Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The man replied, "Yes."
Once he left, Yin Luo checked that no one was around and then closed the door, feeling at ease to rest.
The next morning, the female physician Xue came to change her bandages and massage her feet. By the time she left, it was already past the hour of Chen. The snow outside had finally stopped, but the weather remained cold, even colder than the day before.
A palace servant brought her a pile of charcoal. Yin Luo thanked him and tossed it into the brazier, making the fire burn a bit brighter.
Unknowingly, she fell asleep again until a knock on the door woke her.
Yin Luo got up and walked to the door. When she saw who was outside, she was momentarily taken aback.
Mu Changqing stood at the door in plain clothes, wearing a bronze mask with a tall figure beside him. Upon seeing her come out, the palace servant immediately bowed and said, "Greetings to Miss Jing, Prince Jin has come to visit you."
Yin Luo smiled and returned the greeting to Mu Changqing: "This servant is well; I pay my respects to His Highness."
Mu Changqing raised his hand: "No need for that. I just came to see how your injuries are."
He stepped into the room, and Yin Luo hurriedly moved aside, limping as she went to pour tea for him. Mu Changqing watched her movements and took the tea from her hand, asking, "Is your injury very serious?"
Yin Luo smiled slightly, "The bone is fractured; it has been set. Physician Xue said that after a few more days of rest, I will be able to walk normally."
Mu Changqing nodded, took a sip of tea while savoring its aroma. He smiled and said, "Miss Jing's tea brewing skills are somewhat similar to those of my princess; both have a pleasant fragrance, but the water is not quite right, making it taste poor."
Yin Luo laughed lightly: "Your Highness flatters me. I come from a poor background and know little about tea. It was only after entering the palace that I learned a bit in haste, so the taste... is rather bitter."
Mu Changqing chuckled, his gaze sweeping over her hands as he asked, "Miss Jing comes from a humble background; may I ask how your family made a living before?"
"My father passed away early, and my mother relied on sewing to make a living. Although we were poor, she never allowed me to show my face outside, so I only helped with small chores at home while growing up."
Mu Changqing nodded, "You mentioned yesterday that it was your mother's memorial day?"
Yin Luo replied, "My mother passed away last year, and yesterday marked one year since her departure. That's why I took a day off yesterday."
Mu Changqing acknowledged her response, swirling his teacup casually, and asked, "Does Jing Gongnu have anyone else at home?"
Yin Luo looked up at him and felt that Mu Changqing was not here just to inquire about her health; his series of questions clearly indicated he was checking on her background.
Lowering her head, she answered honestly, "I have an older brother, but he went missing when I was young. Now, I don't know where he is."
After finishing his tea, Mu Changqing gazed at her face for a while before saying, "I was just asking casually; you don't need to be so nervous."
Yin Luo replied obediently and acted demurely, not daring to look up at him. After sitting for a moment, Mu Changqing stood up to leave.
Yin Luo moved to see him off, but he turned back and said, "There's no need; your legs are not well."
She responded softly and raised her head to watch him leave.
Just as Mu Changqing reached the door, he suddenly turned back to look at her. Yin Luo was startled and quickly lowered her gaze.
Footsteps approached rather than receded.
Yin Luo lowered her head even further.
With practiced ease, Mu Changqing stopped right in front of her, reached out his hand, and lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
They looked at each other, and Mu Changqing's gaze grew deeper and more somber, his tone becoming low and eerie. "The maid from the Quiet Palace resembles a deceased acquaintance of mine."
Yin Luo's eyes widened, and she quickly lowered her eyelids, feeling increasingly anxious.
Mu Changqing glanced at her again, then released her hand and said, "However, you are far inferior to her."
After saying this, he turned and strode away without looking back.
Yin Luo let out a sigh of relief, leaning against the door and feeling a thin layer of sweat on her body.
Just as she had collected herself and was preparing to rest, there was another knock at the door.
Today was indeed lively; it seemed that everyone came after she got injured.
She went to open the door and saw a group of palace attendants outside, led by Consort Jin and Huairui.
She immediately bowed and greeted them, "This servant greets Consort Jin and Lady Huairui."
Consort Jin stepped forward to support her, saying, "No need to be so formal. I just heard Lady Huairui say that you two were quite close when she entered the palace. Since we are all sisters here, why be so polite?"
Yin Luo glanced up at Huairui, who smiled and winked at her. Yin Luo sighed inwardly; what did Huairui think the palace was?
Collecting her thoughts, she suddenly knelt down with a thud. Huairui was startled, and Consort Jin looked at her with a puzzled expression, but there was also a hint of darkness in her gaze.
Yin Luo knelt on the ground and said, "This servant does not dare to presume. How could I dare to call Consort Jin and Lady Huairui my sisters? I am merely a servant; you two are my masters. I would never overstep my bounds!"
The darkness in Consort Jin's eyes gradually dissipated as she personally helped her up. "Oh dear, there's no need to be so distant. I was just speaking casually!"
"Yes, Jinghao, you should get up." Huairui stepped forward to help her, and only then did Yin Luo rise.
She had a good relationship with Mu Fengyan. Even though they had maintained a distance for a long time, Consort Jin, being from the Palace, must have heard some rumors. Today, coming with Huairui, she intended to use Huairui to test her, to see if she would be favored by the Emperor, because only consorts could be called sisters; how could a servant like her possibly qualify?
Fortunately, she was perceptive and understood the hidden meanings behind Consort Jin's words. Unfortunately, Huairui beside her was not so astute and had no idea.
Consort Jin brought some high-quality medicine for bruises, while Huairui provided some clothing and necessities. The two of them had nothing to do and ended up staying with Yin Luo for quite a while, chatting until it was time for lunch.
Yin Luo was a clever person and naturally knew that there was more to their visit than met the eye. She calculated that it was about time and casually mentioned, "It seems we've chatted so happily that we've reached noon without realizing it. The Emperor said to return to the palace for lunch at noon; I wonder if he has arrived yet."
Consort Jin was as sharp as a mirror. Hearing Yin Luo say such things, how could she not know that she was helping her? She smiled and stood up, saying, "Well, it's already this late. Jinghao, you are not well; you should rest now. Concubine, let's go."
Huairui also stood up and pulled Yin Luo's hand before leaving with Consort Jin.
Yin Luo saw them off at the door. Outside the courtyard, she witnessed Consort Jin and her group bowing in greeting at the Yard Gate. She knew they must have encountered Mu Fengyan, and she smiled slightly.
In reality, Mu Fengyan had come to accompany her for lunch, but with Consort Jin present, she naturally couldn't let her see her closeness with Mu Fengyan. So she said those words to help others while keeping herself from exposure—just perfect.
Sure enough, not long after, a palace maid delivered lunch to her and informed her that Mu Fengyan could not come.
Yin Luo felt relieved and enjoyed a good meal. Afterward, she took a nap, and before she knew it, night had fallen.
That evening, however, she found it hard to sleep. Her legs were inconvenient, and the snow outside was deep. She initially thought about going out but reconsidered and decided against it.
After practicing for a while, she realized it was already late at night. She took a bath, turned off the lights, and lay quietly on the couch thinking about things.
She believed that the letter she sent to Qin Liu Yan should have reached her by now. She had taken great risks entering the palace, especially since Mu Changqing was a suspicious person. She needed to ensure that everything on the side of Cloud Mist Mountain was secure before she could feel at ease staying in this palace; otherwise, if Mu Changqing spotted any flaws, she would be in danger!
After thinking for a long time, she still hadn't fallen asleep; it must be because she had slept too much during the day.
The temperature in the room had dropped frighteningly cold at night. Yin Luo wanted to get up to add some coal to the fire, but just as she was about to move, she heard a soft "pop" sound from outside the window. Although it was not loud, it caught her attention. Just as she was wondering what the sound was, the window was quietly opened from the outside, and a pair of hands reached in.
Having been in the dark for a while, she had already adapted to the light. With the moonlight outside, it was easy for her to see that it was indeed a pair of hands.
She did not believe in ghosts, so naturally, she would not think that it was a ghost causing trouble.
She half-opened her eyes and saw a masked face revealed by those hands until the person fully entered.
First, they naturally confirmed whether she was asleep.
Then, Yin Luo watched as he took out a small bottle from his hand and poured out some powder, sprinkling it onto her face. Yin Luo held her breath and dodged, and only then did the person start searching around the room.
She did not know what he was looking for. After about a tea's worth of time, seeing that he had clearly found nothing, he left empty-handed. Only then did Yin Luo get up and slowly walk to the window, watching as his figure nimbly rushed toward the yard gate. She lowered her gaze for a moment, wondering who this person belonged to and what he was searching for.
All her training materials were in the inner room, which others could not enter because there were mechanisms in place.
Inside was a partitioned space specifically prepared for her by Mu Fengyan, and clearly, this person had not discovered it.
After resting for three days, her legs were not significantly affected; she just couldn't walk quickly yet. Moving slowly was not a problem.
That day, she deliberately got up early to serve Mu Fengyan.
Before the morning court session began, when Yin Luo arrived at the palace, Li An De was already waiting outside. When he saw her come, his expression was somewhat strange. He then stepped forward and whispered, "Did His Majesty not grant special permission? Can't you rest a few more days? Your legs are still not quite right, are they?"
Yin Luo glanced at the tightly closed palace doors and said, "It's fine. I must have my privileges; it's no trouble here for you, but I'm afraid that those with ulterior motives might take notice."
Li An De saw that she was a sensible person, nodded and said, "Alright, I will go in to serve shortly, you just wait outside."
Yin Luo was taken aback and said, "Has the Master been waiting here for a long time? Let me go instead. Besides, this has always been my duty, and the Emperor trusts me."
Just as she was saying this, a voice suddenly called from inside, it was Mu Fengyan calling out for Li An De.
Yin Luo thought to herself that it must be something he initiated, so she did not delay any longer. She picked up some clothes from the side and pushed the door open to enter.
Li An De wanted to stop her but it was already too late.
Inside the palace, there was a familiar scent lingering in the air. As Yin Luo stepped in, she saw various clothes scattered haphazardly on the floor of the inner chamber. The dragon curtains hung down, obscuring her view except for vague silhouettes. She could hear soft voices coming from within, which were Mu Fengyan's teasing remarks.
"You little enchantress..."
Another laugh followed, indicating that there were actually two women.
Yin Luo looked slightly astonished. Just then, as the curtain opened, one woman stepped down from the bed without a stitch of clothing.
Yin Luo hurriedly bowed to her. The woman glanced at Yin Luo, then walked directly in front of her and took one of Mu Fengyan's long robes, addressing the bed, "Your Majesty, today let my sister and I serve you as you rise?"
Another round of delicate laughter followed, and then the curtains were pulled wide open, revealing everything inside clearly.
Mu Fengyan responded with an acknowledgment and stepped out. He initially did not pay attention to who was standing by the side, but when he saw it was Yin Luo, his expression froze, and he immediately turned his back. The woman behind him found it strange and approached to call him. Mu Fengyan directly snatched the outer robe from her hand and draped it over himself before turning to the other person on the bed with a dark expression and said, "You two, hurry up and put on your clothes and get out."
The two women did not know how they had offended the Emperor; they immediately dared not defy him and knelt on the ground in response.
Mu Fengyan walked up to Yin Luo, not daring to speak to her directly. He took the clothes from her hands and quickly walked towards the door.
The door was opened from the inside, and Li An De hurriedly stepped forward. Mu Fengyan immediately started scolding, "Are you stupid? How could you let her in?"
He lowered his voice, and Li An De felt a chill run down his spine as he replied, "Your Majesty, she came suddenly, and I didn't have time to notify you!"
"I knew you would make excuses!" Mu Fengyan slapped him on the head, knocking off his hat. Li An De yelped, and Mu Fengyan quickly went to the side hall to put on his clothes. When he came out, Yin Luo happened to be coming out from inside, holding a pile of clothes, while the two women had already left.
He immediately put on a smile and said, "Luo... Jinghao, didn't you hurt your leg? How did you come so quickly?"
Yin Luo glanced at him and threw the clothes down, saying, "Can't tell? Your Majesty seems to be doing quite well with those two women..."
"I'm just putting on a show for my royal brother! Come on, Jinghao, don't be angry!"
He quickly stepped forward to hold her hand in a pleading manner. Yin Luo couldn't keep up the act anymore and raised her head with a smile, saying, "Alright, alright. I told you before that I didn't see much of you after I arrived. Turns out you've been suppressing your true nature? Don't worry; from now on, when you're sleeping, I won't come to serve you. I'll just take care of your meals three times a day. That way, you won't feel burdened anymore, right?"
Mu Fengyan's expression changed; he couldn't tell if she was angry or not.
"Alright, it's almost time for the morning court!"
Yin Luo picked up the clothes again and placed them in a small basket by the door. Then she opened the door and called Li An De inside. Several other palace servants followed Yin Luo into the inner chamber to clean.
Mu Fengyan watched her go in and noticed she didn't seem flustered at all. Feeling somewhat irritated, he scratched his head. Li An De stepped forward and said urgently, "Your Majesty, you can wash up now."
Mu Fengyan exhaled and finally stopped delaying, heading directly into the inner chamber.
The floor of the room was quickly cleaned up; the bedding was changed, and the windows were opened, making it look completely refreshed.
Mu Fengyan glanced at Yin Luo. Seeing that he was still dazed, she stepped forward and guided him to the dressing mirror. She picked up a comb and styled his hair into a bun before placing his crown on his head. Once everything was in order, she said, "All done."
Mu Fengyan turned to look at her, but she had already left, instructing someone to do other tasks.
Li An De observed his expression and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, Jinghao doesn't seem to be angry."
Mu Fengyan shot him a glare and replied, "Of course I know she's not angry! Not only is she not angry, but she also seems quite happy!"
Feeling frustrated, he decided to ignore Li An De and strode away.
After breakfast, Xue Yiniang came to call for Yin Luo again. Seeing that the redness and swelling had subsided, leaving only bruises, she felt relieved and advised, "Apply the medicine a few more times, and in a few days, it will heal completely."
Yin Luo thanked her and sent her off. When she looked up, she noticed Mu Fengyan standing in the dense forest at the corner; if it weren't for her closing the door, she wouldn't have seen him.
Xue Yiniang bowed to him as she left. Only then did Mu Fengyan approach Yin Luo's door and ask in a low voice, "About this morning, you really aren't angry?"
Yin Luo looked at him curiously and replied, "What would I be angry about? Although we are good friends, you are also the Emperor. With thousands of concubines and a selection every three years, even if you see one each day, it would still take a long time. That's quite normal."
Mu Fengyan's expression darkened slightly as he said, "So you're saying not only are you not angry, but you're also happy for me?"
Comment 0 Comment Count