Another begonia petal landed on the side of her delicate face, causing a slight itch. Just as Yan Qingshu was about to reach out and brush it away, a large hand beat her to it and took the petal away.
The familiar sandalwood scent wafted into her nose. Yan Qingshu put down the book and instinctively nestled into the emperor's embrace.
"Your Majesty said you'd be busy with state affairs. Why are you here now?" Yan Qingshu wrapped her arms around his neck and hung on him coquettishly, her beautiful face beaming with joy.
"I was afraid a certain little girl would miss me so much that she couldn't fall asleep, so I came."
There was a doting smile on Di Yunjian's lips. He stroked her smooth, raven - black hair and leaned over to plant a kiss on the side of her face.
Yan Qingshu had recently come to understand the emperor's temperament. She even boldly cupped the man's face and pressed her crimson lips against his.
Di Yunjian laughed. He reached out and gently patted her on the bottom.
A few candles in the palace hall went out. Where they were, the moonlight shone down.
Zhu Yao and the others had retreated without them knowing. In the large and fragrant sleeping palace, only their long shadows were left under the candlelight.
Their lips and teeth intertwined, they rubbed their ears and temples together, getting along harmoniously and sharing great pleasure.
Yan Qingshu made a small mistake tonight.
Di Yunjian held the very proactive Yan Qingshu in his arms. He raised his eyebrows and cooperated with her as she moved up and down.
In the past, during their intimate moments, she was always shy and charming.
Why was she so proactive today?
Her face was flushed, her moth - like eyebrows slightly furrowed, and her breath was as sweet as orchid fragrance.
Di Yunjian sat up and held her in his arms. He rubbed the smooth skin on her back and explored all the way down.
Yan Qingshu only felt her head was heavy and her body was burning with an unbearable heat.
She had just given the "Masculine Power Powder" to His Majesty and accidentally used it on herself.
She thought it wouldn't matter, but unexpectedly, the heat spread all over her body like a fire. She could only cling to the man in front of her and sink with him.
"Liulang..."
Her murmur was like a kitten's meow, alluring and captivating.
"Liulang, the ring... isn't taken off..."
In the heat of passion, Yan Qingshu let out a startled cry. The coolness between her legs made her sober for a moment.
A crisp sound of the ring hitting the ground echoed in the palace hall.
Di Yunjian took off the ring and pulled her into his arms. Then there was another bout of passion.
The bed curtain swayed and fell, covering the entangled figures inside the bed.
The spring passion rose and it was unknown when the spring tide finally ebbed.
The effects of the "Masculine Power Powder" in Yan Qingshu's body finally wore off. Before she fell into a tired slumber, the voice of the system rang in her mind.
[Host, 100 Concubine Values have been credited to the Points Mall.]
Yan Qingshu finally fell asleep contentedly.
Di Yunjian held her in his arms. He buried his head in the crook of her neck, smelling the fragrant scent on her body. He reached out and brushed aside her hair dampened with sweat.
Sleepiness袭来, and the two fell into a deep slumber.
---
The next day, the sun was shining brightly.
Di Yunjian got up early and returned to the Qianyuan Hall to prepare for the morning court.
As soon as Yan Qingshu woke up, she immediately swallowed a Healing Pill. Only then did her body feel more comfortable.
Thinking of her unprecedented madness last night, almost shaking the bed with His Majesty, she lowered her head in embarrassment.
Just then, Zhu Yao came in. Seeing her get up, she was about to step forward to serve. The brocade quilt fell, revealing ambiguous red marks on her originally delicate and fair skin.
Zhu Yao couldn't help but snicker.
After Yan Qingshu stood up and put on her clothes, she sat in front of the dressing table and let Zhu Yao comb her hair.
After a round of dressing up, Zhu Yao brought a long - trailing palace dress in alternating colors of aqua - blue and milky - white. The silk scarf was a pale milky - white color and gently hung on her slender arms.
Standing in front of the water mirror, Yan Qingshu looked at herself in the mirror.
On her lively snake - like coiffure, there were jewelry of similar colors to the dress. In the hot summer, the aqua - blue color made people feel refreshed just looking at it.
Yan Qingshu was very satisfied. She walked out of the Guanghan Palace with a gold - embroidered silk round fan with butterfly patterns in her hand.
Walking on the path by the Taiye Pond, she met Lady Tang head - on.
Yan Qingshu smiled. Lady Tang stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings to Your Ladyship."
"Your Ladyship is being too polite." Yan Qingshu quickly pulled her up.
The two walked side by side. When they reached the Fengming Palace, they saw Concubine Zhu.
The maid beside her was carrying a stack of papers. Concubine Zhu saw her and turned her back on her angrily.
"Don't mind her. She's always like this," Lady Tang frowned slightly.
Yesterday, she had heard about Concubine Zhu deliberately making things difficult for Yan Qingshu in the imperial garden. This woman really had a one - track mind.
Yan Qingshu didn't say a word. She just smiled. She didn't want to pay attention to Concubine Zhu.
Qing Zhu came out and invited all the concubines into the palace hall.
The queen also finished washing and came out from the back hall.
"Greetings to Your Majesty the Queen. May Your Majesty be in good health," the concubines stood up and bowed.
"All of you may rise," the queen waved her hand. Her face looked a bit gloomy.
Just as they sat down, Concubine Zhu stood up and said, "Your Majesty, this is the "Precepts for Women" that Your Majesty asked this concubine to copy yesterday. This concubine has finished copying it. Please take a look."
The queen frowned slightly but still asked Qing Zhu to take the "Precepts for Women" and start looking through it.
"It's really hard on you. You copied so much in one night," the queen put the "Precepts for Women" aside.
"This concubine didn't dare to be negligent. If it weren't for someone relying on Your Majesty's favor and acting arrogantly, this concubine wouldn't have been so scared. That's why this concubine copied it all night and sent it to Your Majesty. I also want Lady Yan to know this concubine's apology."
Concubine Zhu's tone was rather sarcastic, emphasizing the word "apology" heavily.
Yesterday's incident was originally a trivial matter. It was that Yan Qingshu who had elevated it to a level that affected His Majesty's handling of state affairs. Even if Her Majesty the Queen wanted to help her, there was nothing she could do.
Zhu Yao and Shihua behind Yan Qingshu both frowned.
It sounded as if their mistress had forced her to copy the "Precepts for Women".
It was clearly she who had deliberately picked a fight.
Yan Qingshu lifted her lips and stood up. She bowed to Concubine Zhu and said, "This concubine felt very guilty when I went back last night. I practiced the courtesy posture by the lamp all night. I wonder if Sister Concubine Zhu thinks this concubine's courtesy posture is standard?"
Her movements were perfect beyond reproach, but everyone in the palace hall knew very well that it was clearly Concubine Zhu who had picked a fight yesterday and tried to curry favor with His Majesty on this occasion.
It was only right for her to copy the "Precepts for Women".
Concubine Zhu's face darkened. She had wanted to take this opportunity to label Yan Qingshu as relying on favor and acting arrogantly and overstepping her position, but unexpectedly, this bitch had pushed her back to the forefront.
"If Sister Concubine Zhu still thinks it's not good, this concubine can go back and practice more," Yan Qingshu pursed her lips and sat down pretending to be sad.
The queen couldn't stand it anymore and finally spoke up.
"Enough. Peace is the most important in the harem. You are all sisters serving His Majesty. Why argue with each other?"
"Presumably, you have all received the insect - repellent sachets and medicinal powder that this palace asked the Inner Affairs Office to send to your palaces. There are many plants and insects in the summer resort. Hanging them on your waists can repel insects and refresh your minds."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Queen."
The concubines bowed. The queen said a few more words and then let them leave.
Just as Yan Qingshu, with Zhu Yao and Shihua, was walking out of the Fengming Palace, Qing Zhu chased after them.
"Lady Yan, please wait," Qing Zhu called out.
Yan Qingshu turned around and said, "Aunt Qing Zhu, does Her Majesty the Queen have any instructions?"