Without waiting for the palace attendants to announce him, Emperor Xie Yan quietly made his way to the warm study where the young boy was located. He was well-acquainted with this path. From a distance, he could see the room illuminated by a warm lamp, and the gauzy window allowed faint light to filter through. A familiar silhouette was cast upon the window, and it unexpectedly filled him with a sense of anticipation.
He instinctively slowed his pace.
Outside the door, two young eunuchs on night duty were engrossed in their thoughts. Suddenly, they noticed a pair of bright yellow cloud-patterned boots in their line of sight. Without any warning, they looked up and saw that it was Emperor Xie Yan. Their faces couldn’t conceal their pleasant surprise. They knew that His Majesty favored the Yun Wangye the most! Otherwise, why would he rush over upon hearing that the Prince was upset?
Wang Gonggong was skilled at reading facial expressions. He understood that His Majesty preferred not to be disturbed, so he maintained a stern expression and gestured to the two jubilant young eunuchs to “keep quiet.”
Both young eunuchs happily nodded in response.
Emperor Xie Yan walked briskly into the warm study. However, the scene before him was unexpected. He had thought he would find a despondent and melancholic young boy. Instead, what he saw was the young prince quietly reading a book. His jet-black eyes were so focused on the pages that he seemed oblivious to the approaching footsteps. The sound of pages being turned could be faintly heard in the air.
Perhaps preparing for bedtime, the young boy’s soft, jet-black hair cascaded down his shoulders. Under the candlelight, his long eyelashes fluttered gently, casting fan-like shadows on his peach-shaped face, which appeared even more fair, delicate, and refined. His nose was straight and slightly upturned, and his small mouth was rosy, exuding exquisite elegance.
Moreover, there was an aura of tranquility about him, as if he had no concerns in the world. Being in his presence had a calming effect, and time seemed to slow down. It felt like a peaceful and tranquil period, and Emperor Xie Yan found himself wanting to walk up behind the young boy and gently embrace him.
Occasional snippets of conversation could be heard in the room as palace attendants tidied up the bedding, and the gentle swaying of the gauzy canopy resembled a cascade of clouds.
One of the palace attendants urged softly, “My little prince, it’s late. Please put down your book; it’s time to rest.” Another attendant nodded and added, “You can continue reading during the day to avoid straining your eyes. Let this servant help you wash your feet.”
The palace maid reached out to take the book from the young boy’s hand, but Yin Minglu was reluctant to part with it. He twisted his arm to evade her grasp, being cautious not to disrupt the warm footbath he was soaking in.
While soaking his feet, he continued reading his novel as part of his nightly routine. His face showed no signs of heartache or despair; instead, he held the book with laughter and enjoyment, as if thoroughly engrossed in its content.
Underneath his feet, he continued to soak them while indulging in the comfort of massaging his feet one moment with his fair left foot and then the next with his right. His slightly squinted eyes betrayed his satisfaction. Whenever palace attendants scolded him for staying up late to read, he always responded with a sense of righteousness, saying, “It’s not my fault; blame it on the writers for being so good.”
Indeed, one should not underestimate the wisdom and imagination of ancient authors.
One of the palace attendants shook her head. “This servant doesn’t know many big characters, so I don’t see the appeal of books.” Literacy was a privilege reserved for the upper class, and they had no opportunity to learn. Naturally, they couldn’t grasp the significance of the folk novels and stories that Yin Minglu enjoyed reading before bed. Those tales were too distant from their world, filled with stories of romance and opulent palaces.
Yin Minglu explained, “No, no, these stories are written by unsuccessful scholars. They are not overly sophisticated, and the stories are quite interesting. The kind of articles that His Majesty often asks me to read, such as ‘Zhīhūzhěyě’1“Zhīhūzhěyě” is a classical Chinese phrase often used to describe Confucian scholars and literati who are overly pedantic and narrow-minded., I don’t like them either. Let me summarize this particular story for you.”
He went on, “It’s about a scholar named Li, who, after achieving success in the imperial examinations and making a name for himself, paraded through the streets on horseback. He encountered many women who cast flirtatious glances and seductive expressions at him. However, he was inherently proud and insisted on finding a woman of noble birth who shared his ambitions, preferably someone well-read. He wanted a wife with whom he could compose poetry and live harmoniously after marriage. Is that too much to ask?”
The palace maid was captivated by the vivid image painted by her master’s description. A decade of diligent studying in the cold solitude, achieving fame across the nation, and having a beautiful woman by one’s side—a dream that all scholars in the world longed for. It truly was not an unreasonable desire.
Yin Minglu continued, “Then, because this scholar was handsome as Pan An and talented, a beautiful but uncultured young lady from an official’s family took an interest in him and repeatedly invited him for outings and mountain hikes. However, the scholar found her to be uncultured and decided to keep his distance. The young lady’s steward was unhappy with this rejection and found a ghostwriter. They engaged the daughter of a talented but plain-looking private tutor to write some beautiful poems, pretending they were her own, and sent them to the scholar. These verses were exquisite and every word was a gem, making the top scholar deeply enamored. When the private tutor’s daughter heard about it, she was heartbroken and depressed, as she also deeply loved the top scholar but was constrained by her lowly status and plain appearance, preventing her from revealing her affections.”
“That young lady actually used a ghostwriter?” The palace maid was thoroughly engaged in the story now and began to feel indignant. After all, such sordid actions were common among people with wealth and power. “That poor private tutor’s daughter is too pitiable.”
They couldn’t help but empathize with the plight of the weaker party, momentarily putting themselves in their shoes.
“Indeed, the top scholar corresponded frequently with the young lady, and their affection grew deeper. It can be said that he fell in love with the beauty of the official’s daughter’s appearance and was also enamored with the extraordinary talent of the private tutor’s daughter. When the truth came to light, he felt deceived. He believed that the official’s daughter was shallow and ignorant, but undeniably beautiful, and he thought the private tutor’s daughter was full of talent but ultimately plain. So, he went berserk and smashed things in his house. Now, guess what happened in the end? Whom do you think he chose?”
Yin Minglu had piqued their interest, and the palace attendants leaned in closer, their hearts itching with curiosity. They were eager to hear the outcome and urged, “What happened in the end? He should have chosen the private tutor’s daughter, right? After all, they had similar personalities and shared interests.”
“Not quite.” Yin Minglu grinned mischievously. “He ended up choosing both of them. The beautiful and generous official’s daughter became his primary wife, while the private tutor’s daughter, the gem of the humble home, became his concubine. He managed to have both beautiful women without having to give up either. Isn’t that a splendid outcome?”
Palace attendants: “…” Excuse me. They couldn’t even marry one wife, let alone two at once.
What Yin Minglu didn’t mention was that before marriage, these two women thought they had deceived their future husband. So, after marriage, they became incredibly obedient and attentive, serving him with the utmost care. Moreover, as the top scholar became the son-in-law of an official, thanks to his capable father-in-law, he thrived in the imperial court, marrying the private tutor’s daughter as well. The private tutor father-in-law educated a group of talented students, which further expanded the top scholar’s network. These students eventually became valuable connections, leading to his rapid rise in status and gaining the Emperor’s favor.
Even the recently widowed county princess was fond of him, and on moonlit nights, they couldn’t help but make music together, clapping in love. In the midst of the ever-growing harem, he was a true winner in life, living out the dreams of countless failed scholars in ancient times. In an era without smartphones, Yin Minglu found himself thoroughly engrossed in this narrative, reading with enthusiasm. After all, his sexual orientation didn’t conflict with enjoying these kinds of stories.
Additionally, with the brainwaves he had transmitted, he was confident he could complete the mission. So, Yin Minglu had a complete change of mood from his earlier gloominess, happily engrossed in his reading, and he completely ignored the tall figure standing outside his window.
In fact, he was just seeking some entertainment, but what he said was overheard by others. Unintended words could have unintended consequences.
“So, this is what you meant, being infatuated with me to the point of losing sleep and appetite for my sake. It seems he’s living quite comfortably.” Reading these erotic novels every day, dreaming of marrying beautiful women, and wanting to marry two of them at once!?
Xie Yan coldly stared at the ever-changing colors on Wang Gonggong’s face. His emotionless gaze almost made the man kneel down. Wang Gonggong hurriedly said, “But when I first heard the news, the young master really couldn’t eat.” This information couldn’t possibly be wrong. However, as soon as he arrived, the young master started acting carefree again, as if he didn’t care about this matter at all.
Xie Yan rubbed his high and straight nose bridge, wishing he could issue a ban, preventing such unethical and unrealistic books from appearing in the market. But he knew that if he did that, the impoverished scholars in society would likely cause an uproar. Moreover, the child would lose interest in life, and he would be the first to come forward, fiercely opposing his decision.
Banning it would be distressing, but not banning it worried him even more.
Initially, Emperor Jing was in a very good mood, but now he was somewhat annoyed. He was annoyed that the child was too young, and he couldn’t force enlightenment on him. He was also annoyed that the child, at such a young age, had started fantasizing about beautiful women.
“Your Majesty, please calm down. The young master is still very young, and it’s normal for him not to be interested in such matters at his age. It’s also possible that he was upset but has a cheerful disposition, which allows him to resolve his feelings.” Wang Gonggong tried to console him. Of course, this was what he said on the surface. From a man’s perspective, he understood it perfectly well. It was only natural for the young master to be interested in beautiful women. Even the eunuchs like them, who lacked functionality, admired them, let alone a healthy young master. It was perfectly reasonable for him to be infatuated with beautiful women.
He would never admit it, but hearing the story outside the room, he himself wanted to borrow the book from the young master to read.
He racked his brains for ideas, saying, “I’ve noticed that Lady Qin seems to have quite a few good ideas. Today, the food presented to you by the palace servants was said to be unprecedented in taste, reaching the pinnacle of deliciousness. Since the young master enjoys food, Your Majesty could start from here. With these novel and delicious dishes, if the young master is delighted, perhaps his attention won’t be focused on these obscene books.”
At the mention of that mysterious woman, Xie Yan’s lips slightly pursed, and he fell into contemplation. He didn’t consider himself a good person, and when he wanted to use someone, he could patiently wait for a while before squeezing out their last value.
The next day, after staying up late reading novels, Yin Minglu slept until mid-morning. He had just stretched lazily when a palace servant brought in a plate of food.
Upon smelling the rich aroma, he widened his eyes, and the hungry beast in his stomach roared. He gulped down a mouthful of saliva and said, “This smell is… tea eggs!”
The palace servant smiled and said, “Yes, Young Master. These tea eggs were just concocted by the Imperial Kitchen. They are said to be a folk dish, boiled with high-quality tea leaves. They are very flavorful, and the eggshells are barely cracked, but the insides are incredibly tender and delicious. People can’t stop at just one; they’re much better than regular boiled eggs. It’s also said that they have the benefit of clearing phlegm, stopping coughs, and soothing asthma. Young Master, please try them. You tend to cough a lot during the spring and summer.”
“Was this made by the Imperial Kitchen?” Yin Minglu held a tea egg, examining it as if it were some rare antique, his small eyes filled with suspicion. He was wondering whether it was a prescription given by the female lead or concocted by the Imperial Kitchen.
“It was made by a special order from His Majesty, thinking of you,” the palace servant emphasized, wanting to credit the achievement to the Emperor. “Please, have a taste.”
Alright then. Yin Minglu peeled the egg and took a bite of its tenderness.
After finishing the egg, the young master found it delicious and immediately sent out a message giving it a five-star rating. The members of the Imperial Kitchen were all rewarded, and so was the Chu Xu Palace where Lady Qin was situated.
However, when Yin Minglu heard that the female lead had also received a reward, he suddenly widened his eyes and stared at the egg in disbelief. He felt that the egg was no longer appetizing. Could it be that the spy he had sent yesterday had implanted a virus as agreed? He angrily pushed the table aside and exclaimed, “Take this egg away! I won’t eat it!”
In the eyes of the onlookers, it appeared as if the young master had discovered that the recipe came from Lady Qin, became jealous, and started throwing a tantrum. The palace servants were overjoyed with this interpretation.
Inside the Chu Xiu Palace, Qin Manman lay on the Guifei chair2a type of traditional Chinese furniture that dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, which spanned from the 14th to the early 20th century. The name “Guifei” is often associated with the Chinese imperial concubines, suggesting a sense of luxury and opulence associated with these chairs; are typically designed for reclining and lounging in a semi-recumbent position., appearing delicate and weak. She allowed the palace maids behind her to knead her shoulders and massage her back, while they flattered her with obsequious expressions, saying, “Miss, you’re truly remarkable. It’s said that the snacks you sent to His Majesty were greatly appreciated. The continuous rewards indicate that our Miss has extraordinary charm and continues to be highly favored.”
In reality, these palace maids were not among those sent by Xie Yan to spy on her. They were part of the group of palace maids who had noticed Qin Manman’s rising status and couldn’t wait to get close to her.
No matter the woman, she couldn’t remain indifferent to the flattery and praise from her peers. Qin Manman was clearly delighted, but she still pretended as if it was nothing special. She lightly smiled, chin resting in her hand, secretly glad that she had obtained some recipes during her “big wheel” moment that happened to align with Emperor Jing’s preferences.
The system chimed in to criticize her again: “Despite sending so much food, His Majesty’s favorability hasn’t increased, and the number of times you’ve entered the Chu Xiu Palace is few and far between. Host, do you think there might be something amiss here?” It never believed that the host had any advantage that could earn Emperor Jing’s favor, let alone being granted the title of a beauty.
Furthermore, Emperor Jing still had the host living in the crowded Chu Xiu Palace with no more than two or three maids to attend to her. It didn’t look anything like the treatment one would expect for a highly favored host.
Due to insufficient points, the system’s speech was intermittent. Qin Manman listened, though she was not pleased with the system’s underestimation of her. Nevertheless, she was secretly troubled, thinking, “Why isn’t his favor increasing? This Emperor is truly a man of pure and unadulterated heart, not easily swayed.” This frustration had caused her to delay unlocking her basic beauty, and she still had an ordinary appearance. Even when dressed in fine silk and satin, she felt inferior to the palace maids around her and lacked confidence.
“But it’s okay. Determination leads to success, and a drop of water can eventually pierce through stone. Once I offer some unique items that this era has never seen before, even the most unyielding man will eventually be charmed by me.”
With renewed determination, she quickly freshened up. She adorned herself with pearl hairpins, a Luoqun dress, and a sheer Xiangfei-colored robe3according to Google a “Xiangfei colored robe” typically refers to a type of clothing associated with Xiangfei, a term used in Chinese history to refer to a concubine or imperial consort. The term “Xiangfei colored” doesn’t specify a particular color but rather indicates the style or type of robe worn by such a figure. These robes were often richly decorated and made of luxurious materials.. She inserted a few exquisite golden hairpins into her hair, and with a captivating demeanor, she headed to the Yongxin Palace4did I use Yongxin or Yangxin???? Me and my short-term memory QAQ. From afar, she called out in a sweet and charming voice, “Your Majesty, I’ve arrived. I assume you’ve already had lunch, so I’ve brought some cooling snacks.”
“These are sweet treats from the southern Fujian region, called Fuling cake. My father once had the privilege of dealing with officials from the Fujian area, so I’ve learned about their culinary practices. Please, have a taste. I’ve even chilled them for you.” Since she was blocked by the palace gatekeepers outside the hall, she could only call from a distance, like a bird singing on a blooming spring branch, her voice exceptionally melodious and sweet.
Xie Yan was in the midst of reviewing memorial documents when he heard the words. His eyebrows twitched slightly, and a palace maid by his side, grinding cinnabar, immediately nodded and stepped forward to accept the exquisite snacks, indicating that she would take them. Without waiting for Qin Manman to exchange pleasantries, she promptly stated that His Majesty was busy with state affairs and had to excuse himself.
With hardly a few words exchanged, she was swiftly dismissed. Qin Manman stomped her foot in frustration, but the guards with spears blocked her way, leaving her with no choice but to give up and return to her palace.
The palace maid carried the snacks and went straight to the head of the imperial kitchen, then asked, “So, were you able to discern the recipe?”
The head of the imperial kitchen dared not nod, so he simply furrowed his brow and tried to slow down his chewing speed. Half an hour later, he attempted to recreate the dish, and the method wasn’t difficult. However, he couldn’t help but feel alarmed in his heart, wondering where Qin Meiren5Beauty Qin had acquired so many recipes for these delicacies. Even before entering the palace, he had explored various popular dishes among the common people, but many of these were still unknown to him.
Meanwhile, Xie Yan examined the note that had come with the snacks. It contained a poem he had never seen before:
“Your Majesty, if I were to love you—
I would not be like the clinging morning glory,
Using your lofty branch to flaunt myself…”
Having heard all her thoughts at the entrance, he wore an expression of indifference.
The author has something to say: It’s a bit of an odd chapter, I feel like I wrote it strangely _(:3∠)_
I hope you don’t mind.
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