This time, Yongzheng decided to savor the "delicacy" before him. He leaned down and pressed Lin Yun onto the bed, gently tracing her eyebrows and eyes with his fingertips, as if admiring a rare treasure.
Lin Yun's cheeks flushed from his burning gaze. Just as she was about to close her eyes and accept his kiss, she suddenly remembered something and quickly raised her hand to block his chest.
"Your Majesty..." she said softly, with a hint of hesitation.
Yongzheng raised an eyebrow and pinched her chin with his fingertips: "What, Yun'er, you don't want to?"
Lin Yun shook her head, a hint of anticipation in her eyes: "Your Majesty, I would like to leave the palace and visit Yunxiang Villa."
We're probably running out of rouge and face powder soon; we need to replenish our stock.
The vegetables and fruits should be harvested soon, and the rice... it's long since ripened; if it's not harvested soon, it might be too late."
Upon hearing this, Yongzheng paused. He gazed into Lin Yun's clear, spring-like eyes, his heart softening.
The concubines in the harem sought nothing more than wealth, honor, offspring, and power, but his Yun'er only cared about those trivial farming tasks and crafts.
Such a pure mind, like a holy white lotus untouched by dust, how could he not cherish it?
"Alright." He smiled slightly, his fingertips stroking her hair. "I grant you permission to leave the palace once a month. If I am free, I will accompany you."
Lin Yun's eyes lit up immediately, and she happily hugged his neck: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Her demeanor was like that of a child who had just received candy, so innocent and captivating.
Yongzheng chuckled softly, then pulled her closer, whispering in her ear, "Since Yun'er is so happy, shouldn't you repay me?" His breath was hot, and he deliberately spoke in an ambiguous tone, "For example... call me 'good brother'?"
Lin Yun's ears instantly turned bright red, and she buried her face in his shoulder in embarrassment, her voice barely audible: "This...this is against the rules..."
“Rules are for outsiders.” Yongzheng lifted her chin with his fingertip, forcing her to look him in the eye. “In front of me, Yun’er can do whatever she wants.” His eyes deepened, becoming seductive. “Come, call out to me.”
Lin Yun's heart pounded under his gaze. Finally, she parted her lips slightly and timidly said, "Good...good brother..."
That sound was like honey entering his throat, so sweet that it stirred Yongzheng's heart. He let out a low growl, leaned down and kissed her lips, and as they lingered and caressed each other, he coaxed her to call him "Fourth Brother" and "Husband." Lin Yun trembled with embarrassment, but still tried her best to cooperate. Her innocent and obedient appearance almost made Yongzheng lose control.
Their lovemaking lasted until late into the night, yet Yongzheng was still not satisfied. He held the drowsy Lin Yun in his arms, his fingertips twirling her hair, and suddenly asked, "Yun'er, your magic water... besides brewing tea, is there any other use for it?"
Lin Yun groggily hummed in agreement, then mumbled, "Watering the crops... makes them grow extremely well... and can even cure diseases..."
Yongzheng's eyes flashed. If the elixir truly had miraculous effects, it might be able to relieve the suffering of the soldiers on the border from the plague.
But then he thought again, this matter was of utmost importance and absolutely could not be leaked. His Yun'er was so innocent; if she were to fall prey to someone with ulterior motives…
"Yun'er." He tightened his arms, his tone solemn, "The matter of the 'divine water' must never be told to a third person except me."
Lin Yun nodded groggily and snuggled closer to him, like a kitten dependent on its owner.
Yongzheng's heart softened, and he lowered his head to kiss her forehead.
---
The next morning, Yongzheng got up early to attend court. When Lin Yun woke up, the bedside was empty, with only a wisp of ambergris remaining.
She sat up, wrapped in the covers, and her cheeks flushed slightly as she recalled the absurdity of the previous night.
Chunlan brought in a basin of water and saw that her mistress's face was flushed. She couldn't help but smile and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor instructed before he left that if you are tired, you do not need to go to pay your respects to the Empress today."
Lin Yun coughed lightly, feigning composure, and said, "I am fine, but I still have to go according to the rules."
Today is the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month, it's time to pay our respects to the Empress.
After having breakfast, Lin Yun began choosing clothes and putting on makeup. A whole palace of people surrounded her.
The lotus-root-colored cheongsam she had chosen today made her skin appear as white as snow. Xia He carefully fastened the buttons for her, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Majesty looks absolutely stunning today! Even I can't take my eyes off you!"
Lin Yun turned around gently in front of the bronze mirror. The person in the mirror had eyebrows like distant mountains and eyes like autumn water. Her face, lightly made up, had a natural blush. Unlike the other concubines in the palace who wore heavy makeup, she had her own fresh and refined temperament.
She inserted a kingfisher feather hairpin diagonally into the small hairpin. The kingfisher on the hairpin was so lifelike that it trembled gently with her movements, as if it might take flight at any moment.
"Wouldn't this be too plain?" Lin Yun asked hesitantly.
Granny Li smiled and shook her head: "Your Highness is naturally beautiful. If you wear heavy makeup, you will lose your natural beauty."
This lotus root color perfectly complements the Empress's complexion; it's neither too flamboyant nor lacking in the dignity befitting a concubine.
Lin Yun nodded and then chose a pair of pearl earrings to wear. The pearls were neither too big nor too small, with a warm luster that complemented her overall temperament.
When she stood up, her slender yet voluptuous waist was faintly visible beneath her cheongsam, and her skirt rippled like water as she walked, making her look like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.
Chunlan, Xiahe, and the other palace maids were all stunned, not even noticing the handkerchiefs falling to the ground in their hands.
Xia He, in particular, had served many masters, but had never seen such a naturally beautiful woman.
Without relying on makeup or fancy clothes, she simply stands there, captivating all who look at her.
"Let's go, don't keep Her Majesty the Empress waiting." Lin Yun said softly, her voice as melodious as a clear spring flowing over jade.
Chunlan followed behind her master, wearing a cloak.
Several sedan chairs were already parked outside Changchun Palace, indicating that some concubines had already arrived.
Lin Yun took a deep breath, smoothed out non-existent wrinkles on her cheongsam, and stepped into the palace.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
