eurekapd Chapter 110 Tenderness
Chapter 110 Tenderness
The emperor's words were merciless, making the two of them blush and tearful.
"I obey your command. Thank you, Your Majesty, and Empress Lingfei."
When the dust settled, Concubine Ying and Concubine Ke kowtowed in unison to express their gratitude.
This punishment is considered light. If their mother's family is really implicated, it would be a big disaster.
"When Mongolia wants to offer its concubines, send someone over to educate them properly first. Don't bring in this country-style air and pollute my palace."
After saying this, the emperor took Yan Wan's hand and walked away from the smoky tent.
"Your Majesty, your words are too serious. They are just some rough habits that can be properly educated. Isn't the punishment too severe? In fact, there is no need to implicate the Mongolian concubines who will enter the palace in the future. What you said today, I am afraid that a concubine with a thin skin would not be able to bear it."
"Hmph, they're born with a background of being skilled in horseback riding and archery, and they're thick-skinned and tough. They have the nerve to speak up, but why can't they face punishment? Why are you speaking for them? I'm furious just hearing this. Aren't you angry when they're talking about you behind your back?"
"I am angry, but I am favored by the Emperor and have his protection. As long as the Emperor is on my side, I am not afraid of anything. Besides, I have been a maid all the way and have heard many harsh words. To me, it is nothing..."
Having said that, Yan Wan paused and changed the subject.
"If I keep brooding over it all day, how can I live the rest of my life? People in this world will naturally be disturbed by rumors. I will just do my duty, serve the emperor well, live my own life well, and not care about anything else..." Yan Wan spoke to herself, her bright and watery eyes still sparkling in the moonlight.
Upon hearing this, the emperor stared at Yan Wan in front of him, feeling a little dazed.
This tenacious look is somewhat similar to how he looked when he was left in the Old Summer Palace and just wanted to survive.
"I just like you this way. You look submissive, but you're actually strong-willed, unyielding, and possess a great deal of perseverance. That's why you're good at anything you learn. If you were a man, you'd be no less capable than those ministers in my court."
He was generous with his praise, and there was a look of admiration in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, please don't embarrass me. These are just some superficial opinions. How can they compare to those fair and just people like yours who are dedicated to the country..." Seeing his praise, Yan Wan lowered her head a little shyly.
"I said you deserve it, so you deserve it. Well, they have ruined our good mood today. Jinzhong, tell them to prepare some more wine and food. Concubine Ling and I will need them soon." With just a few words, the emperor's depression was swept away, and he turned around and gave orders to Jinzhong.
"Yes."
"Your Majesty must be exhausted from hunting and riding today. I'll give you a good massage later..."
The two of them walked hand in hand, and at first glance, it seemed as if they were not an emperor and his favorite concubine, but rather an ordinary couple in the world.
The next morning, the emperor and several princes set out hunting. The hunting ground was not in the camp, so they had to ride horses for a distance.
Yanwan was a weak woman who was not good at riding or shooting, so she could only stay in the enclosure and wait for the emperor to return.
The emperor loved hunting. These days, he would go out at dawn and return at dusk. After returning, he would distribute the prey to reward the accompanying officials and concubines.
Of course, this also gave some people with ulterior motives who coveted his favorite concubine a good opportunity to steal her.
Yanwan was leisurely leaning on the couch reading a book when she suddenly heard Chunchan come in to report.
"My Lord, Eunuch Jinzhong is here."
"Let him in." Upon hearing the voice, Yan Wan sat up straight and put down the medical book in her hand.
Jinzhong came in with a tray in his hand and saluted carefully: "Your servant pays respects to the Empress Ling."
Seeing this, Yan Wan gave Chun Chan a look and asked her to go outside and guard.
"Hurry up and get up. How come you have time to come here today?"
"The Emperor remembered that you had blisters on your hands from archery practice yesterday, so he asked me to bring you some ointment before he left. And here I am, as soon as I had time."
Although Jinzhong had a smile on his face, his heart was bubbling with sourness. He held her scraped hand and looked at it carefully with heartache, but his words were still harsh.
"The Emperor treats you very well now! In the six palaces, who can compare to Concubine Ling's fame? Even the current Empress and the former Imperial Noble Concubine Xian are somewhat inferior to her."
"That's enough. This favor is inseparable from your help. What's the matter? Our Eunuch Jinzhong regrets it? An old man is no match for the strong and healthy Eunuch Jinzhong. You should stop arguing with him, otherwise my Yongshou Palace will be flooded with your acid in the future."
Hearing her praise, the corners of Jinzhong's mouth curled up uncontrollably, and a hint of blush appeared on his face.
"I've regretted this a long time ago. Whenever the Emperor appears, your eyes are glued to him. How could you ever look at me straight in the eye..."
He muttered to himself, but his movements did not stop. He held her right hand in his, opened the small porcelain jar, dipped a wooden stick in the ointment, and carefully applied it to her. During this time, he blew carefully on the wound for fear of hurting her.
Yan Wan smiled without saying anything. This guy is always so... shameless.
Looking at his nagging appearance, this lunatic who has entered the palace is more arrogant in front of her than the emperor's wife.
"Why are you working so hard? Just pretend and fool around. Look at these little hands. I feel really bad for them."
Jinzhong sat on a much lower stool beside her, holding her hand and blowing gently, his heart and eyes full of heartache.
Seeing his expression, Yan Wan's heart softened, and she comforted him softly, "It's okay, it's just a scratch, it will be fine in a few days. Just stay by his side, you know he's the hardest to fool. If I hadn't been hiding some clumsiness, how could I have deceived him..."
"Having said that, I am really heartbroken. No matter what, your master has to take care of his own body..." Hearing her say that, Jinzhong's voice became smaller and smaller, and finally he curled his lips and lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on her slightly red and swollen hands.
He looked so frustrated that if you didn't know him, you would think he was the one who was injured.
"Alright, I will handle this properly. But you, be careful around the Emperor and don't let anything slip. Just let the servants do the dirty work..."
Yan Wan's right hand was clenched in her palm, so she could only stretch out her left hand, lightly touching his eyebrows with her fingertips, and slowly stroking down along the bridge of his nose.
Since arriving at the Old Summer Palace, the two hadn't had a serious conversation. This scene was the first time in the past few months that they had the opportunity to be affectionate with each other.