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However, what Wei Tingyu hadn't anticipated was that Concubine Yang Jieyu's method of helping a man dress wasn't particularly skilled; in fa
However, what Wei Tingyu hadn't anticipated was that Concubine Yang Jieyu's method of helping a man dress wasn't particularly skilled; in fact, she was a bit clumsy. It seemed she hadn't done such a thing before!
"Marquis, why do you look at this concubine so?" Concubine Yang Jieyu naturally noticed the doubt in Wei Tingyu's eyes. Her cheeks flushed, and she knelt respectfully before him, adjusting his waist belt as she spoke, "Does Marquis find this concubine clumsy?" Of course, even if she felt clumsy, she knew she could only ask the Marquis to bear with her. After all, she couldn't possibly call in the maids and palace women from outside to help Wei Tingyu dress! Wouldn't that expose everything?!
"Not at all!" Wei Tingyu heard Concubine Yang Jieyu's words and saw the embarrassed expression on her face. He certainly wouldn't tease her further. Instead, he smiled, gently patted her head, and said, "I was merely curious!"
"Curious about what?" Concubine Yang Jieyu paused, then smiled slightly and asked, "Curious why, after so many years in the palace, this concubine still doesn't know how to help a man dress?"
"This concubine has no affection for the Emperor. When he stays here, palace maids and eunuchs attend to him after he rises."
"This concubine merely stands by like a clothes rack!"
As she explained, she cautiously observed Wei Tingyu's reaction. Seeing that he remained calmly smiling, Concubine Yang Jieyu subtly exhaled in relief. It was good that the Marquis wasn't angry! However, his gentle pat on her head filled her heart with joy; after all, that was surely part of the intimacy between a couple!
Wei Tingyu felt her explanation made sense. That old emperor merely used Concubine Yang Jieyu as a shield to hide his true intentions. In his heart, she probably wasn't even as dear as his personal eunuch! It was perfectly logical for her not to be involved in such intimate acts as helping him dress.
And while Concubine Yang Jieyu's hands were clumsy, she knew all the steps, indicating she must have observed from the side quite a bit. It seemed all that theoretical knowledge had found its first practical application on him! Though a bit awkward, she wasn't entirely flustered. So, despite taking a little longer, she finally managed to dress him completely! Of course, Wei Tingyu didn't lift a finger throughout the process, because he could tell from Concubine Yang Jieyu's slightly stubborn expression that she was pushing herself. If Wei Tingyu had dressed himself, Concubine Yang Jieyu might have overthought it, perhaps believing he found her clumsy.
"Marquis, are you preparing to leave?" Finally, after helping Wei Tingyu fully dress, Concubine Yang Jieyu turned, picked up the folding fan from a nearby table, and handed it to him with both hands. At the same time, she asked in a reluctant tone, filled with longing.
"My lady, you don't want me to go?" Wei Tingyu paused, then smiled, "Then I can stay here for the night, it's no trouble!"
"No!" Concubine Yang Jieyu immediately shook her head. If Wei Tingyu truly slept here and overslept until dawn, it would be disastrous. No matter how high his martial arts, even if he could leap over palace walls, he surely couldn't avoid being discovered in broad daylight, could he? That would be quite a spectacle! Concubine Yang Jieyu shivered involuntarily just imagining such a possibility!
"If Marquis holds this concubine in your heartā¦ then visiting every few days will suffice!" However, after exclaiming "No!", Concubine Yang Jieyu realized her hasty words and quickly explained, "This concubine only wishes for my lord's safety and dares not hope for anything more!"
Wei Tingyu nodded, then lowered his head and kissed her lips again. A fragrant breeze enveloped his senses, and he couldn't help but sigh softly once more. His romantic debts were piling up, and he knew they could never be repaid. The only thing he could do was treat them all well!
However, Concubine Yang Jieyu's identity was special. Until he overthrew the old emperor's throne, he couldn't openly keep her by his side. Fortunately, that old emperor was a eunuch, a mere semblance of a man, and only regarded Concubine Yang Jieyu as a tool. She was safe staying there. Still, he should find a way to send two female Gold Shadow Guards into the palace to protect her. He wouldn't want some short-sighted woman in the harem, foolishly seeking favor, to harm his womanāthat would lead to irreparable regret! Of course, arranging for two female guards to enter the palace would be simple enough with Concubine Yang Jieyu's assistance.
Thinking of this, Wei Tingyu discussed the idea with her. Concubine Yang Jieyu nodded enthusiastically, agreeing immediately. After all, she wasn't living in the Marquis's estate and nominally still had an emperor as a husband. She was already worried about how to put Wei Tingyu completely at ease! Now that he wanted to send in two female guards, they could also serve as witnesses to her complete lack of involvement with the Emperor! Concubine Yang Jieyu naturally agreed without hesitation!
After another tender and reluctant farewell filled with sweet words, Wei Tingyu lightly leaped onto the roof beam, then ascended from the entry point to the top of the grand hall. Concubine Yang Jieyu watched as her lord vanished from her sight, a pang of anxiety hitting her! At this moment, she was like a newlywed wife deeply in love, who, upon learning her husband was going on a long journey, would see him off as far as possible! Even if she couldn't leave home, she would watch him until his figure disappeared.
Thinking this, Concubine Yang Jieyu quickly ran to the palace window and pushed it open with a thwack! Just then, she saw Wei Tingyu's figure swiftly sweep across the rooftop, vanishing behind the wall in an instant! What a dashing lord! Though only a glimpse, Concubine Yang Jieyu's heart thumped uncontrollably once more!
Her act of opening the window naturally startled the maids and palace women guarding the door. They now noticed a distant window had been opened from within by Concubine Yang Jieyu. And she herself was gazing up at the starry sky with an expression of deep emotion, looking utterly thrilled!
"Mistressā¦?" Concubine Yang Jieyu's personal maid quickly approached, looking at her mistress with some bewilderment, then followed her gaze to the sky. Yet, there was nothing there but the brilliant expanse of stars!
"It's such a heavy night, I suddenly wanted to look at the stars!" Concubine Yang Jieyu came to her senses, but of course, she had an excuse for her unusual behavior. Though the maids and palace women were puzzled, her words were indeed faultless! Moreover, when they looked up, they saw nothing but the night sky, so they naturally didn't think much of it.
"Mistress has finished bathing?" The maid turned her head and saw Concubine Yang Jieyu now dressed in her nightclothes, asking with some confusion.
"Finished!" Concubine Yang Jieyu nodded. "The water's gotten a bit cold! Tell someone to come in and tidy up! This concubine is going to sleep now!"
"Yes!" The maid nodded, a little exasperated in her heart. After bathing for so long, how could the water not be cold? But as long as her mistress was fine, she, as a servant, couldn't be bothered to think too much.
However, when she led the palace women and a few eunuchs into the bathing chamber where the wooden tub was, she was startled by the messy scene. Goodness! Was mistress bathing or swimming in here? How did the tub's water only have half left?! And the floor was soaking wet! If the floor hadn't been slightly lower, it might have flooded the sleeping quarters!
"What are you looking at? Get to work!" Concubine Yang Jieyu's personal maid saw the eunuchs and palace women whispering among themselves, and immediately frowned, scolding sternly, "Her Ladyship is in a bad mood today, merely splashing water to vent her anger! What's so surprising about that?!"
"Yes!" The eunuchs and palace women nodded repeatedly, then quickly got to work. Only Concubine Yang Jieyu's personal maid looked confusedly through the screen towards the distant sleeping chambers. The curtains were already drawn, and she could faintly make out Concubine Yang Jieyu's delicate form stretched out on the bed, seemingly peacefully asleep. As a maid who had been with her since childhood, even accompanying her into the palace, she keenly felt that something significant had happened tonight! Her mistress herself seemed to have undergone a tremendous change because of it! But what exactly was it? She simply couldn't fathom it!
Wei Tingyu returned to the Marquis's estate past midnight. At this hour, apart from a few Gold and Silver Shadow Guards patrolling back and forth with lanterns, there wasn't a single candle lit in the entire estate. It was true; everyone was asleep in the dead of night.
Wei Tingyu hesitated for a moment, then returned to Lady Dou Zhao's room. He quietly took off his clothes and slipped into the covers. Dou Zhao had been sleeping soundly when she suddenly felt a warm body embrace her from behind. She jolted awake, then, upon recognizing the face she adored, she smiled faintly and closed her eyes again.
"Marquisā¦ which woman are you returning from?" Of course, the keen-nosed Dou Zhao immediately caught an unusual scent on him. And this scent was completely unlike any of the ladies in the estate! It was the first time she had ever smelled it on Wei Tingyu!
"Returning from the palace, from Her Ladyship's bed!" Wei Tingyu, of course, wouldn't deceive Dou Zhao. He simply chuckled and replied. However, his truthful words sounded like a lie to Dou Zhao. After all, no matter how clever she was, she couldn't possibly imagine that Wei Tingyu had been so audacious as to even sleep with Concubine Yang Jieyu, the Emperor's favorite!
"Marquis, if you do not wish to speakā¦ I will notā¦" Dou Zhao mumbled sleepily, "Just do notā¦ disappointā¦ herā¦ another dayā¦ Iā¦ will help Marquisā¦ take her inā¦" Her voice grew softer and softer, and she drifted back into sleep. After all, if Wei Tingyu hadn't suddenly entered and interrupted her beautiful dream, Dou Zhao would have been sleeping soundly!
Wei Tingyu heard the murmuring of the beauty in his arms and chuckled helplessly. His Lady was truly beyond words! At the same time, the long-unheard system voice rang out in his mind once more.
[Congratulations, Host, for achieving the hidden accomplishment "Peerless Beauty"!
[Acquire the Emperor's most favored woman to achieve this accomplishment!]
*[Accomplishment Reward: Receive Hidden Accomplishment Grand Gift Pack 1!]
Wei Tingyu was startled, then immediately overjoyed! Goodness! I never expected taking Concubine Yang Jieyu would unexpectedly unlock a hidden accomplishment! However, Concubine Yang Jieyu's so-called "most favored" status was merely a facade created by the Emperor, yet the system actually recognized it?
Of course, this was definitely a good thing for Wei Tingyu! The stronger he became, the closer he would be to reaching the peak of this world! Thinking this, Wei Tingyu no longer hesitated and immediately opened the Hidden Accomplishment Grand Gift Pack.
[Shadow Guard Upgrade Card!]
[Uses: 1!]
[Limited Edition!]
[Description: Upon using this card, all Silver Shadow Guards summoned by the Host will be upgraded to Gold Shadow Guards! Furthermore, all future Shadow Guards obtained will also be Gold Shadow Guards!]
Wei Tingyu's eyes immediately lit up! Goodness! This is truly something! The difference between Silver Shadow Guards and Gold Shadow Guards wasn't just in martial arts; it was more significantly a difference in intelligence! This difference in ability could be said to be a dimensional upgrade to his personal protective force!
Originally, he had eighteen Gold Shadow Guards and thirty-six Silver Shadow Guards by his side! With this card, all thirty-six Silver Shadow Guards would also be upgraded to Gold Shadow Guards! This would give him fifty-four Gold Shadow Guards at his disposal. Moreover, all future Shadow Guards summoned would be high-level Gold Shadow Guards! No wonder this item was "Limited Edition"! Because after this use, it would no longer be needed!
Thinking this, Wei Tingyu didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately used the Shadow Guard Upgrade Card. After receiving system confirmation that all Silver Shadow Guards had been upgraded, he nodded contentedly, then embraced Dou Zhao in his arms and fell into a deep sleep!
The next morning, Wei Tingyu was awakened by a chorus of chattering female laughter from the courtyard outside! After being helped by Dou Zhao to change, he stepped out with her to find a large group of women gathered noisily around a long table in the courtyard. They were eating breakfast and chatting happily, filling the entire courtyard with lively chatter!
What surprised Wei Tingyu most was that besides his wives and concubines, even the Li family's third daughter, Kangning, fourth daughter, Haode, and fifth daughter, Leshan, were there!
Upon seeing Wei Tingyu approach, hand in hand with Dou Zhao, the women all rose to greet him. Kangning, Haode, and Leshan also playfully mimicked the others, making the rest of the women cover their mouths with light laughter.
"What's going on here?" Wei Tingyu didn't speak, so Dou Zhao stepped forward and helped Kangning, Haode, and Leshan rise, smiling as she said, "Three younger sisters, please rise quickly. You are not yet members of the estate, so there's no need for such a grand bow!"
"Oh, it's bound to happen sooner or later!" Zhao Zhangru interjected casually, "Who here doesn't know? They're surely going to be our sisters in this courtyard!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Kangning, Haode, and Leshan all became a little shy! Such a sight, these three young girls in such a bashful state, was truly rare. Wei Tingyu couldn't help but lean forward and examine them closely. Could these three be imposters wearing human skin masks? Otherwise, how could their personalities change so drastically in just two days?
"Marquis! The three younger sisters are all shy!" He Weifang quickly stepped forward, placing herself between Wei Tingyu and the three girls, and said in a slightly coy tone, "Even if they'll eventually be part of your household, you shouldn't stare like that!"
Ah! I understand now!
Wei Tingyu heard He Weifang's words and then saw the smiles on the faces of his wives and concubines around him, and immediately realized what was happening. His women must have teased these three young girls quite a bit before he arrived, making them all embarrassed, which was why they appeared so bashful upon his appearance. It made sense! No matter how straightforward a personality, a girl would find it almost impossible not to be shy when being teased by a crowd!
"Marquis, please don't be offended!" At this moment, Lady Shouhua of the Li family gracefully walked forward and bowed to Wei Tingyu, saying, "This morning, my second sister and I returned, and these three little ones insisted on coming to the Marquis's estate to broaden their horizons..."
Of course, "broadening their horizons" was merely an excuse to familiarize themselves with the environment in advance, as they would eventually be living in this courtyard! Wei Tingyu understood this perfectly, so he nodded and said, "No worries, no worries! From now on, consider this your own home!"
Of course, they'd consider it their own home! The women paused upon hearing Wei Tingyu's words, then couldn't help but laugh again.
"Did your mother-in-law not come along?" Wei Tingyu then looked around. Not seeing Lady Li, he asked Shouhua and Fuhui.
"The shop always has business!" Fuhui smiled and said, "Although we have hired people, there always needs to be a manager! Mother only instructed the three younger sisters not to be mischievous at the Marquis's estate; she herself did not come along!"