Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

As dawn broke, Li Dequan was already waiting under the eaves with his eunuchs.

Finally, a soft cough came from inside the hall; it was Emperor Kangxi's voice.

Li Dequan hurriedly bowed and replied from outside, "This servant, Li Dequan, will assist Your Majesty and Your Majesty in rising."

After waiting a while, the palace door was gently opened by Biyu.

Li Dequan, with his head bowed, led the palace maids and eunuchs in one after another. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Emperor helping the Empress out of the inner room.

The empress wore a bright red nightgown, her jet-black hair loosely tied up with a jade hairpin, which made her skin appear as white as jade.

She walked a little slower, her brows showing a hint of languor from just waking up. Kangxi's hand remained on her waist the whole time, and the tenderness in his eyes was almost overflowing.

"Is everything ready?" Kangxi's voice was slightly hoarse from just waking up, but still steady.

"Your Majesty, the ginseng soup is warm in the silver pot. Breakfast consists of rice porridge, jadeite shumai, and several refreshing side dishes, all prepared according to the Empress's taste."

Li Dequan bowed as he replied, not daring to glance around in the slightest.

With Kangxi's help, Liu Yunshu sat down in front of the dressing table. Biyu had already brought over a copper basin and gently wiped her cheeks with a warm handkerchief.

She gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes still flushed, and her fingertips felt slightly hot as she recalled the intimacy of the previous night.

"Your Majesty looks radiant," Biyu said softly with a smile as she combed her long hair.

"Yesterday, His Majesty specially ordered some of the finest peach blossom ointment, saying it would add fragrance to your hair. Shall I apply some for you now?"

Liu Yunshu nodded slightly, her gaze falling on Kangxi's reflection in the mirror.

He was sitting on a rosewood chair not far away, being helped to change his clothes by Li Dequan. The bright yellow auspicious robes he wore further accentuated his imperial majesty.

Perhaps sensing her gaze, he suddenly turned to look at her, a smile appearing in his eyes, like morning dew falling on a lake, rippling out gentle waves.

"What are you looking at?" he asked loudly, his voice tinged with amusement.

Liu Yunshu quickly lowered her eyes, a blush rising on her cheeks. "N-nothing."

Seeing her shy appearance, Kangxi chuckled and walked up to Liu Yunshu. He took the peach wood comb from Biyu's hand and clumsily combed her black hair.

"A cascade of fragrant hair falls to the ground, a jade hairpin falls silently." Emperor Kangxi looked up and met Liu Yunshu's gaze in the bronze mirror, and murmured in admiration, "Yunshu has such a beautiful head of hair."

Looking at his slightly awkward yet extremely earnest movements in the mirror, Liu Yunshu softly replied, "Your Majesty is too kind; it's just ordinary hair."

Kangxi stopped combing, his fingertips gently brushing against the jade hairpin in her hair, his tone serious: "In my eyes, everything about Yunshu is extraordinary."

After a moment of combing, Kangxi returned the peach wood comb to Biyu and stood quietly behind her, watching Biyu style Liu Yunshu's hair.

Jade: Help! The top leader is personally supervising my work! I'm so nervous! QAQ

Li Dequan coughed lightly outside, reminding everyone that breakfast was getting cold.

"Let's just do a quick updo first, breakfast is getting cold," Liu Yunshu whispered to Biyu.

Biyu quickly replied "Yes," her fingertips flying swiftly through her dark hair, not daring to delay for even a moment.

In a short while, an elegant cloud-like bun was formed, adorned only with a fine white jade peach blossom hairpin.

Then he dressed her in a light purple dress embroidered with magnolia branches, with delicate pearl buttons adorning the collar and cuffs.

Kangxi stepped forward and naturally took her hand. "Let's go, let's have breakfast first."

A warm breakfast was already laid out on the octagonal table, and ginseng soup in a silver pot was steaming with wisps of smoke.

The jade shumai wrappers are as thin as paper, and when you bite into them, you can see the tender shrimp and bamboo shoots inside.

Emperor Kangxi led Liu Yunshu to sit in the main seat, personally scooped a spoonful of rice porridge with a silver spoon, blew on it to cool it down before bringing it to her lips: "Drink some porridge first to warm your stomach."

Liu Yunshu obediently swallowed the porridge, which contained some lotus seeds and longan, making it just the right amount of sweet and sticky.

He watched her eat with relish, then picked up his chopsticks, his gaze never leaving her face.

The birdsong outside the window was crisp and melodious, and the breakfast inside the hall, in such tranquility, took on a touch of the warmth of an ordinary family.

After breakfast, Liu Yunshu went into the inner room to change her clothes, while Kangxi sat on a rosewood chair in the outer room, reviewing the memorials that had just been delivered.

His fingertips traced the words on the memorial, but his gaze would occasionally drift toward the inner room, and a hint of unconscious gentleness always lingered on his lips.

Inside the room, Biyu was helping Liu Yunshu change into a bright yellow auspicious robe, embroidered with nine dragons and twelve symbols.

Today, she wore her hair in two buns, with a phoenix hairpin adorned with red gold and kingfisher feathers at her temples. As she moved, the pearls on the tassels swayed gently, making a soft, tinkling sound.

She carefully tied the jade belt for Liu Yunshu, then wrapped the string of amber court beads around her neck, and said softly, "Your Majesty, wearing this, truly has the bearing of an empress."

A smile played on Liu Yunshu's lips as she slowly slipped the nail guards onto her slender fingertips. The luster of the red gold inlaid with rubies was reflected in the mirror, mirroring the composure in her eyes.

Liu Yunshu pushed open the door and stepped out, her bright yellow auspicious robes gleaming in the morning light.

When Kangxi saw her come out, he put down the memorial in his hand, his gaze lingered on her for a moment, and he couldn't hide his amazement: "She really is my empress, she looks good in anything."

Liu Yunshu walked up to him and smoothed the wrinkles in his clothes: "Why hasn't Your Majesty gone to court this morning?"

Kangxi held her hand as she straightened her clothes, his fingertips tracing the nail guards on her knuckles.

"Today is the day you meet the Empress Dowager and the concubines in the harem. I was worried about you, so I took half a day off to accompany you."

A hint of a smile flashed in Liu Yunshu's eyes as she gently placed her fingertips on the back of his hand. "With the Empress Dowager here, is Sanlang still not at ease?"

When Kangxi heard the words "Sanlang," his fingertips paused slightly, and the tenderness in his eyes deepened.

"I know the Empress Dowager has always doted on you," he said, his voice softening, with a hint of protectiveness.

"But with me by your side, they wouldn't dare to harbor any improper thoughts when you first take the Phoenix Seal."

Seeing that Liu Yunshu still wanted to say something, Kangxi affectionately tapped her nose and said, "You don't understand. They always have hidden meanings in their words and are very deep in their thoughts."

Hearing this, Liu Yunshu gave him a reproachful look, then turned slightly to the side, saying, "Who told Sanlang to be so lucky, to have three thousand beauties by his side?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi choked for a moment, then chuckled softly.

He reached out and pulled her back into his arms, his fingertips gently stroking her reddened earlobe.

"My dear Empress, the smell of jealousy is almost wafting out of the palace."

He lowered his head, his nose touching the top of her head, his voice filled with a helpless yet indulgent laugh, "What beauty could compare to you among three thousand?"

Liu Yunshu was held in his arms, the faint scent of ambergris lingering around her nose, and the heat on the tips of her ears lingered.

She gently pushed his chest, her voice soft and coquettish: "Sanlang, are you speaking from the heart? Don't forget what you said today later."

"When have I ever lied to you?" Kangxi held her shoulders, making her look directly into his eyes, his seriousness undisguised.

"From the day of the investiture ceremony, I said that the throne of the Empress would belong to you alone in this life. If I utter even the slightest falsehood, then I shall be condemned..."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Liu Yunshu quickly reached out and covered his mouth, her brows furrowing slightly. "The Emperor is the Son of Heaven, how can he say such ominous things?"

Seeing her nervous expression, Kangxi's smile deepened.

He gently licked the soft flesh of her palm, causing Liu Yunshu to abruptly pull her hand back, her ear tips turning so red they almost bled.

He took her wrist and pulled her closer to him, his voice low and tender: "Alright, listen to the Empress, and don't say anything unlucky. But you should understand my heart."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Cining Palace.

The Imperial Concubine, along with the four other concubines, waited early in front of the palace. Each of them was dressed in splendid clothes and adorned with pearls and jade in their hair, but they all held their breath and no one dared to speak first.

The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the table, gazing expectantly towards the door, repeatedly asking the nanny beside her, "Why hasn't Yunshu arrived yet?"

Granny Li quickly stepped forward and gently comforted her, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. The Empress and the Emperor's carriage should be arriving soon. Yesterday's grand ceremony was tiring, so perhaps the journey was a bit slow. Please take good care of Her Majesty's health."

No sooner had the words been spoken than a eunuch's shrill voice announced from outside the hall: "His Majesty has arrived—Her Majesty the Empress has arrived—"

The Empress Dowager's eyes lit up, and she quickly helped Li Mama to her feet, her expectant expression instantly turning into a genuine smile.

Everyone was startled; the Emperor had actually come along!

The concubines quickly straightened their robes, bowed in unison, and said in unison, "Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome the Emperor and Your Majesty the Empress."

Emperor Kangxi led Liu Yunshu into the hall, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"Get up, everyone."

Finally, he looked at the Empress Dowager, bowed, and said, "Your son greets Your Majesty."

Liu Yunshu also bowed, saying, "Your daughter-in-law greets Your Majesty the Empress."

The Empress Dowager hurried forward, grabbed Liu Yunshu's hand, and pulled her closer.

He looked her up and down, his tone full of concern: "Get up, get up. You were up all day yesterday, and you got up early today. Are you tired?"

As she spoke, she reached out and touched the back of her hand. "Why are your hands still so cold? Granny Li, quickly bring the gilded hand warmer."

Liu Yunshu smiled and shook her head, then leaned into the Empress Dowager's arm, her voice soft.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. With His Majesty's care throughout the journey, I haven't been tired. It's just that my hands got a little cold from the wind when I got off the imperial carriage."

These words flattered the Empress Dowager and also praised Kangxi's thoughtfulness. The Empress Dowager beamed with joy, but then turned and glared at Kangxi.

"And you, knowing Yun Shu's frail health, why didn't you prepare more cloaks?"

Kangxi chuckled and replied, "It was my oversight. I'll have someone send that white fox fur cloak to Kunning Palace. From now on, I'll make sure she's warm enough when she goes out."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the concubines below changed several times.

Consort Tong tightened her grip on the handkerchief. Her former sister-in-law was quite the smooth talker! She was completely different from her former self!

She was seething inside, but dared not show it on her face.

Consort Yi, being quick-tempered, couldn't help but speak up after seeing how considerate Emperor Kangxi was to Liu Yunshu and hearing the Empress Dowager's words of protection: "Your Majesty the Empress is so blessed, with the Emperor's affection and the Empress Dowager's protection. We concubines are truly envious."

Liu Yunshu paused slightly with her fingers holding the heater, and when she looked up, the softness in her eyes was gone, replaced by a dignified and composed demeanor.

She didn't respond directly, but instead turned to Consort Yi, her tone gentle yet weighty: "Consort Yi, you flatter me. It is a blessing for all the sisters in the harem to be able to serve the Emperor."

As she spoke, she glanced at Kangxi subtly. Kangxi chuckled and shook his head slightly. This girl…

Liu Yunshu raised her chin slightly at him, then looked at Consort Yi.

"Besides, with the Empress Dowager in charge of the harem, we sisters can each perform our duties and live in harmony. This is the true blessing of the harem."