At this moment, Xi Chun walked in from outside. “Mistress, it’s a young eunuch from the Emperor’s presence.”
Hearing that it was someone from the Emperor’s side, Luo Shuran went out with Lady Li. The eunuch standing in the small courtyard saw Luo Shuran and stepped forward to bow. “Talent Luo, this servant has been ordered to deliver White Jade Ointment to you.” He presented it with both hands, and Xi Chun took it from the side.
Lady Li, standing beside Luo Shuran, showed a flicker of surprise in her eyes. White Jade Ointment was precious—far beyond what someone of their rank could enjoy. This clearly indicated the Emperor’s fondness for Talent Luo.
After the eunuch left, Lady Li smiled. “The Emperor truly dotes on you, sister.” She spoke openly, without a hint of jealousy in her words.
Luo Shuran said nothing else, merely lowering her eyes with a faint smile. The dark, complex thoughts in her heart were something she did not wish to reveal, nor could she allow anyone to know.
………..
“Ninth Prince, your chess skills have declined.” Qi Jingheng placed a piece and looked at the young man sitting opposite him.
The young man wore a blue robe with his hair tied up in a golden crown. He was around seventeen or eighteen, full of youthful vigor, with handsome features and eyes somewhat resembling Qi Jingheng’s. This was his younger brother, Qi Jingyi.
Holding a chess piece, Qi Jingyi didn’t know where to place it and sighed. “Seventh Brother, I’ve never beaten you before, so how can you talk about decline?” Qi Jingyi had always been content with his lot—or, to put it less kindly, lacked ambition. Since childhood, he had been a little shadow trailing behind Qi Jingheng. Now grown and enfeoffed as Prince Duan, he lived a carefree life.
“You…” Qi Jingheng’s tone held a hint of indulgence before turning serious. “Mother is worried about you. Visit her more often and don’t let her fret.”
“Seventh Brother, how have I made Mother worry?” Qi Jingyi muttered in his own defense.
Qi Jingheng gestured for someone to remove the chessboard and bring in the midday meal, then shot him a glare. “You’re at the age to marry and start a family. Why are you delaying? Spending your days in revelry—how can Mother not worry?”
If not for fear of upsetting their mother, given Qi Jingheng’s temperament, he would have long since kicked his brother off to some harsh, remote place to experience the hardships of life.
Qi Jingyi was well aware of his elder brother’s fearsome nature and didn’t dare to be too stubborn. Instead, he adopted a softer approach. “Seventh Brother, it’s not that I don’t want to marry! The Wang family’s daughter is fierce and never yields an inch. The Liu family’s daughter is prone to tantrums and excels at threatening suicide. The Chen family is even worse—their daughter wields a broadsword faster than I do! I’m just looking for a wife, not trying to lose my life!”
Listening to this, Qi Jingheng felt a vein twitch on his forehead. Suppressing his temper, he asked, “Then which young lady do you fancy?”
With so many noble daughters in the capital, all from distinguished families, how could they be as dreadful as he described?
Sensing his brother was on the verge of exploding, Qi Jingyi quickly plastered on a smooth, fake smile. “Seventh Brother, I don’t have anyone in mind at the moment. My requirements aren’t high, really. A woman should be gentle yet playful, dignified in public but captivating in private. It’d be best if she had a bit of a temper, and most importantly, she must be stunningly beautiful, the kind that leaves one utterly enchanted.”
Hearing this string of demands, Qi Jingheng calmly held his wine cup and uttered a few words, “The Chen family’s daughter is of marriageable age and suits you perfectly.”
Qi Jingyi’s hand trembled as he picked up his wine cup. Had everything he just said been in vain? “Seventh Brother, I think the Liu family’s daughter is also quite good,” he said with an awkward smile, not wanting to continue the topic.
Qi Jingheng rubbed his thumb against the wine cup, as if a young girl’s whisper echoed in his ears. His throat moved slightly as he drank the strong liquor.
The feeling of being utterly captivated—he had already tasted it. Such a woman, residing in the rear palace, could only belong to him.
In the afternoon, Luo Shuran was having Xiao Yuanzi repair the pond. Storing water in the summer could bring some coolness, and if it was properly fixed, perhaps they could even raise a few fish.
Just then, someone from the Emperor’s side arrived, ordering her to go and attend to him.
Upon hearing this, Luo Shuran glanced at the blazing sun but obediently went to change her clothes. Xi Chun selected a goose-yellow high-waisted ruqun for her—one that best accentuated her figure. The chest wrap barely covered half of her bosom, almost emphasizing its fullness.
“Bring that pink-purple long skirt instead,” Luo Shuran firmly rejected this choice. While it was alluring, it was also improper.
Especially now, as it was not nighttime. Going to the Emperor’s place in broad daylight dressed like this would invite accusations of seduction, even if nothing happened.
Xi Chun wanted to say something more, but Ming Xia had already brought the skirt to Luo Shuran and helped her change.
Faced with Ming Xia’s enthusiasm, Xi Chun gritted her teeth in secret. Now was the time when Luo Shuran was favored, and she dared not make a scene.
Once Luo Shuran was dressed, the reflection in the mirror was stunning even without makeup. She applied a little rouge to brighten her complexion, giving it a delicate, dewy glow. For her lips, she used peach-pink lip color with a hint of shimmering translucence.
Ming Xia styled her hair into a “yuanbao” bun, securing it on both sides with silver hairpins and encircling the middle with a long pearl hairpin.
Even her usual morning greetings were not this meticulous. Today, with this careful adornment, she transformed once again—dignified yet retaining the liveliness of a young girl.
Luo Shuran stood up and walked into the inner room. Casually, she sprinkled a few drops of perfume from a bottle onto the back of her hand, then applied it to her hair and neck. The faint fragrance was sweet but not cloying—this was the orchid perfume her mother had blended, long-lasting and lingering.
After completing all this, Luo Shuran slowly made her way out.
Her destination was not the Cheng’en Hall but the Qianqing Palace.
Chen An was waiting outside the hall. Upon seeing her arrive, he led her inside. “Talent Luo, His Majesty has summoned you to attend to the ink and brushes. Please follow this old servant.”
Luo Shuran nodded in acknowledgment and entered the Qianqing Palace. It was nearly twice the size of the Cheng’en Hall. Upon entering, she found herself in the main hall. Turning left, she passed through a corridor and a screen, where she saw the Emperor seated at his desk, reviewing memorials.
She stepped forward and bowed, her voice sweet and soft. “Your humble concubine pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless fortune and peace.”
Qi Jingheng merely glanced up but was momentarily transfixed. The woman before him bowed gracefully, as if a noble lady had stepped out of a painting, her demeanor refined and dignified.
“Rise,” Qi Jingheng said, lowering his head again.
Luo Shuran stood up. In her past life, without the Emperor’s explicit instruction, she would have obediently remained at a distance, not daring to approach. But now, she calmly and unhurriedly walked forward.
She reached the right side of the Emperor and quietly began grinding the ink. Her movements were natural, and her every gesture exuded a gentle grace.
Qi Jingheng observed her from the corner of his eye. His first impression was of her beauty—every movement was flawlessly elegant. Secondly, she was remarkably quiet.
The room was left with only the faint sound of grinding ink and the occasional subtle fragrance emanating from her, which masked the scent of the ink.
Previously, only the favored Shu Fei had served a few times, but later, the Emperor no longer summoned her, mainly because Shu Fei was willful. Whether it was ordering the servants or interrupting with words, these small actions were quite irritating.
When Luo Shuran felt her hand growing sore, she quietly slowed her pace. If she noticed the Emperor speeding up, she would follow suit and quicken her own.
In this way, the two of them coordinated quite well.