Your Majesty, please do not disturb, the empress only wants to engage in business

into the night.

After having dinner, Yao Jinse went to bed early.

The Emperor did not go to the inner palace today, nor did he summon any eunuchs to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to accompany him. He must be busy reviewing memorials in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Princess Dongyang had fallen asleep half an hour ago to the lullaby sung by her wet nurse. Yao Jinse lay on the bed, gazing absently at the curtains above her head.

The bedding beneath me was soft and warm, and even the surface of the quilt was made of smooth silk, which felt like flowing water to the touch, with an excellent feel.

Although it is already spring and the temperature is slowly rising, the charcoal brazier is still kept inside the house.

Since the temperature was fine tonight, Yao Jinse didn't order anyone to keep the charcoal fire burning.

After all, burning charcoal is still somewhat dangerous. Even in winter, Yao Jinse would use as little as possible, let alone now that it's spring night and not so cold anymore.

The eunuchs on night duty in Yuxiu Palace were already standing guard in the corridor. Following the precedent set by Yao Jinse, Bai Tan took a windproof leather coat and a thick cotton quilt and placed them in the corridor.

According to the rules, eunuchs were not allowed to use such fine materials as leather, even if they received it as a reward from their masters. Ultimately, they had to abide by the hierarchical rules of the palace, so they could only take it at night and bring it back during the day.

If you could meet a kind master like Yao Jinse, you could get an extra one, and at least have a change of clothes so they wouldn't get too dirty.

Yao Jinse naturally did not consider herself a saint, nor did she have the great wish to overthrow the feudal imperial system and realize equality for all. She had nothing at the moment, and even her "power" was bestowed upon her by others.

Therefore, she can only make a better living for the people around her by taking advantage of the favorable conditions within her own little world.

Another rule she stipulated was that more attention should be paid to hygiene in Yuxiu Palace. Although she used the excuse that the little princess was young and prone to illness, in this era, it was always better to pay more attention.

In an era where a simple cold can be fatal, how easy is it for someone who is practically powerless to protect themselves?
"My lady, when do you plan to go to bed? If you have no other instructions, I will let Bai Tao and the others go back to rest."

Bai Tan is on duty serving Yao Jinse tonight, but the other palace maids also have their own tasks to do, and it's far from time for them to rest. It's just that Yao Jinse went to bed earlier than usual tonight, hence this question.

"There's nothing else. Let them go back first. It's rare that there's nothing much going on, so let everyone get some rest. Come back after you've given your instructions, and you can talk to me for a bit."

Bai Tan nodded and went out. There was a lot of footsteps outside, and soon Bai Tan returned, extinguishing the candles in the outer room one by one, leaving only one candle with a faint light.

When Yao Jinse slept at night, she usually didn't need anyone to serve her. When the palace maids were on duty, they would sit by the bedside of the young mistress or the empress and doze off.

Yao Jinse doesn't like others sitting next to her when she sleeps, so she always instructs people to sleep on the warm couch outside. However, this is always inconvenient if there is any emergency. So these past few days, Yao Jinse has come up with a new idea.

That is, the small chair that is now lying under Bai Tan.

Bai Tan had just turned off the light when he dragged the chair from the corner to Yao Jinse's bedside. The chair's back was slightly tilted back, just enough to sit on the edge of the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed), not too far from Yao Jinse's bed, so that Yao Jinse wouldn't feel too close or uncomfortable.

The chair has a support footrest underneath. Using the memories in her mind, Yao Jinse instructed the craftsmen to make an adjustable board. It can be lowered down during the day to serve as a proper chair, and at night one can lie on it to sleep.

Although it wasn't very comfortable, it was much better than sitting on the ground. Moreover, Yao Jinse slept relatively soundly at night and didn't need much servants. She didn't want the palace maids who walked around with her during the day to be listless.

The master and servant chatted idly, creating a peaceful and idyllic atmosphere. However, after just over fifteen minutes, Yao Jinse began to feel drowsy, and when her eyelids started to droop, she gave in to her body's will and fell asleep.

Bai Tan watched as Yao Jinse fell asleep, then got up from the chair, extinguished the candles around her until only two remained, and sat back down in the dim candlelight, covering herself with a blanket.

She was lying on a thick mattress, and there was even a soft cushion under her neck. Although she was sleeping fully clothed, the blanket on her body was specially chosen by Yao Jinse.

She had never experienced such benefits before.

My mistress is indeed a good person. Although she is kind to others in the harem with many self-interests, those around her receive real benefits.

When she was little, she never dared to dream of living such a life. Bai Tan still vaguely remembers the days when she was a child, when she was hungry and cold, and had to sleep curled up with her body on a stone as a pillow.

This world is a cannibalistic world.

Poor families sell their children not only to get food to survive, but also because they hope their children can have a slightly better life.

The lives of ordinary people who freeze to death on the roadside in winter are far worse than those of servants in wealthy families. At least in the freezing cold, being a servant is still a way to survive.

No one is born wanting to be someone's slave; those who choose this path do so simply to survive.

It is a blessing to have a good master.

Bai Tan closed her eyes, and her breathing gradually became even.

She has always been a light sleeper, but over the years she has long since developed the ability to fall asleep in any environment. The weather is nice tonight, and the room is not too cold.

May you have a good dream.

……

Consort Rong in Chengqian Palace also went to bed early today.

Although the Emperor did not come, he did send a message through a eunuch and bestowed two dishes upon her. Consort Rong was in a good mood and ate more that evening. She also drank a bowl of extremely bitter medicine to regulate her body and then went to bed early.

Just as the female doctor had said, after taking these medicines, she gradually felt her body returning to the state it was when she was practicing martial arts.

Having sufficient Qi and blood is naturally a very good thing.

So recently, although Consort Rong has been frequently pestering Xie Yun'an, acting coquettishly and pretending to be weak, her purpose has never changed.

She still wants a child.

Now it seems that the dream we had back then is about to come true. (End of Chapter)