“Your Majesty, this concerns Her Ladyship and the imperial heir—how could we servants dare be negligent? The imperial physician has already been summoned. We are useless, and the entire Chunxi Palace is in chaos. Even if Your Majesty could just take a glance to steady our hearts, we beg you, Your Majesty.”
Xu An, who had been bowing his head, couldn’t help but glance at Yun Qin, somewhat puzzled as to why the previously well-mannered young girl was now wailing and crying.
He discreetly looked toward the Emperor, only to meet his emotionless eyes. Startled, he instinctively said, “What are you crying for? Look at your pathetic state!”
After speaking, he glanced again at the Emperor.
“Indeed useless,” the Emperor remarked flatly, without any inflection in his tone.
Xu An immediately understood and raised his voice, “Attendants, prepare His Majesty’s attire.”
Acting the full scene, Yun Qin immediately prostrated herself, weeping, “Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty.” Her demeanor was just short of shedding tears of gratitude.
Huo Jinchi, who had just pushed aside Beauty Liu and was about to stand up to dress, listened to this theatrical crying and inwardly scoffed. For the first time, he took a proper look at the palace maid kneeling on the ground. His first glance fell on the stray strands of hair hanging by her cheeks, gently brushing against her jade-like, delicate skin.
Feeling the gaze upon her, Yun Qin tried to control her physical reaction but couldn’t help shrinking her shoulders slightly.
It seemed she had overacted.
Huo Jinchi’s smile deepened. He hadn’t noticed before that Concubine Hui’s palace had such an interesting maid. Just as he was about to ask her name, he felt the soft, slender figure leaning closer, and his smile instantly vanished.
“Your Majesty…” Beauty Liu called out hesitantly, but when she met his emotionless eyes, the words on her lips were instantly swallowed back.
“Your servant… your servant will help you dress,” Beauty Liu forced a smile and changed her tone.
Seeing that Beauty Liu understood the situation, Huo Jinchi regained some of his smile. “After the morning court, I will join my beloved concubine for breakfast.”
“Your servant awaits Your Majesty,” Beauty Liu immediately flashed a coquettish smile, her movements becoming noticeably more willing.
Hearing this, Yun Qin lowered her head even further. The Emperor certainly knew how to use Beauty Liu as a shield effectively.
When she could hardly ensure her own safety, what right did she have to pity others? Yun Qin mocked herself inwardly, refocusing her mind and striving to become invisible.
Even though she had almost shrunk into a ball, she remained highly conspicuous in the inner chamber, especially in Beauty Liu’s eyes, where she was nothing short of a thorn in the flesh. Beauty Liu shot her several venomous glances.
Seeing that even with her head bowed, Yun Qin’s beauty was hard to conceal, Beauty Liu felt even more convinced of Chunxi Palace’s malicious intentions. That Su woman, now pregnant with the imperial heir, actually wanted to use a beautiful young maid to curry favor—how cunning!
“His Majesty departs!”
At Xu An’s announcement, the Emperor stepped out of the inner chamber. Yun Qin also stood up, blending in with the palace maids in attendance as she hurried out, not daring to stay in the inner chamber a second longer.
Though everything seemed unhurried, from Yun Qin’s entry to the Emperor’s departure, it had taken no more than five minutes. This subtly revealed the Emperor’s level of concern for Concubine Hui.
Yun Qin could only hope that Concubine Hui would stop causing trouble and smoothly give birth to the child. Wouldn’t she enjoy favor and honor thereafter?
As soon as she left Yukang Palace, Yun Qin broke away from the entourage, taking a shortcut and running back toward Chunxi Palace.
First, to send this good news back so they can prepare to welcome the Emperor, and second, to ensure they put on a convincing act. Otherwise, when the Emperor arrives full of worry, only to see them overjoyed and forgetting themselves, he might turn around and leave in anger.
She walked quickly, unaware that after she left, Huo Jinchi asked Xu An about her.
“Where is that palace maid?”
The seemingly casual question made Xu An’s heart skip a beat. He quickly looked around before replying, “Your Majesty, she is not here. She must have returned to Chunxi Palace to deliver the message first.”
The heavy curtains blocked his view of the Emperor’s expression, but he heard an indifferent “Hmm,” as if it were just a casual inquiry.
Yet, based on Xu An’s understanding of the Emperor, when had he ever asked about the whereabouts of a palace maid? The image of that delicate, pretty face flashed through his mind, and he immediately understood.
The astonishment of everyone in Chunxi Palace upon learning that Yun Qin had actually managed to invite the Emperor over was beyond words, followed by a flurry of chaos.
“Rong Zhi, Rong Zhi, quickly fetch my clothes. No, no—apply makeup first.”
“Yes!” Rong Zhi hurriedly opened the makeup box.
Yun Qin stood to the side, speechless at the commotion caused by this master and servant. Seeing Rong Xin also bustling about with a foolishly happy expression, she couldn’t hold back and spoke up, “If the mistress is unwell, how can she apply makeup?”
Her words drew everyone’s attention to her. Yun Qin, who had never spoken up in front of her mistress before, felt nervous. She pinched her fingertips to steady her voice and continued, “The Emperor is already on his way. Even if the mistress applies makeup now, it will be too late. It would be better to change into clothes that brighten her complexion.”
“How dare you speak here—”
Rong Zhi opened her mouth to scold her, but Concubine Hui, grateful to Yun Qin for inviting the Emperor, placed more trust in her. Unoffended by the remark, she stroked her pale face and interrupted Rong Zhi.
“How can I see the Emperor looking like this?”
Yun Qin glanced at Rong Zhi before turning her gaze to Concubine Hui.
It was no wonder Concubine Hui had enjoyed constant favor since entering the palace. With delicate brows, snow-white cheeks, rosy lips, and a graceful figure as delicate as a willow swaying in the wind, she appeared both charming and timid, evoking pity at first glance.
Though she now bore some signs of illness, it did nothing to diminish her beauty, only making her appear more pitiable.
“Your Ladyship is naturally beautiful. Even without makeup, you are stunningly gorgeous.” Yun Qin knew she couldn’t just flatter her endlessly. With a hint of unease, she continued, “The Emperor is coming late at night and is likely tired. The more homely and natural Your Ladyship appears, the better.”
Concubine Hui was no fool. Hearing this, she gently touched her belly and smiled faintly. “You are right. Now that I am carrying His Majesty’s child, the more homely and natural, the better.”
After speaking, she looked up at Yun Qin. “Your name is Yun Qin, isn’t it? You are pretty, and your name is lovely. From now on, you shall serve inside the hall.”
“This humble maid thanks Your Ladyship.”
Yun Qin’s unease vanished instantly. Feeling Rong Zhi’s gaze on her, she glared back without hesitation.
Rong Zhi clearly hadn’t expected such boldness and was about to scold her again when Concubine Hui interrupted, “Rong Zhi, quickly fetch my clothes.”
As they hurriedly changed clothes, Xiao Dezi rushed in. “Your Ladyship, the Emperor is almost at the palace gate.”
“Go and welcome him.” Concubine Hui did not rise but instead said to Yun Qin, “I am unwell. You take the others to greet the Emperor.”
Without time to think it over, Yun Qin led the others out.