Chapter 251 World Ten (Twenty-Two)
Chu Boyu sat on the white jade steps, forcing Bao Shan to raise her head and look at him. Chu Boyu placed kisses on Bao Shan's porcelain-white cheeks one after another. From the corner of her eye, she could catch a glimpse of her snow-white skin, which was stained with his gorgeous color.
Chu Boyu was impeccably dressed, his robes neat and tidy, save for a few drops of water tumbling down his hem. But Baoshan was different; all her emotions and gestures were visible to Chu Boyu, leaving her no room for concealment. This contrast made Baoshan feel even more bashful. She reached out her soft hand, gently grasping the front of Chu Boyu's shirt, and timidly said, "Your Majesty is bullying me..."
Chu Boyu parted his lips, which were touching the fan. The sheen of moisture on his thin lips was clearly visible, and even his eyebrows and eyes were tinged with a faint red. Chu Boyu raised his eyebrows slightly and asked casually, "How did I bully you?"
Chu Boyu wanted Bao Shan to confess the truth. But Bao Shan was soft-hearted and would never speak of such a shameful thing. Seeing Bao Shan's face flushed with emotion and hesitant, Chu Boyu let out a deep, joyful laugh and leaned over to capture her lips once more.
Bao Shan couldn't argue with Chu Boyu, and her whole body was soaked in the warm bath, so she was soft and weak, and could only endure Chu Boyu's kiss weakly.
In just a cup of tea, Chu Boyu reached out and caught the precious fan in his arms as it staggered and almost fell into the hot spring.
With a beauty in his arms and such beautiful scenery, Chu Boyu didn't even care that his clothes were soaked.
Baoshan's black hair was like a waterfall, and although it was covered with moisture, it still fell lightly on Chu Boyu's arm, like a cat's paw, gently fiddling with it, making people feel numb and itchy in their hearts.
Chu Boyu opened his thin lips slightly and tapped Baoshan's delicate and soft earlobe with his glutinous teeth.
He moved his teeth slightly, leaving tiny marks on his earlobe.
After Chu Boyu bit down, he loosened his teeth and only held the white earlobe loosely, but did not let go.
It seemed like the earlobe of a precious fan, some rare delicacy that needed to be tasted and savored personally by the emperor Chu Boyu.
Baoshan was trapped in Chu Boyu's arms. Her cheeks were hot and her face was filled with the beauty of the sunset glow.
The precious fan seemed to have turned into a piece of white, soft dough on the chopping board in the kitchen.
Dough is something that can be kneaded at will and transformed into various shapes according to the will of the controller.
Bao Shan leaned weakly against Chu Boyu's chest, and her fingers, which had originally grasped Chu Boyu's collar, were now half open, revealing her weakness.
The slender waist was supported by Chu Boyu's hand. Baoshan raised his face and looked at the wall of the hot spring.
Her eyes seemed to be stained by the mist in the hot spring, and a look of confusion appeared in them.
Baoshan's body seemed to be thrown high into the sky, with no one around to rely on.
Baoshan could only gently pull at Chu Boyu's clothes and wanted to call out something.
But because my head was empty, I couldn't remember anything and couldn't say anything.
It seemed as if at this moment, the treasure fan had forgotten everything in the world, including the rivers, lakes and seas, leaving only a blank in his mind.
Her soft lips, like the petals of a precious fan, opened and closed, and she called out almost subconsciously, "Your Majesty..."
She was born with a pitiful appearance, with a face as white as jade. However, she made a move that was so tempting that Chu Boyu's heart skipped a beat when he saw it.
Then, Chu Boyu's kisses became more gentle.
As soon as the words came out, Bao Shan seemed to have found someone to rely on. She repeated over and over again: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
But Baoshan simply repeated Chu Boyu's title.
If Baoshan were asked to explain clearly why she called out to Chu Boyu so urgently, she would just open her pure watery eyes with a look of confusion on her face, but she could not give any answer.
Until the white mist covering Baoshan's mind dissipated and Baoshan regained her clear consciousness, her breathing, which had been rapid and irregular just now, gradually became steady, and everything that had been forgotten in her head began to slowly emerge.
Baoshan was completely exhausted and fell limp in Chu Boyu's arms.
Chu Boyu wrapped Baoshan's dress, picked up the beauty and walked straight towards Zhilan Palace.
The people in the palace were all shrewd people. Seeing the beautiful appearance of the precious fan and Chu Boyu getting his clothes wet in the hot spring, the palace people naturally guessed what had happened.
The news that Your Majesty's newly appointed Lan Zhaoyuan was first favored by Chu Boyu reached Empress Dowager Zhong.
Empress Dowager Zhong looked indifferent, because Chu Boyu had never been involved with a woman before, and if he got it this time, he would definitely be happy for a while.
Therefore, Empress Dowager Zhong was not surprised by Chu Boyu's fondness for the precious fan.
But for several months thereafter, Chu Boyu lingered in Zhilan Palace every night.
If the concubines in the palace had their period, it had to be registered in the book.
But even Baoshan was in poor health and could not serve Chu Boyu.
Chu Boyu went there as usual and did not take this opportunity to look at the other beauties waiting for his favor.
After hearing what the palace maid in Zhilan Palace said, Chu Boyu saw Baoshan's pale face and frowned, and immediately summoned the imperial physician to come for a consultation.
According to the imperial physician, the woman's qi and blood are weak at the moment and she needs something hot to warm her body.
Chu Boyu ordered someone to bring a hot water bottle and place it under the feet of the precious fan.
The abdomen is too delicate, so using a hot water bottle might not be appropriate.
After hearing this, Chu Boyu washed his hands, warmed them up from the smoke, and then placed them on Baoshan's delicate abdomen.
Such a scene made the reputation of Lan Zhaoyuan's treasured fan spread throughout the palace.
The concubines were naturally unwilling to give in, and tried to meet Chu Boyu more and more frequently.
Only with Chu Boyu, all the beauties returned empty-handed.
The concubines then temporarily stopped thinking and turned to Empress Dowager Zhong.
Everyone knows that Chu Boyu has a gentle temperament. If it was something that Empress Dowager Zhong said, Chu Boyu would never refute it.
Even when Chu Boyu's favorite pet, Mo Yu, was thrown into a remote place by Empress Dowager Zhong, Chu Boyu did not get angry with Empress Dowager Zhong, but ordered people to search for her everywhere.
The beauties who entered the palace were all carefully selected from aristocratic families, and they had their own schemes and methods.
Not all of these beautiful ladies had feelings for Chu Boyu. Most of them wanted support from their family and a high position.
Therefore, when the concubines saw that the way to Chu Boyu was blocked, they took another route.
Empress Dowager Zhong did not stop all the beauties outside the palace as she had done before.
During these days, Empress Dowager Zhong met all the concubines.
According to Empress Dowager Zhong, there were many beautiful women, but they lacked a certain quality compared to Lan Zhaoyuan. If their looks weren't enough, they had to make up for it with their temperaments. However, these young ladies who entered the palace initially had a certain composure.
Now they have been neglected by Chu Boyu for several months. Even when Chu Boyu appointed them as dancers from the Jiaofang Bureau, he never even looked at them.
Even the most calm and composed concubine could not help becoming impetuous.
Empress Dowager Zhong flicked through the list of concubines. Rationally, she felt that it would be best to stay out of Chu Boyu's harem affairs, so as not to create any rift between mother and son.
But Empress Dowager Zhong always followed her heart. If she had known to restrain herself, she would not have done so even though she knew that Emperor Shuncheng was displeased. However, she acted flamboyantly and was eventually exploited by Concubine Shu, ending up as a noble concubine in the cold palace.
Since Baoshan became Lan Zhaoyuan, Empress Dowager Zhong has met her several times.
There is not much difference between Baoshan and when she was a dancer. Only the clothes and jewelry she wears are all precious items, but her body is still as fragile as before.
Baoshan did not show any sign of being arrogant because of the favor. When she met Empress Dowager Zhong, she bowed politely and greeted her softly.
But Empress Dowager Zhong always thought of Concubine Shu, and involuntarily overlapped the image of Baoshan with Concubine Shu.
Empress Dowager Zhong frowned and thought to herself: In the past, Emperor Shuncheng ended up in a miserable situation because of the pretentious Concubine Shu.
Now, for the sake of the equally fragile precious fan, Chu Boyu deliberately avoided her for the first time. How could this not make Empress Dowager Zhong depressed?
However, Empress Dowager Zhong looked at the names of the concubines on the list with a bored look on her face, and couldn't help but sigh that these concubines were too useless.
She tossed the list casually, and it landed on the beauty couch, where the wind blew a few pages away. Finally, the list landed on a beautiful young lady. Empress Dowager Zhong glanced at it casually and asked, "Has this young lady ever come to see me?"
The head maid hurriedly said, "This is Miss Sun, she came here once with other Miss Sun.
After this, I never saw Miss Sun again."
Empress Dowager Zhong seemed to be thinking: "Sun Xiunu, is she the one who is close to Mo Yu?"
"That's the man."
Empress Dowager Zhong said leisurely, "He is a man of good character and can keep his composure."
Yinhua originally served outside the palace of Empress Dowager Zhong, but one day, the senior maid beside Empress Dowager Zhong suddenly walked up to Yinhua and said that Yinhua served well and won the favor of the Empress Dowager, so she was transferred to the inner palace, and she would no longer have to endure the cold wind and scorching sun in the outer palace.
The inner hall is close to Empress Dowager Zhong. Empress Dowager Zhong has always been generous, including to the palace maids.
Therefore, the palace maids serving in the inner hall would receive rewards from time to time, such as a plate of cakes or a few gold beads.
Yinhua was transferred to the inner palace, which was a promotion, and she would be "superior" in the future. However, Yinhua was reluctant. She was afraid of Empress Dowager Zhong and was unwilling to serve her personally.
As for the rewards, after Baoshan became Lan Zhaoyuan, Chu Boyu gave her countless rewards.
Baoshan called Yinhua over and asked her to choose whatever she wanted.
Yinhua had no choice but to taste the food in Zhilan Palace.
The taste was wonderful and left a lasting aftertaste. Yinhua felt that she would not be able to swallow the meals of the palace maids in the future.
Bao Shan had a gentle appearance. Because she was favored by Chu Boyu, she was well-cared for, with a delicate complexion. Although delicate, she had rosy cheeks and plump lips. Bao Shan smiled softly and said, "Then stay with me. You can eat whatever you want in the future."
Baoshan meant that he wanted Yinhua to serve in Zhilan Palace.
But Yinhua's face showed no joy. She hesitated for a while and said to Baoshan, "This is not possible."
Hearing this, Bao Shan suddenly looked lonely. She turned slightly to the side, revealing her fair and delicate neck, and said in a trembling voice, "Do you feel alienated from me?"
Her posture is so pitiful that it is enough to make anyone who sees her feel heartbroken.
Yinhua shook her head and said, "Although I am in the outer palace, I am still in the Empress Dowager's palace.
If you find His Majesty and transfer me to Zhilan Palace, I'm afraid it will put His Majesty in a difficult position."
What Yinhua didn't say was that if Chu Boyu treated Baoshan coldly because of this, Baoshan would definitely cry uncontrollably.
But Baoshan is simple-minded and has devoted her whole heart to Chu Boyu. Yinhua cannot directly expose this matter, so she can only find other excuses.
After hearing Yinhua's words, Baoshan was silent for a moment. When she raised her eyes again, her beautiful eyes softened. Baoshan stroked Yinhua's hand and whispered, "You and I will be reunited soon."
Yinhua just used the treasure fan as a comfort to comfort herself and echoed a few words.
From that point on, whenever Yinhua ate, the palace maids from Zhilan Palace would personally pack the food in mahogany boxes and bring them to her, day and night, rain, snow, wind and frost, without stopping.
Therefore, Yinhua was not very interested in the reward of entering Empress Dowager Zhong's inner palace.
But Empress Dowager Zhong's words were golden, and she, a little palace maid, could not refuse them.
Yinhua followed the senior palace maid into the inner hall. The senior palace maid casually pointed to a place for Yinhua and asked her to stay there and serve.
When Yinhua was in the inner hall, she kept Baoshan's instructions firmly in mind.
Be content with your lot, don't talk too much, don't stand out, and be polite.
After spending a few days in such peace and tranquility, Yinhua finally let go of her anxious heart.
That day, Yinhua had just finished her shift when she saw the senior palace maid walking towards her with a smile on her face.
The senior palace maid was very familiar with the situation and quickly became close to Yinhua.
The head maid asked casually, "I heard that you and Lan Zhaoyuan were good friends in the past. Did you support each other after entering the palace?"
Yinhua didn't understand why the senior maid mentioned the word "past" when she and Baoshan were still good friends. But Yinhua didn't say much, only humming a soft "yes."
The senior palace maid sighed softly and raised the handkerchief in her hand. "Everyone has their own destiny. I remember when Lan Zhaoyuan was still a dancer, I only thought she was gentle and very kind. I never thought that she would be valued by His Majesty and become his mistress.
We, the palace maids, are left alone, and our fate is still to be palace maids."
Yinhua didn't like the words used by the senior palace maid to judge Baoshan, and the good impression she had of the senior palace maid just now disappeared in an instant.
But Yinhua's silence seemed to be a thorn in the side of the head palace maid.
It makes sense. They were both palace maids, but one of them became Zhaoyuan and is now the most favored in the harem.
Another one had to serve in front of Empress Dowager Zhong with trepidation.
Even if they are sisters, they will feel unfair, let alone just good friends.
The head maid stopped and looked at Yinhua carefully, praising her: "Actually, looking closely, Yinhua, you are quite pretty. Although not as beautiful as Lan Zhaoyuan, you are pleasing to the eye. I heard that many men in the folk believe that such a face brings good luck to their husbands."
Because of her big appetite, Yinhua has a round face, her eyes are extremely watery, and her cheeks are green, which makes people smile when they see her.
Having been in the palace for a long time, Yinhua was naturally not stupid. She understood the implication of the head maid's words.
After all, Chu Boyu is also a man. After admiring the delicate orchids for so many times, it is inevitable that he will be dazzled when he sees the sunflower.
Yinhua thought to herself: This is probably the reason why Empress Dowager Zhong summoned her to the inner hall to serve.
Therefore, Yinhua did not refute the senior palace maid on the spot, but showed an angry look on her face as the senior palace maid wished.
"Sister, you have a point, but there are many decent looking women in the palace.
Even the concubines can't get close to His Majesty, so the others can only dream."
Hearing this, the senior palace maid was delighted, knowing that Yinhua had been tempted, but had simply not had the opportunity to meet Chu Boyu. The senior palace maid hurriedly said, "There are always opportunities, as long as you have the ambition to make progress..."
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