Zhou Wanying’s eyes suddenly lit up, her cheeks flushed, and she slightly shyly clenched her handkerchief.
Li Yuyu curled her lips, her willow leaf eyes forming a graceful arc, yet the smile did not reach her eyes.
She looked up at Yan Xiu, curious about what he would say.
"The palace road here isn’t very hot; if the Emperor is worried about Li Xiurong, he can have someone help her wear knee pads. After all, she must kneel to appease the Empress Dowager’s anger. Even if she doesn’t kneel for two hours, kneeling for one hour is good enough."
Zhou Wanying hurried forward a few steps, standing beside Yan Xiu, displaying a look of consideration for Li Yuyu.
"Then let it be as Beauty Zhou suggests, kneel for one hour."
Zhou Wanying showed a delighted smile; this was the first time the Emperor agreed with her words.
Sure enough, Qing’er sister was right; she had been too low-key in the past, causing the Emperor not to notice her. As long as she boldly vied for favor and frankly expressed her feelings to the Emperor, he would surely feel her sincerity.
Li Yuyu’s eyes gradually lost their light, she showed a mocking smile and was about to turn away.
"Where is Li Xiurong going?" Yan Xiu accurately caught Li Yuyu’s wrist.
"Your Majesty, this concubine should first attend to your dining, otherwise Lady Xiu will feel embarrassed with us standing here." Zhou Wanying’s gaze fell on Yan Xiu’s hand, showing slight displeasure.
But she did not show it, maintaining a generous and gentle demeanor, courageously reached for Yan Xiu’s sleeve.
Li Yuyu pulled back from Yan Xiu’s wrist, stepping back two paces to widen the gap between them, her lips curved, full of sarcasm: "Beauty Zhou is right, the Emperor and Beauty Zhou should leave first, or a person like me, who cares about face, will feel embarrassed."
"Does Li Xiurong genuinely not understand, or is she pretending not to?"
Yan Xiu frowned.
An inexplicable feeling of vexation arose within him.
Li Yuyu bit her lip lightly and remained silent.
She truly did not understand, nor did she wish to, but one thing she knew—her heart was in turmoil.
"Your Majesty." Zhou Wanying saw Yan Xiu’s gaze fixated on Li Yuyu, took two steps forward, and lifted her head, trying hard to block Yan Xiu’s line of sight and draw his attention back.
"Beauty Zhou is indeed eager to relieve my worries and considerate of Li Xiurong."
Yan Xiu’s gaze swept heavily towards Zhou Wanying.
Zhou Wanying softly replied, "Yes, the matters troubling your Majesty, this concubine will do her utmost to alleviate. The harem sisters are all one family; Lady Xiu and this concubine are sisters, naturally, I will consider Lady Xiu."
"Since that’s the case, let it be as Beauty Zhou suggests, kneel on the palace road for one hour."
Zhou Wanying was elated; the Emperor had once again endorsed her words!
"This concubine thanks the Emperor for leniency towards Lady Xiu’s punishment." Zhou Wanying bent her knees respectfully, showing a grateful smile.
Yan Xiu, however, bypassed Zhou Wanying, immediately proceeded to hold Li Yuyu’s small hand: "The master of Yao Hua Palace is Li Xiurong, can’t have others seize the role, Li Xiurong, don’t think of shirking, better serve me for dining."
As he finished, he already led the bewildered Li Yuyu into Yao Hua Palace.
"Your Majesty!" Zhou Wanying came to her senses only to see Yan Xiu and Li Yuyu’s backs entering Yao Hua Palace.
She wished to chase after them, but an arm crossed in front of her.
Shen Quan, smiling, said, "Beauty Zhou, the Emperor said you’d take Li Xiurong’s punishment, best choose a spot to kneel."
"When did the Emperor order me to take the punishment! Audacious slave! Dare you misrepresent the Emperor’s decrees? Out of the way!" Zhou Wanying, furious, scolded coldly.