"Humph, today I'll let you die knowing the reason."
After Ye Xinxin finished recounting all that had happened to her in the palace chamber, she still felt extremely indignant.
She raised her hand, intending to slap the person in front of her, but this time, she was stopped by what the latter said.
"Things are just a bit difficult at the beginning. Sister, if you give up so easily, how can you expect to win the Emperor's favor?"
Ye Xinxin gritted her teeth. Helplessly, she retracted her hand.
"It seems you've already come up with another solution. Let's hear it. If it fails to satisfy me, you won't be able to sleep tonight."
She looked haughty, as if He Hui were just her servant.
However, He Hui didn't intend to argue with her.
"The Emperor actually prefers talented ladies. As long as sister behaves gently, kindly, and shows her talent, it's just a matter of time before the Emperor dotes on you."
With sincere eyes, she made Ye Xinxin start to believe her words, though there was still a hint of suspicion on her face.
"But which woman in the harem can't do this? If I really behave like this, I'll be no different from others. Your words don't make sense."
After she finished speaking, He Hui quickly replied, "Sister can surely be different from others. Even though there are three thousand beauties in the harem, as long as the Emperor notices you, you'll stand out."
"It seems to make a bit of sense. Then how do you plan for me to do it? I've already annoyed the Emperor tonight. It'll be extremely difficult for me to see him again."
"Sister can go to the places the Emperor passes by and let him see your talent. It's the same effect."
"Places the Emperor passes by?"
"The imperial garden. I have someone who used to serve beside the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager bestowed that person to me. That person told me personally that the Emperor almost goes to the Empress Dowager's place for lunch every two days. Tomorrow is the day. He must pass by the imperial garden on his way to the Shoukang Palace. I've explained so clearly. Sister should understand, right?"
At first, Ye Xinxin didn't believe it. But upon hearing that He Hui had someone bestowed by Shi Muwǎn, all her doubts vanished.
"Fine. If you can really help me win the Emperor's favor, then no matter what you want, I'll give it to you."
"Just sister's words are enough. I've heard that sister has learned to play the zither from a master since childhood and can even reach the state of perfect unity between the player and the zither. I wonder if it's true?"
Hearing these flattering words, Ye Xinxin looked even more complacent.
"Can there be any falsehood? My zither skills have even been praised by the world's number one zither master. I'm invincible in the world. Do you mean for me to play the zither in the imperial garden tomorrow?"
As she said this, she frowned, seemingly disapproving.
"I'm not those street performers. How can I do such a disgraceful thing?"
"Your Highness, don't think like that. This is the Emperor's harem, the imperial garden. In order to win the Emperor's favor, showing off a bit of elegance is nothing. Besides, those brothel women outside would do anything, even show off their bodies in public, to win a man's love. Sister, just relax. No one would dare say anything."
At first, her words sounded quite pleasant, but the latter part seemed a bit off.
Ye Xinxin thought carefully and got angry.
"How dare you compare me to those low - class women! It seems I should teach you a lesson."
With a gloomy face, Ye Xinxin was about to take action, but He Hui remained calm. "If sister still has such a fiery temper in front of the Emperor, the Emperor may never summon you again."
Instantly, Ye Xinxin backed down.
"I'll trust you this last time. If things turn out like tonight, you'll wait for me to make you die a terrible death."
Like a proud peacock, she left after saying this.
He Hui remained calm. After all, she had spent so much time with the young Emperor and naturally knew his personality. As long as Ye Xinxin did as planned tomorrow, tonight's incident would probably be forgotten.
...
The next day.
Ye Xinxin got up early for a change. She specially chose a new piece of music and kept plucking the strings in the imperial garden.
The passing maids and eunuchs would look at her from time to time, turning her into a living scenic spot.
Perhaps because those gazes satisfied her vanity, she gradually changed from being initially unacceptable to finally enjoying it.
Just like this, half a day passed quickly.
Seeing that it was always just maids and eunuchs passing by, she began to grow impatient.
"How much longer do I have to wait? Where are the people I sent to gather information? Why haven't they come back yet?"
"Your Highness, calm down. They're coming. The Emperor is already coming this way. Hurry up and get ready."
Hearing this, she quickly got up and returned to the guzheng. With a clear sound, beautiful notes poured out. Then, Ji Heng and his entourage slowly came from a distance.
Looking at the man getting closer and closer, her face blushed slightly. She quickly lowered her head, pretending to be immersed in the music.
"What's that sound? I've never heard it when passing by this imperial garden before. The court musicians shouldn't be practicing here, right?"
Fu Lu was equally puzzled and didn't know the reason.
"Maybe it's some imperial concubine who is in the mood to play the zither and enjoy the flowers here."
He didn't know that his casual remark had hit the nail on the head.
The palace maid who had gone to gather information quickly returned and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, it's the Noble Consort."
The young Emperor understood. He had long heard that the Noble Consort's zither skills were unparalleled in the world. But thinking of what had happened last night, he still felt a bit unhappy.
"Since the Noble Consort is practicing the zither, don't disturb her."
He turned around and wanted to take a detour, but unfortunately, since he had come, there must be someone who wouldn't let him go so easily.
"Your servant pays respects to the Emperor."
Ji Heng twitched the corner of his mouth and could only turn back reluctantly.
"Alright, I'm going to the Empress Dowager's place for lunch. You're quite diligent."
"Thank you for the Emperor's praise. Since the Emperor still has to go to the Empress Dowager's place, your servant won't disturb you. I wish the Emperor a smooth journey."
This time, the young Emperor was stunned and almost didn't react.
Wasn't she deliberately trying to attract his attention? Why was she letting him go so easily? It was really quite unusual.
"The Noble Consort's zither skills are superb. I've heard that you once studied under several masters, and even your masters were not as good as you in the end."
Ye Xinxin was extremely nervous inside, but still pretended to be indifferent.
"Your Majesty is joking. Thanks to the teachings of my masters, your servant has just learned from their strengths. There's still a lot for me to learn in the future."
Her humble attitude gradually soothed the young Emperor's annoyance. The incident from last night didn't seem so infuriating anymore.
"You should haven't had lunch yet, right?"