Lin Wanyi obediently stepped forward. Seeing the Emperor’s posture, she realized that without taking off her shoes and getting on the couch, she wouldn’t be able to massage his head.
So she had no choice but to follow suit.
As her gentle fingers fell on the Emperor’s temples, his tense body gradually relaxed.
Both were silent, one focused on massaging, the other on receiving.
In the sunlight, Lin Wanyi carefully observed the Emperor again.
Compared to a few days ago, he seemed even more exhausted.
Perhaps due to the weariness of state affairs, she noticed faint wrinkles between his brows.
They were caused by frequent frowns.
So during the massage, she stretched his brows slightly apart.
The Emperor felt comfortable, and naturally, he did not stop her, instead relaxing and enjoying the moment.
With something to do, the time seemed to pass quicker.
When she arrived, the sun was still high, but in a blink, it was almost 3:00 PM.
Lin Wanyi’s hands were already numb, yet the Emperor would still occasionally instruct her, having her massage his head, then his shoulders, and then his back.
All that was left were his legs and feet.
The Emperor was greatly enjoying this, while Lin Wanyi felt the hardship.
The cost of attending to him seemed too steep.
She feared that by the time she returned, her hands would be useless.
Feeling the strength gradually diminishing, the Emperor finally spoke, his voice imbued with a lazy indifference.
"Your Majesty, it’s almost 3:00 PM."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor Yu Wenhong suddenly opened his eyes, and with a hint of anger, he called out toward the outside.
Mr. Dong immediately entered, bowing.
"Emperor, I am here!"
"Has the Fourth Imperial Uncle arrived?"
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince has been waiting in the side hall for a long time."
The Emperor Yu Wenhong smacked his head, seemingly frustrated, talking to himself.
"I promised the Imperial Uncle to go to Changyin Pavilion to watch a play, and now I’ve delayed the time."
Lin Wanyi remained silent; after all, this wasn’t her fault. She hoped the Emperor would distinguish clearly between reward and punishment, and considering how long she had been massaging, she hoped to avoid any blame.
"I will help the Emperor put on shoes; please take your time, Your Majesty."
The Emperor’s visit to the Fourth Imperial Uncle to listen to opera had significant implications and could not be delayed.
He had taken a few steps before realizing Lin Wanyi was still sitting on the bed.
He turned back and instructed her.
"Go sit in the Warm Pavilion, and if you need anything, call someone to attend to you. We’ll dine together when I return."
After giving these instructions, he hurriedly left.
Lin Wanyi sat on the bed, both amused and a little annoyed.
Before she could say "This concubine obeys," he was already out of earshot.
Ah, it’s true that the higher the rank, the more oppressive it is, and this Holy Emperor was many ranks above her.
After the Emperor left, a eunuch entered; it was her "old acquaintance."
"Qiu Ming at your service, may the Concubine have happiness and peace."
"Please rise, Mr. Qiu; how do I get to the Warm Pavilion?"
"I will take the Concubine there."
Leaving the study, they walked eastward along a corridor. As they passed the inner hall where she once served, she thought it might be there.
But Qiu Ming led her further left, straight to a house with a glazed tile roof and red lacquer wooden pillars, and guided her inside.
Once inside, she saw a plaque in the center inscribed with: Wen’s Former Residence.
She later heard Qiu Ming explain.
"This is the residence of Your Majesty; please take a seat for a while, and I will have them bring tea and snacks."
Then what was the inner hall where she served?
The question was written all over her face, and Qiu Ming smiled, answering.
"The inner hall is where the concubines attend to Your Majesty, while the Warm Pavilion is where he rests alone. The Concubine is truly favored; I have served the Emperor for years, and few concubines have been allowed here."
Lin Wanyi’s face stiffened; she didn’t know whether to smile.
According to Qiu Ming, those who entered here were favored, but not only she had been.
Did this mean she had earned the opportunity to dine with the Emperor and gain favor through labor?
The cost seemed too painful. Her fingertips were already red, and her arms achingly sore.
She wasn’t particularly pampered, but massaging nonstop for over an hour was taxing even for Xia An, let alone Lin Wanyi.
"Thank you, Mr. Qiu, for enlightening me. Could I have some warm water? I’d like to wash my hands." f r\eew,eb novel.c(o)(m)
"Of course, of course, please sit down, and I’ll have it brought to you."
After saying this, he bowed and left.
Lin Wanyi looked around, noticing that this place was quite different from the inner hall, exuding warmth and simplicity.
The room wasn’t large, just a bit bigger than the left side hall she stayed in.
On the left was a sleeping area, separated by a black-lacquered, gold-painted lantern-framed screen, and on the right, a small nanmu carved desk held an inkstone and a jade-carved brush holder and rack.
A sheet of rice paper lay partially written upon on the desk.
Lin Wanyi feared there might be some military secrets and dared not look closely.
Under the window was a beautifully shaped celadon vase.
The decor was elegant, and most importantly, there was less embellishment with bright yellow.
Bright yellow naturally symbolized the Emperor but also made people more reserved.
It was as if one could not behave improperly, constantly remembering their status.
Here, however, was a sense of ease, a place to relax.
She thought of her sleeping attire, which seemed quite apt.
Wearing bright yellow sleeping attire here would have been too glaring.
As she pondered, palace maids entered one after another.
"Not knowing the Concubine’s preference, we’ve prepared Jianxi Spring."
The stone roller softly grinds the dust, milk flowers brew the Jianxi Spring.
This Jianxi Spring refers to Jian Tea, named after being produced in the Jianxi area of Fujian, and the Beiyuan tribute tea is renowned worldwide.
Besides the palace, few places besides a few Prince Mansions could afford this.
Lin Wanyi never had such tea at Ronghe Hall, but here in the Emperor’s Warm Pavilion, she received a pot for free.
It relieved much of her fatigue.
Accompanying the tea were mung bean and chestnut cakes, but Lin Wanyi thought that if paired with Chunqi’s milk peach blossom cake, it’d be even more flavorful.
The initial tension dissipated considerably with the tea.
She even forgot that she was supposed to wait for the Emperor to dine with an empty stomach.
Tea doesn’t satisfy hunger, but it can create a sense of fullness.
When the Emperor arrived by moonlight, she had fallen asleep at the table.
Hair as black as ink, skin whiter than snow, cheeks slightly flushed, eyes shut, with eyelashes distinct as fans.
Upon entering and seeing this scene, the Emperor was momentarily moved.