Finally making it to Xu Zheng, Hong Yu and Xiuyu both returned to their rooms to rest.
But there were still two hours until Zi Zheng at this point.
Li Zhu covered herself with a thin blanket and fell asleep leaning over the table in the veranda.
After an unknown amount of time, Li Zhu suddenly woke up.
Listening to the night watchman's calls outside, it was already Zi Chu.
With half an hour left, Li Zhu got up and tidied herself, then timed her entry to reach the emperor's bedchamber just before Zi Zheng.
Ji An stood quietly guarding outside the bedchamber.
"Eunuch Ji An, it's almost Zi Zheng. This maid needs to enter and read to His Majesty."
Ji An smiled and said, "His Majesty usually retires at Chou Shi. You may need to wait a while longer after you enter."
Li Zhu bowed slightly. "Thank you for informing me."
Ji An said kindly, "The Emperor often has trouble sleeping, so his mood naturally isn't the best. Be careful in your service, Miss Li Zhu."
"Yes, thank you for the reminder."
"Alright, you may enter."
While Ji An looked thoroughly pleased, Li Zhu felt like a warrior marching to certain death.
She stepped softly into the chamber, where complete silence prevailed, with only the scent of calming incense drifting from the censer.
Li Shengyuan indeed hadn't slept yet. Dressed in sleeping robes, he leaned against the daybed reading.
Noticing someone enter, he merely glanced over before ignoring her again.
Li Zhu resignedly stood to the side, gradually feeling sleepiness wash over her once more.
After nearly half an hour passed, Li Shengyuan finally set his book down and turned to see Li Zhu with her eyes closed.
"Ahem!"
Li Zhu started, immediately awake.
"Your Majesty, are you ready to retire?"
"Mm."
Li Shengyuan then shook a golden bell, and Ji An entered promptly.
The monarch went into the inner chamber and climbed onto the bed, while Ji An followed behind and skillfully drew the curtains.
Li Zhu also followed behind.
[What an enormous bed!]
Li Shengyuan detected the astonishment and envy in her thoughts and snorted coldly.
No matter how large the bed was, he still couldn't sleep well.
After settling the Emperor, a young eunuch brought a low table and soft cushion, placing them about two or three feet from the bed.
Soon after, a teapot and a book appeared on the low table.
Li Zhu looked up and felt her world collapsing.
It wasn't the book she had studied after all—it was Strategies of the Warring States!
How was this any different from being told the textbook had changed right before an exam!
[Life is hard, Zhu Zhu sighs~]
Li Shengyuan inside the bed curtains thought to himself, at least she's self-aware enough to know she's a piggy.
Li Zhu resignedly sat down and opened the unfamiliar book.
The one silver lining in this misfortune was that she recognized most of the characters, and could make reasonable guesses at the ones she didn't know.
The girl's voice, earnest and clear, flowed through the quiet bedchamber.
Li Shengyuan found himself unusually relaxed.
"When King Zhou Lie… died, all the feudal lords paid their condolences…"
[King Zhou Lie died, and all the feudal lords hanged themselves too…]
Li Zhu randomly translated in her mind, unaware that Li Shengyuan on the bed had been unexpectedly struck by the humor.
He truly never imagined this sentence could be interpreted that way.
The copy of Strategies of the Warring States wasn't thick—it could be read through in less than half an hour.
Li Zhu's throat was nearly parched. She drank several cups of strong tea in succession.
While drinking, she observed the bed curtains—not the slightest movement came from within.
Li Zhu couldn't determine whether the person inside had fallen asleep or not.
Just as she hesitated about whether to slack off for a while, a low, hoarse, and merciless voice emerged.
"Continue reading."
Li Zhu jumped in fright, then took a deep breath and started reading from the beginning again.
The second time through, without Li Zhu's "heartfelt" translations, Li Shengyuan quickly grew drowsy.
Having lost any hope of slacking off, Li Zhu dutifully read aloud repeatedly. As the night grew later, her yawns became increasingly frequent.
Finally, after finishing a pot of strong tea, she heard the watchman's call announcing Yin Shi.
Without a moment's delay, she left the bedchamber and headed straight for her own small bed, happily meeting the Duke of Zhou in her dreams.
The next day at Chen Shi, the bed curtains were flung open from inside.
Li Shengyuan discovered that it was already broad daylight.
"What time is it?"
Ji An replied with respectful delight: "Your Majesty, it's already Chen Shi."
Li Shengyuan frowned slightly. Had he really slept that long?
But he had to admit, he had slept exceptionally well last night—not a single dream, and he hadn't even noticed when Li Zhu had left.
The ever-present headache that usually haunted him was gone, leaving him feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
"Would Your Majesty like to rise?"
"Mm."
After Li Shengyuan finished washing, Ji An assisted him with dressing.
"Reward Li Zhu with three months' worth of her monthly allowance."
"Yes, when Lady Li Zhu wakes up, she'll be overjoyed!"
Li Shengyuan snorted inwardly. That woman really had such limited ambitions.
After a good night's sleep, with his mind clear and energy fully restored, he managed to complete most of the day's governmental affairs in just the morning.
Though he did feel somewhat unaccustomed to the absence of those muttered thoughts from behind him.
Before noon had even arrived, just as all the dishes were being set on the table, Li Zhu hurried in.
"Greetings to Your Majesty."
"Rise. You're really… punctual."
[Yeah, I almost missed lunch.]
"I dare not neglect my duties in serving Your Majesty."
Li Shengyuan sneered, "Sit down and eat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Zhu promptly plopped down into her seat.
Having stayed up late and missed breakfast, Li Zhu was quite hungry and accidentally ate more than intended.
Following her pace, Li Shengyuan also ended up eating quite a bit.
He suddenly realized that he seemed to be gradually aligning with Li Zhu's habits.
Ah, he didn't know whether to be pleased or dismayed.
I must say, Xiuyu's acting skills are truly impressive. Anyone unaware of the truth might actually believe her.
Acting is a mutual accomplishment, and Li Zhu immersed herself even deeper into the role.
"But… I'm afraid."
"What are you afraid of?"
"I heard that previously, a Palace Maid tried to seduce the Emperor and was executed!"
As she spoke, Li Zhu trembled as if genuinely frightened.
Xiuyu's eyes darkened, and she quickly found the right words. "That person was delusional and acting on her own wishful thinking. You're different! The Emperor… likes you!"
"This, this, this…" Li Zhu bashfully turned away.
After a moment, she turned back and tentatively asked, "The Emperor… really likes me?"
Gritting her teeth, Xiuyu affirmed, "That's right!"
"Sister Xiuyu, I never expected you to say these things to me. I thought you didn't like me! I'm so touched!"
"Ah, little sister, you're overthinking it. Over these past days, I've come to know you're a good one."
Li Zhu, emboldened by the encouragement, pressed further, "How good? In what ways am I good?"