TICIEC Chapter 12.1

The night was rich, and the flowers were intoxicating.

It was getting late; time to get down to business.

Helian Qi reached out and hugged the young woman in front of him around the waist, then walked straight toward the bed curtain.

Ning Wanyin let out a low cry and hurriedly hooked her hands around his neck, finally stabilizing her body. A blush appeared on her pretty face.

“I…I’ll go change into my nightgown—”

“It’s okay, I’ll help you solve it.”

The gauze curtains were hanging down, and the snow was fragrant and soft.

The red candlelight flickered, filling the room with spring light.

At dawn, the rain and the clouds had just subsided.

Ning Wanyin’s eyes welled with tears, her whole body aching as if it had been crushed.

Helian Qi had a cold, self-righteous expression, but in bed, he was a completely different person…

So being a favorite concubine is actually quite physically demanding.

I must have an extra bowl of breakfast!

The eunuchs and palace maids came in to help Helian Qi change his clothes and go to court.

Ning Wanyin immediately curled up into a ball in the thin quilt, leaving only a pair of watery eyes exposed.

Helian Qi lowered his gaze to look at her. The woman’s hair was disheveled, her eyes were bright as a deer’s, and her cheeks were rosy. She looked clear and shy, with a uniquely tender charm.

For a moment, he felt that dawn had arrived too quickly, and he hadn’t yet had enough fun. But he had never indulged in pleasure. In his eyes, Ning Wanyin was just one of the many concubines in the six palaces.

It just happened that she was what he needed.

Helian Qi looked at Ning Wanyin and instructed, “You should have a good rest. Wang Degui—”

“Your servant is here!” Wang Degui hurried forward.

“Send someone to the Cining Palace to request leave. Ning Guiren is unwell today and cannot go to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.”

Helian Qi spoke as he gazed at Ning Wanyin. His narrow, cold eyes were etched with a smile, giving the illusion of a deep, affectionate gaze.

All the eunuchs and palace maids in the chamber were stunned.

Ning Guiren didn’t pay her respects to the Cining Palace yesterday, and she’s not going today either?

His Majesty truly favors Ning Guiren to the extreme!

“Yes!” Wang Degui took the order and quickly sent a eunuch to the Cining Palace to ask for leave.

Helian Qi left Lingxue Pavilion and rode on the dragon chariot for a while before suddenly asking the attendant beside him, “What is Ning Guiren’s maiden name?”

Wang Degui was stunned for a moment and quickly replied, “Ning Guiren is the daughter of the Count of Shou’an, and her maiden name is Wanyin.”

He felt a surge of doubt.

It’s perfectly normal for His Majesty to forget the names of his concubines.

Just ask in person. Ning Guiren was inside.

His Majesty didn’t ask her, but instead asked him privately?

Wang Degui just felt that it was a little strange, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.

But since the Emperor specifically asked for her name, Wang Degui felt even more strongly that she was an exceptional concubine.

After all, the Emperor wouldn’t specifically ask for the names of most concubines in the palace.

Helian Qi didn’t want to ask Ning Wanyin in person because she had already said that he loved her.

If he couldn’t remember her name, it would be embarrassing.

Helian Qi was willing to pamper an obedient and useful concubine and give her some respect.

Let her be a favorite concubine in the eyes of the world and in the heart of the Emperor.

…

The dragon chariot left.

Ning Wanyin finally relaxed completely and lazily curled up in the bed, not wanting to move even a finger.

“Guiren, would you like to continue resting?” Dan Li came forward with an attentive look on her face.

She had originally thought that Ning Wanyin would soon be in trouble and wanted to find a new master to serve. But now that she had the Emperor’s support, she immediately changed her attitude.

Not paying respects to the Empress Dowager was nothing; from now on, their Lingxue Pavilion would be the most important in the harem.

“Go to the imperial kitchen to get breakfast first, and then go to sleep after eating.” Ning Wanyin said while trying hard to stay awake.

She not only wanted to eat something to replenish her body, but also wanted to wait and see what news came from the Cining Palace.

It was uncertain what Empress Dowager Xue would do today. If something unexpected happened, she wouldn’t let herself miss the opportunity while she slept.

“Yes, I’ll get you breakfast!” Dan Li hurried to arrange it.

Lian Rui and Lu Ju helped Ning Wanyin to wash and dress. After she finished washing and having breakfast, the concubines who had gone to pay their respects to the Cining Palace also went back one after another.

Today, the Cining Palace was peaceful and calm. Empress Dowager Xue, having seen the person sent by the Emperor to request leave, did not send anyone else to trouble Ning Wanyin.

Ning Wanyin, satisfied that everything was normal, lay down calmly.

 

 

 

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