TICIEC Chapter 8.2

Helian Qi was once again shocked by Ning Wanyin. 

Daring to sleep with him for two consecutive days…

This was truly…

It was audacious and very much to his liking.

“Okay.” Helian Qi agreed.

Ning Wanyin bowed with joy, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

…

Helian Qi walked out of Lingxue Pavilion with a beaming smile on his face.

At first glance, he spotted eight black water vats at the entrance.

“Ning Guiren loves lotus. Dig a pond in the Lingxue Pavilion courtyard to cultivate them.” Helian Qi ordered.

Wang Degui was stunned for a moment, then quickly accepted the order, “Yes.”

The Emperor actually renovated the palace for a mere guiren. This was truly…

Ning Guiren has good tricks!

Helian Qi thought of the appearance of Ning Guiren in his mind. She looked like a woman who liked to dress up. She was so delicate and noble that she was indeed suitable for gorgeous and precious things.

Helian Qi then ordered, “Pick out some precious jewelry and silk from my treasury as a reward for her.”

Because of his immense wealth, the Emperor couldn’t even remember how many treasures he possessed.

However, Wang Degui, as the Emperor’s chief eunuch, knew the treasury inventory by heart. When he heard that His Majesty specifically mentioned the word ‘precious’, he dared not mention anything more ordinary. 

He respectfully asked, “Last month, the South China Sea sent a tribute of soft jade brocade, along with a set of red gold filigree butterfly headpieces inlaid with hundreds of beads, adorned with jade, tourmaline, and pearls, totaling twenty-eight pieces. What do you think, Your Majesty?”

Helian Qi nodded with satisfaction, “Well, let’s do it.”

“Yes!” Wang Degui replied, secretly shocked in his heart. The Emperor truly favored Ning Guiren.

Just as he was sighing inwardly, the Emperor, in a cheerful mood, said, “There’s no need for the Imperial Chamberlain to hand over the list. I’ll come to Lingxue Pavilion tonight.”

Wang Degui stumbled. 

What? Two days of favor?

Ning Guiren’s methods are truly… astonishing!

…

After the Emperor left, Lian Rui and Dan Li went in to serve.

“Master, it’s time to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager!”

“I’m not going today.” Ning Wanyin said, sitting down leisurely on the couch. 

“Lian Rui, prepare the bath. I need to sleep.”

“Yes.” Lian Rui immediately went down to make arrangements. 

Having served her since childhood, she knew perfectly well that everything her master did had its reasons, so there was no need to ask any questions.

But it was the first time that Dan Li saw a concubine who dared not pay respects to the Empress Dowager. 

She was shocked and reminded her, “Guiren! You are committing a crime of great disrespect by not paying your respects to the Empress Dowager! You will be punished by the Empress Dowager!”

Ning Wanyin said calmly, “His Majesty told me not to.”

“This…this…His Majesty was just saying it casually. How could you…how could you really not go…” Dan Li was incredulous.

Ning Wanyin wouldn’t share this scheming game with anyone else. 

She said, “You can leave. I need to rest.”

Dan Li had no choice but to leave the bedroom.

“Why did you come out? Hurry up and help the Master pay her respects to the Empress Dowager!” Xiao Guizi asked in surprise upon seeing her.

Dan Li’s face was filled with disbelief. She lowered her voice and said, “The Master has become spoiled by the Emperor’s favor and won’t pay her respects to the Empress Dowager…”

“What?” Xiao Guizi was stunned. 

“This guiren is lucky, but I didn’t expect her to be so stupid. If she offends the Empress Dowager, will she still have a future in the palace? I think we should quickly find another employer!”

While the servants were preoccupied with their own thoughts, Ning Wanyin had already finished washing and reclined on the couch.

Since she had already pledged her allegiance to the Emperor, wasn’t it her duty as a pawn to offend the Empress Dowager to death?

A favored concubine should act like a favored concubine.

Offending the Empress Dowager, the Xue and Cen families, and making enemies throughout the palace—this was all she should do.

She would let the Emperor know that she was his most useful pawn.

Since entering the palace, Ning Wanyin had never considered relying on love. Even if the Emperor truly was attracted to her, wouldn’t it be too frivolous to rely on the Emperor’s whims for her life and death?

How could an emperor be someone who was bound by love?

She didn’t believe that the Emperor would lose his mind over a woman. She wouldn’t either if she were in his shoes.

All the efforts Ning Wanyin had made so far have been needed by the Emperor.

The Emperor’s love might fade, but he would at least keep those who were useful to him.

She had made a special effort to learn chess in order to play against him.

She had not missed a single day of chess practice in the past three years.

As for the painting…

She had just learned it casually.

Playing chess requires equal skill to be fun. But if she were also skilled in painting, how could she demonstrate His Majesty’s prowess?

One skill, one clumsy, all are scheming.

 

 

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