Chapter 14

I finally learned the character “E.”

When the female master taught me, she didn’t say much.

Maybe because she knew it was Qi E’s taboo name and didn’t dare to elaborate.

But I really like this character.

I filled an entire page with Qi E’s name.

Just as I was admiring my masterpiece, Qi E walked in.

What entered before him was the agarwood fragrance that clung to him, mixed with a hint of sweetness.

“Qi E, look.” I proudly showed him the characters I’d written. “This is the best I’ve ever written.”

Just two days ago, he said my handwriting looked like it had been crawled over by ants. Today, I’d surely surprise him.

His eyes did light up, and then he smiled, “In this world, the only person bold enough to call me by name and fill a whole page with it is probably you alone.”

I took the opportunity to sit on his lap and placed the paper on the desk.

“So your ‘E’ is this ‘E.’ I told you it’s a good name, I really like it.”

He glanced at the character, “Because it’s easy to write?”

Just a few strokes, it was indeed much easier than other characters.

I felt a little guilty but pretended to be calm, “That’s not it.”

He didn’t expose me, but instead picked up the brush and wrote several “Shen Lan” in the gaps on the paper.

He filled the whole sheet to the brim.

I was very satisfied, even wanted to find a place to hang it up.

“Your Majesty, Lord Shen is here.” Steward Li walked in from outside, glanced at me, and his expression softened, “Madam Shen is here too.”

This was the first time since I entered the palace that my mother came to see me.

Qi E went to the Imperial Study to see Father, while Mother was led into Jinghe Palace by the palace servants.

“Lan.” The moment Mother saw me, her eyes reddened. She pulled me over and looked me up and down, “Have you suffered any grievances in the imperial palace?”

I nodded.

Mother’s eyes grew even redder, “Is it His Majesty…”

“It’s him.” I pulled Mother to sit down, puffing my cheeks, “He says he can’t have only me as his consort for now, and says he’s not like Father. Mother, you have to talk to him for me.”

Mother’s hand trembled, and most of the worry in her eyes faded away.

“And also, he always comes to attend to the emperor at night very late. Sometimes I’m already asleep when he arrives.”

“Besides, he’s not suffering anymore, but every time he feeds me medicine it’s so bitter, and he lies saying it’s not bitter.”

“…”

I rattled off all his misdeeds.

The more Mother listened, the more she felt something was off. In the end, she looked me over again and said meaningfully, “No wonder you’ve gained some weight.”

I’m not that fat!

I share half of the pastries and sugar cake with Qi E every day!

Not only did Mother not feel sorry for me, before leaving she even reminded me, “Be good to His Majesty.”

I had a strange feeling.

It seemed Mother felt sorrier for Qi E.

When I told Qi E about this, he laughed for a long time.

Finally, he held me and whispered, “Lan, I can’t wait any longer. The play is about to begin.”