The main hall.

The Palace Attendant served tea to Xie Qianyun and Xiao Luming.

Both knelt on the ground, appearing very respectful, "Father, Mother, please have some tea."

This daughter-in-law’s tea was, of course, enjoyed by Xiao Jinxing and An Ning.

When Xiao Jinxing was young, he didn’t have many close friends, only two—Wu Xufan and Song Yanqing.

Previously, he had been longing for a familial alliance, hoping Wu Xufan’s son would marry Youyou, but his wish didn’t come true. Now with Song Yanqing’s daughter marrying Luming, it could be said a wish of his had been fulfilled.

They offered the tea.

Xiao Jinxing and An Ning respectively bestowed rewards upon Xie Qianyun, then stayed for a chat, expressing concern over whether Qianyun had adapted to the Imperial Palace, etc., before leaving Fengqi Palace around noon.

The two walked within the Imperial Palace.

Xiao Luming said, "I must go review the memorials, but the Empress may walk around the harem, take a look around, and instruct the Palace Attendant if you need anything."

"Oh." Xie Qianyun responded.

Suddenly she felt something was amiss.

She hastily gave a bow, "I, your servant, thank Your Majesty for the great favor."

Xiao Luming looked at Xie Qianyun’s deliberately coy demeanor and said nothing more before turning to leave.

"I, your servant, respectfully see His Majesty off." Xie Qianyun bowed again.

Only after Xiao Luming walked away.

Xie Qianyun straightened her body.

She even patted her leg, as it had gone soft from kneeling.

Bowing and saluting in the Imperial Palace was more exhausting than wielding a spear and sword at the border.

Xie Qianyun took a deep breath, looking eagerly at her personal maid Qiu Yin, "Is there anything fun in the Imperial Palace?"

"Fun?" Qiu Yin was bewildered by the Empress’s question.

In the Imperial Palace, when was there ever anything fun?!"

She thought for a moment, "I once heard that Princess Anqi and Princess Youyou often caught butterflies by the lake when they were in the palace."

Xie Qianyun frowned.

What’s fun about catching butterflies?!

Uninteresting.

Seeing Xie Qianyun’s suddenly changed expression, Qiu Yin was so frightened that she quickly knelt on the ground, sobbing as she said, "Your Majesty, spare me, it was my servant’s careless words, please punish me, please punish..."

Xie Qianyun widened her eyes.

She was also bewildered by Qiu Yin’s reaction.

She hadn’t said anything; what was Qiu Yin so scared of?!

"Why, no, why should I punish you?" Xie Qianyun asked, puzzled.

Qiu Yin was still kneeling, trembling with fear.

She looked tearfully at Xie Qianyun, "Your servant misspoke."

"Misspoke about what?" Xie Qianyun grew more curious.

"Your servant shouldn’t have mentioned Princess Anqi..." Before finishing her words, Qiu Yin quickly started kowtowing.

It was at that moment Xie Qianyun realized that Qiu Yin thought she had a taboo against Anqi.

After all, the fact that the Emperor liked Anqi but couldn’t get her was well known.

What’s the big deal about that?!

The Emperor is also human; does it mean he’s not entitled to feelings?!

On reflection, Xiao Luming’s character indeed seemed unsuitable for romance.

"Get up." Xie Qianyun said calmly, "Here with me, there’s no taboo in this regard, no need to be so scared."

Qiu Yin looked at the Empress.

"I’m just thinking about how to have fun without getting bored?!" Xie Qianyun murmured.

Qiu Yin got up, still trembling.

"How many concubines are there in the palace?" Xie Qianyun suddenly wanted to ask.

Asking the servant definitely wouldn’t reveal how to have fun.

The servant only knows how to serve the master and wouldn’t dare think of having fun.

Just a slight change of my expression almost scared Qiu Yin to death.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, currently there are 8 concubines officially conferred by the Emperor." Qiu Yin answered.

"Let’s go, take me to meet them." Xie Qianyun said excitedly.

These people arrived at the Imperial Palace before her, they surely know how to have fun!

"Your Majesty, you mustn’t." Qiu Yin hurriedly called after Xie Qianyun.

"Why not?" Xie Qianyun was baffled.

"You are the Empress, the Master of the Harem. It’s not proper for you to personally visit other concubines in the harem. If you want to see the other concubines, you can have Xiaoliuzi summon them to pay their respects to you." Qiu Yin explained, "According to custom, the concubines of the harem should come to pay your respects today, but since His Majesty said you were tired yesterday, he didn’t let the concubines disturb you."

"Who told him to make decisions on his own." Xie Qianyun was displeased, "Quickly have all the concubines come to see me."

"Yes, your servant will have Xiaoliuzi do so immediately."

Qiu Yin summoned the young eunuch and accompanied Xie Qianyun back to her palace, Jingxiu Palace.

Before long.

All the concubines appeared in Jingxiu Palace, coming forward one by one to pay their respects to Xie Qianyun in order of rank.