Chapter 0028: I Refuse

Chapter 0028: I Refuse

The Emperor chuckled and shook his head lightly.

"My consort is indeed clever in her own way."

Yun Li pretended not to understand and tilted her head to look at the Emperor.

The Emperor didn’t mind.

"Why didn't my consort initially reside in Yuzhi Palace?" He Jinli suddenly asked.

"I don't know. Originally, like everyone else, I was staying in Qingfang Hall. When the imperial decree came, it didn't specify where to stay. The next day, eunuchs led us to our respective residences, and I was taken to Le'an Palace. But Le'an Palace is also very nice, and it’s peaceful living there alone," Yun Li explained.

He Jinli smiled.

Although he didn't concern himself with these trivial matters, he knew that the noble consort initially wanted to keep her in her own palace.

The reason why it didn’t happen was that someone was displeased.

"Since my consort likes Le'an Palace, I won't move you from there," He Jinli said.

"Yes, as long as I can see Your Majesty, anywhere is fine," Yun Li nodded in agreement.

He Jinli smiled again, pulling her close: "My consort is truly considerate."

Yun Li boldly wrapped her arms around the emperor's waist: "That sounds like flattery, Your Majesty."

He Jinli looked down at this audacious concubine. Never had a woman dared to be so bold with him.

Yet, as she looked up at him, her eyes shone brightly.

In those narrow, captivating eyes, there was no nervousness, only... joy?

"My consort is quite daring," He Jinli said, his words ambiguous as to whether he referred to her actions or her words.

Yun Li didn't mind and just rested her head against the emperor's chest.

It was a while before she let go.

"Since my consort wrote a verse for me today, I shall also give you something." Saying this, he took off the jade pendant he was wearing and handed it to her: "Take it."

Yun Li accepted it with a beaming curtsy: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Then she joyfully attached it to her waist.

Naturally, it didn't quite fit; the jade pendant was large, designed for a man.

Moreover, it featured a dragon pattern and was adorned with a crimson tassel.

It clashed terribly with her outfit for the day.

He Jinli shook his head and had it taken away by a servant, "Send this to her palace."

Yun Li pouted, "Is Your Majesty in such a hurry to send me away?"

He Jinli didn't respond, simply instructing the servant to leave.

During the evening meal, He Jinli had some wine brought in.

It was a low-alcohol plum wine, pleasing in color and taste.

Yun Li enjoyed it, and she and the emperor shared a pot.

The pot wasn’t large, just enough for the two to feel a slight buzz.

They felt quite comfortable.

Today, bolstered by the wine, Yun Li adamantly refused to take the initiative.

She playfully clung to the emperor's distinctively knuckled hand, refusing to let go.

He Jinli, realizing her mischief, laughed and carried her into the inner chamber.

Although He Jinli could sometimes be a bit lazy in intimate moments, it wasn't the case with everyone.

Sometimes, with the concubines attending his bed, their affectation... annoyed him a bit.

But Yun Li was different.

She truly was a stunning enchantress.

Today, however, the enchantress was not in the mood. He Jinli felt he could completely indulge a still appealing young concubine.

Still, Yun Li didn’t have an easy time, yawning continuously on her way to pay respects the next day.

And that was after having half a cup of strong, warm tea before leaving.

It was really something.

In Fengyi Palace, the atmosphere was less than pleasant.

Ever since the incident with Consort Jin De, there had been a constant air of gloom.

The Empress couldn't relax until the person behind it was found.

When the Empress was tense, her subordinates couldn’t be at ease either.

But despite the tense atmosphere, verbal sparring was inevitable.

Ever since Xu Baolin realized the Emperor's waning affection for the noble consort, she kept lamenting why she had to live in Yuzhi Palace.

As a result, she became resentful towards Qi Yun Li.

How come, being a Baolin as well, she got to serve the Emperor, while Xu Baolin had only done so once?

Recently, the frequency of Yun Li attending the Emperor had increased. Although not the most frequent among the newcomers, with Hua Baolin and Sun Baolin ahead, she wasn’t particularly conspicuous.

Sun Baolin's favor, it must be said, was partly due to her favorable living quarters.

She lived in the former Consort Lan's Zuiyun Palace.

The Emperor often visited Consort Lan, so even if just for appearances, Sun Baolin was allowed to serve him a few times.

This made Xu Baolin even more resentful towards Yun Li.

She believed it was because Yun Li didn’t stay in Yuzhi Palace that she was so unlucky.

She dared not resent the noble consort, so wasn’t it convenient to blame Yun Li?

So, whenever Yun Li served the Emperor, could Xu Baolin hold back her words?

"Now that everyone in the harem is grieving over Consort De’s matter, only Qi Baolin seems to be at ease."

Yun Li???

"What do you mean by that, Xu Baolin?" Yun Li frowned. "How have I shown indifference?"

"Isn’t it obvious? All of us who entered this year are mourning Consort De, dressing plainly. Look at the hairpin on your head, so bright and colorful. It clearly shows you have no regard for Consort De," Xu Baolin retorted.

With that, everyone's attention turned to Yun Li's head.

Indeed, there was a golden hairpin with jade and dangling jade tassels.

The gold wire wrapped around a piece of jade carved into a fan shape, an indication of its high quality.

The key was, it was made from a single piece of jade, beautifully interwoven with gold wire, both pretty and sturdy.

Yun Li angrily retorted, "If you don’t understand, then keep quiet! This was a gift from His Majesty this morning, should I not wear it? Didn’t you see my aqua-green dress?"

"Hmph, are you flaunting your favor? There are noble ladies here more favored than you, but none of them flaunt it!" Xu Baolin said.

"Xu Baolin, are you ill? I answer your question, and you accuse me of showing off? I might not flaunt it to the noble ladies, but with you, I think it's entirely appropriate. Stop your insinuations. It’s pointless; the Emperor will never favor a jealous woman!" Yun Li exclaimed loudly.

"You! Qi Yun Li, you have no shame!" Xu Baolin was furious.

"Have you had enough?" The Empress suddenly slammed the table.

Yun Li and Xu Baolin hurriedly knelt down.

"Xu Baolin, speaking without getting the facts straight is indeed wrong. However, Qi Baolin, this is the harem, and such harsh words are against the rules. In my view, you should be punished," the noble consort interjected calmly.

The Empress, already irritated, was about to react when the noble consort cut in, making her even more furious.

But Yun Li reacted even more swiftly.

Yun Li suddenly stood up, "Noble Consort, how strange! On what grounds do you say these things? It was Xu Baolin who started the unpleasant talk. Should I just accept it? Now, with your words, is it because you are being fair, or because you want to assert your authority over someone related to you?"

"Qi Baolin, mind your language," the noble consort frowned.

"I refuse!" Yun Li retorted angrily, "You have no right to criticize me."