Upon arriving at Chengming Hall, Grand Eunuch Liang Yao came forward to greet her. “Baolin, His Majesty is waiting for you in the Nuan Pavilion. Several court officials displeased him during this morning’s audience, so please be cautious.”
Pei Tingyue replied softly, “Thank you, Grand Eunuch.”
“You’re too kind, Baolin.”
Entering the Nuan Pavilion, Pei Tingyue happened to see the emperor emerging from behind the screen after changing into informal attire.
An idea sparked in her mind.
Calculating the distance perfectly, she deliberately weakened her legs and stumbled forward several steps.
Just as her body was about to make intimate contact with the ground, she was pulled into a slightly cool embrace.
Pei Tingyue’s nose filled with a faint fragrance as she heard clear, amused laughter from above. “Has Tingyue forgotten how to walk?”
Pei Tingyue lifted her head from his embrace, her voice soft and plaintive. “It’s all because Your Majesty bullied your concubine last night…”
Following her words, Xie Chen recalled the intimate scenes from the previous night.
She had been truly delicate in bed, trembling and begging for mercy when she could no longer endure.
But once he was aroused, how could he easily let her off?
Her jade-like skin was irresistible to touch, and he only stopped when it was covered with red marks, by which time she was shaking uncontrollably.
Both pitiful and adorable.
Remembering this, Xie Chen’s eyes darkened as he slightly tightened his grip around the beauty’s willow waist. “Tingyue worked hard last night. Let me think of how to compensate you.”
Pei Tingyue vaguely sensed trouble, but before she could speak, he continued, “How about promoting Tingyue’s rank? What does Tingyue think?”
What did she think?
Pei Tingyue currently felt like cursing.
She did want a promotion in rank, but the timing was entirely inappropriate.
Suddenly gaining favor had already made her the envy of other consorts. Now being promoted alone would make her far too conspicuous.
The emperor’s move undoubtedly pushed her directly into the center of hidden undercurrents and whirlpools.
He was doing this deliberately.
Thinking this, Pei Tingyue narrowed her eyes.
This man, who had been so tender and intimate with her last night, was now mercilessly using her again.
Truly heartless after intimacy!
The emperor was more difficult to conquer and colder than she had imagined.
However, this made things more interesting.
Concealing the darkness in her eyes, Pei Tingyue naturally wrapped her arms around the emperor’s neck and looked up with a radiant smile. “I like it.”
Xie Chen’s gaze swept over her face, noting her seemingly overflowing joy, and spoke slowly, “Tingyue, are you this happy?”
“Yes.” Pei Tingyue nodded without hesitation. After a moment’s thought, she added, “Whatever Your Majesty bestows, your concubine likes it all.”
Xie Chen looked down at her.
Did she like everything he gave her…
After a moment of silence, he asked, “Besides rank, is there anything else Tingyue wants?”
Since she willingly served as a pawn in his hand, he was willing to give some rewards.
Xie Chen was very tall, and Pei Tingyue had to stand on her toes while holding his neck, which became tiring after a while.
She had to lower her arms, wrap them around his lean waist, and bury her face in his broad chest.
After concentrating for a moment, she timidly asked, “Can your concubine ask for anything?”
Perhaps fearing his refusal, she quickly added, “Your concubine won’t be too unreasonable.”
Xie Chen chuckled.
A single wish was something he could easily grant.
“You can ask for anything.”
Hearing this, Pei Tingyue raised her sparkling eyes, her snow-white cheeks slightly flushed, and whispered, “Then could Your Majesty summon your concubine more often during your free time?”
The words of the woman in his arms once again took Xie Chen by surprise.
He thought all she wanted was gold, jewels, or favors for her family.
Never did he expect she simply wanted more of his company.
That was all.
An unfamiliar emotion stirred in Xie Chen’s heart. He reached out, pinched her delicate chin, and forced her to look up. “You want me to summon you more often?”
Pei Tingyue had no choice but to meet his gaze. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she bit her lip and said, “This concubine… truly adores Your Majesty.”
Adore him?
Such bold and audacious words.
Most consorts in the palace came from noble families, restrained and proper—they would never speak like this.
Those not of noble birth feared him.
Even Yu Yao, whom he doted on excessively, had never said such a thing.
Thus, this was the first time Xie Chen had heard a consort speak of affection.
So direct, so fervent.
Xie Chen sighed, pulled her into his embrace with one arm, and used his other hand to adjust the butterfly tassel hairpin at her temple. “I understand.”
Where he couldn’t see, Pei Tingyue curled her lips into a faint smile.
Like gentle rain moistening the earth unnoticed.
She would gradually turn this feigned affection into genuine devotion.
After holding each other for a moment, they moved to the table for the morning meal.
The spread was more lavish than anything Pei Tingyue had ever seen, covering the entire table.
At the center was a steaming lamb hotpot, surrounded by dishes like mushroom-braised chicken, three-delicacy duck, black chicken soup, along with assorted dried fruits, preserves, and staples.
Having been exhausted from the night before and the morning greetings, Pei Tingyue was already starving. The sight of such delicacies captivated her.
But she had to serve the emperor first.
Only after he finished could she eat!
Pei Tingyue lamented inwardly—this wretched feudal society!
Noticing her longing gaze fixed on the table, Xie Chen found it somewhat amusing and said, “Sit and eat.”
Surprised by his unexpected kindness, Pei Tingyue quickly bowed. “This concubine thanks Your Majesty.”
The morning meal was a feast for the senses, delighting both the eyes and the palate.
Pei Tingyue ate heartily before finally setting down her chopsticks.
Her appetite was contagious, and Xie Chen ended up eating more than usual as well.
After the meal, Xie Chen said, “You’ve just eaten—it’s not good to move around too much. Come with me to the Imperial Study to aid digestion.”
Pei Tingyue nodded and let him lead her to the study.
Xie Chen had memorials to review and soon immersed himself in state affairs, falling silent.
Pei Tingyue stood nearby, quietly grinding ink for him. When the ink was sufficient, she sat to the side and read.
The warm spring sun was soothing, and the classical texts made her drowsy. Pei Tingyue yawned repeatedly, tears welling in her eyes.
After a while, she roused herself and quietly summoned Eunuch Liang.
“What does the Talented Lady require?”
Pei Tingyue whispered a few instructions.
Soon, Eunuch Liang returned with what she had asked for.
Her eyes lit up at the sight of the fine silk fabrics, and she selected a piece in a bright, vivid color.
When Xie Chen looked up again, the sunlight outside was brilliant, filtering through the carved window lattice and casting dappled shadows across the room.
His beloved consort sat bathed in the spring light, bent over something she was working on.
Xie Chen watched quietly for a moment before asking, “Tingyue, are you embroidering a sachet?”
The lotus-root pink she had chosen was somewhat gaudy for his taste.
His everyday attire usually featured muted colors like moon-white, hibiscus-purple, or dark blue—none of which would match the shade of the sachet in her hands.
Xie Chen added, “Tingyue has such unique taste. It seems I must have a new robe made, so as not to disappoint your thoughtful gesture.”
“Huh?”
Pei Tingyue looked up, a trace of confusion in her eyes.
How come she couldn’t quite understand his words?
What new clothes? What not disappointing her intentions? What was all this?
Pei Tingyue quickly pondered his words in her heart, when suddenly an idea struck her.
Heavens above!
He couldn’t possibly think this sachet was embroidered for him, could he?!
The Emperor seemed to have misunderstood…
For a moment, Pei Tingyue felt her vision darken.
Looking at the sachet in her hand, she struggled internally before finally deciding to tell the truth. Her scalp tingled with nervousness: “Your Majesty, this concubine’s sachet is… is made for the Empress.”
Xie Chen: ?
The smile at his lips stiffened for an instant, then in the next moment, he appeared as if nothing had happened.
“For the Empress?”
“Yes.” Seeing he wasn’t angered by embarrassment, Pei Tingyue felt relieved, while secretly admiring how quickly the Emperor could adjust his emotions – truly befitting an emperor.
“The Empress has been very kind to this concubine.”
Pei Tingyue organized her thoughts and spoke softly:
“Previously, when this concubine lived in a remote palace chamber, it was the Empress who found this concubine’s solitary living too desolate and transferred me to Changle Palace.”
“Some days ago, when this concubine offended Lin Zhaorong, those fawning servants in the imperial kitchen only delivered cold meals every day that were completely inedible.”
“When the Empress learned of this, she had her palace maid severely reprimand the imperial kitchen. Since then, this concubine’s meals have improved.”
“And during this period when this concubine has gained favor, some elder sisters inevitably felt dissatisfied and would make things difficult. Although this concubine is sharp-tongued in arguments, I couldn’t withstand so many speaking against me.”
“Whenever that happened, the Empress would always help this concubine out of difficult situations.”
“Therefore, this concubine wishes to repay the Empress!”
Reaching this point, Pei Tingyue smiled shyly: “This concubine has no valuable gifts to offer Her Majesty, only this sincere intention. I hope Her Majesty won’t find it unworthy.”