Woke up to the morning, Jingdi slowly awakened, and found a woman like an eight-legged octopus, wrapped around him, a hand on his waist, head rest on his arm, a bit heavy and extremely uncomfortable.
He furrowed his brow, gently pulled out his arm, maybe because it had been pressed for a long time, his arm was a bit numb and tingly.
"Come in, move gently."
The Jing Emperor got up from the bed, stretched his arms, and immediately felt a surge of blood flowing more freely.
The morning sun shone through the window lattice, forming patches of light on the ground, as if they were shining golden dust.
Lu Xi, accompanied by maids, entered one after another. Although the action was light, so many people walking inevitably made some noise.
Yu Yao was very alert, having woken up long before the Jing Emperor got up.
But still pretending not to wake up, the reason for asking is that she does not want to get up to serve the dog emperor.
In the early morning, isn't it nice to stay in bed?
Although the dog emperor doesn't need her to serve, as a concubine in the palace, she still needs to get up and make a show.
Lu Xi directed the maids to attend to the emperor's clothing and grooming, taking advantage of the free time, he also took a secret look at Yu Yao who was still "sleeping".
Even when the emperor is staying in the Fengyi Palace, the empress would get up early to serve, let alone other consorts in the palace.
However, the exception is Ke Qin, who has never seen her getting up early to serve the emperor since she started to sleep with him, even if she gets up occasionally before the emperor, she doesn't go to serve him.
The emperor also loves to pamper her and never blames her.
Liulí and Hǔpò saw that their master was still asleep on the bed, they were worried sick, so they wanted to go and wake her up.
"Don't disturb her, let her sleep a bit longer."
The Jing Emperor observed Liulí and Hǔpò's expressions and actions, and said in a low voice.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Liulí and Hǔpò were startled, frozen in place, and then quietly withdrew.
The Jing Emperor dressed in his dragon robe, washed and brushed his teeth, and then left with his people.
As soon as he left the Eastern Hall, he saw Elegant Concubine standing at the entrance of the Yihe Palace.
At this time, the morning mist had not completely dispersed, winding between the flying eaves and dragon heads of the palace.
Elegant Concubine looked left and right, clearly waiting for someone.
Her hair was hanging with sparkling dew drops, it's unclear how long she has been waiting.
The Jing Emperor's expression was slightly wrinkled, clearly knowing that Elegant Concubine was deliberately waiting for him, or trying to happen upon him accidentally.
He did not want to pay attention to the common methods of competing for the emperor's favor among the concubines in the harem.
Elegant Concubine saw the emperor's appearance and was very happy. She had been waiting here since the early morning in order to chance upon the emperor, and had been waiting for over an hour.
"Servant sees the emperor, the emperor's blessing and peace."
Elegant Concubine's face was full of joy as she gracefully moved forward to bow.
Elegant Concubine's figure was graceful and delicate, as if a tulip blooming in early spring, clearly she had been carefully made up.
The Jing Emperor did not pay attention to her, nor did he look at Elegant Concubine, he walked directly in front of her, the sleeves flying, carrying a gentle breeze.
Lu Xi took a glance at Elegant Concubine, muttering to herself: "A glance is enough to tell that she got up early specifically to wait for the emperor and have an accidental encounter. The emperor isn't stupid; why would he care?"
Elegant Concubine saw the emperor pass by without looking at her once, nor did he acknowledge her. The indifferent look made her heart drop to the bottom of her stomach, and the joy in her face vanished instantly.
She clenched her lips, full of injustice and unwillingness.
She wanted to run after him, but found that the emperor had already walked far away.
She was angry and stamped her foot, looking in the direction of the Eastern Hall. She dared not blame the emperor, but felt that it was Ke Qin who had stolen him away.
If there was no Ke Qin, the emperor would never have treated her like this.
She gave a cold glance and did not stand there any longer, quickly leaving.
Yu Yao didn't know what was happening outside, she got up immediately after the Jing Emperor left.
She sat in front of the bronze mirror, letting Liulí do her hair and makeup.
"Master, if the emperor finds out like this, what if he gets angry and blames you?"
Liulí combed her hair gently, "Master, you are too bold. You even pretended to sleep in front of the emperor."
"What's good and bad, I really just woke up, not deliberately not getting up to serve the emperor."
Yu Yao looked at herself in the bronze mirror and smiled lightly.
Liulí looked at Yu Yao in the mirror and rolled her eyes. "Master, that kind of thing can only deceive three-year-old children, you won't believe it."
"Just a simple hairstyle is fine, the more unremarkable, the better."
She thought about going to Fengyi Palace to pay respects today, and she feared that there would be a tough battle ahead. In order not to become the target of attacks from various palaces concubines, she must be as low-profile as possible at this time.
"Okay, Miss."
Liulí was very smart and understood her master's intention at once. She originally planned to comb the Azure Heaven Hairpin, but she immediately changed her mind and cut off her hair, replacing it with a hanging hairpin.
She was very skilled, and with her fingers flipping, the hanging hairpin was formed. The hair fell naturally, like a thin stream of waterfall, low-key and not flashy.
"Not bad, this is just right."
Yu Yao looked at herself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.
Hǔpò picked out several dresses from the wardrobe and brought them to her in front of her, "Miss, which one will you wear today?"
Her gaze shifted, sweeping over the few garments in Hǔpò's hands, and she pointed, "The middle one, the dark green one."
Hǔpò lowered her head and looked at it, frowning, "Master, this color is too inconspicuous."
"Not noticeable is better, not going to see the emperor, wearing so pretty what? No jealousy."
Liulí smiled and stepped forward, taking the dark green dress away and preparing to dress Yu Yao in it.
Hǔpò also realized this and didn't say anything, followed Liulí to serve the master in dressing.
Because she had to go to Fengyi Palace to pay respects, she didn't know when she would be back, so before going out, Yu Yao first had something to fill her stomach.
"Liulí, today you will go to Fengyi Palace with me to pay respects."
She drank a mouthful of millet porridge and said to Liulí, who was serving her, "Also eat something to fill up, today's first visit to Fengyi Palace might not go as smoothly."
Just to mention, Lizhi and Zhenfei are sure to target her.
Who else would it be since she took the night's bedding from these two?
Although no one has stipulated that the person who served last night's bedding would be Zhenfei and Lizhi, but who would it be since these two are the most favored? Everyone also assumes that the emperor would turn their cards last night.
But the emperor came to her place last night, and it's as clear as day that Lizhi and Zhenfei must be holding a grudge against her.
But she isn't afraid, no matter what tricks Lizhi and Zhenfei come up with, she will take them on.
And Yu Guifei, that's the imperial aunt, definitely not a good guy.
Liulí heard this and her expression also became serious, "Yes, Miss."
Later, she went to the partition room to eat.
Hǔpò saw that her master was taking Liulí to Fengyi Palace to pay respects, and she was not unhappy. Liulí was more stable and also understood the master's mind better than her, so it was quite normal for the master to take Liulí along.
It was a very tight schedule in the morning, with very little time for Yu Yao. She quickly ate something to fill her stomach and then went to Fengyi Palace to pay her respects with Liulí.
According to the rules of the harem, only concubines with a fifth-class or higher title can sit on the sedan chair.
Qing is of the sixth rank, so she can only walk.
Yu Yao did not mind, treating it as an early morning exercise. Just as she left the Yihé Palace, she saw the principal lady Zhuang Guifei sitting on a sedan chair preparing to leave.
Behind her, there were several people, including Shū Guìnǚ, Liú Bǎolín, Qiáng Chángzài, Zhōu Yìnghuò and a few others.
Elegant Concubine did not see her, not sure if she came out or left early.
"Servant sees the noble concubine."
Yu Yao bowed to Zhuang Guifei on the sedan chair.
"Servant sees the noble concubine." Liulí also bowed.
Zhuang Guifei's gaze fell on her, and she smiled faintly, "Rise, I suppose you're also going to pay respects at Fengyi Palace. Let's go together."
"Yes, thank you, Your Highness."
She stood up and obediently followed Zhuang Guifei.
"Seen the Concubine Qin."
Shū Guìnǚ, Liú Bǎolín, Qiáng Chángzài, and Zhōu Yìnghuò bowed to Yu Yao, their expressions reverent and distant, clearly showing that they had lost the familiarity they had shown her the day before in the Eastern Hall.
Especially Shū Guìnǚ, her eyes were dark with bruises, even with a thick layer of powder on her face, she couldn't cover it up. It was obvious that she didn't sleep well last night.
Yu Yao saw this in her eyes and knew it was the result of last night's bedding. She quietly sighed softly.
She did not say anything, only nodded faintly and followed Zhuang Guifei.
Shū Guìnǚ and the others got up, looking at Yu Yao's back, with mixed feelings in their hearts.
She knew she should not be envious, but last night, she watched the laughter and joy inside the Eastern Hall, with the noise and candlelight still going on late into the night.
Compared to her Western Hall, it was cold and quiet, she couldn't help but feel jealous. She wanted to control it, but couldn't.
"Sister Shu, let's go. It's getting late and we'll fall behind."
Liú Bǎolín reminded her appropriately on the side.
Shū Guìnǚ gave a glance at Liú Bǎolín and nodded slightly, then also followed Zhuang Guifei on the sedan chair.
The group went to Fengyi Palace to pay respects together, but strangely, no one spoke along the way.
