Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, beneath the hibiscus-patterned windows of the warm chamber, a carved golden-thread nanmu kang bed quietly stretched along the wall. It was covered with an indigo sitting mat embroidered with myriad blessings and edged in red and gold. At the center of the kang stood a blue-and-white jade porcelain table. Warm sunlight streamed through the delicate latticework, falling over the two people seated on the kang and lending the scene a peaceful, cozy air.
“Achu, is there one you like?” The Emperor’s long fingers rested on her slender waist, his eyes filled with a tenderness too deep for words. He spread out the fine sheets of paper in his hand, allowing the woman in his arms to choose.
Achu shifted tentatively, but could not free herself. She had no choice but to resign herself to nestling against the Emperor’s chest. She glanced over the contents of the papers and found that they were all surnames belonging to the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner. Her thick black lashes fluttered, and a bewildered look crossed her face.
“His Majesty… this…”
He couldn’t possibly be planning to transfer her into the Bordered Yellow Banner, could he?
Sure enough, the Emperor explained gently, “I know you have been alone and without support since childhood. You have no parents or siblings at home to rely on. But there are too many people in the harem who look down on others, and I cannot protect you at your side every moment of every day. That is why I intend to find a minister’s household in the court and have you formally ennobled as its legitimate daughter.”
Thinking of how Achu had lost her father and mother at such a young age and had been forced to grow up before her time, he could not help recalling his own childhood experiences. His pity and affection for Achu deepened further. He kissed her forehead, wishing he could arrange everything for her.
“Come, have a look. Which surname do you like? I’ll issue the decree at once.”
Achu stared at him in complete confusion. Seeing the heartache on the Emperor’s face, she felt that he must have misunderstood something. Her life had not been difficult at all. She had been protected as she grew up, and in the palace she spent her days eating, drinking, playing, and enjoying herself without a care in the world. But whenever she tried to tell him that, he simply refused to listen—just as with what had happened at Yikun Palace last time. The bloodstains on Ruyi’s shoulder had clearly been left by Achu’s bite, yet he had deliberately overlooked that fact and looked at her with nothing but heartache.
When she had timidly tried to explain, he had only become angrier with Ruyi, convinced that Ruyi must have done something excessive to make Achu lose control for a moment. His entire expression had said that everything was Ruyi’s fault and that Achu was blameless.
Did Achu feel moved?
No. Not only did she not feel moved, she found it deeply ironic. Although she disliked Ruyi, she could not bring herself to like the Emperor either. The person who truly loved him was invisible to him, while the person who did not love him was treasured as if she were priceless. It was utterly ridiculous.
She gave the Emperor a sweet smile. She did not love him, but what was done was done. She had to find a way to make her own life more comfortable, so that when she grew old in the future, she would have enough savings to live out her later years in peace.
As for where the money would come from, naturally, she would rely on the Emperor’s rewards.
With her remarkably down-to-earth plans for the future, Achu browsed through the choices and casually pointed at one. “This one.”
The Shumulu clan. It sounded nice, and it did not overlap with anyone else in the palace. It was a fairly good choice.
The Emperor gazed at her dreamily. He felt that every gesture she made was unbelievably beautiful. Never before had he experienced such an intense attraction to a woman. How could someone’s smile make his heart feel so sweet, while her tears caused him unbearable heartache? Even when she was angry and thought he was being annoying, she was still especially captivating. These days, he could not take his eyes off her. No matter how long he looked, it never seemed like enough. He only wanted to cling to her all day long.
“Good. Achu’s taste is indeed excellent,” the Emperor praised without even looking at the choice.
Achu blushed and buried her face in his chest. Why did she feel as though the Emperor was just like Aunt Fang, treating her like a child? Was she really that easy to coax?
Her eyes rolled as though she had suddenly remembered something. She adjusted her expression, then pulled away from the Emperor’s arms and stared intently at him.
“His Majesty, when will my residence be finished being renovated? I want to take a look.”
Her voice held a hint of anticipation and a hint of coquettishness. The Emperor’s body tensed slightly beneath the gaze of her clear, beautiful eyes. His gaze shifted uncertainly, making it obvious that he was avoiding something.
Seeing this, she tugged lightly at his sleeve and looked pitiful. “Was His Majesty only trying to make me happy? As the highest-ranking consort, if I do not even have a palace of my own, won’t that just make me a laughingstock in everyone else’s eyes?”
As soon as she finished speaking, the corners of her eyes reddened. Tears glimmered pitifully in them, making her so lovable that the Emperor became completely intoxicated and could no longer tell night from day. He wished he could agree to everything she asked.
His heart itching unbearably at the sight of her tears, he quickly kissed Achu. Then he cleared his throat and pleaded softly under her irritated gaze, “All right, all right. I was wrong. Don’t be angry.”
The Emperor had never lowered his head to anyone, much less apologized. Yet now he said those words without hesitation, his tone as gentle as flowing water and his willingness completely genuine.
Li Yu, who was serving outside the door and had ears in every direction, naturally did not miss the conversation inside. His heart jolted. This newly emerged Consort Baochen was far more important in the Emperor’s heart than he had imagined.
But when he thought about it carefully, it was hardly surprising. A beauty like her was a rare sight even in heaven. She was beautiful enough to leave even an incomplete man like him dazed and distracted, let alone the Emperor, a perfectly normal man. Compared with her, Consort Xian’s defeat was hardly unjust.
Meanwhile—
The Emperor let out a resentful sigh, still wanting to struggle a little. “The other consorts would give anything to spend every day lodging in the Hall of Mental Cultivation and remain with Me from morning till night. Why is it that you are unwilling?”
Aside from the hours when they were summoned to attend him, the consorts could enter the Hall of Mental Cultivation to accompany the Emperor only when they received a summons. Being allowed to live in the Hall of Mental Cultivation was a unique honor, one granted only to Achu.
Hearing the utter grievance in his voice, Achu thought coldly to herself, 【I really want to slap him. I already told him I’m not suited to being a consort. Ever since we got together, all I can think about is assassinating the Emperor. What a scumbag! Bah!】
Anger could not be concealed from her brows and eyes. A vivid flush rose across her cheeks, lending her a dazzling beauty like a peach blossom just beginning to bloom and making her impossibly charming.
The Emperor’s heart began to pound even harder.
She was so beautiful even when angry. This was simply outrageous!
“If His Majesty likes that so much, you may summon the other sisters to accompany you. I would not want to inconvenience His Majesty,” Achu said sarcastically.
In her heart, she wished the Emperor would stay as far away from her as possible. To date, she had never seen anyone clingier than him. He was like a child who had not yet been weaned, insisting on sticking to her every moment of every day. Apart from the time he spent attending court and reviewing memorials, which gave her a little room to breathe, she had not been left with the slightest bit of personal space.
When those words reached the Emperor’s ears, they automatically became: “I’m jealous. If you don’t come coax me right now, I’m really going to be angry!”
Ah! She truly loved him so deeply that she could not extricate herself!
Achu, who was hugged once again, rolled her eyes in exasperation. She felt profoundly speechless. She understood now: this Emperor simply could not understand human speech. In his world, the two of them were madly in love, unable to bear being apart. In all her life, she had never met anyone so skilled at imagining things.
After she finished dealing with the Emperor, Achu began her daily routine in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
“Li Yu, I want tea.”
“I’m not drinking this. I want jasmine tea.”
“It’s too bitter. Make it again.”
“Li Yu, go find my emerald-inlaid pearl honeycomb earrings. I’m wearing them today.”
And so, Li Yu, the chief eunuch of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, was ordered around until he spun like a top.
“Did Chief Eunuch Li offend Consort Baochen?” the young palace maids whispered among themselves.
A young eunuch who was better informed replied, “A few days ago, I think Chief Eunuch Li mentioned Consort Xian in front of His Majesty.”
Everyone in the palace was clever. With the slightest bit of deduction, they understood everything.
The young palace maids were indignant—not on Li Yu’s behalf, but because they felt Consort Baochen had been treated unfairly.
“Her Highness is so wonderful. How could Chief Eunuch Li take the side of an outsider?”
In her eyes, Consort Baochen was practically a legendary figure, the ideal she dreamed of following. She had entered the palace as a palace maid yet had crossed several ranks in a single day. Since being made a consort, she had received unending favor, and not one of the harem consorts had come looking for trouble with her. Even more astonishingly, Noble Consort Hui, who was notoriously overbearing, and Consort Shu, who ignored everyone except the Emperor, were both extremely close to her.
The palace maids of the inner court practically regarded Consort Baochen as the object of their lifelong devotion. Who would not want to rise to the heavens in a single step? Now that Consort Baochen provided them with a living example, she gave the young palace maids considerable hope and made them feel far prouder.
“Hmph, I’m not so sure,” another young eunuch sneered, bringing up a different theory. “Chief Eunuch Li is probably doing the opposite of what you think.”
“Doing the opposite? You mean…” The young palace maid covered her mouth and understood at once. “Playing hard to get?”
“No wonder Her Highness has been calling Chief Eunuch Li to serve her so often lately,” said a young palace maid with straight bangs, her voice full of disappointment. “There’s never any opportunity left for me to bring her tea or water.”
There were so many people who wanted to serve Consort Baochen. Who would not want to witness the beauty’s elegance every day? She had fought hard for the chance to serve her, finally beating out all those other young women, only to lose to Chief Eunuch Li’s schemes.
“I was wondering why Suoxin from Consort Xian’s palace came to the Hall of Mental Cultivation looking for Chief Eunuch Li, only for him to avoid her every time. So that’s why.” Someone suddenly understood, then cursed furiously. “Treacherous and cunning! Shameless and despicable!”
Achu naturally knew nothing about the discussions taking place behind her back in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. At that moment, she was thoroughly enjoying tormenting someone.
“Li Yu, come here.” Achu beckoned with the round silk fan in her hand. Her fingers were long and slender, clean as polished white jade. They lightly clasped the fan handle inlaid with turquoise, and with the slightest movement, they resembled gentle ripples of water tracing graceful arcs through the air.
Li Yu paused, then lowered his eyes, not daring to look at her for long. “What are Your Highness’s orders?”
Achu lazily glanced at the scenery outside. Sunlight spilled across her delicate, enchanting face, making her seem even more languid and indolent.
【Now, what reason was I going to use again?】
Her gaze inadvertently fell upon several white plum trees blooming in the distance. An idea came to her. She propped up her chin and called out casually, “Go to the Imperial Garden and pick several branches of white plum blossoms for me. Remember, they must be from the Imperial Garden. I want the branch with the biggest, fullest blooms.”
Li Yu opened his mouth. “Yes, I’ll order them to—”
Achu frowned and cut him off. “No! I want you to pick them yourself.”
Li Yu froze, suddenly at a loss for what to do. His heart abruptly began to beat rapidly, falling out of rhythm. Even though he knew she did not mean anything by it, no one could hear words like those without feeling their heart stir.
When Li Yu remained motionless, Achu said in displeasure, “What? As the chief eunuch of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, are you beyond My command?”
Behind her, Wei Yingwan nearly killed Li Yu with her eyes.
【Why does he get to go? I’m willing to go! Your Highness!】
“Your Highness, why not let this servant go?” Wei Yingwan seized the opportunity to suggest. She would have had no problem picking the blossoms herself—or even worshiping them on a pedestal. Along the way, she did not forget to disparage Li Yu a little.
“Chief Eunuch Li spends all day running around after His Majesty. How could he have time to deal with your affairs? Let this servant go instead.”
Achu gently raised her eyelids, like a butterfly spreading its wings and about to take flight, making hearts flutter.
“Oh—is that so, Li Yu?”
Those two simple words sounded entirely different coming from her lips. At that moment, it was as if a soft feather brushed lightly across his heart, sending a wave of tingling sensation through him. He had never experienced anything like it.
But very quickly, reason poured over him like a merciless basin of cold water, instantly bringing him back to his senses. He did not dare investigate the feeling or dwell on it. The instincts that had allowed him to survive for so many years in the palace warned him that it was a forbidden boundary he must never touch.
Li Yu lowered his head, concealing his expression. In a gentle, restrained tone, he said, “What are Your Highness saying? This servant will go pick them for you right away. I guarantee they will satisfy you.”
Achu watched Li Yu’s departing back and frowned slightly, a trace of unease showing in her eyes. Why did his gaze seem so strange, as though she had done something to him? Could she really have tormented him into falling ill?
But then she reconsidered. He had secretly helped Consort Xian deal with her, so why should she worry about him?
“Hmph.” She leaned back against the couch again and said to Wei Yingwan, “Now he won’t have time to curry favor with His Majesty and tell him all sorts of nonsense.”
“Your Highness is truly clever,” Wei Yingwan praised. “Still, you could have left these matters to this servant. How could anyone else be worthy of picking flowers for you?”
【Damn Li Yu, stealing my duties! He’s even taking away my lady’s attention!】
Ever since becoming Achu’s palace maid, Wei Yingwan had set herself the goal of forcing everyone else out and becoming Achu’s sole capable confidante. For that reason, no matter how big or small the matter involving Achu might be, Wei Yingwan never left it to anyone else. She was clever and eager to learn, studying everything diligently and working with an enthusiasm that even Achu found frightening. Achu sometimes worried that Wei Yingwan would collapse from exhaustion one day because she was so busy.
Achu used her round silk fan to conceal the curve of her lips and gave a coquettish blink. “Oh, my dear Yingwan, what are you jealous about? How could I bear to make you work so hard?”
Wei Yingwan’s cheeks flushed at Achu’s words. Her Highness was especially good at saying sweet things. Even as a woman, Wei Yingwan could not withstand those coquettish words. Every time, she could not help feeling her heart flutter. Now, most of the jealousy had vanished beneath Achu’s coaxing.
“As long as I can ease Your Highness’s burdens, nothing this servant does is hard.”
She swore to protect the very best lady in the world!
It was not necessarily a good thing for the people beneath her to be too ambitious. Achu, a natural slacker, shifted her gaze away and coughed a few times, using it to change the subject. In an ill-tempered voice, she said, “Hmph. These past few days, he must have been saying all sorts of good things about Consort Xian to His Majesty, both openly and behind the scenes. I’m going to torment him properly and save him from cozying up to the people of Yikun Palace.”
As His Majesty’s trusted eunuch, why did he have to work for Consort Xian? Achu truly did not understand.
Still, had she gone too far? Perhaps she should let it go. Tormenting him for a few days was enough to satisfy her. Besides, Achu’s intuition had always been remarkably sharp, and she genuinely felt that something was wrong.