“Your Majesty, in ten days will be the day for the selection of new consorts, and since the new Empress has not yet been appointed, and the Dowager Empress is far away in Yanshan and unable to oversee the matter, what should we do?”
Peiling, the head of the imperial harem, came to report in the imperial study.
Jun Yilie, feeling frustrated, threw the red brush on the desk and rubbed his forehead, saying, “Did the Dowager Empress leave any instructions when she left?”
He knew that the Dowager Empress had left for Yanshan in a fit of anger because he had deposed Yu Xinruo, deliberately leaving all the trivial matters of the harem to him, causing him to sigh helplessly.
“Your Majesty, the Dowager Empress did not leave any instructions. She only mentioned going to Yanshan to rest and told Your Majesty to take good care of Princess Changting.”
Seeing that Jun Yilie remained silent and was deep in thought, Peiling boldly added, “Your Majesty, with the selection day approaching, may I suggest that Consort Yan temporarily oversee the harem? She is known for her stability and knowledge.”
“There’s no need for that,” Jun Yilie said, waving his hand dismissively. “You may leave. I will handle it myself.”
As Peiling left, Jun Yilie’s lips curled into a mysterious smile. He had been looking for an excuse to bring that girl into the palace, and now the opportunity had presented itself. Although he was angry with her for easily giving herself to Qu Yang, he did not intend to let her off easily. Now that he understood his feelings for Yu Xinruo, he was determined not to give up easily on someone who had captured his heart.
Tiefeng, observing his expression, saw through his thoughts and said calmly, “Your Majesty intends to invite Princess Changting back to the palace to preside over the selection, doesn’t he? Since Your Majesty has deposed her, she is unlikely to return willingly.”
“Mind your words!” Jun Yilie chided lightly but with a calculating smile. “I will issue an imperial edict. She must return, whether she wants to or not.”
Tiefeng shrugged and added, “By the way, I heard that the princess’s inn has put up a new sign, named ‘Former Empress’ Inn.’ Is Your Majesty satisfied with this name?”
“What?” Jun Yilie’s expression darkened, and his attitude was less intense than before. “How dare she defy me and even ignore my words! This time, I must personally take down her sign and show her she cannot act so arrogantly!”
Seeing Jun Yilie stand up and leave the room in a hurry, Tiefeng couldn’t help but smile slyly. “My good Emperor, surely you don’t intend to use such a grand excuse to see the former Empress, do you?”
“Miss, Miss! This is bad, the Emperor is coming!”
Yu Xinruo, who had been lying on the bed counting silver and smiling with delight, was startled when Xiaoli rushed in, looking flustered.
She shot Xiaoli an annoyed glance and asked, “What’s the matter that makes you so flustered?”
Xiaoli caught her breath and said urgently, “Miss, the Emperor is coming. You need to get up quickly.”
“What! What does he want this time?”
Yu Xinruo quickly set aside the pile of silver and got up. Just as she had arranged her clothes, Jun Yilie’s voice came through, “Princess, you seem to be enjoying yourself so much, spending your days lying on the bed and counting silver.”
Before he finished speaking, he had already entered the room, dressed in a luxurious blue robe with gold trim, looking exceptionally dashing.
Yu Xinruo glanced at him casually, sitting on the edge of the bed with a neutral smile. “No matter how leisurely I am, it cannot compare to your leisure, cousin. You spend your days outside the palace in disguise while leaving all state affairs to your subordinates. How luxurious!”
Qu Yang had been so busy recently that he hadn’t even had time to visit her, and she suspected Jun Yilie was behind it. She thought bitterly and looked down on him a bit.
Jun Yilie merely smiled indifferently at her words, but his expression changed dramatically when he saw her outfit. Pointing at her clothes, he said in shock, “What are you wearing? Exposing your arms and legs, this is really, really inappropriate!”
Yu Xinruo looked down at her casually modified outfit of a tank top and shorts, and with a playful blink of her big, watery eyes, she asked, “Cousin, is there something wrong with my outfit? By the way, why is your face so red? Is it hot? Would you like me to make you a similar outfit?”
Jun Yilie glared at her in irritation, “No need! Look at what you’re wearing! With so many men in this mansion, aren’t you afraid of being seen?”
As he spoke, his eyes accidentally wandered to her deeply exposed cleavage, which was highly tempting, and he swallowed hard, his face flushing even more. He had never seen such revealing clothing on a woman.
“Wow, cousin, you are meddling in everything, even what I wear,” Yu Xinruo said with a sweet and mischievous smile. “I dressed like this specifically for you. If others want to see, they have to ask.”
“Enough nonsense!” Jun Yilie said, his face darkening. Yet, he felt a strange sense of delight. Was she dressing like this for him?
Pretending to be serious, Yu Xinruo rolled her eyes and stopped teasing him. She stood up and asked solemnly, “Since you’ve come all this way, you’re not here just to critique my clothing, are you? Is there something important?”
Jun Yilie cleared his throat and looked away, adopting a serious tone, “I have come to ask you to assist with something.”
“What is it?” Yu Xinruo raised an eyebrow, unsure how she could help.
“In ten days, it will be the day for selecting new consorts. Since the Dowager Empress is not in the palace, I need you to help with this matter.”
Yu Xinruo’s eyes narrowed as she immediately refused, “Sorry, Your Majesty, I am busy with my affairs and cannot help with the selection. Besides, I am neither your Empress nor your consort, so I am not qualified to choose women for you. You should find someone else.”
She did not want to involve herself in unnecessary trouble, especially not knowing his true intentions.
Jun Yilie’s expression hardened. “I will issue an imperial edict. You must comply, whether you want to or not!”
Yu Xinruo rolled her eyes. This man had such thick skin—he had ruthlessly expelled her from the palace and now expected her to return and help. Did he think he could summon her at will?
However, she could not defy the imperial edict. She might as well consider it as helping the Dowager Empress.
Casting him a resigned glance, Yu Xinruo smiled and said, “Since it’s a personal request from my cousin, I will naturally give you this face. However, my taste might not be very good, so don’t be upset if I pick some unattractive and unworthy women for you.”
Jun Yilie relaxed his frown, let out a quiet sigh of relief, and smiled, “Of course, I trust your judgment. I will send a carriage for you in seven days.”
In truth, he didn’t care whom she chose as his consort. It was just a matter of adding a few more women to the harem. As long as he could see her in the palace every day, that was enough for him.
“Your Majesty, about the sign for the ‘Former Empress’ Inn—do you still want it taken down?” Tiefeng asked slowly from the side.
“Why would I remove the sign? It’s perfectly fine as it is. Stop making unnecessary trouble!” Jun Yilie shot Tiefeng a disapproving glance. This young man always seemed to sabotage his plans, seeking trouble.
After Jun Yilie left, Xiaoli, feeling a bit uneasy, said anxiously, “Miss, do you think the Emperor is trying to use this as a way to keep you in the palace?”
The selection of consorts was supposed to be handled by the Empress. With the Emperor coming personally to order you to return and oversee it, could it be that he has developed an interest in you and wants to trick you back into the palace? His previous attitude toward you was never so kind, nor did he seem to care about you.
Yu Xinruo dismissed the concern with a laugh, “Xiaoli, stop imagining things. He’s always been driven away by me. He wouldn’t dare keep me in the palace. I think he’s just trying to trouble me because he feels I have too much leisure time. Let him choose women—I’ll pick some ugly ones and make him regret it.”
At this moment, Xing’er came in to report, “Miss, Young Master Du is here looking for you. He is waiting out front and says he wants to take you out for a walk.”
Yu Xinruo snorted, “This guy is so persistent, he won’t leave even when told to. Xiaoli, find me some clothes. I’ll go meet him.”
She was unimpressed by him just because he had a handsome face.
“Young Master Du, what kind of tea do you usually like?”
“Young Master Du, what kind of women do you prefer?”
“Young Master Du, I heard you are still unmarried. Is there a reason for that?”
“Young Master Du…”
As Yu Xinruo entered the front hall, she saw the dashing Young Master Du sitting at the guest table with a fan in hand, surrounded by several inn maids who were asking him questions. The scene resembled a modern-day interview with a celebrity. Outside the inn, a crowd of women had gathered, their eyes fixed on Du Qiuluan with rapt admiration, hardly blinking.
Yu Xinruo sighed with a headache. “Du Qiuluan, can’t you be less ostentatious every time you come out?”
“Xiaoru, you’ve finally come out. I’ve missed you so much,” Du Qiuluan said, rising to greet her with an enchanting smile. The other women gasped and turned their attention to Yu Xinruo, their eyes full of envy and jealousy, whispering among themselves.
“I heard that Young Master Du recently has a new interest. It must be this young lady here?”
“She’s so average-looking. How could Young Master Du be interested in her?”
“Yes, I also heard that this lady didn’t appreciate Young Master Du’s advances and even turned him away.”
“Really, how ungrateful. If Young Master Du treated me with such kindness, I’d be content even if he asked me to die right now.”
Yu Xinruo shook her head helplessly and smiled at Du Qiuluan, “Young Master Du, every time you appear, it creates quite a sensation, truly deserving of your reputation as a heartthrob.”
Du Qiuluan’s narrow phoenix eyes shifted slightly as he smiled with apparent pride, “It’s only due to the kindness of these beautiful ladies. Thank you for the compliment, Xiaoru.”
Such arrogance! A narcissist! Yu Xinruo thought to herself, looking at the crowd of infatuated women by the door. Frowning, she said, “Young Master Du, while I welcome your visit to our inn, please avoid causing traffic congestion and interfering with our business. If it happens again, you will no longer be welcome.”
The young man’s expression turned slightly bitter. He had never encountered such a difficult woman before. Du Qiuluan forced a smile, turned gracefully towards the door, and said, “Ladies, please disperse for now. I will invite you for tea another time.”
His words proved effective; the group of women quickly dispersed.
What a bunch of infatuated fools! Yu Xinruo rolled her eyes and then smiled at Du Qiuluan, “Young Master Du, Xing’er just mentioned you wanted to take me out. Is that true?”
“Indeed, it would be my honor to have Xiaoru accompany me,” Du Qiuluan said, looking at her with anticipation.
Yu Xinruo’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she smiled sweetly at him, “Since it’s the renowned Du Qiuluan inviting me, I wouldn’t want to refuse. However, I’m not interested in outings and even less interested in you. Please go home. Xiaoli, Xing’er, see our guest out!”
Yu Xinruo gave the guest the boot without hesitation.
Du Qiuluan blinked his beautiful eyes innocently and said, “Xiaoru, how can you be so heartless? I have no ill intentions. I just wanted to take you out for a change of scenery. It’s rather dull staying in the inn all day.”
“Thank you for your kind offer, but I’m too busy. Please leave,” Yu Xinruo remained unyielding.
“Ah, Xiaoru, I am devoted to you, and you still choose to hurt me this way. Very well, since you are so unfeeling, I won’t force it.” Du Qiuluan sighed dramatically, turning to leave with a wounded expression. “Perhaps I should wait until Brother Qu Yang has time to join me for drinks and chat. I need to tell him about how a woman once touched me all over, mistook me for someone else the second time we met, and then acted so irresponsibly.”
Yu Xinruo’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly grabbed him and forced a smile, “Young Master Du, you know Qu Yang?”
Du Qiuluan noticed her anxious look and said, half-seriously, half-jokingly, “Of course, I know him. We are both known as the top young masters in the capital. How could I not know him? Xiaoru, let me go. Seeing you now makes me heartbroken. Ah…”
“Du Qiuluan, I am truly fed up with you. How dare you use this to blackmail me!” Yu Xinruo pushed him angrily.
“I’m not blackmailing you. If I were, I’d deserve to be punished by heaven and never marry.”
“Pfft, stop pretending. Fine, I’ll go out with you this time,” Yu Xinruo said with a murderous glare. “But this is the only time. Don’t let it happen again! And keep our business between us. Don’t mention it to Qu Yang!”
“Understood, Xiaoru. I will follow your orders,” Du Qiuluan said, nodding eagerly, with a hint of scheming satisfaction in his eyes.
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152