diskusbooks Chapter 265 Hua Yan Serves the Emperor (2)
Chapter 265 Hua Yan Serves the Emperor (2)
The palace lanterns lit up one by one, casting a hazy, warm light throughout the room.
The bronze mirror reflected an exquisite face. Hua Yan wore a moon-white brocade robe embroidered with begonias, with light makeup and delicate eyebrows, like a peerless beauty who had stepped out of a painting.
Hua Yan's gaze swept over everyone in the hall. Meng Zhu smiled, Rui Zhu looked on with envy, and Ming Yue stared at her in a daze.
Green Willow pursed her lips tightly, her eyes glistening with tears, while Winter Melon finally composed herself and gave Flower Face a simple, honest smile.
They had known each other for six years and served the Second Miss inseparable from her, from Lin'an to the capital, and from the Prince's Mansion to the deep palace. Now their statuses were different, but their friendship remained the same.
A panicked heart was instantly calmed.
Although Consort Chun did not come, it was because of her that everyone in Yunyi Courtyard became closely connected.
It was still early, and Hua Yan couldn't help but look out the window towards Consort Chun's palace. Meng Zhu stepped forward and gently comforted her, "Don't worry, Miss, it's my turn to be on night duty tonight."
Hua Yan patted Meng Zhu's arm.
After Mengzhu left with Ruizhu and Mingyue, Huayan suddenly said to Donggua, "Donggua, make some hangover soup and prepare it in the kitchen later."
Donggua paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Green Willow helped Flower Face sit down, and said reproachfully, "The Emperor will be here soon, so please put the Empress down for now."
Donggua also said, "We have Aunt Mei looking after us."
......
At the beginning of the Xu hour (7-9 PM).
Dong Ming walked slowly ahead, holding a palace lantern in his hand. Behind him, a group of eunuchs steadily carried a palanquin. The palanquin was made of vermilion and decorated with peony patterns embroidered in gold thread. Bright yellow tassels hung from the four corners and swayed gently in the breeze.
As the group arrived at Huining Palace, Dong Mingqing cleared his throat and stepped forward to announce, "The Emperor has decreed that Consort Cai be summoned to Funing Palace to serve him in bed."
It was Xiao Yuanzi's turn to be on duty again tonight. He was guarding the palace gate when he heard the announcement and was taken aback. Dong Ming shook the palace lantern, and Xiao Yuanzi quickly led everyone to the side hall.
In the past, Consort Chun and Consort Mei were favored, but they never served the emperor in the Funing Palace. Now, this honor has fallen on Consort Meng, and all eyes in the Huining Palace are focused on the side hall.
Upon hearing the news, Consort Chun was slightly taken aback, and a fleeting look of disappointment crossed her face, but she quickly became genuinely happy for Hua Yan. Aunt Mei stood to the side with some heartache, and even with her worldly experience, she didn't know how to comfort her at this moment.
Inside the side hall, Green Willow and Xia'er, who were guarding outside the door, also heard the announcement. The two exchanged a glance and immediately helped Hua Yan sit down in front of the dressing table. Green Willow went straight to the wardrobe and took out a rose-red palace dress, while Xia'er quickly styled Hua Yan's hair into a Lingyun bun.
Donggua was both surprised and delighted. She stepped forward, opened the dressing case, and stretched out her chubby fingers to pick from the various hairpins and rings. "Which one do you want?"
After a brief moment of panic, Hua Yan quickly regained her composure. Just as she was about to point to a pink gold hairpin inlaid with jewels and flowers and butterflies, she saw Rui Zhu enter the bedchamber carrying a brocade box.
Ruizhu opened the box, and inside lay a red gold hairpin with five phoenix tails inlaid with pearls, the phoenix's beak holding a string of round and lustrous pearls.
(Previous context: This five-tailed phoenix hairpin appeared in Chapter 59. It was a keepsake of Yun Yueming, Madam Yun's aunt. The second young lady chose it three times in a row during her first birthday celebration.)
"Her Majesty instructed me to fetch this phoenix hairpin."
Ruizhu carefully took out the phoenix hairpin. Huayan examined it closely and immediately stopped her, saying, "No, this phoenix hairpin is a keepsake from the Empress's great-aunt. How can I wear it?"
Hua Yan still remembers the original appearance of this phoenix hairpin. It was originally a gift from the palace, and it was not in accordance with the regulations for the Tang family in the past. It was not until before the Second Miss's wedding that Madam Yun ordered several craftsmen from Yongbaolou to rework it.
Wearing it at this time, while in accordance with the rules, would be perhaps too formal.
"Don't worry, Consort. This phoenix hairpin is suitable for all the concubines in the palace. Her Majesty said that since you are serving her tonight, it will be like a wedding, and it should be done with great ceremony."
After Ruizhu finished speaking, she gently inserted the phoenix hairpin into Huayan's hair bun. With her slight movement, the pearl swayed gently, making a soft rustling sound, like the cry of a phoenix.
After putting on her hair, Ruizhu took out several kingfisher feather hairpins from her dressing case and decorated them on both sides of her hair. The bright kingfisher feathers complemented the phoenix hairpins, making her look extremely gorgeous.
"Ruizhu, change the phoenix hairpin."
Ruizhu said, "Why is that? You and this phoenix hairpin are very compatible. You can rest assured. The Empress Dowager Zhou bestowed a phoenix hairpin upon Your Highness. Originally, Your Highness intended to give you this one after you served the Emperor."
Hua Yan had no choice but to personally remove it and replace it with a gold hairpin inlaid with jewels and butterflies. Afterward, she sealed the phoenix hairpin in a brocade box.
"I accept Your Majesty's kindness, and I will enjoy it privately."
Green Willow pulled Ruizhu aside and advised, "It's getting late, we can't keep Eunuch Dong waiting. Sister Ruizhu, just tell Her Highness that our young lady is very happy. Besides, this phoenix hairpin will be useful to the young lady someday."
Ruizhu nodded. "That's fine too."
Hua Yan got up and was helped by Xia'er to change into a palace dress. Lv Liu took a light pink cloak from the side and draped it over Hua Yan. The edge of the cloak was trimmed with a circle of pure white fox fur, which made Hua Yan's skin look even whiter than snow.
The palace doors creaked open slowly, and warm yellow light poured out from inside, illuminating a small area in front of the doors. Hua Yan, supported by Lv Liu and Xia'er, stepped out gracefully.
Dong Ming quickly bowed and said, "The palanquin is ready. Please, Your Excellency, board the palanquin."
Hua Yan nodded slightly, took light steps, and slowly boarded the palanquin with the help of Lü Liu. After she was seated, Lü Liu gently pulled up the thin gauze curtains around the palanquin, separating Hua Yan from the outside world, leaving only a faintly visible silhouette.
......
Funing Hall.
Jingming watched the Emperor pacing back and forth in the hall.
"Your Majesty, please do not be anxious. Dong Ming has been gone for half an incense stick's time. I presume that the lady has already boarded the palanquin and should arrive soon."
"Am I in a hurry?"
Jingming: "...No...no rush. The imperial bedchamber has been rearranged according to the Emperor's decree. Would you like to take a look?"
The Emperor coughed lightly and scolded, "Shut up."
Hua Yan sat upright on the palanquin, her eyes devoid of their former liveliness, staring blankly at the night sky.
The bright moon hangs high, like a jade cup, and the palace lanterns gleam, making the night even more profound.
The rear hall of Funing Palace was the emperor's living quarters. The palanquin was carried directly to the rear hall. After Hua Yan got off the palanquin, Dong Ming gave a few instructions to Lvliu and then led Xia'er to take their leave.
Green Willow helped Flower Face enter the bedchamber. The first thing Flower Face saw was a tall, gilded screen. After passing the screen, apart from the flower, bird, and auspicious beast palace lanterns that were half a person tall in each of the four corners, everything else was red.
The floor was covered with a thick, dark red carpet of intertwined floral patterns, clearly newly replaced. On the table sat two celadon candlesticks, each holding a red candle. Beside them, in a Ru kiln tripod incense burner, ambergris burned, its fragrance delicate and subtle.
In the center of the hall, there was a huge carved rosewood bed. The bed curtains were made of thin red silk, embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water and twin lotus flowers outlined in gold thread.
On the bed, a soft brocade quilt was laid out, embroidered with swastika patterns symbolizing good fortune, and round pearls were inlaid at the four corners.
Just as Consort Chun said, the atmosphere was quite... like the illusion of a wedding night.
"What is this for?"
The beautiful flowers are a real eyesore.
Green Willow was looking around the bedroom with delight when she heard this and quickly whispered a reminder: "Your Majesty, please lower your voice. Shuer, look at this. Such a meticulous arrangement is enough to show how much favor the Emperor bestows upon you."
Stepping onto the thick plush carpet, Hua Yan gently shook her head, feeling a sense of unreality.
She was merely a minor concubine, and of humble origins, so even if her uncle had rendered meritorious service to the country, she probably didn't deserve the Emperor's "high regard."
Hua Yan gently stroked her cheek. The harem was never short of beauties. Given the emperor's nature of being fair and impartial and not getting up early for nothing, could it really be because of her face?
Just as he was deep in thought, footsteps came from outside the hall, and the emperor strode into the hall.
While Hua Yan was bowing, Lü Liu curtsied and quietly left the bedchamber.
The Emperor changed into a bright yellow brocade robe, his black hair tied up with a purple-gold crown, a few strands falling on either side of his face, a stark contrast to his usual solemn demeanor. His eyes were long and deep, his usual coldness now tinged with urgency because of the beautiful woman before him, his gaze fixed intently on the beauty before him.
Although Hua Yan's face flushed slightly from the other person's passion, she was still at a loss for what to do at that moment, and the slight discomfort she felt grew stronger as the distance between them shortened.
The Emperor slowly approached Hua Yan, the scent of ambergris and incense emanating from him growing stronger. His eyes were filled with tenderness, so she did not notice.
Only when the warm breath sprayed against Hua Yan's ear did Hua Yan gradually relax her slightly stiff body.
"Tonight is an auspicious night, one I have long awaited."
Upon hearing this, Hua Yan replied softly, "Your Majesty's kindness is too much for me to bear."
A hand with distinct knuckles gently rested on Hua Yan's waist, pulling her closer into his embrace. "Women in the palace are mostly skilled in makeup, but one as talented as you, Lady Hua, is truly rare."
My heart belongs to you, so why should you be afraid, my lady?
Before he could even speak, the Emperor had already removed the hairpins and ornaments from Hua Yan's hair, then took her hand and led her toward the huge carved dragon bed in the center of the bedchamber.
Hua Yan's heart pounded like a drum. What flashed through her mind was the many images from a book of erotic pictures that she had been forced to read at the Chunfeng Tower years ago... until her gaze fell on a purse hanging on the bed.
It was the very purse she presented to the Emperor at the New Year's Eve banquet. At that time, she never imagined that she would be serving the Emperor so soon. She hadn't even embroidered any patterns when she was embroidering the purse, and she never expected that the Emperor would hang it in his bedchamber.
A gentle breeze caused the red candles to flicker, and the Emperor picked up Hua Yan and gently placed her on the brocade quilt.
Hua Yan lay flat on her back and could see that the Emperor's cheeks were flushed, and even the tips of his ears were tinged with a delicate blush.
Then the Emperor leaned down slightly, staring intently at her with a burning intensity in his eyes. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his breathing quickened.
Then, his lips gently covered hers.
At first, it was just a light peck, but soon, passion surged, spreading from lips and teeth to eyebrows, cheeks, neck, and earlobes. He deepened the kiss and could hardly control himself.
The spring night is deep, and the lights have all burned out.
Under the bed, on the carpet with its intertwined floral patterns, clothes in bright yellow and rose red were scattered about.
On the bed, a brocade quilt stirred up waves.