Chapter 32: Selecting a Consort

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After Wei Yanqiao had finished handling all the monthly allotments for the palace, she was utterly exhausted and wanted nothing more than to rest properly.

At that moment, Bi Zifu came over at the most inopportune time and said respectfully, “Your Highness, Imperial Consort Sheng, it is time for you to attend to His Majesty while he selects tonight’s consort.”

A trace of helplessness and confusion rose within Wei Yanqiao. Frowning, she looked at Bi Zifu and said, “Hasn’t attending His Majesty while he selects the name tablets always been your responsibility, Chief Steward Bi?”

Bi Zifu hurriedly explained, “Your Highness may not know this, but in the past, the Empress would arrange the tablets before handing them to this servant to present to His Majesty. Now that Your Highness oversees the entire inner palace, it is naturally up to you to decide which consorts’ tablets should be presented.”

Although Wei Yanqiao was still somewhat unwilling, she had already taken charge of the palace affairs. No matter how tired she was, she had to deal with this matter as well. She began selecting the tablets carefully, placing those belonging to the various consorts onto the tray one by one.

Once she had arranged them neatly, Wei Yanqiao told Bi Zifu to present the tablets to His Majesty for his selection.

Bi Zifu suddenly reminded her in a low voice, “Your Highness, your own tablet has not yet been placed among them.”

Every consort’s tablet was there, except Wei Yanqiao’s.

Wei Yanqiao replied decisively, “There is no need to include mine. Leave it as it is and take them over quickly.”

Bi Zifu looked troubled. “Your Highness, His Majesty specifically instructed earlier that you were to go personally and attend him while he selected the tablet.”

At those words, Wei Yanqiao, whose mood had been fairly calm, was overcome by irritation. Was Xiao Ceyun trying to torment her to death? Yet an imperial command could not be disobeyed. She could only force herself to rally her spirits and drag her exhausted body toward the Hall of Diligent Governance, where Xiao Ceyun was staying.

When she arrived, Xiao Ceyun was seated upright behind his desk, wholly absorbed in reviewing memorials.

Wei Yanqiao approached, bent her knees slightly, and said softly, “Your Majesty, this concubine pays her respects. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless health and peace.”

Xiao Ceyun gently set down the exquisite brush in his hand and slowly raised his head. His gaze, sharp as a torch, fell upon Wei Yanqiao in the distance. The corners of his lips lifted faintly, revealing an almost imperceptible cold smile.

This Wei Yanqiao had actually come to him of her own accord. That truly was unexpected.

“Rise. Imperial Consort Sheng seems to be in high spirits tonight, coming all the way to my Hall of Diligent Governance. What is the matter?”

Wei Yanqiao rose and lowered her eyes as she said quietly, “Your Majesty, the hour has arrived. According to custom, you should select the tablet to decide which consort will attend you tonight.”

The slight ease that had appeared on Xiao Ceyun’s face upon seeing her vanished at once, replaced by gloom.

He could not help turning toward Bi Zifu, only to see the steward lower his head abruptly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, not daring to meet his eyes. There was no need to think about it. Bi Zifu had clearly taken matters into his own hands and gone to summon Wei Yanqiao, urging His Majesty to select a tablet.

“Present the tablets.”

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Soon, the tablets representing the various consorts were brought before him one by one. Yet Wei Yanqiao’s tablet was nowhere to be seen.

Xiao Ceyun’s gaze grew even colder. He cast a frosty glance at Wei Yanqiao beside him. In recent days, he had repeatedly gone to her palace, intending to favor her, only to be mercilessly rejected each time. He had never expected that after taking charge of the inner palace, she would not only fail to show gratitude for his imperial favor, but would even remove her own tablet altogether.

She truly had some nerve.

“Let it be Noble Lady Cheng.”

He had recently heard Shui Yao mention that Wei Yanqiao and Cheng Yuanchun had grown somewhat close. If he favored Cheng Yuanchun, would Wei Yanqiao become jealous and burn with resentment?

Upon hearing the imperial command, Bi Zifu hurried away to make the necessary arrangements.

Wei Yanqiao’s business was finished as well, and she was preparing to salute and take her leave when Xiao Ceyun suddenly spoke.

“Imperial Consort Sheng, grind ink for me.”

The young eunuch who had been grinding ink beside Xiao Ceyun immediately stepped aside with utmost respect.

Wei Yanqiao let out a helpless sigh. Dragging her exhausted body forward, she slowly walked to the desk and forced herself to remain awake as she began grinding the ink.

Time passed second by second, yet Xiao Ceyun showed no intention of putting down his brush, nor did he seem inclined to let Wei Yanqiao leave and rest.

Wei Yanqiao’s eyes had long since grown so heavy that she could barely keep them open. Her eyelids fluttered as they struggled against each other.

Xiao Ceyun noticed her condition and slowly lifted his head. Wei Yanqiao’s eyes were tightly closed, and her delicate body swayed faintly. She looked exceedingly adorable.

A smile escaped him.

In recent days, the Wei Yanqiao he had seen had always appeared detached from desire, rigid, and dull. To witness her losing control in such a manner was both unexpected and amusing.

Seeing her like this, he could not help feeling a trace of tenderness. If only she would act spoiled before him as she had in the past, how could he possibly refuse to let her go and rest?

He picked up the brush in his hand, dipped it generously into the ink, and gently drew a black line across Wei Yanqiao’s snow-white cheek.

Still immersed in sleep, Wei Yanqiao suddenly felt a strange sensation on her face. She opened her eyes with a start and discovered Xiao Ceyun staring directly at her. Panic seized her, and she hurriedly knelt to plead for forgiveness.

“This concubine has disgraced herself. Your Majesty, please forgive me!”

She could feel something cool and moist upon her face, but out of respect for courtly etiquette, she did not dare raise a hand to touch it.

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Xiao Ceyun remained expressionless, maintaining his usual coldness and majesty as he said indifferently, “Rise. Bi Zifu, give Imperial Consort Sheng a seat.”

Bi Zifu did not dare delay. He immediately hurried over, brought Wei Yanqiao a stool, and said respectfully, “Imperial Consort Sheng, please sit.”

Wei Yanqiao quickly thanked him. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

She then rose slowly and carefully sat down on the stool.

She was simply too tired. Not long after sitting down, a powerful wave of sleepiness swept over her once more, growing ever stronger and more difficult to resist. Before long, she placed her head directly upon the desk and fell into a deep sleep.

Xiao Ceyun set down his brush, rose, and gently lifted her into his arms before carrying her toward the imperial bed.

Bi Zifu approached on tiptoe and began helping Xiao Ceyun remove his outer robes. Bending forward, he said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, Noble Lady Cheng has been waiting in the inner hall for quite some time.”

Xiao Ceyun replied coldly and without expression, “Send her back.”

Bi Zifu hurriedly answered, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Xiao Ceyun lay down beside Wei Yanqiao. Bi Zifu carefully lowered the bed curtains, withdrew from the room without a sound, and then hastened to arrange for someone to escort Noble Lady Cheng back to her own quarters.

Lying on the bed, Xiao Ceyun turned his head and silently gazed at the sleeping Wei Yanqiao.

His thoughts were in turmoil. Ever since Wei Yanqiao had entered the palace, he had never punished her. If anything, he had shown her considerable favor. Yet she had suddenly asked to travel to South Peace Temple, and when she returned, she had become this inscrutable person. It truly left him deeply perplexed.

Wei Yanqiao slowly awoke. When she realized that she was actually lying in Xiao Ceyun’s arms, her face instantly went pale with shock. She abruptly pushed herself up from his embrace and asked in astonishment, “How… how did I end up sleeping here?”

She nervously checked her clothing. Her garments were somewhat disheveled, but fortunately they had not been undone. Only then did she relax slightly.

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