The front hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation was where government affairs were handled, while the rear hall was where people slept and dined.
It was only the beginning of the Wei hour (1-3 PM), so the emperor naturally couldn't be going to bed.
As soon as Heyue entered the side room of the rear hall, she saw Emperor Yongzheng wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, sitting on a soft couch, looking down at a memorial, with a tall stack of memorials next to him.
Being an emperor must be a tiring job. It's lunchtime and he should be having lunch, but he's still reading memorials. And when will he ever finish reading all of them?
Sun Dahai didn't come in. He Yue stepped forward and gave a curtsy: "This concubine greets Your Majesty."
For a moment he forgot that he was still wearing eunuch's clothes, and he realized that it was inappropriate as soon as he bowed.
He Yue herself felt extremely embarrassed, and her body stiffened slightly.
Upon hearing this, Yongzheng looked up, his gaze lingering on Heyue for a moment. A strange expression flashed across his face. He coughed and ordered, "No need for formalities."
He thanked the Emperor, stood up, tugged at his eunuch robes, feeling extremely uncomfortable, and complained, "What is Your Majesty doing? If you have anything to say, just give the order. Why go through all this trouble to have me kidnapped and brought here, and then make me dress like this?"
Could this be a perverse pleasure he developed after becoming emperor?
That's terrifying!
Kidnapping? Only He Yue would dare to say that the emperor kidnapped someone.
Seeing the resentment and dissatisfaction on her face, Yongzheng's eyes softened, and he smiled slightly: "This look is very good."
"What's so good about it?!" He Yue was even angrier, glaring angrily at Yongzheng.
Staring at the emperor was extremely disrespectful, but the emperor didn't care at all, or perhaps he was already used to it, so he didn't say anything.
Su Peisheng, standing to the side, kept his eyes down and pretended not to see anything.
"What is the purpose of His Majesty having me brought here?" He Yue asked bluntly and without any politeness.
Yongzheng did not answer, but directly ordered: "Serve the meal."
Su Peisheng responded with a "Yes, sir," and went to the front hall to give the instructions.
Yongzheng stood up and glanced at Heyue: "Have a meal with me."
He Yue's eyes widened. Huh? Dining? Dining with the Emperor?
Seeing that Yongzheng had already gone to the main room, Heyue couldn't help but wonder if Yongzheng had summoned her to have a meal with him.
Regardless of the truth, Heyue had no choice but to follow.
Upon entering the main room, one sees a square table in the center, covered with bright yellow cloud-patterned brocade.
Emperor Yongzheng sat at the head of the table and, seeing Heyue standing there motionless, casually instructed, "Sit."
Heyue obediently walked over and sat in the seat opposite Emperor Yongzheng.
Many dishes were already laid out on the table in the middle, covered with lids, and were very exquisite. On the other side, a long table that occupied more than half of the main room was also set out with many dishes.
Heyue rubbed her stomach. Actually, she was quite hungry by now. She hadn't expected that Yongzheng had summoned her for a meal, and she had been wondering about it.
Seeing the table full of food, all of He Yue's anger vanished instantly.
The emperor's meals—just thinking about them is exciting!
Although Heyue ate good food at Prince Yi's residence, and each meal was exquisite, perhaps it was because the place was different. She knew that this was the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and the food was what the emperor wanted to eat, not the leftovers that Emperor Kangxi had given her before.
Of course, Heyue had dined with Yongzheng before, but that was at Prince Yong's residence. Their statuses were different, the place was different, so it felt particularly special.
When Yongzheng looked up and saw Heyue's greedy expression, he couldn't help but smile.
Su Peisheng lifted the lid and served Emperor Yongzheng his meal.
There was also a young eunuch serving Heyue her meal, and a row of eunuchs standing on both sides.
Even though the food was exquisite and delicious, Heyue still felt awkward being watched while eating.
With the emperor present, He Yue couldn't very well suggest that they step down, so she could only try to treat them as if they were invisible.
The meal was eaten in a very restrained manner, and it always lacked flavor.
He Yue felt quite regretful.
Looking at the Emperor Yongzheng opposite, it seems he was in the same boat, so he didn't eat much either.
I could barely take three bites of each dish to begin with, and most of them were untouched. Some dishes were even taken away and replaced with new ones without being touched at all. Plus, with so many people watching, I lost my appetite even more.
That's the rule, isn't it? Someone has to serve them, right?
Tsk, just thinking about it makes me feel exhausted.
The leftovers were given as a reward by the emperor if he gave the order; otherwise, no one dared to eat what the emperor left behind, and they were all thrown away in the end.
It's such a pity to think about it.
He sighed softly.
After clearing away the food, Yongzheng returned to the west side room and sat on the couch. He ordered Heyue to sit on the other side of the couch table: "Sit down and play chess with me."
Someone had already set up the chessboard, and despite her reluctance, Heyue went over and sat down.
She hated playing chess the most; it was too mentally taxing, and playing against a chess master like Emperor Yongzheng was practically masochism.
He Yue looked displeased. She sat there, forcing a smile, and pleaded, "Your Majesty, could we please stop playing chess?"
Yongzheng glanced at her and snorted, "I don't know how the thirteenth brother puts up with your lazy nature."
He Yue pouted. "What's wrong with being lazy? Thirteen hasn't said anything, and he hasn't been unhappy at all. Why is he acting badly here?"
"I'm fine as I am. Chess really isn't for me," Heyue said, lowering her head and complaining.
Seeing her aggrieved look, Yongzheng shook his head with amusement and softened his tone: "Fine, just consider it keeping me company."
He spoke those two words, "I'll stay with you," so gently, and He Yue inexplicably sensed the disappointment and longing in his tone.
It seemed like he really just wanted someone to keep him company.
He Yue couldn't help but look up at him. He had only been on the throne for a few months, but his fourth brother had already lost so much weight. His eyes were sunken and his brows showed signs of fatigue.
Knowing how hard he had been these past few days, Heyue understood his feelings perfectly and said nothing more, instead playing chess with him.
Despite still suffering a crushing defeat, Heyue was no longer so troubled, and her mood actually became more peaceful.
He rested his chin on his hand, carefully considering his next move, while slowly placing the chess piece in his other hand.
He Yue was engrossed in her thoughts when Emperor Yongzheng suddenly spoke up: "Do you think I should release my fourteenth brother?"
Heyue was startled by his sudden voice. She looked up and saw Yongzheng looking at her calmly. She thought for a moment and wondered what his purpose was in asking this question. Did he want the Fourteenth Prince to come back, or did he not want the Fourteenth Prince to come back?
Finally, unable to guess, He Yue shook her head: "I don't know. It depends on His Majesty's own decision. If he wants him to come back, then he can summon him back. If he doesn't want him to come back, then he can leave."
Yongzheng sneered: "You're good at passing the buck to me. I'm asking you a question. If I knew the answer, would I be asking you?"
Sensing his displeasure, Heyue sighed, "I'm just telling the truth. Whether the Fourteenth Prince returns or not is entirely up to the Emperor. If the Emperor wants him to return, he'll issue the decree without anyone else having to say it. If the Emperor doesn't want him to return, no amount of talk from others will change that."
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