"Did Concubine Xi yield?"
He asked calmly, as if indifferent.
The Emperor guessed that she did yield. She never cared about the hierarchy; when asked to bow or kowtow, she would comply, yet in her heart, she didn’t see herself as a servant, nor did she see others as serving her. If this were said to Yun Jiao herself, she might say, "Isn’t this just the baseline for us transmigrators?" But that’s not entirely true; the later generations also classify people into ranks. Having witnessed too much life and death, she wasn’t bound by these shackles.
However, there were times when, driven by her mood, her words could be quite unforgiving.
In that instant, the Emperor considered various possibilities.
If not for liking her, why ponder over her so?
"Concubine Xi has always been good-natured, surely she yielded," Ying Lu recounted the incident delayed by Lady, "Concubine Lan then tried to make things difficult. It was only then that Concubine Xi became annoyed, bypassing her and leaving her in place. Many people saw it! Perhaps because of this, Lady felt she lost face and wanted to make up for it before the Emperor, hence the dispute."
The tone was somewhat mournful, as if feeling that it was unfair to Concubine Xi.
Yun Jiao was stingy, never giving extra rewards, while Chief Su, who had climbed to the top position in the Inner Palace, was far wealthier than she was. His actions were merely because he saw the Emperor clearly held Concubine Xi dearly in his heart and spoke in alignment with the Emperor’s feelings.
"Hmm."
After a while, he set down his brush and said, "Summon Concubine Lan."
Concubine Lan had been waiting in the side hall for quite some time. Upon hearing the Emperor summon her, a look of delight appeared on her face, "I shall go at once."
As she walked through the corridor and crossed the threshold, she was filled with self-satisfaction.
The places Concubine Xi could enter, she could now enter as well. It seemed there was nothing extraordinary about it. It was only her mindset that hadn’t turned around before, allowing Concubine Xi to gain an advantage. Now, with her intent on competing for the Emperor’s favor, surely there would be a place for her in the harem.
Inside, a warm and elegant aroma of plum blossoms filled the air. Upon looking closely, it was a pot of Chinese plum on a huanghuali wood incense table, blooming splendidly.
"Your Majesty, your servant greets you."
Concubine Lan sweetly greeted and bowed gracefully.
The Emperor looked down at her. Concubine Lan donned a drape of Suzhou silk adorned with butterflies amongst flowers, overlaid with a rabbit-fur shawl. She stole glances at him, her eyes bright and captivating under long dark lashes. Undeniably charming, he assessed her critically. Being similarly beautiful, she was not any less in comparison to Concubine Xi. Her admiration for glory and splendor wasn’t a bad thing; her desires made it easier to influence her.
He averted his gaze, "Sit down and speak."
Concubine Lan nodded and sat down.
The Emperor realized what he liked was Yun Jiao’s unrestrained, lively spirit, a rare quality in the Deep Palace. Thus, he thought of Concubine Lan, whose conduct wasn’t exactly perfect either—a woman from the Grasslands, with a wild and free side in her heart.
"The first time I summoned you, you expressed reluctance to serve in the bedchamber. You changed your mind the second time. What about now?"
He asked amiably, not intending to reprimand her.
Concubine Lan also had this on her mind. She wanted to make amends for her past mistakes, her eyes timidly looking toward him, "Previously, your servant was fearful after leaving her homeland, but later, enchanted by your Majesty’s talent and grace, I willingly embrace it now, even if it were to lead to something here."
The Emperor, in the midst of drinking tea, was nearly choked by her words.
"Your servant misspoke; please forgive me, your Majesty,"
Frightened, Concubine Lan knelt down, yet she was indeed bolder than other concubines. Even now, she dared to flirt with the Emperor, speaking softly, "But should I express my current willingness to dedicate myself to your Majesty, I would not regret it."
The Emperor furrowed his brow to carefully observe her.
His current mood was like eating spicy Sichuan cuisine, constantly craving it, and attempting to choose similarly intense Thai cuisine, only to find himself overwhelmed by the spices and unable to enjoy it.
"Come here."
The beauty, summoned by the Son of Heaven, crawled over to lean on his leg, her eyes alluringly seductive, "Your Majesty, your servant is here."
He became even more agitated.
The woman before him was a peerless beauty, chosen from a tribe, yet she failed to arouse his interest. He was dispirited and increasingly displeased.
Having thought that a change of person might be beneficial, he found it wasn’t the case upon actual change.
A person isn’t a mere object, nor a title, not something with a substitute.
Concubine Lan nestled her little face in the Emperor’s palm.
If only the woman he liked were her, how simple would it be!
The Emperor had never been fond of second-rate things since childhood, always striving for the best and foremost. Once he realized he had different feelings for Yun Jiao, he didn’t feel the same joy as common men, merely desolate.
The woman he most revered in his heart was Grand Empress Dowager Haotian. His grandfather’s love for her was rightful; she was an industrious, intelligent, and capable woman, encompassing all virtues! His harem did not have such a wise woman, hence he had never ardently loved anyone. Long ago, he had also thought he would never be like Emperor Taizu, almost dispersing the harem for one woman—