Winning His Heart Without Effort

She paused, a hint of calculation showing in her eyes. "I wonder, between Sister Yan and me, who holds the greater place in Your Majesty's heart?"

Jun Chenyu's gaze lingered on his book for a moment, and he could not help remembering that beautiful, fair, soft face beside the carved window.

Ever since he had discovered that she was not an ignorant woman, she had come to occupy a slightly different place in his heart.

What was she doing now?

Was she lounging on her couch, propping her head on one hand as she read, or studying how to play chess, waiting for his next visit?

"Your Majesty..." When Noble Lady Shu received no answer, she called to him softly.

Jun Chenyu returned to his senses. "At this very moment, naturally, you hold the greater place in my heart, my beloved consort."

Noble Lady Shu pursed her lips in a soft smile and sat down beside him.

Court affairs had been troubling Jun Chenyu lately, and he wanted someone to ease his worries. Seeing that the snow outside seemed to have melted, leaving a desolate scene, he suddenly voiced his feelings. "The dying lamp flickers, my pillow lies askew; I have tasted all the bitterness of sleeping alone."

Noble Lady Shu froze, her eyes full of bewilderment.

Although she came from a distinguished family, she had read few books. Since her earliest memories, all she had been taught was women's virtue and Admonitions for Women. Every day, someone told her how to serve the emperor and become a proper imperial consort.

Noble Lady Shu failed to understand the melancholy that had suddenly risen within him, and Jun Chenyu found himself missing Noble Lady Yan even more.

If Noble Lady Yan were here, perhaps she could exchange a few words with him about it.

Instead, Noble Lady Shu said shyly, "Your Majesty, today I feel as though I can sense the child in my womb. Would you touch him?"

Jun Chenyu's interest faded, though he did not show it. Following her wishes, he stroked her flat abdomen. "The child is not even a month old. How could you feel anything yet?"

"I was just wondering whether my waist will grow thicker as the child grows. If my figure loses its beauty, Your Majesty must not disdain me."

Immersed in her sweetness, she failed to notice that Jun Chenyu was already growing impatient.

After a few perfunctory replies, he said, "All right, it is getting late. Go bathe and rest."

Noble Lady Shu murmured a sweet assent before heading to the bathing chamber with her maid.

Jun Chenyu wore a black brocade robe with a subtle woven pattern, his figure tall and imposing. He had just sat down beside the bed when Eunuch Lu suddenly entered with a box in his hands.

"Your Majesty, someone from the Peony Pavilion delivered this."

Upon hearing that it was from Noble Lady Yan, a trace of interest finally entered Jun Chenyu's cool expression. "Bring it here."

Inside the box lay a note. "My longing for you is like the waters of the western river, flowing east day and night without cease. On this snowy night, as the snow melts, I gaze alone at the chessboard. I wish only that the south wind knew my heart and would carry my dreams to the western isle."

Jun Chenyu's gaze deepened, as though filled with tenderness and pity. "She is unhappy because I am not there."

Jun Chenyu sighed. "Xiao Luzi, bring paper and a brush."

Eunuch Lu hurriedly brought over a tray, and Jun Chenyu took up the brush.

His handwriting was firm and forceful, unlike a woman's delicate, graceful script.

"When shall longing end in reunion? On this night, at this hour, my feelings are hard to bear. Enter the gates of my longing, and you will know its bitterness."

He put the letter away, only to notice a sachet inside the box, embroidered with two dragons playing with a pearl.

Jun Chenyu's lips curved. He took out the sachet and handed it to Eunuch Lu. "Put this on me tomorrow."

Eunuch Lu quietly suppressed his thoughts. It seemed Noble Lady Yan truly had lodged herself in the emperor's heart. Ordinary consorts certainly did not receive such treatment. "Understood, Your Majesty."

"Deliver this letter to the Peony Pavilion. Tell her I will join her for breakfast tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

At the Peony Pavilion, Yun Yang had already returned from outside the Palace of Gathered Elegance.

Wen Yunmian put down her book and washed her hands, intending to go to bed. To her surprise, Eunuch Lu had someone deliver Jun Chenyu's letter, along with word that he would come for breakfast tomorrow.

Reading its contents, she gently curved her lips and put on a shy expression. "Sorry for the trouble, Eunuch."

Eunuch Lu nodded. "Then I shall take my leave."

Once he had gone, Wen Yunmian lazily set the letter aside.

Yun Yang smiled. "His Majesty still has you in his heart, my lady. He even had Eunuch Lu bring you a letter."

In truth, Wen Yunmian was not trying to steal Noble Lady Shu's favor. She knew Jun Chenyu would certainly stay at the Lucky Cloud Palace tonight. At this point in her previous life, court affairs had troubled him, while Noble Lady Shu had not known how to relieve his worries or lift his spirits. At a time like this, the contrast between one consort and another would naturally emerge.

Only by doing this could she make herself stand out even more in the cold-hearted emperor's mind.

If she did not distinguish herself among the consorts, how could she soar into the clouds?

By now, Jun Chenyu was surely thinking of her even more.

After all, beautiful women were plentiful, and there were many understanding women as well. But there was only one flower who could understand his words as she did, possessing both beauty and talent, and having been his wife for so many years.

"Have you taken care of what I told you to do earlier?"

Yun Yang helped Wen Yunmian remove her outer robe. "Everything is ready. Rest assured, my lady."

Wen Yunmian's lips curved. The show was about to begin.

Early the next morning, Jun Chenyu came to join Wen Yunmian for breakfast. He had thought of her all night, and now, seeing her again before him, breathtakingly beautiful yet as pure and white as a magnolia blossom, he could not help liking her even more.

Taking Wen Yunmian's hand, he led her to the table. "It is cold. Why were you still waiting outside for me?"

Wen Yunmian smiled, her lively eyes as clear and luminous as lychees. Instead of answering his question, she asked sweetly, "Your Majesty, the next time you wish to come and keep me company, could you send someone to tell me a little earlier?"

Jun Chenyu was puzzled. "Why is that?"

Wen Yunmian's thick, dark lashes lowered quietly. Her cheeks were already flushed, yet her gaze was utterly sincere. "Because I am happy while waiting for Your Majesty to arrive, too. If I know a little earlier, then my happiness will begin a little earlier."

Jun Chenyu's heart softened. "Silly girl."

"Then does that mean Your Majesty agrees?" Wen Yunmian looked at him with sparkling eyes. Any man who saw her would have felt his heart melt into a puddle.

So this was how she waited for him, with such wholehearted sincerity, on the days he did not come.

"I agree. Then let me tell you in advance now: I will come keep you company tonight. How does that sound?"

Wen Yunmian smiled shyly. "Then I already feel the sweetness."

Jun Chenyu laughed at her words.

Once they finished breakfast, Jun Chenyu was about to leave for court when Yun Yang hurried back with several people.

Seeing the sticky-rice mortar in their hands, he frowned. "What is this for?"

Yun Yang and the others hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

She answered, "Your Majesty, the snow melted last night, and water seeped into my lady's bedchamber. I therefore went to the Imperial Household Department to fetch some sticky-rice mortar to repair the walls."

Jun Chenyu glanced at Eunuch Lu. "Send more people here to help."

Yun Yang quickly said, "Your Majesty, I encountered Consort Chun on the way just now. Her Highness very kindly sent people to help me, so we already have enough hands."

Wen Yunmian's fair face filled with delight, and she said with an innocent expression, "I never expected Consort Chun to be so kindhearted. I must go thank her in person later."

Jun Chenyu was rather surprised. He had not expected Consort Chun to learn restraint after being released from confinement this time.

He stroked Wen Yunmian's cheek. "As you wish. But if the walls are still damaged, send someone to tell me. I will have another residence arranged for you. You could be closer to me then, too."

Wen Yunmian smiled gently. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jun Chenyu gave her a lingering look before heading outside.

"I respectfully bid Your Majesty farewell."

Only after Jun Chenyu left did Wen Yunmian order the workers inside to plaster the walls.

Yun Yang smiled. "Your foresight is truly uncanny, my lady. I deliberately led the workers past Consort Chun. When she learned that the Peony Pavilion's walls were damaged, she wanted to make a laughingstock of you and immediately sent people along. I timed our arrival precisely."

Wen Yunmian's lips curved coldly. "How are Yun Fei's preparations coming along?"

"They are nearly complete."

Wen Yunmian nodded. "Good."

As she sat down to drink tea, Yun Yang asked, "My lady, Consort Chun sent people to scout things out and enjoy our embarrassment. What should we do if she really comes to stir up trouble later?"

"Pay her no mind. Of all the residences in the palace, ours alone has to arrange its own wall repairs. Naturally, she is waiting to mock us. But the damage is only slight, so she need not come herself. As long as we achieve our aim, that is enough."

After drinking the hot tea, Wen Yunmian felt considerably warmer all over.

In fact, she had worked it out last night. This time, Consort Shu was probably not killing two birds with one stone, but bringing down three eagles with a single arrow!

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