Yong'an Palace.
The mellow sunshine gently bathes the palace's glazed tiles, reflecting radiant hues of color.
Around the palace, there are blooming flowers like a tapestry and lush green trees casting shade.
The beauty of Shu Guikun, lying on a soft couch, had a bewitching face. Her eyebrows were like emerald feathers, her eyes contained the rippling autumn wave. Her red lips were like petals and wanted to drip blood. The corners of her mouth slightly raised with a tantalizing curve.
She furrowed her brows slightly, her eyes betraying a hint of anxiety, and whispered to the jade chrysanthemum beside her:
"Jade Chrysanthemum, quickly arrange someone reliable to go to Yangzhou. Find the most famous brothel in Yangzhou, whether it's the madam or the top girl. Try your best to obtain some uncommon ways to please men from them. Don't worry about the cost, just remember, this matter must not be disclosed to anyone."
Hearing this, the corners of Jade Chrysanthemum's mouth turned slightly red, and she hesitated for a moment before saying, "Madam, is it appropriate to do this? After all, the methods of those places may be too……"
The Empress Consort raised her eyebrows and sneered, "What is there to be inappropriate? The Emperor, he likes these things. If I were to be as rigid as the other concubines in the palace, I wouldn't know where the Emperor would have left me by now."
Seeing Jade Chrysanthemum's shocked expression, she smiled lightly again and said, "In this palace, if one doesn't gain the favor of the Emperor, one is like an ant. I must try my best to win his heart. Those methods may be indecent, but as long as they make the Emperor unable to resist me, it doesn't matter."
In this palace, favor is everything. What's to be ashamed of and what's not to be ashamed of?
It's being mocked and bullied without favor that is truly shameful.
Jade Chrysanthemum bit her lip and nodded in agreement, "Yes, madam. The slave will arrange it immediately."
After speaking, she turned around and hurriedly left.
The Empress Consort watched as Jade Chrysanthemum's retreating figure disappeared, and quickly closed the door.
She pulled out a bound volume from the pillow, which was a set of erotic paintings. This was the imperial collection version, which she had bought with great expense.
She began to practice with a flushed face.
The Apricot Blossom Palace.
Yuyao leans against a soft sofa by the window, reading a novel. The room is silent and peaceful.
Liu Li carries in a bowl of tonic soup and speaks softly, "Madam, this is the tonic soup just stewed. You should drink it while it's hot."
She nodded slightly, put down the novel, took the bowl of soup, and sipped it lightly.
Liu Li, thinking of the information she had heard, lowered her voice and said, "Madam, Xiao Qingzi secretly came to report that Shu Guikun from Yong'an Palace sent someone to leave the palace secretly. I'm not sure what she is doing."
Yuyao raised her gaze slightly, her fair eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Shu Guikun must have a reason for sending someone out of the palace at this time. But this matter has nothing to do with our Xinghua Palace, so we need not pay too much attention to it."
After speaking, she handed the empty bowl to Liu Li.
Liu Li reached out and accepted it, nodding slightly, "Madam's words are very right. But Shu Guikun's actions are becoming bolder and more difficult to guess."
Yuyao sighed softly, "Favor is like floating clouds. Although Shu Guikun is currently in the spotlight, who can last long in the palace? Let us just watch and see how it unfolds."
Liu Li didn't say anything, took the empty bowl, and left.
"Tongtong, what is Shu Guikun doing by sending people out of the palace?"
After Liu Li left, Yuyao asked the system in her heart.
The system didn't answer her immediately, and she asked a few more times. The system finally slowly said, "What else can they do? Of course, it's to find some unusual ways to please men in the Yangzhou brothel, in order to stabilize favor."
Yuyao raised her eyebrows slightly, and then she understood in her heart. Yangzhou is a famous place of beauty and pleasure, where there are naturally the most methods for dealing with and pleasing men.
She didn't have any disdainful thoughts either; after all, wasn't she also favored by using such methods herself in the past?
She just felt that the dog emperor truly deserves his reputation as a gallant.
Then, she picked up the novel again to read.
The Imperial Kitchen.
The sunlight filters through the carved windows into the Imperial Kitchen, casting fragmented shadows on the ground.
The stove on the countertop blazes with a fierce fire, steam rising and filling the air with the inviting aroma of the ingredients in the pot.
A variety of knives and cooking utensils are neatly arranged in a row, and fresh vegetables and fruits hang from the baskets hung on the wall.
The eunuchs and palace maids of the Imperial Kitchen busily move around, the sound of chopping vegetables, frying dishes, and their footsteps mixed together, creating a lively atmosphere.
Xiao Qingzi stepped into the Imperial Kitchen, carrying a basket in his hand. As he entered, he said politely yet respectfully, "Elder brother, today the Xinghua Palace requires sea cucumber, snowy fungus, and red dates. I kindly ask you to prepare them quickly, as the empress is waiting."
Although the Xinghua Palace has a small kitchen, daily ingredients still need to be obtained from the Imperial Kitchen.
The eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen, knowing that Qin Zhuorong was pregnant, dare not slack off. He was about to take the ingredients needed by the Xinghua Palace.
Upon hearing this, the eunuch showed a look of difficulty, rubbing his hands on his apron, looking rather embarrassed. "Oh dear, Xiao Qingzi elder brother, you've come at a most inopportune time. You know as well as I do that Shu Guikun from Yong'an Palace has also requested sea cucumber today. This..."
Before the eunuch's words had finished, a servant from Yong'an Palace had arrogantly walked up and interrupted their conversation. "Humph, the imperial concubine is the most important person in the Emperor's heart. Sea cucumber naturally comes before us."
Hearing this, Xiao Qingzi's anger flared up. The Empress Consort is of higher status than the Shu Guikun in Yong'an Palace, and besides, the Empress Consort is carrying the Emperor's child.
But thinking of how Shu Guikun has indeed been very favored recently, Xiao Qingzu bit back his anger and said, "Elder brother, our Empress Consort is carrying the imperial offspring. If there's a shortage of sea cucumber, perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?"
Shu Guikun from Yong'an Palace's servant had no respect for it and casually said, "Our imperial concubine is the most important person in the Emperor's heart. If our lady wants to eat sea cucumber, how dare the Imperial Kitchen not provide?"
The eunuch in charge of managing the ingredients was in a difficult position.
On one hand, there is the pregnant Empress Consort Qin Zhuorong with a high status, and on the other hand, there is the favored Shu Guikun.
Sweat beads formed on his forehead, and he didn't know how to choose.
After a moment of thought, he finally decided to satisfy Yong'an Palace's needs first, for Shu Guikun was currently favored and saw the Emperor every day, and he dared not offend her.
As for Empress Consort Qin Zhuorong, other substitutes can be used, and there is no need to eat sea cucumber. After all, the Emperor only visits the Xinghua Palace every ten or fifteen days.
He smiled apologetically at the Yong'an Palace eunuch and said, "You can be assured that we will select the finest sea cucumber for you right away."
After that, turning to Xiao Qingzu, his face was full of apologies: "Xiao Qingzu elder brother, I'm truly sorry. Today's sea cucumber has all been pre-ordered by Yong'an Palace, what about..."
Xiao Qingzi's face turned stern, but he knew that it was difficult to force things. He suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Very well then, I will go report to the Empress Consort myself."
After speaking, he turned and was about to leave.
Returning to the Xinghua Palace, Xiao Qingzu dared not waste any time and directly went to Yuyao's room, reporting everything about the Imperial Kitchen matter in detail.
Yuyao's fair eyebrows furrowed slightly, her eyes flashed coldness, but then she quickly regained her composure and softly comforted him, "Alright, Xiao Qingzi. Don't be angry. In the palace, there are always warm and cold people, and the world is full of ups and downs. I'm pregnant now, so it's not appropriate for me to be angry. Otherwise, it may harm my child in the womb."
Although she doesn't necessarily need to eat sea cucumber, being treated so carelessly by others naturally makes her feel uncomfortable.
Liu Li complained resentfully beside her: "Madam, the people in the Imperial Kitchen are too overbearing. You're carrying the imperial heir, yet they dare to treat you with such disregard."
Yuyao's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression carrying a hint of coldness, "Liu Li, think of a way to let the Emperor know about this matter."
She wants to see what reaction the dog emperor will have.
Liu Li nodded slightly, "Madam, I understand. I will do my best."
The Imperial Study.
Sunlight filters through the carved window lattices, casting patchy shadows on the table, where the scent of ink and dragon's saliva intertwine, creating a quiet and serene atmosphere.
Luxi entered softly with a light step, holding a broomstick, and whispered, "Your Majesty, there has been an incident at the Imperial Kitchen."
Emperor Jing put down the official document he was reviewing, raised his eyes to Luxi, and his eyes flashed with a hint of impatience, "What's the matter?"
Luxi bowed respectfully and spoke carefully, "Today, both the Xinghua Palace and the Yong'an Palace requested sea cucumber from the Imperial Kitchen. However, there was only one high-quality sea cucumber in the Imperial Kitchen, and its manager made a decision without consulting others and gave it to Yong'an Palace. After Xiao Qingzi elder brother returned to the palace, he learned about this matter and was very angry. He has already reported it to Empress Consort Qin Zhuorong."
He truly admires Shu Guikun. As a daughter of an official family, she has the ability to lower herself to serve the Emperor.
In order to win the Emperor's favor, she truly uses all means, employs various strategies, and even resorted to self-torture.
Let's not say anything else. Just the candles in the Tandao Hall are the fastest.
Luxi doesn't know exactly how, but he knows that every night, there are excited screams from Shu Guikun and wild, unrestrained laughter from the Emperor coming from the palace chamber.
Qin Zhuorong is also much favored by the Emperor, and she has powerful means. However, she never resorts to self-torture and refuses any excessive actions.
It's not at all surprising that the Emperor favors Shu Guikun.
Luxi is curious about how the Emperor will handle this situation, and how much he will show favoritism towards whom.
Emperor Jing didn't know what Luxi was thinking in his heart. His expression was complicated, and his fingers lightly tapped on the desk surface, making a rhythmic thumping sound, as if he was thinking about something.
Yao'er always held an indelible place in his heart, and she was about to give him a child.
While Shu Guikun obtained his favor for a time and was indulged in her, she could never truly touch the softest part of his heart.
"The people in the Imperial Kitchen are becoming increasingly disrespectful of protocol."
Emperor Jing's face turned dark, and he spoke coldly, "Order: Beat the servant responsible for this matter thirty times and sentence him to serve as a slave in the Xinzhe Warehouse, as a warning to others."
Luxi quickly answered, ready to leave.
Emperor Jing stopped him and said with a touch of guilt in his eyes, "Wait a moment. Has the sea cucumber I requested been touched? Send it to the Xinghua Palace immediately and tell her that I will visit her later."
Luxi left with his order, inwardly reflecting on the Emperor's differing treatment of Empress Consort Qin Zhuorong.
Xinghua Palace.
Yuyao's face broke into a smile as she saw Luxi off, but as soon as Luxi left, her expression changed dramatically, becoming cold and distant.
She turned to Liu Li and said, "Throw that sea cucumber away, it's no good for me."
Liu Li was surprised, hesitated, and said, "Madam, this is the Emperor's sea cucumber. Are we really going to throw it away?"
"Do you really think I value it? Now it's sent over like a handout, what kind of thing is that?"
Yuyao's face was full of disdain, and she didn't even look at the sea cucumber. With that remark, she turned and went back into her inner quarters.
Liu Li looked at the sea cucumber and hesitated, but in the end, she didn't dare to throw it away. Instead, she took it down secretly.
The night descended, and the sky was filled with stars. These stars sparkled like scattered diamonds on the dark canvas of the sky.
Inside the Xinghua Palace, the lanterns flickered as Yu Yao sat by the window, reading a storybook.
Xiao Qingzi hurried in and said, "Madam, the Emperor has already come this way. Have you prepared to go out to welcome him?"
Yuyao's gaze fell on Xiao Qingzi. After a moment of silence, she spoke coldly, "Close the palace gates. When the Emperor arrives, tell him that I am sleeping."
Xiao Qingzu's face was full of difficulty. "Madam, wouldn't it be inappropriate to keep the Emperor outside the gates?"
"What's wrong with that?"
Yuyao sneered, "Men are all cheap bones. The more you cling to them, the more they look down on you and think of you as an eyesore. Do as I say."
Just be careful to keep your distance, and don't go overboard.
"This"
Xiao Qingzi also dare not defy the command, so he had to turn around and go out according to the Empress Consort's order. He ordered someone to close the gates of Xinghua Palace.
The night was as clear as a bath, casting its glow over the entire palace.
The courtyards of the palace were lit by lanterns, and the swaying lights danced lightly in the wind, casting a faint glow on the ground.
Emperor Jing was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, surrounded by Luxi and a crowd of eunuchs and palace maids, slowly making his way towards the Xinghua Palace.
But as he approached the door of the Xinghua Palace, he found the gates tightly shut.
Emperor Jing looked at the tightly closed gates in front of him and hesitated for a moment, not understanding what was going on.
Luxi, seeing this, rushed forward and knocked on the door, shouting: "The Emperor has arrived!"
But there was no response from inside.
Emperor Jing stood at the entrance of Xinghua Palace, his expression looked unsightly. He didn't expect Yuyao to actually keep him out.
As an emperor, he had always been doted on by his concubines. Nobody had ever dared to be so bold as to keep him out of the palace.
The feeling of being rejected made him somewhat angry.
Luxi saw the Emperor's unsightly expression and felt scared in his heart. "Madam, what are you doing?"
He continued to knock on the door, and his voice was much louder than before.
Xiao Qingzu opened the palace gates and stepped out, bowed respectfully to Emperor Jing, then said nervously, "Your Majesty, the Empress Consort has already gone to sleep."
Although Emperor Jing was not pleased with this, he thought that Yuyao was pregnant and going to bed early was normal, "It's okay, I'll go in myself."
Saying this, he stepped inside.
Xiao Qingzi saw this and was shocked. He hurried forward to intercept the Emperor, "Your Majesty, please don't do this! The Empress Consort has already gone to sleep. It would disturb her if you went in like that."
Emperor Jing instantly became enraged, and shouted loudly, "How dare you, insolent servant! You dare to obstruct me!"
Terrified, Xiao Qingzu hurriedly knelt down, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I am doing this for the Empress Consort and the imperial heir."
Emperor Jing snorted coldly, ignoring Xiao Qingzi's resistance, and continued towards the sleeping chamber.
As he approached the door of the sleeping chamber, he found that not only were the doors shut, but also all the lights had been extinguished.
When he gently pulled the door, he found that the door had been locked from the inside.
He had no doubt that this woman was upset and deliberately avoiding him.
"Yao'er, I know you're upset. Will you please open the door and let me explain?"
Emperor Jing stood at the door of the sleeping chamber, feeling both angry and amused. There was also a deep sense of helplessness and compassion.
Of course, he also found it quite refreshing that this woman always stood out.
