Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
“Empress, Poppy has come to pay her respects.” Xiaogong'e, named Meixi, was a maid from Jinse's family who accompanied her into the palace. Jinse put down the needle and thread in her hands and glanced at Fengyin, who was playing chess with Hibiscus in the partition. Young Master Mu is truly kind; he comes every day to keep Fengyin company. Every love story is unique.
“Hmm, let her in.” It was rumored that when Poppy first entered the palace, she made a grave mistake and confined herself in self-reflection. Later, for some unknown reason, Xuan Li no longer pursued the matter. Among the concubines in the harem, only she received such grace and favor.
“Empress, may you be blessed. Not long ago, I was unwell and could not pay my respects to you. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.” Poppy still wore a headscarf, looking as if she had caught a chill, occasionally clutching her heart and frowning, truly a pitiable sight.
“Hmm, have you seen the imperial physician?” In line with the principle of harmony in the harem, Jinse was very friendly.
“Yes, I have. They said the root of the illness remains and it will flare up intermittently.”
“It’s nothing to worry about; illness requires rest. You should take good care of yourself and you will surely recover.”
“What can I do? Recently, Sovereign has been coming often; how can I rest?” Poppy looked troubled.
“Uh.” Jinse lowered her eyes. “If you truly want to rest, go to Grand Temple for a while; it is peaceful there.” Grand Temple is the ancestral temple of the Xuan Clan, where the tombs and ancestral tablets of past emperors are placed. It is common for concubines from the harem to go there to guard their ancestors' spirits, pray for blessings for the emperor, study Buddhism, and cultivate their nature.
“I am weak and cold; it would be inappropriate to disturb Grand Temple’s tranquility.”
“Suit yourself.” Jinse waved her hand. “Just take good care of yourself.”
“Thank you for your concern, Queen. In this harem, you and I are companions. Yu'er is several years younger than you and entered the palace earlier; I wonder if we can treat each other as sisters?”
“A harmonious harem is certainly something I welcome. Poppy should focus on recuperating. I am feeling a bit tired.”
"Your servant takes her leave."
Watching Poppy's departing figure, Jinse couldn't help but frown, recalling Poppy's earlier words, feeling a blockage in her heart that left her perplexed. She lost interest in embroidery and went to the partition to see Fengyin and Hibiscus playing chess. To her surprise, the two were deeply engrossed in their game, exchanging glances filled with affection, completely unaware of her presence. She had no choice but to step out of the partition and lay back on the couch, inhaling the warm fragrance.
Why couldn't her relationship with Xuan Li be like theirs, where they only had eyes for each other?
This gloomy feeling lingered in Jinse's heart, and she hadn't smiled for several days.
"Jinse, you've been so downcast these past few days. What's wrong?"
"Yin Yin, life in this palace is extremely difficult."
Fengyin nodded. "Benefactor said Xuan Li has been busy handling state affairs in the study every day and has little time to spare. You shouldn't blame him."
Jinse shook her head; she didn't believe it. She hadn't seen him around for several days.
"Yin Yin, I envy you. Young Master Mu is so devoted to you."
"In this world, everything should be a trade-off. I'm not lacking in my feelings for him either." Fengyin smiled, hearing footsteps from outside the courtyard. "Benefactor is here; I’ll go greet him."
Jinse pouted. "You go ahead."
Fengyin smiled as she left.
"Yin'er, the weather is nice today, and the fish in Azure Lake have grown fat. Let's go out of the palace to row a boat and fish."
"Sure, it's a bit warmer, but don't loosen your clothes too much; it wouldn't be good to catch a chill."
Fengyin adjusted Hibiscus's collar, looking at the cold Mask but feeling warmth in her heart.
Jinse frowned; being a woman in the palace was truly difficult. She also wanted to brew wine and row a boat, but who would accompany her? Since he was busy with state affairs, she would put some thought into making snacks for him.
"Empress, the Emperor said he doesn't want to see anyone. Please return."
"I see. Well then, I'll go rest in the pavilion up front. Please bring me a hand warmer."
"Yes, Your Highness."
In the Imperial Study, the man's heavy breathing intertwined with the woman's delicate gasps, accompanied by a faint fragrance.
The back pavilion was filled with joy while the Sovereign did not attend morning court.
It turned out that the rumors were true.
"Sister-in-law, why did you take so long to arrive?" In the pavilion, Spiritual Incense was hugging a hand warmer, resting her chin on her hand while sitting on a stone chair covered with fine cushions. The little eunuch from earlier was waiting nearby, and not far away, Mel was burning incense and playing the zither.
"It's nothing."
"Listen to Mei Er play the piano. In a few days, the plum blossoms will bloom, and we can go see them together."
Jinse nodded, lost in thought.
"Sister-in-law, you look troubled. What's wrong?"
Jinse shook her head.
"Did you secretly go to the Imperial Study?" Spiritual Incense fiddled with her nails, speaking absentmindedly. Jinse's heart skipped a beat; could it be that everyone knew while she remained in the dark?
"Sister-in-law, try to lighten up. Back then, my Mother Empress would wait until late at night while my father was in another consort's palace."
But what was he saying? He promised not to let her down.
"That's really boring," Jinse waved her hand, trying to mask her unease.
"Let's have lunch together." Spiritual Incense smiled charmingly; she was a very likable girl, and when she smiled, she became even more approachable.
"Sister-in-law, be careful. That Poppy has a lot on her mind," Spiritual Incense said casually, glancing at Mel in the distance with narrowed eyes. "Mei Er, are you hungry?"
Over there, Mei Er turned back, shook her head, and gave her a calm smile.
"Why do I feel like Mei Er is getting prettier and prettier?" Spiritual Incense rested her chin on her hand, ignoring the snacks on the table.
Recalling the scene at the Imperial Study, a nauseating feeling surged to the pit of my stomach, leaving no trace of appetite.
The Sovereign is difficult to fathom.
Azure Lake is the most beautiful lake in the capital, with a variety of boats and pleasure crafts.
It was here that Zhu Qing first met Qing Lian, and now the largest pleasure boat at Lake Center—the Bamboo Ink Pavilion—belongs to the Zhu Family. On the boat, beauties abound, each more talented than the last, attracting the attention of all the talented young men in the capital.
“Madam, Young Master calls for you to return.”
The beauty on the couch turned her eyes away. “I won’t go back.”
This couple never seems to have a moment's peace.
Back then, the various branches of the Zhu Family tried to stop them; they were determined to be together. Now, however, they are constantly airing their grievances.
The beauty on the couch is none other than Qing Lian. Three years into her marriage with Zhu Qing, she has become even more stunning and charming.
“The Young Master said that if Madam doesn’t return, he won’t provide food for you.”
“Even a tiger does not eat its cubs; indeed, men are heartless.” The beauty on the couch secretly gritted her teeth, her dissatisfaction evident.
“Go tell your Young Master that if he wants to take a concubine, he should stop coming to find me.”
"Madam... this..."
"Why aren't you going yet?"
"Yes..."
In the Zhu Family courtyard, a man broke off a dry branch.
"How could one not take a concubine? Which man in the Zhu Family doesn't have a second wife?"
"Do as you wish! If you take a concubine, I won't stay with you." Qing Lian's bold words echoed in his ears.
A gentle breeze wafted, ripples danced on the Azure Lake, and a small boat floated lightly. Fengyin leaned over the boat's edge, gazing at the surface of the lake.
"This fish looks so fat."
"Chirp chirp!" Little Hanxin stood on Hibiscus's shoulder, gesturing with his little paws, and his gulping made people chuckle. He was no longer afraid of Fengyin; now they were definitely good comrades and friends. Hibiscus had taken them to taste all the snacks in the capital, and after indulging, Little Hanxin's belly was noticeably round, looking like a ball.
Little Hanxin leaped onto Fengyin's shoulder, both watching the plump fish in the water. "It looks delicious, doesn't it, Cold Heart?"
"Chirp chirp!" Yes! What a big fish!
Comment 0 Comment Count