For the next three days, Li Wan spent his time with several concubines, those he was obsessed with before, those of the highest class. Work was heavy and he needed an outlet. It was a good distraction. It was fun. Some of them, like Mei Ying, were graced with otherworldly beauty and elegance. He understood his previous refined taste in women.
It was fun...
He tried to convince himself as his irritation grew.
"Zip it," he snapped at Zhou Lin.
"Your Majesty." The attendant's hands crouched together as his head lowered. The emperor had been provocative lately, perhaps it was the workload… or not.
Li Wan sighed deeply to himself, fingers massaging his own forehead, acknowledging the embittered attitude he had been carrying. He gave up. The tired frame dropped himself backwards, leaning against the grand imperial throne.
"Luqi," he murmured. "Request her attendance at my chamber," a pause, "tonight."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhou Lin expected that much. He was only counting down the days to when His Majesty gave up. It was obvious, quite obvious for someone who followed the emperor's every step like him.
"Princess..." Bai Yi whined as she sat next to the relaxed mistress. "Why hasn't the emperor called you in after that... Princess, did you do something?"
"No, Bai Yi, I didn't," Luqi affirmed, her eyes closed as she snuggled comfortably. "I ate and slept, that's all I did."
She was lying on the cushioned platform hanging over the glistening small pond. It was one of her favourite spots within her chamber, where she often read and lazed around. Traced with blankets and pillows, Luqi designed it specifically for comfort. She was able to enjoy the nature while relaxing. A rather romantic but surely sloth-like way of being.
"Princess, what was it like spending the night at the royal chamber?" The little helper's eyes glistened with curiosity. "What was the emperor like???"
At first her mind did trample here and back about Li Wan, but after a day or so returning to her chamber, she detached. It didn't matter what it was like outside. As long as her peaceful days here were maintained, she didn't care.
"Haven't you asked this several times already?" Luqi's head rested on her arms, her other hand carelessly threw some old bread down the pond as she watched the fishes hop up and down.
"But you never told me about it!"
"Ehh..." Luqi quietly thought. "It was comfortable."
"Comfortable? The emperor!?"
"No, the imperial bed."
"..." A disappointed look was apparent. "Then what about the emperor, Princess?? What was His Majesty like???"
"His voice was gentle, he was kind." She recalled the sight of his smile appeared in her mind. "His body was warm too." Followed by the gentle embrace quickly brought her to slumber.
"Warm..." Bai Yi flushed red. She covered her face and squeaked, "Ahhhhhhh don't say that, Princess, it's so embarrassing!!"
"What are you even imagining..."
"I can't help it—"
A sudden knock echoed through Yin Princess's peaceful chamber.
Luqi lazily got up, her simple white hanfu loose with no accessories, and long natural hair danced in the breeze. She trailed toward the entrance, gesturing to the knights to open the gate."Yin Princess!" A foreign guard bowed. "Here to deliver royal decree from His Majesty, the Supreme Emperor!"
Bai Yi's eyes glistened with enthusiasm as she watched from behind.
"The Princess of Qi Tian has been commanded to visit the royal chamber tonight to serve His Majesty..."
There was more to the announcement, but that was all Luqi needed to hear.
"PRINCESSSS!!!" Bai Yi yelped.
"Okay, quiet." An awkward, tired smile spread across her bare face. And here she thought she was forgotten.
Truthfully, she would be lying if she said that she was not a little happy, just a little, to see him again.
It was another long journey to the emperor's chamber. A familiar scene of Luqi inside the carriage, this time dressed more like herself, rather understated in a more comfortable ensemble of a white hanfu, refusing to let little Bai Yi decorate much further. Her hair was almost natural with only a few clips.
...
"Your Majesty." She bowed before gazing up at his stern face. It was the grand dining table filled with all kinds of luxurious platings once more.
The emperor was in his heavy gown of kingship, perhaps he hadn't got the time to wash up.
"…" Li Wan was staring down at her. The corner of his lips hinted a slight downturn; he did not seem happy.
Luqi stood there as their eye contact prolonged. 'What is he thinking?' she wondered.
Somehow, the sight of the Yin Princess irritated the emperor more than he anticipated.
"Are you gonna keep standing there?" His tone was cold.
"??" That was unexpected. Luqi trampled up onto his platform and sat down, her blank face masked with a hint of confusion as she watched the king.
"What are you looking at?" He tried to act normal, but he sure appeared grumpy.
"You, Your Majesty." She paused. "You seem upset."
"Aren't you thinking too highly of yourself," he glared at her, "presuming my mood."
"??" Her head tilted once more. "…I apologise…?" She let out a small, perplexed chuckle.
"What is there to laugh about?"
"Is laughing now banned?" A look of defeat plastered on her face.
"…" Li Wan furrowed his eyebrows. "If it is?" His tone raised.
"That's unfortunate," Luqi picked up the wine pot and poured the emperor some of the clear alcohol. "What punishment would Your Majesty like to give me?"
He watched her carefree demeanour and let out a sigh. It was not like she was ignorantly unaware of the situation she was in. "Why are you like this…" he grumbled to himself.
"That's like asking why a fish swims."
"…" The emperor glared at her.
Luqi laid her head onto her hand, gazing at him with a relaxed expression."So, I am the chosen chopping board today."
"What do you mean?"
"You're mad at the fish, but you're cutting the board."
"Who said I am mad at the fish?"
"Then why are you mad at this board?"
Heavy silence sheathed the grand chamber.
"Say, do you enjoy serving me?" He gulped down the wine.
"Hm," Luqi hummed. "It's more like keeping you company. I can't say I am doing much to serve you."
"Yeah, whatever. Do you enjoy it?"
"Mm, yes." She nodded. "I do like talking to Your Majesty."
He let out a dry scoff.
...
Despite his mood, she was as light-hearted as always; his tantrum wasn't something out of the ordinary. Her experiences with her brothers had helped.
Li Wan found his heart lightened, sharing a few words of chatter with this idiotic person. Was it her this whole time, he wondered, who was responsible for his internal turmoil, his random frustration?
"You're unbelievable."
"Heh..." Luqi blinked innocently, "Thank you?"
Thank you… that was her response. Of course it was.
"Why did you left my chamber? the other day." Li Wan held his cup, his fingers trailing the edge as he asked with a detached attitude.
"Did your majesty wanted me to stay?"
"..."
She quietly observed before continuing, "I simply missed my chamber."
"My chamber is not comfortable enough for you."
She laughed, " The only thing that's making this chamber comfortable is you."
He glanced at her, "What do you mean?"
"Haha, it's only comfortable here when I am with you, when you're not here, this place is nothing but a frying pan."
"...a frying pan, the royal chamber is a frying pan."
"Yes, your majesty," she tapped her chin, explaining, "that's what it's like, when the frying pan doesn't have any food in it, it's just a frying pan. Why would a foodless frying pan appeal to me?"
...he shook his head in disbelief.
"You're comparing the supreme emperor to food now?" His voice softened with a few soft chuckles.
"Mmm…" She watched his expression.
"..."
Luqi exhaled, "Will you finally tell me what upset you." She hummed, "Why were you mad at me?"