Chapter 10: The Legend of Zhen Huan, An Lingrong
Just after dozing off for a moment, she immediately sensed the presence of a stranger. She opened her eyes directly...
Before her stood the emperor, dressed in bright yellow nightwear. His clean-cut features revealed a handsome face, his posture upright, radiating the noble aura bestowed by his imperial status.
Goodness, a truly handsome uncle of the uncle circle.
Fortunately, it wasn’t the chubby orange cat from the story—otherwise, it would have been a bit difficult to swallow.
“How is it? Are you satisfied?” came a playful inquiry.
Li Siqi nodded without hesitation. “Satisfied. Extremely satisfied. The emperor is indeed elegant and dignified; no wonder he has all the concubines in the harem utterly captivated.”
“Hahaha...” The emperor laughed heartily, hearing such a candid compliment for the first time.
“I’ve heard that Xin Daying is straightforward and likes to speak frankly, and it seems that is true,” he said.
Li Siqi gave a coquettish hum. “Only the emperor knows how to flatter; this concubine loves to hear it.”
“You silly girl.” The emperor was in a very good mood.
After getting into bed, he pulled her out from under the covers. Touching her smooth little face, he smiled and said, “It seems you are also cherished at home?”
“Your Majesty, you guessed wrong.” Li Siqi nestled into his arms. “I have a father who favors concubines over his wife, and a mother who is nearly blind. I have been bullied since childhood—quite pitiful.”
“Oh, really?” The emperor was somewhat surprised; he hadn’t expected her background to be like that.
“This concubine would never deceive Your Majesty.” Li Siqi looked at him innocently. “My father only bought his official position and lacks true ability—he merely has the airs and demeanor of a local official. If it weren’t for my mother earning money by embroidery to buy him the post, he’d be just an ordinary commoner.”
A complex expression flashed in the emperor’s eyes. “You silly girl, you really say whatever you think.”
“Because I don’t want to deceive Your Majesty,” Li Siqi tilted her head, speaking earnestly. “Besides, these are facts. Your Majesty could have someone investigate to confirm. Why should I hide anything? Also, I cannot choose my parents’ fate. No matter what, I consider it the greatest blessing to have entered the palace and to serve Your Majesty.”
“Your little mouth certainly knows how to speak.” The emperor smiled faintly.
He disliked purchased official titles but had to accept the reality.
Most importantly, her words touched his heart.
If her father did not hold an official title, this silly girl would never have entered the palace to become his concubine.
He found her tender skin irresistible, and his gaze grew intense.
Always fond of delicate beauties, the emperor’s voice unconsciously deepened. “What fragrance is this? It smells so pleasant.”
“Hehe!” Li Siqi chuckled shyly. “This concubine doesn’t like incense; this is my own natural scent. Does Your Majesty like it?”
“Really?” The emperor clearly didn’t believe her and teased, “If you’re lying to me, the consequences will be severe.”
“This concubine is not lying. Please don’t wrong me, Your Majesty.”
“Whether you lie or not, I will inspect myself.”
“How will Your Majesty inspect?”
“Silly girl, of course, like this.”
“Ah...”
...
Outside the bedchamber, Su Peisheng seemed to be resting with his eyes closed.
Listening to a strange yet coquettish voice from inside, he felt genuine respect and no trace of resentment.
Ever since learning that his fellow villager Cui Jinxi was dismissed to sweep the garden, he had harbored some grudge toward the talkative Xin Daying.
He planned to find an opportunity to vent his anger for Cui Jinxi.
After a night passed, upon reconsideration, he felt that all faults lay with Zhen Huan, the palace attendant.
If she hadn’t been arrogant, how could she dare to reside in the main hall of Suiyu Pavilion with the rank of Changzai?
If she hadn’t made mistakes, why would Cui Jinxi have been sent by Consort Hua to sweep the imperial garden?
As the mistress, Zhen Huan could not even protect her own servant and dragged others down with her.
Seeing this, Su Peisheng thought it was a poor decision to assign Cui Jinxi to serve Zhen Huan.
These days, he noticed that although the emperor favored Zhen Huan, he seemed not to be particularly partial to her.
It seemed best to send Cui Jinxi to another palace, keeping her far from that Changzai.
With this decision made, Su Peisheng comfortably closed his eyes again.
Time flew by quickly.
At this moment, the little servant Xia Zi approached quietly, lowering his voice, “Master, it’s nearly the third watch. Should we...?”
“Don’t meddle,” Su Peisheng immediately opened his eyes and whispered sharply, “The emperor is enjoying himself—don’t disturb him.”
Although the emperor had already called for water three times inside.
He thought little of it; the emperor’s record was five times.
He wondered if anyone inside could break that record this time.
“Yes, sir.” Xia Zi obeyed.
He rolled his eyes and asked again, “Master, the officials in the Palace Affairs Office are still waiting...”
Every time the emperor summoned a concubine to his bedchamber, the officials from the Palace Affairs Office would record the number of times the emperor called for water and how long it lasted.
This was because the “Tongshi” recorded the dates and times the emperor visited his concubines, to verify any future pregnancies.
The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the concubines in charge of palace affairs all had the right to inspect the “Tongshi.”
Thus, the emperor’s nightly visits could never be hidden.
If any concubine dared to pester the emperor too many times, the Empress Dowager and the Empress could accuse her of bewitching the emperor or harming the dragon’s health, punishing the favored concubine accordingly.
As the emperor’s chief steward, Su Peisheng knew all this well.
He understood that if the emperor called for water more than three times, it would surely alarm the palace ladies.
He immediately signaled Xia Zi to proceed and quietly instructed, “Tell the Palace Affairs Office eunuchs they may leave.”
“Yes, sir.” Xia Zi, a clever boy, agreed and went to find the eunuchs.
Receiving their reward, the eunuchs said little.
After all, it was not the first time they had left early.
They recorded in the “Tongshi” that the emperor called for water three times tonight, then stopped.
In truth, it didn’t matter how many times the emperor called or how long it lasted.
What mattered was not missing the concubine’s attendance record tonight.
...
“Your Majesty, it’s time for the morning court!” Su Peisheng’s voice came.
The emperor, who had rested for just an hour, woke up at the sound.
With the palace maids’ assistance, he rose.
At that moment, the emperor felt fully energized, as if he had eaten a celestial elixir, his whole being brimming with vitality.
He couldn’t help but feel surprised and amazed.
His gaze naturally turned toward Li Siqi.
Su Peisheng stealthily glanced over and immediately saw her delicate and radiant face.
His heart seemed to tremble slightly.
He quickly lowered his eyes, unwilling to be impertinent.
“Issue a decree: Xin Daying is promoted to Xin Changzai,” the emperor’s voice suddenly rang out. “Su Peisheng, remember to deliver a generous reward to Xin Changzai after court and send her back to Yanxi Palace by carriage.”
“Aye!” Su Peisheng responded swiftly.
The palace maids assisting the emperor with his dressing couldn’t help but show envy in their eyes.
After the emperor and his entourage left, Li Siqi woke up in time.
Under the joyful care of Lv He, she prepared herself and rode the carriage granted by the emperor back.
Returning to Yanxi Palace, she took another bath and groomed herself.
After eating a few snacks, she prepared to pay respects at Jingren Palace.
“Congratulations,” Xia Dongchun said, offering words of congratulations but still wearing a look of disdain toward Li Siqi.
Li Siqi didn’t mind and casually replied with thanks.
The two arrived at the main hall.
Noble Lady Fucha also congratulated Li Siqi.
Because they had to hurry to Jingren Palace, no further words were exchanged.
At Jingren Palace, the Empress trembled incessantly, her face deathly pale.
“Your Highness, perhaps we should summon the imperial physician,” Jian Qiu said with concern. “You were alone all night...”
“Enough,” the Empress interrupted. “Today was Xin Daying’s tea offering... no, she is already Xin Changzai. Unexpectedly, this silly girl has caught the emperor’s attention and has been promoted to Changzai.”
At this, the Empress’s expression turned puzzled. “Didn’t we order the jade platform and gold goblet to be sent to An Lingrong? How is she unharmed?”