12 Time Travel to the Qing Dynasty (12)

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Wenyao put down the book in her hand and went to greet him.
Since she had changed into a spring outfit that was quite thin, Dongrui only had time to drape a thick cloak over her.
“The Emperor has arrived.”
The eunuch guard at the gate shouted loudly, and Wenyao quickened her pace.
Just as she stepped out of the main hall’s door, she saw the Emperor bypass the screen wall and enter, with Liang Jiugong hunched and trotting quickly behind him.
“Cousin.”
Xuan Ye’s eyes immediately brightened when he saw Wenyao’s figure, and he hurriedly took a few quick steps up the stairs.
Wenyao bent her knees in a bow: “Greetings to Your Majesty.”
“Please, no need for formalities.”
Xuan Ye took several large strides until he stood before Wenyao, catching her as she bent slightly, then with a strong effort lifted her up. “It hasn’t been long since we last met, yet cousin, you seem distant.” Such formality was never seen before.
“Now that our statuses are different, proper etiquette must be observed.”
Though she said this, her body straightened with the momentum of Xuan Ye’s lift, a smile naturally appearing on her face. “Before, I was the Emperor’s cousin, a close relative. Your Majesty’s closeness was that of siblings. But now that I am Your Majesty’s concubine, Your Majesty’s affection is naturally because you like me. If I were to be impolite, wouldn’t that give others grounds to gossip?”
Concubine…
Xuan Ye’s ears flushed slightly.
He was still somewhat unaccustomed to this change in status.
However, since the grand wedding, on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, he always stayed in the Kunning Palace to rest with the Empress. Sharing one bed with another person was quite different from sleeping alone. Due to the incident with Sony, he harbored some resentment, and the Empress was a bit cautious; thus, the atmosphere in Kunning Palace was somewhat oppressive.
But staying in his cousin’s palace… that would be different.
He still remembered that when they were children, he occasionally stayed overnight at Jingren Palace. He and his cousin lived in the east wing, but he slept in the left chamber and she in the right. When they were young, sometimes when they were tired from playing, they even shared one bed.
Now, with a new status and living under the same roof again, it was somewhat like reliving old dreams.
“You’re dressed thinly, it’s cold outside. Let’s go inside and talk.”
Saying this, Xuan Ye took Wenyao’s slightly cold hand and led her into the room.
The palace maid at the warm chamber’s door immediately lifted the curtain, and a wave of heat greeted them. Wenyao took off her cloak and handed it to Dongrui as soon as she entered. Xuan Ye had just come from the Qianqing Palace; despite the cold wind outside, the young boy’s body was naturally warm, and once the heat penetrated his clothes, he began to feel stifled.
“Liang Jiugong, go back to Qianqing Palace and bring a set of spring clothes.”
“Yes.” Liang Jiugong hadn’t even entered before turning back to leave.
Xuan Ye tugged at his collar and shook his head in discomfort. “Originally, this Chengqian Palace only had the fire walls. I thought you were weak and would be cold in winter, so I ordered them to lay underground dragons for heating. But I didn’t expect it to be so hot when the fire is truly lit. Staying here too long might dry out your skin.”
Wenyao waved her hand at him: “Stop scratching and come here. I’ll undo your buttons.”
Xuan Ye immediately took two steps toward Wenyao.
She reached out and gently unfastened the buttons at his collar, removed the brown vest he wore over a bright yellow long gown, then took off the melon-shaped cap on his head, letting his forehead breathe.
Though still warm, it was at least a bit more comfortable.
“It’s hot to wear winter clothes in here, but if you change into thin spring clothes, it will be much more comfortable. Look, Your Majesty, do you see the basin in the corner? I put it there to prevent dryness.”

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“The temperature difference inside and outside the room is too great. It’s warm but still chilly. When you go out in the future, be sure to dress warmly, and don’t get sick again.” The little emperor’s care was thorough; the future central heating system was already taking shape.
“I understand.”
Wenyao nodded.
Xuan Ye, feeling too hot inside, stood by the door and asked the maid to open a small crack in the curtain. The cool air from outside came in, making him feel much more comfortable.
Soon, Liang Jiugong returned with seven or eight young eunuchs carrying many small boxes. Most contained the Emperor’s everyday clothes, along with some accessories like hats and boots. The “set of spring clothes” the Emperor requested was clearly more than just one outfit.
Liang Jiugong took a light spring outfit inside the warm chamber first; the other boxes were sent by Spring Bell and the palace maids to the back halls for storage and future use.
“I’ll do it.” Wenyao immediately took over the task of helping the Emperor change clothes.
Xuan Ye smiled and waved Liang Jiugong away. “You may leave and attend to your duties.”
“Yes.” Liang Jiugong promptly withdrew.
He, too, was dressed warmly and felt stiflingly hot upon entering the warm chamber. After giving a few instructions to Zhao Defang upon leaving the main hall, he led the young eunuchs out of Chengqian Palace and arrived at Jinghe Gate. The young eunuchs returned to Qianqing Palace first. Soon after, another eunuch in a blue dragon robe appeared—Liu Jinzhong, the deputy steward of Qianqing Palace.
“Go to the Four Treasuries. From now on, Chengqian Palace must keep several sets of the Emperor’s seasonal clothes ready. Also, pay extra attention to Concubine Tong.”
Liu Jinzhong managed the southern warehouse during the reign of the previous emperor, overseeing the Emperor’s private treasury. He was familiar with the various consorts and naturally knew about Concubine Tong, who was raised by the former Empress Dowager and was the Emperor’s legitimate cousin.
Not only did she share a childhood bond with the Emperor, but they were also close relatives.
“Yes, sir. I’ll attend to it immediately.”
Liu Jinzhong went straight toward the Four Treasuries.
In the coming days, concubines would gradually enter the palace. The palace staff were all observant; though the Emperor was young, he freely moved among the palaces. Which concubine he favored frequently, and which he only visited out of courtesy, would lay the foundation for their future standing.
Concubine Tong had just entered the palace this morning, and less than fifteen minutes after the Emperor arrived at Chengqian Palace, orders were sent to the Four Treasuries. This clearly signaled to the palace staff that Concubine Tong of Chengqian Palace was the favored concubine in waiting.
Liu Jinzhong shook his head as he walked.
The Kunning Palace would surely be troubled.
Unlike the lightly equipped Concubine Tong, the Empress had brought four senior maids and a nursemaid from her family. These attendants were both support and constraint; they helped the Empress cultivate allies in the palace but also kept a close watch on her every word and deed.
At the Four Treasuries, a steward was already waiting.
Upon seeing Liu Jinzhong, he hurried forward. “Sir Liu, does His Majesty have any orders?”
“Today, Concubine Tong entered Chengqian Palace. The Emperor ordered that the seasonal attire for Chengqian Palace be prepared accordingly.”
“Yes, sir.”
The steward, speaking, slipped a pouch into Liu Jinzhong’s sleeve. “Sir Liu, about Concubine Tong…”
“Raised by the former Empress Dowager herself and the Emperor’s legitimate cousin. No respect is too much for her. This lady is steady and reliable.” After receiving the bribe, Liu Jinzhong naturally gave some advice: “But be sure not to mistake your loyalties.”
“Understood. From now on, Chengqian Palace’s affairs will be top priority for us.”
With such a status, as long as the Tong family did not rebel, this lady would never lose favor. They just had to uphold her.
After giving his instructions, Liu Jinzhong inspected the Emperor’s everyday clothes. The young Emperor was growing quickly, and the embroiderers at the Four Treasuries were working feverishly to keep his clothes well-fitted. Only when he reached full size could they have some respite.
Liang Jiugong soon returned to Chengqian Palace.

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Zhao Defang was still waiting at the door, not even changing his posture. Seeing Liang Jiugong enter, he immediately came forward with flattering words. Thanks to his godfather’s friendship with Liang Jiugong, he was able to serve as the chief eunuch at Chengqian Palace. Otherwise, he would still be a low-ranking blue-clad eunuch in the southern fruit storage.
Therefore, he was especially attentive to Liang Jiugong—he even brought a stool for him and had someone serve a pot of tea.
Liang Jiugong looked at the palace maid serving tea and raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Concubine Tong just entered the palace, yet her tea service is already arranged?”
“Madam Songqin has long been training them.”
Liang Jiugong nodded, recalling the chaos in Kunning Palace a few months ago. He sighed inwardly; this was the advantage of growing up in the palace from childhood.
It was said Concubine Tong traveled lightly and brought no servants from her family, relying solely on palace staff. What few knew was that she had grown up in the palace, and the servants had been well arranged by the Empress Dowager.
Inside the warm chamber.
Xuan Ye sipped the tea, eyes widening. “Sweet?”
“Yes, I specially asked the tea house to prepare honey water. Your Majesty, we are still young and should not imitate adults by drinking strong tea. I heard from the doctors outside that drinking too much strong tea after meals can weaken the blood.”
Drinking strong tea after meals can hinder iron absorption, leading to iron-deficiency anemia over time.
Wenyao knew the Qing emperors were all short; since the young Emperor was still small, she hoped to help him grow taller—at least to about 1.7 meters—otherwise, it would be quite a sore sight.
“I haven’t heard that before.”
Xuan Ye drank some honey water, then gently placed the cup back on the kang table. “Then I’ll drink less strong tea and ask the tea house to prepare more fruit syrups.”
“That’s right. But Your Majesty, although I drink less tea, my own tea allowance must not be reduced.”
Wenyao shifted closer and leaned against Xuan Ye.
The two sat on the kang, separated only by a small table. Wenyao moved over and squeezed in beside him on the thin mat. Both were only wearing spring clothes, making them even closer.
The little boy, who had recently received much information, felt his ears flush. Yet Wenyao looked at him with clear, bright eyes, causing a strange shyness to arise in him.
He cleared his throat in pretense.
“I certainly won’t reduce yours.”
The Imperial Household Department was very careful; they would only pamper someone like Wenyao and dare not offend her.
“In about fifteen minutes, I should return to Qianqing Palace to study and read memorials. Tonight, I will dine with you.”
“Then this servant will wait for Your Majesty.”
Wenyao tilted her head, weakly speaking in a concubine’s tone.
Xuan Ye’s ears flushed even deeper. “When it’s just the two of us in private, you can speak as before. Suddenly doing that makes me feel rather unaccustomed.”
“I know you need your medicine daily. I specially arranged a small kitchen in the Chengqian Palace’s ear room. I’ve ordered cooks from the dining hall to prepare meals according to your tastes.”
Actually, the medicine could be prepared in the tea house, but since the young Emperor used this as an excuse to open a small kitchen for her, she naturally accepted graciously.
She raised her hand and, like in childhood, embraced Xuan Ye. “Then cousin thanks our Emperor.”