Ji Huan remained silent after hearing this.
"I remember there weren't any tall trees in the Imperial Garden. How did the insect end up on Consort Wang, who is terrified of insects?"
Qingyin didn't answer directly, but instead said, "My lady, even inanimate objects in this palace can grow legs and run to the right place at the right time, let alone living insects."
"How annoying!"
In the evening, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a eunuch from the Imperial Household Department entered carrying a green plaque.
As is customary, he looked at the nameplates for the newlyweds, and noticed that one was missing.
"Why is one missing?"
"Wang was confined to her quarters by the Empress for offending Consort Jia, and Li, who accompanied her, was punished by copying books."
Emperor Qianlong nodded. He knew that Wang had offended him, but he didn't know he would be punished. What else could he say?
"Take down Li Changzai's sign as well!"
He had no objection to the Queen's punishment and expressed his support for it.
Immediately, he chose Ji Huan's nameplate.
Not long after, the people living in the affordable housing went to Xianfu Palace.
"Congratulations, Your Highness! Your Highness, the Emperor has chosen you tonight. Please make your preparations immediately."
Ji Huan exchanged a few polite words, leaving the rest to Shu Xiang to deal with. Then Qing Yin began talking to the bedchamber attendant arranged by the Imperial Household Department, and then Ji Huan ate.
She then began to wash up, and the maidservant who was to serve her in bed taught her the rules of the night. By the time it was over, it was already dark.
She rode in the legendary imperial sedan chair to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and was then carried into her bedchamber. As she crawled out from under the covers, she met Qianlong's gaze, her face immediately flushing red, and she called out shyly in a delicate voice, "Your Majesty~"
Emperor Qianlong smiled. He was still quite handsome, even though he was over thirty; he was well-preserved.
"Your name is Ji Huan, right? It's taken from Li Bai's line, 'I fondly remember the jade tree, and send my joy to the ends of the earth.'"
Ji Huan looked at him with admiration: "It is indeed taken from Li Bai's 'I remember the jade tree with a bright light, and send my joy to the ends of the earth.' This poem is not very famous, Your Majesty is very learned."
There aren't actually any obscure poems by Li Bai, but praising Emperor Qianlong isn't shameful.
Ji Huan's tone was sincere, and since Qianlong had sent someone to inquire, he learned that although Ji Huan was talented, she had not studied for long. He did not think she was flattering him, but rather that she was praising him from the bottom of her heart.
The "artistic youth" Emperor Qianlong was quite pleased with himself.
Emperor Qianlong smiled and said, "My dear consort, you should at least tone down your gaze. You seem to see right through me."
Ji Huan timidly withdrew her gaze: "Your Majesty, I have not done so. You have wronged me."
"I didn't wrong you. The look in your eyes just now almost made me think you were going to eat me up."
“My eyes are not that frightening.”
"No? I think so."
"Your Majesty, you are bullying us."
"What kind of bullying is this? I'll teach you what bullying is."
After saying that, Qianlong pulled back the quilt, and then his eyes lit up.
"Your Majesty, I am cold..."
"My beloved concubine, don't be afraid, I'll warm you up right away."
……………………
The brocade quilt on the dragon bed opened and closed rhythmically, while Ji Huan's delicate mouth panted softly.
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