After returning from Yu Wan’er’s residence, Ye Jinyun went back to her room for an afternoon nap.
There were no real entertainments for women in ancient times—mostly playing the zither or embroidering flowers to pass the days. Ye Jinyun had no interest in any of that. From a young age, she had already grown used to passing her idle time by reading and sleeping.
She slept until evening. Having slept too long, her whole body felt soft and limp, and she leaned against Qing’er, refusing to get up as she acted spoiled.
Yinzhu found this sight of her new mistress clinging childishly to Qing’er rather amusing, and gently coaxed her:
“My Lady, the Imperial Kitchen has already sent over dinner. Please get up and eat something.”
The moment she heard there was food, Ye Jinyun instantly became more awake. She got dressed, climbed out of bed, took the towel Yinzhu handed her to wipe her face, and then headed straight for the dining table.
The evening meal was once again rich and delicious. Ye Jinyun ate quite a lot. Since she didn’t need to worry about gaining weight, she simply enjoyed the food freely.
After dinner, she took a walk in the courtyard to aid digestion. Returning to the inner hall, Yinzhu had already arranged hot water. Together with Qing’er, she served Ye Jinyun as she bathed.
After bathing, she changed into clean clothes and sat on the couch while the palace maids dried her hair.
They held her long black hair in their hands, carefully drying it strand by strand. They couldn’t help but admire how smooth and silky it felt, like fine satin slipping through their fingers.
That day was the first day all the new consorts had entered the palace. Every palace was waiting anxiously to see whom the Emperor would choose for his first night of favor.
After her hair was dried, Ye Jinyun sat on the couch reading. Yinzhu came in to report that the Emperor had summoned Consort Chu for the night.
Ye Jinyun simply waved her hand, indicating she understood, and continued reading with interest.
Seeing how calm she was, Yinzhu couldn’t help but regard her more highly. In this deep palace, only those who could endure loneliness would survive peacefully.
Compared to Ye Jinyun’s calmness, things were far from peaceful in other palaces. Many were gritting their teeth in jealousy, envious that Consort Chu had been the first to receive imperial favor.
……
In the Spring Orchid Hall, Chu Mingrou sent off the eunuch who had delivered the summons. The palace attendants immediately came forward to congratulate her.
Chu Mingrou was also very pleased. It seemed the Emperor did hold her in some regard. Although her elder sister’s influence might have played a role, it was still because the Emperor was interested in her that she had been chosen first.
She summoned her maidservants to bathe her in flower petals, applied fragrant body oils, and carefully dressed herself before boarding the phoenix carriage to the Emperor’s residence, Chengqian Palace.
After entering Chengqian Palace, palace maids led her into the Emperor’s sleeping quarters before withdrawing. Chu Mingrou was left alone, sitting on the dragon bed, head lowered, waiting shyly for the Emperor’s arrival.
Not long after, she heard the door creak open. A pair of jet-black boots embroidered with golden dragon patterns appeared in her line of sight. She hurriedly knelt by the bed and greeted him:
“This concubine greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with peace and prosperity.”
“Rise.”
Emperor Mo Qiyuan spoke expressionlessly.
He then ordered Chu Mingrou to wait in the hall while he went to bathe, having the attendants assist him.
He quickly finished his bath and came out wearing a loosely draped outer robe. His damp hair hung around his shoulders, and his firm chest was faintly visible with each movement, giving him a dangerously alluring presence.
Dismissing the attendants, he walked to the dragon bed and looked at the face before him—so similar to the Noble Consort’s—and curled his lips slightly.
“It’s getting late, my dear. Let us retire for the night.”
After that, the room was filled with an atmosphere of lingering passion.
Outside the hall, the attendants stood properly at their posts, pretending not to hear anything coming from inside.
About half an hour later, the call for water was rung. Only then did everyone snap back to attention and begin moving again.
Chen Fuquan entered the hall and saw that the Emperor had already gotten off the dragon bed and gone to the bath. Consort Chu was lying on the bed, flushed and sweating.
He quickly ordered attendants to help her dress and arranged a palanquin to send her back to Spring Orchid Hall.
Watching the woman being supported out, Chen Fuquan silently shook his head. Because the Emperor had practiced martial arts since youth, he had an exceptionally strong body and abundant stamina. In the past, when he was in the mood, he would summon water several times in one night.
Yet today, it was over in barely half an hour.
It seemed this consort, the younger sister of the Noble Consort, was not truly to the Emperor’s liking. Most likely, it was only out of consideration for the Noble Consort.
Putting his thoughts aside, he instructed the maids to quickly clean the dragon bed, then turned and entered the bath chamber to attend to the Emperor.