As the sun was setting in the west, after Yan Qingshu had finished her dinner, Xiaoluzi entered the palace hall and said, "My Lady, His Majesty has turned over Concubine Zhu's green placard."
Yan Qingshu nodded. Her gaze fell on the copybook. She was holding a brush and laboriously practicing calligraphy.
She wondered whether the Aphrodisiac Suppressant would only weaken His Majesty's virility or completely kill his desire for the bedchamber.
If it only weakened his virility... A blush crept onto Yan Qingshu's face. His Majesty was so full of vigor. Even if his virility was halved, it would still be overwhelming.
Yan Qingshu shook her head, trying to dispel the lewd thoughts from her mind.
She concentrated on practicing calligraphy. This copybook was written by Di Yunjian for her. The handwriting was smooth, and there was also a copybook of the delicate Zan Hua Xiaokai style.
Zhu Yao walked into the hall with a bowl of freshly stewed bird's nest.
"My Lady, this is the freshly stewed bird's nest. Please drink it while it's hot."
She placed the bird's nest on the table.
"I'll drink it later." Yan Qingshu didn't even lift her head and continued practicing calligraphy.
"Quickly take a look. Isn't my writing much better than the first one?" Yan Qingshu held up the paper and admired it.
"My Lady, when you went to the Imperial Study this afternoon, this servant thought you were going to compete for His Majesty's favor.没想到 His Majesty has turned over Concubine Zhu's placard tonight." Zhu Yao stood beside her, grinding the ink for her. Seeing that she didn't seem to care at all about who would serve His Majesty tonight, she was quite puzzled.
"Competing for favor is indeed important, but if I receive too much of His Majesty's favor, I'm afraid I'll lose my life." Yan Qingshu finished another sheet of calligraphy. Seeing that her writing was improving little by little on each sheet, she smiled happily.
"Maybe His Majesty will come tonight." Yan Qingshu raised her eyes and winked playfully at her.
Zhu Yao scratched her head and continued grinding the ink for her.
In Ganlu Palace, Concubine Zhu was already sitting on the bed, looking shy.
She had heard that her father had entered the palace this afternoon, and in the evening, her placard had been turned over.
Di Yunjian had just finished dealing with state affairs and was on his way to Ganlu Palace. When he saw the palace from afar, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He felt no desire at all.
Li Dahai was holding a lantern in front. Seeing him stop, he also stopped.
Noticing that he didn't move for a long time, Li Dahai whispered, "Your Majesty?"
Di Yunjian lifted his foot to continue walking, but he found that his heart was becoming more and more calm, with no hint of amorous thoughts.
He frowned. He was young and practiced sword - fighting every day. He was usually insatiable in that aspect. Why was it different today...
He tried to take a few more steps, but finally gave up.
He had turned over Concubine Zhu's placard because Zhu Liangcai had discovered something fishy about the disaster in the northwest.
He had never experienced such a situation before. What was going on today?
"Forget it. Go to Ganlu Palace and tell Concubine Zhu that I'm busy with state affairs. Let her rest in Ganlu Palace. Remember to remind the eunuchs in the Chamber of Eunuches." After saying that, Di Yunjian left in the opposite direction, which was towards the Taiye Pond.
Li Dahai stood there with the lantern in his hand, stunned for a moment.
Finally, he had no choice but to go to Ganlu Palace resignedly.
"My Lady, His Majesty has too many state affairs to deal with in the Imperial Study. He won't be able to come tonight. His Majesty has ordered that you can rest here tonight."
"The Chamber of Eunuches will record it."
Li Dahai forced a smile, facing Concubine Zhu, whose smile had become stiff.
Concubine Zhu's smile completely disappeared from her face, and her eyes were slightly red.
Li Dahai scratched his hand. He couldn't very well say that His Majesty had suddenly changed his mind halfway.
"Thank you, Father - in - law Li."
"His Majesty is busy with state affairs. I naturally understand. Please persuade His Majesty to take good care of his health, Father - in - law Li." Concubine Zhu forced a smile and said.
Li Dahai bowed respectfully and then backed out.
Concubine Zhu's forced smile also faded. Looking at the clear wind and the full moon outside, it should have been a night of passion.
After blowing out the candles, she undressed and lay on the bed in Ganlu Palace. Lying on this bed, whether she had actually served His Majesty or not, in the eyes of outsiders, she had already received a great honor.
The moon was high in the sky, and the evening breeze caressed the face. The night was not as hot as the day.
Di Yunjian walked alone on the path in the imperial garden. The silver moonlight shone down, stretching his shadow. The golden silk pattern of the flying angry dragon on his clothes glistened slightly.
His glass - like eyes were filled with moonlight. It was the year 25 of the Shunyuan era, in mid - spring.
His mother had also died on such a night. She had bled from all seven orifices. She had wanted to touch his face one more time, but she had missed by just a little, just a little.
Di Yunjian's eyes were slightly red.
The next day, he had been adopted by the then Imperial Concubine Shu, the current Empress Dowager.
Di Yunjian walked aimlessly. When he looked up again, the three characters "Guanghan Palace" came into view.
The main hall of Guanghan Palace was still lit by candles. Di Yunjian walked forward step by step.
Inside the hall, Yan Qingshu's blurred profile came into his eyes through the hazy window paper.
"My Lady, please take a rest." Zhu Yao stepped forward to trim the wick of the candle.
"I'll practice for a while longer." Yan Qingshu rubbed her wrist and continued practicing calligraphy.
Sensing the figure outside the hall, Yan Qingshu's plump and rosy lips curled up.
It seemed that the Aphrodisiac Suppressant from the system was really effective.
"Zhu Yao, Concubine Zhu should be serving His Majesty by now, right?" Yan Qingshu put down the brush and looked in the direction of Ganlu Palace through the window lattice.
Her voice was lonely, and her face showed a hint of melancholy.
Zhu Yao saw her mistress's little action and glanced to the side. Sure enough, she saw a standing figure.
Just now, her mistress had said that His Majesty might come. Unexpectedly, he really did.
"My Lady, it's already late at night. Please go to rest."
"Wait a little longer. I'll practice calligraphy some more. This was written by His Majesty himself. I'll show it to His Majesty when I've practiced well. I can't disappoint him." Yan Qingshu shook her head and was about to pick up the brush to write again.
"I'm right here. Practice for me to see."
As the voice fell, the door of the hall was opened, and Di Yunjian's tall figure appeared in front of the two of them.
"Your Majesty..." Yan Qingshu seemed to be in disbelief, and the writing brush in her hand fell onto the table.
She stood up, bypassed the table, and trotted towards him, but stopped when she was about one zhang away.
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty." Yan Qingshu looked up at him with joy in her eyes, which were shining brightly.
Di Yunjian slightly curled his lips and pulled her up.
"Didn't you say you wanted to practice calligraphy for me to see? Let me see how well you've practiced." Di Yunjian pulled her into his arms and led her towards the table.
Zhu Yao quickly served a cup of tea, then closed the door of the main hall. She went to the side room where the maids slept to check and made sure that the two maids were already asleep. Only then did she feel relieved and guarded outside the hall.
Yan Qingshu presented the calligraphy she had practiced like a treasure, with anticipation in her eyes.
"Your Majesty, how is this concubine's writing?"
Di Yunjian pursed his lips. Looking at the strong - styled characters on the paper, he almost couldn't help laughing.
The dark clouds in his heart were also dispelled by her.
"It's quite remarkable for your first attempt." Di Yunjian said and then took out a piece of rice paper and spread it on the table.
"Can you write your own name?" Di Yunjian pulled her into his arms completely and whispered in her ear with a magnetic and hoarse voice.
"No." Yan Qingshu could smell the cool and fragrant sandalwood on him. It was very pleasant.
Di Yunjian took her hand and held the writing brush, guiding her to leave smooth strokes on the snow - white rice paper.
Yan Qingshu
The three characters danced on the paper like dragons and phoenixes.