Chapter 30

After traveling with frequent stops, they finally arrived at the Rehe Palace Summer Resort at noon on the fourth day of their journey.

The resort features towering palaces, surrounded by corridors on all sides, with scattered pavilions and terraces in a staggered arrangement.

Even during the sweltering summer heat, the resort remains free of the oppressive humidity found in the capital. It is refreshingly cool and pleasant, with a gentle breeze adding to the comfort.

To the north of the palace, the vast lake sparkles under the sun, with the lotus flowers on the shore in full bloom, their vibrant green pads and tall stems swaying gracefully in the wind.

The emperor and his consort moved into the most magnificent Yaotai Palace, while other clan members and their families were allocated appropriate courtyards based on their numbers.

That afternoon, Kang Yuyi accompanied by her parents, Kang Dahai and Mother Zhou, stood on the long embankment, feeding the colorful koi in the lake.

Kang Yuyi wore a lotus-pink cross-collar waist-length skirt. The gauze skirt gently swayed with the breeze, adding a touch of grace and elegance to her already stunning appearance.

Mother Zhou had visited the Rehe Palace more than twenty years ago with the then Qin Wangfei now the Empress Dowager Cui.

In contrast, Kang Yu Yi’s father had never been to the Rehe Palace before.

The more relaxed rules of the summer resort allowed the couple to see their daughter frequently, filling them with joy.

Although Kang Yuyi had been preoccupied with thoughts of the Crown Prince back in the capital, she quickly set aside her concerns upon arriving at the summer resort.

At sixteen, this was her first time accompanying the entourage to the Rehe Palace, and she was thrilled by the experience.

The summer resort is a stark contrast to the imposing and orderly palace in the capital, offering vast pastures and Jiangnan gardens in a refreshingly cool and comfortable climate.

The emperor rode out early this morning on his sweat-soaked horse to the nearby paddock for hunting. He had originally planned to bring Kang Yuyi with him, but Kang Yuyi was so content staying at the villa that she had no desire to witness the boring hunt.

Near the lakeside, Cui Mulin’s wife, Mrs. hesitated silently. She had finally encountered the imperial concubine by chance and felt a bit anxious, unsure how to approach without appearing intrusive.

Just as Mrs. was lost in thought, a cry for help suddenly rang out from the direction ahead. It turned out that Kang Yuyi while feeding the fish had accidentally stepped on the moss at the edge of the embankment. She slipped and fell directly into the lake.

The lake by the embankment was not deep, only up to her knees but she was caught off guard by the fall and instinctively screamed.

Zisu, Qingzhu and other palace attendants who were in a state of panic quickly reached out to help the noble consort stand up.

Kang Yuyi’s hairpin was soaked and disheveled and her gauze skirt was drenched, clinging to her body and faintly revealing her flesh.

Mrs. who happened to have a cloak in hand, felt a surge of joy and thought to herself, “Heaven is helping me!”

She hurriedly approached, offering the cloak and bowing, “This humble woman greets the noble consort.”

Those who were assigned to stay at the summer villa instead of the surrounding courtyards were surely imperial relatives. Therefore, Qingzhu and Zisu quickly took the cloak and wrapped it around the imperial concubine.

On the other side, Kang Yuyi’s father and Mother Zhou were heartbroken to see their daughter surrounded by palace attendants and did not dare to approach.

Mother Zhou in frustration, complained, “How can someone so grown up be so clumsy?”

Kang Yuyi’s father rubbing his hands, said with concern, “Hurry back to bathe and change clothes! Be careful not to catch a cold!”

The palace attendants then escorted Kang Yuyi to the sedan chair and hurried back towards Yaotai Palace.

From the sedan chair, Kang Yuyi looked back at Mrs. who was getting farther away, and asked, “Which family’s wife was the one who just gave me the cloak?”

Zisu and Qingzhu, running alongside the sedan chair, replied, “It seems to be the fifth young lady of the Bolinghou Mansion.”

Kang Yuyi unfamiliar with the divisions within the Empress Dowager’s family, said, “Please invite this lady over later. I want to thank her properly.”

Meanwhile, outside the northwest corner door of Yaotai Hall, several young palace maids were whispering among themselves.

One younger maid said, “Sister Xiangyuan, you are the most beautiful in our palace. Now that you’ve been assigned to Yaotai Hall with the Emperor and the noble consort, if you can…”

Another maid interjected, “Yes, if Sister Xiangyuan wins the Emperor’s favor, wouldn’t that be a tremendous leap for us?”

“Our noble consort was also born a servant and is not as distinguished as us. We are from good common families. If Sister Xiangyuan gains the Emperor’s favor and becomes a concubine, don’t forget to help us!”

The palace maid named Xiangyuan kept a composed demeanor but was secretly delighted by the flattery.

She had been assigned to assist Zisu and Qingzhu, the head maids serving the noble consort at Yaotai Hall.

Recalling the lingering moans and rough breaths she had heard late last night while on watch outside and the swaying canopy bed reflected through the candlelight on the window paper, she felt a mix of ambiguity and allure.

The Emperor was so vigorous and full of energy that one concubine alone was not enough to satisfy him. Although Xiangyuan’s appearance might not match the radiant beauty of the imperial concubine, she was still the most beautiful among the palace maids in the Rehe Palace Summer Resort.

Xiangyuan raised her chin slightly, her smile completely unhidden.

However, she still maintained a humble and gentle demeanor, saying, “Please don’t tease me. The noble concubine is so beautiful and fragrant. How could I, a mere maid, compare?”

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