NCCnovel Chapter 267 It's as if the Emperor has separated the two of you.
Chapter 267 It's as if the Emperor has separated the two of you.
"It's alright!"
The emperor pondered for a moment, then called out loudly towards the outside of his bedchamber.
Hua Yan hurriedly got out of bed, but because her body wouldn't obey her commands, she ended up falling onto the Emperor.
Upon hearing the reminder, Jingming and Lüliu, who were outside the sleeping quarters, exchanged a glance and felt somewhat relieved. They then squatted down on the ground on either side of each other and yawned at the same time.
“There are servants guarding this place, and Donggua must have already prepared the sour drink. Why don’t you send someone to fetch it, Eunuch Jing?”
Jingming estimated the time; the palace gates would open at the beginning of the Mao hour, and there was less than half an hour left before the court session. He nodded and said to Green Willow, "It's time to get up. Aunt Minrong should be here soon. I'll send Dong Ming to fetch her and return immediately."
Inside the palace, the Emperor reluctantly pulled Hua Yan to his side and asked softly, "Were you tired last night?"
Hua Yan's face flushed red as she shifted her body, intending to kneel and beg for forgiveness. "Your Majesty, I acted unintentionally just now. Please forgive me..."
The Emperor leaned down slightly, and Hua Yan's words of apology were abruptly stopped by a kiss.
"It's still early, Shuer, you can rest a little longer. There's no need to go to Renming Palace to pay your respects today. I will send someone to tell the Empress."
"No, Your Majesty, how could I break the rules of the palace?"
The Empress and Consort Mei were waiting to find fault with Huining Palace. If she did not pay her respects after serving the Emperor, it would not only suit their wishes but also bring trouble to Consort Chun.
The Emperor said no more and summoned the palace maids outside to come in and help him with his toilette. Green Willow followed Aunt Min Rong and entered with several other palace maids from Funing Palace.
At this moment, Hua Yan was already dressed in her nightgown and sitting upright beside her dressing table.
After Min Rong led the palace servants to pay their respects, she took the lead and went to the dressing table to guide Hua Yan to the inner chamber of the bedroom to bathe. Seven or eight palace maids followed behind her, carrying various items.
After the bath, a palace maid carrying a silver basin stepped forward, while another palace maid responsible for grooming gently held a brocade handkerchief soaked in warm water and slowly wiped Hua Yan's face again.
Immediately afterwards, a palace maid served tooth powder made of salt and spices. Hua Yan disliked being served even when rinsing her mouth and brushing her teeth, so she reached out and took the powder to clean herself.
Finally, Aunt Minrong personally combed and applied makeup to Huayan. At this time, the Emperor had already put on his court robes. Ignoring Jingming's anxious urging gaze, he went straight to the dressing table and stared at Huayan for a long time.
Hua Yan received Jing Ming's pleading look and said, "His Majesty has prepared sour drinks, and all the officials should be lined up by now."
The Emperor smiled slightly as he imagined the scene to come. He instructed Min Rong, "Put the gold hairpin that I have prepared into Shu'er's hair."
Min Rong stopped combing her hair, curtsied, and replied, "Your Majesty, the jewelry and clothing have all been prepared."
The Emperor nodded slightly and strode out of his bedchamber under Jingming's almost anxious gaze, heading to the Taiji Palace for court. Outside the palace, Dong Ming, accompanied by a group of eunuchs carrying more than a dozen large vats, was already waiting.
Min Rong was an excellent hairstylist, and soon she styled Hua Yan's hair into two buns. Hua Yan had never styled her hair like this before, and she felt quite unfamiliar with herself when she looked at herself in the bronze mirror.
"Your Majesty, this double bun is also known as the Dragon Core Bun. It is made by folding two strands of hair forward and fixing the ends of the hair at the top of the bun. When viewed from the side, it looks like two dragons are coiled on the top of the head, hence the name 'Dragon Core Bun'."
After I apply your makeup, I will tie two colorful ribbons under your hair bun, like dragons and phoenixes soaring, making you look extremely noble and gorgeous.
Hua Yan said solemnly, "That's a bit too formal. Aunt, you should restyle your hair in a cloud-like bun. Only those who are among the Nine Consorts can be called 'Your Highness.' Your address just now was rather inappropriate."
Upon hearing this, Min Rong held Hua Yan in even higher regard. To be so clear-headed despite the Emperor's great favor was truly rare in the harem.
"Your Majesty, this hairstyle is a perfect match for the gold hairpin that the Emperor bestowed upon you."
Although there is a palace rule that only concubines of the third rank or above can be addressed as "Your Highness," Your Highness enjoys such favor from the Emperor that addressing you as "Your Highness" is not inappropriate; it is indeed a unique honor.
After speaking, Min Rong took a magnificent gold phoenix hairpin from a palace maid behind her and presented it to Hua Yan.
Green Willow stared blankly for a while, her mouth slightly agape. This golden phoenix hairpin was intricately designed, with the phoenix's body adorned with pearls and gemstones, rubies for the eyes, and turquoise for the feathers. It was truly magnificent and elegant.
Hua Yan stared at the several small characters engraved on it: "Made by imperial decree in the first year of the Zhenghe era."
She asked in a low voice, "Is it mandatory to wear it?"
Min Rong was visibly taken aback and hesitated before saying, "This is a special instruction from His Majesty. Your Highness should wear it."
"Then change the hairstyle to a cloud bun."
Min Rong had no choice but to obey, but fortunately, Jin Fengzan Hua Yan did not forcibly refuse.
Hua Yan was so indifferent to the outer garment made of shimmering brocade that the Emperor had bestowed upon her that she was unwilling to say another word.
When they arrived at Renming Hall by palanquin, they happened to encounter Consort Chun and her entourage in front of the hall.
Consort Chun brought Ruizhu and Mingyue to Renming Palace to pay their respects today. As soon as the three of them passed through a hanging flower gate, they saw Huayan sitting on a palanquin in the distance.
The shimmering brocade was so dazzling and awe-inspiring that it inspired awe in those who beheld it.
After disembarking from the carriage, Hua Yan felt slightly uneasy. She quickly took two steps forward and bowed to Consort Chun, who gave her a reassuring smile.
"It's only been one night, why do you seem so distant from me? How could I not know who you are? Seeing that you are so highly regarded by the Emperor, I am happy for you."
"Your Majesty and I are one, how could we be estranged?" Hua Yan stepped forward and took Chunfei's arm, her tone tinged with grievance.
Consort Chun gently squeezed Hua Yan's palm and said softly, "Before leaving, I told Dong Gua to prepare a lot of breakfast, including your favorite osmanthus cakes and auspicious sesame balls. Yesterday, Dong Gua made a plate of orange peel cakes with tangerines. I found them to be sweet and sour, so I prepared some for you as well."
"Consort Chun and Lady Meng have only been apart for one night, yet they are acting so intimately. It's as if the Emperor has separated the two of you."
Consort Mei's voice came from behind Hua Yan.
Hua Yan turned around and saw that Consort Mei's gaze was fixed on the golden phoenix hairpin in her hair.
Before Shen Meiren arrived, her voice preceded her. She exclaimed "Wow!" and then quickly walked up to Hua Yan, gently stroking Hua Yan's outer garment: "This outer garment must be made of shimmering brocade, it's so beautiful."
Seeing Consort Shen's unruly behavior, Consort Mei was displeased and about to reprimand her when Consort Shen's exaggerated voice rang out again: "Such a magnificent and precious golden phoenix hairpin is the first time I've ever seen one. Your Majesty treats you so well."
Yuehuan was terrified and, under Consort Mei's piercing gaze, quickly stepped forward to remind her.
Shen Meiren then bowed to Consort Chun and Consort Mei, and Hua Yan also took the opportunity to bow to Consort Mei and Shen Meiren.
"What kind of behavior is it for Consort Shen to shout and make such a scene in front of the Empress's palace? Consort Chun is now assisting in the management of the six palaces, I wonder how she should be dealt with?"
"Now that we have arrived at the Empress's palace, we must leave the decision to Her Majesty."
Consort Chun glanced at Consort Mei and, accompanied by Hua Yan, stepped into Renming Palace first.
At this moment, Consort Shen was like a quail, and hurriedly bowed to Consort Mei again, saying, "Your Highness Consort Mei, please forgive me. I lost my composure for a moment, and I will never dare to do it again."
Consort Mei snorted coldly and, supported by Liuli, slowly entered Renming Hall.
"My lady, please calm down. My heart has been in my throat all day." If we weren't still outside Renming Palace, Yuehuan would probably have knelt down and begged Shen Meiren.
"She's just relying on her past relationship with the Emperor. Even Consort Chun, who manages the six palaces, hasn't criticized me. What gives her the right to be so arrogant? Now that Consort Meng is favored, she's probably going to be furious."
Shen Meiren cursed under her breath in a voice only the two of them could hear, and hurriedly entered Renming Palace with Yuehuan.