On the fifteenth of every month, the Emperor would invariably come to Yongshou Palace for lunch.
Since it was still early, the Imperial Kitchen had already begun its preparations.
The Empress Dowager was in high spirits. Cradling Fubao, she sat on the daybed and said, "When the Emperor arrives, let him taste the newly arrived fragrant peaches. I heard there were only a dozen or so in total, and they are all here with me now."
The Nanny at her side, highly observant, chimed in, "His Majesty is truly filial; his heart is entirely with you, Empress Dowager!"
The Empress Dowager laughed, her benevolence radiating as her plump figure filled the entire daybed. "The time is almost upon us. Tell the Imperial Kitchen to get everything ready and bring it up."
"Yes."
As the Nanny reached the doorway, a white shadow suddenly darted past.
Fubao opened its mouth and bit down hard on her ankle.
"Aiyo!" The Nanny tumbled heavily to the ground. Fortunately, she had enough padding, or at her age, she would have struggled to even stand back up.
Fubao showed no mercy, digging its tiny claws in until blood was drawn instantly.
The Nanny, losing all composure, crawled desperately on the floor. "My ancestors, what has gotten into you! Someone, come and help!"
Palace maids swarmed in and finally managed to drive Fubao away.
The Nanny’s leg was covered in scratches, and she winced in agony.
The Empress Dowager’s good mood vanished. Annoyed, she ordered someone to take the Nanny away. "Who upset Fubao? It was perfectly fine in my arms just a moment ago. Someone else go and deliver the message."
A palace maid stepped over the threshold, looking left and right. Seeing no sign of Fubao, she breathed a sigh of relief.
In the next second, a white shadow descended from the sky, landing squarely on her head.
"Ah—!"
The Empress Dowager flinched at the scream. Seeing the little palace maid being clawed by Fubao, she finally realized something was amiss and hurried to shout, "Quick! Go call Beauty Bai!"
At the entrance of Yongshou Palace, a tall, slender figure walked in slowly—it was Zhang Chengyan.
He had changed into casual attire and was followed by his personal eunuch, Wang Decai. Seeing the chaos outside Yongshou Palace, he furrowed his brows. "What is happening here?"
Wang Decai trotted forward. "What is going on? Is the Empress Dowager unharmed?"
The palace maid lay on the ground, still screaming, her face deathly pale. She crawled behind him, trembling. "Fubao... Fubao has gone mad!"
Wang Decai looked around, but instead of Fubao, he caught sight of a pale blue figure approaching quickly.
Bai Wutong was wearing a water-blue dress today, cinched tightly at the waist, making her middle look thin enough to be circled by a single hand.
The hem of her dress was slightly short, revealing her slender, fair ankles as she walked.
Unlike the heavily made-up concubines, Bai Wutong wore minimal makeup, her brows arched like willow leaves.
She walked with speed, her skirts fluttering as if she were a celestial being.
Pretending not to see Zhang Chengyan, she hurried past him.
A faint fragrance wafted through the air.
She was the only Beauty who had caught his eye that day, yet he had not requested her company since. He hadn't expected to see her today.
Watching her graceful figure, he lengthened his stride and followed.
Bai Wutong entered the hall and prepared to curtsy. The Empress Dowager immediately waved her hand. "Go find Fubao."
"Yes." She called out softly, "Fubao."
The gauze curtains stirred, and a small, furry head poked out.
Bai Wutong stooped down, gathered Fubao into her arms, and whispered with a laugh, "You, you’ve gone a bit too far. Remember, don’t hurt the Empress Dowager, do you hear? Otherwise, your little life won’t be saved, and you won’t be the little ancestor of this palace anymore."
Fubao chirped, as if it had taken the words to heart.
She straightened up, her wide lotus-leaf sleeves falling open to reveal arms as fair and tender as lotus roots.
A corner of her dress was snagged by Fubao’s claws, and her slender, straight calves were partially visible through the gauze.
A breeze blew by, carrying that elegant, natural scent once more.
Zhang Chengyan’s eyes darkened as he rubbed his fingers together.
His other concubines were all plump and fleshy, their legs so thick that not even two hands could circle them. Because of their obesity, they often broke into a sweat and gave off odors, forcing them to wear heavy perfume.
The woman before him was so different.
Sensing his gaze, Bai Wutong turned her head. Her eyes widened, clear and innocent as a deer’s.
Her expression shifted, and she hurriedly put Fubao down to curtsy. "This concubine greets the Emperor."
Fubao landed and dashed straight toward the Empress Dowager.
As it moved, the water-blue gauze dress tore, fully exposing one of Bai Wutong’s calves.
"Oh!" Bai Wutong cried out, hurriedly pulling at her skirt. "Your Majesty, I... I did not mean to!"
She bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears of fright, the corners of her eyes turning red.
Zhang Chengyan curled his thin lips. She was alluring without even realizing it—pure yet enchanting. Interesting.
"Cough, cough." The Empress Dowager cleared her throat, hugging Fubao tight. She commanded with dissatisfaction, "Beauty Bai, you have lost your decorum in front of the Emperor. Be gone at once!"
"Yes." Bai Wutong bit her lip and cast one last glance at Zhang Chengyan.
There was a lingering attachment in her eyes, as if she were hoping for something.
Zhang Chengyan couldn't help but look back. For the first time, he found a woman as light as a butterfly, and with the sunlight outside, she looked as beautiful as a painting.
"Emperor, Beauty Bai is beautiful, but she is not suited to bear a royal heir." The Empress Dowager, seeing his demeanor, spoke with irritation. "How long do you intend to stare? Do you not wish to dine with me anymore?"
Zhang Chengyan collected himself, his expression returning to normal. "Mother, I heard you were unwell today. Has the Imperial Physician checked on you?"
"He came. It is just the same old ailment, nothing to worry about. Emperor, eat."
The two sat opposite each other.
The Empress Dowager personally placed food in Zhang Chengyan's bowl. "Emperor, you should visit Beauty Gao more often. Among this batch of ladies, she has the best physique and is the most likely to conceive. I hear her mother gave birth to three sons and two daughters, including a set of twins. She is of a rare, fertile constitution; perhaps she is the same."
Zhang Chengyan instantly lost his appetite.
Gao Jingwan had a bloated face and a mass of fat. A few days ago, when he had summoned her, she had removed her outer robe to reveal layers upon layers of flab, emitting a greasy odor.
He had immediately, with great disgust, ordered someone to drug her so she could dream her own dreams while he stayed away.
In reality, he had only patronized Wen Chuyun, who looked reasonably normal.
He was not a man of excess; he had long since commissioned medicines that induced vivid, traceless dreams, just to appease the Empress Dowager and stop her daily nagging.
The Empress Dowager set down her chopsticks. "Emperor, I know you do not like Gao Jingwan, but the royal lineage is of utmost importance. Do not waste your thoughts on useless people. I have specifically had a tonic brewed for you."
*Another* tonic!
For the sake of an heir, Zhang Chengyan had to drink this broth every day. They claimed it was for his health, but in reality, it was to keep him performing every night...
A palace maid stepped forward to serve the soup.
As soon as Zhang Chengyan looked up and saw her fat, bloated face, he felt even less interest.
Why was Beauty Bai the only one in the entire inner court with a slender frame? The rest, whether mistress or servant, were one fatter than the next!
Watching them waddle before his eyes every day was truly painful.
"Mother, I have suddenly remembered some memorials that need my attention. I must take my leave."
Watching Zhang Chengyan’s retreating back, the Empress Dowager knew well that he was dissatisfied. "If only there were an heir, I wouldn't have to push you. With only a few months left in the year, what are we to do? Is the Darong State really going to end its bloodline with you..."
Outside Yongshou Palace, there were vermilion railings stretching along the path, lined with weeping willows—a beautiful scene.
Zhang Chengyan had only walked a few steps when he saw Fubao, tail held high, meowing by the rockery.
A corner of water-blue fabric lay nearby.
It seemed to be the color Beauty Bai was wearing today.
Fubao meowed again.
Bai Wutong stroked its little head. "I know the Emperor is here. You must help me again in a moment."
She held Fubao, turned around, and saw Zhang Chengyan, freezing in place.
The two locked eyes.
Bai Wutong hurriedly curtsied in a panic. "This concubine greets the Emperor."
Fubao began to wriggle restlessly.
Bai Wutong quickly grabbed it. "Fubao, don't move around! What if you get hurt?"
Fubao didn't listen. Seeing it about to lunge at Zhang Chengyan, Bai Wutong had no choice but to step forward. Her small foot tripped on a stone, and her willow-slender frame swayed. "Ah!"
"Careful." Zhang Chengyan reached out with a long arm and caught her.
A fresh fragrance hit his senses.
Though thin, the woman in his arms was incredibly soft—exactly right to hold, a world of difference from those plump concubines.
Bai Wutong trembled with fright. She scrambled to pull away, knelt on the ground, and raised her tear-stained face. "This concubine is guilty! Please, Your Majesty, punish me!"