Night Beichen lies on the bed, his chest rising and falling continuously, looking at the woman beside him. He can't help but reach out and pinch her gently on the face.
The pressure was light, but it left a few red marks on Yu Yao's face.
Taking advantage of the fair skin tone, there's a touch of allure.
Night Beichen twisted his fingers and whispered in a low voice, "The skin is so soft, it's hardly the work of a girl used to doing heavy chores."
Yu Yao's heart tightened. She had developed such good skin only after taking the beauty pill, though the effects were not yet complete, they had improved greatly.
"My slave origins are born with good looks. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager would not have thought of hiding me, worried that the King would see me."
Yu Yao's words were said with great wisdom, her playful tone carrying confidence yet not making people feel annoyed.
It was also secretive and done without drawing attention, giving a dose of sarcasm to the Imperial Concubine Zhao.
Night Beichen naturally heard her, turning his head to look at her, seeing her smiling charmingly, and only felt heartily amused inside.
Of course, he also caught the subtle hint of her complaint.
But he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. The Consort Zhao had oppressed her so much, forcing her to destroy her own beauty just to survive. What's wrong with making a small complaint?
His heart even felt a bit more sympathetic towards her.
But he did not continue the topic.
Following that, the topic shifted and he said, "I remember that you used to serve in Empress Dowager's palace. How come you ended up in the arena again?"
He had wanted to ask this long ago, but with so many things on his mind, he had forgotten about it.
Yu Yao had been waiting for him to ask this question for a long time. Only if he didn't ask, she wouldn't have the initiative to say it herself.
Now, she naturally wouldn't hide it, and she spoke truthfully:
"The Empress Dowager thought that my appearance was unsightly, so she sent me to the laundry. Later, one night, I went to the latrine at midnight and was suddenly attacked. I woke up and found myself in the arena."
"I'm also confused about this, Your Majesty. I guess I offended someone," Yu Yao said, still holding back her tears.
She said with a bewildered expression.
That expression, that demeanor, seemed to really be clueless.
Night Beichen moved his body slightly and his expression grew serious. "Do you know who that person is?"
"It was too dark at night, and I didn't see the face of that person clearly. But I know it was a young palace maid with impressive skills. I couldn't be her match, and she knocked me unconscious quickly."
Yu Yao reminisced for a moment, speaking slowly.
Although she suspected it was someone from the Consort Zhao's camp, there was no evidence and she couldn't just say anything.
Night Beichen furrowed his brow in silence, a look of contemplation flickering in his eyes.
He had seen Yu Yao's skills. Although they were not particularly strong, they were not bad either.
The person could knock her out quickly, indicating great strength.
At least a master.
It's unlikely that a master would randomly come to the palace to attack a small palace maid without a reason.
"I will have someone investigate this matter thoroughly, you can rest assured."
Night Beichen gently patted her hand, said no more, and only comforted her in a soft voice.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yu Yao smiled sweetly and didn't take this matter to heart.
It would be good if Night Beichen could uncover the truth leading to the Consort, but she didn't mind if he couldn't.
After all, she will herself go to avenge the wrongs.
Just then, the voice of Fu the eunuch at the door rang out, "Your Majesty, the time has arrived for early morning audience. It's time for you to attend."
Hearing the reminder from Fu the eunuch, Night Bechen glanced at the sky outside the palace hall and saw that it was already light. He then realized that he had stayed up all night.
But he smiled slightly, pinched Yu Yao's nose playfully, and whispered in a low voice, "You are a tempting demon. You have kept me in confusion all night long."
He did not mean to scold; it was just a teasing remark.
Yu Yao couldn't admit it. Otherwise, she might gain a reputation of charming the king, and Empress Dowager would certainly not forgive her.
"Your Majesty's words are humorous," she said with a giggle, "It is quite clear that Your Majesty is in peak physical condition and has high spirits, leading to a whole night of fun!"
She smiled softly, her beautiful eyes revealing a touch of sensuality, and whispered in a low voice, "My waist is still very sore... it seems I can't even walk straight..."
She was really uncomfortable, and all parts of her body hurt, especially...
"Haha..."
Night Beichen's mood was very good. "If you really can't walk, I'll have someone send you back!"
"Oh no, Your Majesty! Let me go back on my own. I don't want to trouble you!"
Yu Yao's expression flickered with panic. Last night, the commotion in the hot spring pool was so loud that it might have been heard by everyone in the Taihe Palace.
If she were to be sent back by someone, such obvious special treatment would cause even the flowers and trees in the entire palace to know that she had climbed onto the dragon bed. It seemed very improper.
"Haha…"
Night Bechen laughed again, "If you don't want me to, I won't force it. It's time for me to go to the morning audience."
As soon as he finished speaking, he reached out and gently rubbed the tip of her nose with his thumb, quickly washed his hands in the hot spring, and then got up to attend the morning audience.
After Night Beichen left, Yu Yao washed herself and dressed hurriedly, and then returned to her residence quickly.
On her way back, all the palace maids and eunuchs in the Taihe Hall were looking at her.
There were shocks, flattery, jealousy, disbelief, of course, and also some impulsive movements.
But no one dared to comment, showing that those serving at the throne were very strict about their tongues.
Even if they knew it for sure, they wouldn't dare to say anything haphazardly.
Zhu Xiang saw her and couldn't keep a cold face anymore. Instead, she approached her with a warm smile and started chatting.
She even addressed her as "Yu Elder Sister," acting as if she was her follower.
However, the jealousy in her eyes was hard to conceal.
Yu Yao instantly noticed it, and the smile on her face faded slightly. She replied indifferently to Zhu Xiang for a few words and then left.
Before she even reached her quarters, she ran into Lin Cai-nu, who had been ordered by Night Bechen to be sent back.
Both of them saw each other and were stunned for a moment!
Yu Yao recognized Lin Cai-nu as the former Red Jade when she saw her.
They had both served in the Consort Zhao's palace before, so they knew each other, but their relationship was not close.
Although they didn't know how Red Jade became Lin Cai-nu, it was nothing more than a palace maid climbing onto the dragon bed.
These thoughts flickered across her mind in an instant, and she was about to speak up.
Just then, Red Jade turned around in a hurry, looking flustered.
That expression made her look like she was trying to hide something.
Yu Yao frowned as she watched Lin Cai-nu's hurried departure.
Her intuition told her that the other person must have done something to her behind her back.
She secretly recorded this matter in her heart and quickly returned to her quarters.
Returning to her own room, she relaxed her whole body, feeling increasingly sore and utterly exhausted.
She quickly swallowed the Dragon and Phoenix Pill and also took the pregnancy-preserving pill along the way.
Yu Yao touched her stomach and figured that two little lives were already growing inside, waiting to be born after a nine-month pregnancy.
The task of having a child was halfway done; the second half would only come with the birth of the child.
However, the second task of becoming the empress is a bit difficult.
Even if the empress is still alive and well, or even if the empress passes away, it won't be her turn...
As Yu Yao was contemplating what to do next, she heard the voice of Fu the eunuch calling her from the door.
She went out and heard Fu the eunuch smiling, "The Emperor says that Miss Yu worked hard last night, so he has commanded his servants to bring some gifts to you."
He then handed over a lacquer tray covered with red cloth, which revealed three exquisitely crafted plum blossom porcelain boxes containing muscle-relieving ointment.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gift!" Yu Yao said with gratitude.
Although it was not the expected appointment to a higher position, Yu Yao still bowed with respect and accepted the gift.
"Thank you, Eunuch Fu."
"It's unnecessary for Miss Yu to be so polite," Fu the Eunuch said with a smile.
Yu Yao slipped a little pouch into his hand and then took the three boxes of muscle-relieving ointment and went in.
Although there was no expected imperial edict appointing her to a higher position, it was false to say she didn't feel a sense of loss.
Yu Yao could clearly feel Night Beichen's satisfaction in her. Last night, he even didn't give face to the True Love Concubine.
But why not grant her a higher position?
"Everybody, do you know how much Night Bechen likes me?"
Yu Yao couldn't help but ask about the system.
"The system replied, '60, it's just passing!'"
Yu Yao raised her eyebrows, 60 points for affection wasn't bad. At the very least, she should be given the title of Cai-nu or a higher position.
Perhaps she could be given the title of Guan Zi (royal concubine), at least it would elevate her beyond the status of a palace maid.
But nothing was given.
"And do you know how much the Concubine True Love likes Night Beichen?"
Yu Yao couldn't help but ask again.
"75!" the system replied.
Yu Yao was completely stunned. Although she had known that the Concubine True Love was somewhat lacking, 75 points was too low.
What kind of true love is 75?
It's only like a liking, at least you need to be over 90 to be considered in love.
"How could the Concubine True Love's favor be so low? Are you sure?" she couldn't help but ask again.
It's mainly because the image of Concubine True Love being Night Beichen's true love is deeply rooted in people's minds.
Concubine True Love is someone who even causes the favored Consort Zhao and the Empress to step aside.
"The highest level of Concubine True Love's favor in Night Beichen's heart was 92, but she was too self-centered and prone to jealousy and tantrums, often stepping on the emperor's toes, which caused her favor to drop to 75!"
The system explained in a low voice.
Yu Yao instantly understood and couldn't help but laugh.
But she didn't continue to ask.
And she didn't dwell on the issue of whether or not she would be given a higher position. After all, once the news of her pregnancy is revealed, a higher position is inevitable, it's just a matter of degree.
Yu Yao had a meal, applied the muscle-relieving ointment to the scar on her left cheek, and then went to sleep.
