Some people even deliberately made sarcastic remarks about Xu Lanshan.

Xu Lanshan was too lazy to respond and continued to sit there silently and obediently.

In Xu Lanshan's opinion, there was really no need to satirize her. She had never thought that she was the only one who could serve the emperor in bed, and that she would be sad and upset if anyone else did. She was not that crazy woman named Concubine Lian.

Because the emperor stayed overnight in Jingyuan Palace yesterday, the concubines were cheered up and had hope - Xu Changzai is okay, Concubine Shu is okay, so will it be her turn next?

Therefore, the atmosphere of greeting today is much more joyful.

Xu Lanshan silently enjoyed the peaceful moment. After she served the emperor in bed tonight, there would probably be another bloody storm in Fengwu Palace tomorrow morning.

However, she must fight for this favor!

This is a fatal matter!

After paying her respects today, Xu Lanshan took Yuchan for a stroll in the Imperial Garden, which was a rare occasion for her.

It is the end of March and spring is in full bloom. The trees are green and the flowers are blooming. Taking a walk can make people feel much better.

Concubine Lian was under house arrest, and the other concubines were all eagerly waiting for Concubine Shu to sleep with them. Even if they happened to meet her at this time, no one would deliberately make things difficult for her or pick on her.

Only Song Ronghua knows.

But she was not afraid of Song Ronghua at all.

After strolling around the Imperial Garden and having lunch at Cuiyinxuan, Xu Lanshan took a short nap and then took a hot shower, changed her clothes, and dressed carefully.