Chapter 21
Shao Sizhi's hands slowly climbed up her neck, gently closing in, like a giant dragon carefully protecting a treasure, as if afraid that the surrounding breeze would break this rare and magnificent scene.
"Why are you so beautiful, so lovely and exquisite? I want to possess everything about you, your body, your dance—and your whole being."
His warm breath sprayed all over Qi Nian'an's ear, his sharp, aggressive canine teeth gently caressing it, his lips slowly drawing closer, his nose constantly approaching, invading that indescribable, hazy beauty.
How did he suddenly become like this?
Even after being cured, he still drools.
Qi Nian'an thought this, but when she turned around, her dark black hair slowly brushed against her profile. Her sharply defined profile was a masterpiece accompanied by the moonlight. She had seen many beauties, but she had never seen such a captivating face. She was a gentleman with a serious yet elegant demeanor. Her long eyes and slightly furrowed brows held a deep longing and a sudden surge of intense desire beneath her sorrowful gaze.
It's always comfortable to have an appreciative, unjudgmental gaze on someone. You don't have to worry about being misunderstood, because the owner of that gaze is naturally magnanimous.
She smiled, her hands suddenly wrapping around his shoulders, pulling him closer, little by little, her eyelashes brushing against her forehead, bathed in the clear moonlight—
The two stood embracing and kissed passionately, their shadows stretching long and slanted like the moon beneath the bamboo.
Li Xiaoran, who was peeking out the window next door, couldn't bear to watch her own pathetic and mysterious behavior. She could only frantically crack sunflower seeds and cough once.
The two separated abruptly, like startled birds.
Qi Nian'an looked at Li Xiaoran with extreme guilt and embarrassment. The latter shook her head in exasperation and slammed the window shut, keeping the two of them far apart.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Shao Sizhi gently stroked her cheek, tucked the bamboo flute behind his back, and gazed at her affectionately, saying, "I have some free time tonight. I wonder if I may invite my Consort An to enjoy the beautiful moon together, so we can be a pair?"
The voice was hoarse and low, suppressing a surge of desire.
"Why are you suddenly pretending to be all grown up? Going for a walk, just walking around."
Qi Nian'an laughed out loud, pulled the thick cloak that Shao Sizhi had just draped over her shoulders, and shivered.
The spring chill is still in the air; it's really cold.
Shao Sizhi shook his head helplessly: "Little illiterate."
He chuckled indulgently, his eyes filled with the frustration and helplessness of a top student dealing with a struggling student.
Qi Nian'an raised one eyebrow, slightly widened her eyes, and scrutinized Shao Sizhi's expression. She was very dissatisfied, extremely dissatisfied.
She boldly reached out and pinched Shao Sizhi's face, rubbing and rubbing. She knew that Shao Sizhi was pushing her hand away with disgust, but Qi Nian'an knew it and did not change her mind.
"Let me see if your face is made of cement paste. Why are you so obviously disgusted with me?"
"My wisdom resides in my mind!"
Shao Sizhi couldn't help but laugh out loud. He looked at her teasingly, then turned around and pulled her towards the bedroom.
"The small head controls the big head."
Qi Nian'an couldn't help but mutter something under her breath. Shao Sizhi's expression turned strange. Although he didn't understand the meaning of the sentence, he could deduce something from his lively and carefree sweetheart's expression. His face instantly darkened, and he turned around.
The tall shadow enveloped Qi Nian'an as he looked down at the person in his arms, his hands gently stroking her hair.
"What are you thinking? I find the concubines too vulgar and disgraceful, so I'll teach you some classic texts to keep you from speaking recklessly and rudely all day long."
Shao Sizhi felt a bit helpless, his heart surging with emotion. Looking at the face before him, untouched by knowledge, he sighed helplessly.
"To hell with it, palace intrigue with academic qualifications? Do you think I'm some kind of stuntwoman?"
Qi Nian'an rubbed his hands together, breathed on them, and looked at Shao Sizhi with a righteous air.
That night, the palace lanterns never went out, and the sound of students reciting their lessons never ceased.
Everyone in the palace said that Consort An's presence in the emperor's bedchamber was due to the fragrance of her literary works, which captivated the emperor's heart. Although she was a bewitching concubine, she also possessed a heroic and literary spirit.
Only Qi Nian'an, with dark circles under her eyes, left the Imperial Study early in the morning without looking back, filled with resentment and disdain for Shao Sizhi.
"I've never seen two people sharing a blanket all night just chatting and teaching each other about Confucius and Mencius!"
Consort An said this to Consort Ling, who was laughing so hard her stomach hurt.
The state banquet and flower viewing were undoubtedly grand and unparalleled. Qi Nian'an practiced dancing day and night. Apart from the painful experience of studying cultural lessons with Shao Sizhi for a few hours every night, her time was quite fulfilling.
The infamous concubine's reputation had spread far and wide. Without even asking, everyone knew who was behind it. Even if Shao Sizhi and Li Xiaoran were investigated, there were always busybodies who would embellish the story and compile it into a book, which everyone would read and discuss before and after meals.
Qi Nian'an specially asked Yi Xing to find this small painting book and read it word by word. He actually got absorbed in it and before he knew it, it was late at night.
"Wow, I actually performed a delicate and seductive dance amidst lotus blossoms, causing the emperor's heart to flutter and his spring tide to surge... Holy crap!"
She was so happy that she straightened up and recited aloud.
"So proud of yourself, as if you weren't the one being insulted."
Li Xiaoran pursed her lips, raised an eyebrow, and looked at her. Seeing her excitement, she just smiled, shook her head, and sighed.
Actually, it's obvious who started this booklet. Words are the best at concealing right and wrong; they can be eloquent and deceitful, killing people without them even realizing it.
Consort Yi and Consort Su did not take the lead in causing trouble, and the remaining Consorts Jia and Yi treated her fairly well. As for the methods behind this, Qi Nian'an always pretended not to see them.
To solve the problem, one must strike decisively and decisively.
The night was as dark as ink, once again concealing the figure diligently practicing dance.
Time flew by, and the day before the palace banquet, the families of various mansions went out to enjoy the spring scenery and visit each other. When they arrived at the palace, they bowed from afar and then left in large groups.
Qi Nian'an and Li Xiaoran stood quietly on the high palace wall, looking at the bustling world below, their eyes filled with unspoken envy.
The wind on the palace walls carried the gentle warmth unique to spring.
As Qi Nian'an gazed at the bustling crowds in the distant streets, he suddenly felt that the towering palace walls were no longer so suffocating.
“Speaking of which, Zhiyang’s skills have really improved.” Qi Nian’an suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Zhiyang, who was always quietly smiling behind Li Xiaoran. “Last time, I hung that sachet in my bedroom, and even Shao Sizhi praised how nice it smelled.”
Upon hearing this, Zhiyang blushed slightly, curtsied slightly, and said softly, "Your Highness, Consort An, you flatter me. They are just some common spices. I simply prepared them according to an ancient recipe."
“Ordinary?” Li Xiaoran raised an eyebrow, reached into her sleeve and took out an exquisite sachet, waving it in front of Qi Nian'an. “Do you know that the agarwood in this is top-quality Hainan agarwood, not to mention ambergris and musk? This girl almost turned my private treasury upside down just to make this calming incense for you.”
Qi Nian'an opened her eyes wide in surprise.
Zhiyang really cares about her! If she were sold, she'd probably make a fortune!!
Zhiyang hurriedly waved her hand: "Your Highness, please don't tease me. Consort An has been working hard practicing dance these days, and she also has to go to the Imperial Study at night to accompany her studies. I just thought I could help in any way I could."
"No wonder I've been sleeping so soundly these days." Qi Nian'an was touched and took Zhiyang's hand, saying, "Thank you for going to so much trouble."
Zhiyang's hands trembled slightly, and she lowered her head, not daring to look Qi Nian'an in the eye: "Your Majesty is too kind. This is my duty."
Looking at this scene, Li Xiaoran suddenly laughed and said, "Speaking of which, Zhiyang is the most talented perfumer in our household. When I first transmigrated into the palace, she was a very useful head maid in the Li household. Once, I accidentally smelled the perfume powder she made herself and was amazed by it, so I took her to my side."
Qi Nian'an asked curiously, "Then how did Zhiyang learn to blend perfumes?"
Zhiyang raised her head, her gaze drifting towards the distant streets, her voice soft: "My grandmother was a famous perfumer in Jiangnan. When I was a child, I often watched her blend various fragrances. Later, my family fell into poverty, and I was sold to the palace to work as a maid. I thought I would never be able to use these skills again, but I never expected that the Empress Dowager would give me a chance."
“It’s more than just an opportunity,” Li Xiaoran patted Zhiyang’s shoulder. “If it weren’t for the calming incense you made over the years, I’m afraid I would have been driven crazy by this deep palace long ago.”
The three of them looked at each other and smiled, the afterglow of the setting sun gilding them with a warm golden edge.
"Oh right, Zhiyang, didn't you say you wanted to go up to the city wall to see how the lanterns were hanging tonight?" Li Xiaoran suddenly remembered something. "Go quickly, before it gets completely dark."
Zhiyang nodded: "Yes, this servant will go right away. I heard that many new-style revolving lanterns are hanging in the market tonight, and they should be clearly visible from the city tower."
Qi Nian'an said excitedly, "Then come back and tell us when you see it clearly. If it's really good, we'll ask Shao Sizhi to let me leave the palace to take a look another day."
Zhiyang curtsied and turned to walk along the city wall toward the west corner tower.
Her steps were light, and her skirt fluttered slightly in the evening breeze, like a butterfly about to take flight.
"Gentle Zhiyang seems to have something on her mind lately." Qi Nian'an watched Zhiyang's departing figure, lost in thought.
Li Xiaoran laughed and said, "You just love to worry about things that aren't your business. I think Zhiyang is doing just fine. Maybe it's because spring has arrived, and it's normal for young girls to be a little sentimental."
"Maybe." Qi Nian'an shook her head, then became excited again. "Let's not talk about that. I heard that a new dessert shop opened on West Street. Their specialty is almond tea and osmanthus cake. How about we sneak out tomorrow and try it?"
"All you think about all day is food." Li Xiaoran poked her forehead, her eyes full of longing.
"Yi-Xing, the food at that shop over there looks delicious, I want to eat there."
She pointed to one of the most popular shops in the distance. She couldn't see what it sold, but the aroma wafted into her nose. She guessed it was a jianbing (Chinese crepe) snack or tea break. Qi Nian'an wanted to eat it no matter what it was.
Yi Xing stood behind him with her hands in her pockets, glanced in that direction, and nodded in agreement.
Li Xiaoran washed her nose and said with delight, "I'm craving night market snacks: grilled octopus, squid, mushroom stew, snail rice noodles, instant noodles, and jianbing guozi..."
"Me too."
Qi Nian'an put her hands on her hips.
Li Xiaoran left, probably to go downstairs to find food.
Honestly, the Dowager is so amazing, she can go out whenever she wants and go shopping whenever she wants!
Qi Nian'an stomped her foot and was about to turn around when suddenly everything went black, and a force from behind pushed her away.
The gaps between the city walls were already large, and this push forced her to the edge of the city wall!
There was no one around him at the moment, and he was firmly restrained behind him, not knowing who it was.
This is driving her to her death!
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