Chapter 25: A Man and a Woman in a Room

Palace of Eternal Life.

It's a good time to get things done when it's late at night and you're alone.

Without Xue Youli's interference, Xue Qingyao felt that she was able to do everything again.

She raised her beautiful eyes and looked at the man who was concentrating on reviewing memorials on the couch.

The warm light from the palace lamp shone on the man's profile, softening his angular facial lines.

The pair of deep peach blossom eyes beneath his sword-like brows stared at the memorial in his hand. Even though he was not wearing a dragon robe, the inherent kingly aura around him was still enough to shock people.

The man in front of him was unparalleled in appearance, and in talent, he was virtuous and innovative. He crushed the ungrateful person in every aspect.

She must have been blind in her previous life to have mistaken fish eyes for pearls.

In this life, she will never miss Murong Che again.

She decided that when she became pregnant with a dragon child, she would help Murong Che get rid of that man to prevent future troubles!

Thinking of this, Xue Qingyao pulled down the neckline of her palace dress and quietly tightened her belt to show off the charming curves that she was proud of.

"Your Majesty, state affairs are more important, and your health is more important. I will help you go to bed, and these memorials will be submitted tomorrow...ah!"

Unfortunately, before she could touch Murong Che, the man grabbed her wrist.

The man was very strong and showed no mercy to women. Xue Qingyao cried out in pain.

Even if Xue Qingyao didn't feel any discomfort when she approached him, it didn't mean that Murong Che would accept her.

Especially since this woman belongs to his second brother.

"I don't like to be disturbed when I'm reading memorials."

Xue Qingyao's face froze when she heard the man's cold tone.

During the day, Xue Youli peeled a pear for Murong Che, patted his back, and brought him a cup of tea. She disturbed him at least eight times if not ten times. Why didn't he give Xue Youli the cold shoulder?

But even though she complained, she immediately knelt down in front of the bed, tears of grievance flowing, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! The imperial physician specifically told you to rest more, I am just worried about your health!"

Murong Che listened to her panicked tone and sneered in his heart, but his expression was much more relaxed. "Get up, I don't mean to blame you. There is no trivial matter in state affairs and civil affairs. If it is not handled properly, I will not be able to sleep or eat. If you are tired, go to the couch next to you to rest."

Xue Qingyao was quick to detect a hint of tenderness in the man's voice, and the tension in her mind relaxed a little. She raised her red eyes and said, "Your Majesty works hard and is not tired at all, so how can I be tired? Why not let me grind ink for you? It can be regarded as contributing to the country."

Murong Che did not refuse. "Mr. Xue is very thoughtful. Wang Defa, bring me my cinnabar ink and inkstone and grind them for Mr. Xue."

Since she wants to stay up late, what else can she do?

Of course, it is to help her.

The next day, Xue Qingyao left the Changsheng Palace with two big dark circles under his eyes.

I heard that on her way back, she kept rubbing her wrist and walked with a limp.

Not long after she returned to Minghua Palace, Murong Che's reward arrived.

Silks, satins, jade and jewelry, twice as much as what was sent to Lingyun Palace yesterday.

When the concubines in the harem heard the news, they all thought that Murong Che's interest in Xue Youli had worn off, and Xue Qingyao had been waiting in the Changsheng Palace for a whole night, so they were afraid that she would rise to a high position.

While they envied Xue Qingyao, they couldn't help but laugh at Xue Youli, saying that she was so unlucky. She had only been pampered for two days, but she was already overshadowed by Xue Qingyao.

So, being pampered too early may not be a good thing.

And at this moment, in Shuiyuexuan.

Xue Youli slept soundly until she woke up naturally, then she got up and looked through the Book of Heavenly Secrets to find out about Xue Qingyao's care for the patient last night.

Xue Qingyao's wrists were sore not because of playing with the emperor, but because of being used as a tool to grind ink for most of the night.

As for the limp she walked with, it was not because last night was too intense, but the result of standing in front of the dragon couch for three or four hours.

However, Xue Qingyao naturally could not tell others the truth. Moreover, during her interaction with Murong Che last night, she felt more and more that Murong Che not only had the talent to govern the country, but was also very diligent, which was many times better than that ungrateful man.

After spending a night together, she unilaterally felt that her relationship with Murong Che had become much closer.

This is a good start.

"My lady, Consort Meng from Xuanyun Palace is here." Xue Qingyao was staring at Shangci absent-mindedly when her personal maid Lian Xin came in to report to her.

What is she doing here so early in the morning?

Xue Qingyao wanted to catch up on some sleep, but was suddenly interrupted and couldn't help feeling annoyed.

However, she pondered for a moment and replied to Lian Xin, "Please invite the person in."

Even though Meng Yishu was not smart, she hated Xue Youli as much as she did. If she added fuel to the fire, with Meng Yishu's temper as a spoiled young lady, she would naturally go and cause trouble for Xue Youli.

As long as she could make Xue Youli unhappy, she would feel happy.

Therefore, she had to put on a good show and not let Meng Yishu feel that she was being neglected.

"Sister is so happy!"

Soon, Meng Yishu, holding an exquisitely carved sandalwood box, followed Lian Xin into Xue Qingyao's bedroom with a smile on her face.

"I heard that my sister has received the Holy Blessing, so I came to congratulate her."

As she spoke, she opened the wooden box in her hand and handed it to Xue Qingyao, "This is the night-shining pearl my mother gave me before I entered the palace. I want to give it to my sister to play with."

The moment the wooden box was opened, Xue Qingyao felt a white light flash across his eyes.

There was a night-shining pearl the size of a pigeon egg lying quietly in the box. Even in the daytime, the night-shining pearl still emitted a circle of soft light.

Xue Qingyao really liked this night pearl, but she pushed the box back to Meng Yishu and said, "Sister Meng, I can't accept such a valuable thing from you."

"Sister, I accidentally offended Concubine Lan before, and I'm grateful for your help. Also, I heard that the Emperor thinks highly of you, so I want to ask you, if you have the chance in the future, can you say a few good words for me in front of the Emperor?"

She was bullied as soon as she entered the palace, and she knew very well that without the emperor's favor, anyone could trample on her at will.

After hearing the news that Xue Qingyao was favored, how could she sit still? She immediately came with a valuable gift.

This night-shining pearl was originally a dowry left to her by her mother and is the most valuable treasure she owns.

Although she was reluctant in her heart, when she thought about the better rewards she would receive after being favored by the emperor, she made up her mind and gave the night pearl as a favor.

Xue Qingyao looked at Meng Yishu's impatient mouth and sneered in his heart.

Not to mention that she didn't sleep with the emperor last night. Even if she was favored, which woman would be willing to share the emperor's favor with others?

However, she did not reject Meng Yishu directly. Instead, she sighed solemnly and said, "When I first entered the palace, my sister and I hit it off right away. Naturally, I was willing to help my sister, but..."

She hesitated to speak, and after a moment's deliberation, she continued, "May I ask, have you ever offended Sister Xue?"

"Sister, are you talking about Xue Youli?"

Meng Yishu was slightly startled, then responded, "Last time when Lanpin made things difficult for me, I had an argument with her."

Xue Qingyao showed an understanding expression, "No wonder."

She said half of what she said and left the other half. Meng Yishu felt nervous when she heard it. "What's the wonder?"