The night was thick with a rich darkness, and the flowers bloomed intoxicatingly.
The hour was late; it was time to attend to matters of greater importance.
Helian Qi extended his arm, pulling the slender woman before him into his embrace, and without a word, made his way toward the bed curtains.
Ning Wanyin let out a soft gasp, her hands hurriedly wrapping around his neck, steadying herself. Her face flushed with a delicate hue, "Your servant... your servant shall change into nightwear—"
"No need," he interjected with a cold tone, "I shall assist you in undressing."
The silk curtains fell softly, and the scent of snowflakes lingered, sweet and soft.
The red candlelight flickered, filling the room with a spring-like warmth.
As dawn broke, the clouds parted, and the rain ceased.
Ning Wanyin's eyes were moist, her body aching as though it had been shattered.
Helian Qi wore an expression of aloof detachment, yet in the privacy of the bedchamber, he was an entirely different person...
It seemed that being a favored concubine was a physically demanding affair.
She must eat an extra bowl of breakfast tomorrow!
The eunuchs and palace maids entered to assist Helian Qi in preparing for his morning court session, and Ning Wanyin curled up beneath the thin quilt, exposing only her moist, doe-like eyes.
Helian Qi glanced down at her, the sight of her messy black hair, clear eyes filled with a touch of shyness, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush, exuding an enchanting, tender charm.
For a fleeting moment, he felt as though the dawn had arrived too soon, leaving him unsatisfied. However, he was never one to indulge in pleasures, and in his eyes, Ning Wanyin was merely another of the many consorts.
At present, she served his purpose.
Helian Qi spoke to Ning Wanyin with a hint of a smile, his eyes narrowed.
"Rest well. Wang Degui—"
"At your service!" Wang Degui stepped forward hastily.
"Send someone to Cining Palace to request a leave of absence. Ning Guiren is unwell and cannot pay her respects to the Empress Dowager today." Helian Qi's eyes softened, giving the illusion of a tender gaze.
The palace eunuchs and maids stood stunned.
Yesterday, Ning Guiren had not visited Cining Palace, and today, again, she would not?
The Emperor's favoritism toward Ning Guiren was truly unparalleled!
"Yes!" Wang Degui complied immediately, dispatching a eunuch to Cining Palace.
After leaving Lingxue Pavilion, Helian Qi embarked on his royal sedan, and after some time, he unexpectedly turned to his attendant.
"Do you know Ning Guiren's full name?"
Wang Degui froze for a moment, quickly replying, "Ning Guiren is the daughter of Lord Shou'an, and her name is Wanyin."
He was perplexed.
It was quite normal for the Emperor to not remember the names of his concubines. A simple inquiry was sufficient.
But why was the Emperor asking him about it, instead of asking Ning Guiren herself?
Wang Degui found it strange but could not pinpoint why.
Yet, since the Emperor had taken the time to ask about her name, Wang Degui felt she must be a consort of special importance.
After all, most concubines in the palace were never directly questioned about their names by the Emperor.
Helian Qi did not wish to ask Ning Wanyin in person, for she had already made it clear that he had feelings for her.
It would be rather awkward to admit he could not remember her name.
He preferred to indulge a well-behaved and useful concubine, granting her some semblance of dignity.
He wanted her to be seen as a favored consort in the eyes of the world.
...
With the Emperor's departure, Ning Wanyin finally allowed herself to relax, lazily sinking into the warmth of the blankets, not wishing to move a finger.
"Your Ladyship, shall you continue your rest?" Dan Li asked with eager concern.
She had initially thought Ning Wanyin would soon fall out of favor and had considered switching allegiances. But now that the Emperor was her backing, Dan Li's attitude had changed drastically.
Not going to the Empress Dowager's to pay respects? From now on, Lingxue Pavilion would be the premier residence in the harem.
"Go fetch the morning meal from the Imperial kitchen. After I eat, I will rest again," Ning Wanyin said, forcing herself to remain awake.
She needed nourishment, but more importantly, she had to keep an eye on the situation at Cining Palace.
She was uncertain of what the Empress Dowager might do today, and in case anything changed, she would not allow herself to miss the opportunity while in slumber.
"Yes, Your Ladyship, I shall fetch your breakfast!" Dan Li quickly left to carry out the task.
Lian Rui and Lü Ju assisted Ning Wanyin with her morning routine. After she finished her meal, the concubines who had gone to pay their respects at Cining Palace returned.
There were no disturbances at Cining Palace today. The Empress Dowager had seen the Emperor's messenger and did not send anyone to trouble Ning Wanyin further.
Ning Wanyin, reassured that everything was in order, relaxed and lay back down.
For the next five days,
The Emperor visited Ning Wanyin every night, showering her with endless rewards, all delivered to Lingxue Pavilion.
As the favored new consort of the harem, she had not yet been seen by any of the other concubines, for each day, the Emperor sent a new excuse to the Empress Dowager on her behalf.
This extraordinary favor reached even the court, where it was whispered that a bewitching consort had enchanted the Emperor.
Soon, ministers from the two rival factions of the Shue and Cen families petitioned, accusing Lord Shou'an of mismanaging his household.
As per tradition, no one in the imperial court could openly criticize the consorts, and so they attacked her father instead, insinuating that the "wicked daughter" was a result of his ineptitude.
The news reached Lingxue Pavilion.
Lian Rui grew worried for her lady, "My Lady, I've heard that many ministers have petitioned against my lord. What should we do?"
Ning Wanyin sat by the window, delicately holding a brush and carefully copying a bamboo design. Without hurry, she replied, "Do not worry, I am fine, and my father is well."
The ministers are truly targeting me, not him.
As long as I am unharmed, my father will be safe.
"You are right. With you by his side, if you speak well of him to the Emperor, I am sure the Emperor won't trouble my lord," Lian Rui said, misinterpreting her words.
Ning Wanyin could not help but smile faintly. Speak well of him to the Emperor? Since when have I ever had such influence?
But I suppose the world might think I do.
"The Emperor rules with supreme authority; how could a mere woman influence his decisions? Whatever the Emperor chooses to do, it is not for me to comment on." Ning Wanyin dipped her brush in ink, casting a glance at Lian Rui.
"Do not speak of such things again."
Lian Rui quickly fell silent, realizing that her words might have seemed to suggest that Ning Wanyin should whisper in the Emperor's ear, which could harm her reputation.
However, with the ministers in full force against her father, she had never witnessed such a situation and could not help but worry for her lady.
"My Lady, the Emperor's messenger has arrived!" Xiao Gui Zi rushed in to report.
Ning Wanyin paused for a moment, then placed her brush down and went to the courtyard to receive the imperial decree.
"By the Emperor's command: Ning Guiren is gentle and virtuous, pure of heart, and has been promoted to the rank of Mei Ren." Wang Degui read the decree aloud.
Ning Wanyin received the imperial edict, bowed deeply, and replied, "I humbly thank His Majesty for his gracious favor."
"Congratulations, Ning Mei Ren! You are the first consort to be promoted this year, which shows how deeply His Majesty favors you!" Wang Degui smiled, offering his congratulations.
"Thank you, Eunuch Wang, for your trouble. Please, have some tea," Ning Wanyin said, smiling as she handed him a heavy pouch of silver as a token of appreciation.
Wang Degui was not one to accept silver from just anyone, but seeing her growing favor in the palace, he accepted it and returned the favor, quietly saying, "I'm sure you've heard about the ministers' petitions against your father. Do not worry. As soon as the Emperor saw these petitions, he immediately issued your promotion. It is surely to put your mind at ease."
"Thank you for your kindness, Eunuch Wang," Ning Wanyin replied, her face full of gratitude.
After sending Wang Degui off, Ning Wanyin followed her usual practice, rewarding everyone in Lingxue Pavilion and ensuring the imperial edict was properly displayed.
Everyone was filled with joy.
Lian Rui let out a relieved sigh, her heart lightened. "My Lady, the Emperor is so thoughtful! He truly cares for you!"
Ning Wanyin, however, remained pensive.
If the Emperor truly favored her, he could have promoted her days ago...
But seeing the ministers' petitions first, then promoting her, it was clear that the promotion was meant to appease the Empress Dowager.
Nevertheless, she was playing both sides of the imperial game to her advantage, and she welcomed the outcome.
An elevation in rank meant better treatment and greater prestige—truly a boon.
Before long, the Imperial Household Department sent more exquisite furnishings, such as a finely crafted screen and vase, befitting a Mei Ren's status. They also assigned two more palace maids.
Lingxue Pavilion was lively and joyous for the entire day.
In Qianxin Hall,
Wang Degui returned to report, "Ning Mei Ren is quite pleased and deeply grateful to His Majesty."
Helian Qi paused in his reading of the petitions, then replied indifferently, "Mm."
He pictured the image of her soft, smiling face for a fleeting moment, but quickly turned his gaze toward Cining Palace.
The ministers' petitions?
Ah, then promotion it is.