"That's my name," Yan Qingshu said, her eyes falling on the three large characters. She reached out to pick up the paper and held it aloft against the flickering candle flame.
The paper turned yellowish in the candlelight.
"Your Majesty's calligraphy is so beautiful," she remarked.
"My writing looks like caterpillars crawling around," she added, glancing at the characters she had written on the table. She had been quite self - satisfied with them before, but now her confidence was shattered.
"Calligraphy practice can't be achieved overnight. I'll teach you slowly," Di Yunjian said, rubbing her head. Then he guided her hand to start writing on the paper.
Yan Qingshu pursed her lips. Her eyes gradually shifted from the paper to the hand that was holding hers. It was slender and bony, and the veins on the back of the hand faintly emerged with the movement.
Noticing her distraction, Di Yunjian gently slapped her on the buttocks.
"Focus on your calligraphy practice," he said.
Yan Qingshu blushed. She followed him and concentrated on her practice. Holding her breath, beads of sweat appeared on the tip of her nose, making her pretty face look extremely innocent.
Outside, the full moon shone with a holy radiance, while inside the room, the candle flame flickered. The beautiful couple stood in front of the desk, showing their tender affection for each other.
When Yan Qingshu was pressed against the desk, she was still a bit dazed. His heavy and warm breath sprayed on her ear.
Di Yunjian felt his heart burn with desire. His heart and body, which had been as calm as an ancient well outside the Sweet Dew Hall, were now boiling like boiling water.
He felt consumed by lust.
The exquisite silk clothes were gradually taken off and gently fell to the ground.
"Your Majesty..."
In her panic, Yan Qingshu accidentally knocked over a bottle of red ink beside her. Her delicate fingertips were stained with the ink. As their clothes were gradually removed, the bright red ink, like scattered and blooming flower stamens, left traces on Di Yunjian's Adam's apple inch by inch.
Di Yunjian lifted his head from her fair skin. With his hair slightly disheveled, in her hazy consciousness, Yan Qingshu saw his lust - filled but heart - stirring eyes.
His glazed pupils were deep and polished, staring intently at her. Then he buried his head again.
The amorous scenes and sounds filled the air.
Di Yunjian picked her up horizontally and walked towards the bed under the wind - blown curtain. Yan Qingshu's last piece of gauze clothing fell on the black jade floor.
The moon shone brightly, casting its light on the two entangled bodies on the bed.
It was already the Ugly Hour of the night. Di Yunjian seemed tireless, and a pink blush spread across Yan Qingshu's fair skin.
"Your Majesty, I... I'm so tired..."
At this moment, Yan Qingshu regretted giving him the Male Potency Powder. Combined with the effect of the Lust - Relieving Powder, she felt as if she was about to fall apart.
I don't know how much time had passed. Yan Qingshu was sweating all over, as if she had just been fished out of the water.
"Your Majesty..." Yan Qingshu only managed to say two words before she fell into a deep sleep from exhaustion.
Outside the room, Zhu Yao was blushing. She had secretly asked Xiaoluzi to prepare hot water in the side hall.
"Your Majesty, hot water has been prepared in the side hall," Zhu Yao whispered as she quietly opened the door.
Today, His Majesty had originally chosen Concubine Zhu to serve him, but now he was in the Guanghan Hall. If this got out, the other concubines would surely gossip about her mistress tomorrow.
Di Yunjian carried the exhausted Yan Qingshu through the side door of the main hall to the side hall.
In the side hall, the hot water was steaming. Yan Qingshu's blushing face was blurred by the steam, and her hair, wet with sweat, stuck to her neck.
She changed her position and nestled comfortably in Di Yunjian's strong, smooth and fair chest. Her soft face rubbed against his chest like a kitten.
Di Yunjian curled his lips and patiently wiped her body. Yan Qingshu was drowsy and reluctant to move for a while before he wrapped her in clothes and took her back to the main hall.
At first, Yan Qingshu was still a bit drowsy and could respond to Di Yunjian's various actions from time to time. But after lying on the bed, she fell into a deep sleep.
Di Yunjian pulled her into his arms. With a wave of his hand, he used his internal energy to extinguish the flickering candle flame.
---
Early the next morning, when the golden edge of the sun appeared on the horizon, Di Yunjian used his lightness kung - fu and returned to the Qianyuan Hall.
When he arrived, he saw Li Dahai anxiously ordering people to prepare the court clothes. Li Dahai was about to secretly go to the Guanghan Hall to check.
Just as he turned around, he saw His Majesty standing in front of him. Li Dahai let out a sigh of relief.
"Your Majesty, it's almost time for the morning court," Li Dahai said.
Di Yunjian nodded. His expression was gentle, completely different from the serious look he had yesterday.
Li Dahai murmured to himself secretly. He guessed that His Majesty must have had a wonderful time in the Guanghan Hall.
Di Yunjian changed into his court clothes and went to the morning court.
In the Guanghan Hall, Yan Qingshu slowly woke up. She moved slightly and felt the soreness all over her body. She was stunned.
Last night had been wonderful, but the pain was unbearable.
She felt as if her whole body was falling apart.
"Your Highness, it's time to pay respects," Zhu Yao's voice came from outside.
Yan Qingshu opened the points mall. She had 100 favor - concubine points.
She and His Majesty had had intimate moments twice last night.
Yan Qingshu swallowed the Healing Pill she had exchanged for yesterday. Immediately, she felt much better.
She put on her inner clothes and sat in front of the dressing table. Zhu Yao came in with a copper basin to serve her to wash up.
"About last night..."
"Your Highness, don't worry. I've been guarding outside all the time," Zhu Yao said, picking up the ivory comb to comb her black hair.
Yan Qingshu nodded reassuringly.
After washing up, Yan Qingshu took her maid Xianshu and went to the Fengming Palace to pay respects.
On the palace path by the Taiye Pond, Yan Qingshu met Lady Tang.
"Good morning, Sister Yan," Lady Tang stepped forward, smiling gently and speaking politely.
"Sister, why didn't you bring Zhu Yao with you today?" Lady Tang asked curiously when she saw a strange face behind Yan Qingshu.
"I'm Xianshu, I pay my respects to Lady Tang," Xianshu said, saluting cleverly.
"She's a new maid in my palace," Yan Qingshu replied with a smile.
The two walked side by side on the path, chatting casually.
When they were almost at the Fengming Palace, they happened to meet Concubine Zhu.
Concubine Zhu looked a bit tired. When she saw the two of them, she unconsciously straightened her back.
"We pay our respects to Concubine Zhu," the two said in unison and saluted.
"Get up," Concubine Zhu said lazily.
When they reached the Fengming Palace, Qingzhu just came out of the hall.
"The Queen has finished washing up. Your Highnesses, please enter the hall," Qingzhu said.
After entering the hall and paying their respects, Yan Qingshu sat in her seat and ate the snacks.
"This year, it's hotter than usual as summer approaches. His Majesty intends to go to the summer resort to escape the heat. We'll set off in ten days," the Queen said.
After that, the Queen's eyes fell on Concubine Zhu. Seeing her tired face and the obvious weariness between her eyebrows, the Queen couldn't help but show concern.
"Concubine Zhu, I see that you look exhausted. Are you not feeling well?"
As soon as the Queen finished speaking, the eyes of the concubines in the hall all focused on Concubine Zhu.
Concubine Zhu forced a smile and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I'm really not feeling well."
How could she feel well after spending a lonely night in an empty room?
In the harem, who was favored and who served the emperor were always the focus of attention.
Seeing her haggard face, the other concubines were almost grinding their back teeth in jealousy.
His Majesty rarely came to the harem. A few days ago, the Virtuous Concubine had been favored exclusively, then it was Concubine Zhu, and these days it was Noble Lady Yan.
They just hated not having a sister who was a concubine or a father who was a third - rank official.