Chapter 339 – This Makes No Sense At All

Chapter 339 - This Makes No Sense At All

In a warm pavilion within the Imperial Garden, the sound of a zither could already be heard.

It was a leisurely and carefree melody.

Hao Jinli walked over with a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Upon entering, Yun Li indeed did not rise from her seat but simply greeted him with a smile.

Her fingers continued to dance on the strings.

Hao Jinli sat opposite her, and Yincha served him his favorite tea.

With a window open, he gazed at the bleak winter scenery outside, finding it rather intriguing.

This year had seen little snow; there was only one decent snowfall after the winter began, but the chill was just as biting.

As Yun Li finished her first piece, she gently plucked a string and began her second composition.

Still, it was a leisurely "Butterfly Lovers."

Though winter lacked butterflies and blooms, with her eyes closed, she played as if it were springtime, flowers in full bloom.

Perhaps, there were flowers in her heart.

He Jinning thought so, but he couldn't tell if the blossoms in her mind were peonies, or some other floral delight.

She has a fondness for lotus flowers, perhaps it's the lotuses?

He Jinli sipped the fragrant tea quietly, never speaking a word.

Yet, such a feeling and atmosphere were splendid.

Outside, Meng Chang and the others watched closely, forbidding anyone from disturbing them, waving away those who greeted from afar.

Indeed, an indiscreet young concubine approached.

Yu Yufu and Li Yufu were stopped from a distance.

They were not allowed to come over and disturb.

The Emperor hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time.

Not to mention anything else, even greetings were considered disturbances.

Yun Li played three pieces in succession before stopping: "How was it?"

"Yun'er, your skill at the qin is indeed improving," He Jinli commented.

"Is it the Emperor's turn now?" Yun Li asked.

He Jinli smiled, stood up, and swapped seats with her. Now, He Jinli playing the qin was all at Yun Li's request.

Every time she requested, He Jinli would fulfill her wish.

Of course, Yun Li didn't make requests without consideration; she always made them when she saw He Jinli had no objections.

If He Jinli was truly in a bad mood, she would not speak up.

Yu Yufu, who hadn't gone far after being sent away, suddenly said, "Who is playing this? It's different from before."

Li Yufu replied, "Perhaps it's His Majesty."

"Can His Majesty play the qin?"

"Yes, but it's said that His Majesty only plays for the Noble Consort. It's rumored that whenever they play the qin together, His Majesty plays only for her. Ah, the Noble Consort is truly blessed," Li Yufu said enviously.

Yu Yufu bit her lip: "Yes, she truly is blessed. We've been in the palace for so long, and none of us have been summoned to serve His Majesty in bed. Has he forgotten about us?"

"Who knows? If he has forgotten, there's nothing we can do. Now that the Empress is in such a state, who cares about us?" Li Yufu sighed.

The two palace ladies walked away, sighing.

For them, the future looked truly bleak.

He Jinli also played three pieces, and by then it was almost noon.

Yun Li leaned against him, "I'm hungry but don't feel like moving, and winter doesn't offer much in terms of scenery to enjoy."

He Jinli wrapped his arm around her: "Let's just stay like this for today. How about we go out of the palace for a walk tomorrow?"

"Alright. Where shall we go?" Yun Li asked.

"Let's just stroll through the streets. Then, I'll take you to a restaurant," He Jinli said.

"Good, with everyone buying New Year goods this month, it should be quite lively," Yun Li smiled.

By noon, the two returned to Yuqu Palace.

With the Ninth Prince not returning by noon, the two of them had their lunch and rested at Yuqu Palace.

In the afternoon, He Jinli had to go back to attend to official duties and would return only in the evening.

In the end, he had no intention of summoning newcomers to serve him in bed.

Truthfully, He Jinli had indeed forgotten about these newcomers.

With the end of the year being so busy, the Empress Dowager couldn't be bothered, and the Empress lacked the confidence to intervene and was equally uninterested.

In her condition, who would she manage for serving in bed?

Yun Li was never one to play the virtuous part; forgetting was your issue, not something I would remind you of.

Now, with the Emperor busy and no one bringing it up, it seems the concubines will have to wait until after the New Year.

By then, Meng Chang should provide a reminder.

It's not right to have none serving in bed; there should be one or two.

The Fifth Prince was very dissatisfied when his engagement was arranged.

He always sought to please the Empress Dowager, who never relented, not wishing to have Princess Mingzhu marry him.

Now, being betrothed to the Liao family, he is still not satisfied, as the Liao's are merely an ordinary fourth-rank official family, offering no prospects for advancement.

Miss Liao herself wasn't particularly beautiful, just average in appearance.

Naturally, he was not pleased.

But imperial edicts are hard to defy, and He Jinli himself was unaware of the Fifth Prince's interest in Princess Mingzhu. Even if he knew, it's not certain he would facilitate their union.

Yet, Princess Mingzhu herself wished to marry into the imperial family.

Indeed, having been spoiled by the Empress Dowager from a young age, she naturally set her sights high as she grew up.

Being accustomed to princes, why would she settle for marrying someone from outside the palace?

Now, with the Imperial Astrologer predicting a favorable destiny for her, she holds an even higher opinion of herself.

And she had a unique vision, subtly hinting to the Empress Dowager that she had her sights set on the Ninth Prince.

Although the Ninth Prince is only twelve years old now, who could resist his good looks?

Not only is he handsome, but his stature is appealing, and despite not being tall, he certainly catches the eye.

Princess Mingzhu isn't much older; in her eyes, he's the perfect choice.

Moreover, she is only a year older than the Ninth Prince.

Of course, if you consider that the Ninth Prince was born in the twelfth lunar month, then it's more than a year.

But being three years older is no issue.

Furthermore, with Consort Wei's favoritism being an open secret, the Ninth Prince's chances of becoming the Crown Prince are quite high.

Marrying him could potentially mean becoming the Crown Princess, the future Empress.

For a young girl of Zhang Tong's age, this is an enormous attraction.

Thus, she found herself irresistibly drawn to the Ninth Prince.

However, she also knew not to make her choice too early, and while she hinted at the Empress Dowager, she also kept an eye on the Sixth and Tenth Princes.

These two also had chances of becoming the Crown Prince.

Of course, she favored the Ninth Prince the most, but if he could not become the Crown Prince, she would switch her preference.

Yun Li, of course, was unaware of these matters, and the Ninth Prince didn't care much for Princess Mingzhu's attentions either.

Truthfully, even though he had started to appreciate beauty, Zhang Tong wasn't on his radar.

His own mother was a stunning beauty, and he had Lu Wei by his side, who was extremely beautiful as well.

Having seen such beauties, his standards were high, and Zhang Tong just didn't appeal to him.

To be honest, Empress Dowager Lin herself was of average appearance.

How beautiful can Princess Hua Ying be? Even with the late Emperor's improved genes, she's just above average.

There are many beauties in the palace, and in terms of looks alone, she and her daughter really don't stand out.

Zhang Tong's father is indeed a handsome man, but unfortunately, she takes after her mother.

Not to say she's unattractive, in the common folk she would be considered extremely beautiful, but in the harem, she doesn't stand out.

The Ninth Prince, having no other faults, likely has high standards due to being surrounded by his stunning mother and handsome father daily.

So, Zhang Tong casting flirtatious glances his way is essentially like winking at a blind man.

Not only is she not favored, but the Ninth Prince doesn't even entertain the thought.

The Empress Dowager's granddaughter, what does she have to do with me?

You're suggesting I marry her? Are you joking? Why would I marry her?

It's completely pointless!