THREADS OF FATE.

SWIFT CHANGE.

The Emperor's scoffs, his eyes glinting with a teasing light. "Sit." His words were gentle, but there was an undercurrent of authority that made Yìlan's response inevitable.

She slowly rose to her feet, her movements strained, and took a seat as instructed. The Emperor's gaze never left her.

The Emperor's amusement faltered for a moment as he took in Yìlan's wince of pain. His expression turned serious, and he stood up, walking towards her with a purposeful stride. As he reached her side, he muttered. "Little Liar."

Yìng Yìlán eyes widened in shock, her gaze flying up to meet the Emperor's when his next words came. "From now on, you're now one of my personal maids. You have no business with the kitchen, unless i send you there." For a moment, she seemed frozen in surprise.

The Emperor's words marked a significant shift in Yìng Yìlan's circumstances. She was being elevated from a humble kitchen assistant to a personal maid, directly under the Emperor's supervision. This new role would undoubtedly bring its own set of challenges and expectations.

As a personal maid, Yìng Yìlán would be intimately connected to the Emperor's daily life, attending to his personal needs and carrying out his instructions. Her days would likely be filled with tasks tailored to his whims, and her nights might be spent waiting upon his call.

^^^

Days passed since the previous incident, the Empress Dowager had been persistent on the giving Consort Qīng Lián some attention, Her words laced with a mixture of concern and subtle manipulation. The Emperor, Wèi Shén, had eventually relented to her wishes, agreeing to allow Consort Qīng Lián to visit him for one night.

As the Consort entered the Emperor's chambers, her mind filled with hope as she waited for the Emperor. When the emperor enters with Yìlán, the consort's face twisted in anger.

"Your majesty, why does she have to be here?"

"If you're not pleased by her presence, you can leave." Wèi Shén said coldly.

Consort Qīng Lián eyed Yìlán before offering to pour the emperor some tea, he lifted the cup to his lips and drank. The consort began to complain about not getting the emperor's attention, and why he had to keep Yìlán by his side.

On the second cup, wèi shén's senses gradually dulls, his eyes unfocused and pupils dilated. Consort Qīng Lián's gaze never left his face, her eyes gleaming with a hidden intensity as she watched the Emperor's reactions, her smile a mask that concealed her true intentions.

Yìlán was busy lighting up the candles, and dressing the emperor's bed. The Emperor's voice echoed through the chamber, his words slurred and laced with a husky undertone. "Yìng Yìlán... come here." His tone was unlike his usual commanding voice, and it sent a shiver down Yìlan's spine as she hastened to his side.

"Your majesty." Consort Qīng Lián whined

As she approached, the Emperor's gaze met hers, his face was flushed, and a sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead. "The drink... what's in it?" he demanded, his voice growing more insistent, his words tumbling out in a rush.

Yìng Yìlan's gaze fell to the cup still clutched in the Emperor's hand, and she took a cautious sniff. A soft gasp escaped her lips as she identified the fragrance of Red Rose Smoke, a potent aphrodisiac known for its ability to ignite passion and lower inhibitions.