"That's not what I meant," Huo Qinghe said, unable to defend herself.
Pei Yuanhui raised his hand, his index finger touching his lips: "Didn't I tell you to talk less?"
His hand was free, and Huo Qinghe's hand was also free. Her hand was tied with a rope, and she immediately fell silent as the official commanded.
Her sudden silence made her look more like a small animal.
Pei Yuanhui first bowed his head and tied the sachet: "Even the most calming sachet, with you stirring it in front of me, I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep."
Huo Qinghe wanted to say something upon hearing this, but before she could speak, she seemed to remember the Emperor's words and abruptly stopped.
Her little expressions were incredibly lively.
Pei Yuanhui found it amusing: "I grant you permission to speak."
Huo Qinghe then cautiously asked, "Does Your Majesty mean that you don't want your concubines to serve you?"
Pei Yuanhui laughed upon hearing this, pointing at Huo Qinghe: "I think you are not only timid, but also cunning."
"I am praising you. Praising you for being able to lose your mind when you are in my presence."
Huo Qinghe suddenly fell silent again, looking as if she was shy.
Pei Yuanhui was no longer sleepy, but hearing Huo Qinghe's strained voice, he surprisingly didn't bother her.
Just as they were about to take a peaceful afternoon nap, Jin Yang suddenly spoke from under the window.
"Your Majesty, General Yu Lin requests an audience."
Although everyone in the palace calls him General Yulin, that's because General Yulin is Consort Chi's younger brother. But the Emperor officially bestows upon him the title of General Yulin, so Jinyang naturally still calls him General Yulin.
Huo Qinghe now naturally knows who General Yulin is.
She stopped smiling and looked nervously at the official opposite her.
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanhui only gave a perfunctory reply: "Tell him to wait in the side hall. He's quite resilient; his injuries have fully healed in just a few days?"
Huo Qinghe was unaware that General Yulin was injured, so she simply lowered her head and pretended not to hear.
"I had intended to have you stay for dinner with me, but now I'm going to be delayed. Alright, since your cold hasn't fully healed, I'll have Jinyang send a sedan chair to take you home. Don't catch a chill. Go back now."
Huo Qinghe stood up as instructed, and she stood up respectfully.
"Don't say goodbye. Go ahead." Pei Yuanhui waved his hand.
Huo Qinghe smiled gratefully, and her smile seemed to brighten the entire Funing Palace.
To leave Funing Hall, one must go around the screen and the antique display shelf, and Huo Qinghe's figure quickly disappears.
The officials didn't pay much attention either.
Huo Qinghe lingered outside the hall for a moment.
As soon as she left Funing Palace, the two maids rushed to her side.
Jin Yang also received instructions and personally escorted Huo Qinghe out of the Funing Palace.
Being able to ride back in a sedan chair is naturally much easier than walking back on your own two legs.
Meanwhile, in the side hall of Funing Palace, Chi Qinlin entered the palace in a great hurry.
He was two years younger than the Emperor, but he spent his days leading troops in battle, enduring wind and sun. However, with his elder sister, Consort Chi, taking care of him, Chi Qinlin, the younger brother, did not look rough at all and had a dashing and heroic air about him.
"Who is serving in the main hall today? Let me guess. It can't be my sister right now. Is it Consort Lin? Or Noble Consort Yi? Or Consort Zhou?"
If his sister were in the Funing Palace right now, Chi Qinlin wouldn't dare to enter the palace at all.
Looking at Chi Qinlin's familiarity with the Emperor's harem and his casual attitude when mentioning it, one can understand the different kind of relationship between him and the Emperor.
Miao Xi just grinned foolishly upon hearing this. He had just learned his lesson and now dared not respond casually at all.
Chi Qinlin was left feeling awkward. He pursed his lips, stood up casually, and only caught a glimpse of a graceful and slender figure from behind.
He couldn't see clearly through the window lattice, but he could tell from their size that they were not the Consort Lin, Consort Zhou, or the others he had mentioned earlier.
That's probably the new recruits this year.
Pei Wu is quite the ladies' man.
Chi Qinlin clicked his tongue inwardly. Upon hearing the summons, he stopped thinking and stood up to head towards the main hall.
He rushed into the main hall, skillfully bypassing the screen and antique shelves, and simply raised his hand in a gesture of respect: "Your Majesty has fattened General Tan up again. If this continues, my sister will never be able to carry him."
Pei Yuanhui didn't react to this. He raised his hand and pointed to the opposite side: "You stayed at your sister's place for a couple of days, so of course you've gained weight?"
Chi Qinlin seized the opportunity and pressed his advantage: "That's right, Your Majesty is so busy with so many things, you'd better not let General Tan get too thin. Occasionally taking him to your sister's place would be a win-win situation, no, a win-win situation for all three."
"I think you've forgotten the pain once your wounds have healed..."
"I have important matters to report today," Chi Qinlin said, his expression turning serious.
Inside the Funing Palace, the Emperor and General Yulin were discussing important matters.
The Kunning Palace was quite lively at this time.
The eldest princess fell asleep shortly after being sent back by the emperor. Xue Yinjia stood guard by her side, her expression full of tenderness.
When Chunbai came in, Xue Yinjia caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye and made a shushing gesture.
Seeing the situation, Chunbai retreated first.
A short while later, Xue Yinjia came out of the inner hall, but she still spoke in a low voice.
"Let's take the eldest princess back to Xiefang Palace later after she wakes up. There are so many eyes watching in the palace, lest people say that Fuming, the eldest daughter-in-law, is abusing her favor and not following the rules."
Chunbai reluctantly agreed: "This was originally a matter of His Majesty's mercy."
Xue Yinjia waved her hand without further explanation: "When can't I see Fuming if I want to? Alright, is His Majesty returning to Funing Palace?"
Chunbai nodded: "And Beauty Huo too."
Her tone was somewhat indignant.
Xue Yinjia walked out, her voice rising slightly: "She's actually smarter than Consort Zhou and the others. Given her status, she naturally wants to climb the ranks. So why are you angry?"
"This servant is just a little indignant. The palace concubine is treating the eldest princess like this..."
"Shut up. Didn't the Emperor send Fuming back first and stay with him until he was asleep before leaving? Why are you so impatient now?"
Chunbai bowed and apologized.
Xue Yinjia waved her hand: "You're an old servant of mine, that's enough. I don't want to say anything harsh to you."
Chunbai quickly thanked him, "Yes, His Majesty naturally thinks very much about our eldest princess."
"By the way, Your Highness, Consort Fu is waiting in the side hall."
Chunbai remembered something.
Xue Yinjia didn't want to see her: "Instead of trying to curry favor with me, she should think about how to please His Majesty."
Chunbai accepted the order and withdrew.
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