Li Shengan stood outside, hearing the laughter. His heart, which had been anxious for many days, finally eased a little as he muttered to himself.
"Lady Xia is not just any Honored Lady! She is a lifesaver!"
Little Zhuzi, standing by, deeply agreed and quietly sighed in her heart. If it weren’t for Lady Xia, who knows how long the Emperor’s face would remain gloomy?
What else could it mean?
Lady Xia was truly favored!
Inside, Xia Ruqing even took out a set of off-white cotton pajamas.
"Emperor, these clothes are comfortable to wear. I also had a set made for you. Would you like to try them on?"
Zhao Junyao looked at the clothes and then at her.
"The same as yours?"
Xia Ruqing nodded.
Zhao Junyao paused for a moment, then commanded, "Prepare water for a bath..."
Does that mean... he wants to wear them?
Xia Ruqing felt a surge of happiness.
Growing up, Zhao Junyao had hardly ever worn anything made of cotton; his attire consisted of the most precious Hangzhou silk, Suzhou brocade, or similar fine materials. As for cotton, no one dared to make him wear it, nor would anyone even suggest it.
He probably didn’t like it either, but... if Qingqing made it, then it must be good. Even if he didn’t particularly like it, he would still reluctantly wear it.
Although he didn’t know how to coax women, he was set on one thing: he didn’t want to make this woman unhappy.
「 」
After a simple dinner, the two went to the bathhouse.
When they came out, each wore an off-white undergarment made of pure cotton. Although it couldn’t compare with real silk in terms of smoothness, its softness, skin-friendliness, breathability, and sweat absorption were all characteristics of pure cotton fabric—qualities that real silk lacked.
For the first time, Zhao Junyao felt that wearing such a slightly stiff fabric was quite comforting.
In the candlelight, Xia Ruqing’s freshly washed hair spilled over her shoulders. She was half-reclining while Zi Yue dried her hair. Zhao Junyao was also nearby, his own palace maid drying his hair. Her hair was soft and silky; his, in contrast, seemed a bit coarser.
"Mistress, shall I apply some hair oil for you..." Zi Yue began.
Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing frowned. "Greasy! I don’t want it!" she protested vehemently.
Zi Yue, somewhat helpless, had no choice but to desist. Her mistress didn’t like to use those things, she knew, but today, she had to attend to the Emperor! After some thought, she sighed. If she wouldn’t use it, then so be it.
Zhao Junyao sat to one side, reading a book while occasionally glancing their way. Hearing Xia Ruqing mention "greasy," he furrowed his brows as if something had occurred to him.
"Li Shengan, I recall the Kingdom of Goryeo tributed many women’s fragrances and skincare items. Are there any left in the storeroom?"
Li Shengan quickly stepped forward. "Replying to Your Majesty, not a single item is missing!" Without Your Majesty’s command, who would dare to give them away, and who would dare to accept them!
"What’s there? Pick out the best and bring some over!"
"Yes!"
Xia Ruqing’s eyes immediately sparkled. "Really? Emperor, are they truly from the Kingdom of Goryeo?"
As far as she knew, Korea was called Goryeo in ancient times.
Zhao Junyao nodded, though his expression was somewhat blank. "Yes!"
Zhao Junyao didn’t understand these items. Every year, the Kingdom of Goryeo sent these offerings, which he found quite annoying. He had been quite puzzled at the time: Why did the Kingdom of Goryeo always send women’s trinkets? Now, however, he finally understood. Some things were useful in certain respects, such as... coaxing women!
Li Shengan was quick; in less than half an hour, he brought the items over.
It was a semi-transparent white wax box, its surface intricately carved with dense, complex patterns. Where there were flowers, artisans had also dyed them a faint pinkish-purple. The entire box exuded an air of exquisite preciousness.
Li Shengan presented it respectfully. "Your servant doesn’t understand these things either, so I just picked out a selection..."
Zhao Junyao’s forehead creased. "I don’t understand them either!" he said, waving his hand. "Let her take a look!"
Xia Ruqing had already been shamelessly waiting. As she received the box and carefully opened it, her eyes widened. The inside of the box was lined all around with snow-white lamb’s wool. In the compartments within, a series of large and small white jade boxes were neatly arranged. They were all round, each with a thin slit on top, sealed with white wax. The outside of each box was exquisitely carved with a row of fine script. Candlelight shone through the translucent white jade, faintly revealing the lustrous, snow-like balm inside.
Even before opening them, a faint, subtle fragrance could be detected. Though not overpowering, it was just enough to linger at the tip of one’s nose, lasting for a long time.
"This is..."
"You recognize it?" Zhao Junyao asked, a bit puzzled by her reaction.
Although he understood some Goryeon script, he had never paid much attention to items women used.
Xia Ruqing carefully turned over a box; sure enough, it bore writing similar to Korean script. Someone who understood Korean might know. Unfortunately, her education hadn’t been extensive, so she couldn’t understand it.
She unconsciously shook her head. "I don’t know!"