Song Sheng: …
Too heartbreaking, he didn’t want to discuss this topic.
At the same time, the news of Yan Xiu carrying Li Yuyu from the Guard House all the way to Luaxin Pavilion spread throughout the entire harem.
All the concubines: …
Well, that is very much like Lady Li.
Princess Consort De gestured to Lan Qin to hold her tongue, her expression unchanged as she ate the freshly stewed bird’s nest porridge: Hmm, it tastes quite nice.
Luaxin Pavilion.
A crowd came out to greet the Emperor.
Leading them was Chen Jing from Cining Palace.
“Your servant pays respects to the Emperor, pays respects to Lady Li.” Chen Jing respectfully lowered her head, hiding the shock in her eyes.
She came alone, unaware that the Emperor had carried Lady Li back.
It seems, the Empress Dowager won’t be able to summon anyone today.
“Arise,” Yan Xiu had no intention of putting Li Yuyu down, directly carrying her past everyone into Luaxin Pavilion.
Chen Jing, having been granted favor, rose from the ground and followed them inside.
Yan Xiu bent down and carefully placed Li Yuyu on the Imperial Concubine’s Couch, speaking in a deep voice: “Lady Li twisted her ankle.
Keep a close eye on her recently.
Do not let her leave Luaxin Pavilion at will.”
“Yes.” Feng Yin and Hua Yin quickly answered.
Hua Yin moved her lips, her gaze occasionally drifting to Li Yuyu’s foot, very worried about her injury.
Chen Jing had a feeling that this sentence was meant for her.
She took a deep breath and stepped forward: “Emperor, the Empress Dowager, upon hearing of Lady Li’s unwell state, specifically sent me to visit.”
“Thank you for the Empress Dowager’s concern,” Yan Xiu said.
“Once Lady Li’s foot is healed, I will take her to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Jing was slightly shaken, but dared not show alarm, responding with a bow before exiting.
The Empress Dowager sent her to summon Lady Li to Cining Palace for questioning, but before she could explain clearly, the Emperor preemptively used his words to block her, implying support for Lady Li all throughout.
The Emperor’s intention is for the Empress Dowager not to meddle in Lady Li’s affairs.
“Oh well, the Emperor governs diligently, and Man’er does not gain his affection, few in the harem receive the Emperor’s favor, so if he wishes to cherish her, I, as the Empress Dowager, shall not intervene any further.”
Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager remained serenely composed after hearing Chen Jing’s report.
Chen Jing detected the implied meaning in the Empress Dowager’s words and, smiling, stepped forward to fan the Empress Dowager’s suggestion: “Since there are few concubines in the harem that please the Emperor, why not select some talented women to enter the palace for the Emperor?”
The Empress Dowager lifted her eyelids to glance at Chen Jing, smiling without speaking.
“Emperor, are you not returning?” Li Yuyu, seeing Yan Xiu not intending to leave, could only subtly suggest.
“Return where?” Yan Xiu feigned ignorance and asked back.
Li Yuyu: …
“Yangxin Hall?” She remembered reading that Yan Xiu’s residence was called Yangxin Hall.
Yan Xiu’s phoenix eyes looked deeply at Li Yuyu.
Li Yuyu: …
Could she have said something wrong?
Is there actually no Yangxin Hall in this palace?
“Well, hmm, Emperor, what I just said was random, what I meant was…”
“I shall stay at Luaxin Pavilion tonight.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Yin and Hua Yin both showed expressions of delight.
“Yes, your servant will go to make arrangements.” Hua Yin responded excitedly, bowing with courtesy.
“Hold on.” Li Yuyu suddenly rose from the Imperial Concubine’s Couch, her willow leaf eyes rounded: “You want to stay here?”
“Ah, my foot…”
Using too much force, her ankle throbbed with pain, causing Li Yuyu’s slender body to tremble and nearly fall back onto the Imperial Concubine’s Couch.
The scent of ambergris filled the air, and once again Yan Xiu held Li Yuyu in his arms.
“You…”
“Lady Li is restless on the couch, in that case, let’s move to the bed.”