Chapter 28 Begonia Window
Chu Mingheng himself said those words just now; Lan Wu merely emphasized them, so it's not considered that she was speaking recklessly or without manners.
Chu Mingheng looked at her, reached out and gently stroked her cheek, without saying a word.
Consort He and Consort Fang, however, changed their expressions. Seeing that His Majesty did not refute these words, they dared not continue to follow him, lest they make a fool of themselves. So they could only retreat first.
After everyone had left, Lan Wu felt a little happier, but she still remembered Chu Mingheng's feelings, so she carefully took two steps back in front of Chu Mingheng, wondering when they would go to the Imperial Garden.
The moment I moved, my waist was grabbed.
Chu Mingheng casually reached out and pulled the person closer, while speaking to the people outside: "Spread the word that I accompanied Consort Zhen to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers."
As soon as she finished speaking, Lan Wu heard Chen Kang'an's voice, and he respectfully replied, "Yes." A moment later, the footsteps outside the palace gates gradually faded into the distance.
Lan Wu suddenly realized that all the palace staff, both inside and outside the hall, had probably retreated.
She raised her head, trying to casually ask when they were going to the Imperial Garden, but her voice trembled, and anyone could tell she was afraid.
"Awu, what's so great about the Imperial Garden? You haven't really explored the Longyu Pavilion properly yet, have you?"
"I'll accompany you to explore the area thoroughly."
"how."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lan Wu struggled to escape, but she didn't dare to use too much force. As soon as he finished speaking, Lan Wu immediately said something wrong.
Chu Mingheng remained noncommittal and led the person to the crabapple-leaf window behind the screen.
"Do you like this window?" He pulled Lan Wu close, facing the light-filled begonia window, and whispered in her ear, "Look at what's embroidered on this window."
Lan Wu tilted her head and sobbed softly as she admitted her mistake.
She cried out as her buttocks were pinched, then quickly covered her mouth, her lips barely touching the glass. Her shimmering eyes were fixed on the bright windowpane as she kept backing away, opening her mouth to say, "The embroidered beauty..."
The embroidery does indeed depict a beautiful woman—a woman playing with a cat.
Lan Wu realized where she went wrong. She wanted to take full advantage of Chu Mingheng's favor, but she had gotten carried away and was now suffering the consequences of her own actions.
His belt was loosened, and his outer garment hung loosely on his arm.
Lan Wu leaned back against Chu Mingheng's chest, calling out "Your Majesty" while raising her head as if to kiss him to calm him down.
Chu Mingheng lowered his head and avoided her kiss.
Lan Wu's eyes widened in shock, she looked extremely aggrieved, and bit her lip, remaining silent.
Even as Chu Mingheng was about to strip her naked, she sobbed and turned her head away, not caring at all.
"Look at you, who's as delicate as you?" Chu Mingheng had no choice but to pick her up again, turn her around, and put her on his lap.
He placed one hand on the back of Lan Wu's neck, using a little force to prevent her from escaping, while his other hand rubbed her until she trembled all over, her legs shaking uncontrollably.
He tried to kiss her, but Lan Wu lowered her head and shed a tear. She gave him a taste of his own medicine and gracefully avoided him.
Chu Mingheng smiled and gently kissed Lan Wu's neck, moving upwards until he bit the tip of her nose.
"I have truly spoiled you."
There clearly isn't one.
As Lan Wu thought this, she suddenly straightened up, leaned on Chu Mingheng's shoulder, put her fingers to her lips to keep herself from making a sound, and her breathing became slightly rapid.
Last night, Chu Mingheng was considerate of her being a first-timer, so he wasn't harsh and let her off the hook after two times. But today, seeing that Lan Wu was so energetic and wanted to stroll through the Imperial Garden, then so be it, "Garden".
...
The news that His Majesty had taken the newly appointed Consort Zhen to stroll in the Imperial Garden spread quickly. Many more concubines were in the Imperial Garden, all hoping to meet His Majesty, but no one knew where His Majesty had gone with his entourage, as there was no trace of him.
Inside Jinghua Palace, Consort Li couldn't resist smashing a tea set.
"She's such a slut!"
"I thought she didn't want my kindness, but she had long harbored the intention to seduce His Majesty. Ha, she fooled me completely. Very well, very well indeed."
"This shameless brat dares to pester His Majesty to stroll in the Imperial Garden. He has no shame whatsoever."
The palace servants squatted on the ground, picking up the debris and rubble, pretending to be deaf and blind. After Consort Li finished speaking and vented her anger, they quietly withdrew.
Consort Li's information network was not as advanced as that of Consort Shu and Consort Rou, and she only learned today that His Majesty had encountered Lan Wu by chance in the Imperial Garden yesterday.
It would be one thing to just run into him, but Lan Wu actually fainted right in front of His Majesty.
Ah, what a delicate and frail beauty! He pulled this stunt, and His Majesty actually allowed her to stay in Taichen Palace for a whole night.
She was granted the rank of Jieyu and a highly valued title.
Longyu Pavilion is located inside Yilan Palace. It's a great place, but there's no main seat and no other concubines living there. What difference would it make if Lanwu lived there like a local tyrant!
"Your Majesty, think about it, once Consort Zhen gains favor, won't Consort Rong fall out of favor?" The palace maid Yu Mei said softly as she massaged Consort Li's shoulders.
Consort Li snorted: "Consort Rong thinks too highly of herself. Now that she knows she's been outshone by a mere dancer, she's probably jumping up and down in the palace."
"She seems indifferent to these empty titles, but in reality, she's the most hypocritical person."
Consort Li was fanning herself casually when she suddenly asked Yu Mei beside her, "Last time at Liuyuan, it was Consort Rong who brought His Majesty there, wasn't it?"
Yu Mei cautiously replied, "I heard that Consort Rong happened to meet His Majesty and went there after hearing some noise at Liuyuan Garden."
"That Rong Meiren, she always does something stupid..."
Consort Li's eyes were somewhat gloomy. She stopped fanning herself, thought for a moment, and said, "Go find some tonics and send them to Qiushui Pavilion. Also, tell her that Consort Zhen's palace also invited the imperial physician over this afternoon. His Majesty went there shortly afterward. Although there was no illness, His Majesty was particularly concerned."
“People like them who are physically weak should take good care of their bodies. It would be a great loss if they accidentally damaged their health.”
Yu Mei listened to Consort Li's words, bowed and said yes, then withdrew and went to Qiushui Pavilion with the things as instructed.
Last night, Qiushui Pavilion had just taken away a talkative palace maid. It's unknown whether she survived the thirty strokes of the cane. When Yumei arrived today, the entire Qiushui Pavilion was quiet.
"Thank you for your kindness, Consort Li, but the lady is currently recuperating and may not be able to leave to express her gratitude." Consort Rong's personal maid has been replaced; the current one is named Zhilan.
Yu Mei smiled and said, "Consort Li has a few words to tell Consort Rong, and I'm afraid you'll have to listen."
Zhilan was somewhat at a loss until she heard Consort Rong in the hall speak.
"Let her in."
Yu Mei went inside and stood behind the screen, relaying Consort Li's words to Consort Rong without missing a single one.
Rong Meiren's face showed a mocking expression, her eyebrows cold: "Please tell Consort Li that I thank Her Highness for her kindness and will take good care of my health so as not to cause Her Highness any worry."
Yu Mei acknowledged and withdrew.
After the person left, Rong Meiren turned her head away, trying not to think about what Yu Mei had just said.
Consort Li's intention was simply to see her and Nalan Wu, two people of low rank, fight each other, while the other high-ranking consorts would sit back and watch the show.
They were mistaken.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com