Chapter 0002: Empress Xie

Chapter 0002: Empress Xie

He Jinglei lightly raised an eyebrow again but said nothing more.

When she arrived, it was already almost the hour of Shen, and after talking for a while, it was time for the meal to be served.

When He Jinglei indicated, she joined him for the meal. Although as a concubine of her rank, she wasn't entitled to sit and dine with the Emperor and had to stand and serve.

To be honest, the Emperor wasn't so petty. Generally, the junior concubines he summoned to Zhengyang Palace were allowed to sit and eat.

Of course, the Emperor’s leniency was a favor in itself.

Yun Li had dined with the Emperor before, so she wasn't overly cautious. When she found something tasty, she would help herself to more.

This, to He Jinglei, seemed like she was at ease.

Although he was the Emperor, he didn't necessarily enjoy dining with people who were trembling with fear or overly formal, as if reciting a script.

Qi’s demeanor was quite to his liking.

After dinner, the Emperor couldn't rest yet; he had many memorials to review.

So, he went to the eastern hall of the Zhengyang Palace to his imperial study.

Yun Li waited for instructions, and the Emperor glanced at her: "Stay and attend."

Yun Li acknowledged and followed him to the imperial study.

She served only a cup of tea and then stood by, fortunately able to sit down.

The Emperor required nothing else of her.

She casually picked up a book and started reading.

Time flies; after sixteen years in ancient times, Yun Li had grown accustomed to the vertical arrangement of text and books here.

This book happened to be a travelogue, which was somewhat interesting.

However, the author likely hadn't actually visited those famous mountains and rivers; most of it seemed to be fabricated based on other travelogues.

The descriptions of the scenery were almost as fanciful as in a fantasy novel about a sacred land.

Yun Li almost laughed out loud.

Thankfully, she remembered she was in the imperial study.

During a break in He Jinglei's reviewing of memorials, he caught sight of her stifling a laugh while reading a book.

He didn't say anything at the time, just glanced at the head eunuch Meng Chang, who quickly nodded.

After another half hour, when He Jinglei finished reading the documents and stood up, Yun Li also quickly got up: "Has Your Majesty finished your work?"

"Yes, my beloved has worked hard, let's go."

Yun Li responded and came over: "Your Majesty has been busy for so long, your hands must be sore. Shall I call someone to massage them?"

He Jinglei looked at her and smiled: "You certainly know how to give orders."

Others would have offered to massage his hands themselves or to fetch hot water for a soak, but she knew how to delegate.

Yun Li feigned ignorance: "I was wrong."

He Jinglei glanced at her a few more times: "Let's go."

The two returned to the inner hall, where it was time for their nightly ablutions.

Yun Li shyly glanced at He Jinglei before heading to the cleansing room. When she returned, she was dressed in a light beige undergarment, her hair loosely draped down.

She was well-proportioned, neither too thin nor too plump.

Any more would appear clumsy, any less overly delicate. Now, with her narrow, beautiful eyes, lightly colored but well-shaped eyebrows, a small, pert nose, and thin, beautifully shaped lips on a sharp oval face, she was just perfect. Her beauty was not only striking but also exuded an effortless, natural elegance.

He Jinglei always marveled at her, feeling the wonder of creation.

Even though he had been raised in the palace and seen countless beauties, he had to admit, Qi Yun Li was truly exceptional.

And just as he admired her, she admired him in almost the same way.

She particularly loved looking at his sword-like eyebrows.

His face was angular with a defined jawline, his eyes sharp yet captivating. His nose was straight, lips neither too thick nor too thin, but with faint smile lines at the corners.

For Yun Li, the most enchanting aspect of this man wasn’t just his appearance, although he was undeniably attractive.

What she liked most was his aura. Not the aura of his imperial status.

But a sense of pride.

A pride that seemed to say, no matter what you do, I am beyond caring. In other words, indifferent to the world.

Yun Li didn't think much about it, but conquering such a man would indeed be quite entertaining.

When He Jinli pressed down on her, Yun Li reached up to embrace his neck, "Your Majesty is truly handsome."

He Jinli just looked at her without speaking, reaching out to undo her clothes.

Yun Li, not to be outdone, did the same to He Jinli.

The Emperor slightly raised his eyebrows and completely pressed down.

In Fengyi Palace, Empress Xie looked at her freshly manicured nails, her hands coated in bright red nail polish, complementing her slender and beautiful hands beautifully.

"Has Lady Xiao been serving in the Emperor's chamber several times now?"

"Back to Your Majesty, it's the fifth time," said Ruyi, the maid in front of the Empress.

"Ever since Lady Xiao entered the palace, our Emperor hasn't visited Yuzhi Palace, right? Alas, it also affects Xu Baolin." Yuzhi Palace is the palace of the noble consort, Qi Qingluan.

Xu Baolin is another person who entered the palace with Yun Li. She was assigned to Yuzhi Palace.

"What does Your Majesty imply?" Ruyi asked.

"I imply nothing. A mere Lady Xiao, if she really has the ability to stand firm, then it's not our palace that should worry. Ultimately, it's the Hua family that's the real threat," said the Empress.

"Yes," Ruyi nodded.

At that moment, another maid, Rulan, came in, "Your Majesty."

"What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, I just heard from the head maid of Furong Pavilion that Lady Wu has been feeling unwell lately, suffering from stomach troubles," Rulan reported.

The Empress frowned slightly: "Stomach troubles?"

"I believe... she is with child," Rulan said.

The Empress's brow furrowed deeper.

The Emperor was twenty-four this year, yet the harem had produced only one son and one daughter. The Empress had only a daughter, the eldest princess, now seven years old.

The eldest prince was born to the Virtuous Consort.

Now, with an unexpected pregnancy, the Empress couldn't help but be cautious.

Though the recent years were a mourning period without children, which was normal, both children were conceived when His Majesty was still the Crown Prince.

Though the Dowager Empress hadn't said anything, the Empress couldn’t afford to be complacent.

But this child wasn’t in her womb, and she truly didn’t know what to say.

"Keep a close watch, and have the imperial physician check tomorrow. Do the dates match?" the Empress asked.

"I have checked; they do match. Imperial Woman Wu was the second to serve in the Emperor's bedchamber. Now, she's just over two months pregnant. I’ve also asked her attendants, and it seems unlikely to be mistaken," Rulan said.

The Empress took a deep breath: "I understand."

"Your Majesty, don't worry, these things are inevitable. It’s late now; why not rest early and inquire tomorrow morning?" Ruyi suggested.

The Empress nodded: "Let's sleep then."

The worry was real, but the Empress couldn't resolve it all at once.

As the lights in Fengyi Palace went out, the entire harem quieted down. Who could sleep peacefully, however, remained unknown.