Feng Xie paused for a moment, then his figure flashed, and he was already standing beside her. Liu Liu remained outwardly calm, but inwardly she was extremely alarmed. What did Feng Xie want to do?
Did he intend to suppress her cultivation with his "Turtle Breath" technique right then? She sealed her inner energy, and Feng Xie's large hand took hers, his fingertips lightly touching her meridians.
In an instant, the cold aura around him subsided. His warm hand, now holding hers, moved towards the high seat. Liu Liu watched him coldly, unsure of what this man was planning. She forcefully pulled her hand back and asked.
"It's late, Your Majesty should return."
"Play me a tune," he said, and then lay down on the soft couch in the great hall, reclining carelessly. Disregarding Liu Liu's wishes, she coldly stated, "Your Majesty, please return. Liu'er is tired."
Feng Xie knew that this woman was not like the other women in his harem, who would be delighted as if they had gained the entire world with just a smile from him. She was stubborn, unique, and thus, he could deal with her using methods that could control her.
"An exchange of one tune for your deception with the couplet should be quite reasonable," his voice was as mellow as fermented wine, pleasant to the ear, completely devoid of the domineering rage of the day.
However, he would regain his imperial might and cold demeanor the very next morning. But what he said was worth it.
Because she had indeed deceived His Majesty during the selection, she was certainly guilty if punishment were to be meted out. Liu Liu no longer spoke and called out, "Cui'er."
"Does Your Ladyship want the qin?" Cui'er brought the instrument in. She thought that since His Majesty knew the lady's qin playing was pleasant, he would want to hear it before leaving.
"Yes," Liu Liu nodded. Cui'er set up the qin and relit an incense.
In the great hall, a light fragrance wafted, and the qin music was soft and gentle, like a woman's hand stroking one's head, making one feel an irresistible urge to fall peacefully asleep.
His Majesty fell asleep to such beautiful qin music. When Liu Liu finished the piece and saw that His Majesty had not moved, she couldn't help but frown. What should she do?
If she woke His Majesty, he would surely stir. If she didn't, and he slept on the soft couch, would he change his demeanor in the morning?
Liu Liu yawned. She was tired too and couldn't be bothered with this man anymore. If he wanted to sleep, let him sleep. It had nothing to do with her. She turned and walked towards her sleeping quarters, instructing Cui'er.
"Go get a light blanket for His Majesty."
"Yes, Your Ladyship," Cui'er responded, took the qin, and went into the sleeping quarters to get a light blanket to cover His Majesty.
That night, none of the eunuchs and palace maids in Huaqing Palace dared to close their eyes. His Majesty was sleeping on the soft couch in the great hall, so how could they, as servants, dare to sleep?
Only the Empress slept soundly, having long forgotten that the Emperor was sleeping in the outer hall.
Although it was late and the night was quiet, the great hall of Guangyang Palace was filled with people. All the concubines were there, focusing on Jin Jiali, Lou Sijing, and Zhang Xiuyi. Today, the Empress's qin skills had shocked everyone and at the same time, struck a warning chord in their hearts.
They had not missed the emperor's gaze, which had been constantly fixed on the Empress. If that woman were to gain favor, would there be any days left for them, the concubines?
Regarding Jin Jiali's words, only Zhang Xiuyi and Lou Sijing agreed; the others were indifferent.
No matter who gained favor, it would bring no good to them. Moreover, the Emperor did not easily favor anyone.
In this deep palace, only Zhang Xiuyi was deeply favored. Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing had also been favored before. Others had never even considered it. Those who had never received favor did not think about it, but those who had received it feared losing it.
Jin Jiali, Lou Sijing, and Zhang Xiuyi exchanged glances. Thinking of the emperor's fingertips, it was like a flame that could easily ignite the sensitive spots on their bodies, yet they dared not touch the emperor casually.
Because even in bed, the Emperor was so domineering and his gaze radiated a cold light, yet it was filled with ferocity. That scene remained in their minds for a long time, tormenting them night after night.
The Emperor had never desired anything from them; they had never seen their own reflections in his eyes.
Even Zhang Xiuyi, who had been in the palace for two years, understood that she was merely a tool for the Emperor's warmth in bed.
The Emperor only came to her when he had a physiological need, spoke little, and went straight to the point. She knew this was not a normal marital union between a man and a woman, but she had no choice.
Because he was the Emperor, whatever the Emperor wanted, she had to give. Slowly, she became numb and stopped thinking about it.
Who would have thought that at today's banquet, the Empress's astonishing qin skills had ignited sparks in the Emperor's eyes, a pulsating life force that they craved.
But none of them had obtained it, so they were filled with jealousy, anger, and all sorts of emotions.
As the women sat in the great hall sulking, a eunuch from Guangyang Palace rushed in and quickly announced, "Your Ladyship, this servant went to check. His Majesty has indeed stayed overnight in Huaqing Palace."
"Indeed?" The three women exchanged glances, full of anger. The other women could only envy them in their thoughts.
"You may withdraw," Jin Jiali waved him away impatiently. The eunuch cautiously scurried out of the great hall. This Concubine Shu was not to be trifled with, so he had to be careful.
When the palace servants were gone, Jin Jiali angrily turned to Zhang Xiuyi beside her and said, "Sister, what do you think of this matter?"
Zhang Xiuyi stood up and sneered. She did not wish to be involved in their affairs; she had long since seen through it. Even without that ugly woman, there would be others.
The Emperor would never belong to any one woman. These newly entered concubines did not understand. After two years in the palace, they would realize that everything could be seen through, everything could be fought for, everything could be desired, except imperial favor.
Because imperial favor was only given if the Emperor wished it; if he did not wish it, it was nothing.
"You all shouldn't think too much. Even if that Empress receives favor for a night, what does it matter? Will anything change? If not her, then it will be someone else. Moreover, it is better for someone like her to gain favor than for a beauty to gain favor. At least the Emperor will soon grow tired of her."
After saying this, Zhang Xiuyi walked out with a blank expression, leading her maids back to her pavilion. In truth, she was also jealous, but what good was jealousy? He was the Emperor. One must never lose the war while trying to win a single battle, lest they harm their family.
Jin Jiali watched Zhang Xiuyi walk away with such indifference and turned to Lou Sijing in anger, letting out a cold snort.
"Your Ladyship Defei, look at this woman. She's only been in the palace two years longer, and we respect her by calling her 'Sister.' Who knew she would be so arrogant, truly taking herself for a master and not considering us masters."
Lou Sijing's beautiful face showed a gentle smile. She said lightly, "Don't be angry. After all, she entered the palace two years before us, and His Majesty favors her greatly. You mustn't provoke trouble."
"What if I provoke her? She's just a minor Xiuyi. Her father is just a minor official. Her family background isn't strong, yet she dares to be so presumptuous. I'm simply too upset."
Jin Jiali continued to grumble. Only when she was with Lou Sijing did she abandon all pretense. They were no longer in competition as before; instead, they sympathized with each other.
"Alright, it's getting late. Rest early. His Majesty has already stayed in Huaqing Palace," Lou Sijing said, then gracefully walked out of the great hall of Guangyang Palace, leading a group of palace maids and eunuchs back. Only Jin Jiali remained, still resentfully angry.
No matter what, she couldn't quell the anger in her heart. She was clearly the talented woman of the capital. If she lost to Lou Sijing, it would be understandable.
She never expected that the Emperor's interest would be in that ugly woman from the capital, Liu Liu. Liu Liu, don't think of monopolizing the Emperor, I absolutely will not allow this to happen, Jin Jiali bit her teeth lightly.