The Imperial Eunuch Little Fuzi, or rather all the servants attending the Emperor, mostly adored Su Zhiruan.
Those who mixed in these ranks were no fools; in fact, it could be said that each one of them was incredibly astute.
Everyone had a standard in their hearts about who said what and who did what.
Recently, the Emperor's gaze had increasingly fallen on Susu; today, it seemed, was the turning point where Susu would ascend to glory like a phoenix.
Little Fuzi nodded in satisfaction.
Su Zhiruan woke up, her consciousness gradually returning.
She reached out her hand and found a man lying beside her, with both of them bare, covered only by a gentle silk quilt.
At this moment, she realized her hand was still on the man's chest; even for someone like Su Zhiruan, who rarely showed emotional fluctuations, this startled her and she quickly withdrew her hand.
However, this small movement caused the most revered Emperor of all under Heaven to slowly awaken.
Shen Qi's voice was hoarse, tinged with drowsiness; he half-lifted his eyes to check the sky, then stretched out his hand to lock Su Zhiruan in his embrace, "It is still early before the court assembly; we can sleep a bit longer."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Su Zhiruan realized she was completely embraced by the man, now utterly devoid of sleepiness. After responding, she continued to act like a teddy bear, letting Shen Qi hold her.
Whether in her previous life or after binding to the Childbirth System, this was the first time; the memories of last night were chaotic and unclear, she only remembered her hoarse voice, back pain mixed with the scent of wine, her consciousness gradually blurring.
Shen Qi had intended to sleep a bit more, but gradually woke up feeling the warm breath on his arm.
The dim red candle in the sleeping chamber managed to cast light precisely on the girl's rabbit-like expression, her bright, clear, lively, and naive eyes blinking, perhaps due to the heat, her entire palm-sized, egg-shaped face flushed red.
She looked as exquisite and moving as the finest silk.
Even in the harem, her beauty was unparalleled.
"Not sleeping anymore?" Shen Qi patted her back slowly, his voice as magnetic as ever. He seemed to ponder for a moment, then spoke again, "If you can't sleep, talk to me. What rank or title do you desire?"
He too had enjoyed himself greatly yesterday and had been paying attention to this young girl for a while. She suited his taste well, not a boisterous and duplicitous woman like the Noble Consort; this Susu, she was very gentle.
As an Emperor, he never allowed himself to develop feelings for any woman. Occasionally indulging a favorite by elevating her rank was permissible as long as it wasn't excessive.
Yet, after considering all possibilities, the Emperor heard a different answer from the young girl's lips.
"Your Majesty, this servant does not desire a rank; I only wish to stay by your side," Su Zhiruan had her own considerations and continued speaking as she lifted her head, "This servant wishes to continue serving by your side, please retract your order."
She was here to complete a mission, not really to engage in palace intrigues; even if she had no plans now, she had to pretend.
Alas, such is a necessary skill for a worker.
"Rare!" Shen Qi paused, took a strand of her hair from the pillow, and twirled it in his hand, his tone curious, "Why don't you want a rank? You know, with a rank and title, you would be treated like a mistress, no need to serve others, and someone would serve you, worry-free of food and drink."
Su Zhiruan earnestly said, "If I had a rank, I would not be able to see Your Majesty often. If so, I would rather not have a rank and stay by Your Majesty's side."
"If I cannot see Your Majesty, what good would a high rank do me, sitting in golden solitude, all alone and cold?" Su Zhiruan spoke earnestly, her eyes fixed directly on Shen Qi, "My heart is tied to Your Majesty; I care for your entire being."
She was, of course, earnest; being sent to the harem and not seeing Shen Qi would make completing her mission much harder.
In that moment, he even dared not look down into the girl's eyes.
This was still the first time in his life that he, as the Emperor, had shown such emotions.
Her eyes were too clean, too pure.
Moreover, her heart-piercing words made him think a lot.
The entire harem tried to please him.
As an Emperor, he naturally had no shortage of these sycophantic people.
Yet, he could clearly see that the concubines approached him, vying for favor, solely to gain status, rewards, and the credentials to flaunt.
The servants approached him either wishing for promotion or fearing the loss of their lives.
The whole harem existed because of him, naturally depending on him; the entire realm revered and valued him because he was in power.
But without this status, were he just an ordinary person, all of this would vanish.
Yet now, there was a woman who cared about him as a person.
She sought no title or rank, just to glance at him.
"Good, stay by my side," Shen Qi retracted his thoughts, stood up, and called for someone as the time was almost right, "Come!"
Little Fuzi had been waiting outside the door all along. After announcing himself several times and being granted permission, he entered with a group of palace attendants in single file.
"Your Majesty, it is time to wash up, let your servant attend to you," Little Fuzi did not dare to look around, and after bowing, he wanted to help the Emperor dress.
"Eunuch Little Fuzi, let me do it," Su Zhiruan knew it was better for her to take stage at this time, so she actively took over the task. She took down the Dragon Robe from the rack and dressed Shen Qi, piece by piece.
Little Fuzi was somewhat shocked, but not excessively.
When Shen Qi looked down, he could see the girl's thin gauze dress, her exquisite body, and her fluffy hair top.
The Dragon Robe was quickly donned, and Shen Qi set off with a majestic procession prepared to hold court.
Su Zhiruan sighed deeply, looking at the red spot on the bed, and decided to first strip the bedsheet.
She had just arrived in this world as a menial palace maid, and after working diligently for a period, she was promoted to serve directly before Shen Qi, a position much better than before, and the workload was not too exhausting; most of the time, she just needed to follow Shen Qi, being called upon when needed.
As for now, she did not continue to go back to sleep but simply cleaned up the bedroom, tidying the bowls and wine pots on the table.
After all this was done, she rubbed her back and returned to her living quarters.
The little palace maid who had served with her last night only realized what had happened when she saw Su Zhiruan.
In her haste to dress, she called out to Su Zhiruan, "Hurry, hurry! The Emperor will soon end court, and it is time for the morning meal; quickly prepare with me."
"Don't rush; the Emperor hasn't concluded court yet. If we rush and lose decorum, it won't be good," Su Zhiruan had already dressed, so she helped her tidy up, earning the young maid's grateful gaze.
The Wang Dynasty valued rituals; even three meals a day were elaborate affairs.
After Shen Qi finished court and entered a side hall of Zichen Hall, Su Zhiruan, the little palace maid, and a troop of servants were already waiting inside.
"Your servant pays respects to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor——"
Everyone bowed in unison.
Upon entering the hall, Shen Qi's first glance fell on Su Zhiruan.