“Your Majesty, this is the first time I have revealed my true feelings before you. I dare not be presumptuous in your presence, nor dare to be myself. I only wish to abide by the rules, and occasionally catch a glimpse of you—that alone is enough to satisfy my heart. Whether it is my family or my elder sister, they all hope for me to seek favor, but it is only for their own benefit. I do not wish to be their pawn.”
As Luo Shuran spoke, she leaned closer, resting against the Emperor’s chest. At that moment, she heard a slightly erratic heartbeat.
Today was the day she laid all her cards on the table, but that did not stop her from once again pouring out her feelings to the Emperor.
Although the Emperor stood upon a divine altar and would not linger for anyone, she wanted to do everything properly, hoping to leave a deep impression on him.
Her hair, carried by the breeze, brushed against Qi Jingheng’s lips, sending a tingling sensation—much like his current state of mind, an indescribable feeling.
It was somewhat novel.
Qi Jingheng had always been one who enjoyed novelty. He did not reject her closeness, merely gently stroking her shoulder. “You should know that the woman I want must be completely devoted to me. As long as I allow you to be your true self, no one else can influence you.”
His words sounded like a warning, but Luo Shuran felt a wave of relief. She knew the Emperor was not one to easily yield. His words meant he wanted her to stand firmly on his side, and then everything could be negotiated.
Favor or power?
Luo Shuran did not know, nor did she wish to speculate. She only knew that she had already taken a significant step forward.
As the painting session ended, Consort Li eagerly searched for the Emperor but could not find him. Luo Wanling, standing nearby, had long grown impatient. Seeing that the Emperor was absent once again, her mood soured even further.
“You wanted to show off in front of the Emperor, but now look—the Emperor didn’t even have the mood to watch and left,” Luo Wanling said bluntly. Consort Li had recently spent considerable effort to regain favor and had even taken one of her opportunities to serve the Emperor. Since then, Luo Wanling had found Consort Li displeasing in every way.
Consort Li was furious but refrained from arguing. Lowering her head, she looked at her painting of a hundred flowers. Due to its meticulous detail, it appeared vivid and lifelike.
She had hoped for the Emperor’s praise, but now, he had left without even seeing it.
Consort Yu and Consort Zhen exchanged glances. Their painting skills were average, and they did not expect the Emperor to treat them differently, so they felt no disappointment.
Qi Zhaorong, who had been at the pavilion, walked over, fanning herself as if she had discovered something astonishing. “Oh my, why is Talent Luo also missing?”
“Could it be that Talent Luo went to find the Emperor?” Qi Zhaorong said with a smile. Having lost so much face today, she was determined to regain some ground.
She had noticed Luo Shuran’s absence earlier, and now, with the Emperor also gone, the two might be connected.
Even if there was no connection, the expressions of those present changed after Qi Zhaorong’s remark.
Qi Zhaorong smiled as she approached Consort Li, admiring the painting. “Consort Li, your painting is truly exquisite. If the Emperor were here, wouldn’t he…”
“Wouldn’t he what?” Qi Zhaorong’s words were interrupted by someone emerging from behind the rockery. It was Qi Jingheng, his imperial presence awe-inspiring and intimidating.
Just his emergence brought an overwhelming pressure. Qi Zhaorong immediately paled, her body swaying unsteadily. She desperately recalled her own words, only calming down slightly after confirming there was nothing inappropriate.
Seeing the Emperor arrive, Consort Li paid her respects while a gleam lit up her eyes. She lowered her head demurely, though her hands inside her sleeves unconsciously twisted together.
The Emperor was the most outstanding man under heaven—majestic, robust, and exceptionally handsome. Any woman who saw him would be captivated.
Qi Jingheng stood beside her, but his gaze remained fixed on Qi Zhaorong as he continued the earlier question, “Why has my beloved concubine stopped speaking?”
“Your servant… your servant was just thinking that Consort Li’s painting is excellent. Your Majesty would surely appreciate it upon seeing it,” Qi Zhaorong struggled to maintain her composure. Under the Emperor’s gaze, she could clearly feel her legs trembling.
“Oh?” Qi Jingheng wore a faint, ambiguous smile. He knew Qi Zhaorong’s actions were nothing more than fanning the flames and stirring up resentment.
Recalling the bruises he had just seen on Luo Shuran’s arm, his gaze grew even colder as he turned to look at Consort Li’s painting.
“Consort Li’s painting is remarkably lifelike, a testament to her skill. She has also raised my Zhen’er well. I have a century-old floral painting in my collection, which I shall bestow upon my beloved concubine.”
Qi Jingheng spoke.
Consort Li’s heart surged with excitement. She knew how precious that painting was and never imagined the Emperor would award it to her. Thinking of this, she quickly expressed her gratitude.
Qi Zhaorong, however, turned pale. The Emperor’s sudden mention of the Fourth Princess made her vaguely sense an underlying implication in his words.
Yet she dared not dwell on it, standing silently there, even feeling somewhat unsteady on her feet.
Luo Wanling frowned. Naturally, she felt Consort Li was unworthy of such a reward, but seeing the Emperor subtly warning Qi Zhaorong, she felt somewhat comforted.
This plan had truly achieved multiple goals, with an unexpected bonus—allowing the Emperor to admonish Qi Zhaorong.
“Your Majesty speaks wisely. Raising a child cannot be done carelessly; it requires great effort. Your servant finds joy in seeing all the children, though it is a pity that your servant lacks such fortune…”
Luo Wanling approached the Emperor, her demeanor tender and affectionate, yet her eyes held a nearly provocative glance toward Qi Zhaorong.
She had no children of her own, but that did not mean she could not raise another’s child.
Children could be both armor and the greatest vulnerability. Qi Zhaorong’s expression shifted unpredictably, but in the end, she dared not utter a word, swaying unsteadily as she leaned on the maid beside her for support.
Qi Jingheng rarely had the patience to listen to their conversations. He turned to comfort Luo Wanling, “My beloved concubine, set your heart at ease. With the imperial physicians’ care, you will surely have a child in time.”
Luo Wanling looked at the Emperor, inexplicably feeling a pang of sadness. It seemed like a long time since the Emperor had spoken to her with such tenderness.
Yet, how much of this tenderness was genuine?
Luo Shuran stood silently behind the rockery, watching. As she had said, those outside were all high-ranking consorts; a single careless word from them could send her tumbling. It was unwise to draw attention here, which was why she had asked the Emperor to handle the situation.
Watching Qi Jingheng navigate among them, she marveled at the Emperor’s acting skills while also finding it unbelievable that he had agreed to her request.
In her memory, the Emperor was not so accommodating; in fact, he had been somewhat rough with her.
Every time they met, it was either on the way to serving him in bed or already in bed, followed by intimate exchanges, with hardly any moments of tenderness.
The Emperor liked her body—this was something Luo Shuran had tentatively confirmed.
But everything has its limits, and all Luo Shuran could do was try to delay them as much as possible.
After the flower banquet ended, Luo Shuran was on her way back when she encountered Beauty Yu. Beauty Yu was dressed in a light cyan gown, her face carefully made up, looking more radiant and youthful than usual.
Luo Shuran stepped forward to pay her respects. Beauty Yu looked at her, a flicker of jealousy in her eyes. She had taken great care with her appearance today, thinking herself quite beautiful, but now, standing beside Luo Shuran, her own brilliance seemed overshadowed.
“Talent Luo is truly fortunate—able to attend the flower banquet and even see the Emperor. I can’t help but envy you,” Beauty Yu remarked, having heard the news. Her heart was filled with both jealousy and envy, and the main reason for her careful dressing was in hopes of a chance encounter with the Emperor.
Her words carried a clear note of sarcasm—the flower banquet was attended mostly by high-ranking consorts, so what business did Luo Shuran have being there?
Luo Shuran looked up, merely shaking her head with a faint smile before casually adding, “We sisters are just there to join in the fun. As soon as someone from Le’an Palace arrives, they can easily draw the Emperor away.”
As she left, Luo Shuran deliberately glanced back.
Beauty Yu did not continue toward the flower banquet but instead turned in a different direction.