"Your Ladyship, Her Majesty the Queen invites you in," Qingzhu said with a smile.
Yan Qingshu's eyes flickered, then she nodded.
Inside the palace hall, the Queen still sat on the high seat.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen," Yan Qingshu stepped forward and bowed.
"Rise quickly, Noble Consort Yan," the Queen said with a gentle and amiable smile on her dignified face.
"I wonder what Your Majesty wishes to instruct me about?" Yan Qingshu asked.
"It's not really an instruction. It's just that Concubine Zhu, whom I lectured yesterday, was again so sharp - tongued today, causing you some unjust grievances."
The Queen told Qingzhu to serve Yan Qingshu another cup of tea.
It was the Snow Mountain Green Sprout tea newly tribute for the New Year.
"This is the new tea just bestowed by His Majesty this year. It has to be picked under the cliffs, so it's very precious. Have a try quickly," the Queen said as she took the teacup from Qingzhu, skimmed the tea leaves with the lid and took a sip.
Yan Qingshu showed no emotion on her face. She took the teacup and sipped the tea.
The Queen had surely kept her here for something else.
"Your Majesty, this tea is really wonderful. The fragrance of the tea lingers on my lips and teeth. I've never tasted such good tea before. I'll have to ask for more when I come to pay my respects in the future," Yan Qingshu said with a smile as she lowered her eyes and put down the teacup.
"If you like it, I'll have someone pack some for you to take back."
"Qingzhu, go and pack some of this tea for Noble Consort Yan."
Qingzhu nodded and left the hall.
Yan Qingshu also waved her hand, signaling Zhuyao and Shihua to leave the hall.
"Actually, if you want to drink this tea, why wait until you come to pay your respects?"
The Queen changed the subject.
"Come to the Phoenix Singing Palace more often in the future. I'll have someone prepare this tea and other nice things for you every day."
The Queen might as well have just come out and said it clearly.
It turned out that she wanted Yan Qingshu to side with her.
"There are countless flowers in the palace, each one extremely charming. But the king of flowers is always the peony, not the herbaceous peony. What do you think?"
The Queen's gentle gaze held a hint of sharpness as she looked at Yan Qingshu.
A chill ran down Yan Qingshu's back. "Of course, the king of flowers is the peony. With its national - level beauty, how can other delicate flowers compare with it?"
The Queen smiled knowingly, and her eyes softened again. "Noble Consort Yan, I'll just be straightforward."
"Your beauty is truly rare. With your lovely face and charming figure, do you really just plan to give birth to a child for the Virtuous Consort?"
Hearing this, Yan Qingshu's eyes instantly turned red, and her eyes were full of panic.
"Your Majesty, I... I..."
Before Yan Qingshu could find a proper reason to decline the Queen's overture, Qingzhu came in from outside and said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is here."
The Queen's face changed at these words.
Di Yunjian strode in. He was a bit surprised to see Yan Qingshu there.
He had come to discuss the arrangement of some palaces in the Summer Resort with the Queen. He didn't expect to see her here.
"Greetings to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be in good health," the Queen stood up and bowed.
Di Yunjian helped her up and explained his purpose.
Yan Qingshu was about to take this opportunity to slip away, but Di Yunjian stopped her and told her to wait aside.
Finally, after the discussion was over, Di Yunjian pulled Yan Qingshu and was about to leave the Phoenix Singing Palace.
When they reached the palace gate, Qingzhu chased after them with the packed Snow Mountain Green Sprout tea.
Di Yunjian didn't ask what the Queen had wanted with Yan Qingshu. After all, it was easy to guess what went on in the harem.
Back in the Guanghan Palace, Zhuyao and the others continued to pack things needed for the Summer Resort.
Di Yunjian put his arm around Yan Qingshu and practiced calligraphy at the desk. Seeing some ink on her face, he couldn't help but turn his head and smile.
"How did you turn into a little kitten?" Di Yunjian took out a handkerchief from his bosom and wiped her face.
Yan Qingshu smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist, rubbing her face against his exquisitely embroidered dragon - robe.
Her thoughts involuntarily went back to the Queen. Since the Queen's attempt to recruit her had failed this time, there would surely be a second one.
She didn't want to side with anyone. No matter who it was, with her low status, she would be easily controlled.
Di Yunjian saw that she was in a daze, so he reached out and gently flicked her forehead.
"What are you thinking about? You should focus when practicing calligraphy."
Yan Qingshu came back to her senses and continued to practice calligraphy following his movements.
The atmosphere in the palace was peaceful. A beautiful couple embraced each other while practicing calligraphy, and beside them, the maids and eunuchs were discussing what to bring to the Summer Resort.
It was quite peaceful and leisurely.
---
The day to go to the Summer Resort was getting closer. Di Yunjian had been extremely busy during the day these days.
But he still summoned Yan Qingshu to his bed several times.
Yan Qingshu had also accumulated quite a lot of favor - consort points, which were converted into a total of 700 mall points. She could exchange them for 14 pills.
Finally, the day to go to the Summer Resort arrived.
The sun was shining brightly today. It was a perfect sunny day.
Yan Qingshu got dressed and made up early and came to the Meridian Gate of the palace. The Emperor and the Queen would leave the palace through the main Meridian Gate, while the concubines like her had to go around the Meridian Gate and leave through the side gate of the palace.
The procession for leaving the palace was lined up in a long row. The eunuchs and guards were organizing the luggage of each palace.
The gentle breeze blew and lifted the corner of Yan Qingshu's dress. And the Virtuous Consort, who had been in seclusion for half a month, also came out of the Fengzao Palace.
When she saw Yan Qingshu, a malicious look flashed in her beautiful eyes.
Yan Qingshu smiled slightly and bowed.
The concubines got into their respective sedan - chairs. The honor guard led the way in front, and the mighty motorcade left through the wide - open palace gate.
Yan Qingshu sat in the sedan - chair. Di Yunjian had already had ice prepared in it, and had someone fumigate the sedan - chair a day in advance. The sedan - chair was filled with a faint fragrance, which made one feel peaceful and refreshed.
---
The motorcade had been on the road for almost a day. Finally, they arrived at the Summer Resort before sunset.
Getting out of the sedan - chair, Yan Qingshu looked at the Summer Resort in the setting sun. Her eyes softened. Surrounded by trees, it was really a good place to escape the heat.
After everyone had settled down, Li Dahai sent someone to deliver the meals.
"Your Ladyship, your residence, the Soft Cloud Palace, is the closest to His Majesty. His Majesty will come here soon," Li Dahai said as he had someone put the meals on the table.
"Thank you, Eunuch Li," Yan Qingshu said with a gentle smile.
After delivering the meals, Li Dahai took his leave.
Yan Qingshu lowered her eyes and opened the mall panel to exchange for the Dragon - Phoenix Pill.
After taking it and spending a night of bliss with His Majesty, she would surely conceive.
This pill didn't cost many points, but with her current status, she could only buy one pill, and it was only effective for three hours.
As long as she had intimate contact with His Majesty within these three hours, she would be able to conceive.
If she missed this opportunity, she didn't know when the next one would be.
After dinner, Yan Qingshu was taking a bath in the side hall when she heard a sound of footsteps.
She just turned around when she saw Di Yunjian standing behind her, smiling at her.
She shyly covered her body and gave him a reproachful look. She buried her body in the water and took the opportunity to swallow the Dragon - Phoenix Pill.
Di Yunjian's eyes were full of desire. Yan Qingshu had given him the upgraded Male Potency Pill this time.
Di Yunjian's eyes were dark. He stepped forward and fished Yan Qingshu out of the water. The water droplets dripped from her fair body, making the man's desire burn even more.
He grabbed a soft silk robe and wrapped her in it, then carried her into the main bedroom.
A flurry of passionate kisses landed on her ears.
The atmosphere in the palace instantly heated up. Soft moans escaped from Yan Qingshu's lips.
Her slender hands tightly grasped Di Yunjian's strong back, leaving a series of red marks.
Di Yunjian's body was like boiling water, and his breathing was extremely heavy.
Hot, intense, it made one's body burn.
Just as the atmosphere in the palace was getting heated, a commotion came from outside.
"Your Majesty! Something has happened to the Virtuous Consort!"