Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

She had only dozed for a moment when she immediately sensed an unfamiliar presence. She opened her eyes at once. The emperor stood before her in a bright yellow sleeping robe. Clean-cut features showed a handsome face.

His straight posture carried the noble air that came with being the emperor. Oh my god-he was absolutely a handsome uncle-type. Good thing he was not that “Fat Tangerine” from the drama, or it would have been a little hard to swallow.

“Well? Are you satisfied?” His teasing question came with a smile.

Li Si Qi nodded without hesitation. “Satisfied-more than satisfied. Your Majesty really is handsome and imposing. No wonder you have all the women in the harem swooning over you.”

“Hahaha…” It was the first time the emperor had heard praise this direct, and he laughed heartily. “I’ve long heard that Answerer Xin has a straightforward temper and likes to speak her mind. Now I see it’s true.”

Li Si Qi gave a coquettish snort. “Your Majesty really knows how to talk. This concubine likes hearing it.”

“You silly girl.” The emperor was in an excellent mood. After he got into bed, he pulled her out of the blankets in one sweep. Stroking her soft, tender cheek, he said with a smile, “Looks like you were pampered at home, too?”

“Your Majesty, you’re wrong.” Li Si Qi burrowed into his arms. “I had a father who doted on a concubine and trampled the principal wife, and a mother whose eyes are almost going blind. This concubine was bullied since I was little. I’m pitiful.”

“Oh? Really?” The emperor was a little surprised. He had not expected her family background to be like that.

“This concubine wouldn’t dare deceive Your Majesty.” Li Si Qi looked at him innocently. “My father even bought his office. He has no ability, only the mindset and manners of a petty man who got lucky. If my mother hadn’t used her embroidery to earn money and buy him that post, he’d just be an ordinary commoner.”

A complicated look flashed through the emperor’s eyes. “You silly girl, you really dare to say anything.”

“Because I don’t want to deceive Your Majesty.” Li Si Qi tilted her head and spoke earnestly. “Besides, it’s all true. Your Majesty can send people to investigate and you’ll know, so why would I lie? And as for my parents, this concubine can’t make choices for them. No matter what, being able to enter the palace and serve Your Majesty is this concubine’s greatest blessing.”

“That little mouth of yours really can talk.” The emperor smiled faintly. He disliked bought offices, yet he had to accept that such things existed. More importantly, what this girl said had struck a chord with him.

If An’s father had not held an official post, this silly girl could never have entered the palace and become his concubine. The more he touched her tender skin, the hotter the emperor’s gaze grew. He had always liked soft, delicate beauties, and without realizing it, his voice lowered. “What fragrance did you put on?

It smells nice.”

“Hehe!” Li Si Qi grinned foolishly. “This concubine doesn’t like incense. It’s my own scent. Does Your Majesty like it?”

“Is that so?” The emperor clearly did not believe her. He teased, “Lying to the emperor is a serious crime.”

“This concubine isn’t lying. Your Majesty, don’t wrong me.” “Whether you lied or not, I’ll check for myself.” “How is Your Majesty going to check?”

“Silly girl, of course like this.” “Ah…”… Outside the bedchamber door, Su Pei Sheng seemed to be resting with his eyes closed.

Hearing that unfamiliar yet sweet and foolish voice from inside, he felt respect from the bottom of his heart and could not muster even a trace of hatred. Ever since he learned that his fellow townsman Cui Jin Xi had been sent to sweep the garden, he had harbored some resentment toward that talkative Answerer Xin. He had been planning to find a chance to help Cui Jin Xi vent her anger. But after one night passed, when he thought of it again, he immediately felt that the fault lay entirely with Zhen Huan, Attendant Wan.

If she had not been arrogant and self-important, how would she have dared to move into the main hall of Sui Yu Pavilion as a mere attendant? If she had not done wrong, how would Consort Hua have sent people to drive Cui Jin Xi to the Imperial Garden to sweep? As Attendant Wan’s servant, Cui Jin Xi could not even be protected by her own mistress and instead was dragged down by her. In that case, arranging for Cui Jin Xi to serve Attendant Wan did not seem like a good idea at all.

These past days, he had noticed that although the emperor liked Attendant Wan, he did not seem to favor her particularly. It looked like it would be better to send Cui Jin Xi to another palace and keep her farther away from Attendant Wan. After making up his mind, Su Pei Sheng rested with ease. Time passed quickly.

Just then, Xiao Xia Zi stepped forward and lowered his voice. “Master, it’s almost third watch. Should we…?”

“Don’t be nosy.” Su Pei Sheng opened his eyes at once and scolded softly. “His Majesty is enjoying himself for once. Don’t disturb him.”

Even though water had already been called three times, he did not care. When His Majesty was at his strongest, he had called for water five times. He did not know whether the person inside could break that record tonight.

“Yes.” Xiao Xia Zi obeyed. His eyes flicked around, and he asked again, “Master, the people from the Service Office are still waiting…” Every time the emperor summoned a concubine to serve him, the people from the Service Office would stand by to record how many times he called for water and how long it lasted.

That was because the Vermilion Records noted the year, month, day, and hour of the emperor’s visits to his concubines, so it could be checked and verified later in case of pregnancy. The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and any consort who held authority over the harem all had the right to view the Vermilion Records. So no matter how many times the emperor spent the night with a concubine, it could not be hidden. If a concubine dared to cling to the emperor too many times, the Empress Dowager and the Empress could punish her for seducing His Majesty or endangering his health.

As the emperor’s chief eunuch, Su Pei Sheng knew all of this inside out. He also understood that once the emperor called for water more than three times, it would surely alarm the mistresses of the harem. So he immediately signaled Xiao Xia Zi forward and quietly instructed him, “Go tell the people from the Service Office they can leave.”

“This one understands.” Xiao Xia Zi was a shrewd one. He agreed and went to find the eunuchs from the Service Office. After receiving a reward, the eunuchs from the Service Office would not say anything extra.

Anyway, it was not the first time they had left early. They wrote down that water had been called three times tonight in the Vermilion Records, then packed up and left at once. To them, how many times His Majesty called for water and how long it lasted did not matter at all. As long as they did not miss the record for tonight’s bedchamber service, that was enough….

“Your Majesty, it’s time for morning court!” Su Pei Sheng’s voice rang out. The emperor, who had only rested for an hour, woke at the sound. With the palace maids attending him, he rose.

At that moment, the emperor felt full of spirit, as if he had eaten an immortals’ pill. His whole body was brimming with energy. He could not help feeling surprised and taken aback, and his gaze drifted to Li Si Qi. Su Pei Sheng secretly followed his gaze.

At a glance, he saw that tender, dewy face. Something seemed to tremble in his chest. He quickly lowered his eyes and did not dare be so impudent again.

“Issue an edict: Answerer Xin is promoted to Attendant Xin.” The emperor’s voice suddenly sounded. “Su Pei Sheng, after court, remember to send Attendant Xin generous rewards. And grant her a palanquin back to Yan Xi Palace.”

“Yes!” Su Pei Sheng replied swiftly. The palace maids dressing the emperor could not help letting envy flash through their eyes. After the emperor left with his attendants, Li Si Qi woke up in time.

With Lu He happily serving her, she tidied herself up and rode the palanquin the emperor had granted back. When she returned to Yan Xi Palace, she bathed and washed again. After eating a few pieces of pastry, she prepared to go to Jing Ren Palace to pay her respects.

“Congratulations to you.” Xia Dong Chun said the words of congratulations, yet she still looked down on Li Si Qi. Li Si Qi did not mind at all and casually thanked her. The two of them went to the main hall.

Seeing Li Si Qi, Noble Lady Fu Cha also offered a congratulation. But because they needed to hurry to Jing Ren Palace, she did not say anything more. At Jing Ren Palace, the Empress trembled nonstop, her face deathly pale.

“Your Majesty, why not summon the imperial physician?” Jian Qiu looked worried. “All night you…”

“Enough.” The Empress cut Jian Qiu off. “Today is Answerer Xin’s tea ceremony… No, she’s already Attendant Xin now. I didn’t expect that fool could catch His Majesty’s eye. He even raised her to the rank of attendant.”

The Empress frowned in confusion. “Didn’t I have someone send her the Jade Terrace Golden Cup? How is she fine?”