The Changchun Palace team travels back in time to Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

That night, after hearing Yingluo recount how Wang Qin had flirted with her and given her a bracelet, Rongyin recalled his previous over-the-top messages and realized that he had actually developed feelings for Yingluo!

Even though she had a mild temper, she was furious and immediately wanted to go to the emperor to complain.

Yingluo advised, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I think this Emperor is not one to distinguish right from wrong, and he would punish his trusted eunuch for the sake of a palace maid. Why not find out this old bastard's weaknesses first, and then bring him down in one fell swoop?"

Rongyin thought about it and agreed: "Alright, then let's find out as soon as possible. Fortunately, the Emperor doesn't come often, so we'll avoid him these next few days and reduce our contact with Wang Qin. Yingluo, you must not take any risks. If there's anything I can do for the Emperor, be sure to tell me!"

For the next period of time, the Emperor summoned Consort Gao and Consort Jia. He also saw a peacock painting by Consort Wan at Consort Gao's residence. Although he found her quiet and uninteresting, he was impressed by the exquisite brushstrokes and lifelike depiction of the peacock, demonstrating her skill. He then appointed her to serve as his personal attendant. Sometimes, he would also visit Consort Chun's Zhongcui Palace to chat about childcare and hold the one-year-old Third Prince, Yongzhang.

Only Yanxi Palace remained deserted day after day.

A'Ruo complained to Ruyi, who was painting, "You're angry with the Emperor, but he's been going to Consort Gui's place today and Consort Jia's place tomorrow. Even Consort Wan, who is the least favored, is serving you with brushes and ink in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. What are you still painting here for? Are you really not in a hurry?"

As Ruyi painted, she said casually, "He is the emperor and I am a concubine. What can I do?"

Aruo was furious: "Now you know he's the Emperor? When you were telling him about 'one life, one love, one partner,' and 'a woman can ask for it,' why didn't you think about the fact that he's the Emperor? Now the Emperor is saying that the six palaces should learn from the Empress's frugality and cherish blessings, but that's the Emperor subtly scolding you for not appreciating your blessing as Consort Xian! You're just here painting and painting, even if you bring people to life, it's useless!"

She dared not say these words, for even if she did, Ruyi would not listen, so she could only sulk. However, Su Xin smiled and said, "Sister A'Ruo, Your Highness would never develop feelings for the Emperor."

Ruyi put down her paintbrush: "Suxin, come on, A'ruo, clean this place up."

As Ruyi walked into the Imperial Garden, the Emperor happened to walk in.

Although the Emperor was annoyed with Ruyi, he had promoted Zhaohui in the past few days, and the thought of having another confidant made him feel better. He also remembered his childhood friendship with her, and his heart softened. When he saw Ruyi, he stepped forward and took her hand, saying, "Are you still having any wild thoughts? Even if I spoke a little harshly, if you have, correct it; if not, take it as encouragement. Is that alright?"

Ruyi lowered her eyes: "It is my fault. I was wrong to speak frankly and forget that you are the Emperor, the Son of Heaven who cannot be offended."

The Emperor said helplessly, "You have such a stubborn temper." Then he took out a roll of paper and said, "Look what I brought for you."

Ruyi said, "If Your Majesty has anything to reward me with, I will be grateful."

The Emperor said solemnly, “This painting, done stroke by stroke, is not a reward, but a token of my sincerity.”

Ruyi then smiled and said, "Then Your Majesty, why don't you look at my painting first?" She opened the scroll, revealing a portrait of the Emperor. The Emperor smiled knowingly and opened his own scroll, which turned out to be a portrait of Ruyi.

Ruyi took the scroll and said, "Why is my posture so upright?"

The Emperor said, "This is how you looked in Jiangxue Pavilion on the day of the imperial concubine selection."

The Emperor had intended to reminisce about the time when Qingying received the Ruyi scepter in Jiangxue Pavilion, but suddenly realized that the person before him was no longer Qingying, but Ruyi, whose name had been changed by the Empress Dowager. His interest was immediately dampened. He then recalled that he had handed the Ruyi scepter to the Empress that day, but Qingying's appearance had caused the Ruyi scepter to be taken away, almost losing a virtuous and talented Empress and the support of the Fucha family behind her. He was even more shocked and could not bring himself to say anything about the past.

Ruyi continued with great interest, "But the Emperor I painted was the one I went to see on the city wall on the day I received the decree from the concubine. I saw the Emperor looking so handsome and dashing. Alas, one is upright, the other carefree. How can they be a good match?"

The emperor, regaining his senses, said somewhat displeasedly, "You're not worthy. I can be painted with the empress, but not with you. So I painted your portrait to appease you, and you say you're not worthy."

The emperor lost interest when he thought about how Ruyi could freely enter and leave the Ruyi Pavilion and talk at length with Lang Shining about Western countries, only to misunderstand and almost fall off the ladder.

Ruyi said, "They are a perfect couple, but their expressions and postures are so different. How can they be included in a painting together?"

The emperor said, "Ah, then forget it. Let's all put our paintings away." To cover up his embarrassment, even though it was almost winter, the emperor still took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead, saying, "Ah, it's so hot today."

When Ruyi saw the pattern of green cherry blossoms and red lychee flowers on the handkerchief, she realized it was the very handkerchief she had embroidered for the emperor during her mourning period. She couldn't help but feel proud: "You've been using it all this time."

The emperor didn't react for a moment, and only after taking off the handkerchief did he realize, "Yes."

Ruyi then said, "When I embroidered this handkerchief, I was still observing mourning in Miaoyun Pavilion. At that time, I was called Qingying. I thought I would never see Hongli again."

This reminded her of the Empress Dowager's domineering attitude towards the Emperor: Why is it that when I think of you, my heart softens, but when I'm actually with you, you always bring back bad memories? How am I supposed to talk to you today? Immediately, she turned cold and said, "Consort Xian, be careful with your address."

Seeing that they had become somewhat estranged, Ruyi couldn't help but feel sad: "Your Majesty, please consider that the day I talked back to you as the last time."

The emperor, no longer wanting to dwell on the matter, said, "I also hope that you will be more careful with your words and actions in the future." With that, he turned and left, leaving Li Yu with no choice but to follow, leaving Ruyi and Suxin behind.

After returning and thinking it over, the emperor realized that Ruyi might not remember just by talking, so he inscribed another plaque with the words "Carefully Praise the Virtuous Voice," ordered it to be framed, and hung in Yanxi Palace on a chosen day.

Qin Li immediately tried to send the information to Changchun Palace.

Rongyin commented, "'If Da Si inherits the virtuous sound, then a hundred sons will follow.' The Emperor hopes that Consort Xian will act prudently, taking Tai Si, the wife of King Wen, as an example, so as to maintain a good reputation. It seems that the Emperor still has some expectations for Consort Xian."

Yingluo was too embarrassed to say it out loud, but she thought to herself: I think that in addition to hoping that Consort Xian would be cautious, the Emperor mainly wanted to compare himself to King Wen of Zhou, which is why he wrote this plaque. After all, it is really hard to imagine that he could have any expectations for a disloyal and unfilial person who concealed the cause of his aunt's death and forced him to make concessions to the Empress Dowager!