Chapter 7: Serving the Emperor

Everyone in the Lingxue Pavilion was overjoyed, except for Ning Wanyin.

Her situation was different from Song Meiren’s.

Song’s father was the emperor’s important minister, he was worth winning over, and the emperor also had to consider the consequences of pushing him too far.

Empress Dowager Xue had a limit when dealing with Song Meiren, it was just a warning.

But Ning Wanyin had no backing.

If she was killed, the emperor wouldn’t care, and the Ning family wouldn’t dare to care.

In the eyes of the two Jieyus from noble families, she, a mere daughter of an Earl, was actually chosen to serve the emperor before them, they would definitely feel very humiliated.

Dealing with her would be ten times more ruthless than dealing with Song Meiren.

Was the emperor choosing her to serve him?

No, he was choosing her to die.

At this critical moment, Ning Wanyin’s cautious nature, which she had cultivated since childhood, allowed her to remain calm and pretend to be overjoyed, she happily rewarded the chief eunuch with silver, and bathed and changed clothes according to the rules for serving the emperor.

She had a dignified air, as if she would die in an orderly manner even if she died tomorrow.

The steam curled up.

Ning Wanyin sat in the bathtub, her thoughts were exceptionally clear, and she was looking for a way to save herself.

Pretend to have her period?

If she had her period, she should have withdrawn her name immediately, and if she didn’t report it in time, she would be punished. Moreover, if it was found out that she was faking it, the crime of deceiving the emperor would be punishable by death.

Not suitable.

Pretend to be too happy and excited and accidentally break her leg?

She could endure some pain, but what if the emperor stayed? She would still die.

Not suitable.

After eliminating dozens of self-rescue plans that would lead to death, Ning Wanyin decided on three strategies: upper, middle, and lower.

Upper strategy: Seek the emperor’s favor.

“Lianrui, hang the ‘Plum Blossom Painting’ that I brought into the palace, hang it in the most conspicuous place. Then bring out my exquisite chess set.” Ning Wanyin instructed.

Lianrui agreed and went to find the things in the chest.

Ning Wanyin then looked at Danli and said, “Choose the hairstyle you are best at, use my best jewelry, I want to be dressed up to receive him.”

“Yes!” Danli dared not be negligent.

…

The night was deep.

Wang Degui looked at the time on the hourglass and then at the emperor who was reviewing memorials with his head down, he hesitated and hesitated.

He had reminded him half an hour ago.

But the emperor ignored him and continued to review memorials.

Seeing that it was already late at night, Wang Degui knelt on the ground trembling, and kowtowed, “Your Majesty, it’s not early anymore——”

Helian Qi glanced at him coldly, and Wang Degui immediately shut up.

Helian Qi was very annoyed…

There were many memorials in the court today impeaching the Right Censor-in-Chief, Song Gu.

It seemed to be righteous, but it was because he had favored Song Meiren first, which put Concubine Xue and Concubine Cen behind, and it had lost face for the two Dukes.

The drawbacks left by his ancestors had become a heavy burden by his generation, and it was time to break the old system.

Helian Qi got up.

Wang Degui quickly bent over and followed, shouting to the outside, “Prepare the carriage, Yonghe Palace!”

…

The moon was already setting in the west.

Helian Qi arrived at the Yonghe Palace, and there were many palace servants kneeling in front of the main hall, led by two beautiful women.

He wasn’t interested in looking, and he went straight inside.

When the imperial presence entered the Lingxue Pavilion.

Wang Degui looked at Ning Wanyin and reminded her, “Noble Consort, hurry up and go inside to serve His Majesty!”

“Yes.” Ning Wanyin got up.

After Ning Wanyin entered the right side hall with the palace servants who served her.

Tang Miaoling got up and returned to the left side hall with her own people. She lived in the same palace as Ning Wanyin…

Helian Qi entered the Lingxue Pavilion and the first thing he saw were eight large water jars.

Anyone would be drawn to the sight of eight large jars. They were arranged in a row, eight black-brown jars, lined up against the eaves, big and ugly.

The lotus hadn’t been planted yet, the jars were bare, making them even more unsightly.

Helian Qi walked through the flower garden expressionlessly, and just as he was about to step over the threshold, he couldn’t help but ask, “Who put these jars here?”

What kind of taste.

So ugly.

“This concubine had them placed, I’m going to plant lotus flowers.” Ning Wanyin answered softly, “The flower room said the lotus seeds are being nurtured and haven’t been sent yet. When Your Majesty comes in the summer, you will be able to see a full jar of lotus flowers.”

Helian Qi glanced at her upon hearing this, and his eyes lit up instantly.

The woman was wearing a light pink waist-tied long dress, her makeup was exquisite, revealing a touch of alluring charm. She had a complicated hairstyle and wore a set of red pomegranate head ornaments, making her look exceptionally gorgeous.

Her eyes were like stars, and her face was as beautiful as a peach blossom.

Just a quick glance could tell that she had carefully prepared herself to see him.

Although he was used to it, the ones who put in effort were always more pleasing to the eye than those who didn’t.

He hadn’t paid much attention during the selection.

He only realized today that she was a beauty.

“You like lotus flowers?” Helian Qi asked casually.

Ning Wanyin lowered her eyes, “This concubine likes lotus pods. Lotus seeds are sweet and delicious, they taste great. They have many seeds, which means many blessings, and the meaning is also very good!”

Helian Qi’s foot, which was about to step over the threshold, almost missed the step…

He turned his head to look at Ning Wanyin’s expression, and it was a little strange.

Other concubines would say that lotus flowers are noble.

This is good.

Lotus seeds are delicious, and they also mean many blessings?

You are really straightforward.

Ning Wanyin lowered her eyes and let him look at her quietly, she seemed very well-behaved.

Helian Qi’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he continued to enter the room.

Entering the main hall, the first thing that caught his eye was a painting hanging on the wall.

Plum blossoms braving the frost, standing proudly in the heavy snow. It was very familiar.

How could it not be familiar?

This was a copy of his “Plum Blossom Painting”.

When Helian Qi was a prince, he didn’t hold any official positions in the court, he was devoted to poetry, literature, and especially good at painting and playing chess, he was known as a talented prince in the capital.

One of his “Plum Blossom Paintings” was once included in the “Great Yan Painting Collection” published by the court, and there were countless copyists.

But this was the first time he had seen someone who dared to hang such an ugly copy in their house so openly.

“You like painting?” Helian Qi’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Ning Wanyin answered softly, “Yes, this concubine has been diligently learning at home.”

“Then you’re pretty bad at it.” Helian Qi’s words were always sharp.

Ning Wanyin didn’t get angry, she nodded in agreement, “Mother also said that I don’t have a talent for painting, but this is what Your Majesty likes, so this concubine hopes to understand a little bit. If Your Majesty doesn’t like it, this concubine won’t learn it anymore.”

Helian Qi was taken aback.

It was natural for concubines to please him, and he didn’t find anything unusual about this answer.

His gaze swept casually, and he saw a set of black and white exquisite chess pieces on the tea table.

“You also like chess? You like whatever I like?” Helian Qi’s sword-like eyebrows raised slightly.

The superiors have preferences, and the inferiors must follow suit.

But this woman was so blatant, it was really a bit too shallow.

“Your Majesty, please forgive me!” Ning Wanyin bowed, lowered her eyes slightly, her eyes were filled with tears, she looked pitiful and said the words she had prepared three years ago:

“This concubine admires Your Majesty. I know that there are many beautiful flowers in the six palaces, this concubine is humble and ordinary, I am nothing special. I only rely on external things, and I dare to use my meager skills to attract Your Majesty’s attention.”

The room was silent.

Even Wang Degui was stunned. He had heard many concubines’ sweet nothings, but only Noble Consort Ning’s words, saying that she only wanted to attract His Majesty’s attention, were truly pitiful.

The love that was humble to the dust, made the listener feel pity.

But Ning Wanyin didn’t place her hope of survival on the emperor’s pity.

Appealing to his emotions was only the first step. She used “pity” to draw closer to the emperor, and the next step was the key.

“This concubine is stupid, I only have a sincere heart, and I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty. Whatever Your Majesty likes, this concubine will do it. It was like this before, and it will be like this in the future.” After finishing the second half of the sentence, Ning Wanyin raised her eyes to look at Helian Qi, sincere and earnest.

She was willing to be a sword in the emperor’s hand, a chess piece in his palm.

Let the emperor know that she was more useful alive than dead.

Helian Qi’s eyes, like a calm lake, rippled slightly. He looked at the little woman in front of him seriously for the first time…

Expressing loyalty to him?

Tsk, interesting.