Xiao Anqi widened her eyes, staring at Xie Qianyun.

She couldn’t believe Xie Qianyun would actually say such a thing?

Who in the world wouldn’t want to win the emperor’s favor, especially his women, and yet she was willing to give it up?!

"I promise to pick someone who will satisfy the Princess, how about that?" Xie Qianyun said expectantly.

"I will only teach the Empress." Xiao Anqi refused flatly, "The other concubines are not worth my effort."

The meaning was clear.

The status of the other concubines didn’t warrant her personal instruction.

Xie Qianyun was displeased.

She had initially thought Xiao Anqi had an extremely good nature, gentle as water, so why was she so unreasonable at times.

"Does it mean you can’t refuse?"

"I ask Your Majesty to accept my gesture and understand my difficult intentions." Xiao Anqi was resolute.

Xie Qianyun sighed.

At the time, being forced into the palace by her parents, she had accepted a life of fate.

"Then I entrust it to you, Princess." Xie Qianyun agreed.

Xiao Anqi smiled with satisfaction.

Then she said, "No time like the present, let’s start giving you lessons, Your Majesty."

"Alright."

It doesn’t matter if it’s sooner or later, it is what it is.

Especially since becoming the Empress, so many people have come to teach her.

She’s managed to handle it so far.

Her plan was to learn enough to send people away.

"Let’s start with the Empress’s posture and etiquette," Xiao Anqi said.

More posture and etiquette.

How much do the people in this Imperial Palace love these elaborate rituals?

Xie Qianyun began learning with Xiao Anqi.

Every smile and frown.

Every word and action.

Every movement.

She imitated everything she could about Xiao Anqi.

Xie Qianyun couldn’t quite understand.

What they called teaching seemed to be just turning herself into another Xiao Anqi.

...

Qiankun Hall.

Xiao Luming appeared to be distracted while reviewing the memorials.

This naturally did not escape the eunuch’s notice.

As soon as he heard Princess Anqi had gone to Jingxiu Palace, the Emperor seemed absent-minded.

After all these years, does the Emperor still have feelings for Princess Anqi?!

The eunuch dared not say much.

He just dutifully served beside the Emperor.

"To Jingxiu Palace."

Finally, Xiao Luming put down the memorials and commanded.

The eunuch hurriedly followed.

Inside Jingxiu Palace.

Xiao Anqi was teaching Xie Qianyun the art of tea ceremony.

She said, "The Emperor often stays up late managing affairs and has developed a habit of drinking tea. If you learn, you can personally serve tea to the Emperor."

Xie Qianyun nodded.

Thinking she didn’t even like tea.

And yet she still had to serve others.

What grudge did her parents hold that they sent her here to suffer?

Though dissatisfied, Xie Qianyun still learned earnestly.

After all, without learning well, she cannot "send" people away.

Xiao Anqi discovered that, despite only teaching for the morning, Xie Qianyun almost always learned immediately whatever was taught, with a single explanation.

This left Xiao Anqi with an indescribable feeling.

But ultimately, she wished for Xie Qianyun to truly earn Luming’s favor, which could ease a lot of her guilt toward him.

"Pour the tea," Xiao Anqi instructed Xie Qianyun.

Xie Qianyun was quick to learn, but she also got irritated easily.

Doing things she disliked for long made her impatient.

She had poured tea more than a dozen times already.

If she poured another, she’d been sick of it.

Bearing with the irritability gnawing at her insides like ants, she rose to pour tea for Xiao Anqi.

Ultimately, her inner reluctance led to carelessness.

In an instant, she overfilled the teacup, spilling its contents.

The scalding liquid overflowed the rim.

Xiao Anqi’s hand was just beside the cup, ending up getting burned.

"Ah!"

Xiao Anqi couldn’t help but let out a soft cry.

Xie Qianyun was startled as well, quickly setting down the cup to examine Xiao Anqi’s fingers.

Simultaneously, a figure rushed past her, grabbing Xiao Anqi’s hand, "What happened?! Where did it burn?!"

Xiao Anqi’s fingers were reddened from the scald.

But it was just a light touch.

She wasn’t seriously injured.

However, Xiao Luming’s anxious expression made Xie Qianyun think she had burned Xiao Anqi’s fingers clean off.

Seeing Xiao Luming’s worry, Xie Qianyun was no longer agitated, sitting back on the soft recliner, watching Xiao Luming take care of Xiao Anqi.

Xiao Luming hurriedly summoned the Imperial Physician.

He immediately ordered cold water to be brought for Xiao Anqi to ice her fingers.

By the time the Imperial Physician arrived, Xiao Anqi’s fingers were only a little red.