"The concubine has recovered, come to welcome Your Majesty, isnt Your Majesty pleased?"

  Zong Zhengjin saw her staring at him, as if he wouldnt let go until he explained himself. He sighed and said, "Im glad, Feier has come to welcome me, my heart is very comforted."

  Su Jing smiled lightly and said, "I knew the emperor would be pleased."

  "Now that Xier is better, the night is long and boring, why dont we do something else?"

  "Your Majesty, I actually..." Su Jings arms wrapped around his neck, biting her lip, somewhat at a loss.

  Zong Zhengjin put her on the bed, "Heer, how are you? Hmm?"

  "The concubine should serve the emperor well," Su Jing said with a raised eyebrow.

  Zong Zhengjin also raised an eyebrow, obviously very afraid and embarrassed, but trying to act as if nothing was wrong, instead coming to provoke him.

  "Dont worry, I wont touch your wound."

  Zong Zhengjin was satisfied with her, and the two had not done anything in the bedroom for many days, only thinking about her body, but tonight was not enjoyable.

  One round was over, Su Jing lay on his chest, panting, calming down her emotions.

  Zong Zhengjin gently stroked her bare back, smooth and delicate, like silk. "Huier seems to be in poor physical condition."

  Su Jing furrowed her brow and blinked at him, "Thats the emperor being too majestic, physically overpowering."

  Zong Zhengjin saw his two small shadows reflected in her eyes, and said with a distressed expression that he suddenly felt a surge of energy rushing down.

  "Ill make sure to verify it thoroughly," he said, flipping over and pinning her beneath him.

  Su Jings eyes widened, "Your Majesty, uh..."

  …………

  Su Shun led the crowd to deliberately make light movements and serve the emperor, without looking at the curtain for a moment. This is absolutely a blessing of great fortune.

  Zong Zhengjin finished washing and dressing, but for some reason, as soon as he stepped out the door, he turned back into the inner chamber, lifted the fragrant curtains, and saw that the persons face was rosy and their breathing was long and even, still asleep.

  It was just a turn of the body, and the thin quilt slid down to her fragrant shoulders, with red plum blossoms dotting her collarbone before her eyes.

  He smiled lightly and covered her with the quilt before walking out again.

  "Take good care of Su Gui Ren, so she wont have to go and pay her respects to the Empress Dowager."

  Ting Yao and others knelt on the ground, "Yes, slave obeys orders."

  "Xiang Yao, what time is it?" Su Jing opened her eyes dazedly.

  "Your Lordship, its already three quarters past the hour of Chen. The Emperor left at two quarters past the hour of Mao and has promoted you to a noble rank. You dont need to pay your respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

  "Uh-huh, Ill sleep a bit more, wake me up later," and then closed his eyes again.

  These two days she has been too prominent, its better not to go and pay her respects, the empress will not take action against her for the time being, after all, she still needs to maintain a virtuous reputation.

  After breakfast, not long after, "Master, Li Liang of Yīnguì Pavilion, Du Cai of Zhǐqián Yuàn, and Ruǎn Měi of Hàoyuè Xuān have arrived," said Dài Màn as he walked in.

  Su Jing said, "Quickly, let them in."

  She didnt expect that among the people who came first would be Yu Cong Mei, whose status was higher than hers, and she naturally couldnt send her away.

  They exchanged greetings, "I didnt expect Sister Li to come and visit her sister," Su Jing said politely.

  Li Liang picked up the silver-white dot Zhu flow Xia flower porcelain cup on the table, took a sip, "Sister, the tea here is really good, much better than sisters place."

  "Lijie said that her sister also thought it was good, the best Bi Luo Chun, and only then would she be willing to take it out to entertain her sister," Ruan Mei also chimed in.

  Su Jing didnt know what they meant, but their words were laced with a subtle attempt to curry favor.

  "Look at what youre saying, Im just a little better off with this tea, how can it compare to the golden silk fragrant wood inlaid cicada jade beads that the Emperor bestowed upon my sister the other day?"

  As expected, the smiles of the other two people stiffened for a moment. Su Jingyi pretended not to see it and didnt wait for them to speak, continuing to say, "I dont know if sister and the two sisters have come, is there something going on?"

  "I just came to visit my sister, yesterday I heard that my sister was injured in the leg, so I thought of coming, its just... So I chose to come today with two sisters," Li Liangyuan smiled and said.

  "Yes, everyone lives close by, in the same Dongliu Palace, and were all from the same batch of imperial consorts, so our feelings are naturally different. My sister says its true, isnt it?" Ruan Meiren chimed in.

  Su Jing smiled lightly, "We are all sisters, and entering the palace is to serve the emperor, its really not right to distinguish between each other."

  "Sister really thinks so?" Du Wanyue said her first sentence since entering the door.

  Su Jingxi turned her head and looked at her, her red lips lightly opening, "Doesnt little sister think so?"

  "If you change your mind, please let me know, Ill be waiting for you at any time," Li Liangyuan obviously didnt think she would refuse, and didnt say anything absolute.

  Su Jing nodded, "This is natural, thank you sister for your kindness today."

  A few people chatted for a while and then left.

  "What does Zhǔzǐ, Lì Liáng Yuàn mean?" Ting Yao had been standing beside them all along and heard very clearly.

  "Master, you absolutely cannot agree," Daiman also hastily said.

  Su Jing lifted the tea lid and asked, "Why cant you agree?"

  Dai Man knew it was time to show his loyalty, and he said straightforwardly, "Now that the young master has become a noble person and has some sacred favor, it is very unfavorable to Li Liangyu. If you agree with them, the young master will..."

  Before she finished speaking, Su Jing already knew what she meant.

  Its not just them, if she agrees to their request, Im afraid the Empress and Consort Shu will also thoroughly dislike her. More importantly, there is also the Emperor, who is probably the person least hoping for her to do this.

  Walked over to the dresser, took out a magpie on plum blossom hairpin, handed it to Dai Man, "You did well, and should continue to do so in the future."

  She took out another silver hairpin and gave it to Ting Yao, "You serve me, only if Im well, can you be well."

  "The slave understands and will serve the young master well," both of them bowed their bodies.

  Whether the thing is good or bad is secondary, its just a kind of affirmation, a kind of recognition.

  The Emperor stayed in Zuiyunwu for five consecutive days, and everyone was delighted, except Su Jingzhen who was worried.

  Tonight, after being tossed about by the red waves, the mandarin ducks have crossed their necks.

  Su Jing pouted slightly, her lips pursed in a pout, and said plaintively, "Your Majesty..."

  Tonight he didnt know what madness he was in, his movements were very rough, and the entry was both deep and urgent, she couldnt bear it at all.

  Zong Zhengjin furrowed his brow and pulled him up, "Lets settle this, I wont touch you again."

  Su Jing leaned against his chest, responded with a sound, and closed her eyes while hugging his waist.

  For a long time, Zong Zhengjin couldnt fall asleep, looking at the sleeping face beside him, "Feier, never change."

  Su Jing hummed and turned over, opening her eyes in a place where he couldnt see, with clarity in her eyes.

  Zong Zhengjins mouth corners rose, and he closed his eyes.

  On the second day, Su Jing finally decided to go and pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

  On the road, "Greetings to Queen Xian," Su Jingan saw Queen Xians retinue from afar and stood aside to pay her respects.

  Xian Fei waved her hand and the sedan chair stopped. "Get up, Su Mei Mei, its been a few days since we last met, how is your body?"

  "The concubine has recovered, thank you for your concern, milady," Su Jing said calmly as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

  Xian Fei smiled lightly, "Since thats the case, then accompany me to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager."

  "Yes."

  Although Xianfeis face was gentle and her eyebrows and eyes showed a smile, Su Jing did not dare to really regard her as a good person.

  Having entered the palace, how many good people can there be?

  Just because she is the only one in the harem, apart from the empress, who has given birth to two princesses and raised them till now, Su Jing could not underestimate her.

  In front of the queen, even though she is now in a high position, for over a decade, she has been consistently respectful and attentive, this kind of self-restraint is worth Su Jings admiration.

  As soon as she entered the grand hall, Su Jings efforts to reduce her presence were still unable to evade the piercing gaze of others.

  "Sister Su, its been a long time. I thought Id never see you again," said the Empress Dowager, holding her handkerchief and speaking without reserve.

  Su Jingxi heard this and smiled lightly, "How could that be? These past few days, younger sister couldnt come to pay respects to the empress dowager, couldnt come to chat with all the elder sisters and younger sisters, and was always feeling anxious in her heart. Now that shes recovered from her illness, she hurried over as soon as possible. How could older sister think that she wouldnt be able to see younger sister?"

  You curse me, I hate you.

  "Sister Su has been raised for a few days, and this mouth is getting more and more clever," Xiang Jieyu pointed at Su Jingxian with a playful expression.

  Su Jing didnt mind anymore and went along with her, "Of course not, when people grow up they have to learn something, little sister eats a lot, naturally it all goes to her mouth."

  The words had barely fallen when a burst of tender laughter followed, and it was impossible to tell how much sincerity there was in it, or how much pretence; only the person themselves knew for sure.

  "Her Majesty has arrived."

  "The imperial concubines wish the empress a peaceful day," everyone bowed.

  To say the queen is really tragic enough.

  As a wife, she should be diligent in her domestic duties, bearing and raising children; as an empress, she should set an example for the six palaces, supporting the emperor and managing the inner court; as the mother of the nation, she should balance the subtle harmony between the front and back courts.

  Doing well is ones duty; doing poorly invites the emperors wrath and the peoples scorn.

  The only thing she can enjoy is the lofty glory and wealth that everyone in the world yearns for. Every day, facing these concubines who all kneel down to pay their respects, coming daily to pay their greetings, this is also her only psychological comfort.

  "Ladies, please rise."

  After entering the seat, Su Jing walked out and made a big bow. "In the past few days, I couldnt come to pay my respects to the empress, I hope the empress will forgive me."

  The queen hastily signaled the palace maid beside her to help her up, "Sister Su is too particular, a few days ago sisters leg was injured and couldnt come to pay respects, its understandable, besides, that was the emperors own order, sister doesnt need to worry."

  Cheng Gong saw the faces of others change, and their angry eyes all turned to her. She said again, "Huìlín, go to the imperial treasury and fetch a few top-grade medicinal herbs for Consort Su."

  "The concubine has committed a crime, and I really dont dare accept Your Ladyships reward," Su Jinglian demurred.