"What do you mean by 'sustainable development'?"
Yuwen Lan was completely puzzled. What could this mean?
As he pondered, he saw Yanshu roll up some diced braised squab in a spring pancake and ladle a bowl of duck soup with meat. She brought both to him, smiling, "Your Majesty worked hard last night. Please eat a bit more."
Ahem, these two dishes were excellent for nourishing the kidneys and boosting energy.
She thought that since he had started so vigorously, he shouldn't use up all his energy at once. He should replenish himself properly through food.
Yuwen Lan: "..."
Alright, he roughly understood now. That phrase was probably meant to suggest he should pace himself.
However... she was overthinking this, ahem.
— After all, he had been saving up for so many years. Even if it wasn't a "trickle," it wouldn't be depleted so easily.
Thinking this, scenes from last night flooded back into his mind. Yuwen Lan felt pleased as he picked up the spring roll she had prepared and began to eat.
Mmm, the squab meat was stir-fried to savory and spicy perfection, complementing the spring pancake wonderfully.
After finishing the spring roll, he drank a bowl of soup. He found the duck meat tender and flavorful, and the soup rich and delicious, leaving him feeling very satisfied.
Yuwen Lan felt comfortable all over.
— All in all, the shadows of the past had completely faded away. His life had entered an entirely new phase.
How wonderful.
The ministers all noticed that the emperor was in an exceptionally good mood today.
Not only were his thoughts clear and his decisions resolute, but when he spoke to them, there was even a smile in his eyes, making them feel quite honored.
Seeing this, once the important matters were dealt with, Hanlin Academy scholar Zou Mozhong seized the opportunity to ask, "Your Majesty, have you had any news of the Carefree Gentleman recently? I hope nothing has happened to him?"
Hmm?
Yuwen Lan immediately raised an eyebrow, "Why does Minister Zou ask this?"
Zou Mozhong replied, "This official is merely curious. If nothing has happened, why hasn't this gentleman released a new work in such a long time? It's been over a month since the last book."
Hmm? It's been over a month?
Yuwen Lan found this strange, as he often saw Yanshu writing.
After thinking for a moment, he finally remembered —
Her last published story was about the case of male prostitutes, which was indeed over a month ago.
Since then, she had written a story about a daughter-in-law of the Qin'an Duke's family having an affair with a servant — but since he had gotten the Duke's son drunk and leaked the story early, it wasn't published;
She had also written a passionate and conflicted love story between a widow and her late husband's old friend — but because it involved Madam Mu's privacy, it also wasn't published...
And for the past two days, she had been busy watching the commotion at Ruyi Brothel, so she probably hadn't written anything.
Last night, she had finally picked up her brush, but then he had carried her to bed...
So he said, "Perhaps she has had more pressing matters than writing stories, and hasn't gotten around to it for now."
Zou Mozhong frowned and said, "For someone who makes a living writing stories and earning royalties, what could be more important than publishing new works?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the emperor frown and say, "Minister Zou, your words seem biased. Besides writing stories, life has many other important matters. The harmony between husband and wife, bearing and raising children — aren't these all important? Should she be writing all day long, without any other pleasures?"
Zou Mozhong was stunned.
— They were clearly talking about the Carefree Gentleman, so why had the emperor suddenly become displeased...
He could only quickly bow his head and say, "Your Majesty's words are absolutely correct. This official spoke out of turn. In truth, I have been feeling rather anxious lately due to pressure from the booksellers, which led to my careless words. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Hearing this, the emperor's expression softened somewhat, and he asked, "How have the booksellers been pressuring you?"
Zou Mozhong sighed and said, "In their eagerness to obtain the Carefree Gentleman's new book, they crowd around my door all day. As soon as they see me returning home or going out, they immediately surround me with questions. There are even booksellers from out of town who have set up camp outside my house... I've barely been able to enter my own home these past few days."
Yuwen Lan: "..."
Were they really so frenzied?
Well, hearing this, it seemed Zou Mozhong truly had it rough.
He could only say, "I'll ask her about it later. If she has time, she'll surely write."
The Hanlin scholar said with a pitiful expression, "I hope the Carefree Gentleman won't keep us waiting too long."
Tsk, having to face this debt-collecting-like situation every day when leaving the house — who could bear it?
The emperor coughed and said, "If it's really unbearable, we can have someone set up a bed for you at the Hanlin Academy for a few days. As soon as her story is ready, we'll give it to you immediately."
Zou Mozhong: "..."
Set up a bed for him at the Hanlin Academy?
His Majesty really did have good ideas.
He could only smile bitterly and say, "This official thanks Your Majesty for your concern."
At this moment, completely unaware of what had transpired, Yanshu was lounging lazily in her chambers.
For most of the day, except for meals at the table, she had been reclining on the couch.
Tsk, it wasn't that she didn't want to write stories, but her legs were weak and her waist was sore. Even walking a few steps felt tiring, let alone sitting down.
... In short, a man who had just started his sexual experiences could be quite terrifying.
As it was nearing noon and about time for lunch to be served, Fu Hai arrived carrying a wooden box, followed by two young eunuchs carrying a basket of something.
Yanshu had Rendong help her sit up and move to the outer room, and asked, "What brings Eunuch Fu here?"
Fu Hai smiled cheerfully and said, "Greetings, Your Highness. With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, His Majesty has sent this box of South Sea pearls for you to make colorful cords with. Also, fresh big cherries have arrived today. His Majesty knows you love them, so he specially sent us to bring you a basket while they're still fresh."
A basket of cherries?
Yanshu was stunned.
— Cherries were a rare delicacy these days, especially since they had to be transported to the capital from other regions. Even the palace didn't have many.
Apart from those offered to the emperor and empress dowager, some had to be reserved for the imperial kitchen to make desserts, and some had to be bestowed upon court officials. In previous years, she had at most been able to eat a dozen or so.
Now, a whole basket of cherries was placed before her!
And besides this large basket of cherries, there was also a box of South Sea pearls that the emperor wanted her to use for making cords?
Could this be... preferential treatment after serving him in bed?
Tsk tsk tsk, not only had the emperor given her his first time without reservation, but he was also sending so many gifts to please her. He was quite innocent indeed.
She quickly smiled and said, "Thank you for His Majesty's great kindness."
Then she asked, "Have cherries been sent to the Empress Dowager as well?"
— Although the emperor favored her, she couldn't forget her own surname. In the palace, the Empress Dowager was the most important person. No matter what, she must never overshadow the Empress Dowager.
Fu Hai quickly nodded, "Your Highness need not worry. Before sending me here, His Majesty had already dispatched people to deliver some to the Palace of Benevolent Peace."
Only then did Yanshu feel relieved. She couldn't help but crane her neck to look at the basket of cherries. Each one was plump and bright red, with green stems still attached, clearly having been delivered overnight.
She had already swallowed her saliva six or seven times, and couldn't help but sigh, "Although my hometown also produces cherries, we couldn't buy ones as good as these."
— In the past, there was a cherry tree in the courtyard of her old home in Ande County. Every year, she would wait eagerly under the tree to eat cherries. However, the variety of that cherry tree didn't seem to be very good, and the cherries were quite sour.
Come to think of it, now that her parents, grandmother, and younger brother had all come to the capital, they couldn't eat cherries from their own tree anymore.
She wondered if they would be willing to buy some to try...
Tsk, although she now had a large basket, these were bestowed by the emperor and couldn't be given away casually.
Fu Hai seemed to guess her thoughts and quickly added, "Your Highness need not worry. His Majesty has also distributed several baskets to the court officials, including one for the Household of the Earl of Loyalty and Righteousness."
Oh? Her parents got some too?
Yanshu was surprised.
The emperor was so thoughtful?
... He was practically reading her mind.
Now she was truly delighted. She quickly smiled and said, "Then I shall thank His Majesty on behalf of my parents for his great kindness. Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty when you see him later."
Fu Hai promptly agreed and took his leave.
Yanshu immediately asked Rendong to wash a large plate of cherries and began to feast on them.
Mmm, it was rare to have cherries ripened to perfection. With one bite, the sweet and sour juice filled her mouth. They were absolutely delicious!
Yanshu wasn't a stingy person. Not only did she eat herself, but she also rewarded Rendong and Lianxin with some to eat.
The two maids felt honored and couldn't help but marvel as they ate, "We truly benefit from our mistress's good fortune. His Majesty is treating you better and better."
Yanshu nodded silently.
Indeed, after last night's coming-of-age ceremony, the emperor had suddenly reached a new level.
As expected, men also needed to grow up.
Besides the cherries, silk fabrics from Jiangnan had also arrived at the palace today, intended for making summer clothes for the Empress Dowager and imperial consorts. As a result, the Internal Affairs Bureau was especially busy.
Consort Zhou, coming out of the Imperial Garden, happened to encounter the busy scene outside the Internal Affairs Bureau.
Young eunuchs were busy transporting silk fabrics and packaging cherries, working in full swing.
She stood at a distance, watching for a while, then suddenly sighed, "In previous years, we'd send a large basket of cherries to the Duke of Cheng'en's Mansion, but I'm afraid there won't be any this year."
At these words, the palace maid Xiu Yun beside her dared not respond.
— Ever since the Duke of Cheng'en had that incident during the sacrificial ceremony last winter, the palace had stopped including his household in various banquets and rewards.
Even during the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration a few days ago, the Duke of Cheng'en had only sent gifts to the palace in advance, not daring to show his face at the birthday feast.
So regarding these cherries... it was truly uncertain.
Just then, they saw several young eunuchs carrying baskets of cherries out, with one basket specially surrounded by ice blocks.
Consort Zhou, seeing this, couldn't help but step forward to stop them and ask, "Where are these being sent?"
The lead eunuch quickly replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, these are all just now ordered by His Majesty to be distributed as rewards to various officials."
Consort Zhou asked again, "What about the basket with ice?"
The eunuch hurriedly said, "That's to be sent to the Household of the Earl of Loyalty and Righteousness. Their residence is far, and it's hot today, so we're afraid the cherries might spoil on the way. That's why we added ice."
This was true. Among all the officials, only the Earl of Loyalty and Righteousness lived farthest from the palace. If it took half an hour to deliver to others' homes, it would take a full hour to their residence, doubling the journey time.
The Internal Affairs Bureau also knew that Consort Yi was currently in favor, so they naturally wanted to do their best in delivering to the Earl's household to please her.
As the words fell, Consort Zhou snorted with laughter, "How very thoughtful of you. The ones just sent to my palace had several spoiled ones, but for the Earl of Loyalty and Righteousness's household, you even know to add ice."
The young eunuch hesitated, then could only say, "Please forgive us, Your Highness. It must be that the person packing earlier wasn't careful and didn't pick good ones for you. This servant will report to the supervisor right away and have better ones sent to you later."
But Consort Zhou said, "Who knows what leftovers you'll send to fool me this time? You servants are always quick to follow the trend and bully others using borrowed power."
The young eunuchs all knelt down and said, "We wouldn't dare."
Consort Zhou wanted to reprimand them further, but Xiu Yun advised, "Your Highness, don't lower yourself to their level. The sun is too strong, please return to the palace quickly."
— With the Internal Affairs Bureau so busy today, the Empress Dowager must be paying attention. If this escalated and reached her ears, the mistress would be even less favored by her.
Fortunately, Consort Zhou remembered this point and only left with a cold snort before turning to leave.
In her heart, however, she was grinding her teeth, silently repeating the name Li Yanshu with hatred.
For two days in a row, the Emperor had been passionately attentive.
Fortunately, Yanshu was young after all. After enduring the first two days, her muscles finally stopped aching, and she could move freely again.
She had already eaten more than half of the cherries, truly indulging to her heart's content this time. For the ones she couldn't finish, she had people make them into candied cherries, preserved in jars to eat slowly later.
The five-colored cord was also finished, adorned with the South Sea pearls the Emperor had given her, making it exceptionally elegant.
Of course, not forgetting the one who dug the well when drinking water, Yanshu didn't forget to weave one for Yuwen Lan as well.
— After all, he was now her man, and she should care for him as she should.
If she didn't weave one for him, who would?
In the morning, just as she finished weaving the five-colored cord, Fu Hai came to the hall to report, "Your Highness, the Emperor invites you to Qianming Palace to taste lychees."
Yanshu was a bit surprised, "Weren't lychees already sent a few days ago?"
Indeed, at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, she had just eaten lychee sweet rice made with this year's lychees, which left a lasting impression.
Fu Hai smiled and said, "Your Highness may not know, but these lychees are of a different variety. They arrive in Beijing in batches every year, and this time it's the best-tasting batch, called 'Glutinous Rice Lychee'. However, the quantity is limited. His Majesty only had some sent to the Empress Dowager, and the rest are all in Qianming Palace."
So that was it.
Yanshu's eyes immediately lit up.
Come to think of it, she had only heard of the famous 'Glutinous Rice Lychee' but had never actually tasted it.
So she immediately replied, "Then I'll go right away."
With that, she changed clothes and fixed her hair, taking the newly woven five-colored cord with her to Qianming Palace.
At this time, Yuwen Lan was reading in the warm chamber, with a plate full of fresh lychees on the kang table beside him. Each lychee was bright red and plump, very tempting.
As Yanshu stepped into the hall and caught sight of this scene, she immediately exclaimed in her heart, "So these are the famous Glutinous Rice Lychees!!! They really are different, each one as big as two regular ones!"
Yuwen Lan: "..."
Wasn't he, such a big person, more eye-catching than this plate of lychees?
However, after her internal exclamation, Yanshu finally bowed to him, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Yuwen Lan looked up at her and said, "I remembered you liked the lychee sweet rice dish at the Empress Dowager's banquet, and we just received these today. Come, try them quickly."
As soon as he finished speaking, she grinned and said, "Then your subject shall respectfully comply."
Saying this, she moved to his side and took one to peel.
Wow, no wonder these were said to be the best lychees.
The skin was soft and thin, and after just two peels, the big white flesh appeared before her eyes.
Taking a bite, her mouth was filled with sweet juice, without a hint of sourness, so sweet it left her speechless.
Most surprisingly, the pit inside was very small, only half the size of a regular lychee pit, leaving more of the white, moist flesh.
It could truly be called the most conscientious fruit!
Yanshu nodded as she ate, "Mmm, this is indeed delicious."
After speaking, she noticed the Emperor silently watching her, not eating with her.
She couldn't help but pause.
What did this mean?
Could it be that he was angry because she ate first?
Tsk tsk, no matter what, he was still the Emperor. How could she forget that?
So she hurriedly peeled a new one and offered it to him, smiling, "Your Majesty, please try it quickly. It's really delicious."
However, as she finished speaking, he didn't take it, but only looked at her with deep eyes and said, "I don't want to eat lychees."
"I only want to eat you..."
But before he could finish the rest of his words, she made an "mm" sound and directly put the peeled lychee into her own mouth, her cheeks puffed out as she ate and said, "Then your subject will eat it herself..."
"It's really sweet, Your Majesty. It's a pity you're not eating."
Yuwen Lan: "???"
This wasn't right. Couldn't she tell what he was about to say next?
— Indeed, Yanshu really hadn't caught on.
Her mind was completely focused on the lychees at this moment, eating while inwardly exclaiming, "It's so good to be an emperor!!! To be able to eat such good fruit!!!"
Yuwen Lan: "..."
The one currently being eaten was her, wasn't it?
In the blink of an eye, she had already eaten four or five, her small lips becoming red and luscious.
Yuwen Lan could no longer hold back. He directly pulled her into his arms and began to kiss her.
Mmm, how could lychees compare to her?
...
Time seemed to stand still.
Yanshu was surprised at first, but soon became immersed in it.
Mmm, lychees were delicious, and he wasn't bad either, ahem.
Until a certain moment, she felt a clear desire, and finally came to her senses.
So she hurriedly tried to break free, saying, "Your Majesty, we can't."
But Yuwen Lan was reluctant to let go, saying with lingering desire, "Why can't we..."
After all, there were only the two of them in the warm chamber.
But she righteously reminded him, "It's still daytime..."
Yuwen Lan had a mischievous thought and wanted to ask, "What's wrong with daytime?"...
However, before he could speak, he heard her thinking to herself, "Although it's exciting here, ministers could come at any time. What if we're suddenly interrupted in the middle, causing him trauma, and he can't perform again?"
Yuwen Lan: "..."
So this was what she was thinking???
He thought she would be shy...
...But why was she worried that he wouldn't be able to perform again?
He had clearly cut ties with his past completely!
Hearing this, he wanted to prove it to her even more.
But before he could make another move, a report came from outside the hall, "Your Majesty, the Left Censor-in-chief requests an audience."
Yuwen Lan: "..."
She really predicted it.
Immediately after, she stood up straight from his embrace and said, "Then your subject will take her leave first."
With that, she tidied her hair, looking as if she was about to leave.
Yuwen Lan wanted to keep her, but there was nothing he could do, as the Censor-in-chief was already waiting outside.
He could only give a reluctant "mm" in response.
But as she turned to bow, before stepping away, she took out a five-colored cord from her sleeve and handed it to him, saying, "Your subject just finished weaving this. I'm giving it to Your Majesty as payment for inviting me to eat lychees."
Yuwen Lan took it, about to raise an eyebrow - weren't the beads on this string the ones he had given her?
However, before he could speak, he saw her smile gently and exit the hall.
Yuwen Lan had no choice but to put away the colorful string, making an effort to compose his expression before calling in the Left Censor-in-Chief.
...
After leaving the warm chamber, Yanshu had just reached the main gate of Qianming Palace when she heard someone calling from behind, "Your Highness... Consort Yi..."
She paused in surprise and turned to look, only to see the Hanlin Academy scholar Zou who had helped her with the storybooks.
Scholar Zou quickly approached her, and after paying his respects, asked, "May I trouble Your Highness for a moment of your time?"
Yanshu found this curious - Scholar Zou had specifically come to find her?
This was indeed rare, so she nodded and said, "What can I do for you, Scholar Zou?"
Then she saw Scholar Zou say, "I wanted to inquire with Your Highness about the Carefree Gentleman. I recall that Your Highness is also acquainted with him?"
The Carefree Gentleman?
Yanshu was taken aback - he was looking for... her alter ego?
So she said, "That's correct. Does Lord Zou have business with the Carefree Gentleman?"
Immediately after, she saw Scholar Zou's face fill with dismay as he said, "I do indeed have a matter to discuss. Would Your Highness be willing to help urge this gentleman? To be frank with Your Highness, because he has delayed in producing new storybooks, I have been harassed daily by the booksellers to the point where I cannot even return home. I've been staying at the Hanlin Academy for several days now..."
What?
Yanshu was stunned.
-- Because she hadn't produced any new storybooks, Scholar Zou was being harassed by booksellers to the point he couldn't go home???
Seeing her look of surprise, Scholar Zou had no choice but to repeat the explanation he had given to the Emperor a few days prior.
After listening, Yanshu was deeply shocked. She now realized just how eagerly the booksellers and readers were anticipating her work!!!
And because of her laziness, Scholar Zou had been driven to such a state???
Feeling extremely apologetic, she quickly said, "I'll send someone to deliver a message right away, urging him to write the storybook quickly."
As she said this, she hurried back to her own palace.
As she walked, she berated herself internally. How could she be so negligent of her duties!!!
How could she be so entranced by male beauty that she forgot her true calling!!!
It was truly unforgivable!!!
After walking for a while, by the time she entered her palace, Yanshu was already brimming with inspiration. She immediately sat at her desk and picked up her brush to write.
However, before long, she heard the system chime in with a "ding": [Heads up, someone's planning to harm you.]
What?
Yanshu was startled. [Someone wants to harm me again?]
...There were only three people left in the harem now.
Well, that's true. Even though only three remained, the other two hated her to death.
However... Wang Zhaoryi had already been thoroughly subdued, from winter until now.
In comparison, the other one was more likely.
Tsk, this Consort Zhou, really preventing her from writing her storybooks in peace!
So she said, [What is she planning to do this time?]
But before the system could respond, she heard Lianxin come in and ask, "My lady, the Empress Dowager has sent someone to inquire if you are available. Princess Lan Jun wants to come play with you. Are you free?"
As soon as these words fell, the system chimed in again: [Here it comes, a frame-up. Be careful.]
Yanshu was startled. A frame-up?
Could it be...
Consort Zhou was planning to use Lan Jun to cause trouble?
The little girl wanted to come play with her, so if something were to happen to the child in her palace, it would be blamed on her?
Hmph!
She immediately flew into a rage. How dare that vicious woman target a child!
However, angry as she was, the pressing matter now was that with the Empress Dowager asking like this, she had no way to refuse...
Suddenly struck by inspiration in this urgent moment, she quickly said to Lianxin, "But His Majesty just said he wanted to go admire the lotus flowers at Taiye Pool with me later! How about this - ask the little princess if she'd like to come along?"
Lianxin quickly agreed and went out to relay the message to the person who had come to inquire.
Meanwhile, Yanshu hastily wrote a few lines on a piece of paper, dried the ink, folded it, and placed it in an envelope. She handed it to Rendong, saying, "Quick, deliver this to His Majesty, and say that I have an extremely urgent matter!"
Although Rendong didn't understand, seeing her urgency, she quickly agreed and immediately set off for Qianming Palace.
Now, Yuwen Lan had been busy in Qianming Palace for a while, and just as several ministers were leaving, he received Yanshu's "urgent letter".
Hearing that she had an urgent matter, he immediately opened it to read.
He saw that it contained two lines of poetry --
"I dwell at the head of the Yangtze, you at its tail. Thinking of you daily but never seeing you, we both drink from the Yangtze's waters."
Yuwen Lan raised an eyebrow --
Hmm? She actually wrote him a love poem?
This was truly like the sun rising in the west.
Reading on, he saw that after the poem there was another line --
"I hear the lotus flowers at Taiye Pool are in full bloom. I wonder if Your Majesty would accompany this humble consort to admire them?"
Yuwen Lan raised his eyebrow again.
She... was inviting him to admire flowers?
Didn't they just see each other?
But thinking back to the scene earlier, he secretly wondered if perhaps she had been... disappointed earlier, and thus wanted to see him again?
Ahem, thinking of it this way, he suddenly felt a bit restless too.
Unable to sit still any longer, he immediately got up and went to Taiye Pool.
The imperial carriage was swift, and after Yuwen Lan arrived, he waited for a while before finally seeing Yanshu arrive unhurriedly.
However, seeing her in a gauzy dress, her hair seemingly freshly styled, her graceful figure flickering in and out of view through the gauzy fabric, it was truly enough to make one's heart flutter.
"This humble consort greets Your Majesty."
Seeing her smile and curtsy, Yuwen Lan said warmly with a smile, "We've only been apart for a short while, and you already miss me?"
As he spoke, he pulled her up and directly into his embrace.
-- Well, after all, he had already sent all the surrounding people far away.
However, before he could make his next move, he heard a childish voice behind him ask, "Uncle Emperor, what are you doing?"
Yuwen Lan was startled and quickly turned to look, only to see his niece, little Lan Jun, tilting her head and looking at him.
Looking further, he saw that behind Lan Jun stood Madam Mu's little daughter, Ni Xiangwan.
At this moment, that little girl was so frightened that she had turned her head to the side, looking as if she was about to run away.
At the same time, he heard Yanshu inwardly clicking her tongue, [Fortunately the Emperor arrived first, I timed this well! As they say, raise a man for a thousand days, use him for one hour. Emperor, don't let it go to your head, do something useful!]
Yuwen Lan: "???"
