Xiao Lin ordered someone to fetch frostbite cream from the Imperial Hospital.
Watching Liu Chan carefully apply it, her fair white hands sliding back and forth over her knees, he deliberately asked, “Why did you suddenly start missing me?”
There wasn’t a single consort in the palace who didn’t miss him.
Serving the Emperor in bed represented their standing within the harem—their confidence when facing others.
“Your Majesty saved me twice like a hero, of course I’d miss you.” Liu Chan puffed her cheeks, speaking as if stating the obvious.
“Twice?” Xiao Lin appeared puzzled.
Liu Chan proactively mentioned Meng Xun, counting on her fingers, “Once was that lecherous scoundrel, and once was today under Qian Pin Niangniang’s hands. So that makes twice. In all my life, no one has ever protected me like this before.”
She spoke with emotion, her eyes shining brightly.
She was genuinely moved.
Xiao Lin couldn’t help but glance at her again. That she would voluntarily call Meng Xun a lecherous scoundrel showed she had recognized his true character. Moreover, regarding today’s punishment of kneeling by Qian Pin—he hadn’t asked, yet she hadn’t thought to complain.
It seemed that while finally accepting being schemed into entering the palace, she had also accepted the harem’s culture of trampling the low and flattering the high.
Whoever treated her well, she would genuinely feel moved.
Whoever treated her poorly, she would generously lay it out before him without reservation.
Initially, he had given her the lowest rank precisely to protect her. If she couldn’t serve him in bed, it was better to remain low-key.
He rarely encountered someone who piqued his interest slightly.
But today’s incident…
“Since you claim I protect you, I shouldn’t fail to show it.” Xiao Lin curled his lips, deliberately teasing her, “Serve me well tonight, and tomorrow I’ll elevate your rank.”
Liu Chan was already somewhat sleepy by now, her eyelids beginning to droop incessantly.
“Mm.” She agreed.
She extended her little finger, slowly hooking it around Xiao Lin’s large hand, pulling him toward the bed.
After helping Xiao Lin sit down, she began earnestly unbuttoning his clothes. But before she had undone more than a few buttons, she started yawning one after another.
Seeming utterly exhausted.
Liu Chan forced herself to lean closer to Xiao Lin, her hands reaching behind his waist.
Xiao Lin raised an eyebrow—how was she planning to serve him?
The young girl then shyly pressed her cheek against his chest, yawning, “Your servant is a bit sleepy.”
The next moment, she closed her eyes and peacefully fell asleep.
Xiao Lin looked down at her for quite a while, indeed noticing she was gradually sleeping soundly, and couldn’t help shaking his head with a laugh.
She presented herself before him with the demeanor of a young girl in love, yet remained completely relaxed—never putting on airs or hiding her true self.
However, he could sense that Liu Chan somewhat relied on him.
Xiao Lin’s fingers threaded through her soft, silky hair, unconsciously stroking it. After a long while, he suddenly called toward the door, “Huang Jiu.”
From the doorway, Huang Jiu responded and silently entered, “Your Majesty.”
“Early tomorrow morning, deliver my decree: The Anyang Marquis Manor failed in educating their son. Their noble title is revoked. Meng…” Xiao Lin hesitated.
“Meng Xun,” Huang Jiu quickly reminded.
“Meng Xun is to receive twenty heavy strokes and is permanently barred from holding office,” Xiao Lin added.
Meng Xun himself was insignificant—twenty strokes and being barred from office weren’t severe punishments for him. But having the Anyang Marquis Manor’s title revoked because of his actions…
This… likely would make the entire Anyang Marquis Manor faint dead away.
Huang Jiu pondered for a moment, then promptly acknowledged the order.
He glanced up inadvertently and saw the Emperor holding the sleeping Consort Liu in his arms, the posture somewhat awkward.
“Your Majesty, the time for the night summons is almost up. What about Consort Liu…” Huang Jiu spoke again.
According to palace regulations, consorts summoned for the night cannot stay overnight in Taiji Hall and must be sent back when the time comes.
But exceptions could be made.
This depended entirely on the Emperor’s will. If the Emperor wished to keep Consort Liu, he would instruct the Office of Internal Affairs not to send anyone to fetch her.
Huang Jiu wondered inwardly. Seeing Consort Liu’s clothes were neat and tidy, she must have been asleep for a while – she hadn’t served the Emperor at all?
“Let her stay here.” Xiao Lin glanced at the person in his arms and spoke.
Huang Jiu acknowledged softly and withdrew silently.
Not only had she not served the Emperor, but this minor consort was also permitted to stay overnight in Taiji Hall – since the Emperor’s accession to the throne, Consort Liu was the first.
Liu Chan slept soundly through the night.
The Great Xia court observed a two-day break during the Minor New Year festival, so Xiao Lin didn’t rise as early as usual. After waking, he closed his eyes again to rest.
In his drowsiness, a soft body wriggled into his embrace.
Liu Chan wasn’t fully awake yet, but she found a more comfortable position, wrapping her arms around the man’s waist before settling back to sleep.
“…” Xiao Lin looked down.
Technically, such behavior from a minor consort was quite improper.
But she had indeed suffered injustice yesterday.
“Does your knee still hurt?” Xiao Lin embraced her in return, their faces drawing so close he could clearly see the fine hairs on her forehead.
He seemed to notice for the first time that Liu Chan’s face bore no trace of makeup.
Even when leaning in close, he could only smell her natural maidenly scent, not the familiar fragrance of cosmetics common among palace women.
“Doesn’t hurt anymore.” Liu Chan mumbled indistinctly, “So sleepy, not awake yet.”
Her perfectly arranged hair spilled across the pillow, eyes slightly closed in an utterly languid posture. Though she looked like a young girl, there was a discernible charm about her – especially when her small hand inadvertently brushed against Xiao Lin’s chest…
Xiao Lin watched her quietly, once again sensing that previously felt urge to devour her whole.
This time, she was his woman.
So Xiao Lin pulled her into his embrace, startling the young girl who gripped his arm tightly, her eyes opening to reveal clear confusion and nervousness.
“Since you’ve come to Taiji Hall, it wouldn’t be proper to return just like that.” Xiao Lin reminded her calmly.
Half an hour later.
Liu Chan, completely exhausted, was helped into the bathing pool by Taiji Hall’s maids.
After freshening up himself, Xiao Lin instructed Huang Jiu, “Liu Shi is elevated to the rank of Changzai.”
He thought for a moment, “Personally select some reddish fabrics from the treasury and send them to the Si Fu Bureau to make her several outfits. Also, check what Yuqiong Residence lacks and supplement accordingly.”
That date-red dress from yesterday suited her well.
With no empress in the palace, color restrictions for clothing were less stringent – just avoid pure red.
Huang Jiu acknowledged the order, feeling renewed respect for this young Changzai. In such short time, she had directly become the Emperor’s eighth-rank Changzai.
Clearly, she had captured the Emperor’s heart.
“Yesterday…” Xiao Lin furrowed his brow, his eyes carrying a chill. “Sun Shi stirred up trouble in the rear palace. She shall be penalized with one month’s withheld stipend, and… never mind, that will suffice.”
Seeing how the young maiden had pitifully clutched her knees yesterday—though she never asked him to intervene—he couldn’t pretend not to notice.
Yet the hierarchy in the rear palace was clearly defined. Since Qian Pin had seized the opportunity to punish her, it would be inappropriate for him to openly take her side.
“Talent Sun need not be punished.” Xiao Lin raised his hand. “Elevate Liu Shi to the rank of Talent.”
By promoting her two ranks at once, certain matters wouldn’t need to be explicitly addressed.
Huang Jiu looked up in surprise—two ranks?
Before long, the palace would undergo significant changes.
But if the Emperor favored Liu Shi to this extent… she would become a living target in the rear palace!
Then again…
Whoever gained favor wouldn’t become the focus of everyone’s criticism?