Chapter 26

Chapter 26

"Beauty, His Majesty has summoned you to the Xuan Room to serve him with his writing implements. The sedan chair sent to fetch you is already outside the hall."

"Hmm?" Fan Xueyao rose in surprise, placing her book back on the desk and heading towards the sleeping quarters in the western wing.

She had been in the palace for about two months now and had a general understanding of the situation inside. The emperor was not particularly interested in women, a fact she had come to realize. In the past, he rarely called upon concubines to attend him, showing little interest in such matters, let alone engaging in the elegant pastime of having beauties add fragrance to his study. As far as she knew, even the empress, who was his lawful wife, had never been summoned to accompany him while he wrote. Today, however, he had summoned her to do so, which was quite unusual compared to his usual behavior.

Huaping was overjoyed and instructed Qiaoqiao and Su'e to fetch various seasonal dresses and accessories, intending to dress Fan Xueyao in her finest attire. This was the first time she would be serving the emperor with his writing implements, an honor that even Wan Zhaoyi, who had been the emperor's concubine since his days as the crown prince, had never experienced. It was truly a great honor, one that would surely make other concubines envious.

Seeing the dazzling array of bright yellow, vivid red, and purple dresses that Su'e brought, Fan Xueyao quickly said, "Wearing such flashy clothes, am I going there to serve the emperor or to blind him? Please bring some simpler and more elegant ones."

Su'e slapped her forehead in realization, saying, "Oh, how foolish of me." She hurriedly went to find suitable dresses.

"Aren't there some light-colored silk dresses with floral patterns? Those would be perfect. Also, bring out the blue-green silk skirt."

The dresses were brought, and Fan Xueyao had Huaping and Qiaoqiao try them on together. Seeing that the colors matched well, she nodded. "This set will do. Help me with my hair. We shouldn't keep the palace servants waiting."

Su'e took a carved ivory comb and styled her hair into a floating cloud hairstyle, kneeling behind her and looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror. "Beauty, what accessories should we use today?"

Fan Xueyao had brought her dowry chest when she entered the palace, filled with items her mother Li Rong had collected. After entering the palace, she received additional items according to protocol, and Chu Nan had bestowed a set upon her. Later, the Shang Gong Bureau also presented several individual pieces. Collectively, the number of accessories was quite substantial. Zhu Zhu opened the chests containing the jewelry boxes, pulling out the small drawers and presenting them to Fan Xueyao for selection.

Today's outfit was elegant and fresh, not suited for flashy jewelry. A few days ago, she had mentioned how much she liked the peach blossom accessories given by the emperor, so it wouldn't be appropriate to change her mind too soon. However, wearing the same set repeatedly could lead to visual fatigue, so she decided to mix it up with a few other pieces.

Instead of using the peach blossom hairpins, she chose a smaller gold-encrusted ruby butterfly hairpin from another set. Though smaller and shorter, the design was intricate. The butterfly's body was adorned with rubies, and its wings were delicately shaped. The most unique feature was the fine golden wire used for the butterfly's antennae, each tipped with a pearl. As she walked, the antennae would tremble, creating a delicate and charming effect.

She also added a few peach blossom hairpins scattered throughout her hair and had someone pick a half-blooming jasmine flower to pin in her hair. The result was fresh and captivating, like a delicate orchid in a quiet valley. Though not overly ornate, it had a charming allure that captivated anyone who saw it.

Huaping, Qiaoqiao, Su'e, and Zhu Zhu all smiled and praised her graceful appearance.

They boarded the sedan chair and headed towards the Xuan Room. Upon arrival, Li Huairen, who was outside, hurried down the moon terrace to greet them. After exchanging pleasantries, he said, "Please wait a moment, Beauty, while I inform His Majesty."

"Thank you, Eunuch Li," Fan Xueyao said politely. Li Huairen seemed increasingly respectful and friendly towards her, indicating her status in Chu Nan's heart. Although she didn't know how Chu Nan behaved when she wasn't around, Li Huairen's attitude revealed something.

Li Huairen quickly entered the hall and returned after a few minutes, inviting her in.

Entering the Xuan Room, Fan Xueyao noticed that Chu Nan was not in the central chamber. It was her first visit, and she wasn't sure where he might be. There were no palace maids in the hall, so she waited for a moment before tentatively walking towards the western chamber. There, Chu Nan sat on a couch, a green inkstone desk with several documents in front of him, reading one of them.

He put down the document and waved her over. Seeing the graceful woman with her fair skin and raven hair, his previously stern face broke into a smile, though he didn't realize it himself.

Chu Nan had been reading documents from the political office when Fan Xueyao arrived. He set aside the documents and invited her to sit next to him on the couch.

Fan Xueyao did not refuse, her serene and elegant smile turning sweet as she greeted him with a bow and sat beside him, leaning against his arm. "Your Majesty."

"It's been a few days since we last met. How have you been?" Chu Nan's smile deepened as he wrapped his arm around her.

Fan Xueyao nestled into his embrace, recalling the past few days. "I haven't visited the Empress in a few days. The day before yesterday, I paid my respects to her, and she offered me tea, but I only took a sip."

"The weather is getting hotter, and I dare not wear any makeup or even draw my eyebrows. Otherwise, under the sun, my face would become a mess of white, red, and black, which might scare the Empress."

"Although the food from the kitchen is good, it feels a bit greasy this time of year. With the heat, it's hard to enjoy it. I've been thinking about setting up our own kitchen in the palace to avoid troubling the kitchen staff too much."

As she spoke, her index finger unconsciously caressed Chu Nan's wrist.

Chu Nan, born into nobility and raised in luxury, had skin smoother than many commoners. During intimate moments, she would often hold his waist, feeling the warmth and softness, which always elicited a pleasant sensation.

"Greasy?" Chu Nan frowned slightly, recalling his own menu. "There's no need for such trouble. Your chambers aren't very spacious, and if you start cooking, the smoke would fill your rooms. It would be better to avoid that."

"I have a few dishes that are light and refreshing. Tomorrow, I'll instruct the kitchen to send them to your chambers daily." These dishes were part of the imperial menu, beyond the standard provisions for a beauty.

Receiving food from the emperor was an honor, usually reserved for the empress, favored concubines, and princes and princesses. Daily deliveries were different from occasional gifts. Most people would kneel in gratitude, but Fan Xueyao pouted and shook her head. "No, it would be too ostentatious to have the emperor send food to my chambers every day. It would invite jealousy."

In truth, she simply didn't want to eat the food. Despite being imperial cuisine, it lacked variety and tasted the same. She longed for the diverse modern foods she missed.

She told Chu Nan this to let him know she would be more assertive when requesting ingredients from the supply office.

Chu Nan sighed. "You think too much. Jealousy isn't an issue here. The imperial concubines strive to appear dignified and virtuous, not envious."

Historical examples abounded. Even during the reign of the previous emperor, a favored concubine's sister became jealous and was punished severely.

"Alright, alright..." Fan Xueyao held his hand, blinking and pouting adorably. Her charm was irresistible, and Chu Nan relented.

"But your chambers only have four kitchen maids. They can manage simple meals, but handling full meals might be difficult." Chu Nan thought for a moment. "I'll assign a few more cooks from the kitchen to assist you. Their salaries and supplies will come from my private treasury."

"Is that okay?" Fan Xueyao hesitated, biting her lip. "I'm just a beauty, and receiving such special treatment might cause trouble."

"This is a minor matter. Don't worry too much." Chu Nan dismissed her concerns. As the emperor, he could handle any issues.

Relieved, Fan Xueyao smiled warmly and nestled into Chu Nan's embrace.

Chu Nan hadn't seen Fan Xueyao for a few days due to his busy schedule and the empress's preparations for the Tiankuang Festival. He had missed her and couldn't help but summon her. Now, holding her familiar and gentle form, he felt content.

Fan Xueyao stayed in the Xuan Room for over an hour, but they only conversed intimately, mindful of their surroundings. Before leaving, Chu Nan informed her that he would dine at the Spreading Fragrance Hall that evening. Naturally, it implied more than just dinner.

It was the first time Chu Nan had visited a concubine's residence; the only place he had been to was the empress's Jiaofang Palace. Fan Xueyao was glad she had decorated the Spreading Fragrance Hall beautifully over the past two months.

The important documents from the political office were few, mostly concerning death sentences and commendations for capturing bandits in Hunan. Chu Nan quickly reviewed them and then met with ministers to discuss the flood relief in Shandong. The discussions dragged on until evening, leaving Chu Nan with a headache. Remembering his promise to Fan Xueyao, he decided to visit the Spreading Fragrance Hall to relax.

Considering Fan Xueyao's earlier complaint about the heat, Chu Nan instructed the eunuchs not to notify her and went directly to the hall. As he stepped off the sedan chair, he was greeted by a pleasant aroma and a tangy scent.

The smell made his mouth water, easing his headache and giving him renewed energy. He walked through the front hall into the rear chambers. Fan Xueyao was practicing calligraphy in the eastern study. Chu Nan dismissed Huaping and Su'e, who were about to greet him, and entered the study himself.