No wonder the System’s reward was so generous—this job was truly difficult!
Yun Shu pouted, pretending to look aggrieved as she glanced at him, then leaned in to embrace him, coquettishly saying,
“This servant also wishes to conceive the Heir Apparent’s child as soon as possible, to share the burdens of the masters.
Are the imperial physician’s words always correct? This servant thinks not necessarily so. They say only through diligent effort can one reap rewards.”
As she spoke, Yun Shu rubbed and pressed herself against him.
Lu Jin Yan pushed her out of his embrace once more, scolding her to behave.
Yet, Yun Shu persisted, clinging to him again and again.
“Heir Apparent, just one last time, please? Next time I attend the bedchamber, I’ll have to wait another month… it’s so long…”
“Heir Apparent, is that alright? This servant just loves to taste the Heir Apparent’s…”
Lu Jin Yan was neither stone nor ice; he was a man, and with her clinging to him like this, he couldn’t remain indifferent.
In the end, he pinned her to the bed, his voice hoarse as he warned her, “Don’t be as reckless as before this time.”
“Mm, mm.” Yun Shu’s eyes were moist and sparkling, blinking as she obediently nodded.
But in truth, she couldn’t stay obedient for even a moment.
By the time the two had finished their commotion, it was long past the hour when Lu Jin Yan usually slept.
Lu Jin Yan glanced at the water clock—it was already so late—and his expression grew even colder.
He looked at Yun Shu as if she were a female demoness who had drained his essence.
However, Yun Shu had achieved her goal and was exhausted; she truly couldn’t stir up any more mischief.
She dutifully washed and dressed, pretending not to notice the Heir Apparent’s cold expression.
It wasn’t as if she had forced him completely earlier—clearly, he had enjoyed it too in the end!
Yun Shu grumbled inwardly, but on the surface, she properly bowed to Lu Jin Yan and took her leave, preparing to return to her servant’s quarters.
She hadn’t yet moved to Concubine Zhou’s courtyard today, planning to do so tomorrow to avoid suffering early troubles there.
She had made the Heir Apparent change the rules. Although Concubine Zhou and Concubine Guo’s frequency of attending the bedchamber hadn’t changed—originally once a month, now twice every other month—
she, Yun Shu, a mere Chamber Maid, attended twice a month!
That was two more opportunities than either of them.
They couldn’t possibly be happy about it and would surely cause trouble for her, openly or covertly.
“The rear courtyard is already locked. You’ll rest in the adjacent room.” Lu Jin Yan looked at her still-flushed little face and spoke coldly.
The woman who had seemed like a demoness on the bed just moments ago now appeared much more proper.
The contrast was too great, making him somewhat uncomfortable.
Lu Jin Yan stared intently at her, noticing that upon hearing this arrangement, she paused briefly before smiling beautifully and thanking him,
“Thank you, Heir Apparent, for your consideration! This servant takes her leave.”
She seemed pleasantly surprised, yet something felt slightly off.
Lu Jin Yan watched her gracefully retreat, observing as she reached the door, turned to open it, and closed it behind her—her movements fluid and seamless, without lifting her eyes to glance at him again.
Lu Jin Yan pursed his lips, which still felt somewhat numb from her earlier biting.
An odd and inexplicable doubt arose in his heart.
Who served whom in the end.
Returning to the adjacent room, Yun Shu discovered the bedding was entirely new, not the old covers previously used by the attendants, and couldn’t help but smile.
It seemed that while she was washing up earlier, the Heir Apparent had already decided to let her stay here and had given the order.
Compared to the first time, there was clear progress.
After lying down, Yun Shu consciously settled her mind and checked the System panel.
Looking at the 7,710 Favor Points displayed above, Yun Shu immediately smiled with delight.
This included the 6,000 Favor Points the System had given her for completing two missions, along with rewards from three nights of attending the bedchamber.
Earlier, when the Heir Apparent had taken the initiative to let her stay overnight, it represented a measure of care and recognition for her. At that time, the System had promptly notified her of a reward of 200 Favor Points.
There were also ten Favor Points obtained from daily check-ins, representing her maternal love for the baby.
As the pregnancy progressed, this daily check-in reward would increase.
Moreover, if Lu Jin Yan developed affection for her, his fondness would also convert into daily Favor Points, representing the father’s love for the mother, which would be passed on to the child.
In any case, there were quite a few ways to earn Favor Points, but there were also many ways to spend them.
Yun Shu was in no hurry to exchange for Attribute Points, as the child was not even a tiny embryo yet—there was no need to rush into nurturing it.
Besides, if there were others who did not want the Heir Apparent to have an heir, once she revealed her pregnancy, she would likely face persecution.
She needed to accumulate more Favor Points to prepare for any potential crises.
Early the next morning.
Lu Jin Yan had to attend the morning court session and needed to rise at 3:15 a.m. to wash, dress, and prepare.
After the two indulgent encounters the previous night and the late sleep, Lu Jin Yan felt somewhat drowsy upon waking this morning. His body, however, was fine—no soreness or fatigue. Instead, he recalled the previous night with a lingering sense of satisfaction.
Nevertheless, he reflected on his actions and resolved to be more disciplined, vowing not to indulge so recklessly again.
Yun Shu, who had slept in the adjacent room, naturally rose as well, even earlier than him.
Since she was striving to climb higher, there was no reason for a small employee like her to sleep in while her superior was already up and preparing for work.
Regardless of her abilities, lacking a serious work attitude would only block her path to advancement.
After rising, Yun Shu did not compete with the servants to fetch water or basins. Instead, she steamed and smoothed Lu Jin Yan’s court attire, official hat, and jade pendant, ensuring there were no wrinkles.
Once Lu Jin Yan finished washing, Yun Shu appeared before him, holding the court attire respectfully, and said,
“Heir Apparent, allow this servant to assist you in dressing.”
Lu Jin Yan looked at her, observing her respectful, gentle, steady, and proper demeanor. Yet, his mind involuntarily recalled her unrestrained and seductive manner from the previous night, when she had clung to him and sought her own pleasure.
Her clear distinction between behavior in the bedchamber and outside of it, and her refusal to act coy or flirtatious at this moment, surprised him but also pleased him greatly.
If Concubine Guo had even half her understanding of propriety after attending the bedchamber, it would be an improvement.
For instance, when Concubine Guo helped him dress, she often lacked proper posture, always trying to lean against him.
He had reprimanded her for it, but she would only shed tears of self-pity, which was truly displeasing.
If not for the matter of heirs, he would never have visited Concubine Guo even once.
Under Yun Shu’s attentive service, Lu Jin Yan put on his court attire and noticed that it was not only perfectly smooth and wrinkle-free but also carried a lingering fragrance from the steaming process.
It was different from the usual scent he was accustomed to.
Taking a whiff, the fragrance was refreshing, pleasant, and invigorating, making him feel more alert and less drowsy.
Yet it also felt somewhat familiar. Upon closer thought, it resembled the scent she carried.
“What incense did you use?” Lu Jin Yan asked, sniffing his sleeve.
“This servant blended it using the spices available in your quarters.”
Yun Shu smiled gently, her tone calm and devoid of any intention to seek favor or flaunt her efforts.
“You know how to blend incense?” Lu Jin Yan inquired.