The Emperor, with more men than women, made me his mistress.

He glanced at Feng Qing, who was waiting to the side, and said, "From now on, you will be on duty in the Zichen Palace and will be responsible for serving your master."

Of course, he only serves Yue Li when she comes; when Yue Li doesn't come, he has nothing to do.

However, the Emperor had another purpose in keeping him in the Zichen Palace: he wanted to learn his hair-combing skills so that he could personally style Yue Li's hair into a beautiful bun when she came next time.

Feng Qing had no idea what the Emperor was thinking. He only knew that he could stay in Zichen Palace to serve from now on. Of course, he was very happy to know that, after all, he learned his hair-combing skills from their master. If the Emperor was willing, he could ask their master to teach him. In that case, wouldn't he still have to go back?

So he knelt down happily and kowtowed three times to the Emperor and Yue Li, saying excitedly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Highness."

"Yes, get up."

After assigning someone to serve Yue Li, the Emperor looked at her and smiled, "It's almost noon, Li'er must be hungry, right? Let's have our meal in the side hall first."

However, Yue Li hesitated at this moment. She asked in a questioning tone, "Should I go to the Empress Dowager's palace to pay my respects first? Although it is already noon, I still need to go."

When she arrived yesterday, she was taken directly into the Zichen Palace without even seeing the Empress Dowager.

She can't just come to the palace and stay in the Zichen Palace, ignoring the Empress Dowager who lives there with her!

“What Li’er says is true, but I already sent someone to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager this morning. The Empress Dowager doesn’t mind these things. Besides, it’s already so late. Li’er hasn’t had breakfast yet. There’s no rush to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager. Let’s have lunch first.” The Emperor explained to Yue Li as he led her toward the side hall.

After listening to the Emperor's explanation, Yue Li thought about it and felt that it made sense.

Moreover, even if she went now, she would probably run into the Empress Dowager having lunch.

At this moment, the group had arrived at the side hall. Looking at the fragrant food laid out on the table, Yue Li suddenly felt even hungrier.

So she readily agreed, "Let's have our meal first."

Of all things, food is the most important. Let's fill her stomach first.

Seeing that Fuquan was about to come up and serve her food, Yue Li immediately stopped him, saying, "No need, no need, I can do it myself."

When the emperor and his entourage served her food, she could even see this as a form of playful affection.

But if Fuquan and the others served her food, she found it a bit troublesome.

Why not just pick out what you want to eat yourself?

Take as much as you want, and take whatever you want.

Why should someone specifically serve her food? It's so unpleasant to eat like that.

Seeing this, the Emperor did not force Yue Li to adapt to the rules of the palace.

He still remembered what his uncle had said to him in the Xuanzheng Hall last time.

The royal uncle said, "A-Li doesn't like constraints and can't adapt to the rules of the palace. She prefers a free and unrestrained life, so you should give up the idea of ​​marrying her as your empress!"

Although the two didn't exchange many words that time, the Imperial Uncle's words revealed a lot of meaning. At the very least, Yue Li, who seemed completely harmless and was enjoying her meal, was not someone he could use his power to imprison or control.

Even if he is the emperor of a country!

He waved away the servants who were attending him, leaving only him and Yue Li in the side hall.

Since Yue Li doesn't like being served food, the Emperor has no choice but to do it himself.

He served Yue Li a bowl of shark fin soup, who was sitting in front of a plate of steamed shad.

Seeing this, Yue Li put down her chopsticks, picked up a spoon, swallowed the delicious fish in her mouth, and said, "You don't need to worry about me. I can make whatever I want to eat myself. You should eat too."

"It's nothing. I'm overjoyed to have the opportunity to take care of Li'er," the Emperor said with a smile, before placing a crab meat lion's head into Yue Li's bowl.

His smile held a hint of disappointment, for he knew that Yue Li would be leaving after this meal, and who knew when she would come again!

After finishing the shark fin soup in a few gulps, Yue Li asked curiously, "Aren't you planning to go to Shou Kang Palace with me later?"

"Of course we'll go," the Emperor said matter-of-factly.

With his uncle absent this time, he has a good opportunity to fulfill his responsibilities.

Upon hearing this, Yue Li stopped the Emperor from putting food on her plate again, saying, "Since you're going with us, then hurry up and eat, or I won't wait for you."

"OK then."

The two then ate much faster, and rinsed their mouths after finishing their meal.

The two then strolled towards Shou Kang Palace.

Far behind, Fuquan and a group of eunuchs carrying the emperor's jade palanquin trailed behind.

"Li'er, after you pay your respects to the Empress Dowager, will you be heading back?" The Emperor asked casually as he held Yue Li's hand and the two walked together on the bluestone path in the palace.

Hearing the Emperor's casual tone, Yue Li replied casually, "Yes! You know that tomorrow is my wedding banquet with A Yuan, and there are still many things I haven't packed yet."

Furthermore, she also wanted to take advantage of this wedding banquet to take out one of the ice crystal dressing mirrors from her space, and a few smaller ones as well, so that she would never have to use those dim bronze mirrors again.

But the Emperor didn't want to hear any of this. He wanted Yue Li to stay in the palace with him more, even if it was just for an extra afternoon. Otherwise, who knew when he would be able to bring Yue Li into the palace again?

Moreover, she was already married at that time, and there was a young master eyeing her with covetous eyes. And, unbeknownst to him, countless others were also coveting her.

If Yue Li knew what the Emperor was thinking, she would definitely think he was overthinking it. She wasn't made of gold or silver, so how could everyone like her?

Besides, not everyone likes gold and silver.

Just as the emperor was about to say something more, the two of them happened to arrive at a peach grove.

"I never imagined that there were peach trees growing in the palace that could bear fruit."

She thought the trees planted in the palace were all pretty but had no practical value.

Looking at the peaches hanging in the orchard that were almost ripe, and smelling the sweet fragrance of peaches emanating from the orchard, Yue Li had an urge to pick a few and taste them.

"Can we eat now?"

Looks like some of these are cooked, right?

"Want to eat peaches? If so, I'll have someone pick some for you later. The peaches from this orchard are quite sweet."

However, because there were few masters in the palace, each year only a few of the better-quality peaches from this peach orchard were selected by the servants and sent to the Zichen Palace and Shou Kang Palace, while the rest were distributed to the servants.