Today is the start of the new week.
Xiu Ying wakes up in a better condition. No more runny nose and his temperature had dropped. Xiu Ying sits up then a towel plops on his thigh.
'Did Jing Yi put this on me....?'
The creaking sounds make Xiu Ying lifts his head. "Young Master, you're awake? How are you feeling now?" asked Jing Yi.
"Much better. Thank you, Jing Yi." With a smile, Xiu Ying waves the towel in front of Jing Yi.
Jing Yi lowers his head and plays with his fingers, 'Should I tell him or not? Tell or not? Tell or not?'
"What's wrong?" Xiu Ying as he received no answer from Jing Yi and the latter fidgets.
"Hmm...Young master....actually...His Majesty came last night.."
'Gosh! I totally forgot about that guy!' Xiu Ying suddenly remembered.
"Young master already fell asleep when His Majesty came. I told His Majesty that young master was sick. His Majesty went inside the room to check on you then His Majesty asked me to bring the towel and cold water. His Majesty was the one who put that on young master. Then, he left. That's all."
Xiu Ying looks at the dried towel and grips it tightly. He sighs.
"Well, when I meet him later I'll convey my thanks to him." Xiu Ying puts the towel onto the bowl beside the bed then asked Jing Yi to take it away.
After taking his bath and having his breakfast, a eunuch came to Zhongcui Palace. He kneels on one knee, "Pardon my lady. This servant came to bring a new list for the bedchamber turns." The eunuch holding out a scroll.
"New list? It's just the second week?" Regardless of the hundreds of questions in his mind, Xiu Ying takes the scroll. The eunuch quickly leaves as he had done his task.
Xiu Ying opens the scroll and he immediately frowns.
"Two days for Concubine Yu Li Na;
One day for Concubine Lin Hui Yin;
Three days for Concubine Wen Qian;
One day for Concubine Li Xiu Ying."
Felt relief as he saw no changes made on his name but then he keeps wondering why the emperor suddenly had a change of heart? He thought the emperor favors Yu Li Na the most. After spending a night with each of them, he already knows which body he likes more?
Seeing the quizzical look, Jing Yi clears his throat. "Yo- young master. From what I heard, when His Majesty left Concubine Yu's room, he looks calm and normal even though the servants keep on saying both of them spent steamy nights together. But for Concubine Lin, things seem not going well for her. All servants clearly heard that His Majesty went mad and stormed out of the room on the second night."
Jing Yi stops for a while, hesitates to tell Xiu Ying about Wen Qian.
"Then what about Concubine Wen Qian? Seems like His Majesty started to favor her." Xiu Ying asked out of curiosity. No sign of jealousy.
"She... when His Majesty left her room in the morning, His Majesty looked happy. Even just for a while, they noticed the smile on His Majesty's lips. It shocked them all that His Majesty looked like that. Maybe that's why His Majesty wanted to spend more time with Concubine Wen Qian."
Xiu Ying rubs his flawless chin and keeps on nodding. 'Hmmm...maybe he prefers innocent and naive type... what a kink!'
Xiu Ying rolls the scroll backs and puts it aside. "Well, as long as he didn't involve me, I don't care what he wants to do."
"Yo- young master...there's a new rumor about you..." Xiu Ying squints his eyes.
"People said His Majesty hates you. His Majesty didn't want to spend even one night with you. They said this because they saw His Majesty left this room last night and only came just to warn or reprimand young master only."
'Wow. These people are worse than toxic netizens. They're talking like they sat in my room and witness everything with their own eyes,' Xiu Ying shakes his head and sighs.
"Jing Yi, after this, no need to care about them anymore. They are jealous of my beauty." Xiu Ying flips his long hair and smirks.
Jing Yi nod vigorously. 'True! If only they knew what His Majesty did last night, I'm sure they'll dig a hole and buried themselves in it!
.....
The days going on as usual. Even though Wu Zhang Wei has set the bedchamber turn, he still got the final say whether he wants to go or not.
Zhang Wei only went to Yu Li Na's room on one of the nights and for Lin Hui Yin, he never comes again.
However, the quiet and introverted Wen Qian has become a hot topic in the palace because Wu Zhang Wei never missed going to her room. Even if he is too busy, he's still making time to visit. This makes Yu Li Na extremely furious.
She had already forgotten about Li Xiu Ying and her attention has turned to Wen Qian.
Xiu Ying, who has been ignored, living happily and carefree. He lives in his own world, doing his own stuff. Whenever his turn has arrived, he'll ask permission to go home for two or three days. That way, the emperor never had the chance to go to his room.
The pitiful emperor can only sigh. Thinking back on how he treated Xiu Ying before, he can only be patient and wait until Xiu Ying opens his heart for him.
....
One bright afternoon, Xiu Ying is surprised by the visit from Wen Qian. Nevertheless, he welcomes her with a smile.
"My lady, what's with the sudden visit?" asked Xiu Ying. They're having lunch together in the courtyard.
"No reason. I just want to spend time and make friends. Am I not welcome here?"
Xiu Ying quickly shakes his head. "No. It's not like that. I'm just a little bit surprised. My lady is welcome to come here anytime."
'Is it really just making friends? From what I know, this girl is not like those two dumb and dumber. Or maybe....since now she has THAT guy on her back, she feels safe to do whatever she wants.'
Even though Wen Qian does look harmless Xiu Ying still needs to be careful. Well, we can't judge a book by its cover.
Finished the meals, Wen Qian asked Xiu Ying to show her the garden. Xiu Ying agreed.
While strolling, Wen Qian once in a while steals a glance at the guy beside her.
Slim body, slender and small waist, pink lips, fair and flawless skin, long and shiny hair, and... beautiful. He's mesmerizing.
'No wonder the emperor can fall for him. With this kind of look plus his good manner, any single guy that didn't fall for him must be crazy.' Wen Qian didn't realize that she was actually staring and not just glancing.
"-dy? My lady?" Xiu Ying waves his hand in front of Wen Qian's face.
"Ah? Oh.. Sorry... I didn't mean to-" She blushed.
Xiu Ying chuckles. "No. It's okay. I don't mind. By the way, are you alright?"
"Yes. Yes. I'm alright. It's just...hmm.. My la-" Xiu Ying cuts her words.
"Just call me Xiu Ying. We're the same age, right? So let's treat each other like a friend."
Xiu Ying's words make Wen Qian's eyes watery. This is the first time someone wants to be her friend.
"Xiu Ying... Did you know, when we first met at the tea party and you asked me, am I alright?" Xiu Ying nods.
"The truth is, you're the first person who asked me that sincerely. Before this, no one ever cares about my well-being. After my mom died and my father remarried, he no longer cares about me. He always prioritizes his new wife and his kids with her. He doesn't even care if my stepmother beat me up, starve me, lock me for days."
Wen Qian is silent for a moment then takes a deep breath before continuing. "She's the one who sent me here to be a concubine because she knew our emperor is kinda cold. She wished that His Majesty will make my life more miserable." Wen Qian's expressions suddenly softened and she smiles.
"But, she's wrong and I feel grateful to her for sending me here. His Majesty is not like what other people said. He's so kind, gentle, and caring. I feel happy living here." Wen Qian looks at Xiu Ying's face but there are no traces of jealousy or fury. He even smiles widely.
"Then, I'm happy for you. Be kind to His Majesty and I'm sure His Majesty will treat you better. I can see His Majesty cares for you. If not, he won't come and see you most of the time." Xiu Ying teased.
Wen Qian smiles stiffly. 'Yeah right.. He comes only to keep pressuring me to go and meet you.'
"Xiu Ying... You don't want to try and spend time with His Majesty? From what I heard, you always return home when it's your turn, right?"
Xiu Ying rubs his nose. 'Never thought it will be too obvious. Even a girl like her could notice it.'
"It's okay Wen Qian. I don't want to ruin your relationship with His Majesty. I'm sure His Majesty already contented being with you. He doesn't need any other people."
Xiu Ying suddenly turns his body, facing the girl beside him. "But Wen Qian, you need to be extra careful. You know... There's always someone who won't feel happy seeing you and His Majesty getting close. I'm sure they'll do something to hurt you, so please BE CAREFUL." Already comfortable being with Wen Qian, Xiu Ying can't help but feel worried for her.
Again, Wen Qian feels touched. If only Xiu Ying is not a ger and the emperor's concubine, she'll definitely fall for him.
"Hmn. Don't worry."
"One more thing, if you ever feel any discomfort, come and see me quickly. Well, I'm not trying to be paranoid but... better be safe than sorry." Xiu Ying didn't want Wen Qian to go through the same thing he did.
Wen Qian taps on his shoulder, "Alright. I know. You're worrying too much. I'm fine. I'm sure they won't do anything for now."
"Well, you don't know. They might already plan something. For sure they don't want to wait until you already carry His Majesty's child. It will be harder." Xiu Ying didn't realize Wen Qian almost choked hearing his words.
'Child?! What child?! The only thing that gets out from the lovesick emperor is your name. Xiu Ying this, Xiu Ying that. You think I can get pregnant through his saliva that falls on my face whenever he nonstop talks about you?'
Her lips curved awkwardly. Now, the emperor looks even more pitiful in her eyes. She inwardly sighs, 'Good luck Your Majesty. You still got a long way to go.'
"Don't worry Xiu Ying-ah... His Majesty will protect me."
"Yes. Of course, he should. If not, I'll castrate him!" Xiu Ying laughs out loud.
Wen Qian gulps down her saliva. She never knows that Xiu Ying is so fearless. He could utter such words without caring about his surroundings.
Around an hour or so, Wen Qian excused herself as not to impose for a long time.
Unbeknownst to them, when Wen Qian walks out of Zhongcui Palace, someone quickly hides behind the wall. After reassurance no one else is there, she runs back to her master.
At the same time, in the study room, Wei Min is kneeling on one knee.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Wen has returned to her place. Not sure what happened but she left the Zhongcui Palace...frowning."
Zhang Wei taps on the table. Having some thoughts.
"Hmn. Is there anything else?" He brushed it off and will ask Wen Qian directly later on.
"As Your Majesty guessed, someone is keeping her eyes on Concubine Li and Concubine Wen. The female servant didn't even notice my gaze on her. I let her off to see who is her master."
Zhang Wei nods, "Good. Don't do anything for now. Let's see what they'll do. Alright. You can go now."
Wei Min nods and is out of sight in a flash.
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