Her pitiful appearance could soften even the hardest of hearts.
Xie Chen let out a helpless sigh, his tone softening.
“If you hadn’t said such things, why would I have asked you to leave?”
Pei Tingyue watched him anxiously, as if unable to set her mind at ease. “You really won’t drive Pinqie away?”
“Mm.” Xie Chen stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, answering patiently.
Only then did Pei Tingyue feel reassured.
She leaned against Xie Chen’s knee, nuzzling affectionately, behaving with unusual docility.
Xie Chen’s gaze softened considerably.
“Get up. This is improper.”
Having served him for many days, Pei Tingyue had come to understand his temperament—what was acceptable and what was not.
She paid no mind to his mild, perfunctory scolding, muttering, “No, Pinqie hasn’t had enough of this pillow.”
But she soon regretted her words and coy behavior—her leg had gone numb.
She couldn’t decide whether to rise or remain as she was.
Caught in a dilemma.
In the end, she could only shift her weight slightly, relieving one leg while supporting herself with the other.
Xie Chen noticed all these small movements, a fleeting smile flashing in his eyes—so brief he didn’t even notice it himself.
Xie Chen pulled her up, dusted off her clothes, and asked as if casually, “Are you and Bao Lin Yan very close?”
As the soreness in her legs gradually faded, Pei Tingyue threw herself into Xie Chen’s embrace, nestling into a comfortable position. “Just somewhat.”
“Just somewhat? It seems to me you should be quite close, otherwise why would you recommend her?”
Pei Tingyue hesitated for a moment before whispering, “Only Bao Lin Yan is willing to speak a few words with Pinqie.”
Xie Chen’s eyebrows lifted in understanding—she had been used by others. But he didn’t expose it, only offering a word of caution: “One must always be wary of others.”
“Pinqie understands.” Pei Tingyue curled her lips into a smile. “Is Your Majesty concerned about Pinqie?”
Instead of answering, Xie Chen countered, “What do you think?”
Pei Tingyue laughed in his arms, her earlier melancholy swept away, her entire demeanor now bright and lively.
After laughing for a while, she grew rather presumptuous: “Pinqie has a small request.”
Xie Chen shot her a glance. “How audacious!”
Pei Tingyue’s small face fell again.
Xie Chen felt her temper was growing increasingly difficult to manage, making her harder to serve. He sighed helplessly, “Speak.”
Pei Tingyue said cautiously, “Could Your Majesty please not take an interest in Bao Lin Yan because of Pinqie’s words?”
Her expression was full of regret, as if she regretted having recommended someone else earlier.
Xie Chen looked down at her. “Regretting it now?”
Pei Tingyue nodded emphatically. “Yes.”
She lifted her head and said earnestly, “Recommending someone else just now is the biggest regret of Pinqie’s life. In the end, Pinqie was too timid, frightened by a bit of gossip. Your Majesty, rest assured, Pinqie will change. From now on, I will practice courage and stand firmly by your side.”
A flicker of surprise passed through Xie Chen’s long, narrow eyes, quickly suppressed as he smiled faintly. “Good.”
They held each other for a while until Pei Tingyue remembered they were in the Imperial Study and that it was time for Xie Chen to handle state affairs. She abruptly stood up.
“Pinqie will grind ink for you. Your Majesty, please review the official memorials.”
“Isn’t it a bit late to remember that now?” Xie Chen teased her, a rare occurrence.
Pei Tingyue thought for a moment before suggesting quietly, “If you can’t finish, how about Pinqie continues to accompany you tonight?”
This time, Xie Chen truly laughed. “Tingyue, you certainly know how to scheme.”
“I only asked you to serve ink in the afternoon, but never summoned you for evening attendance. If Tingyue stays with me tonight, wouldn’t that be equivalent to having your nameplate chosen?”
Though her scheme was seen through, Pei Tingyue showed no embarrassment. Tugging at Xie Chen’s lapel, she cooed, “Will Your Majesty agree or not?”
Xie Chen raised an eyebrow ridge. “Then Tingyue must perform well tonight.”
“Ahem…” Pei Tingyue choked, her face flushing red. She couldn’t understand how someone could mention such matters without changing expression.
She glanced quickly at Xie Chen before lowering her head, murmuring softly, “Alright.”
Noting the redness spreading to her ears, Xie Chen knew she was embarrassed and ceased his teasing, focusing instead on state affairs.
That evening naturally saw Pei Tingyue attending the emperor.
Their frolicking lasted until midnight before they finally slept.
After this day, court affairs multiplied, keeping Xie Chen increasingly busy. He no longer summoned consorts for nightly attendance.
The Six Palace Consorts grew listless, scarcely even bickering anymore, each day merely hoping the emperor would visit the Imperial Harem.
Pei Tingyue lived quite comfortably in Changle Palace. Because of Tuantuan, her relationship with Noble Consort Song grew increasingly harmonious. She often visited the front hall to pass time.
That night when the sky was dim, with only a few palace lanterns lit in the eastern side hall, Pei Tingyue hadn’t clearly seen what hung on the walls. Now she understood – they were spears.
A row of red-tasseled spears.
At daybreak, when the eastern side hall’s doors swung wide open, Noble Consort Song would practice with her spear inside.
This was something Pei Tingyue had discovered by accident.
Tuantuan had come scratching at the rear hall’s door early, waking her. Carrying Tuantuan forward, she happened upon Noble Consort Song practicing with her spear.
She wore no palace attire, only simple white plain clothing tied tightly at the waist, accentuating her slender figure that appeared not frail but possessed of a peculiar strength.
Her raven black hair was tied high behind her head with a white silk ribbon, flowing elegantly as she flipped through the air.
Pei Tingyue watched from the doorway for a long while with Tuantuan in her arms. Even without understanding the art, she could see Noble Consort Song moved with exceptional grace – her spear thrusts clean and precise, her retrieves confident and unrestrained, radiating an indescribable vigor.
Truthfully, this scene seemed incongruous within the palace walls, even somewhat peculiar.
A noble consort of esteemed status, instead of scheming for imperial favor, practiced martial arts with a spear on a still-chilly spring morning.
As she watched, an inexplicable sadness welled in Pei Tingyue’s heart. She felt strongly that a woman like Noble Consort Song shouldn’t be trapped in these deep palaces, grinding away her life.
But in the end, she said nothing, nor asked Noble Consort Song why she engaged in such seemingly meaningless pursuits. She simply applauded for her.
From then on, whenever Pei Tingyue rose early, she would carry Tuantuan to watch from the doorway.
Noble Consort Song never shooed her away, sometimes even extending her practice when she saw Pei Tingyue arrive.
This day, Pei Tingyue was again disturbed by Tuantuan’s early awakening. Carrying Tuantuan to the front hall for revenge, she manipulated the cat’s paws – sometimes raising them, sometimes making them clap – to cheer for its owner.
“Excellent! Excellent!”
“Magnificent! Magnificent!”