Chapter 8 - Night of the Emperor's Bedchamber (2)

Although he didn't believe Ning Wanyin possessed any remarkable abilities to serve him, a pawn that had already leapt into his palm was not without its uses.

Moreover, men tend to feel a certain pity for women who do everything to win their favor.

She had diligently studied the art of chess for his sake, and though her talent was not extraordinary, her genuine enthusiasm was clear.

Who would harm someone who had devoted themselves entirely to them?

For both reasons of profit and sentiment, he could afford to keep her for the time being.

"Rise," he said, extending his hand to Ning Wanyin.

Ning Wanyin cautiously placed her delicate hand into the emperor's palm. At that moment, she realized her life had been spared for now.

However, this did not mean the emperor would always protect her.

For now, their first meeting had left a good impression, and she was of use to him, but one wrong move could easily cost her his favor.

"Your Majesty, would you care for a game of chess?" Ning Wanyin asked, her smile light and gentle.

Although He Lianqi had already seen her lackluster paintings and held no great expectations for her chess skills, he was in a foul mood today and had little interest in frivolous amusements.

Perhaps a game of chess would serve to alleviate his unease.

"Very well."

Wang Degui hastily instructed the maidservants to add several more palace lanterns, then led the rest of the attendants out.

The chamber fell into silence, broken only by the soft, crisp sounds of the chess pieces as they were placed on the board.

The game progressed, back and forth. Gradually, He Lianqi's previously lazy expression shifted to one of focus.

The game seemed to have reached an even balance.

He couldn't help but glance at the woman opposite him.

The palace lanterns cast their glow upon her delicate features, akin to a lotus flower dewdrop on a morning breeze—radiantly beautiful, dazzling to the eye.

"Your Majesty, it is your turn," she said, her slender hand placing a piece on the board, her smile both sly and enchanting.

He Lianqi snapped back to attention, unexpectedly offering a compliment, "Your skill in chess is commendable."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."

…

The game continued, neither side yielding. Time slipped by unnoticed.

Outside, Wang Degui's voice broke through the silence: "Your Majesty, it is time for court."

He Lianqi was startled—he had spent the entire night playing chess with this woman.

Three draws, with no victor in sight.

Where once he had only seen her as a useful piece, now he found himself intrigued by an opponent worthy of his attention.

He rose, casting a more gentle glance at Ning Wanyin. "I must attend the court now. We shall continue our game later."

"Yes, Your Majesty," she replied, curtsying.

He Lianqi was about to leave when a thought occurred to him. He turned back.

"You've kept me company for the entire night. Rest now, and there is no need to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager today."

He had already given up hope of her being a true pawn. Ning Guiren seemed to be a demure and obedient woman, the kind who would keep all the proper rituals in mind.

She was not meant to be his chess piece, but playing chess to pass the time was not a bad thing either.

Ning Wanyin was stunned. Not to go to the Empress Dowager's court?

It was a great disrespect not to do so. If she skipped it, the Empress Dowager could send her to the cold palace with full justification.

But every word the emperor spoke carried weight.

Since he had said so, there must be a deeper meaning, not a casual remark.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I am indeed feeling unwell. To visit the Empress Dowager in such a condition might result in some loss of composure at the palace gates, so I shall not go," Ning Wanyin said, carefully observing He Lianqi's expression.

If the emperor did not mean this, she would immediately reverse her decision and go to the Empress Dowager.

He Lianqi paused in his stride, surprised by the woman's words.

Whether it was her being arrogant due to favor, or whether she had truly understood his implication, her actions pleased him greatly.

His vexation from the entire day finally lifted.

He bent down to gently assist Ning Wanyin in rising, offering a rare faint smile. "Rest well."

Ning Wanyin let out a small sigh of relief, knowing she had made the right gamble. As thoughts swirled in her mind, she made a quick decision to push her advantage.

She looked up at He Lianqi, hesitating for a moment, before speaking, "Your Majesty..."

"Yes?"

"I... I did not attend to Your Majesty last night..." Ning Wanyin blushed slightly, her voice soft as she spoke.

"Will Your Majesty come tonight?"

He Lianqi was once again taken aback. To dare request the emperor's company for two consecutive nights...

She truly was... audacious, and it delighted him greatly.

"Very well," He Lianqi replied.

Ning Wanyin was overjoyed and curtsied. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

…

He Lianqi left the Lingxue Hall, his face alight with joy.

At the entrance, he noticed the eight large black water tanks.

"Ning Guiren is fond of lotuses. Have a pond dug in the Lingxue Hall garden for her," He Lianqi instructed.

Wang Degui was stunned but quickly nodded in agreement, "Yes, Your Majesty."

The emperor was even willing to renovate a palace for a mere concubine... truly remarkable!

He Lianqi pondered Ning Wanyin's appearance. She seemed like the type to enjoy fine adornments, her delicate beauty suiting only the most opulent of things.

"Choose some exquisite jewelry and silks from my treasury and present them to her," He Lianqi added.

The emperor had so many treasures that he had long lost track of them, but Wang Degui, as the grand minister, was well-versed in the treasury's inventory. Upon hearing the emperor's instruction for precious items, he respectfully inquired,

"Last month, the South Sea sent a batch of soft jade brocades, and there is also a set of golden-red silk butterflies set with jade, tourmaline, and pearls, totaling twenty-eight pieces. How would Your Majesty like to proceed?"

He Lianqi nodded in satisfaction, "Yes, that will do."

"Understood!" Wang Degui responded, inwardly astonished at the emperor's obvious favoritism toward Ning Guiren.

As he was lost in thought, the emperor, still in a good mood, added,

"There is no need for the imperial chamber to send a decree. I will visit Lingxue Hall tonight."

Wang Degui stumbled in surprise. What? Two consecutive nights?

Ning Guiren truly was... extraordinary!

...

After the emperor left, Lianrui and Danli entered to serve her.

"Master, it is time to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager."

"Not today," Ning Wanyin replied slowly as she reclined on the soft couch.

"Lianrui, prepare a bath. I intend to rest."

"Yes," Lianrui immediately obeyed, knowing better than to ask unnecessary questions.

But Danli, seeing this for the first time, was shocked and quickly warned,

"Your Grace! Not paying respects to the Empress Dowager is a grave disrespect! You could incur her punishment!"

Ning Wanyin merely replied indifferently, "The emperor has excused me from it."

"This... this... The emperor was only speaking casually! How can you... how can you truly not go...?" Danli stammered in disbelief.

Ning Wanyin did not wish to explain the subtle machinations at play. She simply said, "Go now. I wish to rest."

Reluctantly, Danli left the chamber.

"Why are you out here? Hurry and serve your master, go with her to the Empress Dowager!" Xigua asked, surprised.

Danli, whispering in astonishment, replied,

"Master is indulged by the emperor. She is not going to pay respects to the Empress Dowager..."

"What?" Xigua was stunned, "This concubine has such luck! But if she offends the Empress Dowager, she may have no place in the palace. We'd better start looking for another master."

While the palace servants murmured amongst themselves, Ning Wanyin had already finished her bath and laid down on the couch.

Since she had allied with the emperor, there was no turning back from offending the Empress Dowager.

As a pawn, one must act the part.

A favored concubine must behave as such.

To offend the Empress Dowager and the families of Xue and Cen, making enemies of the entire court, was exactly what she had planned.

She would make the emperor realize she was his most valuable piece.

Having entered the palace, Ning Wanyin had never relied on love.

Even if the emperor truly harbored feelings for her, entrusting one's life to the whim of a ruler was folly.

An emperor would never be swayed by love. She did not believe he would lose his head over one woman, and neither would she.

All her efforts had been to make herself indispensable to him.

The emperor's love may fade, but those who were useful to him would remain.

She had deliberately honed her chess skills to play with him.

She had practiced every day for three years.

As for painting...

That was merely a casual pursuit.

Chess required an even match to be enjoyable, but if her painting skills were too advanced, how could she highlight the emperor's brilliance?

One skilled, one unskilled—this was all part of the plan.