Xu Lanshan was astonished to discover that all the wounds on her body and hands had vanished in an instant! Her hands had returned to their original slender, delicate state.
Her physical condition was as perfect as could be.
A surge of joy filled her heart—this System truly was useful.
“Start the mission!”
“Alrighty, dear! Please accept the palace intrigue mission: Encounter the emperor tonight and leave a good impression.”
Xu Lanshan: “……”
Tonight? An encounter? A good impression?
It sounded simple, but in reality, it was anything but.
The Palace Regulations were crystal clear: after dark, unless dispatched by a superior, palace maids and eunuchs were forbidden from wandering outside. Violators would be severely punished, and even being killed on the spot by the patrolling Imperial Forest Army would be considered their own fault.
Although this rule wasn’t strictly enforced on a daily basis, what if she was unlucky? There would be no room for explanation.
As for an “encounter,” it was a clichéd, overused trope in the palace. Would the emperor fall for it? And a “good impression” at that! It would be a blessing if he didn’t end up disgusted with her.
“Can the mission… be changed? System!”
The System nearly choked on the address, stammering, “N-no, dear. You have one hour to prepare, dear. In one hour, the emperor will appear in the peach grove on the eastern side of Yuhua Yuan.”
Xu Lanshan was pleasantly surprised. “You can predict things, System!”
The very next second, the System shattered her not-yet-fully-formed wishful thinking. “No, dear. I don’t control what missions are issued either.”
Xu Lanshan let out an “oh” and understood. Missions were likely assigned randomly, and the content related to them might involve foresight, but not necessarily.
Xu Lanshan took a deep breath. Fine, she’d go all out.
She rolled out of bed, intending to change into clean clothes.
Her hand, about to undress, suddenly paused. “Can you see everything I do?”
What about in the future if she were to… with the emperor? The thought of a pair of eyes watching the entire scene from a god’s perspective was utterly chilling! Too shameful!
How could anyone perform under such conditions!
The System understood and quickly reassured her. “No, dear. When you don’t call me, I’m usually in hibernation. Or, you can actively block me by saying ‘block.’ Just call me again to unblock. If you don’t actively unblock, it will automatically lift after twenty-four hours.”
Oh, that was more like it. Xu Lanshan breathed a sigh of relief.
She decisively chanted “block” silently in her mind.
Before being shut off, the System silently protested: This host is so heartless!
After changing into clean clothes and tidying her hair simply, Xu Lanshan deeply regretted not having a mirror. But thanks to the System’s restoration, there was no strange odor on her body, and she was clean, which put her somewhat at ease.
Looking down at her exceptionally beautiful, slender hands, Xu Lanshan murmured softly, “Success or failure depends entirely on you…”
She took a deep breath and quietly left Yongchun Palace under the cover of night.
The moonlight tonight was exceptionally bright, casting a silvery glow. Peach blossoms bloomed on the branches, their enchanting pink softened by the cool moonlight, creating a uniquely beautiful scene in the stillness.
A gentle evening breeze brushed past, instantly filling the air with a faint, refreshing floral fragrance. The delicate petals, unable to withstand the wind, drifted silently to the ground.
The peach blossoms had been at their peak a few days ago, but now they were nearing their end, too fragile to endure the wind.
Yet, Xu Lanshan’s heart stirred, and she secretly made up her mind.
"System!"
"Here, dear!"
Xu Lanshan smiled, "Where has the Emperor reached?"
The System quickly replied, "He's already turned in, dear. Hurry and find a place to hide!"
"Why should I hide?"
"Well—of course you hide first, then when the Emperor arrives, you can come out and pretend to encounter him by chance! Hurry, hurry, the Emperor is almost here!"
Xu Lanshan gave a light, disdainful laugh, "Why should I be the one to encounter him? Can't he be the one to encounter me?"
"Huh??"
"Keep an eye out for me, and remind me when he's within five meters."
"…Alright, dear."
Xu Lanshan found an excellent spot, standing beneath a tall, luxuriant peach tree, her back to the path. Her dark hair was like clouds, her waist slender and delicate. Even from behind, she exuded a touch of pitiable charm.
Surrounded by scattered shrubs that half-concealed her, from the path, only most of her figure was visible. Yet, this very half-concealment, this shadowy, indistinct presence, blended with the moonlight and the sea of blooming flowers, only served to captivate the eye and delight the senses.
As soon as the System alerted her that the Emperor was approaching, Xu Lanshan immediately clasped her hands together, tilting her head up in a graceful arc, her eyes fixed on the moon in the sky as she murmured a soft prayer.
What Emperor Yuanyong unexpectedly caught sight of was precisely this striking image of a beauty beneath the moonlight.
He couldn't help but pause, gazing in surprise at the young woman not far away.
Emperor Yuanyong had been reviewing memorials late into the day, and seeing the beautiful moonlight, he decided to take a casual stroll. He hadn't expected such an encounter. How—coincidental!
Emperor Yuanyong couldn't help but smile slightly, his mood greatly lifted.
A chance meeting with a beauty under the moonlight was, of course, a delightful experience.
He had come here on a whim; it was absolutely impossible for anyone to have deliberately waited for him.
Dong Zhi, the chief eunuch by Emperor Yuanyong's side, was sharp-eyed. He discreetly glanced at the Emperor, then at the palace maid's back, his expression seemingly impassive but his mind racing: This girl has such good fortune! Having caught the Emperor's eye, she's about to rise from the branches and become a phoenix!
It wouldn't do for the Emperor to just stand there staring. As the Emperor's confidant, one had to be perceptive. Dong Zhi gave a light, deliberate cough.
Xu Lanshan seemed startled, letting out a soft "Ah!" as she instinctively turned her head. Her panicked, almond-shaped eyes, glistening like those of a frightened fawn, met Emperor Yuanyong's gaze, causing his own eyes to darken imperceptibly.
Xu Lanshan trembled slightly as if afraid, her delicate, slender shoulders quivering like butterfly wings, evoking pity. She seemed to stumble, her legs giving way, and she took the opportunity to kneel down: "Y-Your Majesty, please forgive this humble servant.".."
Emperor Yuanyong chuckled softly and slowly walked over, stopping before Xu Lanshan and looking down at her. "Then tell me, what crime have you committed?"
Xu Lanshan paused, then replied with a slight tremble, "Your Majesty was admiring the flowers and scenery, yet this humble servant disturbed the beauty, perhaps… spoiling Your Majesty's mood. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness…"
As soon as her words fell, a gentle evening breeze swept through, rustling the branches and leaves. Under the cool, watery moonlight, peach blossom petals danced and fluttered, drifting down like rain, like a swarm of graceful butterflies swirling around the woman—a breathtaking sight.
Coincidentally, a whole, intact blossom gently landed on her hairpin, the beauty and the delicate flower complementing each other perfectly.
A faint floral fragrance wafted on the breeze, lingering at the nostrils, making one feel even more refreshed and delighted!
Such a scene and such a moment left even Dong Zhi staring in a daze.
Emperor Yuanyong suddenly felt his throat go dry, and he spoke in a low voice, "Lift your head."