"The Emperor has arrived!" As Eunuch Wang's sharp, high-pitched voice rang out, everyone in Yongfu Palace quickly knelt to greet the Emperor. Concubine Shu stepped forward and bowed respectfully, "May Your Majesty be well and at peace."
"Stand up." The emperor strode to the main seat with the gait of a dragon and a tiger and sat down. Concubine Shu personally stepped forward to serve the emperor fragrant tea: "Your Majesty, I heard that you were coming to Yongfu Palace, so I specially brewed the best tea from Yongfu Palace for you to taste."
"Well, Concubine Shu is thoughtful." The emperor slowly savored the tea, but said nothing more. After a moment, Concubine Shu said softly, "Your Majesty, let me give you a shoulder massage..." However, the emperor waved his hand and refused, "No need... I heard that the Empress has arranged for the newly selected concubine, Noble Lady Gu, to stay in your Yongfu Palace."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu couldn't help but feel anxious. She secretly pondered how to deal with it, so as to prevent the Emperor from seeing Concubine Gu. After all, there were many women in the harem, and each concubine wanted to monopolize the Emperor's favor. If the Emperor saw the new beauty... No, she had to find a way...
"Your Majesty, Concubine Gu just entered the palace today and coquettishly told me that she was not feeling well, so I did not notify Sister Gu to come and pay her respects to Your Majesty." "I thought Sister Gu was usually in poor health, and today's selection was so complicated, so I let her rest well."
When the emperor heard this, his brows furrowed slightly...
Gu Xiangling was stopped by Concubine Shu's maid Zhulan. "Lady Gu, I advise you not to disturb the Emperor and Concubine Shu. Besides, the Empress has also instructed me not to let anyone in."
Gu Xiangling didn't really want to go in, because she was thinking about her brother Huai'an. She just wanted to see the emperor's face. Thinking that she had just entered the palace, she should not offend Concubine Shu, so she was about to go back...
"Who is making noise here!" Zhulan saw this and hurriedly said flatteringly: "Reporting to Eunuch Wang, it is Concubine Gu..." "How dare you! If it is Concubine Gu, why don't you let her in? The emperor has come to see Concubine Gu tonight." "Yes, Eunuch Wang..." Zhulan reluctantly made way, "Concubine Gu is here--" Before Eunuch Wang finished speaking, Gu Xiangling had already stepped into the inner hall and saluted the emperor.
"Your Majesty, may you be well." Gu Xiangling was nervous, her heart pounding like a deer. Rumors circulated that the emperor was cold and heartless, and since it was her first time meeting him, she couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. If only her brother Huai'an were here... At this moment, Gu Xiangling was still thinking about Qin Huai'an, unaware that her brother Huai'an was currently enjoying the romantic atmosphere of the famous "Yanbo Tower" in the capital, surrounded by beautiful women...
"Mom, mom... I must let Xiao Qin'er stay with me tonight!" Qin Huaian yelled while burping. "Oh, my Lord, you know, our Qin'er sells her art but not her body. Tonight, mom will arrange Su Mei, who is the best at serving people, for you." "Meimei, Meimei... Come and serve Lord, you must satisfy Lord tonight, otherwise I will not forgive you!" Mother Liu said viciously. Qin Huaian was still mumbling: "Why are you pretending to be so noble? You are just a bitch. One day, I will make you kneel down and beg me for you..." Su Mei supported the drunk Qin Huaian and walked towards the room on the second floor. ······
The emperor hadn't called out to them to stand up, so Gu Xiangling could only half-squat, but her mind had already flown to Qin Huaian. As she thought of Qin Huaian's handsome face and gentle smile, her cheeks blushed.
The emperor sipped his tea slowly, seemingly in no hurry to speak. Finally, he slowly put down his teacup and said softly, "Noble Lady Gu, please stand up."
Hearing this, Gu Xiangling stood up as if relieved, but still lowered her head, not daring to look directly into the emperor's eyes. Meanwhile, Concubine Shu beside her changed her expression, walked over with a smile, took Gu Xiangling's hand, and said with a pretentious sisterly expression, "Sister, you're here! I was just telling His Majesty that you are as beautiful as a flower and stunningly beautiful. Although you are less charming than Concubine Xian, you are also a lively and lovely lady. By the way, I heard that you are good at playing the piano. Why don't you play a song for His Majesty so that we can all appreciate your superb piano skills? Your Majesty, what do you think?"
"Very good!" The emperor's face was as sullen as water, expressionless, yet no one could discern from his expression whether he was happy or angry. At this moment, no one knew what was going on in this supreme ruler's mind. Perhaps he was thinking of a certain woman—what was my Yu'er doing right now? Was she displeased by my presence at Yongfu Palace? I haven't been able to fully explain this to her... but with her exceptional intelligence, I'm sure she'll understand my painstaking efforts someday.
Gu Xiangling sat down gracefully, stretched out her slender fingers and gently stroked the strings of the zither, and began to play a melodious tune. However, her eyes could not help but steal a glance at the emperor sitting above.
The emperor was listening intently to the music. His stature was tall and straight, emanating a majestic yet captivating aura. Gu Xiangling couldn't help but marvel: How could the emperor be so handsome? He could be said to be the most handsome man in the Great Yan Kingdom! His deep, peach-shaped eyes gleamed brightly, and his high nose bridge added a touch of heroic spirit. He looked so majestic and awe-inspiring.
In comparison, Qin Huaian seemed to pale in comparison. Although he was also handsome and elegant, he was still slightly inferior to the emperor. Thinking of this, Gu Xiangling felt a faint sense of loss in her heart. She couldn't help but sigh secretly, why couldn't she have the opportunity to get close to this handsome emperor like other women?
As the music of the zither flowed, Gu Xiangling's thoughts gradually drifted away. She imagined herself becoming the emperor's favorite concubine, accompanying him and sharing his wealth and glory. But this was just an unattainable dream...
Gu Xiangling suddenly came to her senses, and a brilliant idea came to her mind. She decided to inquire about the palace news for Qin Huaian while finding ways to win the emperor's favor. Ultimately, no matter who became emperor, she would be able to realize her dream of becoming empress.
Thinking of this, Gu Xiangling became extremely happy and played even more vigorously. However, unfortunately, the emperor did not seem to pay much attention to her piano playing, as he just needed to stay in Yongfu Palace for a while.
When the song ended, the emperor stood up and said, "Lady Gu's piano playing is melodious and her talent is outstanding. Reward..." As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and left Yongfu Palace and returned to the Yangxin Palace.
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