Luo Shuran wasn’t speaking nonsense. On her way back, she spotted a eunuch from Le’an Palace hurrying over. Most likely, Shu Fei had sent someone to invite the Emperor.
Beauty Yu had dressed up so meticulously and come over after the flower banquet precisely because she wanted to see the Emperor.
Luo Shuran casually mentioned it, and Beauty Yu didn’t give up—she headed straight in the direction of Le’an Palace.
Ming Xia quietly fanned her mistress from behind. She had followed her mistress all the way today, feeling somewhat apprehensive on the way here. Unexpectedly, everything had turned out contrary to expectations, but fortunately, they were safe and sound.
Still, this Beauty Yu was truly annoying, targeting her mistress for no reason.
Her mistress was so kindhearted, telling Beauty Yu where the Emperor was headed. If it were her, she would definitely have pointed her in the opposite direction.
Luo Shuran had no idea what Ming Xia was thinking. If she had known, she would have just smiled. How was she being kindhearted? She was merely diverting trouble, letting them fight it out first.
Shu Fei was watching closely for anyone approaching the Emperor, and Beauty Yu was eagerly seeking favor. Even if she caught the Emperor’s eye, she probably wouldn’t have an easy time.
………
Meanwhile, Beauty Yu quickened her pace. She had been half-believing and half-doubting Luo Shuran’s words, but when she saw the imperial palanquin appear, she unconsciously held her breath.
She had actually run into the Emperor.
Beauty Yu quickly turned around, lowering her head to check her posture and attire. Her maid, Bi Yun, helped her adjust her clothes and then nodded in approval.
“Mistress, the Emperor is coming,” Bi Yun whispered as a reminder.
Beauty Yu took a deep breath, smoothed her skirt, and pretended to walk out casually from among the flowers. When she saw the bright yellow imperial palanquin, she turned sideways and curtsied, her eyes lowered slightly, but her face remained level so that the person above could clearly see her features.
“Your humble concubine greets the Emperor. May the Emperor be blessed with peace and prosperity.”
Chen An glanced at the newcomer, his expression unchanged. After all, he had encountered similar situations too many times. Besides, someone from Le’an Palace had come to invite the Emperor, and Shu Fei, being pregnant and the most favored, naturally took precedence over others.
The imperial palanquin moved slowly forward, about to pass by Beauty Yu. Her heart rose with anticipation, and she looked up with both hope and timidity. But as the palanquin drew closer, her heart sank.
The palanquin never stopped, and the Emperor didn’t speak. This meant she hadn’t caught the Emperor’s attention at all.
“Which palace are you from?” A magnetic voice rang out, and the imperial palanquin came to a stop beside Beauty Yu.
Chen An, standing to the side, flicked his horsetail whisk, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He remembered that this Beauty Yu had served the Emperor before. How could the Emperor not recognize her?
Surprised as he was, Chen An didn’t answer for her, because he knew the Emperor wanted her to answer herself.
Beauty Yu had already given up hope, never expecting the Emperor to suddenly speak to her. Although the question saddened her—how could the Emperor not remember who she was?—she had no time to dwell on such thoughts now. Barely containing her excitement, she steadied her voice and replied, “Your Majesty, this humble concubine is Beauty Yu from Xili Palace, daughter of the Deputy Prefect of Xiazhou.”
Qi Jingheng’s gaze fell on her, lingering on her eyebrows and eyes as if recalling something. He said, “So it’s you.”
He had stopped because he noticed her earrings, which closely resembled the pair he had given Luo Shuran to wear last time. “Your attire today suits you well.”
Receiving the Emperor’s praise, Beauty Yu’s heart swelled with an indescribable joy. Were it not for the need to maintain decorum, she would have loudly proclaimed it for all to hear.
Before she could respond, however, the Emperor continued, “The Palace of Xili is quite a distance from here. You must be tired from the walk.”
At these words, Beauty Yu’s heart trembled slightly. What did the Emperor mean? Surely he wasn’t genuinely concerned about her walking? Could he have guessed she had come here on purpose?
The thought made her uneasy. The earlier joy vanished entirely, replaced by a chill creeping up her spine. She couldn’t help but lift her gaze to the Emperor.
Yet Qi Jingheng’s expression remained placid, his voice utterly calm.
She couldn’t discern whether he was pleased or displeased.
“Since childhood, I have always enjoyed taking walks, Your Majesty. I am not tired,” Beauty Yu replied, her words smooth and practiced. “Moreover, the imperial palace is so splendid and beautiful. Even if I walked here every day, I could never tire of the sight.”
Seated in the imperial palanquin, Qi Jingheng idly twisted the jade thumb ring on his finger. Hearing her words, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips—one tinged with disdain.
It had merely been a casual probe on his part. He was well aware such schemes were common in the harem, and in the past, he might have found them unremarkable.
But today, listening to these falsehoods, he felt an inexplicable discomfort.
It was precisely this feeling that brought another woman to his mind. She, too, was delicate, yet not merely delicate. There was an ineffable quality about her.
Perhaps it was because she had faced him with such frankness, or perhaps…
Qi Jingheng seemed to hear her voice echoing in his ears once more: ‘Whether it is slander, bullying, or being used, this humble concubine accepts it all. For compared to those, what I fear most is Your Majesty’s disdain.’
Unconsciously, the corners of his mouth lifted into a broader smile, softening the coldness between his brows.
All of this was observed by Beauty Yu, and her heart began to race once more. The Emperor treated her differently, didn’t he? He must—he had even smiled at her.
“Although, now that Your Majesty mentions it,” Beauty Yu said, pitching her voice to sound even more delicate, her eyes lifting to meet his with a spring-like glow, “I do feel my legs are a bit sore.”
There was no trace of weariness in her demeanor, only blatant allure.
That time when the Emperor had carried Talent Luo into the palanquin, she had been filled with envy and jealousy. Now, seeing the Emperor’s apparent interest in her, if she could seize the chance to ride with him, it would be perfect.
But Qi Jingheng had lost interest. He turned his head away, no longer looking at her. “Since you are tired, Beauty Yu, you should return early to rest.”
With that, he waved his hand, and the imperial palanquin was lifted and carried onward.
Beauty Yu remained standing where she was, watching the palanquin recede into the distance, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Where had she gone wrong?
Why had the Emperor simply left?
“Does His Majesty… dislike me?” Beauty Yu murmured blankly, her brows furrowing in confusion, her disappointment plain to see.
Her attendant, Bi Yun, quickly stepped forward to console her. “Mistress, the Emperor stopped to speak with you. He must be pleased. Besides, how many others get the chance to converse with His Majesty? Surely Consort Shu must have summoned him, and he could not linger.”
Bi Yun spoke these words sincerely. After all, it was common for palace ladies to ‘coincidentally’ cross paths with the Emperor, but few could make him pause, let alone receive his praise and concern.
Hearing this, Beauty Yu felt considerably better. She couldn’t help adding, “When the Emperor asked about me earlier, does that mean he has truly remembered me now?”
“Of course,” Bi Yun replied. “The Emperor asked for your name, so he will surely summon you to his chambers tonight.”
The imperial carriage slowly made its way toward Le’an Palace. Before long, the Emperor called for a halt. Chen An stepped forward to inquire, only to hear the Emperor say, “Return to the imperial study. We have been away too long, and official duties remain unfinished.”
Chen An naturally complied, yet he hesitated slightly as he glanced ahead. Shu Fei must already be waiting at Le’an Palace.
Qi Jingheng narrowed his eyes slightly, resting his hands on either side of his knees. “Send several imperial physicians to Le’an Palace to take good care of Shu Fei. If anything goes wrong, they should be mindful of their heads.”