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墨書 Inktalez
The Emperor, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat upright in the exquisitely ornate pavilion of the Imperial Garden, his posture as straight as a pine tree, exuding an aura of regal authority that commanded respect without anger.
His deep and sharp eyes were quietly fixed on the open grassy expanse before him, as if something exciting were about to unfold there.
Today, the sun shone brightly and the spring breeze was gentle, lifting the Emperor's spirits. Thus, amidst his busy state affairs, he found rare moments of leisure to stroll through this picturesque garden adorned with vibrant blossoms, also taking the opportunity to glance at the consorts who were confined within the depths of the palace.
At that moment, a soft breeze swept by, carrying with it strands of intoxicating floral fragrance.
The rich aroma lingered in the air, refreshing and uplifting, bringing a sense of tranquility to the heart.
The Emperor slightly closed his eyes, savoring this moment of comfort and peace.
Behind him, the Chief Eunuch Li Defu kept his head bowed low, serving dutifully at his side.
His already humble face was plastered with a sycophantic smile, carefully observing the Emperor's demeanor, fearful that any misstep might provoke his wrath.
Meanwhile, the surrounding palace maids stood silently like statues, not daring to breathe too loudly for fear of drawing the Emperor's attention.
As this serene atmosphere was maintained, suddenly a faint sound of footsteps approached from afar, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattering the tranquility.
The Emperor stirred at the sound, slowly raising his head to look in the direction from which it came.
He saw a graceful figure making its way along the winding path.
Her steps were light as if she were a willow swaying in the wind; her form was enchanting and delicate, resembling a celestial being descended to earth.
However, as the figure drew closer, the Emperor's previously relaxed brow involuntarily furrowed slightly, and an odd expression crossed his face.
“This is...” he murmured softly, his voice tinged with confusion and surprise.
He rubbed his eyes vigorously, so hard that the corners turned slightly red. Yet, even so, he still found it hard to believe what lay before him.
Focusing his gaze, he saw that the woman’s face resembled a vibrant and colorful painting.
Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was not ordinary makeup but delicate peach blossom petals layered upon one another.
These petals were either as red as fire, or pink like clouds at dawn, or pure white as snow, interwoven in a stunning display akin to a magnificent and colorful palette.
Even more astonishing was the sight of several vividly blooming plum blossoms perched atop her smooth, jade-like forehead.
The red plums were strikingly bright, resembling flames, while the white plums were as clear and pure as freshly fallen snow.
In this garden full of vibrant spring flowers, her unique adornment stood out remarkably; it could only be described as “eye-catching.”
This bizarre makeup left even the Emperor speechless. Even Li Defu, the seasoned chief eunuch who had witnessed countless court intrigues, along with many well-trained palace maids, were momentarily frozen in shock.
They exchanged glances, unsure of how to react.
Every face was etched with astonishment and disbelief, their expressions akin to those witnessing an unimaginable spectacle or encountering a ghost.
Especially Li Defu, whose usually composed demeanor twisted in shock; his lips quivered slightly, clearly overwhelmed by the scene before him.
Lin Yu stepped forward with this “extraordinary” visage, each step filled with hesitation and unease.
She knew very well that her unconventional appearance was far too different from the norm.
But at this point, she felt helpless!
After all, this was a daunting task imposed on her by the system, and no matter what, she had to grit her teeth and see it through.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu tried to calm the fluttering anxiety within her and steeled herself to continue walking slowly toward the Emperor.
With a heart full of joy, she anticipated that this makeup would create a stunning effect.
After all, the "Peach Blossom Makeup" was renowned for its vibrant beauty, while the "Plum Blossom Makeup" added an air of elegance and purity.
She thought to herself that by cleverly blending the two styles, she could showcase a unique charm that might even catch the Emperor's eye and make him see her in a new light!
However, as she stood before the mirror and scrutinized her reflection, a wave of unease washed over her.
The makeup looked nothing like what she had envisioned.
Instead of presenting the harmonious beauty of vibrancy and elegance, she appeared somewhat out of place, even comically ridiculous.
Nervously, she lifted her head and cautiously stole a glance at the Emperor's expression.
What she saw made her heart plummet to the depths.
The Emperor's brow was tightly furrowed, and disbelief flickered in his deep-set eyes;
his lips twitched slightly, as if he were struggling to suppress an impending burst of laughter.
That expression—half-smile, half-restrained—only deepened Lin Yu's embarrassment.
Her heart raced, and her mind went blank.
She silently lamented: Oh no! This time I really went too far!
What am I going to do now?
Had she just crossed over to this place, yet to enjoy the riches and glory, only to be cast into the cold palace because of this dreadful makeup? The thought sent a chill down her spine, and cold sweat began to trickle down her back.
At that moment, the Emperor cleared his throat twice, attempting to mask his nearly uncontrollable emotions.
He took a deep breath and slowly asked, “My beloved consort, what exactly have you painted on your face?”
Despite his efforts to keep his voice steady, a slight tremor betrayed him, clearly struggling to suppress the laughter bubbling within.
Lin Yu forced a smile, biting her lip tightly as she steeled herself to explain, “Your Majesty, the reason for my appearance is that I have recently developed a new makeup style called the Peach Blossom and Plum Blossom look.
I personally think it looks quite beautiful, so I dared to apply it on my face.”
As she spoke, her hands unconsciously twisted together, silently praying that the Emperor would not blame her.
The Emperor looked at Lin Yu before him, fighting the urge to burst into laughter. He nodded slightly and said, “Hmm, this makeup… is indeed quite unique.”
In truth, he found this peculiar style somewhat hard to comprehend but could not bear to discourage this brave and creative consort. He reluctantly offered a compliment.
Hearing that the Emperor was not angry, Lin Yu's heart finally began to settle. She secretly rejoiced, “Phew… thank goodness! I didn’t scare the Emperor away!
It seems His Majesty has quite a good capacity for acceptance!”
Just as she was comforting herself in her thoughts, a sudden clamor erupted from nearby, abruptly interrupting Lin Yu's train of thought.
Everyone turned their heads toward the sound and saw a group of elegantly dressed women approaching gracefully.
These were other consorts from the palace.
Upon hearing that the Emperor was present in the Imperial Garden, they had hurriedly adorned themselves and rushed over in hopes of gaining more favor from him.
As they approached, their gazes unconsciously fell upon Lin Yu's strikingly unique features.
One of the consorts couldn't help but exclaim, "Ah! What on earth is that strange creature?"
Dressed in a pink palace gown, the consort extended her delicately painted fingers, pointing directly at Lin Yu with a look of astonishment on her face. Her mouth agape, she exclaimed, "Goodness! This... this is just too ugly!"
Meanwhile, the consort in the green gown quickly covered her cherry-red lips with her hand, her face displaying clear disdain as she said in a delicate voice, "Oh dear, who is this woman? How could she be so ignorant of propriety to dress like this and embarrass herself?"
Before her words had fully settled, another consort in a purple gown furrowed her brows slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion and disbelief as she softly asked, "Who is this woman? Why does she dress so oddly?"
In an instant, all the consorts present began to cover their mouths and gasp in shock. Their gazes pierced through Lin Yu like arrows, brimming with contempt and mockery.
The consorts exchanged remarks about Lin Yu without holding back their disdain for her appearance.
Standing there, Lin Yu felt a wave of displeasure wash over her upon hearing their unflattering comments.
She thought to herself: Hmph! I put a lot of effort into my appearance today, and yet you dare to speak so arrogantly and claim I am ugly?
You truly have no sense of appreciation!
Moreover, my outfit embodies a unique artistic style; how could you shallow-minded followers of trends possibly understand its intricacies?
It's utterly ridiculous!
She stood tall and proud, her back straightened, her ample chest thrust forward, and her chin slightly raised as if she were about to break through the heavens.
Her meticulously adorned face radiated an unparalleled confidence and arrogance, embodying the very essence of "I am the most beautiful in the world."
With a disdainful glance at the group of flamboyant consorts before her, she parted her ruby lips and spoke in a tone dripping with contempt, "What’s the matter? Are you all chattering away out of jealousy for This Palace's stunning beauty?"
As soon as her provocative words left her lips, the atmosphere instantly erupted into chaos, like a hornet's nest that had been disturbed.
The consorts, who had been whispering to each other, ignited like a powder keg upon hearing her words, their emotions exploding in an uproar.
One consort, with furrowed brows and wide eyes, pointed at Lin Yu and shouted, "Jealous of you? Hmph! You should take a good look in the mirror to see what you really are!"
Another consort covered her mouth and giggled mockingly, "With that face of yours, do you really think we would be jealous?
What a delusion!" Following that, another consort sarcastically chimed in, "Haha, this is truly laughable!
I’ve never seen someone so shameless. Today has truly opened my eyes!"
Even more boldly, one consort ridiculed Lin Yu's makeup: "Oh my goodness, look at your face! You look like a monkey's backside. Are you trying to scare the Emperor away?
Hahaha..." Another consort sneered with disdain, coldly remarking, "In my opinion, this sister must be so obsessed with becoming Empress that she’s lost her mind.
But alas, with your fate, it seems you'll never get your wish!"
In an instant, a tide of sarcasm and ridicule surged toward Lin Yu, each consort taking turns to hurl sharp and bitter words without holding back. The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs exchanged glances, not daring to breathe a word.
Facing the onslaught from the crowd without fear, Lin Yu straightened her back and shot back with piercing eyes, "Hmph! Look at you jealous people—unable to achieve anything yourself yet envious of others. How ridiculous!"
A slight smirk appeared at the corner of her mouth as she continued, "Oh dear sisters, it seems you will never taste the sweetness of these grapes in your lifetime; you'll only be left watching This Palace with envy!"
Lin Yu gently raised her hand to caress her meticulously crafted makeup, proudly declaring, “Look at this exquisite and unparalleled makeup of mine, a true epitome of cutting-edge fashion!
How could you simple-minded, rustic village women possibly understand the intricacies involved?”
As she spoke, Lin Yu scanned the women present with a disdainful gaze. “And just look at this stunning beauty of mine, as radiant as a celestial being descended to earth. How could you mere mortals ever compare?
It’s simply a world apart!”
With her hands on her hips, she threw her head back and laughed heartily. “Hahaha… I was born with such natural beauty that no matter how much envy and jealousy you harbor in your hearts, it’s all in vain!”
The more Lin Yu reveled in her own glory, the more she taunted the women, “If you have the skill, why don’t you try to create a makeup look as magnificent as mine?
If you can’t do it, then just keep your mouths shut and stay quiet instead of babbling nonsense!”
In an instant, the entire imperial garden erupted into chaos, the sounds of women arguing echoing through the air, rising and falling without end.
The emperor had intended to take a leisurely stroll in the garden to ease his mind, but he never expected to witness such a chaotic scene.
Frowning deeply, he shook his head in exasperation and rubbed his temples, feeling a splitting headache coming on.
Slowly, he raised his hand and elegantly waved it in the air, his movements gentle yet firm.
As his arm moved, an invisible force seemed to spread outwards, signaling everyone to quiet down immediately.
“Enough! Stop the noise!” The emperor said in a low voice, his brow furrowed and expression grim.
Though his voice was not loud or booming, it carried an authority that was impossible to ignore or resist.
The concubines who had been arguing fiercely and refusing to yield suddenly froze in place as if struck by a spell upon hearing the emperor’s words.
They looked at the Emperor in terror, each one lowering their heads, afraid to make a sound, lest they provoke his wrath.
Lin Yu naturally sensed the change in atmosphere and wisely pressed her lips together, refraining from saying another word.
She silently thought to herself: Oh dear, I must not provoke the Emperor at this moment!
If he were to be displeased and cast me into the cold palace, wouldn’t I have to relinquish the throne of Empress that I worked so hard to attain? No, no, I absolutely cannot take such a risk! I must obediently comply.
The Emperor first cast a cold glance at Lin Yu, his gaze piercing as if he could see through her innermost thoughts.
Then, he turned his attention to the other consorts, disappointment and helplessness flickering in his eyes.
Finally, he let out a long sigh, shook his head, and said, “Enough. Let today’s matter rest.”
“I am indeed feeling somewhat weary and need to return to the palace for a proper rest.” Before his words faded, the Emperor had already turned away, striding away with steady and powerful steps.
This left a group of consorts exchanging glances, standing there at a loss.
Seeing the Emperor leave, Lin Yu prepared to slip away as well.
She had no desire to stay and watch these women’s expressions; it was better to hurry back to her own chamber and rest!
Just then, a voice suddenly called out to her.
“Consort Lin, please wait!”
Lin Yu turned around and saw a woman dressed in luxurious palace attire approaching her.
This woman walked gracefully, her figure enchanting; adorned with golden hairpins and jade ornaments, she wore exquisite garments that exuded an air of nobility.
She was none other than the most favored noble consort in the harem—Noble Consort Li.
Lin Yu thought to herself, This is bad. Is this woman looking for trouble with me?
She hadn’t forgotten that when she first arrived in this world, she had offended Noble Consort Li.
Now, after creating such a scene, this woman would definitely not let her off the hook!
Noble Consort Li walked up to Lin Yu, sizing her up from head to toe, then sneered, “Consort Lin, your makeup is truly… unique!”
She deliberately emphasized the word "unique," her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Lin Yu forced a smile and replied, “Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. This Palace's makeup is indeed one of a kind.”
She wouldn’t be intimidated by a few words from this woman!
Noble Consort Li snorted coldly, “One of a kind? Hmph! I think it’s hideously ugly! Do you really think you can attract the Emperor’s attention like this? What a delusion!”
Looking at Lin Yu's "terrible" face, she felt nothing but disdain and contempt.
With that ghastly appearance, how could she even think of competing for favor? It was simply laughable!
Lin Yu refused to back down and retorted sharply, “Whether or not I can attract the Emperor’s attention is none of your concern, Your Highness. You should focus on yourself first!”
She wasn’t afraid of this woman at all!
After all, she had nothing to lose now; what was there to be scared of?
Noble Consort Li's expression darkened as she angrily exclaimed, “You…”
She was about to explode in anger when suddenly a thought crossed her mind, and she held it back.
With a cold laugh, she said, "Alright, very well! Consort Lin, we'll see how this unfolds!"
After saying that, Noble Consort Li turned and left, leaving Lin Yu standing alone.
Lin Yu watched the retreating figure of Noble Consort Li and thought to herself: This woman surely has ill intentions! It seems the days ahead won't be easy!
However, she was not someone to be trifled with! She would face whatever came her way; she refused to believe that she couldn't outmaneuver this group of women!
Taking a deep breath, a glimmer of determination flashed in her eyes.
At that moment, the voice of Inverse Light echoed in her mind: "Host, congratulations! You have successfully caught the Emperor's attention and completed the first step of your mission! Next, you must continue to work hard and strive to become the Empress soon!"
Lin Yu smiled to herself, thinking: The Empress? Hmph, that's just the beginning! My goal is to become the most powerful woman in this harem!
She looked up at the sky, her eyes filled with ambition and fighting spirit.
This battle for supremacy in the harem had only just begun!
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