Chapter 21 Staying with Me

Xu Lanshan put on light makeup and didn't use any other powder or perfume - no matter how good the powder or perfume was, could it be more alluring than her body scent?

The emperor did not break his promise and came to Cuiyinxuan at around four o'clock in the afternoon.

Xu Lanshan happily welcomed him.

Today she was wearing a bean green silk dress embroidered with white plum branches. The plum branches were stretched and delicate, with white plum blossoms embellished on them. The petals were white and the stamens were golden, which contrasted with the bean green background, making her look particularly elegant and pleasant. She covered herself with a translucent wide-sleeved gauze robe. Her black hair was like clouds, with pearl hairpins visible in between, making her look even more beautiful and pretty, which was a bright spot for the eyes.

Emperor Yuan Yong's eyes lit up when he saw her, and he smiled and took her hand and sat down together.

"I was just thinking that the Emperor might be coming soon, but I never thought he would actually come. This shows that my sincerity is truly effective!"

Xu Lanshan smiled and personally served tea to Emperor Yuan Yong.

Emperor Yuan Yong took the tea and laughed, glancing at her: "Lan'er really knows how to flatter herself!"

Xu Lanshan couldn't help but cover her mouth and burst out laughing, which made Emperor Yuan Yong laugh as well.

He took a sip of tea, put the tea bowl down, pulled Xu Lanshan to sit beside him, and asked casually, "What did you do today?"

Xu Lanshan began to talk to him with a smile. Her eyes and eyebrows were lively, her voice was soft and clear, and particularly pleasant to the ear. Her pretty face was full of smiles, and seeing her spirited expression made people feel happy for no reason.

She is a very good speaker and eloquent. Even simple and ordinary things sound interesting and heartwarming when spoken by her, and people enjoy listening to them.

Emperor Yuan Yong laughed happily from time to time.

The two of them were so affectionate, chatting and laughing as if they were just family matters, which made people feel as if they were full of the atmosphere of the real world.

Dong Zhi looked at her silently for a few seconds, then lowered his eyes and thought to himself, no wonder the emperor could never forget Xu Changzai, as expected... she is a little different from others.

The meal was served at dinner time, with a total of sixteen dishes, which were exquisite, tempting and pleasing to the eye.

As far as Xu Lanshan knew, according to the imperial regulations, there should be thirty-six dishes. Some emperors were frugal and would still serve twenty-four dishes. Emperor Yuan Yong was particularly frugal in this regard.

She had heard a little bit about him, and he was considered a wise ruler who worked hard to govern the country.

The boss was obviously quite satisfied with her flattering work. When he took her to sit at the dining table, he asked with a smile: "Is there anything else you want to eat? Send someone to tell the imperial kitchen."

Although the boss might have just mentioned it casually, it was still a sign of satisfaction, wasn't it? Others might not have appreciated it.

Xu Lanshan naturally didn't ask for it. She smiled and said, "Thanks to the emperor, I am flattered. I like these things very much! The emperor is so good to me, so he doesn't have to worry about spoiling me!"

Emperor Yuan Yong laughed loudly.

Anyone who would say this must have known what was going on in his mind. Those who are ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth and become arrogant because of being favored would never say this.

He liked this woman more and more.

"Well, I've spoiled Lan'er so much. How can Lan'er repay me for such kindness? Hmm?"

here we go again!

Xu Lanshan could only flirt with him with a half-shy glance, and acted coquettishly: "Your Majesty is making fun of me again! How can I ever repay you? Everything I have, including my body, belongs to you. I will just do whatever you ask!"

Emperor Yuan Yong chuckled with delight. Not only did he like what he heard, but it also stirred his heart. He couldn't help but gently pinch her white and tender cheeks, "Lan'er, what you said really resonates with me!"

"Your Majesty!" Xu Lanshan became even more shy, and Emperor Yuan Yong was in an even better mood.

Xu Lanshan wanted to serve the dishes, but Emperor Yuan Yong refused. He smiled and told her to sit down. "Let's eat together. It won't taste good if it gets cold."

Xu Lanshan sat down and smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

She thought so too, but she didn't dare to bring it up. After all, their relationship wasn't that good.

Dong Zhi then stepped forward to serve the dishes with great discernment.

Yu Chan also stood beside Xu Lanshan, excitedly preparing the dishes. Her master was truly outstanding!

After dinner, the sky was already filled with sunset glow, so the two of them went to the yard to digest their food.

Emperor Yuan Yong took a look around the courtyard and said, "This place is still a little small!"

Xu Lanshan thought to herself, I'm just a concubine, it's pretty good to live here, of course it's different from your Ganyuan Palace!

She snuggled up to the emperor and said with a smile, "I really like this place. It's exquisite and small, just right."

Emperor Yuan Yong smiled and nodded. "Yes, she is only a concubine now, so it is indeed appropriate for her to live here. When she gets promoted in rank, we can move to another place."

Although the yard is small, the flowers and trees are well taken care of. Because she is favored, the flower gardening bureau has sent a lot of potted flowers in full bloom in the past few days, such as crabapples, azaleas, camellias, roses, etc. Xu Lanshan directed the jade cicadas and little blessing flowers to be arranged in a staggered manner, which is quite pleasing to the eye.

Xu Lanshan enthusiastically dragged Emperor Yuan Yong to admire the flowers, describing this variety and that pot with remarkable clarity. Each pot of flowers took on a new meaning in her words. Emperor Yuan Yong had never heard of such things before, and it was quite new to him, so he listened with gusto.

"Lan'er really is a flower lover. Dong Zhi, tell the flower gardening department to remember this and send more fresh flowers to Cuiyinxuan."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Dong Zhi quickly agreed. It should be noted that Concubine Xu was truly knowledgeable and he listened with great interest.

Xu Lanshan quickly smiled in surprise and bowed to express her gratitude with affection.

Emperor Yuan Yong smiled and helped her up. He looked at the pair of delicate jade hands he loved so much and suddenly remembered the pair of jade bracelets he had given her. "I remember giving Lan'er a pair of jade bracelets. Don't you like them? Why don't you wear them? I think Lan'er's hands are as white as frost and snow, and a pair of bracelets like that would be perfect for her!"

Xu Lanshan smiled and said, "I also like those jade bracelets very much, but they are too expensive. If I were to wear them in public, it would be a bit too conspicuous, so I put them away carefully."

As she spoke, she ordered Yuchan to fetch the jade bracelet, as if she couldn't wait to show off her beauty in front of her beloved: "I have been thinking of wearing it for His Majesty to see, but I forgot just now. It's a pity that Your Majesty reminded me!"

As he spoke, he pulled Emperor Yuan Yong into the house and told him to sit down and wear the bracelet properly.

Emperor Yuan Yong smiled and let her pull him into the house, saying, "Lan'er, you've thought it through. Those bracelets are indeed a bit too eye-catching. Wear them for me to see, but don't wear them outside. Concubine Lian asked me for them before, but I didn't give them to her!"

Xu Lanshan really didn't know about this. Her face turned pale slightly and she looked at Emperor Yuan Yong with timidity in her eyes.