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墨書 Inktalez
The Emperor, clad in a Bright Yellow Dragon Robe, sat majestically in the exquisitely ornate pavilion of the Imperial Garden, his posture as upright 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 expansive grassy field ahead, as if anticipating something exciting 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 the picturesque Imperial Garden, adorned with vibrant blossoms, while also taking a glance at the consorts who were confined within the depths of the palace.
At that moment, a soft breeze brushed by, carrying with it strands of intoxicating floral fragrance.
The rich and fragrant scent 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, Chief Eunuch Li Defu kept his head bowed low, serving dutifully at his side with utmost respect.
His already humble face was adorned with a sycophantic smile, carefully observing the Emperor's expressions, fearful that any misstep might provoke his wrath.
Surrounding them, the Palace Maids stood silently like statues on one side, 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 stone cast into a still lake, instantly shattering the tranquility.
The Emperor stirred at the sound, slowly lifting his head to gaze in the direction from which it came.
He saw a graceful figure walking along the winding path.
Her steps were light as willows in the wind, swaying elegantly; her form was enchanting and ethereal, like a celestial being descending to earth.
However, as that figure drew closer, the Emperor's previously relaxed brow involuntarily furrowed slightly, and his expression turned somewhat peculiar.
"This is..." he murmured softly, a hint of confusion and surprise lacing his words.
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, pink like clouds at sunset, or pure white as snow, interwoven in a way that resembled a stunningly beautiful 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, akin to flames, while the white plums were icy and pure, reminiscent of fresh fallen snow.
In this garden full of vibrant spring flowers, such a unique adornment stood out remarkably; it could only be described as "eye-catching."
This extraordinary makeup left even the Emperor dumbfounded. Even Chief Eunuch Li Defu, who had seen countless court intrigues and was well-versed in palace affairs, along with many trained Palace Maids, were rendered speechless at that moment.
They exchanged glances, unsure of how to react.
Each face was etched with shock and disbelief, their expressions resembling those who had witnessed an unimaginable spectacle or encountered a ghost.
Especially Li Defu, whose usually calm and composed demeanor twisted in astonishment; his lips twitched slightly, clearly shaken by the scene before him.
Lin Yu stepped forward with this "extraordinary" face, each step taken with a hint of 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 complete it.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu tried to calm her anxious heart and steeled herself to slowly walk toward the Emperor's direction.
She was filled with joy, eagerly anticipating that her 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 that by cleverly blending the two styles, she could showcase a unique charm that might even catch the Emperor's eye, making 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 blend of vibrancy and elegance she had imagined, it appeared somewhat mismatched, even ridiculous.
With a racing heart, she cautiously lifted her gaze to steal a glance at the Emperor's expression.
What she saw made her heart plummet.
The Emperor's brows were tightly furrowed, and his deep-set eyes revealed an incredulous look;
his lips twitched slightly as if he was struggling to suppress an impending laugh.
That expression—half-smile, half-restrained laughter—only deepened Lin Yu's embarrassment.
Her heart raced uncontrollably, and her mind went blank.
She inwardly 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 terrible makeup? The thought sent a chill down her spine, and cold sweat trickled 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, "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, feeling a bit embarrassed. She bit her lip tightly and steeled herself to explain to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, the reason for my appearance is that I have developed a new kind of makeup called Peach Blossom Plum Blossom Makeup.
I thought it looked 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, striving to control his urge to burst into laughter. He nodded slightly and said, "Well, this makeup... is indeed quite unique."
In truth, he found this peculiar style hard to comprehend but could not bear to discourage this bold and creative consort. Thus, he offered a reluctant compliment.
Hearing that the Emperor was not angry, Lin Yu's heart finally settled a bit. She secretly rejoiced, "Phew... thankfully, 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 commotion 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.
It turned out these were other consorts from the palace. Upon hearing that the Emperor had appeared in the Imperial Garden, they hurriedly dressed up and rushed over in hopes of winning 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 proudly, straightening her spine and lifting her ample chest high, her chin slightly raised as if she were about to break through the heavens.
Her meticulously adorned face radiated an unparalleled confidence and arrogance, exuding the essence of someone who believed herself to be "the most beautiful in the world."
Then, she cast a disdainful glance at the group of exquisitely dressed consorts before her. With her ruby lips parting slightly, she spoke in a tone dripping with contempt, "What’s this? 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, akin to a hornet's nest being disturbed.
The consorts, who had been whispering among themselves, ignited like a powder keg upon hearing her words, their emotions bursting forth uncontrollably.
One consort, with furrowed brows and wide eyes, pointed at Lin Yu and shouted angrily, "Jealous of you? Hmph! Have you even looked 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 I’ve really opened my eyes!"
Even more boldly, one began to ridicule Lin Yu’s makeup: "Oh dear, look at your face—it’s painted like a monkey's backside! Are you trying to scare the Emperor away?
Hahaha..." Another consort wore a look of disdain and coldly remarked, "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 unlikely you'll ever get your wish!"
In an instant, a tide of mockery 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 in shock, afraid to breathe.
Facing the onslaught from the crowd without fear, Lin Yu straightened her back and retaliated with piercing eyes: "Hmph! Look at you jealous people—unable to achieve anything yourself yet envious of others. How ridiculous!"
A slight smirk curled at the corners of her mouth as she continued, "Oh dear sisters, it seems you’ll never taste the sweetness of those grapes; you can only watch This Palace from afar and feel sour inside!"
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 paragon 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 behold this captivating beauty of mine, as radiant as a celestial being descended to earth. How could you common and unrefined women even begin to compare?
It’s simply a chasm between clouds and mud!”
With her hands on her hips, she threw her head back and laughed heartily, “Hahaha… I was born with such natural beauty. Even if your hearts are filled with envy and jealousy, there’s nothing you can do about it!”
The more Lin Yu reveled in her triumph, the more she provocatively pointed at the women, “If you’re capable, why don’t you try to create a makeup look as stunning as mine?
If you can’t manage 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 filling the air in a relentless clamor.
The Emperor had intended to take advantage of his leisure time to relax in the Imperial Garden, but he never expected to witness such a chaotic scene.
Frowning deeply, he shook his head helplessly and rubbed his temples, feeling a throbbing headache coming on.
He slowly raised his hand and waved it gracefully 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 slightly furrowed and his expression dark.
Though his voice was not loud or booming, the authority contained within it was as powerful as thunder, 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 command.
They looked at the Emperor in terror, each of them lowering their heads, afraid to breathe a word, lest they provoke his wrath.
Lin Yu naturally sensed the shift in atmosphere. She prudently pressed her lips together, choosing not to speak another word.
In her heart, she silently thought: Oh dear, I must not provoke the Emperor at this moment!
If he were to become 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 evident in his eyes.
Finally, he let out a long sigh and shook his head, saying, “Enough. Let today’s matters rest here.
I truly feel weary and need to return to the palace for some proper rest.” Before his words had fully settled in the air, 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 that the Emperor had left, Lin Yu prepared to slip away.
She did not want to stay here any longer to witness these women’s expressions; it was better to hurry back to her own chambers and rest!
At that moment, a voice suddenly called out to her.
“Consort Lin, please wait!”
Lin Yu turned around and saw a woman dressed in splendid palace attire, her beauty striking as she approached her.
This woman moved gracefully, her figure enchanting. Adorned with golden hairpins and jade ornaments, she wore luxurious brocade garments that radiated an air of nobility.
She was the most favored consort in the harem—Consort Li.
Lin Yu thought to herself, This is bad; this woman isn't planning to cause me trouble, is she?
She hadn't forgotten that when she first crossed over, she had offended Consort Li.
Now that she had stirred up such a commotion, this woman would surely not let her off the hook!
Consort Li walked up to Lin Yu, sizing her up from head to toe before sneering, "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 your 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!
Consort Li snorted coldly, "One of a kind? Hmph! I see it as utterly hideous! 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 such an appearance, how could she even think of competing for favor? It was simply laughable!
Lin Yu refused to back down and retorted, "Whether or not I can attract the Emperor's attention is none of Your Highness's concern. You should take care of yourself first!"
She wasn't afraid of this woman at all!
After all, she had nothing to lose now; what was there to fear?
Consort Li's expression darkened as she angrily said, "You..."
She was just about to explode in anger when a thought crossed her mind, and she managed to hold it back.
With a cold laugh, she said, "Good, very good! Consort Lin, let's wait and see!"
After saying that, Consort Li turned and left, leaving Lin Yu standing alone.
Lin Yu watched Consort Li's retreating figure and thought to herself: This woman definitely has ulterior motives! It seems that life is going to be tough from now on!
However, she was not one to be easily provoked! When the soldiers come, she would meet them; when the water comes, she would block it. 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! Now, you must continue to work hard to become the Empress as soon as possible!"
Lin Yu smiled and thought: The Empress? Hmph, that's just the beginning! My goal is to become the most formidable woman in this harem!
She looked up at the sky, her eyes filled with ambition and fighting spirit.
The battle for the harem had only just begun!
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