Fourth Master was feeling somewhat unhappy in the palace.
After all, Imperial Father had given Crown Prince his choice of people, and that was already an issue, but the Crown Prince himself had said there were no satisfactory choices.
But because the Elder Prince and Fourth Master were both present, they each got one as well.
The problem was, Fourth Master didn't want one.
But who would dare to defy His Majesty? Noble Consort Tong Jia had already made a choice for him. Princess Wuh.
Her background was acceptable, and she seemed well-bred, but... she really wasn't good-looking.
She was one of the noted Fine Ladies from the last selection, so that aspect was satisfactory.
When Princess Wuh was brought back, she was quite pleased with herself, but Fourth Master was not.
The thing is, it wasn't that he was so unwilling just because Imperial Father had given him someone.
Mainly, it was Lady Tong Jia's tactic of avoiding any suspicion of favoritism that made him feel as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly.
You see, if the women chosen during the selection year, whether good-looking or not, were selected by the imperial harem, then so be it.
The problem is that it wasn't the case.
This wasn't a selection year, and to randomly choose someone who wasn't good-looking...
The question is, why is it that the ones given to the Crown Prince and the Elder Prince were both very attractive, yet the one for Fourth Master wasn't? What did that imply? Lady Tong Jia was really too good at avoiding suspicion.
They say you marry a wife for virtue and take a concubine for beauty, and Fourth Master wasn't even looking for a principal wife.
A princess who isn't good-looking, how could he take much of a liking to her?
The more he thought about it, the more discontented Fourth Master became.
"Go, make preparations, I'm heading to Jinyu Pavilion." Speaking of the women in the back court whose beauty could dazzle, in the past it was Princess Song or Lady Li, but now the one Fourth Master often thought of was Ye Zao.
After all, with her looks resembling a seductive fox, it was not something Fourth Master could just forget if he wanted to.
This wasn't a pejorative description; it was just being realistic.
After finishing her evening meal, Ye Zao was getting ready to rest. It was getting cold, and she didn't feel like doing anything, not in the mood for reading or writing, thinking it better to lie down.
As for serving in the bedchamber, there was a new Princess Wuh today, wasn't there? Fourth Master would surely rest there, so she wasn't needed, right?
However, when the greeting from Ah Ling came from outside, both Ye Zao and Ah Yuan inside were taken aback.
Almost scrambling to get off the bed: "This servant greets Master."
"Rise. Brew some tea for me." Fourth Master said indifferently as he took a seat.
Just as Ye Zao was about to go, Fourth Master pointed at Ah Yuan, "You go."
Ah Yuan hurriedly complied, and Ye Zao stayed to look at Fourth Master. What's with him... bringing home a new little wife and still so unhappy? That's illogical!
"Master..." Ye Zao called out softly.
"Did you enjoy your trip home today?" Fourth Master asked.
"Forgot to enjoy, was too busy crying. Father cried miserably." Ye Zao said with a laugh.
Fourth Master's lips curled slightly, and then his expression returned to normal: "Hmm."
Ye Zao rolled her eyes internally. You stoic creature, will you die if you laugh out loud?
"Master, your tea." Seeing Ah Yuan brought the tea, Ye Zao held it out to Fourth Master.
Fourth Master acknowledged with a grunt, took the tea, and after a sip said, "This is more like it."
"This is from what Master rewarded me with. I didn't even dare to drink it. Today when Sister Zhang and the others came over, what we served wasn't even this kind." Ye Zao said smilingly.
Fourth Master's mouth twitched: "I'm not that poor. If you like it, I can give you more."
Is that necessary? Although the concubines receive less in allowances and the tea leaves were rarely fresh, after all, Fourth Master was now willing to have Ye Zao attend to him and wouldn't mind sparing some tea leaves.
Ye Zao twisted her fingers: "What I mean is... what Master gives is too precious for me to use lightly..."
A beauty acting coquettish is indeed a powerful weapon, especially when someone like Ye Zao does it, being much too good-looking...
Fourth Master was also a man, and suddenly he felt as if his eyes had been washed clean.
There was no denying, in terms of looks alone, Ye Zao outclassed Lady Wuh by miles.
Princess Song had fallen out of favor for several years already, and Fourth Master no longer frequented her quarters.
Lady Li was still favored, but she, at best, was vivacious, yet her charm didn't compare to Ye Zao's.
Fourth Master sipped tea nonchalantly while sizing up Ye Zao.
Her eyes were the most beautiful, angled upward at the corners, giving her a foxy appearance.
Her nose was also nice, not too big nor too small, just right for looking at.
Her mouth was even more attractive, not thick, not thin, just the right size.
Thinking this, Fourth Master wanted to laugh, thinking to himself, wasn't this nonsense? She was already a beauty, if something about her wasn't attractive, could she still be called a beauty?
"Read to me," Fourth Master leaned back.
Ye Zao continued to twiddle her fingers, coquettishly saying, "Is it alright if I don't read Buddhist scriptures?"
Fourth Master raised an eyebrow, "Why is that?"
"This servant...didn't mean it on purpose, it's just that reading Buddhist scriptures just feels...not quite right," Ye Zao awkwardly said.
Fourth Master wanted to laugh again but managed not to show it, "Then read something else."
It couldn't be denied, her voice was also too alluring, which Fourth Master quite liked.
So, Ye Zao chose Song Lyrics, which mostly revolved around romances and beauty, and the sound didn't matter much; however she read it, it was fine.
Sure enough, after three songs were read, Fourth Master said it was time to sleep.
This was Fourth Master's first time spending the night at Jinyu Pavilion. Naturally, it wasn't as comfortable as the main courtyard, but Fourth Master wasn't too bothered by it.
The bed had already been changed; everything was brand new. It was only the Pavilion itself that was worn out due to neglect.
After the fox spirits had their fight, Ye Zao muttered, "This isn't comfortable, the old one was more comfortable."
After her muttering, she fell asleep clutching one of Fourth Master's fingers.
Fourth Master was surprised for a moment, firstly by her comment...was she actually dissatisfied with new things not being comfortable?
Secondly, by her action.
This cautious, timid gesture, where she dared only grasp his fingertip, stirred an indescribable feeling in Fourth Master's heart.
If Fourth Master moved at all, she would let go of his hand.
But for some reason, Fourth Master didn't want to move.
It seemed she was tired; her sleepy eyes looked rather pitiable.
Her black hair fell over her pale cheeks and neck.
Her red lips grew even redder.
Suddenly, Fourth Master wanted to kiss her...he had never kissed a woman before.
Generally, during such matters, Fourth Master wouldn't kiss anyone...
But looking at her red lips, Fourth Master felt a strong urge...he quickly turned his head and closed his eyes.
Fourth Master silently recited the Diamond Sutra, thinking to himself how seductive this little fox was, wondering if she was really a fox in her past life.
Ye Zao, unaware of all this, only knew Fourth Master hadn't pushed her hand away. That finger was still clutched in her grasp.
A smile curled at the corner of her mouth; this was very good indeed. She had to know where Fourth Master's boundaries were, didn't she?
Knowing the boundaries made it easier to do as one pleased, right? Good start, she would continue to work hard!
The lights in Jinyu Pavilion went off, and gradually all was quiet as others went to sleep.
Princess Wuh, who had been arranged to stay with Princess Yin, lay down disappointed.
Today was supposed to be her wedding day, but Fourth Master... he would rather visit a concubine than come to her.
She knew herself that she wasn't beautiful, but in the end, she was also a princess granted by His Majesty; could she really be less than a concubine?