Chapter 13: Imperial Concubine's Favor
Chapter 13: Imperial Concubine's Favor
In the evening, someone came from the Jingshifang.
When the sky was filled with red clouds, the eunuch led two young eunuchs, holding a red lantern of a unique style, and hung it high in the Fanghua Palace, which had been silent for a long time.
An evening breeze blew by, and the red silk lanterns under the eaves swayed shyly like beauties.
The young eunuch dropped the hanging rod in his hand, and the purse fell into his arms. When the eunuch looked up, he saw Amber's polite smiling face.
"Thank you for taking this trip, Eunuch Zhuo. I would like to offer you some tea as a token of my appreciation."
He squeezed the purse in his hand, and Xiao Zhuozi, who had been acting very businesslike, suddenly smiled, the first smile he had shown since entering Fanghua Palace.
"Miss, you are too polite. We have been looking forward to this for half a month. Now that you can serve the emperor, we, your servants, are happy for you." Although Xiao Zhuozi was smiling, his words were full of profound meaning.
Amber, who knew all about the bet, smiled bitterly when she heard this.
"The power of heaven is unpredictable. Our young master's fortune has turned for the better now." Amber stuffed another purse into her pocket and said, "Please don't be offended, sir. My young master has been in the palace for so long and this is her first time sleeping with a servant. I wonder if there are any taboos. Please give me some advice, sir."
Another purse was in hand. Xiao Zhuozi, who had been deeply harmed by gambling, suddenly turned his fake smile on the surface into a genuine one, and for a moment even the corners of his mouth were pulled closer to his ears.
"No, no, after all, we are serving the Emperor. Sister, please remember to remind the young lady that the evening meal should be light and only until you are 50% full. In addition, you should also use less diuretics. In addition, Nanny Wang, who is teaching the young lady to sleep with the emperor, has taught Concubine Zhengui..."
Who is Concubine Zhengui?
She is the most favored concubine in the world!
Seeing Amber's eyes slightly widened, Xiao Zhuozi smiled with satisfaction. Since the palace maids in Fanghua Palace were so considerate, he didn't mind giving them some advice.
"in addition--"
Xiao Zhuozi looked around and saw that no one was paying attention here, so he lowered his voice and whispered next to Amber.
"I heard that Miss Yugui, who is beside Concubine Zhengui, invited the emperor to Minghua Palace. Miss, you might as well let the young lady be mentally prepared. I'm afraid--"
Concubine Zhengui is the most favored concubine in the heart of the emperor. If Concubine Shu were to be deprived of her favor on her first night with the emperor, I am afraid that after the bet, she would become a laughing stock among the people in the harem.
As a lady of a palace, if I lose face, it will be miserable~
Amber, who understood what Xiao Zhuozi had not finished saying, opened her eyes slightly, but her black pupils suddenly shrank.
"Maybe it's expensive—"
Amber screamed, and Xiao Zhuozi quickly covered her mouth.
"Hush..." Xiao Zhuozi shook his head at the shocked Amber, "Miss, just take care of the young lady. I have to go back and report. The Fengluan Chunen carriage will come to pick you up at 15:00. Please get ready early."
*
Inside the restless Fanghua Palace, An Lan and Shi Liu blushed.
Nanny Wang slowly unfolded the painting of the little man in front of Shen Qingtang, which made people blush just by looking at it.
Of course, everyone else was genuine, except Shen Qingtang who was pretending.
Without boasting, she came from the era of information explosion. Whether it is the harmony of yin and yang, or yin yin yang yang, she dares to boast that she is second to none in this profession. No one dares to claim to be the first.
Of course, except for those who play with flowers!
Perhaps due to the ancients' implicit nature, the drawing of the little man brought by Nanny Wang was a little blurry, and required Nanny Wang's oral guidance.
……
"...According to the rules, when the concubines are sleeping with the emperor, no matter how comfortable they are in bed, they must not make any noise. At that time, my lady, you only need to lie quietly and cooperate with the emperor..."
After some teaching and guidance, Nanny Wang felt thirsty. Fortunately, Anlan and Shiliu were sensible and had already prepared tea for her.
Taking a sip of the tea in the cup, Nanny Wan shifted her gaze from the brocade handkerchief that was about to be crumpled in Concubine Shu's hands to her delicate and shy face, which was as red as a twig. She nodded in satisfaction with her teaching results.
"It's getting late. My lady, you can leave after you take a bath and dress up."
"Thank you for your concern this time, Madam."
"My lady, you are so polite." Holding the purse, Nanny Wang said in a friendly tone, "In that case, I will leave first."
After seeing off Nanny Wang, the air behind the screen in the inner hall was already filled with hot steam, and a hint of sweet and elegant fragrance was wafting away in the mist.
Wow...
Behind the screen, Shen Qingtang stepped into the water. The water of suitable temperature flowed over his body, sweeping away all his fatigue.
"It feels so comfortable~" Shen Qingtang squinted his eyes comfortably. After all, taking a bath is the best way to relieve fatigue.
Amber packed up her changed clothes and looked at Shen Qingtang who was enjoying herself in the water. Her eyelids began to twitch with anxiety. "My young master, aren't you worried at all?"
"What is there to worry about?"
Thinking of what might happen, Amber was filled with worry. "But the Emperor has already turned over your name card, and he went to Minghua Palace. What if Concubine Zhengui..."
Shen Qingtang scooped up a handful of water and poured it down his neck, then said slowly, "Do you still want me to go to Minghua Palace to snatch someone away? Then you and I can go to the cold palace to cool off."
"But……"
Amber wanted to say something, but Shen Qingtang glanced at her.
"Well, since the sleeping arrangement has not been cancelled, it means that there is still room for improvement."
Shen Qingtang was bathing in the water. According to her speculation, apart from the worst possible outcome, there was also the possibility that the dog emperor would go back to sleep with her after eating his fill...
...hiss! So dirty!
Thinking of this, Shen Qingtang suddenly lost the mood to take a bath.
"Where's the towel?"
"I will help you change your clothes."
……
As the saying goes, if you want to look good, you must be filial.
Although she was not dressed in pure white, when Shen Qingtang, with her hair tied up in a bun and a jade hairpin, wearing a white straight dress with a hint of apricot yellow belt around her waist, walked out of the hall gracefully, even Amber and others who were already accustomed to her beauty were still stunned to the point of being speechless.
"Little Master..."
If such a stunning beauty is really intercepted by Concubine Zhengui when serving him in the emperor's bed tonight, Emperor Yuji can only blame himself for not having such good fortune.
Outside the Fanghua Palace, a row of young eunuchs holding lanterns stood beside the Fengluan Chun'en carriage. When they saw Concubine Shu coming out, they hurried to welcome her into the carriage.
"My lord, please get in the car."
Shen Qingtang nodded, and the silver tassel hairpin hanging in front of her forehead swayed gently. Then, with the help of the palace servants, she got on the Fengluan Chun'en carriage, which slowly drove towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony amid the sound of horse hooves.
Hall of Supreme Harmony...
Including today, this is her second time entering.
The difference from last time was that this time she went to sleep with a man.
The lights were on in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. As soon as Shen Qingtang got off the Fengluan Chun'en carriage, he was welcomed into the inner hall by the eunuch Xiao Yinzi who had been waiting for a long time.
"My dear, please sit down and rest for a while. I will pass on the emperor's oral instructions. If the emperor has not returned after 12 o'clock, my dear, you can rest first."
Hearing that he could go to sleep first, Shen Qingtang immediately smiled with satisfaction.
"Thank you for reminding me, eunuch."
"My Lord, you are too polite. I am waiting outside. If you have any instructions, just call me."
The imperial eunuch Xiao Yinzi bowed and left. Shen Qingtang glanced at the inner hall. The decorations and furnishings here were almost the same as when she came last time.
Maybe it’s because it’s the emperor’s bedroom?
From the sandalwood ceiling to the thick and soft black carpet underfoot and the various ornaments on the multi-treasure ruyi stand, the layout style of this emperor's bedroom appears extremely cold and boring.
Putting down the coral ornament in his hand, Shen Qingtang estimated the time and his heart couldn't help but hang in the air.
"At the hour of Xu..."
Rustling!
There were footsteps outside, and Shen Qingtang looked in the direction of the sound. It was the imperial eunuch Xiao Yinzi who brought in some tea and snacks and placed them on the table one by one.
"Eunuch Jiang asked me to prepare some snacks for you. If you are hungry, you can eat some fruit first."
"Thank you for your trouble, both of you."
As he said this, the eunuch Xiao Yinzi retreated again. Looking at his departing back, Shen Qingtang was so angry that he laughed at himself.
Is she really going to become a joke today?
(End of this chapter)