Chapter 0010: The Trip to the Southern Garden

Chapter 0010: The Trip to the Southern Garden

Zhang Baolin sighed and shook her head.

"Once you enter the palace gates, it's like being in a deep sea," a saying that always applies to the women in the palace.

The carriage ride took about two hours, and Yunli's rear end was numb from sitting so long.

Finally, they arrived near the Southern Garden.

Upon reaching there, they had to slow down and proceed gently.

Since the Emperor was there for hunting, it wasn’t just him and the concubines.

There were also some court officials and royal relatives.

The main gate of the Southern Garden was not an option for Yunli and her group; they had to take a detour through another entrance.

Heading straight to their lodgings.

The accommodations here were not like the palace; only the Emperor’s Zhengde Hall was a grand hall.

The rest, even the foremost residences, were merely pavilions.

To the west, there was an area designated for outsiders, separated to avoid conflicts. Yunli was assigned to a pavilion, which was unnamed.

The pavilion was actually quite spacious and boasted a nice view, with mountains visible opposite.

Yun Li stepped out of the carriage still feeling a bit floaty.

Zhang Baolin's quarters weren't far. After bidding each other goodbye, they each returned to their respective places.

Yun Li had just started to rest when Li Mu came again, summoning her to accompany the Emperor.

Yun Li really felt...

Fortunately, she had just changed her clothes, so she went straight away.

In Zhengde Hall, Emperor He Jinli had also changed into a dark purple casual attire, his hair tied up with a golden crown, and was drinking tea.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects," Yun Li approached.

"Come," Emperor He Jinli gestured to a seat beside him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Yun Li expressed her gratitude and then sat down.

"You look a bit pale. Tired from the journey?" Emperor He Jinli asked.

"I'm not tired, just the ride was quite bumpy, made me a bit nauseous, but I'm feeling better now," Yun Li replied.

"Then it seems I've been inconsiderate? Had I known, I wouldn't have asked you to come," Emperor He Jinli said.

"Your Majesty!" Yunli called out playfully, feigning annoyance: "Even if I feel unwell, seeing Your Majesty makes me better. Your Majesty is like a panacea."

"Quite bold, comparing me to medicine," He Jinli hummed.

"My mistake, Your Majesty isn’t medicine, but a true dragon. For mortals, seeing an immortal would cure all ailments," Yunli said.

"Smooth talker, come here," He Jinli beckoned.

Yunli got up and sat on his lap, "I won't talk nonsense anymore, I just missed you."

He Jinli wrapped an arm around her waist, "We just met a few days ago in the Imperial Garden."

"But Your Majesty barely looked at me then. It wasn't appropriate to stare with so many people around. I didn’t get enough of you," Yunli murmured.

"Then take a good look now," He Jinli said.

"Then Your Majesty must not blame me for gazing directly at your divine countenance," Yunli tilted her head.

"Hmm, I won't blame you."

"Yun Li indeed shamelessly gazed upon him. Ah, this man is so handsome."

"It made the emperor feel uneasy: 'Tsk, isn't this enough already?'"

"Yun Li then leaned into his embrace: 'Your Majesty asked me to look, yet won't allow me to look to my heart's content...'"

"The complaint was sweet yet tinged with a hint of sourness."

Emperor He Jinli, in a good mood, patted her back, "You have the nerve to blame me? Why didn't you speak up earlier when I asked if you were wronged?"

Yun Li grabbed the fabric of the Emperor's robe, "Well... it's not easy to say in front of so many people. It was my elder sister who hit me. But... there's no use in talking about it. Whether it's my sister or the Noble Consort, they can both hit me. There’s nothing I can do about it."

"I'm listening, and it sounds like you were wronged. So tell me, why did the Noble Consort hit you? She's known for her leniency, and it's the first time I've heard of her hitting anyone. Did you do something wrong?" Emperor He Jinli inquired.

Emperor He Jinli was well aware that the woman in his arms was no fool.

It didn’t matter to him whether she played dumb or was protecting herself.

He just found her actions intriguing.

In just over two months since entering the palace, she had successfully made everyone aware of her discord with the Noble Consort. Whether it was real or an act, time would tell.

"Your Majesty is cunning," Yun Li looked up at Emperor He Jinli again.

Her eyes were sly.

Emperor He Jinli, looking down, couldn't resist biting her red lips.

"Ah..." Yun Li hurriedly dodged, only to fall into his embrace: "Your Majesty is really mischievous, not only playing tricks but also biting."

"Hehe, how have I been mischievous?" He Jin Li asked with interest.

"Your Majesty must be teasing me deliberately. Before I entered the palace, I had never met Your Majesty, so how could I know what kind of person you are? Now that I know, Your Majesty is naughty."

"Big sister punished me, obviously because I was disobedient. But I am willing to be Your Majesty's concubine, not her subordinate. Your Majesty knows this too, yet you still ask me. It's a difficult question to answer. If I say I only wish to be a good concubine, it seems like I'm flattering you. If I speak ill of big sister, then... it would be unkind of me. Your Majesty's question puts me in a tough spot, I'm just a newcomer to the palace, a Baolin. I'm also afraid of saying something wrong and losing Your Majesty's favor. I might end up sitting alone by the incense burner until dawn..."

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt, her voice muffled and low, holding onto He Jin Li's clothes tightly.

This posture was truly pitiable.

The Emperor looked at her and couldn't help feeling a bit of pity, even knowing there was an element of acting in her behavior...

But then, which woman in the harem doesn't put on an act?

Being able to elicit pity through acting is a skill of hers, and besides, even though it's acting, there's still some truth in it.

Indeed, at this moment, if Qi Yun Li showed eagerness to attack the noble consort, the Emperor, even if he didn't care much for the noble consort, would probably not like it.

Therefore, He Jin Li reached out and pinched the back of her neck: "Alright, I won't ask you anymore. Don't pretend like this."

Yun Li just hummed, then hugged He Jin Li: "Let me hug you."

She switched to acting coquettishly.

Being coquetted by a beauty, He Jin Li still accepted it.

However, no woman had ever coquetted in such a manner before. Forcibly hugging and the like, indeed no one dared.

He was indifferent to it, even found it novel, and let her hug him for a while.

Yun Li released her hold on her own: "Your Majesty, your legs must be numb, right? I'll get down now."

She obediently got down: "It's almost time for dinner, shall I serve Your Majesty?"

"Are you the one who's hungry?" He Jin Li chuckled.

"I was thinking Your Majesty must be hungrier," Yun Li said with a pleasing smile.

He Jin Li pinched her nose and then called for the meal to be served.

At this hour, after dinner, it was certain she would stay to serve him for the night.

There was no doubt about it.

Having just arrived at the Nanyuan, others wouldn't dare to interfere.

But how many teeth were gnashed in secret, that was unknown.

He Jin Li was very satisfied today.

Yun Li lay on his chest: "Your Majesty is so strong. Give me a massage."

Saying this, she took his hand and placed it on her waist.

He Jin Li didn't push her away at this moment, instead he began to massage her.

In the Nanyuan in May, the nights weren't hot, and Yun Li fell asleep slowly leaning against the Emperor.

She slept surprisingly well, only to be woken up in the morning by Meng Chang.