The Empress Arrives: Rebirth of Concubine Hua

Chapter 182: Eastern Pearls and Jade
At night, Ulanara sat quietly in Jingren Palace reading a book. She was wearing a goose yellow Suzhou embroidery dress today, and the hairpin on her head was also shining with gold.

Although it looks gorgeous, it is still a bit plain compared to the kingfisher-inlaid banner head that Nian Shilan wears every day.

Jianqiu was taking a pair of scissors to trim off the candle wicks a little to make them brighter.

The eunuch's voice was heard outside.

"The Emperor has arrived~!"

Upon hearing this, Ulanara chuckled, put the book in her hand on the table, stood up and went out to greet him.

Yinzhen was walking up the stairs when he saw the curtain lifted. A graceful figure appeared in the doorway. The candlelight behind her reflected her goose yellow dress, bringing a touch of warmth to people's hearts in this late autumn night.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you. May your Majesty be blessed with good fortune."

As Ulanara spoke, she bent down, and her lowered head just revealed her snow-white neck.

Yinzhen suddenly recalled that when Ulanara had just become his concubine, she was as bright and beautiful as she is today. At that time, she always liked to wear pink and light yellow clothes and liked to smile at him, but since when, her smile seemed to be more insincere.

Until now, she always had a smile on her face, her speech became more and more appropriate, and her behavior became more and more dignified. She was truly a model of a mother of the country, but Yinzhen felt that she was no longer lively, and every time she faced him, she was more like a "minister".

Ulanara lowered her head, her body swaying slightly. She would not get up unless Yinzhen called her.

Su Peisheng saw Yinzhen in a daze and reminded him in a low voice.

"Your Majesty, be careful with the steps."

Yinzhen came to his senses, stretched out his hands and supported Ulanara's arms.

"Hurry up and get up. It's my fault. I was distracted for a moment and tired you out."

Ulanara stood up with the force of Yinzhen's hand and smiled gently.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am not tired."

When Yinzhen entered the room, he saw the upside-down book, picked it up and sat down.

"Is the Queen reading the Book of Songs? Which poem did you read? Tell me."

Yinzhen smiled gently, which was rare, not as cold as usual.

Ulanara also smiled, moved closer to Yinzhen, and personally served him tea.

"I have nothing to do, so I just watched some fun things. I just saw the line 'A beautiful girl is waiting for me at the corner of the city. I love her but cannot see her, so I scratch my head and hesitate'. I found the situation described in the poem very funny."

Yinzhen took the tea from Ulanara's hand and smelled the fragrance emanating from where her sleeves passed. He felt warm in his heart and couldn't help but say.

"What a nice scent. What kind of scent does the Queen use? I remember that you don't like to use scent."

Ulanara raised her hand in surprise, sniffed her clothes, and then stretched her sleeves in front of Yinzhen.

"Is this the smell your majesty is talking about? This dress was newly made by me. When the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent it to me, I was disgusted that they had fumigated it without my permission. But thinking that servants have to work hard, I did not scold them and kept it. Today is the first time I wear it. If your majesty likes the smell, I will try to have the Ministry of Internal Affairs fumigate the dress with fragrance next time."

Yinzhen smiled and raised his hand to hold Ulanara's hand, just like they did when they were in love.

"The Queen is always willing to understand and always abides by the duties of a wife. She never speaks rashly, never acts beyond the rules, and lives a straight and square life. It would be better to be like today, go with the flow, try something you haven't tried before, who knows, you might discover a new world."

Ulanara and Yinzhen had been married for so many years, so she naturally knew that this was a sign of his affection. This was also the first time that Yinzhen had been so gentle and patient with her since her elder sister entered the mansion.

Jianqiu had already pulled Su Peisheng out, and Su Peisheng was still standing in the corridor, confused. Whenever the emperor came to the queen's palace, he would just sit there for a while and leave. Since the queen raised the third prince, the emperor would just look at the third prince and leave.

Today is the first time that someone has taken the initiative to stay overnight since the death of Empress Chunyuan. Is the sun rising from the west?
Nian Shilan was also surprised when she heard Xiao Linzi report that the emperor was staying overnight in Jingren Palace for the first time.

Yinzhen actually changed his personality and was willing to sleep with Ulanara?
This was too sudden.

No, there must be something she doesn't know. Nian Shilan asked Xiao Linzi to find out why the emperor suddenly stayed in Jingren Palace. Xiao Linzi quietly went out under the cover of night.

The next morning, Nian Shilan went to pay her respects to Ulanara, but saw that her face had changed from her usual fair but dull complexion to a glowing one, like a refreshing rain after a long drought.

The women in the harem had nothing to do all day long. They knew last night that the emperor, who was always cold to the queen, was staying overnight in Jingren Palace. Although they did not show anything on their faces today, they all had a doubt in their hearts.

Nian Shilan greeted Ulanara, sat down, and listened to Ulanara talking to everyone as usual.

Nian Shilan felt bored and was about to get up and leave when she suddenly saw Su Peisheng asking to see Ulanara.

"That's it."

Jiang Fuhai received an order from Ulanara and hurried out to invite Su Peisheng into the hall.

"Your servant greets Her Majesty the Queen. May Her Majesty be blessed with good fortune."

Ulanara's smile towards everyone today looked somewhat sincere, she said with a smile.

"Please stand up, Eunuch Su. I wonder if you have any instructions for me, since you have come to see me so early in the morning?"

Su Peisheng smiled respectfully and clapped his hands. Two young eunuchs came in outside the door, each holding a tray.

"The Emperor said that the tribute of the eastern pearls from the north and the beautiful jade from the western regions should all be sent to the Empress. You can use them to enjoy them or inlay them in your crown. I just want you to be happy."

The concubines couldn't help but feel envious when they saw the treasures in the little eunuch's hands.

Ulanara laughed even more happily. At this moment, she felt extremely satisfied. After so many years, the emperor finally treated her well again.

"Thank the emperor for his grace. When the emperor leaves the court, I will go to express my gratitude in person."

After sending Su Peisheng away, Yu Changzai couldn't help but be the first to express his admiration.

"I congratulate the Empress on regaining the Emperor's favor! These pearls are large and round. One can tell at a glance that only someone as noble as the Empress is worthy of them. I really envy the Empress!"

Ulanara smiled but didn't say anything. Concubine Duan, who was usually taciturn, spoke for the first time.

"Yes, I also congratulate Her Majesty the Queen. Judging from the Queen's expression today, she is in a very good mood."

Concubine Jing, Concubine Li, Concubine Fu, Concubine Cao, and Concubine Xin also spoke out to congratulate Ulanara.

Only Nian Shilan just smiled and drank tea without saying a word.

"Hua Fei, I see you are unhappy today. You didn't say a word when you came here, but just sat there quietly. Is there something troubling you?"

Ulanara looked at Nian Shilan with a smile, but saw Nian Shilan put the teacup back on the table and smiled charmingly.

"Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. I have nothing to worry about. I am happy for you. You have been looking forward to the Emperor changing his mind. After so many years, the Emperor has finally sensed your sincerity and treated you well again. Your expectations are not in vain. I am happy for you."

(End of this chapter)