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Inside the inner chambers of Yaohua Palace, Shen Yuling stood before a bronze mirror, carefully examining herself after changing into a gown of delicate pearl snow gauze.
Shen Yuling had always possessed an alluring and radiant beauty. She had a fondness for dressing herself in vibrant, eye-catching attire—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet—her wardrobe contained gowns in nearly every brilliant shade.
But white gowns were a rarity in her collection—she had scarcely ever worn them.
Today, to better complement the ethereal elegance of this dress, Shen Yuling deliberately removed her usual vibrant makeup. Then, with careful precision, she reapplied a more delicate and refined look.
She had a pair of naturally upturned fox-like eyes, irresistibly captivating.
When reapplying her makeup, she deliberately drew her eyeliner slightly downward, softening the inherent allure of her gaze and adding a touch of delicate vulnerability.
Coupled with her naturally smooth, porcelain-like skin and exquisitely delicate features, the subtle change in her eye shape, paired with the pearl snow gossamer robe, made her appear like a celestial maiden descended to the mortal realm—so breathtaking that one could hardly look away.
Meanwhile, outside the chamber, Quan Minghe was already showing signs of impatience.
Did changing a dress really take this long?
Quan Minghe rarely visited the harem.
His days were consumed by state affairs—after unifying the realm, he had undertaken extensive governmental reforms, improved the lives of the common people, strengthened border defenses, and suppressed the power of aristocratic families.
Every day, memorials piled up like mountains, and meticulously reviewing them one by one drained both his energy and time.
Afterward, he would likely have to meet with court officials and listen to various reports.
Quan Minghe also placed great importance on maintaining his health, so at most, he visited the harem five or six times a month.
And whenever he did, what else could it be for?
It was nothing more than matters between a man and a woman.
Quan Minghe never indulged in romantic entanglements with the women of the harem.
His visit to Yaohua Palace today was solely because Bai Hua had entered the palace to report that Shen Yuling had been mistreated at the Residence of Prince Lingyang.
A thought crossed Quan Minghe’s mind.
Her current predicament seemed entirely of his own making.
It was he who had bestowed this marriage upon her, and it was he who had taken her innocence.
Though Quan Minghe considered both events to be coincidences—mere accidents—ultimately, they were consequences of his own actions.
Thus, he had specially ordered someone to bring the pearl snow gossamer robe as a small form of compensation.
And yet…
It was now delaying more important matters.
Li Ming, as Quan Minghe’s personal eunuch, was always by His Majesty’s side and could naturally sense his growing impatience.
Quickly, he shot a glance at the palace maid standing nearby.
Understanding the signal, the maid immediately stepped lightly into the inner chamber.
The palace maid approached Shen Yuling and slightly bowed.
Lowering her voice, she whispered, “Your Highness, His Majesty is burdened with state affairs, and every moment of his time is precious. Perhaps you might…”
At this moment, Shen Yuling was applying the final touch of her makeup—lip rouge.
The soft pink shade complemented her delicate makeup, making her appear even more ethereal and refined.
She arched an eyebrow slightly.
Well, well. Looks like Quan Minghe is getting impatient.
This palace maid was quite tactful with her words.
However, Shen Yuling didn’t linger any longer. She set down the lip rouge, gracefully rose to her feet, and walked toward the outer chamber.
As she moved, she spoke lightly, “Let’s go. I’m ready.”
Inside Yaohua Palace, the candlelight flickered, casting delicate shadows that danced across the carved window lattices.
Shen Yuling moved gracefully, her steps light and deliberate, as she approached Quan Minghe, who was half-reclining on the soft couch, engrossed in a book.
That book had been specially retrieved from Weiyang Palace by Li Ming’s order, intending to help His Majesty pass the time while waiting for Shen Yuling to change. However, despite this, he had still grown impatient.
Shen Yuling stood gracefully before him, her figure poised and elegant.
Quan Minghe’s gaze shifted onto her.
Her ink-black hair was loosely gathered with a mutton-fat jade hairpin, its head carved into a delicate plum blossom design, with a ruby set at its center.
A forehead ornament of water-blue glazed beads draped across her brow, each bead meticulously carved into the shape of a water droplet. Fine silver threads were interwoven between them, catching the light with a subtle shimmer as she moved.
A few strands of hair cascaded down her temples, their tips adorned with delicate white jade bells that chimed softly with her slightest movement.
At the back of her head, nestled within her hair, was an openwork peony hairpin. The peony was intricately carved, swaying gently as she moved, exuding both elegance and opulence.
Draped in the ethereal pearl snow gossamer robe, she, once a dazzling and vivacious young woman, now seemed like a graceful and otherworldly celestial being.
When Quan Minghe had chosen the attire, he had already anticipated that she would look stunning in it. Yet now, seeing her in person, he still found himself captivated.
He handed the book in his right hand to Li Ming, who received it without a word.
Then, he extended his hand toward Shen Yuling. She placed her delicate hand in his palm.
With a slight exertion of strength, Quan Minghe pulled her into his embrace.
Shen Yuling asked, “Your Majesty grew impatient?”
Holding her close, his gaze remained fixed on her as he responded, “Mm, but it was worth the wait. This dress suits you.”
She was so breathtaking that he wanted to strip it off her that very instant.
Shen Yuling said, “Thank you, Your Majesty. I like it very much as well.”
Her voice, softened by the elegance of her attire, carried an added touch of sweetness.
Quan Minghe said nothing more, his gaze lowering to fix intently on her. His deep, unfathomable eyes burned with undisguised desire.
But Shen Yuling had no intention of indulging him so soon.
For a man like Quan Minghe, an emperor no less, the right approach was to first indulge in romance—delicate affections and lingering sweetness—to lay the foundation of their bond. Only then would she push and pull, making him experience the ache of loss.
After all, weren’t men all devotees of torment-laced love?
The stronger and more exceptional a man was, the more this held true.
But the prerequisite was securing a place in his heart.
Let him taste sorrow first, then coax him back—wouldn’t that make him fall hopelessly in love?
Shen Yuling wore a sweet smile as she nestled into Quan Minghe’s embrace.
She looked every bit like a young woman intoxicated by the emperor’s affection. As if unable to withstand the intensity of his unreserved and fervent gaze, she lowered her head slightly, her cheeks tinged with shy warmth.
“Your Majesty, do you know how to paint?”
This question made Li Ming’s brow twitch.
Could it be that Shen Jieyu actually wanted His Majesty to paint for her?
His Majesty had already waited so long for her today. In the past, whenever he visited other imperial consorts’ palaces, he always handled matters with detached formality.
Never had he engaged in flirtation or indulged in romantic pastimes.
Let alone painting—an endeavor that required an immense amount of time and patience.
Shen Jieyu mustn’t grow arrogant just because she currently enjoyed a bit of His Majesty’s favor.
One must remember—His Majesty’s patience had always been limited.
Yet, Quan Minghe’s expression remained unchanged as he simply replied, “I do.”
As a member of the imperial family, he had been taught by numerous instructors from a young age, each carefully guiding the princes in various disciplines and skills.
From historical texts to cultural calligraphy, from courtly etiquette to various arts of appreciation—music, dance, painting, sculpture—every discipline had been touched upon.
Hearing that Quan Minghe could paint, Shen Yuling’s eyes lit up.
“In that case, I shall dance for Your Majesty. Would you paint a portrait for me in return?”
However, Quan Minghe did not immediately agree.
His narrow eyes carried a hint of indifference.
“I have high standards,” he said.
Whether it was the court dances commonly performed in the palace or the entertainment provided by imperial consorts and dancers at banquets, Quan Minghe had long grown weary of them.
If a consort offered to perform of her own accord, he typically would not refuse.
However, if the performance failed to impress him, he would lose interest in seeing that person for a long time to come.
Among the imperial consorts, Meiren Wang was the most skilled in dance. When she first entered the palace, she had devoted great effort to performing before His Majesty.
Her movements were graceful and enchanting.
Yet, after witnessing it too many times, His Majesty grew weary of it. Since then, Meiren Wang no longer dared to offer a dance before him so readily.
Hearing Quan Minghe’s indifferent response, Shen Yuling felt a hint of displeasure in her heart.
She rose from Quan Minghe’s embrace.
“I have high standards for Your Majesty’s painting as well.”
Shen Yuling resided in the Residence of Prince Lingyang, and for Quan Minghe, seeing her was not as simple as summoning someone in the palace at will.
Right now, Quan Minghe is at the peak of his infatuation with her. Therefore, she needs to employ some subtle strategies to leave a unique and lasting impression on him.
She couldn’t let him remember only her beauty—that would be far too superficial.