Recently, the young palace maiden Lianhua has been harbouring her own little thoughts. She overheard the palace maids whispering that if she could climb into the emperor's bed, she could wear gold and silver, eat well, and live in luxury, which naturally piqued her interest.
The lives of palace maids are tough—the environment is tense, the work is demanding, and they don't eat or sleep well. Especially Lianhua, who has a big appetite and a picky palate, never eats to her satisfaction. After hearing the palace maids' private conversations, Lianhua began to make secret plans.
One day, the emperor returned from court in a furious mood, his face dark with anger. The eunuchs and palace maids attending him trembled in fear, dreading that they might offend him and end up as fertiliser for the soil.
Lianhua was on duty that day as the chambermaid, whose job was to prepare the emperor's bedding and hang the mosquito net before he went to sleep.
The emperor was not fond of women and only summoned someone to accompany him to bed every few days. He was strict about rules and clear in his rewards and punishments.
As the hour for bed approached, the emperor's expression remained grim. Though he was as handsome as a jade tree, Lianhua was still terrified, fearing she might make a mistake and anger him. After all, the emperor showed no mercy when punishing others.
Lianhua had also done the accounting work before, though not very often. This was a highly sought-after task, as it was light and required little effort. Most importantly, who wouldn't want to gain favour with the Emperor?
Moreover, during the empresses' nights with the emperor, generous empresses would openly or secretly reward those close to the emperor. Thus, this task was only assigned to Lianhua when the palace maids refused to do it.
When another maid mentioned it to Lianhua today, she agreed immediately. She had no idea that the Emperor was in a particularly bad mood today. All she could think of was that she had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. After all, as a lowly palace maid responsible for menial tasks, her chances to get close to the Emperor were extremely limited.
Although the day's work was exhausting, thinking that after climbing into bed she would no longer have to work, could lie down and enjoy fine food and drink, and from then on have food brought to her mouth and clothes handed to her, Lianhua was still very excited. The day's fatigue seemed to vanish, and she was so nervous she trembled slightly, causing her to fail to undo the Emperor's clothing ties several times in a row.
The emperor grew impatient, thinking to himself, "Who trained this little palace maid? Her hands are so clumsy she can't even untie a knot."
He looked down and saw the young palace maid with sweat on her forehead, looking flustered. She was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a bit of baby fat on her cheeks, and a cute, innocent appearance.
Well, she was just a servant. He could replace her later; there was no need to punish her.
At that moment, all Lianhua could think about was how to seduce him. She should first give him a seductive smile, then pretend to trip and fall into his arms, and then everything would fall into place, and she would climb into bed with him. That's how it was written in the picture book.
Distracted by her thoughts, she struggled to undo the buttons multiple times before finally succeeding. Once undone, Lianhua let out a slight sigh of relief.
The emperor had been watching Lianhua the entire time. Seeing this, he felt even less inclined to scold her. He decided not to replace her after all; it was just a minor flaw, and with practice, she would improve.
However, he noticed that Lianhua, who had sighed in relief, began to shift her eyes restlessly, her cheeks slightly flushed. She placed the unbuttoned clothes aside, her movements hesitant, occasionally glancing at the emperor as if deep in thought.
The emperor immediately sensed that something was amiss with this palace maid, and his anger flared. He coldly snorted to himself, wondering what she intended to do and whether she could withstand his wrath!
The emperor, who was already in a bad mood, turned as dark as a pot bottom.
Lianhua didn't notice the emperor's expression. She was thinking about how to fall into the emperor's arms.
As Lianhua hesitated and dawdled, the clothes were finally changed, and the emperor was about to go to bed. If she didn't fall now, it would be too late!
Lianhua panicked, let out a startled cry, and stumbled forward, throwing herself at the emperor.
Seeing this, the emperor understood everything. This little palace maid was trying to seduce him—what a bold move! She must have forgotten all the proper etiquette she was taught.
The emperor caught the little palace maid as she threw herself at him, but her momentum was too great, and she knocked him onto the bed as well.
Lianhua, whose waist was held by the emperor, bumped her nose against his ribs, causing her eyes to water with pain. She lifted her wet eyes and smiled seductively at the emperor.
Although the order was reversed, a seductive smile was essential; she feared the effect might not be strong enough to get him into bed.
The emperor was startled. The young palace maid looked quite pretty when she smiled, with her white, even teeth, fair, delicate cheeks, arched eyebrows, innocent eyes like a young deer, and soft waist.
In this era, thinness was considered beautiful, and the concubines in the harem were all as thin as sticks, but this little palace maid was so soft. He couldn't help but pinch her.
Lianhua was stunned. This was not how the plot went. Why did the emperor suddenly pinch her? This was something only a rogue in a picture book would do. How could this be... Lianhua's face flushed red, and she stood there dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.
The emperor couldn't help but feel a stir of desire. Since this little palace maid wanted to climb into bed with him, he would grant her wish. He could simply promote her to a lower rank and send her away tomorrow. With that thought, the emperor rolled over and pressed down on the little palace maid.
After a night of passion, Lianhua felt sore all over as if she had been crushed. Early the next morning, she carried a small bundle and led an eleven- or twelve-year-old palace maid toward the Canglan Courtyard near the Cold Palace.