As night fell, Li Zhu arrived at Li Shengyuan's bedchamber.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
Li Shengyuan lazily responded, "Rise."
Li Zhu stood up and was about to retreat to the side to wait when Li Shengyuan spoke again.
"Has your leg healed?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it has almost fully recovered."
[Hehe, it actually healed long ago.]
Li Shengyuan: …
Having slept poorly for several days, Li Shengyuan's headache began to return.
With Li Zhu present, he could no longer focus on the book in his hand, so Li Shengyuan simply retired to his bed.
Li Zhu followed into the inner chamber, picked up a book, and began reading aloud.
Inside the bed curtains, Li Shengyuan fell asleep extremely quickly.
When he awoke again, dawn had broken, and Li Zhu was nowhere to be seen, as usual.
By afternoon, Li Zhu still hadn't appeared.
Li Shengyuan felt inexplicably displeased.
Li Zhu's aluminum alloy leg was clearly healed, yet she still dared to slack off—she truly deserved punishment!
"Ji An, where is Li Zhu?"
"Li Zhu's leg hasn't fully recovered yet. This servant took the liberty of excusing her from daytime duties."
Upon hearing this, Li Shengyuan snorted coldly.
She only knelt for half an hour, yet these people actually pity her.
Never mind, she did suffer grievances recently. Let her rest for two more days.
Seeing the Emperor remain silent, Ji An knew he had acquiesced.
"Your Majesty, tomorrow is the first day of the month. It's time to pay respects to the Empress Dowager."
Li Shengyuan nodded to indicate he understood.
The next day, after court adjourned, Li Shengyuan went to Cishou Palace.
"Greetings, Mother."
"Rise quickly."
Li Shengyuan stood up and sat down, facing the Empress Dowager directly.
The atmosphere between the two, who had just addressed each other as mother and son, was somewhat awkward.
The Empress Dowager quickly initiated conversation, inquiring about Li Shengyuan's daily life.
Li Shengyuan answered each question in turn.
Ji An, standing nearby, could only sigh inwardly—the dialogue between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor was practically identical to their conversations half a month, one month, and two months ago.
After exhausting all possible topics, Cishou Palace fell silent again.
Although the Empress Dowager was the Emperor's nominal mother, theirs was a relationship formed later in life. Not only were they unfamiliar with each other, but the Empress Dowager even felt somewhat intimidated by him.
"Then, Empress Dowager, please rest…"
"I've heard that Your Majesty…"
Their words collided. Li Shengyuan said, "Please continue, Mother."
"Ahem, I've heard that Your Majesty shows particular favor to a palace maid named Li Zhu. If you truly like her, why not take her into the harem?"
Li Shengyuan's expression turned serious.
He didn't understand why the Empress Dowager would say this, but he didn't question further.
He simply replied, "I will consider it."
After leaving Cishou Palace, Li Shengyuan questioned Ji An, "Why would the Empress Dowager say I favor Li Zhu?"
"This… Several days ago, you stood up for Li Zhu and reprimanded Consort Shu. Therefore, people believe you hold special favor for Li Zhu."
"Moreover, Li Zhu is beautiful…"
"Hah, special favor? Ji An, do you think so too?"
Ji An hesitated, "Yes…"
"Then do you also believe Li Zhu should become my consort?"
Ji An's heart pounded nervously, not daring to respond.
"Speak."
"Miss Li Zhu has a gentle temperament and follows rules properly. Furthermore, with her appearance, if she cannot serve by Your Majesty's side, she will likely face many difficulties."
Although Li Shengyuan didn't agree with Ji An's description of Li Zhu's character, the latter part made sense.
Should he take Li Zhu into the palace as a consort…
Li Shengyuan lowered his gaze in contemplation.
The palace was vast, yet not a single woman within it had been chosen by himself.
Although Li Zhu was greedy for food and sleep, her mind remained clear. Bringing her into the palace wouldn't be such a bad thing.
~~
That evening, Li Zhu was diligently studying.
Suddenly, Li Shengyuan lifted the curtain.
"Li Zhu, would you like to enter the rear palace and become my imperial concubine?"
Li Zhu was stunned. This was something she had never considered.
"I'll give you half a moment to think about it."
Li Zhu immediately began weighing her options in her heart. If she left the palace at twenty-five, alone and unprotected, she'd probably be devoured without a trace.
If she stayed in the palace and became an auntie, her final destination in old age would be Anci Hall.
That wouldn't be too bad, but after all, she'd still be a palace maid. If Shufei wanted to eliminate her, it would be as easy as turning over a hand.
Considering this, becoming the Emperor's concubine seemed like a good path!
Hearing this, Li Shengyuan didn't expect her to be so calculating.
[Anyway, the Emperor doesn't have many years left to live. I'll save up more silver, and eventually live comfortably as a dowager consort!]
Li Shengyuan's eyes darkened. Early death again.
He wasn't afraid of death, but he was curious why he would die early?
How did Li Zhu know, and why was she so certain he would die early!
"Li Zhu, have you made your decision?"
[No, no! Could this damned emperor be engaging in entrapment? What if I say I want to be a concubine and end up being executed!]
"Your Majesty, whether as a palace maid or an imperial concubine, being able to serve Your Majesty is a blessing in itself."
Li Zhu believed her answer was flawless!
"Hmph!"
[What's with the 'hmph'? Are you disappointed you couldn't catch me saying something wrong?]
"Hmph, hmph!" Li Shengyuan laughed in anger.
[Another 'hmph'? What's wrong with this damned emperor? How inexplicable.]
Li Shengyuan let the curtain fall. "Continue reading!"
[Oh.]