After Song Shutang finished speaking, she stared unblinkingly at Pei Hengyu.
She wanted to discern something from his expression, but ultimately found it futile.
How bold.
Pei Hengyu thought.
Yet the woman’s visibly ill complexion and her obedient, pitiful gaze made the emperor certain that she knew exactly how alluring she appeared in this state, which was why she dared to act so recklessly.
Direct, clumsy.
And somewhat endearing.
He nodded, expressionless. “Be quiet.” But the next moment, he condescended to personally fetch the medicine bowl and bring it to her lips.
Song Shutang had no recollection of when the medicine had been brought in. Even though her mind remained muddled, she obediently smiled but did not take the bowl, instead drinking directly from the emperor’s hand.
Her movements were not hurried, and her brows remained tightly furrowed, pausing to swallow after each small sip.
The emperor watched until she finished the entire bowl of medicine.
Night had completely fallen. In the darkness and silence, he could hear her somewhat heavy breathing. He felt he had nothing more to say.
As for why he had come here today, he had not asked himself.
“Your Majesty, you should return soon. Please don’t catch my illness.”
Her sudden words interrupted his thoughts. He chuckled softly—now she remembered to worry about him catching her illness.
“Lu Ping says you brew tea exceptionally well.”
With these words, the emperor turned and left the room. Outside, fine rain fell like silk onto his cloak, shimmering faintly in the dim light.
Inside the room, Song Shutang’s mind worked slowly. It took her a long while to grasp the emperor’s meaning.
Cough, cough, cough—she covered her mouth as she coughed, the bitterness of the medicine lingering in her mouth and throat, but her eyes were clear and sharp.
Aside from her beauty, it seemed she had found another point of leverage.
Returning to the Imperial Presence, Lu Ping was anxiously pacing at the entrance. As soon as he caught sight of Pei Hengyu, he hurried down the steps to greet him. “Your Majesty.”
The emperor was alone, without any attendants. He acknowledged with a hum and walked past Lu Ping.
Lu Ping had only gone to the imperial kitchen to arrange the meal, and upon returning, he found the emperor missing. Fortunately, he was back now. Following half a step behind the emperor, Lu Ping briefly listed the dishes for the evening meal.
“Your Majesty—” Lu Ping abruptly stopped, barely avoiding colliding with the emperor.
The emperor turned his head and issued a few cold instructions before striding directly into the room.
Lu Ping was momentarily stunned before responding affirmatively. Belatedly, he glanced back at the path the emperor had taken—had he come from the West Wing Chamber?
He scratched his head, somewhat puzzled.
Song Shutang returned to serve at the Imperial Presence four days later. The season had already entered February, with the wind carrying hints of early spring.
Song Shutang first sought out Lu Ping to thank him for finding a physician and palace maids to care for her, which had allowed her to recover so quickly.
Lu Ping naturally dared not take credit, as it had been the emperor’s will. “Since Miss Song is feeling better, please go and attend to your duties.”
“Thank you, Eunuch.”
Song Shutang took the tray, knocked on the palace door, and entered upon hearing a response.
“This servant pays respects to Your Majesty.” She closed the door and performed the customary greeting, unlike her usual silent approach.
“Rise.”
Song Shutang walked over softly and placed the tea by his right hand as usual. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor finally shifted his gaze from the book to her face. Her unpainted features still bore the pallor of recent illness, adding to her pitiable appearance.
He said nothing, but his eyes held a meaningful look.
Though it was clearly the first time Pei Hengyu had shown such an expression, Song Shutang understood it perfectly. She raised a hand to cover her lips. “I haven’t fully recovered yet.”
So a verbal thank you would suffice for now.
She never concealed her intentions, and by now, both were well aware of each other’s thoughts.
Pei Hengyu’s limited interest and patience lay in waiting for her to take the initiative; meanwhile, she used this time to explore the boundaries of their interactions.
“Prepare the ink for me.”
He lazily withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at her. The presence of a beauty adding fragrance to his study served as a diversion amidst his many duties.
“Yes.” Song Shutang replied softly, stepping back half a pace. Dressed in a maid’s attire suitable for work, she didn’t even need to roll up her sleeves.
The Emperor’s writing tools were of the finest quality. With just a glance, she recognized the inkstick as a priceless Panli-patterned round ink, rare beyond measure. Song Shutang deliberately asked:
“Does Your Majesty have more of this ink?”
“Why?”
“This servant fears her skills are inadequate and might waste such a treasure.”
…Pei Hengyu set aside his memorial for the second time that day, his already limited patience nearly exhausted. “I am not so lacking as to worry over such trifles.”
“Naturally, Your Majesty is the ruler of the realm and lacks nothing of value.” Song Shutang lowered her eyes, lightly adjusting her right sleeve before beginning to grind the ink.
The Emperor observed that although her movements were somewhat unpracticed, her posture, strength, and steps showed she clearly knew what she was doing. Sure enough, after a brief period of adjustment, her motions gained a touch of ease and grace.
The hands holding the inkstick were much fairer than when he first saw them, making their inherent beauty more apparent. The cuffed sleeves were embroidered with two vivid, lifelike flowers.
“What are those?” he asked.
Song Shutang followed his gaze. “Jade hairpin flowers.”
“Do you like them?”
The attire of palace maids followed strict regulations, varying by rank and season, generally not allowing excess. The only room for personal touches was at the collar and cuffs, where small embroidered patterns could be added without drawing attention.
Song Shutang hummed in affirmation. “This servant had many of them at home in her childhood.”
She spoke simply and lightly, and the Emperor had only asked casually, so the topic ended there, leaving only the sound of Song Shutang’s inkstick sliding across the inkstone.
After the evening meal, a eunuch from the Office of Imperial Affairs entered, inquiring where the Emperor would go that night. His words hinted that the Emperor visited the rear palace too infrequently, making it difficult to answer to the Empress Dowager upon her return.
Song Shutang watched as Pei Hengyu, from the row of name tablets, flipped over Consort Li’s.
The chief eunuch beamed with delight. “This servant will make the arrangements at once.”
That night, the Emperor set out for Yongan Palace, where Consort Li resided. Without specific instructions from the Emperor, Song Shutang had no choice but to follow along.
Lu Ping walked half a step ahead of Song Shutang, but could only keep his eyes downcast and mind his own business. Who ever heard of taking someone along when visiting a consort’s palace?
Unaware of Lu Ping’s silent criticism, Song Shutang was actually quite open-minded about it. She knew clearly she wouldn’t remain in the Imperial Presence forever, so the sooner she became acquainted with the rear palace, the better.
Back in Yeting, as a lowly Sweeping Maid, she knew little about affairs in the rear palace, and what she did know was mostly hearsay, with no way to judge its importance or truth.
With these thoughts, the imperial carriage soon arrived at Yongan Palace.
According to the regulations of this dynasty, those of the third rank or above may serve as the Palace Mistress. The rank of Meiren (Beauty) is fifth rank, so Consort Li resides in the side hall of Yongan Palace, known as Wuchao Hall.
As soon as the imperial carriage arrived, the people of Wuchao Hall came out to welcome them.
Walking at the forefront was a woman of graceful stature. Despite the current weather, she had already shed her heavy winter garments, dressed in pink attire that accentuated the spring-like charm in the corners of her eyes. She bowed gracefully:
“Your humble concubine pays respects to the Emperor.”
Even such simple words, after passing through her lips, carried a hint of springtime allure, sounding melodious and affectionate to the ear.
From the corner of her eye, Song Shutang noticed Pei Hengyu walking straight into the room, leaving the Beauty still in a curtsy.
She blinked.
Consort Li’s expression remained unchanged, still wearing a full smile as she gracefully rose to her feet and followed Pei Hengyu into the room. However, as she turned, she naturally caught sight of the female figure beside Lu Ping.
With just a fleeting glance, nothing particularly special could be discerned. The woman kept her head lowered, making it impossible to see her face clearly. Consort Li withdrew her gaze and hurriedly followed into the room.
Everyone knew full well what would happen when the Emperor visited Wuchao Hall. Lu Ping, after all, felt a twinge of pity and intended to attend to the Emperor himself, sparing Song Shutang from waiting outside in the evening.
Song Shutang naturally appreciated the kindness. “Thank you, Eunuch.”
The atmosphere inside the room remained warm and lively. The underfloor heating had not yet been removed, keeping the space comfortably cozy. As soon as she entered, Consort Li perceptively took the cloak the Emperor had removed, her voice sweet and charming:
“Your Majesty, it has been so long since you last visited your humble concubine’s palace.”
The Emperor took his seat, and tea was already prepared. He lifted the cup, took a sip, and then slightly frowned—it was bland and tasteless.
Consort Li paid no mind to whether the Emperor responded to her. She took a few steps forward and sat down beside him, as she often did, wrapping her arm around his:
“Your humble concubine has recently learned a new dance. Would Your Majesty like to see it?”
The Emperor turned his head, meeting Consort Li’s gaze, which was watery, smiling, and alluring. “Yes.”
The Beauty then rose and took a few steps back, removing her outer garment to reveal a dance costume underneath!
The pink-and-white gradient attire was vibrant and elegant, her slender arms exposed, her figure slim and curvaceous, with long, straight legs faintly visible through the sheer gauze skirt.
The discarded outer robe was casually tossed aside. Without any musical accompaniment, she began to dance gracefully.
Pei Hengyu assumed a relaxed posture at this moment, propping his chin on one hand resting on the table, watching with leisurely interest.
However… after just a few moments, the figure before his eyes suddenly transformed into someone else.
Her skin was fair, and she was slightly taller than Consort Li. If she were to wear this outfit…
A flicker of interest suddenly sparked in the Emperor’s eyes.
After finishing her dance, Consort Li was glistening with sweat. Yet, her eyes darkened with hidden thoughts. She had always known that the Emperor enjoyed her dancing; otherwise, he would not have brought her into the palace.
In the past, whenever the Emperor visited the rear palace five times, her Wuchao Hall would always receive one or two of those visits. This was the first time that, as she danced and glanced over, the Emperor’s gaze wandered, not focused on her.
When she stopped, the Emperor merely nodded slightly and remarked, “Passable.”
She forced herself to compose her emotions and, as usual, prepared to bathe first. Just as she was about to step out of the room, she suddenly paused and said in a soft voice:
“Today, your humble concubine’s personal maid is on leave. Might I borrow one of Your Majesty’s attendants?”
Among the attendants he brought today, aside from the eunuchs, there was only one woman—Song Shutang.
It was obvious who Consort Li was referring to.
After a moment of locking eyes, the Emperor leisurely stood up and strolled over to stand before Consort Li. Under her puzzled gaze, he opened his lips and spoke:
“The person by my side—keep your thoughts to yourself.”
“Your Majesty?” Consort Li was both confused and alarmed. Had the Emperor grown so angry over just one probing remark?
“Your Majesty!” she called out, drawing the words long, but the retreating figure showed no sign of stopping. She hurriedly followed him out.
As soon as the Emperor appeared, the two who had been chatting casually paused. He lowered his gaze, glanced at the woman whose face still held a smile, then coldly withdrew his eyes.
As he strode away, he thought: She truly is foolish—still able to smile.
Not even knowing when she had drawn someone’s attention.
Stupid.