Chapter 12
Pei Jin originally thought that the Imperial Concubine was a dispensable figure in the palace, and that since her husband had another love, the Imperial Concubine must be melancholy and sad, standing silently waiting for the day when the Emperor would turn back.
But after just one encounter, Pei Jin knew she wasn't.
Curious eyes, though restrained, fell upon them, subtly creating an opportunity for His Majesty and Zhao Wanyi to retort to his question without backing down.
She was exactly what a vibrant woman was like, showing no signs of withering, and needed no one's pity or sympathy.
Pei Jin was speechless. He had thought that the Consort liked His Majesty and would not want His Majesty to be alone with Zhao Wanyi. She was an excellent partner.
However, he misunderstood. Even though he was still fighting alone, he would not give up.
Let His Majesty resent him; after all, it was he who covered for Zhao Wanyi after receiving the letter from Zhao's uncle, and he had long lost the opportunity to admit it on his own.
Moreover, as a friend, he would not put Zhao Wanyi in danger.
"Ayu, come here." Wu Shiyan stopped for some reason and called out to Qi Yu.
Qi Yu was stunned for a moment before realizing that Wu Shiyan was calling her.
She touched her ear. Were they that familiar?
Qi Yu abandoned Pei Jin and went to Wu Shiyan's side.
Watching this scene, Zhao Wanyi felt a sense of doubt. Did Wu Shiyan really like her?
Upon entering the hall, everyone sat down, and Tian Wenshan had ginger soup brought out, its spicy aroma filling the air.
Qi Yu wrinkled her nose, took a sip, and then put it down.
"Does Your Majesty not like ginger soup?" Zhao Wanyi asked.
Pei Jin's eyes flickered. He remembered that Zhao Wanyi's younger sister disliked ginger. She had lived in the Pei residence for a while and was extremely spoiled and picky, causing great distress to the cooks and the nannies who served her.
He couldn't believe that Zhao Wanyi would have such a younger sister.
He had known the sisters since childhood, but because he shared the same master as Zhao Wanyi, he knew Zhao Wanyi better, while he only had a vague impression of the younger sister.
He had asked about this when he was young, and Zhao Wanyi simply smiled and said, "My sister is very smart."
He then took the article to his sister to recite it for him, to see if he was as clever as Zhao Wanyi had said. As a result, the book was thrown out and he was pushed out, which made him very depressed.
Qi Yu smiled sweetly at Zhao Wanyi: "Yes, but you can have a sip to quench your cold."
Although she disliked it, she was more afraid of catching a cold, as it would worry others.
Zhao Wanyi smiled unconsciously. So cute.
Even though Qi Yu had acted as if nothing was amiss and was unmoved by what Pei Jin said, she still couldn't believe that this wasn't her younger sister.
Even their tastes are so similar, what a coincidence!
Her younger sister has a small birthmark on her back, round like a little turtle. The little sister often says that it's the reason she's so lazy, never mentioning how excited she is when her nanny takes her out to play.
Zhao Wanyi wanted to find an opportunity to be alone with Qi Yu, but she knew it was impossible. It was already fate that she unexpectedly met Qi Yu in the palace.
Qi Yu pushed a plate of pastries towards the three of them.
Wu Shiyan picked it up, took a bite, and found it sweet and cloying.
His gaze swept across the table; finding no tea, he took a sip of the untouched ginger soup.
Seeing that Pei Jin wasn't keeping a close eye on his wife, but instead seemed to be trying to talk to Qi Yu, Wu Shiyan pushed the pastries towards Pei Jin.
A subject cannot refuse a gift from his sovereign.
Pei Jin took a bite, paused for a moment, and then pushed it to Zhao Wanyi.
Zhao Wanyi had long wanted to try it; everything Qi Yu gave her was of the highest quality.
After eating a piece, Zhao Wanyi slowly drank the ginger soup.
Qi Yu looked up and found that the three of them were looking at her again, and a big question mark appeared above her head.
No, what about their intense struggles, their love and hate? Why only look at her? Is it wrong to treat them to pastries?
The fact that Wu Shiyan and Pei Jin, two rivals in love, can coexist peacefully can be attributed to the restraint of the relationship between ruler and subject. But what about Wu Shiyan and Zhao Wanyi? They are completely indifferent to each other, without even a hint of affection in their eyes. What kind of love is that?
Where is Wu Shiyan's jealousy and possessiveness? Where is Zhao Wanyi's inner turmoil and distress? None of it.
I'm so disappointed.
Qi Yu regretted coming over.
At this moment, she should be in Zhaoyang Palace, being entertained by palace maids, instead of being speechless like this.
After we finished eating the pastries, the rain outside started to drizzle and gradually stopped.
Qi Yu said, "Your Majesty, the rain has stopped."
Pei Jin also said, "Your Majesty and I should also take our leave of the palace."
Wu Shiyan released the person easily, leaving only him and Qi Yu in the hall.
After the person had walked away, Qi Yu asked, "Doesn't His Majesty like Lady Zhao?"
If you like someone, you should take the initiative. She will help stop Pei Jin.
Wu Shiyan did not answer: "Come with me to pick out some things for Zhao Wanyi."
Qi Yu agreed, saying she liked it this way.
On the way to Wu Shiyan's palace, she asked, "Your Majesty, how do you intend to present this to Lady Zhao? If it is too abrupt, I fear the people of the capital will gossip about her."
Such a good thing, I imagine Zhao Wanyi wouldn't appreciate it.
Wu Shiyan said, "She has served the Empress Dowager well and has also experienced the remnants of the rebellion. I should reward and appease the Pei family by bestowing gifts upon them."
Qi Yu was relieved.
Upon arriving at Wu Shiyan's palace, Li Chang, under Wu Shiyan's orders, displayed the finest items from his private treasury early on.
As the box was opened and the brocade cloth was lifted, the treasure was revealed, illuminating the entire hall.
Qi Yu couldn't help but ask a silly question: "Your Majesty, how come you have so many good things?"
The Zhaoyang Palace has many treasures, but compared to these, they are nothing. And this is only a small part that was displayed in a very short time.
This indicates that Wu Shiyan's private treasury contained even more items than this.
Wu Shiyan said, “When I quell rebellions, I always get things. Some are gifts from others, some are spoils of war, and some are confiscated from the mansions of former officials who preyed on the local people.”
It is easy to accumulate wealth in chaotic times, so it is perfectly normal for his private treasury to be full. In fact, in the first year or two after he ascended the throne, when the national treasury was running a deficit, he used his own private treasury to make up for it.
Qi Yu didn't bother listening and started looking at them one by one.
Having served as a concubine for two or three months, she developed her own way of judging things, and she had a knack for finding expensive items that she could spot right away.
Wu Shiyan said, "I don't know what Consort Zhao likes. Since the Imperial Concubine is also a woman, why don't the Imperial Concubine choose something and send it to the Pei residence?"
Qi Yu nodded; she would definitely help Zhao Wanyi get what she wanted.
After all, Zhao Wanyi had just handed her a handkerchief, which smelled nice and pleasant.
Tian Wenshan followed Qi Yu and introduced her to the origins of these treasures.
Li Chang was quite surprised to see Tian Wenshan serving him so carefully. Could it be that this little thief had sensed something about His Majesty's thoughts? Otherwise, why would he be so attentive to the Consort?
However, in His Majesty's heart, Lady Pei is still the most important. So, he took out his private collection to give to Lady Pei.
You should know that once something enters His Majesty's private treasury, it is very difficult to get it out. Gold and silver are fine, but those rare treasures are something that no one can get away from His Majesty, no matter who begs.
Now, however, they've opened their warehouses wide, a display of generosity that's startling.
Qi Yu didn't know about this. After Tian Wenshan introduced it, she said it was women's jewelry. "Take it!" — Zhao Wanyi's clothes were too plain.
"Take these life-saving medicines!" — With the threat of remnants of the traitorous king looming, Zhao Wanyi is constantly in danger and needs these things even more.
These are masterpieces of calligraphy and painting, I'll take them! — Zhao Wanyi is exceptionally talented, she'll definitely love them.
...
Tian Wenshan wrote down everything that Qi Yu wanted in the booklet with a single brush.
When Qi Yu returned to Wu Shiyan's side, he had already drunk countless cups of tea.
She couldn't quite remember how many items she had her eye on, but there must have been quite a few.
Qi Yu felt a little guilty about emptying Wu Shiyan's private stash, so she blinked and stared at Wu Shiyan flipping through the booklet that Tian Wenshan had presented.
Tian Wenshan continued, "Your Highness has excellent taste; even I, your servant, am envious of many of the things inside."
Wu Shiyan looked at it for a while and said, "Zhao Wanyi is quite talented, and she herself doesn't like jewelry or gold and silver, so let's skip those. As for the medicinal herbs, take 30%, too much won't be enough. I think she likes these rare books, so let's give her 50%, too much won't be enough to display..."
Wu Shiyan further selected items to ensure that the things sent to the Pei residence were not too extravagant.
Tian Wenshan asked, "Your Majesty, shall the rest of the items in this book be sent back to the storeroom?"
Wu Shiyan said, "Instead of letting them gather dust in my private treasury, it would be better to find them a good place. Since they were chosen by the Consort, let's send them to Zhaoyang Palace."
Startled by the sudden mention, Qi Yu immediately focused her attention, and after realizing what she had said, asked incredulously, "All of these are for me?"
It's like a windfall!
If what Wu Shiyan said is true, more were sent to Zhaoyang Palace than to Zhao Wanyi.
After all, when Wu Shiyan gives something to Zhao Wanyi, he has to choose carefully. It can't be something she doesn't like, it can't be too expensive, it can't be too big, and it can't be too much.
After careful sifting, most of it was left behind.
Once it's delivered to Zhaoyang Palace, there's no need to worry about it anymore; just send it all there at once.
Qi Yu didn't think there was anything wrong with this. She loved the feeling of having everything arranged for her. Zhaoyang Palace was big, and it could accommodate everything!
Qi Yu smiled, her smile more genuine than ever before.
“Of course,” Wu Shiyan said casually. “It’s nothing.”
atmosphere!
Qi Yu's gratitude was evident. She smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I have recently had the imperial chefs research some dishes. Would Your Majesty do me the honor of having lunch at Zhaoyang Palace tomorrow?"
Wu Shiyan nodded: "I'm free tomorrow."
Li Chang was a bit dumbfounded, not understanding how things had developed this way. However, upon hearing this, he wanted to give the Imperial Concubine some advice: why wait until tomorrow, they should strike while the iron was hot and go tonight.
It just so happens that we don't know why His Majesty is so obsessed with opening the private treasury today. If we take this opportunity to get him a little wine, wouldn't the imperial heir be born?
Tonight? Tonight won't do!
Qi Yu had also considered having dinner with Wu Shiyan, but she had to settle these treasures first, and besides, she needed to make arrangements in advance for the imperial chef to prepare the meal.
She didn't want to be perfunctory with the wealthy man; she had to make sure Wu Shiyan was satisfied with his meal.
Otherwise, she would feel guilty taking these things.
Pei Jiu stood by, resenting how His Majesty treated the Empress. But when His Majesty arrived, his imperial power made her lose all her thoughts, leaving her mind blank and only able to obey orders.
Seeing that the Empress had received so many benefits, she was genuinely happy for her.
She seemed to understand why the Empress laughed off these matters and felt no hostility towards Madam Zhao.
His Majesty has given us far too much.
A note from the author:
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