Initially, Emperor Zhangping merely wanted to cool off with his Little Attendant.
Unconsciously, he brought her back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Upon arriving at the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Qing Luo knew she was going to serve the Emperor again.
It was obvious; otherwise, Emperor Zhangping could have simply sent her back to her own residence.
Qing Luo recalled the last time Emperor Zhangping stayed overnight at her place.
What a great opportunity that was, yet she had fallen asleep, completely wasting a chance to serve him.
Afterward, not only was she scolded by Zhu Lan for a long time, but Qing Luo herself was also very annoyed.
After all, she had nothing in this era—no money, no power.
This wasn’t some democratic society, so of course, only by clinging tightly to Emperor Zhangping could she live more comfortably.
Even if she were to be a salted fish, she wanted to be a salted fish with an excellent quality of life.
Therefore, this time, Qing Luo reminded herself over and over in her heart that no matter how sleepy she was, she had to endure until after serving the Emperor.
It was only a few hours, wasn’t it?
That night, the Palace of Heavenly Purity was filled with vibrant passion.
The Emperor and the beauty, with the red curtains casting dancing shadows, made the moon in the sky shy away, quietly hiding among the clouds.
The next morning, Qing Luo woke up from the dragon bed feeling refreshed and exceptionally energetic.
She had finally enjoyed the most comfortable sleep since the weather turned hot, not once waking up from the heat.
This was because the Palace of Heavenly Purity was cool and refreshing, with ice placed in every corner, greatly reducing the summer heat.
It was almost comparable to an air-conditioned room.
Tsk, those with power and influence can live well anywhere.
It’s a pity it’s not her.
She’ll just have to see if she can rise in status through her child in the future, if she can be impressive and luxurious for once.
This was Qing Luo’s second overnight stay in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and she was familiar with all the rules.
Just as she was about to swiftly leave the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the head palace maid, Su Yu, stepped forward, curtsied, and respectfully announced, “By His Majesty’s decree, Master Pei may have breakfast here before departing.”
Before Qing Luo could speak, Su Yu added, “Master Pei, please follow this servant to the dining hall. Breakfast has already been prepared. It’s not too late for Master Pei to leave after having breakfast.”
Coincidentally, Qing Luo’s stomach rumbled twice, quite loudly.
Qing Luo felt a hint of embarrassment.
However, Qing Luo immediately felt justified again.
Who told Emperor Zhangping to torment her for so long last night, like a hungry wolf?
She had been exhausted for so long, so it was natural to be hungry.
With the mindset of ‘why not eat if it’s free,’ Qing Luo decided to have breakfast before leaving.
Upon reaching the dining hall, she saw a round table, neither too big nor too small, laden with various breakfast dishes.
The aroma was intoxicating, and Qing Luo immediately spotted the crystal steamed dumplings.
Seeing Qing Luo’s gaze fall on the crystal steamed dumplings, Su Yu added, “His Majesty specifically ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare these for Master Pei. Master Pei, please enjoy slowly and see if they suit your taste.”
Hearing this, Qing Luo was stunned.
Specifically prepared?
That’s strange.
How did Emperor Zhangping know she wanted to eat crystal steamed dumplings?
Could it be a coincidence?
Qing Luo wondered.
[I know, I know, host. This is not a coincidence. Last night, no, early this morning, you said it yourself.] Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
The good pregnancy system hurriedly came out to clear Qing Luo’s confusion.
Qing Luo didn’t believe it.
“Impossible, I didn’t say that.”
She hadn’t lost her memory; how could she not know what she had said?
[It’s absolutely true, but Little Qian detected that the host was dreaming at the time, so the host was talking in her sleep, and the Emperor heard it.]
Talking in her sleep?
Qing Luo tried hard to recall and vaguely remembered that she had indeed had a dream, a dream filled with many delicious foods.
It seems Emperor Zhangping is quite good, quite thoughtful.
He’s someone she can get along with, letting her eat the crystal steamed dumplings she wanted so quickly.
However, Emperor Zhangping is an Emperor, after all.
He’s had so many concubines that he already knows how to grasp women’s delicate thoughts.
Such small favors are just a sprinkle of rain to her, not worth mentioning.
Her willingness to bear children for Emperor Zhangping is one thing, but she would die before falling in love with him.
If she truly fell in love with Emperor Zhangping, it would be miserable.
She would become a resentful woman in the deep palace, waiting day in and day out for a bit of pity from the Emperor, joyful because of Emperor Zhangping, sorrowful because of him…
That would be too pathetic, too tragic.
Even if she couldn’t leave the palace gates once she entered, her heart couldn’t be trapped in the deep palace with her.
She would rather eat, drink, and live her own little life happily every day.
Being heartless and cold-hearted would better protect herself.
Having Emperor Zhangping’s favor would naturally be best, but if not, she wouldn’t resent it.
She’d be a happy salted fish, just getting by this lifetime.
The world is vast, but eating is paramount.
As an excellent eater, Qing Luo was not at all polite, eating whatever she wanted.
She enjoyed what was, for her, the most sumptuous breakfast ever in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
By the time she finished, there were only a few breakfast items left on the table.
After breakfast, Qing Luo didn’t take a palanquin but walked back to Xianfu Palace herself.
She had eaten a bit too much, and to avoid gaining weight, it was better to walk to aid digestion.
Although Qing Luo loved to eat, she also loved beauty and focused on maintaining her slender figure.
If she gained weight, it would definitely be a devastating blow.
The road back to Xianfu Palace passed through the Imperial Garden.
Halfway there, Qing Luo encountered Consort Xi in the Imperial Garden.
In terms of rank, Consort Xi was much higher than Qing Luo.
Qing Luo couldn’t pretend not to see her and quickly stepped forward to respectfully bow and greet her.
“Greetings, Consort Xi. May your ladyship be blessed with eternal peace.”
Seeing Qing Luo, Consort Xi frowned, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
Then, as if she thought of something, she asked coldly, “Attendant Pei, were you in the Palace of Heavenly Purity last night?”
“Replying to your ladyship, I…”
Before she could finish her sentence, a slap landed on Qing Luo’s face.
Qing Luo instinctively covered her face, feeling a burning pain.
Why did she hit her right away?
She didn’t seem to have offended her, Qing Luo thought.
Consort Xi pointed at Qing Luo’s nose and lectured her, “How dare you, Attendant Pei! I am the honored, you are the lowly. I am above, you are below. Who allowed you to refer yourself as ‘I’ in front of me? Are you worthy? Do you have the right?”
“Your ladyship’s lesson is correct. Qing Luo has noted it and will respectfully abide by your ladyship’s teachings.”
Qing Luo knelt on the ground, eyes lowered submissively, honestly admitting her mistake.
It was her quick tongue, speaking without thinking.
She admitted it.
This was the sorrow of feudal times: strict hierarchy, not to be overstepped.
Logically, Qing Luo didn’t talk back and immediately admitted her mistake, and her attitude was quite respectful and sincere.
Under normal circumstances, Consort Xi should have stopped, having already given her a lecture.
There was no reason to keep harping on it.
Moreover, for a Consort to pick on a Little Attendant so aggressively seemed a bit like deliberate bullying.
However, Consort Xi refused to stop.
Just one slap wasn’t enough to appease her anger.
Last night, Consort Xi had used the excuse of feeling unwell but still failed to elicit the Emperor’s pity or get him to visit her at Jingren Palace.
She had thought the Emperor was busy with state affairs, but now it seemed that his being busy was false; being captivated by this vixen, Attendant Pei, was the truth.
It must be that Attendant Pei used some means to entangle the Emperor, making him solely indulge in her charms and neglect even her, an old companion of many years.
Clearly, the Emperor had not turned over any concubine’s green nameplate last night, yet Attendant Pei served him and stayed overnight in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Who would believe there was no meddling from Attendant Pei?
She certainly didn’t believe it.
At this moment, Consort Xi completely forgot that although Emperor Zhangping hadn’t personally visited her at Jingren Palace last night, he had sent Zheng Fu with many nourishing medicines and urged her to take care of her health.
Emperor Zhangping had always valued old affections.
Consort Xi’s heart was filled only with indignation and hostility towards Qing Luo, her eyes burning with anger.
It was all because of this Attendant Pei.
Ever since she caught the Emperor’s eye after falling into the water, and after serving him, she had become increasingly favored.
How long had it been since the Emperor summoned other concubines to serve him?
If this continued, wouldn’t Attendant Pei monopolize his favor, becoming his sole favorite?
How could she, a mere Attendant, be worthy, how could she dare, how could she monopolize the Emperor’s favor?
Seemingly pitiful, yet with a foxy charm, she was clearly capable of bewitching people.
The Emperor, for the sake of such a vixen, was disrespecting her.
“Since Attendant Pei knows her mistake, she shall kneel here. After kneeling for a few hours, Attendant Pei will surely gain a deeper understanding of her transgressions.”
Her trusted palace maid, Qin Lan, subtly gave Consort Xi a look, reminding her to be mindful of her actions.
Clearly, she disagreed with her mistress’s behavior.
One must know that times were different now; Attendant Pei was currently in favor.
Even if Attendant Pei truly had done something wrong, it would be better not to make a big deal out of it and then let it go lightly.
That way, if it reached the Emperor’s ears, she could still earn a reputation for being magnanimous.
To do the opposite would likely yield the opposite result.
At that time, her mistress might incur the Emperor’s displeasure.
However, Consort Xi, in her fit of anger, paid no heed to Qin Lan’s reminder.
She only wanted to vent her fury immediately.