Lin Yu returned to the Zhui Xia Palace, her heart racing like a rabbit, thumping wildly and leaving her in a state of turmoil. She couldn’t calm down at all.
The Emperor's actions were more thrilling than a roller coaster—so sudden and ambiguous that she felt utterly bewildered, her mind a chaotic mess.
“Inverse Light, come out! Explain to me what’s going on!” Lin Yu called out to the System in her mind, her voice trembling slightly as if she were ready to confront someone.
“Hey there, host! Congratulations, you’ve successfully captured the Emperor’s heart!” The System's mischievous voice echoed in her head, dripping with schadenfreude.
“Captured? You make it sound like I’m some kind of bandit. I didn’t go around robbing anyone!” Lin Yu rolled her eyes and replied irritably.
“Oh come on, host! That’s not fair! This is called irresistible charm, do you understand? Your allure is even stronger than a magnet, firmly attracting the Emperor’s heart!” The System retorted, brimming with pride.
“Stop being so cheeky! Tell me, what does the Emperor really mean by this? He can’t possibly have developed feelings for me, right? If it were that simple, why wasn’t Lin Wan favored before? She had all the talents,” Lin Yu still found it hard to believe; after all, this was too surreal.
“It’s absolutely true! This System has conducted precise calculations; the Emperor’s favorability towards 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 on, curiosity lacing her tone.
“Higher than a volcanic eruption! More explosive than a skyrocketing firework!” The System exaggerated dramatically.
Lin Yu sat in front of the dressing table, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. A subtle smile crept onto her lips, a hint of pride shining through. She was no naive little rabbit to be easily slaughtered; she intended to utilize every resource available to thrive in this perilous palace, living as fiercely as the wild grass that springs back with each gust of spring wind.
“Host, what are you thinking? Are you plotting something mischievous?” the System inquired curiously, its tone laced with gossip.
“I’m contemplating how to earn the Emperor’s favor even more and how to navigate this palace with ease,” Lin Yu replied candidly, her voice brimming with ambition.
“Hehe, Host, that’s simple! Just cater to his preferences! It’s like fishing; you need the right bait!” the System suggested mischievously.
“Cater to his preferences? What does the Emperor like? Does he fancy gold and jewels? Or perhaps gourmet delicacies?” Lin Yu asked, her tone filled with uncertainty.
“Well… I’m currently gathering intel and will report back shortly. I guarantee you’ll have the Emperor completely enchanted!” the System declared 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 yet unobtrusive.
“Who is it?” Lin Yu asked, 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, adjusted her clothing, and opened the door in one smooth motion, showing no signs of panic.
There stood Emperor Jiang Chen outside, dressed in casual attire, a gentle smile on his face that made him seem as friendly as an older brother from the neighborhood.
“Chen Qie greets Your Majesty,” Lin Yu said, bowing gracefully, her voice soft and enchanting.
“No need for formalities,” Jiang Chen replied with a smile as he walked straight into the room, his steps leisurely and his demeanor extraordinary.
Lin Yu hurried to follow him, her heart racing like a bucket being drawn from a well.
What could the Emperor want at such a late hour? Was he here for a night visit? Or perhaps to question her?
Jiang Chen reached the window, gazing at the bright moonlight outside. “I couldn’t sleep, so I came to see you. The moonlight is beautiful tonight, just like your eyes,” he said.
Lin Yu felt a warmth in her heart; it was comforting to know that the Emperor was concerned for her.
“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 by his side like a blooming white lotus, pure and elegant.
“Consort Lin, your performance today truly impressed me,” Jiang Chen said with a smile, his tone full of admiration.
"Your Majesty flatters me. I have merely done my humble part; it's just a trivial skill that has made you laugh," Lin Yu said modestly, her voice melodious and captivating.
Yet in her heart, she thought: What a compliment! It was far more impressive than the performances of the actresses on stage.
"No, you did very well, and it has given me a new perspective on you," Jiang Chen said, taking Lin Yu's hand gently. "At the same time, I truly admire your talent and courage. You are like the Night 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.
Was he… confessing his feelings to her? Did he want to develop an office romance?
"Your Majesty…" Lin Yu called softly, her voice tinged with shyness.
"Consort Lin, would you… accompany me to enjoy the moon? The moonlight is so beautiful; it would be a shame to see it alone," Jiang Chen looked at Lin Yu with eyes full of 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 radiant moonlight outside. The scene was more romantic than any idol drama.
In truth, dating the Emperor didn't seem so bad after all; he was quite handsome.
At that moment, it felt as if time had stopped. Everything around them faded away, leaving just the two of them.
An ambiguous atmosphere enveloped them, as if the air were 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 question. Had he done something he regretted?
"Your Majesty, why would the Consort hate you? You are the revered one, how could the Consort possibly hate you?" Lin Yu asked in confusion, her tone filled with bewilderment.
"Because... because I have forced you to stay in the palace, taking away your freedom, just like a bird in a cage," Jiang Chen said, lowering his head, his voice heavy with guilt, like a child who had made a mistake.
Lin Yu then understood that the Emperor was apologizing for his previous actions; it turned out he also had such a gentle side.
"Your Majesty, let the past be the past, just like water spilled on the ground that can never be retrieved," Lin Yu said softly. "The Consort no longer blames you, and you need not feel guilty."
Jiang Chen lifted 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 see you before; it was you who always avoided 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 even more compassionate than the Bodhisattva.
With a gentle smile, she replied, "Your Majesty, there is no need to be so polite. The Consort has merely done what she ought to do; this is simply 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, reminiscent of blooming peach blossoms in March.
She could feel the Emperor's feelings for her slowly changing—from initial exploitation to now genuine appreciation. This was a significant progress.
Unbeknownst to her, she too had developed a special sentiment for the Emperor. This feeling grew within her heart like creeping vines, entwining around her emotions.
The two stood quietly together, neither speaking as they enjoyed this rare moment of tranquility.
Moonlight bathed them in silver hues, enveloping them in a dreamlike world.
On this tranquil night, under the beautiful moonlight, a subtle emotion lingered between them, reminiscent of freshly brewed wine, exuding a faint and delicate fragrance.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted from a 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 let people sleep?" Jiang Chen frowned, his tone filled with displeasure. He despised having his peace disturbed.
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 remarked, curiosity lacing her voice.
Jiang Chen's expression darkened as he said, "Let’s go take a look. I want to see who has the audacity to cause trouble on my territory!"
Lin Yu nodded and followed Jiang Chen outside, eager to find out who was so foolish as to stir up trouble at this hour.
As they exited Zhui Xia Palace, they saw flames shooting into the sky not far away, shadows flickering amidst the chaos, accompanied by shouts and the clashing of weapons. It was clear that a fierce fight was underway.
"Your Majesty, let’s be careful and not 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 found a group of Palace Maids and Eunuchs gathered together, with two individuals in the center engaged in an intense fight, neither willing to back down.
"Stop! What are you doing? All of you cease this at once!" Jiang Chen bellowed, his voice booming like thunder and causing ears to ring.
Upon hearing the emperor's voice, everyone froze in fear, quickly dropping to their knees and trembling like startled quails.
"Your Majesty, spare us! Your Majesty, please!" they cried out in unison, their voices filled with terror.
Jiang Chen stepped into the crowd, observing the two individuals still grappling with each other. He shouted angrily, "What is going on between you two? Why are you fighting? Don't you know this is the imperial palace, a place where noise and disturbances are strictly forbidden?"
Upon hearing the Emperor's inquiry, the two men released their grip 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 filled with authority.
"Your Majesty, it was him! He struck first!" one of them pointed at the other, his tone laced with grievance.
"You’re lying! You were the one who started it!" the other retorted, his voice brimming with anger.
"Silence! I am asking you both a question; speak one at a time!" Jiang Chen scolded, his tone impatient.
"Your Majesty, it happened 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 an argument over a trivial matter and, in a moment of impulse, resorted to violence.
"You two are incredibly bold! How dare you fight in the palace? Do you have no respect for the law? Do you not acknowledge me as your Emperor?" Jiang Chen said furiously, his voice seething with rage.
"Please spare us, Your Majesty! We realize our mistake and will never do it again!" The two Eunuchs repeatedly bowed their heads in fear, their foreheads bleeding from striking the ground.
"Hmph! I will let you off this time, but if there’s a next time, I will not be so lenient!" Jiang Chen replied coldly, his voice carrying a sense of intimidation.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you!" The two Eunuchs expressed their gratitude as if they had been granted a reprieve.
"Now get back to your duties and reflect on your actions!" Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively, his tone filled with disdain.
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 and spoke with a hint of regret in his voice.
"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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