"Thank the Emperor for me. I like it very much," Yan Qingshu pursed her lips, a blush creeping onto her charming face.
"But the clothes and jewelry of the concubines are all specially designed by the Bureau of Clothing. Isn't it inappropriate to wear this in the palace?"
Zhu Yao tilted her head and asked.
Hearing this, Li Dahai smiled even more respectfully. "My lady, there will always be opportunities to wear this kind of clothes."
After saying that, Yan Qingshu blinked. Could it be that the Emperor was going to take her out of the palace?
Li Dahai waved his hand, and several little eunuchs unfolded the clothes.
Yan Qingshu was so amazed that she couldn't take her eyes off. It was the first time she had ever seen such exquisite clothes.
This outfit was in the latest style in the capital. The overall color was pinkish - white. The top was a cool corset embroidered with the pattern of twin begonias using silk threads twisted with eight - strand gold and silver threads.
The wide - sleeved outer garment was made of overlapping layers of cicada - wing gauze and light - pink iridescent brocade. The iridescent brocade was dazzling in the sunlight, so the cicada - wing gauze softened it a bit, but it still shimmered.
The lower skirt was pleated and embroidered with begonia petals, also overlapping like the sleeve garment. When walking, it seemed as if fragrant petals were hidden under the skirt.
"My lady, these clothes were personally selected by the Emperor. He said they suit you best," Li Dahai said with a smile as he told the servants to carefully place the clothes on a tray and then on the table.
"My lady, I've delivered the things. I'll take my leave now." Li Dahai bowed and was about to back out.
"Wait, Chief Eunuch Li," Yan Qingshu came back to her senses and called him back. She got up, walked to the table, and picked up the calligraphy she had just practiced today.
"This is what I just practiced today. Please take it to the Emperor for a look."
Li Dahai took it and, looking at the calligraphy, his smile deepened.
"Yes, I'll take it back to the Qianyuan Palace."
After saying that, Li Dahai led several little eunuchs out of the Guanghan Palace.
Only after they left did Yan Qingshu reach out and touch the smooth and delicate brocade.
It was extremely soft to the touch. If she wore it, how charming she would look.
"My lady, the Emperor really misses you," Zhu Yao stepped forward and placed the jewelry beside the clothes.
Yan Qingshu smiled slightly. Her hand was reluctant to leave the clothes. She was a woman, a vain one.
She was sixteen years old, at the most vain age.
Before she was sixteen, her clothes were even shabbier than those of the maids. She never had any nice jewelry.
Even the un - favored concubine daughters of other families had some dignity.
But she was different. Just because her mother was forcefully taken back by her father, she had lost her dignity and pride, leaving only the humble hope of survival.
Now, the fine cloth that the Western Regions had presented to the palace was to be worn by her.
Yan Qingshu's gaze became more and more determined. She would fight. She would fight for justice for her mother and younger brother, and for dignity and respect for herself!
She would also fight for all the glory and the entourage of servants!
"Zhu Yao, we've never worn such good clothes before, have we?" Yan Qingshu's eyes lost focus as she recalled the past.
"Before, we just wanted to survive. We never thought about other things," Zhu Yao smiled. She was saved by her lady.
At that time, she was sick and lying at the back door of the Marquis of Zhenyuan's mansion. It was her lady who saw her. They were in a difficult situation at that time. She was on the verge of death, but her lady still saved her and took good care of her.
At that time, she swore that no matter what the future held, she would protect her lady with her life.
"Our good days are coming soon," Yan Qingshu turned around and stroked Zhu Yao's face.
"I believe in you, my lady."
---
In the Qianyuan Palace.
Di Yunjian had already finished reviewing the memorials. He was standing behind the table, painting with a brush in his hand.
Li Dahai had returned by now. He brewed a pot of pre - rain Longjing tea and walked in.
Di Yunjian glanced up and then quickly lowered his eyes. He said, "Have you delivered the things?"
"Your Majesty, I've delivered them all."
"You don't know, Lady Yan couldn't take her eyes off the clothes when she saw them. She liked them very much."
Li Dahai placed the teacup on the table. Seeing the person in the painting, he couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, you're painting Lady Yan."
Di Yunjian was painting the day he saw her being bullied by Noble Consort Lin in the imperial garden.
Before that day, his impression of Yan Qingshu was only that she was the younger sister of the Virtuous Concubine.
After that day, he felt that there seemed to be a kind of magic in this woman that made him couldn't help but want to get closer.
She had a life very similar to his, but their fates had developed differently.
He had already become cold - hearted and ruthless, not showing any mercy when beheading traitors.
But she was different. She had suffered a lot, but she never complained to him. She always faced him with a smile.
That was a state he desired but couldn't achieve.
Why was he trapped in the darkness and couldn't get out, while she was bathed in the sunlight? He was eager to find out.
The woman in the painting was wearing a gradually - changing light - cyan dress, with her hair slightly fluttering. The flowers in the imperial garden were in full bloom that day. The spring charm filled the whole garden, like a gentle spring breeze. Thousands of concubines gathered in front of the flowers.
But in his eyes, there was only Yan Qingshu.
Her eyes were slightly red, but her charming amber eyes were full of tenderness. When she saw him, she spread out her branches and clung to him tightly.
"It's a pity that I couldn't capture her charm," Di Yunjian put down his brush and admired the painting.
The woman in the painting was dressed in green, looking elegant and otherworldly, yet more charming than the flowers. She was bending down to smell a peony, with a gentle look in her eyes.
Petals were slowly falling around her.
"Your Majesty's painting skills are superb. Lady Yan is so lively and detached. She must be in motion to capture that charm," Li Dahai observed the Emperor's expression and echoed.
"You're quite good at talking," Di Yunjian glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.
Li Dahai scratched his head awkwardly. Then he remembered the calligraphy from Lady Yan and quickly said, "Your Majesty, Lady Yan practiced calligraphy and asked me to bring it back for you to take a look."
With that, Li Dahai went out of the palace and brought in the calligraphy.
Di Yunjian took it with a smile. At first, her handwriting was a bit stiff, but on the last few sheets, she could already connect the strokes slightly and it was a bit smoother.
But it was still... indescribable.
However, this slight progress clearly showed that she had put in a lot of effort.
"She's smart," Di Yunjian felt a sense of achievement.
This handwriting had gradually improved under his guidance.
Although it was still far from perfect, there was progress.
She was also a hard - working learner.
Di Yunjian pursed his lips, with a deep smile on his face.
"Li Dahai, are all the carriages ready for going out of the palace today?"
Thinking that he was going to go out of the palace today to investigate the Marquis of Zhenyuan and Chen Huaiji, and by the way, take her out for some fun.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I've made all the arrangements. The concubines in the harem will never know that you've taken Lady Yan out of the palace."
"Near dinner time, quietly bring her here."
After Di Yunjian finished speaking, he sat back behind the table and selected some easy - to - understand books for Yan Qingshu.
Thinking of the way Yan Qingshu looked at him with bright eyes, Di Yunjian was in a great mood.
Li Dahai responded and added tea for him on the side.
The sun slowly set in the west. The hottest part of the day was over.