Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 65

“Do you resent me?” Xiao Yu asked.

“This concubine doesn’t dare to resent Your Majesty,” Qin Ling replied.

“Do you not dare to, or do you not resent me?”

Qin Ling whispered, “Your Majesty was willing to spare my brother’s life when the Su family fell into such a situation; it was already a mercy beyond the law, remembering our past feelings. I am not an ungrateful person. If resentment exists, it should only be placed on myself and my brother for recognizing the enemy as our father and lacking judgment.”

Xiao Yu seized her words and asked in a low voice, “The feelings of the past, do you still remember them?” 

Qin Ling replied, “This is the monarch’s grace, of course I remember.” It was a gentle sentence, but it was unclear whether it brought people closer or pushed them further away.

The surroundings were silent, and the sounds of breathing became particularly clear. Xiao Yu contemplated for a long time, his hand on her waist suddenly slid upward, causing Qin Ling’s back to stiffen with his movement. When they had been deeply in love before, they never held back in bed. Therefore, with one move from Xiao Yu, Qin Ling knew what he wanted to do.

The man bent down to kiss her neck, his breaths heavier and heavier, her small clothes, like her memories, were frail and easily removed, and in the blink of an eye, she knew where they had ended up.

Xiao Yu straightened her body, leaned on her, and shackled her hips with the palm of his hand, biting and grinding her lips again and again. His grip was strong, but his kisses were light.

Every action he made was similar to the past, as if it was deliberate, his fingers fondling those places that used to make her blush and bury her face in his shoulder. However, now, Qin Ling just weakly placed her hand on his back, not even willing to breathe more heavily.

Their reactions were like one person desperately searching for shadows of the past, while the other wanted to stay in the present.

The whole thing was indescribable, but Xiao Yu knew it all too well, and he could no longer pretend to be confused.

He pressed his lips against hers and asked, “Do you want to?”

Qin Ling turned her head slightly to avoid him, her voice as thin as a thread, “Another day, alright? Today I…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Xiao Yu let go of her, sat up, and went to the clean room without saying a word, the heat between his legs disappearing.

Qin Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She heard Xiao Yu say from afar, “Sheng Kanghai, bring water in.”

“Ah, this servant is coming right away!” Even though it was through a door, such a joyful tone appeared as if one could see the curve of Eunuch Sheng’s mouth. It was a pity that this “bring water in” had a different meaning.

Qin Ling stared at the beam of the room for a while, then sat up, found her clothes from the quilt, and put them on again.

When Xiao Yu returned from the clean room, the candle in the inner room was relit, and Qin Ling was sitting quietly by the bed waiting for him. Her back was straight, looking very respectful, but with one glance, Xiao Yu knew that she had something to say.

Xiao Yu walked over, sat beside her, and said in a deep voice, “Speak.”

Qin Ling clenched her hands on her lap and said softly, “I know Your Majesty doesn’t like the harem interfering with the court.”

Xiao Yu’s brows raised slightly, seemingly surprised that she would suddenly say this.

“Can I ask Your Majesty to make an exception and inform me of all matters related to the Su family and Dantai Yi from now on?” Qin Ling added: “The hatred of my parents, I dare not forget.”

“I promise you,” Xiao Yu turned the white jade ring on his hand, “I didn’t plan to hide these things from you.”

Qin Ling looked back at him in surprise, “…I’ll thank Your Majesty in advance.”

Their eyes met, and the coldness in Xiao Yu’s eyes diminished a lot. They extinguished the light, settled the accounts, and lay down face to face. The atmosphere was obviously better than before. Before closing his eyes, Xiao Yu whispered: “I will give the Su family justice.”

For an emperor who picks up the lost, everyone in the world watches his every word and action. The Su family was wronged. No matter how many reasons behind it, as long as this case is retried, Xiao Yu is bound to be accused of negligence by historians.

Qin Ling looked at him.

They seemed to know what each other was thinking.

“Let the historian write what they want, I’m used to it.” Xiao Yu pulled her into his arms, and slowly said, “I’ve been in power for four years. During these four years, I’ve lost one battle, and 60,000 soldiers died as a result. Then there were snow disasters, floods, earthquakes… I’ve written self-criticisms four times just for these disasters.”

The so-called self-criticism is a document in which the emperor introspects when the country suffers natural disasters or the court is in danger. Even when food production decreases because of heavy rains, he has to reflect on whether he has angered the heavens due to the lack of his morality.

This faint tone was inexplicably pitiful, and Qin Ling could not help but comfort him: “Your Majesty cares for the world and loves the people. You are a good ruler.”

“Do you really think so?”

Qin Ling seriously hummed.

Xiao Yu raised his hand and let it fall, landing on her chest, “I’m tired.” After saying that, he closed his eyes.

Qin Ling looked down at the hand that fit perfectly with her curve, and her heartbeat increased a bit. This man’s hand…

Xiao Yu quietly counted her heartbeat, from slow to fast.

When Qin Ling woke up the next day, the bed was already empty. She sat up, rubbed her temples, feeling a bit lost, and couldn’t remember what was missing. After washing, she suddenly realized what was missing and exclaimed. Last night, they shared a bed, and they didn’t have any strange dreams.

After thinking about it, she realized they hadn’t truly seen each other since he went to war that year.

Qin Ling massaged her shoulders and was about to call someone when Zhu Xin rushed in and said with a smile, “Master, the imperial edict has arrived.”

Qin Ling frowned and said, “Imperial edict?” 

Zhu Xin laughed, “Your Ladyship, please come out and accept the edict.”

As soon as the title changed, Qin Ling understood immediately.

The sun was shining high, and birds were fluttering their wings on the treetops, Qin Ling knelt on the ground, Eunuch Sheng slowly unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud, “By Heaven’s mandate, the emperor decrees: Lady Qin is gentle and kind-hearted, gracious and modest, and has won my heart. Hence, she is promoted to Zhaoyi Qin.”

Well, this edict was very direct.

Although promoting a concubine to a consort was ultimately a favor, there was always a pretext. For instance, she was pregnant, her family had done meritorious service, the empress dowager favored her, or there was a big celebration during the holiday.

The four words “has won my heart” had a touch of the meaning of a bewitched monarch indulging in the harem.

Eunuch Sheng bowed and laughed, “Your Ladyship, please accept the decree.”

“I, his servant, thank the emperor for his grace.” Qin Ling took the imperial edict with both hands.

Eunuch Sheng smiled and said, “His Majesty has also bestowed other gifts, which Shangyi Ning will bring you later.”

Qin Ling said, “Thank you, Gonggong.”

After lunch, Zhu Lan placed a dish of exquisite peanut and walnut crisp in front of Qin Ling, saying, “The people from the Six Bureaus and One Department and the Ministry of Rites just came over. You didn’t see them, Your Ladyship, but they all had smiles on their faces, just like the blooming begonias in our courtyard.”

Qin Ling turned and took out a bag of money, “Everyone in Jingren Palace will receive a reward, distribute it later.”

Zhu Lan took it and said, “Yes, I understand.”

While serving tea, Zhu Lan whispered, “The Six Bureaus and One Department really knows how to curry favor. Since Consort Li was stripped of her title and demoted to a cairen, they have deducted the spring and summer provisions for Qishu Garden.” Zhu Lan didn’t dare to say the rest.

Life in the palace had never been easy. If the charcoal were deducted in winter, one couldn’t be certain if they would survive.

“What did you say?” Qin Ling frowned, “Consort Li?”

Zhu Lan said, “Your Ladyship, didn’t you know about this?”

Qin Ling shook her head.

Zhu Lan then remembered, on the day when Consort Li was demoted, their master was ill. After waking up, she left the palace with the emperor. It was normal for her not to know.

Qin Ling asked, “What happened?”

Zhu Lan said, “On the day when you fell ill, Xianfu Palace suddenly sent over a memorial. After His Majesty read it, he went to Zhangchun Palace, and Consort Li was stripped of her title and demoted to a cairen. I heard that she was deposed because she…” Zhu Lan’s words were cut off when Zhu Xin elbowed her.

Qin Lin’s gaze faltered slightly.

Goryeo had always been loyal to the Zhou Dynasty, but he still… dealt with Li Yuan?

Zhu Xin comforted Qin Ling, “Speaking of favor, who in the palace can compare to Your Ladyship? When His Majesty left this morning, he specifically instructed me not to wake you. Your Ladyship has been in the palace for only a year and has already been promoted to Zhaoyi. If you give birth to an heir in the future and make contributions…”

Qin Ling interrupted her, “Bring me the needle and thread. I haven’t finished Yun’er’s little clothes.”

Realizing her tactlessness, Zhu Lan rose and said, “Yes.”

The next evening, as Qin Ling threaded a needle by candlelight, Eunuch Sheng arrived at Jingren Palace.

Eunuch Sheng was dragging a peach wood box and said with a smile, “Your Ladyship, open it and see.”

Qin Ling looked at Eunuch Sheng suspiciously, dismissed the palace people, and carefully opened it. Inside was a piece of eunuch’s clothing.

Qin Ling’s eyes lit up; she lowered her voice and asked, “What does this mean?” This eunuch’s uniform had a bamboo leaf pattern on the sleeve, worn only when serving the emperor.

Eunuch Sheng said meaningfully, “Your Ladyship, please follow me to Yangxin Hall to serve.”

Yangxin Hall. 

If he could invite her to serve in Yangxin Hall, it must be related to Dantai Yi.

Qin Ling followed Eunuch Sheng to the west.

There were lights on in Yangxin Hall. Before she entered, she heard Lu Ze’s voice, “Your Majesty, the second name list has been completed.”

Eunuch Sheng dismissed the palace maid by his side, handed the tea to Qin Ling, and said hushedly, “Take it in.”

Qin Ling nodded and pushed the door in. As soon as the door opened, Xiao Yu looked up at her.

Her steps were light, and as she passed Lu Ze, the scent of camellias filled the air, causing Lu Ze to look at her keenly—her delicate hands, slender neck, and waistline slimmer than that of a eunuch.

With Eunuch Sheng present, Qin Ling was just a eunuch serving the emperor’s tea. But just as she picked up the teapot, Lu Ze suddenly drew his sword. With a turn of his wrist, a cold light flashed. The hat on Qin Ling’s head was sliced off in a split second, and her black hair fell on her shoulders. 

Her dark apricot eyes were filled with panic.

The teapot fell to the ground, spilling tea everywhere.

A dagger was pressed against her neck, and the owner asked, “Who are you!?”

Xiao Yu and Su Huai’an almost simultaneously exclaimed, “Lu Yanqing! Put down your blade!”

Lu Ze was particularly sensitive to Xiao Yu’s voice, and immediately moved the blade half an inch away.

Xiao Yu hadn’t been prepared for the meeting of the three people and never expected such a scene. He strode forward, cupped Qin Ling’s chin, and repeatedly stroked her neck with his thumb, “Are you hurt?”

Qin Ling shook her head, “No, I’m not.”

Seeing this, Lu Ze stiffened, and the dagger clattered. He was absolutely shocked. The emperor could actually bring a woman to Yangxin Hall for discussions.

He immediately knelt on the ground, “Your servant has sinned. Please punish me, Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu and Su Huai’an both looked at Lu Ze, their eyes colder and sharper than the dagger on the ground.

Qin Ling held Xiao Yu’s wrist and said to Lu Ze, “Marquis of Chun’nan, please rise.”

Lu Ze didn’t dare to move.

Xiao Yu said softly, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Just as Lu Ze looked up, his knees weakened. Most officials had never seen the late empress, but he, Lu Yanqing, had seen Princess Consort Jin!

Since the late empress had passed away, then this…this was the lady rumored to have skyrocketed to the position of Zhaoyi Qin, just based on her looks, after being in the palace for only a year?

Lu Ze bowed and said, “I apologize for offending Your Ladyship just now.”

Seeing Lu Ze looking like a frosted eggplant, a smile appeared in Qin Ling’s eyes, “My lord, you are too polite.”

Lu Ze whispered in his heart: this gaze, this smile, this tone… she is exactly like the late Empress Su. He immediately understood why the emperor was “bewitched by beauty” today.

Xiao Yu glanced at her and guessed that she wanted to hide her identity from Lu Ze. That was fine, as the Su family’s case was not a matter that could be resolved overnight.

Xiao Yu said lightly, “Ah Ling, come to look at the name list.”

Lu Ze was a bit uncomfortable hearing this name, and goosebumps appeared on his arm. He glanced cautiously at Su Huai’an. 

Tsk. A stand-in has replaced his sister, how distressing that must be, he thought.