Ye Xiu Xin followed Lin Wan to the Mirror Moon Pavilion and sat for a while, exchanging some pleasantries before taking her leave. Chu Xue saw Ye Xiu Xin out of the palace gate and returned to tell Lin Wan, "I have something to say to you, Master. Just now, when you were talking to Gong Yi, it wasn't convenient to mention it. According to what Yun Qiang said, you've been serving the Empress Dowager very well."

  Lin Wan listened, smiled lightly and said: "Good or bad, where is it that a lower person can say? Even more so, it's not something that someone as steady as Mother Zhen would say. I'm afraid she's probing me on behalf of the Empress Dowager."

  Chu Xue's face changed immediately, and she trembled: "How... Empress Dowager?"

  "Rest assured." Lin Wan said to her, "No matter what, it can't be said that I served poorly. Today, we were in the inner palace, and the Empress Dowager indeed had a favorable impression of me, letting Mother Cloud say such words to you is precisely to make me recognize that the Empress Dowager has a special liking for me. As for what exactly it's about, I reckon it's to test whether I will become arrogant."

  The first snow lowered her head, and her eyes were filled with contemplation. Lin Yu also slowly sensed some meaning, this Empress Dowager's thoughts are not simple.

  Lin Yuen couldn't figure out what was going on, so she put it aside after thinking for a while and ordered Xiaogui to bring in hot water for her bath. This servant business is quite tiring, standing all afternoon, not to mention having to hold a fan, her arms and legs are almost swollen. Lin Yuen said that the hierarchy of ancient times was not a good thing, being a mistress in front of the palace maids but a slave in front of the empress dowager, it's clearly written in the ancient laws that concubines have half-slave status.

  It's better if everyone is equal! If you don't enjoy privileges, then you don't have to serve others either! Lin Wan soaked in the large bathtub that reached her waist, crazily dripping bubbles, wanting to drive away the fatigue of the whole day. It's said that this water was piped from Shoushan Pool and was a natural spring without any pollution, which would be considered high-end alkaline bath therapy in modern times, and it's a bit luxurious for the aristocratic class to use it for bathing.

  It would be even more perfect if there was a massage... Lin Yuanyang shouted out towards the outside: "Chuyun, come over and give me a shoulder massage."

  A pair of obedient hands immediately reached out to massage her shoulders, and Lin Yan closed her eyes in bliss, soaking in the hot spring water. Although Chuyun's technique was not great, she was still very dedicated, and even though she was massaging randomly, it still felt comfortable.

  But this hand feels a bit off, how could Chuyun have such big hands... Lin Yu thought for a moment and suddenly woke up with a start, turned her head to take another look, "Ah" exclaimed as she hugged her naked body, blushing and saying: "Your Majesty... You came without even reporting!"

  Tuoba Hong's face wore a ambiguous smile, his hand on her shoulder as white as sheep fat jade, unwilling to move: "Seeing the scene of my beloved concubine bathing, how can I bear to miss it?" As he spoke, he deliberately puckered up his face: "Letting the ruler of a country give you a shoulder massage, you're really bold!"

  Lin Wan let out a "heh" and laughed, then submerged her entire body in the water, not letting him touch her shoulders: "Isn't it the emperor who took the initiative? Sneaking in to touch the imperial concubine's shoulders..."

  "He's becoming more and more unscrupulous!" Tuoba Hong said with a loud laugh, stretching out his hands to grab Lin Yuan's shoulders, but she dodged him twice. Tuoba Hong simply rolled up his sleeves and reached into the water to grab her hand, and Lin Yuan didn't hold back either, scooping up a handful of water to splash on his face.

  Water splashed everywhere, accompanied by Lin Yuan's screams and the man's laughter.

  Tuoba Hong's strength was great, his body agile and quick. After a few rounds, he caught her, laughing loudly: "Where can you run now?" He pulled her two hands to his side, wiped the water from his face with one hand, and said: "You are so bold, aren't you? You've even soaked my dragon robe! Daring to be rude to the king, this is indeed the style of Xiang Fei!"

  Lin Wan was being teased by him with her bare body, originally on the boundary of shyness and infatuation, with a mind full of infinite peach blossoms. As soon as she heard his words, those peach blossoms instantly withered - this emperor actually came to test herself!

  In ancient times, women were considered beautiful if they were gentle and obedient. However, Empress Xiang's overbearing attitude unexpectedly captivated the Emperor, who couldn't bear to part with her. As a result, many palace ladies deliberately imitated Empress Xiang in order to gain favor.

  Emperor Taohong is not very interesting, everyone in the harem says they love him, but few are sincere. It's gotten to the point where he has to test people's hearts every day! Taohong, don't you feel bored?!

  Lin Yan's mind was thinking, but she didn't panic, just smiled and used her hand to climb up the waist of the man in front of her, murmuring: "Your Majesty is only good at framing others, it's you who were rude first, and then blame the concubine for being presumptuous... Your Majesty, a dignified gentleman, sneaking into a woman's bathtub, this is called lust!"

  Lin Wan only accepted the first half of his sentence, and the second half involved Xiang Fei, so she pretended not to hear.

  Tuoba Hong listened to this answer and slightly put down his mind. It seems that Lin's boldness is true temperament.

  Looking at Lin's jade body lying horizontally, those small hands were still not honest and moved down to his lower body. Taohong's suspicion was extinguished, but the flames of desire were stirred up even more. He smiled on his face, stretched out his hand in the water, scooped it up, and brought Lin's wet body over, suddenly pressing her onto a rattan chair used for resting. His two hands supported the chair, narrowing his eyes to stare at this delicate beauty in front of him, saying: "Since my beloved concubine has said so, I have taken back my courage, it seems that I was wrong..."

  As she spoke, she pressed her lips against his.

  At this time, it was still dusk, and the sky had not completely darkened. The two of them were recklessly indulging in each other's company on the rattan chairs in the water house. Tuoba Hong felt that Lin Shi and Xiang Fei were somewhat alike, daring to be unbridled in front of him. But if you say they're alike, it's not entirely true - Xiang Fei was simply willful and arrogant, while Lin Shi could be described as licentious. Heh heh, his own younger brother, who indulged in sensual pleasures every day, had once said that the most perfect woman is a noble lady under the bed, but a wanton woman on top of it.

  Tuoba Hong, upon hearing this, picked up his fan and threw it at the Ninth King's head, scolding him for not being ambitious. But turning around, he himself thought that what was said was good.

  Lin gave herself that kind of pleasure, but it was more refreshing than Xiang Fei. She was just a 15-year-old little maid...

  Just now, when Tuoba Hong came in, he drove all the servants out of the house. Now, the two of them are indulging in pleasure, and no one outside dares to come and disturb them. After Tuoba Hong has relieved himself, he pulls Lin Yu onto his lap and gazes at the little beauty in his arms, who looks like a flower that has been watered.

  Lin Wan panted, but she didn't forget her manners. She got down from his arms, put on the clothes she had prepared earlier after washing and bathing, and took a wet towel to wipe and clean the emperor.

  Tuoba Hong closed his eyes and tilted his head back to enjoy her service, and after a while, he let out a comfortable "hmm" from his nose and said lazily: "This Mirror Moon Pavilion is really remote and simple, why not move to Xianfu Palace instead?"

  Lin Wan's fingers paused slightly, and a few points of satisfaction arose in her heart. Since the emperor had spoken to let her move into the palace, and it was one of the most luxurious palaces in the palace, Xianfu Palace, it proved that she occupied an important position in his heart.

  But she lived alone in the Mirror Moon Pavilion, which was actually quite comfortable. There was no master seat, no concubines living together, and many troubles were avoided. She smiled lightly and said: "The concubine is not a person who likes noise, moving houses is troublesome, Your Majesty doesn't need to bother."

  Tuoba Hong heard her say so and gave up. He asked Lin Yuan again: "Going to serve the Empress Dowager, is it still hard work?"

  Lin Yan smiled and replied, "The Empress Dowager is very kind and caring, she even cares about the concubines. How can the concubines feel tired? It's just that the sandalwood in the Chang Le Palace calms people's minds."

  Tuoba Hong also smiled and patted Lin Yuan's powdered back: "Since you like it, go there often to serve. I'm busy with government affairs and can't always accompany the empress dowager." Lin Yuan nodded obediently, and Tuoba Hong got up and shouted for Yao Fusheng outside.

  Yao Da-zongguan brought in a set of new clothes. Tuoba Hong let Lin Yuan help him change into them.

  Lin Wan knew that the emperor didn't want to stay. Today, he had already turned over Xiang Fei's sign and came to Jing Yue Pavilion purely on a whim, but also without any intention of abandoning Xiang Fei to accompany Lin Wan.

  Xiang Fei's weight in the emperor's heart is truly not something that can be compared to her current self.

  Lin Wan didn't pretend, not a word of persuasion, just helped Tuoba Hong to dress properly, and then followed him out of the house, bowing and seeing him off at the temple gate.

  Tuoba Hong stepped onto the holy carriage, turned his head to take a glance at her neat and tidy appearance, and suddenly thought of her crazy appearance just now when she was under him. He couldn't help but pull her into his arms abruptly and kissed her cheek with a smack.

  Not only were there people from the Mirror Moon Pavilion, but also a large group of people in front of the palace. Lin Yu couldn't help but feel extremely embarrassed and humiliated, stomping her feet with a flushed face. Although she was open-minded, she had always been one to care about saving face.

  Tuoba Hong couldn't help but laugh secretly, and he quickly got into his sedan chair and ordered his followers to hurry up. The holy carriage disappeared in a cloud of dust from the Mirror Moon Pavilion, leaving Lin Yuanyuan jumping with rage behind him.

  On the second day, Lin Wan got up early and went to Changxin Palace to pay her respects before heading to Changle Palace. With what the Emperor had said yesterday, she naturally wanted to follow his wishes and frequently attend to Empress Dowager.

  Three other palace maids, including Jia Gui Ren, also acted in concert with Lin Wan. In their view, going to the Chang Le Palace was definitely a chance to be diligent, as opportunities to show their faces were not easy to come by. Who knows when the Empress Dowager would no longer want them to serve? The current time was precious.

  So the four of them traveled together. Like yesterday, Lin Wan and Ye Xiu Xin were in one group, while Jia Gui Ren and Wang Cheng Yi held hands.

  They arrived at the Chang Le Palace, and only then were they informed that the Empress Dowager was worshiping Buddha and would have to wait in a side hall. This wait turned out to be endless, and Lin Wan looked at the maid standing at the door, Zhi Ning, and felt that her expression wasn't quite right - as if she was displeased with their early arrival.

  Because of this, Lin Yuan became even more afraid to move rashly and sat quietly drinking tea. Jia Gui Ren and Wang Cheng Yi shrank to the side, their two heads stuck together as they whispered about something.

  After waiting for two hours, until noon, Ziyun Ayi finally came from the front. She whispered to Zining and then said to Lin Yuen and several others: "The Empress Dowager invites the young masters to go and serve lunch."