It was approaching dinner time. The sun had already set beyond the horizon, leaving behind a sky full of rosy clouds.
The glow dyed most of the mortal world red, as if it had been wrapped in a golden - red mantle. Amid the undulating patches of light, the chirping of cicadas could be faintly heard.
In recent days, in order not to make enemies for her, Emperor Yunjian had specifically spent a few nights with the Queen and two nights with the Virtuous Concubine.
During the remaining six days, he visited Tang Yinmian and also dropped by the palaces of the daughters of some important court officials in the previous dynasty.
But that was all. There was nothing more.
Emperor Yunjian also wished to have more offspring for the royal family, yet when facing these women, he felt no hint of amorous desire.
He tried to force himself to contribute more heirs to the royal family, but he simply couldn't muster the will.
Yan Qingshu had no idea. She thought that Emperor Yunjian had visited other concubines these days.
After all, she had indeed refrained from using the Lust - Dispelling Powder.
She knew that the Emperor couldn't belong only to her, so she didn't use it. She just planned to use it occasionally to keep the Emperor's mind on her.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Yunjian didn't use the Lust - Dispelling Powder either, and he had no amorous feelings for others.
As night fell and the gentle evening breeze blew, Emperor Yunjian accompanied her for a stroll in the palace.
The breeze fluttered their clothes, and the hems of their robes gently swirled in the air.
The wind made people feel light - hearted. Some flower petals had fallen in the courtyard, covering the ground in a pink carpet.
Yan Qingshu lifted the hem of her dress and walked closer. She scooped up the petals and tossed them into the air.
Under the moonlight, the petals slowly drifted down. The person in front of her was bathed in the moonlight and covered in fragrant petals.
Suddenly, she felt a slight tightness in her chest. Just as she was about to speak, the uncomfortable feeling vanished.
Emperor Yunjian didn't notice anything amiss with her. He stepped forward and hugged her tightly.
He felt that his once - empty heart was now gradually being filled.
The two played around for a while, and it ended only when Yan Qingshu showed signs of tiredness.
Emperor Yunjian hugged her close and took her into his arms.
The moonlight was clear that night. It gently shone through the window lattice onto the bed curtains and fell on the two people in an embrace.
The gentle moonlight illuminated the night for this perfect couple.
*
When she woke up the next day, it was a beautiful sunny day.
After Yan Qingshu finished washing and dressing, she took Zhuyao to the Peacock Terrace to pay respects to the Queen. She had felt rather frustrated when she went to sleep last night. After coming back from the Peacock Terrace, she should ask the imperial physician to take a look.
On the way, Tang Yinmian was already waiting for her.
The two walked together towards the Peacock Terrace.
When they arrived, most of the concubines in the palace hall were already there.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen. May Your Majesty enjoy eternal happiness."
The two let go of each other's hands and stepped forward to pay their respects to the Queen.
"Get up quickly. Sit down. I've had some new tea brought in. Let the sisters have a taste."
As she spoke, the maids filed in one by one, respectfully presenting the freshly - brewed Snow - Crested Emerald on the tables.
"I'm late in paying respects to Your Majesty the Queen today. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Yan Qingshu stood up and curtsied again to apologize.
"What's the big deal? I just finished dressing up not long ago. Being a bit late doesn't matter." The Queen said with a smile when she heard this.
Just as Yan Qingshu was about to sit down, a voice suddenly rang out, full of mockery.
"Concubine Zhen, who would dare to punish you? If someone says something, they might just get a slap on the face."
Yan Qingshu looked up and saw it was Concubine Yu, with whom she had had little interaction.
The other woman's rank was higher than hers. Yan Qingshu just smiled slightly and said, "It was indeed my fault to be late today. I admit my guilt."
"Your Majesty the Queen, on the way here, I noticed that Concubine Zhen looked a bit tired, so I walked slowly with her. Please don't blame her, Your Majesty."
Seeing this, Tang Yinmian quickly spoke up to explain for her.
"Who gave you the right to speak?" Concubine Yu looked at her with disdain, her delicate eyes slanting.
"I'm a fourth - rank concubine, and Concubine Zhen is a fifth - rank junior concubine. When I'm talking to her, what right does a sixth - rank noblewoman like you have to butt in?!"
"Come to think of it, you're so obsequious to Concubine Zhen. Since she has the Emperor's favor, why doesn't she promote you?"
Concubine Yu's teasing gaze wandered between the two of them.
Hearing this, Tang Yinmian couldn't help but recall the night when she was summoned by the Emperor. The Emperor didn't let her serve him.
Although the Emperor had kept this matter a secret and didn't let her lose face in front of the other concubines, she still felt uncomfortable deep down.
A few days ago, the Emperor had come to her palace and stayed for a while, but nothing happened. He just sat for a while and then left.
Just when she was about to forget this matter, Concubine Yu brought it up again. She pursed her lips and said no more.
Yan Qingshu frowned gracefully.
Concubine Yu usually looked down on concubines with low family backgrounds and little favor.
In the past, when the Virtuous Concubine was in favor, she would flatter her, hoping that the Virtuous Concubine would share a bit of her favor so that she could live a better life.
It seemed that since the Virtuous Concubine had been virtually placed under house arrest by the Emperor, Concubine Yu was trying to trip her up during the morning greetings.
Doing this a second time, she was truly as stupid as ever.
Yan Qingshu thought disdainfully in her heart. After a while, she realized that she had learned so many idioms, which made her feel even happier.
Tang Yinmian was scolded by Concubine Yu and didn't dare to say anything more. She clutched her handkerchief and didn't raise her head.
Yan Qingshu knew that Tang Yinmian's situation was similar to hers. Since she was like a person reborn, she didn't care about such malicious remarks.
But Tang Yinmian was different. She came from a good family, but because her father favored his concubine over his wife, she felt inferior deep down.
Concubine Yu emphasizing status like this was clearly telling her that in this deep palace, her status was so low that she didn't even have the right to defend herself.
Yan Qingshu's expression turned cold, and her tone became firmer.
"Sister Concubine Yu, we are all the Emperor's concubines. Why keep bringing up our ranks? There's no need to hurt the harmony among sisters."
"What? Are you going to teach me a lesson, Concubine Zhen? Are you going to let that low - born maid behind you slap me?"
Concubine Yu's cold gaze was fixed directly on Zhuyao behind her.
"Sister Concubine Yu misunderstood. I'm just kindly reminding you that this will hurt the harmony among sisters. We are all serving the Emperor together. Why make things so tense?" Yan Qingshu knew that she was deliberately looking for trouble. That sarcastic tone was really unpleasant.
She hadn't offended Concubine Yu either. Why did she have to go against her just because of the Virtuous Concubine's order?
"Sisters? Who are you calling sisters? Your sister is the Virtuous Concubine in Fuyin Hall. Don't try to get on familiar terms with me."
Concubine Yu snorted. The Emperor had favored Yan Qingshu these days. Although she hadn't joined the Virtuous Concubine in ridiculing her before, she had been dissatisfied with her for a long time.
Moreover, now her father was working under the Virtuous Concubine's father, so of course she had to follow the Virtuous Concubine's orders.
Besides, her father had made contributions in relieving the disaster in the northwest. Even if she was in the wrong today, the Emperor wouldn't punish her.
The Queen frowned, looking at Concubine Yu disapprovingly.
"That's enough, Concubine Yu."
She was really tired of these concubines bickering. It was so annoying.
Yan Qingshu frowned. She had to seriously apologize to the Queen.
Otherwise, Concubine Yu might not let her go.
Just as she stood up, her vision went black, her chest felt stuffy, and her body uncontrollably fell backward.
"Shuer!"
"Concubine Zhen!"