Chapter 0014: Jasmine

Chapter 0014: Jasmine

"I cannot serve the emperor now, but next time he comes, you should be the one to serve him. Don't be so timid. I am a few years older than you; think of me as your sister. Come on, lift your head and speak," Consort De said with a smile.

Consort De was always gentle with others, and her words naturally made one feel at ease.

Even if Yu Shiyu was nervous, she felt much more comfortable than before.

Consort De's way of praising wasn’t just through words.

Indeed, four days later, when the emperor visited Zhaohua Palace again, it was Yu Shiyu who served in his bedchamber.

After serving in the imperial bedchamber, the court lady naturally became an imperial concubine.

A difference in rank meant a world of difference.

When Yunli saw He Jinli again, it was mid-June. The two hadn't met since the journey to the summer palace, over twenty days ago.

He Jinli was listening to the guqin in the Imperial Garden and had summoned Yunli alone.

Today, Yunli wore a consort-colored dress embroidered with fluttering apricot blossoms.

Her double-looped bun was tied with a ribbon of the same consort color, adorned with a pair of gold hairpins highlighted with hibiscus, and pearl tassels hanging on either side.

Further embellished with a few pearl flowers.

Gracefully and elegantly, she approached like the last apricot blossom rain of late spring.

Exceedingly beautiful, a sight one yearns to see again, yet uncertain of when.

He Jinli, listening to the melodious guqin, watched the beauty approaching him, truly a splendid scene.

"Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be in peace," Yunli approached and her gesture of greeting was exceedingly graceful.

"Watching my consort approach, she seems like an apricot blossom fairy descending from heaven at the end of spring. My consort's beauty is indeed extraordinary," He Jinli said with a smile, tapping his folding fan to signal her to rise.

"Your Majesty really thinks so, but I am no fragile apricot blossom fairy. If I were to choose, I'd be a cunning pipa spirit. Lethally toxic, who would dare to bully me?" Yun Li said with a playful smile.

"Tsk," He Jingli pulled her into his embrace, "You do have a wicked heart."

"Has Your Majesty not heard 'a face like a flower, but a heart like a knife'? Men and women are both human; Your Majesty mustn't think that women can't be ruthless," Yun Li wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Oh? How lethal is my consort's poison?" He Jingli asked, pinching her chin.

"My poison, even if it pierces Your Majesty, will cause no harm, for Your Majesty is a true dragon. Your divine might, please spare me," Yun Li cooed.

He Jingli released her, "You're quite mischievous."

Yun Li sat up, facing him, "Your Majesty seems quite at ease today."

"Even I need a rest when there's nothing pressing in court," He Jingli said, taking a sip of tea.

"Your Majesty works hard and deserves rest," Yun Li supported her chin.

"What has my consort been up to lately?" He Jingli inquired.

"I'm not particularly skilled at music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Lately, I've just been reading some plays and occasionally walking in the garden. It's hot, so I stay inside and sleep. Then I wait for Your Majesty," Yun Li replied.

He Jingli laughed, "You're quite straightforward."

Yun Li picked a grape from the plate on the table, "Your Majesty, please eat."

He Jingli remained indifferent.

Yun Li peeled the grape skin and offered it again, but just as He Jingli was about to eat, she popped the grape into her own mouth, "Stealing from Your Majesty tastes so good."

He Jingli shook his head, not minding her antics.

Such a vibrant and lively woman was, of course, pleasing to his eyes.

As the music ended, He Jingli didn't call for the next piece but instead had everything cleared away.

"Let's go. The jasmine flowers are in perfect bloom; let's have a look."

Yun Li nodded and stood up, and they both headed towards the area abundant with jasmine, the fragrance becoming noticeable even before they arrived.

Jasmine, though small, has a dominantly sweet scent. When in full bloom, the fragrance is even more overpowering.

The area with the most jasmine was not far from the Empress Dowager's Cian Palace.

However, there's a small garden behind Cian Palace, and the Empress Dowager seldom visits here to enjoy the flowers.

Yun Li thought that perhaps the Emperor had ordered the guards to keep people away from the Imperial Garden, explaining why they hadn’t encountered anyone for so long.

After walking a while with the Emperor, just as Yun Li was feeling tired, he said, "Tired, aren't you? I haven't visited your residence yet; let's go and see."

Yun Li agreed, and they left the Imperial Garden, heading towards her residence, Le'an Palace.

Le'an Palace was a medium-sized palace located on the eastern side.

Yun Li resided in a section of the eastern side palaces.

The main hall was yet without a master, and she was the sole mistress of the entire palace.

Le'an Palace was not dilapidated, but it was not considered one of the better locations either.

Yun Li was aware that initially, the Noble Consort wanted her to stay in Yuzhi Palace, but someone influential had intervened behind the scenes, leaving her isolated here.

Actually, Yun Li preferred it this way.

Since the Emperor had come, she had the main hall arranged appropriately; he wouldn't be accompanying Yun Li to the side hall for the night.

After all, the main hall was unoccupied.

However, the Emperor did condescend to visit the side hall: "It's not too bad for my consort here."

"Your Majesty jests. I'm just Baolin, nothing to be aggrieved about. Seeing Your Majesty is a privilege in itself," Yun Li responded.

With the Emperor's arrival, naturally, all necessary items were replaced.

Yun Li personally brewed tea for the Emperor. Her tea-making skills were quite decent, a basic skill she had learned from childhood.

At that moment, the Empress sent someone with honeydew melons, courteously saying, "The Empress said these were just delivered to the Inner Affairs Department and thought Le'an Palace might not have any. It's for Your Majesty and Qi Baolin to enjoy."

He Jingli smiled, "The Empress is thoughtful."

"I thank the Empress for her gracious gift," Yun Li bowed.

The messenger hurriedly demurred and then took their leave.

The empress was not really there to intercept; she was simply concerned about the emperor and Qi Baolin missing their meal.

Yunli couldn't help but admire the Empress's magnanimity.

This wave of goodwill was so convincing that, whether the Emperor believed it or not, she was inclined to believe it herself.

With the Empress's maneuver, there were no further disturbances afterward.

Those who were initially eager to stir trouble no longer dared to make a move.

In the deep of the night, Yunli lay on the Emperor's chest, her finger white as jade, gently poking his shoulder blade: "Your Majesty, why are you so mischievous, always reluctant to exert effort?"

"Didn't my consort say I am weary? Knowing that I am tired, why won't you exert effort on my behalf?" He Jinli said languidly.

Perhaps it was the extremity of satisfaction, even his speech was lazier than usual. Those who heard him could feel his extreme relaxation at the moment.

"Hmph, Your Majesty is just bullying me. I should eat more and grow heavier, so I can numb Your Majesty's legs," Yunli muttered.

He Jinli chuckled softly: "Is my consort truly tired?"

"I'm out of strength anyway. Even with Your Majesty's allure before me, I just can't indulge anymore." What's wrong with you, enjoying being active like this?

He Jinli laughed again, his chest vibrating. Suddenly, he rolled over, pinning her down: "Since my consort can't indulge, how about I take the initiative?"

Yunli gave him a reproachful look.

He Jinli lowered his head, biting her beautiful red lips, his voice muffled: "Quite the temptress..."

Yunli made a sound, her voice completely swallowed up.

The light flickered, and rain began to fall outside, unknown when it started. The cool breeze of the midsummer night blew gently, but inside the room, the atmosphere was intensely heated.