Chapter 8

I have indigestion.

But I really didn’t eat that much.

The emperor stood up when I burped for the third time.

Governess once said, once I enter the imperial palace, my honor and disgrace are tied to the Shen Mansion.

If I make a mistake, father and mother will both be punished.

Thinking of this, I hurriedly covered my mouth, not daring to burp again.

“I ate a bit too much. Come walk with me,” the emperor said, looking at my trembling shoulders as I tried not to burp, his voice calm.

I immediately stood up. “Alright… hic!”

The emperor pressed his lips together slightly and turned to walk outside.

Annoyed, I covered my mouth and quickly followed.

Consort Chun’s imperial gown was especially elaborate, layers of skirts blooming at my feet with every step.

It looked even prettier than the peonies blooming by the roadside.

Focused on my feet, I didn’t notice the emperor in front suddenly stop.

“Ah.” I crashed right into his back and stumbled backward, losing my balance.

But before I could fall to the ground, he turned and caught me by the waist, pulling me back.

A rich bitterness mingled with a faint agarwood fragrance spread from him.

It smelled wonderful.

He frowned slightly, but before he could speak, I caught a faint stench drifting from not far away.

Instinctively, I pulled him behind a large rock to hide.

“Shh.” Seeing he was about to speak, I quickly covered his lips with my hand.

Soon enough, footsteps grew closer and closer.

“You said His Majesty went to Jinghe Palace?” A delicate voice sounded.

It was the woman who spoke with the emperor that day. I crouched behind the rock, carefully peeking out.

She wore a gorgeous imperial gown, followed by a crowd of palace servants.

The leading palace maid lowered her head. “Yes…”

“I’ve been in the palace for two days and haven’t even seen His Majesty, yet that fool was favored the very day she entered. Why!” The woman angrily snapped a peach branch beside her.

The palace maid whispered, “Her father is the Minister of Rites, and his most prized student became this year’s top scholar. His Majesty probably…”

Before she could finish, the woman interrupted, “Besides our Li Family, who else could be his support?”

“Consort,” the palace maid quickly glanced around and whispered, “Please be careful with your words.”

I was completely confused by their conversation.

I only knew they mentioned my father and that student my father liked so much.

After they walked away, I finally looked at the emperor beside me.

He obediently let me cover his mouth, while Steward Li behind him looked deathly pale, as if the sky was falling.

I messed up again.

“I… I…” I quickly let go of him, face crumpling, “Your Majesty, could you punish only me and not my father?”

He looked down at me, lips curving slightly as he reached up to straighten my crooked hairpin.

“I won’t punish you,” he coaxed softly, “But Lan, can you tell me how you knew Li Xingzhi was here? And why did you say she’s a bad person?”

I blinked.

“Hmm?” He trapped me between himself and the rock, bending down slightly.

I swallowed, slipped out from under his arm, lifted my skirt, and ran back: “I… I’m a bit sleepy, I should go to bed now.”

But after I bathed and lay in bed, the emperor came again.

Afraid he’d keep asking, I grabbed the quilt and pulled it over my head.

“Lan is asleep, knows nothing.”

After a while, I heard the emperor’s soft laughter beside me.

I carefully pulled the quilt down, leaving only my eyes showing as I looked at him.

The candlelight behind him flickered, casting his shadow at my feet.

He stood with his hands behind his back, bending slightly with a cool smile: “Lan is quite bold, going to sleep alone instead of attending to the emperor at night.”

Attend to the emperor at night?

Governess seemed to have said that attending to the emperor at night meant sleeping with His Majesty.

Tonight is my first time not sleeping at home, so I was a little scared.

But if the emperor is willing to sleep with me, I definitely won’t be afraid.

Thinking this, I scooted over, leaving space beside me, my eyes bright as I looked at the emperor: “Lan is timid, of course I’m willing to attend to the emperor at night.”

The emperor was stunned for a moment, then the corners of his beautiful eyes curved.

He asked me, “Lan, do you know what it means to attend to the emperor at night?”

Of course I do!

Who do you think you’re looking down on!