Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 23 Part 1

I’m your husband, can’t I punish you?

The Emperor suddenly came to Jinlan Courtyard at night.

Every eunuch and maid of Jinlan Courtyard soon trembled.

Qin Ling was just wondering how she could get back the firewood and candles that had been deducted when he came.

Ah, right.

Qin Ling lowered her head and removed the kerchief on her wrist, wanting to have a look at the bruise on it.

When Xiao Yu was in front of the room, Qin Ling squeezed the last two remaining candles into an enamel bottle on the table, took out the powder from the trousseau, evenly applied it on her fingers, and rubbed it on her lips.

All of a sudden, the person looked weak, as if she could be blown away by the wind.

The door opened with a creaking sound.

The objective was to showcase the low quality of the firewood, that it was easily distinguished.

This insignificant evidence seems to say: Take a look, after the two times Your Majesty came here, this concubine’s days are not as good as the sky.

Qin Ling coughed twice and said: “This concubine pays respect to Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu sized her up and frowned: “You may dispense.”

Qin Ling got up, then looked at the Emperor with a gaze that implied she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Xiao Yu looked at her, looked at the coal basin on the floor, then he lifted his robe and sat on the chair, and said indifferently: “What’s the matter?”

Qin Ling took a deep breath, then lowered her voice, “This concubine has something to report.”

Xiao Yu: “Speak.”

Qin Ling presented to him two sheets of list of items, “This one is the list of what this concubine used to get, while this one is the most recent list. There are many things that are not right, I hope Your Majesty can determine.”

It is better to be direct with someone shrewd like Xiao Yu. Thinking too much will only complicate matters.

Sure enough, the Emperor’s gaze that was looking at her instantly softened a bit.

Even the gloom in the room didn’t seem as severe anymore.

“Sheng Kanghai.” Xiao Yu said.

Gonggong Sheng, who had been listening outside, opened the door at once: “For what matters did Your Majesty call this servant?”

“Take these two sheets of paper for Shanggong Ning, Shangqin Lu, and Shangshi Meng to look at separately, after hearing their answers, take off the Shanggong’s uniform and personally go to the Ministry of Rites.”

[T/N: Remember that the ‘leader’ of the Bureaus are called the same as the Bureau’s name, that is Shang-something. Taking off the uniform here basically means that the leader of Shanggong Bureau is fired]

Gonggong Sheng’s gaze immediately darkened, he said at once: “This servant will go immediately.”

When he turned around, the smile on Gonggong Sheng’s mouth couldn’t be hidden.

These little bits of firewood can summon the Dragon’s anger that is rarely caused by a beautiful woman! He did not keep his eyes and ears open these few days in vain.

Gonggong Sheng set out, and before long, the candles and firewood in Jinlan Courtyard were replenished.

The firewoods were made of fine wood, and the candles were all made of white wax. Even the Shangfu Bureau that had nothing to do with the matter before delivered new kerchiefs and towels, as well as some fragrant soap for bathing.

Qin Ling approached his side and bowed to pay her gratitude, “This concubine thanks Your Majesty.” After speaking, she gathered her long hair together, and her wrist exposed the obvious purplish mark “by accident”.

Xiao Yu sat on the red sandalwood-inlaid enamel flower pattern square stool and looked at the wound on her hand.

His expression didn’t change, as if the injury had nothing to do with him.

He immediately got up and sat at the side of the couch, and said dimly: “Let’s settle earlier.”

Qin Ling looked at his back, and her heart became more and more confused.

She originally thought that Xiao Yu turned over her nameplate because she was helpful to cure Yun’er’s illness, however, she gradually discovered that seemed not to be the case. This person never talked about Yun’er’s matter in private.

He didn’t let her serve him in bed nor did he promote her.

He would go to sleep as soon as he went to bed, and did not like her talking too much. It’s as if… as if he sleeps here on purpose.

Thinking of this, Qin Ling seemed to be struck by lightning.

Whenever he didn’t come, she slept peacefully for the whole night. Whenever he came, she’d dream.

Could it be that… he’s having those strange dreams as well?

At this moment, Xiao Yu suddenly turned his head and looked at her with dissatisfaction, “What are you waiting for?”

“This concubine was lost in thought. I’m coming now.”

She held her breath and approached, then lay together with him.

When she was the most anxious, the man suddenly turned his head and stared at her. The first and second time, he immediately went to sleep after he had gone to bed. This was the first time he turned to look at her.

The four eyes were against each other, their gaze scorching.

Qin Ling’s cheeks were blushing, looking shy, acting like a concubine looking forward to receiving the monarch’s love, but in fact, her toes under the bedding were already curled up nervously.

Only hoping that he’d turn around immediately!

Don’t look anymore!

Stop looking!

Before anyone could say anything, like a blessing to the soul, Xiao Yu really withdrew his gaze at this moment.

Qin Ling was relieved and turned over, ready to find a comfortable position to sleep.

To be honest, the bed at Jinlan Courtyard was just as big as that, and the tall man took up most of it, leaving only a narrow range of activities. If Qin Ling moves, she will inevitably run into him.

As a matter of fact, her slender legs bumped into his legs.

The warm sensation of the skin touch instantly spread from the legs to the scalp, causing numbness.

Qin Ling was about to withdraw her legs, but Xiao Yu moved his body first. He pulled at the quilt to separate himself from her and scowled in disgust before turning over.

Qin Ling looked at the back of the man’s head, looking dumbfounded.

The surroundings became quieter and quieter, with only a slight crackling of the firewood burning. No one knew how long it took before the two’s eyes slowly closed.

The 36th year of Yongchang era, August 15th.

After the wedding night, Prince Jin’s Palace seemed to freeze.

Xiao Yu was either in the study to discuss official business or spend the night outside. It was also said that his figure could be seen sometimes at brothels.

The youth was in the wave, swaying desperately.

In short, he really didn’t put Su Ling, the princess consort, in his eyes.

Seeing the newly married couple at odds, Fu Ying couldn’t help but persuade: “Your Highness, do you really not care? If this keeps going, if His Highness brings back a woman, what should be done?”

Su Ling held up the mirror, pursed her lips on a piece of red rouge paper, lightly spat out a “heh” and said: “It’s up to him where he goes. Without him, I can just be by myself.”

“Whoever he brings back home, I can just drink more tea.”

[T/N: There’s this ceremony where new concubines will serve tea to the older and higher-ranked concubines before her]

Before the words fully landed, the sound of the door opening rang behind her.

She turned her head—

Xiao Yu was looking at her half a foot away while half leaning against the door with the corners of his mouth forming an arc, and said: “Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, follow me to the palace.”

Her husband, His Highness Prince Jin, could finally be seen after one month.

It had to be said that this man’s appearance was truly good.

The sunlight was spilled on his figure, his nose was tall and straight like a hanging beam, and his temples were sharp like a knife cut. Every part was just right and proper.

That face alone could lead the womankind astray, and before Su Ling alone it had no effect.

In youth, everyone is stubborn. Xiao Yu’s tone was frivolous, and she didn’t even reply.

The two walked out of the palace one after another, and stepped on the carriage together.

It just rained yesterday. The air was still damp, the ground was a bit slippery, and the carriage was moving slowly. They were sitting side by side. Each person sat in the corner, leaving a space still wide enough to be filled with two other people between them.

—The journey was silent.

The disagreement on their faces and hearts was their greatest tacit understanding.

Upon entering the palace, they went straight to Kunning Palace. Today was August 15th, the wives of influential officials had to pay respects to the empress, so there were familiar faces all over Kunning Palace.

“Erchen pays respect to Imperial Mother.” Xiao Yu said with a smile.

“Chenqie pays respect to Imperial Mother.” Su Ling said with a smile.

[T/N: Some translators translate erchen as “Son-Official”. It’s correct but I don’t like the way it sounds. And I’ve said some things about how I’d only use chenqie for the empress to the emperor, but… Apparently I can’t… So, please bear with me.]

Empress Chu looked particularly enthusiastic upon seeing Su Ling. She waved her hand at once: “Ah Ling, quickly come over.”

Beside Empress Chu sat a fair, lovely young girl called Chu Ying.

This was the first time Su Ling saw Chu Ying, a daughter of the Chu family, and the empress’s niece, who was 12 years old. The girl called her “Big Sister”.

Empress Chu said to Xiao Yu: “Third lang, go pay respect to your Imperial Father. I will talk with Ah Ling.”

[T/N: lang is something like youth or young man. Xiao Yu is the third son of the family, that is why he is called “Third lang”]

“Then, Son will leave first.” After turning his body, he patted Su Ling’s back and said softly: “Wait for me.”

Su Ling turned her head and said “alright” with a smile.

Newlyweds. The youth has passion and the concubine has thoughts. In this way they looked like a well-suited pair, making people smile upon seeing them.

“It looks like the rumors outside cannot be trusted after all. It was me who was too anxious.” Empress Chu took Su Ling’s hand, “Ah Ling, tell Mother the truth. How does Third lang treat you?”

Su Ling: “Naturally he treats me well.”

Empress Chu smiled: “That’s good. I was afraid that his cold heart and stern face would make you loathe him.”

Su Ling followed with a smile as well: “How could Imperial Mother say these things?”

Empress Chu: “In the future, if you have nothing to do, come to the palace more often to accompany me.”

Su Ling: “If Imperial Mother doesn’t dislike it, Ah Ling will surely come often to bother you.”

Empress Chu smiled heartily, “If you don’t come and just use these pretty words to coax me, I will surely punish you.”

Su Ling: “Ah Ling dares not.”