Chapter 31: The Imperial Palace's Inner Chambers Meet a Noble Person (Part 1)

  Before the sky was bright on the second day, Zhou Wenbo got up and felt his way to get dressed. Today was the first time he entered the palace as a servant after being appointed as a Shidu Zhixue Shi by Emperor Li Cunxu.

  He brought an extra heart, last night he had already copied his carefully prepared poetry collection "Listening to the Pine Pavilion Collection" three times, and wrapped it in thick blue leather with cotton thread, for use at any time.

  The sun rises late on this winter day. At this time, it's still dark outside and the northwest wind is blowing coldly.

  Qing'e, who had been startled awake, was careful not to let him catch a chill, got up ahead of time and dressed, then personally brought over his cotton-padded jacket and put it on him, also helping him into his thick, long official boots.

  Looking at the young woman in front of him busy with herself, Zhou Wenbo suddenly had a warm feeling similar to that between husband and wife. After repeatedly saying goodbye, he finally walked out of the house door. Before leaving, he turned back to see Qing'e's face still filled with reluctance.

  Zhou Wenbo had no time to think much, sat on the horse-drawn carriage that was already prepared early, and drove all the way to the imperial city.

  After all, he had been here once before, Zhou Wenbo didn't look around like the first time he came to the imperial city. By the time he arrived at the gate of the imperial city, the sky was already brightening and the lock on the palace gate had just been opened by the imperial guard.

  After showing his waist card, a small eunuch led him to a flat house and sat down, waiting for the emperor to summon him.

  It was probably because His Majesty the Emperor worked hard till dawn, and by the time the sun rose to its third pole, Zhou Wenbo had waited impatiently before seeing the Emperor again.

  His Majesty's complexion looked even worse than the day before yesterday, pale and indulgent in wine and lust, as if his whole body had been hollowed out. This so-called "sub-healthy" state made Zhou Wenbo secretly despise him, guessing that this lord would not be able to withstand a battle on the battlefield, let alone fight one, and would probably collapse from just blowing cold wind.

  His Majesty the Emperor was still delighted when he saw Zhou Wenbo, with a bright smile on his face.

  This made Zhou Wenbo somewhat apprehensive, ever since he saw Li Cunxu's public flirtation with the beautiful courtesan last time, he was afraid that his extremely high charm would attract the attention of the gay emperor, which would be a real tragedy.

  Later, Zhou Wenbo's "Listening to the Pine Pavilion Collection" made the emperor extremely pleased, especially the poem "Nian Nu Jiao · Red Wall Ancient Feelings" which made Li Cunxu enthusiastically recite it. The emperor praised Zhou Wenbo as a great literary master, and even the eunuchs who attended him flattered Zhou Wenbo by saying that he was the incarnation of the god of literature, which made Zhou Wenbo realize that the eunuchs were not all the same.

  Li Cunxu was delighted to accept the gift and had a cordial lunch with Zhou Wenbo.

  It wasn't until after noon, when he was extremely busy, that Zhou Wenbo was finally allowed to leave by Li Cunxu.

  When Zhou Wenbo was about to leave the imperial city, he was suddenly stopped by a small eunuch and informed that the Empress Dowager had summoned him.

  As expected! Zhou Wenbo had long anticipated that Liu Yuniang would likely summon him today when he has an audience with Your Majesty, to explain the reason for his sudden change of heart last time.

  The queen's summons to his position is already considered the back palace, if it is said that there are many emperors in the front half of the imperial city who can step on their feet, and the eunuchs, heavy ministers, and close ministers who are close to them, except for the emperor himself, this back palace has no man stepping on it all year round.

  All the way, he was affectionately stared at by countless sentimental girls with eyes like watching a giant ape, which made Zhou Wenbo, who had already boasted of having extremely thick skin, unable to cope.

  After being a soldier for three years, even a mother pig can be compared to Diaochan; it's the same when women look at men.

  These palace maids usually only get to see the emperor and some eunuchs who can't even be considered half a man, but today they suddenly met Zhou Wenbo, who is handsome, elegant, charming, and has a charm value of 98. It's really crazy, if not for the strict rules in the palace, Zhou Wenbo, with his strength of over 20, would probably have been dragged to the small woods by some robust and powerful palace maids.

  Zhou Wenbo walked a short distance, sweating profusely, and didn't stop until he saw the Empress Dowager, whose expression was one of great surprise at his appearance.

  After inquiring of the eunuch who led the way, Empress Liu burst out laughing: "I've heard people talk about 'throwing fruit to fill a carriage' and 'watching Wei Qing's execution', but I didn't believe it. Today, Zhou Lang is equally brilliant, not allowing his predecessors to monopolize the beauty of the past."

  Zhou Wenbo knew that Empress Liu was comparing herself to Pan An and Wei Zifu, both of whom were renowned beauties in history books. He could only humbly say: "I don't dare, I don't dare."

  He guessed that it was probably the effect of his own charm, originally eighty-five charm was enough to make him look fresh and elegant, attracting attention, but now ninety-eight charm was almost bursting, plus the effect of skill [Peach Blossom], in women's eyes he could naturally be compared with Pan An.

  It just didn't occur to me that Liu Yuniang, who was originally a songstress, actually had some literary talent. No wonder she could win Li Cunxu's favor for over twenty years. If it were just based on her beauty, she would have lost his favor long ago.

  Zhou Wenbo secretly raised his evaluation of the empress, originally limited to the descriptions in historical books. He really thought that this Empress Liu was just a greedy and brainless person, but after meeting her, he discovered that successful people have their own unique qualities.

  Zhou Wenbo first presented the jade hairpin he had obtained from his mission, a precious jade artifact that could increase the wearer's charm by a bit. Although this attribute couldn't be seen, Liu Yuniang still took a liking to it at first glance and happily accepted it.

  "I heard you compiled a collection of poems, is it with you?" Empress Liu continued to ask.

  Zhou Wenbo busily presented the second book "Listening to Song Xuan Collection".

  This poetry collection, which gathers the essence of two Song dynasties over three hundred years, is absolutely a deadly weapon for this era. For literary youths, it's like an stunning beauty who drives people crazy. The empress, although only half a literary enthusiast like the emperor, can't help but spout out flattering words from her mouth.

  "Alas, it's a pity that Princess Yucheng is only nine years old. Otherwise, I would have taken the initiative to betroth her to you." After reading this, Empress Liu couldn't help but sigh with emotion, after all, such a handsome and talented young man like him would make any woman unable to help but fantasize.

  Princess Yucheng was the eldest daughter of Empress Dowager and also her last child with Li Cunxu.

  Li Cunxu was young and handsome, Empress Liu was also a beauty, while Princess Yucheng was the combination of her parents' strengths, with a heavenly and elegant appearance, having been as beautiful as a flower since childhood, deeply loved by the Emperor and Empress.

  Zhou Wenbo repeatedly said he didn't dare to accept it.

  He secretly congratulated himself that fortunately, there was a seven-year age difference between the two parties. If he were really chosen as the son-in-law, then this life would be truly finished. With Li Cunxu and Liu Yuniang's fondness for Princess Yucheng, he wouldn't even think about leaving Luoyang for the rest of his life, and sooner or later, he'd have to accompany this couple in burial.

  No worries if you have no wife!

  One's own life and career are more important, this son-in-law really can't afford it.