Lin Yu returned to the Zhui Xia Palace, her heart racing like a rabbit, pounding wildly and leaving her in a state of turmoil that she couldn't shake off.
The Emperor's actions were more thrilling than a roller coaster—so sudden and ambiguous that it left her feeling bewildered, her mind a chaotic mess.
"Inverse Light, come out! You need to explain this to me—what on earth is going on?" Lin Yu called out to the system in her mind, her voice trembling slightly as if she were ready to confront someone.
"Hehe, host, congratulations! You've successfully captured the Emperor's heart!" The system's cheeky voice echoed in her mind, dripping with schadenfreude.
"Captured? You make it sound like I'm some kind of bandit! I'm not out here robbing anyone!" Lin Yu rolled her eyes and replied irritably.
"Oh come on, host, that's not fair! This is called irresistible charm, you know? Your allure is stronger than a magnet, firmly pulling the Emperor's heart!" the system retorted, its tone filled with pride.
"Stop being so glib! Tell me what the Emperor really means by this. He can't possibly have developed real feelings for me, can he? If it were that simple, why was Lin Wan never favored? She had all the talents," Lin Yu still found it hard to believe; after all, this was all too surreal.
"Of course it's true! This system has conducted precise calculations—the Emperor's affection for you has skyrocketed! It's higher than the mercury in a thermometer!" the system declared confidently.
"Skyrocketed? Just how high are we talking about? Can it really go off the charts?" Lin Yu pressed for more information, curiosity evident in her tone.
"More explosive than a volcanic eruption! More intense than a firework shooting into the sky!" the system exaggerated enthusiastically.
Lin Yu paused, contemplating the reliability of the system, which seemed to speak more like a comedian than a helpful assistant.
However, the Emperor's overwhelming affection was not necessarily a bad thing for her. Still, she had no intention of coming to this world just to fall in love.
In this perilous palace, having the Emperor's favor was akin to possessing a life-saving talisman, far more precious than any gold or jewels.
Sitting at the vanity, Lin Yu gazed at her reflection, a smirk curling at the corners of her lips as she felt a surge of pride.
She was no naive little rabbit waiting to be slaughtered; she would utilize every resource available to survive in this palace and thrive. Here, she intended to live like wild grass, springing back to life with every breeze!
"Host, what are you thinking? Are you plotting something mischievous?" the system asked curiously, its tone laced with gossip.
"I'm considering how to earn the Emperor's favor even more and how to navigate this palace successfully," Lin Yu replied candidly, her voice brimming with ambition.
"Hehe, that's simple! Just cater to his preferences! It's like fishing; you need the right bait!" the system suggested slyly.
"Cater to his preferences? What does the Emperor like? Does he prefer gold and jewels or delicacies from land and sea?" Lin Yu inquired, her tone filled with confusion.
"Well... I'm currently gathering intelligence and will report back shortly. I guarantee you'll have the Emperor head over heels!" the system assured confidently.
Lin Yu nodded and began to remove her makeup, her movements gentle and graceful.
Just then, a soft knock echoed from outside the door, clear and distinct.
"Who is it?" Lin Yu called out, her voice bright and melodious.
“Consort Lin, the Emperor has arrived!” The eunuch's voice came from outside the door, sharp yet respectful.
Lin Yu was taken aback. Why was the Emperor here? Was he checking up on her?
She quickly stood up, tidied her clothes, and opened the door smoothly, without a hint of panic.
There stood Emperor Jiang Chen outside, dressed in casual attire, with a gentle smile on his face that made him seem as approachable as an older brother next door.
“Your servant greets Your Majesty,” Lin Yu said, bowing gracefully, her voice soft and enchanting.
“There's no need for formalities,” Jiang Chen replied with a smile, then walked straight into the room with a leisurely stride and an extraordinary demeanor.
Lin Yu hurried to follow him, her heart racing like a drum.
What could the Emperor want at this late hour? Was he here for a night visit? Or perhaps to reprimand her?
Jiang Chen reached the window and gazed at the bright moonlight outside. “I couldn't sleep, so I came to see you. This moonlight is beautiful, just like your eyes—so bright.”
Lin Yu felt warmth in her heart; it turned out the Emperor was concerned about her, which brought her a sense of comfort.
“Your Majesty, it’s late and the dew is heavy. You should return to rest soon; don’t catch a chill,” Lin Yu said with genuine concern, her voice as gentle as flowing water.
“I’m not tired,” Jiang Chen turned to look at Lin Yu, his eyes filled with tenderness. “I wanted to chat with you.”
Lin Yu nodded and stepped closer to Jiang Chen, standing quietly beside him like a blooming white lotus—pure and elegant.
“Consort Lin, your performance today truly impressed me,” Jiang Chen said with a smile, his tone filled with admiration.
"Your Majesty flatters me; I have merely done my humble part. It is just a trivial skill, and I hope it does not amuse you too much," Lin Yu said modestly, her voice melodious and captivating.
Yet in her heart, she thought: What a compliment! It was clearly more impressive than the performances of the flower girls on stage.
"No, you have done very well, and I have gained a new understanding of you," Jiang Chen said, taking Lin Yu's hand gently. "At the same time, I greatly admire your talent and courage. You are like a luminous pearl, instantly captivating to me."
Lin Yu's heart raced suddenly. Did the Emperor think she was even more remarkable than Zhuge Liang? She felt her palms grow sweaty; this was the first time she had received such praise from the Emperor.
Is he… confessing to her? Does he want to develop an office romance with her?
"Your Majesty…" Lin Yu called softly, a hint of shyness in her tone.
"Consort Lin, would you… accompany me to admire the moon? The moonlight is so beautiful; it would be a pity to enjoy it alone," Jiang Chen looked at Lin Yu, his eyes filled with anticipation, like a child waiting for candy.
Lin Yu paused for a moment and then nodded. This was a great opportunity to get closer to the Emperor; how could she let it slip away?
Jiang Chen took Lin Yu's hand and led her to the window. They stood side by side, gazing at the bright moonlight outside. This scene was even more romantic than a drama.
Actually, having a relationship with the Emperor didn’t seem so bad after all; he was quite handsome.
In that moment, it felt as if time stood still. Everything around them faded away, leaving just the two of them.
An ambiguous atmosphere enveloped them, as if the air was filled with pink bubbles.
"Consort Lin, do you… hate me?" Jiang Chen suddenly asked, his tone tinged with unease, like a child who had done something wrong.
Lin Yu was taken aback, not understanding why the Emperor would ask such a thing. Had he done something wrong?
"Your Majesty, why would I hate you? You are the revered one, how could I possibly harbor such feelings?" Lin Yu asked, her tone filled with confusion.
"Because... because I have forced you to stay in the palace, taking away your freedom, just like a bird trapped in a cage," Jiang Chen said, lowering his head, his voice heavy with guilt, resembling a child who had made a mistake.
Lin Yu then understood that the Emperor was apologizing for past events; it turned out he had such a gentle side.
"Your Majesty, let the past be the past. It's like water spilled on the ground; it cannot be retrieved," Lin Yu said softly. "I no longer hold anything against you, and you need not blame yourself."
Jiang Chen raised his head and looked at Lin Yu, his eyes filled with gratitude, as if he had found a savior.
"Thank you, Consort Lin. You truly are an understanding woman. It’s not that I didn’t notice you before; it was you who kept avoiding me, making it hard for me to see you. Now that you no longer hide, I feel happy," Jiang Chen said emotionally, his tone brimming with appreciation.
Lin Yu thought to herself that perhaps she was more compassionate than even the Bodhisattva.
With a slight smile, she replied, "Your Majesty, there’s no need for such courtesy. I merely did what I was supposed to do; this is my duty."
"Consort Lin, you truly are an understanding woman. I find myself liking you more and more," Jiang Chen said as he gazed at Lin Yu, his eyes filled with admiration as if he had discovered a treasure.
Lin Yu lowered her head, her cheeks slightly flushed, resembling the delicate blossoms of March.
She could sense that the Emperor's feelings for her were gradually changing—from initial exploitation to genuine appreciation—a significant progress indeed.
Unbeknownst to her, she too had developed a special affection for the Emperor. This feeling grew within her heart like a vine, slowly wrapping around her emotions.
The two stood quietly together, neither speaking as they savored this rare moment of tranquility.
Moonlight bathed them in its glow, as if draping them in a silver veil and enveloping them in a dreamlike world.
On this tranquil night, under the beautiful moonlight, a subtle emotion lingered between them, like freshly brewed wine exuding a faint fragrance.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the distance, shattering the serene atmosphere like a stone thrown into a still lake, creating ripples upon ripples.
"What’s going on? It's late at night; can’t anyone get some sleep?" Jiang Chen frowned, his tone filled with displeasure. He despised being disturbed in his peace.
Lin Yu perked up her ears, listening intently to discern the source of the noise.
"It sounds like... it sounds like someone is fighting. The noise is quite loud and lively," Lin Yu said, curiosity creeping into her voice.
Jiang Chen's expression darkened. "Let’s go take a look. I want to see who dares to be so bold as to cause trouble on my territory!"
Lin Yu nodded and followed Jiang Chen outside, eager to find out who was so reckless as to stir up trouble at this hour.
As they stepped out of Zhui Xia Palace, they saw flames leaping into the sky not far away, shadows moving about, accompanied by shouts and the clashing of weapons. It was clear that a fierce fight was underway.
"Your Majesty, we should be careful not to get caught in the crossfire," Lin Yu cautioned, her voice tinged with concern.
"Don't worry. With me here, no one dares to harm you," Jiang Chen replied confidently. After all, he was the emperor; who would dare to hurt him?
As they approached, they saw a group of palace maids and eunuchs gathered together, with two individuals in the center engaged in a fierce brawl, neither willing to back down.
"Stop! What are you doing? Everyone halt!" Jiang Chen shouted, his voice booming like thunder, causing ears to ring.
Upon hearing the emperor's voice, everyone froze in fear and quickly dropped to their knees, trembling like startled quails.
"Your Majesty, spare us! Your Majesty, please!" they cried in unison, their voices filled with terror.
Jiang Chen stepped into the crowd, observing the two individuals still grappling with each other. He raised his voice in anger, "What is going on between you two? Why are you fighting? Don't you know this is the imperial palace, a place where disturbances are strictly forbidden?"
Upon hearing the Emperor's inquiry, the two men released their hold and scrambled to their feet, kneeling before Jiang Chen with their heads bowed, too afraid to speak.
"Speak! What happened? Who struck first?" Jiang Chen demanded sternly, his voice laced with authority.
"Your Majesty, it was him! He struck first!" one of them pointed at the other, his tone filled with grievance.
"You’re lying! You were the one who threw the first punch!" the other retorted angrily.
"Silence! I am asking you both questions; speak one at a time!" Jiang Chen scolded, his impatience evident in his tone.
"Your Majesty, it was like this..." One of them began to recount the events. It turned out they were both eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen who had gotten into a verbal spat over a trivial matter and, in a moment of impulse, resorted to blows.
"You two are truly audacious! How dare you fight in the palace? Do you have no regard for the law? Do you not recognize me as your Emperor?" Jiang Chen exclaimed furiously, his voice brimming with wrath.
"Please spare us, Your Majesty! We were wrong! We will never do it again!" The two eunuchs repeatedly bowed their heads in fear, their foreheads bleeding from their actions.
"Hmph! I will let you off this time, but if it happens again, I will show no mercy!" Jiang Chen replied coldly, his tone filled with menace.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you!" The eunuchs expressed their gratitude as if they had been granted a reprieve.
"Now get back and reflect on your actions!" Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively, his voice tinged with disgust.
The crowd dispersed like startled birds, leaving only Jiang Chen and Lin Yu standing there.
"Consort Lin, I apologize for this disturbance," Jiang Chen turned to Lin Yu, a hint of regret in his tone.
"Your Majesty, you overstate the matter. This is merely a small issue; you need not dwell on it," Lin Yu said, her voice filled with understanding.
But in a drama, shouldn't such a situation warrant punishment? Why was the Emperor not following the usual script?
"It is getting late; I must return now. Consort Lin, please rest early. I will visit you again on another day," Jiang Chen said, a hint of reluctance in his voice.
"I bid you farewell, Your Majesty," Lin Yu replied respectfully, her tone imbued with reverence.
Jiang Chen nodded and turned to leave Zhui Xia Palace, disappearing into the night.
As Lin Yu watched Jiang Chen's retreating figure, an inexplicable emotion surged within her. This feeling was like the gentle spring rain, quietly nourishing everything around without notice, and before she realized it, it had already seeped into her heart.
She understood that the story between her and the Emperor was just beginning. The road ahead was long and filled with uncertainties, but she was not afraid. She believed that as long as one has determination, they could overcome any difficulties and attain their own happiness.
The beautiful moonlight would forever remain in her memory, becoming one of the most cherished recollections of her life. This tranquil night and the bright moonlight bore witness to the subtle emotions shared between her and the Emperor—like freshly brewed wine, it exuded a faint fragrance that lingered in one's thoughts.
Lin Yu turned back to her room, closed the door, shutting out the noise from outside. Alone, she savored this rare tranquility. This peaceful night and radiant moonlight would forever be etched in her memory, becoming one of the most beautiful moments of her life.
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