The Enchanting Imperial Concubine

Chapter 3 - Daring and Reckless

Surprised as she was, Ye Yun quickly composed herself. She smiled and gestured for her maidservant to slip the eunuch a generous red envelope.

Tch... being chosen to serve tonight wasn't exactly a blessing. That scoundrel of an Emperor just wanted to use her as cannon fodder!

Ye Yun clenched her teeth in frustration. Still, this was her first time serving the Emperor, and it was also the best opportunity to change his opinion of her. She had to take it seriously.

After all, she would be spending the rest of her life in the palace. She needed to secure her position with the Emperor first, right?

"Should we pick out some clothes and jewelry for you, Lady Ye?" Hui Yue couldn't stop smiling. "I'll go and get the hot water ready."

Naturally, one had to bathe before serving the Emperor.

Since it was hot, the water didn't need to be too warm, and heating up a large bucket wouldn't take long.

Ye Yun nodded. With only half an hour to wash, dress, and get to Jiuchen Palace, she had to hurry.

She didn't hesitate much when choosing jewelry, as she had already made up her mind. She swiftly selected a set of top-quality mutton-fat jade hairpins and accessories.

Such fine mutton-fat jade was rare, but Ye Yun didn't lack it. Her mother, Madam Chu, came from a famous merchant family in the southern state of Nanqi, so she was never short of anything.

As for her makeup, Ye Yun's skin was naturally fair and delicate, so she didn't need much powder. She painted her brows long but not too thin, with a slight curve that gave her a playful and charming look.

She applied a small amount of begonia-colored rouge at the corners of her eyes with her fingertip, then sharpened the eyebrow pencil to draw a slightly upward-tilted eyeliner, making her round, lively eyes appear more seductive.

She added a touch of rouge to her cheeks and nose, making her look like a playful sprite who'd had too much to drink—adorable yet with a hint of seductive allure.

For her outfit, she chose a ground-length dress made of misty gauze with no patterns, only a silver-threaded floral border at the hem. As she moved, the silver embroidery shimmered like waves.

Over this, she wore a small jacket in a soft shade of lilac, which added a playful yet simple touch.

When Ye Yun emerged from her room, the eunuch from Jiuchen Palace was so stunned that he couldn't take his eyes off her.

Having spent half his life in the palace, he'd seen all kinds of beauties. But after seeing Ye Yun so meticulously dressed, he thought even Consort Wen, who held the Emperor's favor, would pale in comparison.

"Thank you for leading the way," Ye Yun said with a slight bow, smiling gently.

"You're too kind, Lady Ye. Please, get into the sedan chair!"

The eunuch bent forward respectfully. Even though the Emperor didn't like Ye Yun at the moment, he hadn't met her in person yet. With such a stunning beauty, it wouldn't be surprising if tonight's service changed everything. Another blazing hearth might soon be kindled in the palace.

As servants, they were naturally cautious and deferential, thinking it better to flatter Ye Yun just in case.

At Jiuchen Palace, the second-in-command eunuch, Huai'an, was waiting outside.

"Your servant, Ye Wanrong, humbly presents herself to fulfill the Emperor's order. I request that Your Grace announce my arrival," Ye Yun said.

"There's no need for such formality, Ye Wanrong. The Emperor is currently reviewing memorials. He instructed that when you arrive, you may go in directly to serve him with ink and brush," replied the eunuch.