In truth, it wasn't a drastic change from before, but rather like a ripple on still water - enough to surprise him.

Yuwen Lan was stunned.

This kind of scene had been absent from his life for nearly three years, and now it had suddenly reappeared?

Of course, this was a normal state for a man, and it quickly subsided after he woke up.

But he remained lost in thought for a long while.

Suddenly, Fu Hai's voice came from outside the curtain, "Your Majesty, it's time to rise."

There was a court session today, and if he didn't get up soon, he'd keep the ministers waiting.

Yuwen Lan responded and got out of bed. He instinctively looked back and saw the girl still sleeping, her long hair slightly disheveled, her cheeks rosy, and the covers kicked off, her neckline in disarray.

Yuwen Lan: "..."

What kind of sleeping habit was this?

He quietly pulled the covers over her and closed the bed curtains without waking her.

Yuwen Lan, showing no signs of disturbance, returned to Qianming Palace to wash up and change clothes. He then went to the Hall of Diligent Government for the court session. While he listened to the officials' reports on state affairs, his mind kept wandering back to that incident.

He was certainly pleased, but he was even more curious about what had caused this morning's change.

Thinking back, yesterday had been just like any other day - he had read memorials and handled important matters, met with a few ministers and royal family members who had returned to the capital. His schedule hadn't differed from the usual, his diet was the same as always, except that he had gone to sleep in Ganlu Palace.

That's right, Ganlu Palace.

His heart skipped a beat. In fact, ever since he had discovered Li Yanshu, his days had gradually begun to change.

He had always been calm before, like a deep pool that couldn't be stirred. But every time he faced her, he found himself losing control.

She made him wary, angry, helpless, amused, and even... passionate.

Yes, every time he was close to her, he always found himself uncontrollably aroused.

So, could it be because of her?

He still remembered that first night in Ganlu Palace when she had intended to treat him... From the first time she actively kissed him, to last night when she inexplicably snuggled into his arms...

Could it be?

Was this her method?

...

On this day in court, the ministers were surprised to find that the emperor seemed distracted for the first time.

Early in the morning, Noble Consort Zhou arrived at the Palace of Benevolent Peace.

Seeing a palace maid bringing in freshly prepared medicine, she volunteered, "Let me serve the Empress Dowager her medicine."

However, the Empress Dowager said, "Let them do it. You don't need to come every day, go and attend to your own affairs."

This girl had been pampered since childhood, how could she know how to serve others? Every time she fed medicine, she either burned or choked someone. Even the Empress Dowager, her aunt, was wary.

Hearing this, Noble Consort Zhou said dejectedly, "I don't have much to do, I might as well keep you company and chat."

She continued, "His Majesty still goes to Ganlu Palace every day, it's hard for me to even see him... I heard that Noble Lady Li was ill yesterday, yet His Majesty still spent the night there..."

The Empress Dowager impatiently said, "In all matters, one should reflect on oneself, think about whether there's something you're lacking in."

Noble Consort Zhou felt wronged, "I heard that His Majesty was even distracted during the morning court session, could it be that Noble Lady Li has bewitched..."

"Silence!"

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by a stern voice. Noble Consort Zhou trembled, seeing the Empress Dowager's face turn livid as she said, "Haven't you learned your lesson from the ice performance incident a few days ago? As a consort, what are you trying to achieve by prying into matters of the court?"

Frightened, Noble Consort Zhou quickly knelt down and said, "Please calm your anger, Empress Dowager. I didn't intentionally pry, it's just that everyone at court noticed it this morning, and the gossip spread to the palace, that's how I knew..."

The Empress Dowager scolded her again, "The examples of Consort Ning and the Eldest Princess are right before your eyes, and you still haven't learned your lesson! Do you need to taste the consequences yourself to understand the severity?"

Noble Consort Zhou cried, "It's all my fault, please calm down, Empress Dowager. I was just worried that His Majesty might be bewitched..."

"Shut your mouth at once!"

The Empress Dowager was so angry she almost wanted to kick her, "There's no need for you to come before me these next few days. Go back and think carefully. If you had half the brain of Consort An, you wouldn't be in this state!"

"Yes."

Noble Consort Zhou left, covering her face.

While Noble Consort Zhou was throwing a tantrum in her own palace, Li Yanshu was having breakfast.

When she looked in the mirror this morning, she found that the boil had indeed subsided. Her almond-shaped eyes were bright, and her beauty remained undiminished.

Finally feeling relieved, she quickly asked Rendong to take some silver pieces to the physician from last night.

She had promised to reward him after she recovered, and she couldn't go back on her word.

After taking care of these matters, it was time for breakfast.

However... today's breakfast was indeed quite light.

Millet and pumpkin porridge, two plates of vegetable dishes, a dish of salted tofu, and the main course was vegetable dumplings. Tsk, not even a bit of meat to be seen.

Seeing her sour expression, Rendong advised patiently from the side, "The physician said yesterday that fish causes inflammation and meat produces phlegm. You must eat lightly these days. Please bear with it, Master. The imperial chef's skills are superb, even vegetarian dishes must be delicious."

Li Yanshu sighed. Although unwilling, she was truly afraid of growing that unsightly thing again, so she reluctantly picked up her chopsticks.

To be honest, the imperial chef's skills were indeed impressive. The millet and pumpkin porridge was subtly sweet, the salted tofu was full of bean flavor, the vegetable dumplings were very tasty, and even the two small vegetable dishes were flavorful.

Although this meal had no meat, it was a return to simplicity, allowing one to taste the true flavor of the food.

Just as she finished breakfast, Xiao Dongzi came to report, "Master, the Empress Dowager has summoned you."

Li Yanshu was startled.

The Empress Dowager had been ill for the past few days and hadn't allowed anyone to visit. Why was she suddenly calling for her?

However, the system didn't give any warning, so it probably wasn't anything bad. She responded with a "Very well" and hurried to change her clothes before going to the Palace of Benevolent Peace.

Upon arriving, she obediently paid her respects, still looking like a harmless little rabbit.

The Empress Dowager told her to rise but didn't offer her a seat. She simply said, "Since your rank was promoted, I've heard that His Majesty's mood has improved greatly. This is your achievement."

Li Yanshu detected a note of warning in her tone.

It seemed that the Emperor's frequent overnight stays at Ganlu Palace had caught someone's attention.

But this was within expectations. After all, she was the Emperor's target.

She could only pretend to be alarmed and say, "The Empress Dowager's words are too kind. It's my honor to serve His Majesty."

The Empress Dowager then asked, "I heard you were ill yesterday. Are you better now?"

Li Yanshu replied, "Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager. It was just a minor ailment, I'm better now."

The Empress Dowager sighed, "Ah, youth is good. Illnesses heal quickly too, unlike me."

Just as she finished speaking, a palace maid came forward to report, "Empress Dowager, Judge Zhang has come to check your pulse."

The Empress Dowager nodded, "Let him in."

The palace maid complied and lifted the curtain. Soon after, an old man about fifty or sixty years old entered the room. It was Zhang Shengkang, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy.

Li Yanshu stood to the side, quietly observing him. She thought to herself that this old man, with his ruddy complexion and official bearing, truly looked the part of the head of the Imperial Medical Academy.

However, now that the imperial physician had come to check the pulse, why didn't the Empress Dowager dismiss her?

Was she going to be admonished again later?

She saw Judge Zhang pay his respects and then kneel down to take the Empress Dowager's pulse. After a moment, he said, "The Empress Dowager's health has almost fully recovered, but as the weather is cold and windy lately, you should still avoid going outdoors for a while."

The Empress Dowager nodded.

Suddenly, she turned her gaze to Li Yanshu and said, "Why don't you let the imperial physician examine you as well, to see if you've fully recovered?"

Li Yanshu: "..."

How did this turn into a check-up session?

Getting examined wasn't a problem, but if she did, wouldn't her embarrassing situation of overindulgence and inflammation be exposed...

However, this was the Empress Dowager's grace, and there was no way to refuse.

After all, besides the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, who else in the palace had the privilege to be examined by the head of the Imperial Medical Academy?

She could only respond, "Then I'll trouble Judge Zhang," and sat down nearby.

Rendong quickly brought a silk handkerchief to cover her wrist, and Judge Zhang placed his fingers on it. He furrowed his brows in deep thought, seeming even more meticulous than when he had examined the Empress Dowager.

During this pause, the system chimed in, [There's some gossip about Judge Zhang.]

Li Yanshu, who was feeling a bit bored, immediately asked, [What gossip?]

The system replied, [In his youth, this man apprenticed under a legendary doctor. He studied medicine for twenty years, but after becoming an official, he betrayed his master's kindness. Not only did he steal his master's ancestral secret formulas, but he also drove his master out of the capital, ultimately causing him to die of depression.]

Li Yanshu: [...]

In an instant, all her goodwill towards the old man before her vanished.

Fortunately, at this moment, he finally removed his hand and said, "Noble Lady Li is in good health, just slightly inflamed. Your diet should focus on nourishing and moistening foods, and be careful not to consume too many warming and tonic foods."

The diagnosis seemed quite accurate. This doctor must have some real skill, Yanshu thought. She politely said, "Thank you for your advice, Judge Zhang."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and said to her, "You may go now."

Yanshu complied, obediently withdrawing from the hall.

After she had gone, the Empress Dowager dismissed her attendants and asked Zhang Shengkang, "Well?"

Zhang Shengkang said in a low voice, "If Your Majesty wishes for a royal grandson, you'll have to wait longer. I'm afraid Noble Lady Li is still a virgin."

Leaving the Palace of Benevolent Peace, Yanshu snacked on the melon Zhang Shengkang had given her as she returned to Ganlu Palace. But the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt.

Why did the Empress Dowager have the imperial physician check her pulse?

At first, she thought the Empress Dowager was eager for a royal grandson and wanted to see if she was pregnant.

But thinking carefully, it had only been half a month since the Emperor first visited Ganlu Palace. Even if she were pregnant, it wouldn't be detectable yet, would it?

The Empress Dowager had given birth before - surely she knew this basic fact.

Moreover, Judge Zhang was a direct disciple of the miraculous doctor. His medical skills must be exceptional, or the Empress Dowager wouldn't trust him so...

Suddenly, she was startled by a thought—

Could this man have detected that she had never actually slept with the Emperor?

And thus know that the Emperor was impotent!

As dusk fell, Yuwen Lan once again entered Ganlu Palace.

He had been rather impatient all day, eager to verify if this morning's changes were related to her.

So he hurried all the way, not even waiting for the palace servants to announce him before entering the hall.

Looking up, he saw the young woman sitting on the warm couch, chin in hand, brows furrowed as if pondering some difficult problem.

It wasn't until she caught sight of him in her peripheral vision that she belatedly stood to bow, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Hmm?

Yuwen Lan looked her over curiously and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Yanshu made a noncommittal sound and casually replied, "This subject was just thinking about how to write a story..."

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and suddenly sighed inwardly, "Oh Emperor, do you know your secret is about to be exposed?"

What?

Yuwen Lan froze. His secret was about to be exposed?

What did she mean?

He thought warily, had she told someone?

But then she volunteered, "The Empress Dowager summoned this subject to speak with her this morning. We happened to encounter Judge Zhang checking her pulse. The Empress Dowager graciously had Judge Zhang examine this subject's health as well."

Yuwen Lan didn't immediately grasp her intent and remained cautious, asking, "How was the examination?"

Yanshu replied, "Nothing major. Judge Zhang said this subject is just a bit feverish."

But inwardly she thought urgently, "Don't you understand? They say Judge Zhang's medical skills are superb. He may have detected that I haven't slept with you!"

"Leaving such a beautiful woman untouched - don't you know they'll suspect you?"

"Quick, think of a way to deal with this! Otherwise, they'll all know you can't perform in bed!!!"

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Alright, he finally understood.

Given what he knew of the Empress Dowager, she would never have Zhang Shengkang check Yanshu's pulse without reason. So the Empress Dowager was indeed trying to find out something.

Of course, compared to Yanshu, the Empress Dowager would certainly prefer Noble Consort Zhou to receive his favor.

But that woman was selfish, foolish, and vicious. Moreover, she was from the Zhou family. He couldn't even put on a show of affection for her.

The empire belonged to the Yuwen clan, not the Zhou clan. Giving her the position of Noble Consort and maintaining the Zhou family's wealth and status was already the limit of his gratitude for the Empress Dowager's care in raising him.

He could be filial to the Empress Dowager, but he couldn't completely trust her. So even though he knew Zhang Shengkang's medical skills were excellent, he had never had him check his pulse since his body started showing abnormalities.

Of course, he hadn't entered the harem for three years, so the Empress Dowager probably had some suspicions about him. That's why she had Zhang Shengkang examine Yanshu's pulse this time.

But he had long been prepared, and now there were signs of improvement.

He turned his gaze to the young woman before him, feeling something indescribable in his heart — so all her deep thinking was out of concern for him?

However, under his gentle gaze, the young woman suddenly yawned, her eyes brimming with tears.

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Seeing how she had spent the whole day worrying for him, he said, "If you really can't think of anything, continue tomorrow. You've just recovered from illness, don't overtax yourself."

Yanshu thought to herself that she had said so much, surely the Emperor should understand by now. If he still didn't get it, there was nothing more she could do. So she simply replied "Yes" and went to the washroom to clean up.

When she came out after washing, she saw the Emperor had already loosened his clothes and was waiting on the bed.

Yanshu: "..."

She had to admire his dedication to keeping up appearances. He even insisted on squeezing onto the bed with her every night.

Yuwen Lan, who was patiently awaiting his beauty: "???"

What kind of thought was that?

Shouldn't she feel touched?

He patted the space beside him on the bed, "Come up quickly, don't catch cold."

Yanshu complied and climbed onto the bed.

As soon as she lay down, he pulled her into his embrace.

Then she heard him say softly in her ear, "Why did you burrow into my arms last night?"

His tone was unprecedentedly gentle.

What?

Yanshu looked utterly confused.

She had burrowed into his arms last night? She didn't remember that at all.

Yuwen Lan: "???"

She didn't remember?

So she hadn't intentionally been trying to help him recover?

He saw her put on a fake smile and laugh it off, "This subject must have been dreaming last night and accidentally disturbed Your Majesty..."

Yuwen Lan made a noncommittal sound, "So what did you dream about last night?"

Yanshu tried to recall, "This subject dreamed of being chased and hunted. At first, I was fleeing across hills and plains, then I finally found a tree hollow big enough for a person and hid inside..."

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Well then, it turns out he had been treated as a tree hollow.

He had overthought things.

Suddenly feeling inexplicably dejected, he reconsidered — besides her, he couldn't think of any other reason for this morning's changes...

Never mind. Even if it wasn't her doing, it must be related to her somehow.

So tonight he was determined to try again, to see if there would be another pleasant surprise in the morning.

Thinking this, he said, "Let's sleep then." And closed his eyes.

However, not long after, he heard her voice in his mind—

"Ah, freshly pan-fried buns! Crispy on the bottom, soft on top, and the best part is the filling inside. One bite of the fennel pork, and juices burst in your mouth. The chive and shrimp filling is bursting with flavor, mmm!"

Yuwen Lan: "???"

Before he could ask, he heard her continue, "No, eating just buns is too dry. Need some millet porridge to wash it down. Mmm, newly ground millet cooked until thick and sticky, the whole mouth full of that grainy aroma..."

"No, no, no, millet porridge is a bit bland. It must be paired with five-spice lamb to have enough flavor. And the buns need to go with hot, freshly made tofu pudding. That silky smooth tofu pudding topped with piping hot gravy, add a bit of chili oil and chive flowers, and don't forget the cilantro!"

"Oh, but the spicy tofu pudding might be too salty with the pan-fried buns. It should be paired with freshly fried crullers instead! That crunch when you bite into it!"

Yuwen Lan: "???"

What was going on?

 

TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars for the translation - I'd really like to see how far Leon goes and how far we can increase the number of chapters. Thanks~!

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