Just as the group reached the doorway, the Emperor had already entered with his entourage, and everyone immediately bowed in greeting.
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
Yun Qin knelt properly, thinking that since Xiao Dezi had just come to announce the Emperor’s arrival, he must have returned, and the imperial physician must have been summoned as well.
As she pondered this, a pair of black boots adorned with golden patterns suddenly appeared in her line of sight.
Knowing it was the Emperor approaching, Yun Qin immediately lowered her gaze, but the boots stopped right in front of her.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she suppressed the urge to look up, kneeling even more properly.
“What’s your name?”
Huo Jinchi, who had walked over, casually glanced and noticed this young palace maid with slightly disheveled hair. She kept her head bowed properly, revealing only half of her slender, fair neck, a stark contrast to her earlier clever and lively demeanor.
Huo Jinchi’s voice was deep. Accustomed to acting on his whims, he saw no issue in deliberately inquiring about a palace maid’s name.
It took Yun Qin a moment to realize the question was directed at her, and her heart leaped again.
Could it be that he hadn’t reprimanded her earlier in front of Beauty Liu at Yu Kang Palace and was now planning to “settle accounts after the autumn harvest”?
Yun Qin’s throat tightened. “This servant is Yun Qin.”
Her heart was filled with trepidation, but she watched as the boots walked past her without hesitation, as if the question had been nothing more than a casual remark.
Yun Qin was momentarily stunned. As she breathed a sigh of relief, she experienced for the first time what it felt like to have her life and death entirely in the hands of another.
Only when she heard the rustling of those around her rising did Yun Qin snap back to reality and follow the others into the hall.
The inner chamber didn’t require so many attendants. Rong Zhi followed inside, while Yun Qin and Rong Xin remained outside the gauze partition, along with Xu An and the palace maids serving before the Emperor.
Yun Qin could feel their gazes lingering subtly on her and understood it was likely due to the Emperor asking for her name earlier.
In their eyes, being remembered by the Emperor might be a coveted honor, but for her, it was anything but.
Yun Qin’s direct superior was Concubine Hui, not the Emperor. Bypassing the hierarchy to interact with higher-ups was the most taboo.
She wondered how Concubine Hui would react when this news reached her ears.
Inside the inner chamber.
As soon as Concubine Hui saw Huo Jinchi, she immediately leaned on the table to rise and bow, but Huo Jinchi reached out to stop her. “If you’re unwell, just rest. Why bother with so much formality?”
His voice sounded gentle, but upon closer listening, it carried a hint of indifference.
Ever since Concubine Hui was found to be pregnant, the Imperial Hospital had been sending her daily Pulse Records to the Emperor. He reviewed them every day, so how could he not understand her physical condition?
Naturally, he also understood the real reason behind Concubine Hui’s “discomfort.” Huo Jinchi’s visit today was merely to reassure her and ease her mind.
And that little palace maid had played her part quite well…
At this thought, Huo Jinchi didn’t even notice the smile in his eyes.
Concubine Hui, already filled with grievances, saw the warmth in his gaze, and tears instantly fell like broken strings of pearls. She sobbed pitifully, “I thought Your Majesty would never come again.”
As she spoke, she threw herself into Huo Jinchi’s arms, trembling with sobs.
Huo Jinchi gently stroked her slightly bony shoulders, his mind reviewing her recent diet, but his eyes had already turned cold.
He hadn’t expected Concubine Hui to be particularly clever or to understand the deeper meaning behind his recent neglect, but he had hoped she would possess a motherly heart and act with consideration for the child in her womb.
Yet clearly, Concubine Hui was neither clever nor a loving mother.
The weeping from the inner chamber naturally carried outward. Everyone kept their heads bowed, eyes fixed on their own noses as if they were deaf.
Yun Qin felt somewhat helpless listening to it. Though she understood Concubine Hui’s feelings, crying like this was clearly not a wise approach.
It would be more effective to show a mix of joy and feigned strength while scolding the “useless” palace servants for disturbing the Emperor—that would better stir his pity.
Just then, A Jing entered carrying tea and gave Rong Xin a meaningful glance.
Having angered her mistress earlier that day, she now dared not enter the inner chamber.
Rong Xin glared at her and was about to take the tray when Xu An spoke up: “Let Yun Qin go.”
Hearing her name, Yun Qin looked up abruptly to see Xu An gazing at her with a gentle expression.
“You should do your best to console Concubine Hui, Miss Yun Qin.”
The overly soft look sent a chill up Yun Qin’s spine, instantly leaving her whole body cold.
What had she done to deserve being addressed as “Miss Yun Qin” by the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Presence…
As the Emperor’s closest attendant, he understood the Emperor’s thoughts best. Sometimes his attitude reflected the Emperor’s stance to some degree.
So, could it be that the Emperor…
Seeing Yun Qin hesitate, Xu An directly placed the tea tray into her hands and urged, “Go quickly.”
Yun Qin glanced at Rong Xin, who also nodded at her. With no choice, Yun Qin accepted the task and, steeling herself, carried the tea tray into the inner chamber.
As the curtains swayed, Huo Jinchi caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye and paused slightly.
Unlike the dim lighting in the Yu Kang Palace, Concubine Hui’s quarters were brightly lit, illuminating the young palace maid’s jade-like bones and snow-white skin with clarity. It reminded him inexplicably of the peonies delivered from the greenhouse during the day—both pure and radiant, their fragrance captivating.
Unlike him, Rong Zhi’s expression changed instantly upon seeing Yun Qin enter, and she moved to take the tea from her hands.
But as soon as she stirred, the Emperor’s indifferent voice inquired, “Where is the imperial physician? What did he say?”
At these words, Rong Zhi froze mid-motion, and even Concubine Hui’s weeping softened slightly.
Huo Jinchi felt the stiffness in Concubine Hui’s body and was not surprised.
He had seen such tricks many times before. What he wanted to see was how the little palace maid, who had spoken so confidently in front of Beauty Liu, would handle this situation now.
How could Yun Qin not feel the gaze fixed upon her? Her hands trembled slightly as she placed the teacup on the side table. Holding her breath, she lifted her eyes slightly and met a pair of dark, profound eyes that revealed no emotion.
As their gazes met, those eyes flickered with a hint of interest, as if surprised by her boldness in meeting his stare.
Yun Qin flinched and quickly averted her eyes, her heart pounding wildly.
She understood—the Emperor’s question was directed at her.
Why? Was this some kind of test?
Yun Qin immediately steeled herself and replied, “Your Majesty, the imperial physician is waiting in the side chamber.”
According to Yun Qin’s original plan, the Emperor’s inquiry about the physician at this moment was ideal—but that was meant to win Concubine Hui’s favor, not to draw the Emperor’s attention!
She had no intention of playing both sides!
Since things had come to this, Yun Qin hardened her resolve and continued, “Her Ladyship was unwell, so we naturally dared not delay. The imperial physician was summoned to the palace early and has been waiting.”
This was meant for Concubine Hui’s ears—emphasizing the excuse of “being unwell” and clarifying that she had already summoned the physician to reassure her.
Given how things had unfolded, failing to maximize Concubine Hui’s favor would be a wasted opportunity.
Concubine Hui was initially startled, but quickly composed herself, her tone tinged with reproach. “This consort merely suffers from morning sickness. You all are making far too much of it.” Yet her gaze toward Yun Qin held an unprecedented softness.
“One can never be too cautious,” Yun Qin said, ignoring the Emperor’s stare and striving to appear ingratiating.
Huo Jinchi was far too perceptive; the fleeting astonishment on Concubine Hui’s face could not escape his notice. He understood perfectly well what had transpired.
Some audacious little palace maid, though she hadn’t lied to him, had taken matters into her own hands and summoned the imperial physician without her mistress’s knowledge.
She certainly understood the importance of committing fully to the act.
Huo Jinchi did not expose her, merely stating calmly, “Since the imperial physician is here, go and fetch him at once.”
Yun Qin felt as if granted a reprieve and hurriedly replied, “Yes!”