Chapter 1260: The Show Is About to Begin, Qingdai Takes Over

As the warmth of the bath faded, two palace maids deftly brought soft brocade to dry the water droplets from Qingdai's body. They then brought her a moon-white nightgown, embroidered with lotus patterns, as thin as a cicada's wing, exuding a touch of delicate charm.

A palace maid held up a piece of fabric and compared it to Qingdai's body, her eyes full of envy and her voice filled with undisguised flattery.

AI-generated beautiful images of Qingdai.

"Qingdai, you've finally made it through!"

"Ordinary palace maids would never have the chance to be favored by His Majesty in their entire lives. You've risen to the top in one step, and it won't be long before you're promoted to the rank of Consort. Don't forget your sisters when that happens!"

Another palace maid was combing Qingdai's long hair. The comb made a soft rustling sound as it passed through her hair. She chimed in, her voice filled with even more envy: "Yes, yes!"

"Once you win His Majesty's favor and conceive a royal child, even if you are not made an imperial concubine, you will still be granted the title of consort!"

"We sisters served as maids together in the Shanghai Imperial Palace for so many years. You must remember this friendship!"

Qingdai blushed as her two friends spoke to her, and shyly lowered her eyelashes, her fingertips gently twisting the ties of her nightgown, her voice barely audible.

"Sisters are too kind. I am just a poor palace maid with a tragic fate. It is already a great blessing to have His Majesty's favor. If I am ever promoted to the rank of Consort, I will never forget your kindness."

As they spoke, a face as beautiful as a peach blossom was reflected in the bronze mirror.

Her long, black hair was styled into a flowing cloud bun, adorned with a small pearl hairpin, which made her eyebrows and eyes appear even more delicate.

A pale white nightgown draped over her slender figure, revealing fair skin and rosy lips. The blush that spread from her ears to her chin added to her girlish charm and shyness.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Qingdai's heart beat even faster, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

Upon seeing this, the two palace maids couldn't help but cover their mouths and giggle. While adjusting her hairpins, they teased, "Look at our Qingdai, with such a beautiful and charming appearance, His Majesty would surely be completely captivated!"

Qingdai became even more shy after being told this. She raised her hand and gently covered her burning cheeks. Her heart felt sweet, as if it were soaked in honey. Her previous apprehension had long been replaced by anticipation.

Just then, the sound of tinkling jade pendants came from outside the hall, and footsteps approached from afar.

Qingdai and the two palace maids were startled and quickly turned around to bow.

Fu Yuxue, dressed in a smoky-colored palace gown, walked in gracefully, a dignified smile on her face.

"Greetings, Consort Ya!" The three bowed in unison, their voices respectful.

Fu Yuxue smiled slightly, her gaze falling on Qingdai, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. She then said to the two palace maids, "You may leave now. I have a few words to say to Qingdai."

"Yes, Your Highness." The two palace maids quickly responded, then winked at Qingdai before bowing and leaving, the palace door closing gently behind them.

The side hall fell silent instantly, with only the sound of their breathing remaining.

Fu Yuxue didn't put on airs. She stepped forward and gently took Qingdai's hand. Her fingertips were slightly cool, and her tone was gentle, yet contained an undeniable hint.

"Qingdai, you are a smart girl. You should know that the favor in the palace is never given for free. You should know in your heart who gave you the opportunity to receive the Emperor's favor today."

Qingdai's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly understood Fuyu Xue's unspoken meaning. She quickly curtsied, her voice sincere and grateful: "This servant understands!"

"Without Your Highness's support, I'm afraid I would have remained a palace maid for the rest of my life."

"I will never forget this kindness!"

"No matter what honor or disgrace I may receive in the future, I will always be Your Highness's person, and I will be of one heart with Your Highness for the rest of my life!"

Upon hearing this, Fu Yuxue's smile deepened.

She reached out and helped Qingdai up, her fingertips gently brushing the stray hairs at her temples, her tone becoming even softer: "Qingdai, I love your clarity of mind."

Qingdai's eyes were slightly red, her voice choked with emotion, and filled with heartfelt sincerity.

“I have been orphaned and destitute since childhood. If it weren’t for the Baekje royal family taking me in, I would have either starved to death on the streets or been sold into prostitution long ago. I wouldn’t have the life I have today.”

"Over the years, Your Highness has treated me with kindness and affection."

“During the time I accompanied Your Highness to Chang’an as part of your dowry, Your Highness protected me in every way and never let me suffer the slightest grievance.”

"This life-saving grace is something I could never repay, even if I were to be shattered to pieces!"

Looking at Qingdai's grateful expression, Fuyu Xue felt gratified. She gently patted Qingdai's hand and her smile softened.

Immediately, Fu Yuxue raised her hand and took off the mutton-fat white jade bracelet from her wrist. The jade was warm and translucent, and felt warm to the touch. It was clearly a valuable treasure.

Fu Yuxue held Qingdai's wrist and personally put the jade bracelet on her wrist. The size was perfect, making Qingdai's already fair wrist look even more slender and beautiful.

Qingdai was immediately flattered and hurriedly tried to curtsy to decline, her voice tinged with panic: "Your Majesty, this jade bracelet is too precious, this servant dares not accept it!"

“Silly girl,” Fu Yuxue pressed Qingdai’s hand, her tone carrying a hint of affection and comfort, but a deeper meaning was hidden in her eyes, “This is a reward from me.”

"From now on, when you are by His Majesty's side, every word and action will represent the dignity of Baekje."

"Wearing it serves two purposes: first, it reminds you of your roots; second, it lets those sycophants in the Shanghai Imperial Palace see that you are someone I protect, and no one dares to bully you easily."

Looking at the lustrous jade bracelet on her wrist and listening to Fuyu Xue's words, Qingdai felt a warm current surge through her body, and her eyes instantly reddened.

Hot tears welled up in her eyes and swirled on her dark eyelashes. Her voice was choked with sobs as she cried, "Your Majesty... this servant... this servant will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Fu Yuxue patted Qingdai's hand, a gentle smile on her face: "Don't worry, His Majesty is gentle and won't make things difficult for you."

As soon as she finished speaking, she changed the subject, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She leaned close to Qingdai's ear and whispered, "Speaking of which, you're still a virgin who hasn't experienced anything. Do you even know a little bit about the pleasures of the bedroom between men and women?"

Upon hearing this, Qingdai's face flushed crimson, as if painted with the most vibrant rouge. She hurriedly lowered her head, her fingertips tightly gripping the hem of her dress, her voice barely audible: "Your Majesty... this servant... this servant does not understand."

Seeing this, Fu Yuxue chuckled and reached into her sleeve to take out a thin booklet. The cover of the booklet had the words "Su Nu Jing" written on it, which was an ancient classic on sexual techniques.

She handed the "Su Nu Jing" to Qingdai, saying with a hint of mockery, "Qingdai, if you want to win His Majesty's favor, beauty alone is not enough."

"You should read this book, 'The Classic of Plain Girls,' carefully. Consider it an introduction. It's better than being at a loss when you get to His Majesty's bed and becoming a laughingstock."

Qingdai took the "Su Nu Jing" with both hands. Her fingertips touched the embarrassing picture on the cover, and she felt a surge of heat rush from her fingertips to her heart, and even her ears burned. She stammered, "Thank you... thank you, Your Majesty."

"Don't be shy." Fu Yuxue couldn't help but tease Qingdai, who looked so bashful. "Every woman has a first time like this. It's always better to know it sooner rather than later than to panic on the spot."

"In half an hour, you will go to His Majesty's bedchamber to serve him. Remember, be natural."

Qingdai kept her head down, even her nodding was tinged with shyness, she was like a ripe peach, and softly hummed in agreement.

Seeing that Qingdai was extremely shy, Fuyu Xue covered her mouth and chuckled softly before turning to leave, saying, "I'm leaving now. You'll have to make the rest yourself."

"This servant respectfully sees Your Highness off." Qingdai quickly curtsied and stood up slowly only after the palace doors closed gently.

Holding the "Su Nu Jing" in her hand felt like a burning hot iron; Qingdai's heart pounded so hard it felt like it was about to leap out of her chest.

After hesitating for a long time, she finally opened the booklet with trembling fingers. The sight that greeted her made her gasp, and her cheeks turned so red they looked like they could bleed.

Qingdai hurriedly closed the "Su Nu Jing" (Classic of the Plain Girl), muttering under her breath, "Heavens... the illustrations in this book are so embarrassing..."

But when she thought about serving the emperor tonight, about Fu Yuxue's instructions, and about her future, Qingdai bit her lip and mustered up her courage once again to open the "Su Nu Jing" (Classic of Plain Girls).

The further she looked, the hotter her face became, and her breathing became rapid.

The embarrassing content in the book refreshed Qingdai's understanding, making her both uneasy and somewhat expectant.

It must be said that the "Su Nu Jing" was an absolutely explosive work on sexual matters in ancient times.

The inexperienced Qingdai crammed on introductory knowledge about men and women, becoming increasingly shy as she read, but the girl's yearning for love made her want to keep watching.

Before we knew it, half an hour had passed.

Just then, the soft calls of two palace maids came from outside the side hall. Each of them carried an octagonal palace lantern, and the warm yellow glow split a gentle opening in the night.

"Qingdai, it's time to go to His Majesty's palace."

Qingdai hurriedly hid the "Su Nu Jing" (Classic of Plain Girls), her fingertips still slightly warm. She straightened the hem of her moon-white nightgown, took a deep breath, and quickly left the room, following two palace maids towards Lin Lang's bedroom.

The palace lanterns on both sides of the palace road swayed, and the shadows of the trees swayed, casting the shadows of the three people in varying lengths.

Two palace maids walked on either side, their chatter never ceasing.

"Qingdai, once you leave, you might become one of His Majesty's favorites. Don't forget that we're sisters!"

"That's right, that's right! His Majesty is so gentle and handsome, you're sure to win his favor tonight!"

With her face flushed, Qingdai answered absentmindedly, her steps unsteady, her heart feeling suspended in mid-air, unable to rise or fall.

A mix of nervousness and anticipation surged within her, a feeling she had never experienced before in her life, and her palms were already damp with a thin layer of sweat.

The closer Qingdai got to Lin Lang's palace, the faster her heart beat, as if it were about to shatter her chest. She didn't know where to put her hands and could only clench her sleeves tightly, her fingertips turning white from the force.

Before long, a brightly lit palace came into view, its carved wooden doors tightly closed, exuding an air of majesty and tranquility.

The leading palace maid stepped forward, her smile fading, and her voice respectful yet clear: "Your Majesty, Miss Qingdai has come to serve you in bed and has been brought outside the palace."

A deep, magnetic voice echoed from inside the hall, carrying the languor of someone who had just taken a bath: "Let her in."

The palace maid hurriedly pushed open the palace door, and as she turned around, she winked at Qingdai, unable to resist laughing as she gently pushed her.

Qingdai's cheeks instantly burned hot. She lowered her head and shyly stepped over the high threshold.

As soon as she stepped inside, the palace door behind her creaked shut. The sound wasn't loud, but it made her body tremble violently, and even her breath caught in her throat.

The hall was filled with the refreshing scent of sandalwood, mixed with a faint hint of ambergris, creating a calming and pleasant atmosphere.

Qingdai dared not look up, staring only at the gold brick ground beneath her feet, until a tall figure came into view, at which point she couldn't help but secretly raise her eyes.

Lin Lang appeared to have just come out of the bathroom, with only a white towel loosely wrapped around his waist, revealing his smooth neck and shoulders, a strong chest, and clearly defined abdominal muscles, every inch of which exuded power.

Water droplets slid down Lin Lang's well-defined abs and disappeared into the edge of the bath towel, making Qingdai blush and her heart race.

Even though Qingdai had imagined it a thousand times in her mind, her face still turned bright red when she saw this scene, like a ripe cherry, and even her ears were tinged with a bright red.

Qingdai hurriedly lowered her head again, her fingers twisting the ties of her nightgown, not daring to even breathe.

"This servant...this maid pays her respects to Your Majesty!" Qingdai was about to kneel down as she spoke.