A bathtub had already been set up in the palace, with flower petals floating on the water.
"Your Ladyship, this servant feels that you seem different somehow," Zhuyao said, tilting her head.
"How so?" Yan Qingshu asked.
"I can't quite put my finger on it. It's just that your Ladyship seems more relaxed and even more beautiful than before," Zhuyao said with a beaming smile as she fetched the soap pod to scrub Yan Qingshu's body.
Yan Qingshu smiled but said nothing and lay back in the bathtub.
"Your Ladyship, you should still apply some medicine to your knees. This large, swollen area might displease His Majesty if he sees it," Zhuyao said, her eyes darting to Yan Qingshu's knees.
"No need," Yan Qingshu shook her head. She wanted His Majesty to see the injuries so that she could gain his pity.
After the bath, Zhuyao was about to do her hair in a bun as usual, but Yan Qingshu stopped her.
"No need for a bun. Just leave it like this."
After saying that, she picked up the powder and rouge and gently patted them on her face to add a touch of color without looking overly gaudy.
Yan Qingshu had a beautiful face. When she didn't wear any makeup and just stood there quietly, she exuded an otherworldly beauty like an iceberg snow lotus. Now, with a touch of makeup, she seemed more approachable.
She put on the nightgown for the royal bedchamber, and Zhuyao draped a cloak over her and helped her into the Fengluan Chunen Carriage.
The little eunuch saw that she was seated firmly, then flicked his whip on the horse's rump. The horse neighed and galloped towards Ganlu Palace.
The tinkling of the silver bells rang out clearly, and the colorful ribbons fluttered in the wind. The charming figure in the carriage was seen by the eunuchs and maids in each palace, who then rushed back to report to their respective masters.
If she could successfully serve the emperor tonight, she would earn 50 concubine favor points. Then she could use these points to exchange for useful things. Yan Qingshu was calculating in her mind as her eyes fell on the magnificent Ganlu Palace in the distance.
This was a place that countless women had flocked to. Now, she was one of them.
"System, what's your name?" Yan Qingshu asked mentally.
"My name is System 001," the system replied and then fell silent.
The Fengluan Chunen Carriage stopped steadily at the entrance of Ganlu Palace. Zhuyao helped Yan Qingshu out. Li Dahai, the emperor's personal eunuch, came over with a whisk in his hand and bowed.
"This slave pays respects to Lady Yan. His Majesty is discussing state affairs and will come later. Your Ladyship may enter the palace and wait."
"Thank you,公公, for the message," Yan Qingshu said with a gentle smile and followed him into Ganlu Palace.
Then the door closed behind her, and she was alone in the palace.
This was not Yan Qingshu's first time in Ganlu Palace. Last time, she was so scared of that man and his aggressive advances that she didn't take a good look at the furnishings inside.
Before, she could only live in a shabby house with her step - mother and younger brother. Before entering the palace, she never dared to dream of such exquisite furnishings, precious jewelry, and luxurious silk.
Now, all these were within reach, and the only person who could give them to her was that man she feared.
Yan Qingshu stood in front of the candle. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on her fair and flawless face.
Di Yunjian appeared outside the palace door at this moment. Seeing the woman standing in front of the candle, he stopped in his tracks.
What kind of woman was she? It seemed that all words of praise would pale in comparison when applied to her.
The door creaked open.
Yan Qingshu turned around and saw the tall and imposing figure standing at the door. Her face turned pale, and she quickly knelt down to pay respects.
"Greetings to Your Majesty."
Before she could kneel down completely, she was lifted up by the man's strong hand.
Di Yunjian's eyes fell on her face. She was the younger half - sister of the Virtuous Concubine, but every time he saw her before, she always cowered as if he were a wild and man - eating beast.
She always avoided him wherever they met.
"I remember you're the Virtuous Concubine's younger sister. What's your name?" Di Yunjian's voice was slightly hoarse, and his hand rested on her slender waist.
"This humble concubine's name is Yan Qingshu."
Yan Qingshu softly leaned into his arms, slightly lowering her head to expose her slender neck, her voice shy.
"Yan Qingshu. It's a good name indeed."
It was the first time Yan Qingshu heard her name being savored like fine wine, rich and intoxicating.
Yan Qingshu suppressed the tremor in her heart and wrapped her arms around the man's narrow waist.
"Your Majesty, your voice when you say my name is so nice," she said in a coquettish tone, rubbing her head against his chest.
The tingling sensation in Di Yunjian's chest tickled his heart, and he laughed, "Then I'll say it more often in the future."
The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of the beauty in his arms. His eyes darkened completely. He always felt that she was different today. Her skin seemed even softer and more delicate. Di Yunjian pushed aside the strange feeling in his heart and picked her up bridal - style and walked towards the large step - in bed in the palace.
A gentle breeze blew through the window lattice, fluttering the floor - to - ceiling gauze curtain in front of the bed.
Yan Qingshu felt dizzy when she was placed on the bed. The hairpin in her hair was taken out by the man, and her smooth black hair cascaded down.
Di Yunjian felt that she was different from previous nights when she served him. Before, she was always reserved and timid.
But today, she boldly wrapped her arms around his naked waist and offered her snow - white body.
Feeling the delicate touch in his hands, the man became more and more aggressive.
The candlelight flickered, and the gauze curtain fluttered, faintly revealing the intertwined figures inside.
"It hurts~"
In the midst of pleasure, a pained whimper from the woman beneath him brought Di Yunjian's reason back.
He looked over and saw the petite woman clutching her knees, with tears welling up in her eyes.
"What's going on?" Di Yunjian pulled her into his arms. Frowning at the swollen and slightly festering knees.
"This humble concubine accidentally knocked over a teacup when paying respects to the Virtuous Concubine. I almost burned her. It was my carelessness."
"And now I've ruined Your Majesty's mood."
Yan Qingshu bit her lips and covered the wound with her gauze dress. Then her soft hands wrapped around him again.
"You're her younger sister. Your bond with her is different. She won't make things difficult for you," Di Yunjian said, stroking her hair.
His deep, dark eyes stared intently at her face.
Yan Qingshu nodded, her eyes shining brightly, "Your Majesty is right. The Virtuous Concubine is very kind to me. She even sent things from my step - mother last night."
Although she was smiling, Di Yunjian clearly saw the tears in her eyes and a fleeting look of desolation.
Without even thinking, he knew that the injury didn't come about as she had said.
He had a good understanding of the Virtuous Concubine's character.
With a heavy look in his eyes, Di Yunjian sized up the woman in front of him and pondered.
Yan Qingshu pouted her red lips and leaned closer, wrapping her arms around him and coquettishly saying, "Your Majesty, this humble concubine still wants..."
Di Yunjian's eyes darkened. He pulled the woman in his arms closer. Lust flared up, and he stirred up another springtime passion.
Yan Qingshu could clearly feel that the man on top of her was being careful of her knees. His movements were not intense but rather gentle like the spring rain.
The springtime passion lasted until the second quarter of the Yin hour. Finally, a slender arm hung down from under the gauze curtain.
Yan Qingshu tightened her clothes and forced herself out of bed. Di Yunjian saw her strange posture and felt a bit guilty, so he tried to persuade her to stay.
"Stay here and rest."
Yan Qingshu put on her clothes, turned around, and smiled, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. This concubine cannot stay overnight in Ganlu Palace. Your Majesty is already so tired worrying about state affairs every day. This concubine cannot be so unreasonable as to trouble Your Majesty."
"I'll have Li Dahai see you back."
Di Yunjian's heart softened. He called out to Li Dahai, who was waiting outside.
Li Dahai arranged for someone to bring in water and then respectfully escorted Yan Qingshu out.
"Eunuch Li, please stay. Your Majesty can't do without you," Yan Qingshu said politely.
A sedan chair was waiting outside Ganlu Palace. After saying that, she was helped into the sedan chair by Zhuyao.