"Lan Ruoyu!" Feng Moran strode forward, only to watch the Empress smash his蛊虫 (gu worm) to death.
The Empress threw away the pillow in her hand. Seeing Feng Moran kneeling on the ground, looking at the dead worm with fury, she quickly composed herself. "It's not a valuable item. I'll have someone find another one for you."
"Get out!"
The Empress scrambled to her feet. "Feng Moran, mind your tone!"
"Get out!" Feng Moran grabbed the Empress by the arm and dragged her out of Tantai Palace.
At this time, with people coming and going in the palace, everyone saw the master of Tantai Palace drive the majestic Empress out of her sleeping quarters. The servants waiting outside were all overjoyed and hurried back to report to their masters.
The Empress had always disliked disobedient men in her harem. But this Feng Moran not only disobeyed but also dared to drive her out of her sleeping quarters. He must have fallen out of favor!
"Quick, quickly inform the young master to wash and dress. Now is the time for the young master to show his skills. If he can keep Her Majesty in his room, the young master can return to how he was before."
The Empress, locked outside the door, trembled with anger but was helpless. She could kill people without blinking, but she couldn't be ruthless towards Feng Moran!
The Empress eventually went to Ye Fei's sleeping quarters. For others, this was a signal that the new master of Tantai Palace was about to fall out of favor.
Ye Fei, dressed in plain clothes, with his long hair tied back with a simple wooden hairpin, neither asked for the reason nor discussed state affairs. He simply invited the Empress to taste tea and listen to music.
The Empress, having been driven out of her sleeping quarters by Feng Moran, felt extremely aggrieved. Seeing Ye Fei's considerate and gentle demeanor, which was as comforting as a blooming flower, she couldn't help but sigh.
Ye Fei poured a cup of tea for the Empress. "This tea is called 'Jieyou' (Solace for Worries). Your Majesty will surely find your heart's troubles eased after drinking it."
"Oh?" The Empress picked up the tea and sniffed. The faint aroma of tea lingered in her nostrils, helping to calm her agitated heart. "Do you know what is troubling me?"
"Whatever Your Majesty is troubled by, when you come to this servant, you should cast it aside. Simply enjoy the tea, listen to the music, and relax your mood," Ye Fei said, sitting down at the zither. His fingers plucked the strings, producing a soft and melodious tune that, combined with the fragrant tea, made one want to close their eyes and immerse themselves in the music.
As Ye Fei played, the Empress leaned against a soft cushion and fell asleep. Her breathing was light. By rights, Ye Fei should have stopped when the Empress fell asleep, but he didn't. He only softened his voice and continued playing.
The Empress slept soundly. She only slowly woke up when darkness had fallen, and Ye Fei was still playing the zither.
"What time is it?"
"It is already Hai Shi (9-11 PM). Does Your Majesty wish to have dinner?" Ye Fei's voice was very gentle. The Empress sat up and looked at Ye Fei. In the candlelight, Ye Fei's fingers were stained with blood, and the strings had been reddened by the blood, yet he had not stopped playing.
"Stop!" The Empress quickly got up and took Ye Fei's hand. His fingers were blistered and torn, with blood seeping out, staining his fingers and the zither on the table.
"How long have you been playing?"
"As long as Your Majesty slept, this servant played."
"Why didn't you stop after I fell asleep?"
"This servant saw Your Majesty was weary and deep in thought, likely from recent arduous state affairs. It was rare that Your Majesty could sleep peacefully to the sound of this servant's music. How could this servant disturb Your Majesty's sweet dream for fear of a little hardship."
"How can you be so foolish!" The Empress scolded while sending for a physician, even personally bandaging Ye Fei's wounds.
"Your Majesty, this servant can do it myself. Please do not soil Your Majesty's hands." Ye Fei refused.
"Take your hand out. This is my command."
Ye Fei had no choice but to extend his hand for the Empress to bandage. However, the Empress, having been raised in pampered luxury, knew nothing about bandaging wounds. She wrapped Ye Fei's hands so tightly that they looked like two pig trotters.
Ye Fei looked at his heavily wrapped hands with a hint of helplessness. "Your Majesty, if bandaged like this, this servant cannot accompany Your Majesty for dinner."
The Empress ordered dinner to be served. "Who said you cannot accompany me for dinner? You have injured your hands, so I will feed you."
Ye Fei looked at the Empress's well-maintained face, his eyes filled with emotion. He had lived at the very bottom, bullied and humiliated by everyone. It was the Empress who had elevated him, allowing him to live a life he had never dared to dream of.
"To be fed personally by Your Majesty, this servant would have no regrets even if I died."
"What nonsense about dying. Do not speak such ominous words." The Empress said with a smile. "I know I have neglected you recently. Are you blaming me?"
"This servant does not blame you." Ye Fei said obediently. "This servant knows Your Majesty will not abandon me. This servant will continue to guard this palace, waiting for Your Majesty's return, and then personally cook a home-cooked meal for Your Majesty, brew a pot of clear tea after the meal, or play a tune, or play a game of chess. Your Majesty need not think of this servant. As long as Your Majesty feels troubled, just come here to sit for a while, drink a bowl of my 'Jieyou' tea, and listen to my 'Wangyou' (Forget Worries) melody."
The Empress felt deeply moved. She was willing to do anything for Feng Moran, while Ye Fei was willing to wait idly in the harem for her. The two of them were very similar yet different. She was more aggressive than Ye Fei; she would scheme and strive for whatever she desired. Ye Fei, on the other hand, would just wait foolishly.
"You should blame me." The Empress reached out, wiped a grain of rice from Ye Fei's lips, and said softly, "The child who cries gets candy."
Ye Fei smiled. "This servant does not wish to trouble Your Majesty. Your Majesty is already tired from managing state affairs every day. How can this servant not understand Your Majesty's hardships and add to Your Majesty's troubles?"
"You, you are just too sensible." The Empress sighed. "If you blamed me, I could be more justified. But you are so sensible that I feel like a scoundrel."
Ye Fei's eyes were full of smiles. He tugged at the Empress's sleeve with his injured hand. "Your Majesty, will you stay tonight and let this servant serve you?"
The Empress looked at Ye Fei's injured fingers. Just as she was about to refuse, she suddenly remembered Feng Moran's angry words and swallowed what she was about to say.
"Your hands are injured, you don't need to serve me. However, I will stay here tonight."
Ye Fei's smile became even brighter, as if starlight bloomed in his eyes. He leaned in and pecked the Empress on the lips. "Thank you for Your Majesty's consideration. But my fingers are only injured; it does not affect my ability to serve Your Majesty."
The Empress entered Ye Fei's palace and did not emerge until the next morning. The atmosphere in the palace seemed to have changed overnight. The once deserted Yaoyue Palace began to buzz with activity again.
However, Ye Fei's state of mind had become much more peaceful. He had long understood that the Empress felt differently towards the young man in Tantai Palace. If it weren't for that young man driving the Empress out of Tantai Palace yesterday, she wouldn't have stayed in his room. But it was good that the Empress had thought of him.