Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 46 Part 1

The orchid fragrance was light, and it diffused quickly. Soon, it smelled of orchids all around. Even Zhu Xin and Zhu Lan, who stood by, could smell it.

“Is this perfume?” Qin Ling asked.

“Almost, but not quite.” Li Yuan held the bottle and explained, “This glass bottle is a tribute from the western region. It was initially used to store wine. Thinking it’d be a pity if such a beautiful bottle is used only to store wine, I asked a craftsman to improve the mouth of the bottle and used it to hold incense. It took me three months to create the orchids you’re smelling now. Don’t be fooled by the quantity. It lasts longer than wearing a sachet.”

“The design of this butterfly is exquisite.” Qin Ling’s words were not empty compliments. In Great Zhou, everyone, from aristocrats to commoners, loved to use fragrances on their bodies. There were countless trial-made fragrances in the distinguished assemblies. If this bottle were placed at the market, it would instantly cause a sensation.

“I’m glad you like it.”

Seeing that Qin Ling was interested, which was rare, Li Yuan generously explained the production process. Although it sounded complicated, it was also exciting.

It wasn’t until sunset that Li Yuan got up and left. Jingren Palace was very lively today. And as soon as Li Yuan left, the emperor came.

The eldest prince had been reading a book in the warm pavilion. When he heard his father was coming, he immediately ran over, only stopping to wheeze once he arrived at the main hall.

Although Xiao Yun always said that he missed his father, he was still a little cautious when he saw him in person.

Xiao Yun walked steadily before the emperor, clasped his little hands together, and bowed. “Greetings, Father.”

Xiao Yu lowered his head, and seeing his cute appearance, he couldn’t help waving to him. “Come here.”

Xiao Yun approached him slowly.

Xiao Yu put his hand over the child’s head and gestured toward his legs. After that, Qin Ling saw Xiao Yun tiptoe slightly and puff out his chest, making him look taller.

He was still a child, so his thoughts were written on his face. Qin Ling and Xiao Yu didn’t want to expose them.

Xiao Yu just smiled and stroked his head.

It looked like he didn’t want to be seen differently by his mum.

Mum.

The corners of Xiao Yu’s mouth froze. He raised his head and looked at Qin Ling. “Your brother has passed brilliantly. Have you sent a letter to your family?”

Qin Ling nodded. “This concubine has already delivered it.”

“That’s fast,” Xiao Yu said softly.

Qin Ling immediately said, “It is the Qin family’s blessings that Your Majesty can favor Eldest Brother. This concubine would like to thank Your Majesty.”

Looking at this respectful appearance, Xiao Yu felt even more that she was not quite the same as when he’d accidentally bumped into her that night. Thinking of this, he raised his hand, fixed her jade hairpin, and said calmly, “Your brother is talented. He deserves it. But if you want to thank Us, how about accompany Us to drink?”

Drink.

Qin Ling’s heart shook.

Her drinking capacity had been a disgrace in her previous life. She had only drunk twice with Xiao Yu in the past, and each time she couldn’t bear to remember what had happened.

When she sobered up the next day, he would always rub her waist while laughing, and she could only bitterly scold him for being nasty.

Fortunately, Young Miss Qin’s alcohol capacity was not bad, so she should be fine after a few cups.

Qin Ling’s eyes were bent, and she said with a smile. “How rare of Your Majesty. However, this concubine is not good at drinking, so if she makes fun of herself later, may Your Majesty not blame her.”

Xiao Yu grinned, then turned around and asked Eunuch Sheng, “Bring wine over.”

Seeing this, Momo Yuan quickly hugged the eldest prince and took him away.

Xiao Yu brought Qin Ling to the water pavilion while Zhu Lan and Zhu Xin held the lanterns.

The breeze blew, and the hair fluttered slightly. The two sat very close to each other, so Xiao Yu naturally smelled the fragrance on Qin Ling’s body. He frowned. “Is that orchid fragrance on your body?”

“Yes.” Qin Ling replied surprisedly, “Consort Li had visited before Your Majesty to give this concubine a glass bottle. It can spray out the fragrance of orchid in the form of water mist.”

Xiao Yu said slowly, “It sounds like a rare thing. Bring it to Us so We can have a look.”

“Zhu Lan, bring over that glass bottle.”

“What a clever idea.” Xiao Yu casually played with the glass bottle and said softly, “You have had a good relationship with Consort Li recently.”

Xiao Yu’s words changed Zhu Lan’s expression instantly.

No one in the harem didn’t know that Consort Li loved orchids. It was said that when she was favored in the past, Zhangchun Palace had always been packed with orchids bestowed by the emperor. Now that Consort Li had sprayed the fragrance of orchids on jieyu’s body, wasn’t she reminding His Majesty of the person behind the fragrance?

It turned out that the Goryeo ginseng tea and this glazed bottle were both a move played by Consort Li in Jingren Palace fairly and brightly.

She had seen concubines vying for a favor but had never seen such a suffocating way to compete.

Zhu Lan looked at Qin Ling with pity and thought, Master ah, stop praising Consort Li, lest His Majesty went to Zhangchun Palace after drinking with you.

While Zhu Lan pondered, Qin Ling replied gently, “It is too much to say that we’re on good terms. It could be said that Consort Li has always cared for me. Her Ladyship also told me that she would teach me how to make white sandalwood incense someday.”

White sandalwood was the emperor’s favorite incense.

“Really?” Xiao Yu said thoughtfully.

Hearing this, Zhu Lan closed her eyes in resignation.

At this moment, Eunuch Sheng brought to trays of Yuquan wine.

Yuquan wine of the Great Zhou was infamous. The Guanglu Office personally brewed it. It was potent and fragrant, incomparable with the peach-blossoms wine suitable for women. What if she said things that shouldn’t have been told once she drank it?

The weaker her heart was, the timider she became.

Xiao Yu poured a cup and put it toward her mouth. “Taste it.”

The emperor had personally handed it over; how could she dare not drink it? After the wine in the cup settled in her stomach, a faint blush appeared on her face, and her throat burned.

“How is it?”

While rubbing her stomach, Qin Ling replied, “It’s a bit spicy.”

“Yuquan wine is a bit strong at first.” Xiao Yu smiled as he prepared another cup. “It’ll be better after two or more.”

That was true. The first sip of Yuquan wine always felt like swallowing boiling water, but gradually, it would turn into a clear spring. 

But the sweeter it became, the more intoxicating it was.

After several cups, Qin Ling became dizzy. 

Seeing her drunken look, Xiao Yu leaned closer and murmured, “Ah Ling, can you sing for me?”

Qin Ling’s heart tensed. As expected, he was still skeptical.

In the past, she was good at dancing but terrible at singing. But since her goal was to enter the palace in this life, she learned a song from Si Yue, knowing he liked listening to music.

With a sing-a-song voice, Qin Ling whispered with a smile, “This concubine can sing <Raiment of Rainbows and Feathers>. Has Your Majesty heard of it?”

Raiment of Rainbows and Feather was Si Yue’s most famous song from Guangzhou.

Xiao Yu asked hoarsely, “Can you?”

“Of course.”

Qin Ling put down the cup, supported herself to stand using the table, and slowly opened her mouth.

The beautiful woman wore silk clothes, and the moon shone above. Her voice was enchanting and graceful, tugging at the heartstrings.

The eyes of the court ladies and eunuchs all around were brightened, but the eyes of the emperor gradually dimmed.

At the song’s end, Qin Ling asked, “Your Majesty, did I sing well?”

Xiao Yu nodded and smiled wryly.

She sang well.

Xiao Yu still slept at Jingren Palace on this night.

Although Qin Ling wasn’t drunk, the wine was too strong, so it was hard to battle her sleepiness. After washing her face and rinsing her mouth, she collapsed into the man’s embrace. The court ladies had loosened her clothes, exposing her charm and provoking others’ affection.

But Xiao Yu only took a glance before covering her with the quilt.

Then he slowly closed his eyes—