The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 135 - Drawing in Free Time

The Emperor intentionally breathed into Lin Wanyi's ear.

That rough breath instantly made Lin Wanyi's cheeks flush. Even if she were a fool, she would understand what the Emperor intended!

She immediately took out her usual excuse and tried to evade, saying,

"My humble self is still taking medicine... I beg Your Majesty to exercise restraint."

"Exercise restraint?"

A low chuckle escaped his throat.

"When has it ever been considered improper for me to favor my own concubine?"

With that, Lin Wanyi was swiftly scooped up. By the time she reacted, she was already lying on the bed.

The man on top of her eagerly began to undo her collar, his urgency even striking Lin Wanyi as somewhat rough.

The summer evening breeze stirred the still waters in the lotus pond.

The next morning.

When Lin Wanyi woke, she saw that the day outside was already bright. Sunlight shone through the window, illuminating an incense burner on the table, which now gleamed in the golden light.

The person beside her was still sound asleep. His breathing was even and soft, and Lin Wanyi turned slightly to look at the Emperor.

She had never seen him from this angle before.

The Emperor had strong brow bones and a prominent nose bridge, both high yet not too pronounced. His sword-like brows slanted into his temples, and his dark hair flowed like a waterfall. Only a faint crease between his brows remained, a mark left by habit.

Suddenly, Lin Wanyi imagined him as an old man, toiling selflessly for the country, bent over with diligence. Unable to hold back, she let out a quiet laugh.

Her chuckle woke the Emperor from his pleasant dream. He opened his eyes with a hint of irritation, but it quickly faded.

"Your Majesty, are you going to get up?"

"Hmm."

Hearing his response, Lin Wanyi was about to rise to assist him, but the Emperor rolled over, pinning her beneath him, his head resting on her as he lay still.

A few strands of hair fell across her face, tickling her. She wanted to reach out and brush them away, but the Emperor held her hands tightly, saying in a low voice,

"Don't move. Let me lean on you for a bit."

Lin Wanyi, hearing his words, evened out her breathing. For some reason, from this angle, his head looked just like that of Snowy, a pure black dog ironically named Snowy by Lin Wanyi.

He nestled against her for quite a while, until Lin Wanyi felt as if a heavy stone had been pressing on her chest, prompting her to nudge him slightly.

"Your Majesty, I can't take it any longer."

At her words, the Emperor reluctantly sat up, a hint of grievance in his gaze, as if to say she had spoiled his fun.

Lin Wanyi was at a loss for words, amused and exasperated.

The two rose and let attendants serve them for their morning preparations.

Today, the Emperor had a rare day free from handling affairs in Zeping Isle, so he planned to "idle away" his time in Huifang Courtyard.

The Second Prince had originally come early, intending to have breakfast with Lin Wanyi. But when he learned that the Emperor was still there and hadn't yet risen, his little eyes darted around knowingly before taking Du Momo with him back to the rear courtyard.

The clever toys and handbook that Lin Wanyi had given him were currently his greatest interests. He could spend the whole day in the courtyard and still feel satisfied.

In the beginning, he would run to the front yard to ask Lin Wanyi whenever he didn't understand something. Later, he discovered that Du Momo could read, so he no longer felt the need to go so far. Du Momo taught him many of the characters in the handbook.

The Emperor and Lin Wanyi didn't know the Second Prince had visited. It was already mid-morning by the time the two began breakfast.

Fresh soy milk was served alongside delicate linglong buns, whose pale pink skin hinted at dough made with peach juice. The unique taste and appearance were delightful.

Chunqi indeed had a gift for food. The Emperor and Lin Wanyi each enjoyed two small steamers' worth, but realizing the time, they decided to eat sparingly lest they spoil their appetite for lunch.

After breakfast, the Emperor, in high spirits, walked over to the writing desk and instructed Dong Yuzhong to grind some ink.

Curious, Lin Wanyi spoke up,

"Your Majesty, are you planning to write?"

"No, I noticed that the center of your room looks bare, so I'll create a painting for you."

His expression suggested that his artwork was akin to a masterpiece, and he looked particularly pleased with himself.

Lin Wanyi had never heard that the Emperor could paint, so her eyes showed a hint of anticipation.

He began sketching a landscape in ink. With a few swift strokes, the image already conveyed the vastness and grandeur of mountains and rivers.

Indeed, the Emperor was the Emperor; even his painting style was distinct from others.

Suddenly, she thought of something, stepping quickly outside. She returned with a small container of water and a few freshly picked pine needles.

Taking the ink stone from Dong Yuzhong, she poured some of the water into it and began grinding carefully.

"What are you doing?"

"I mixed the ink with water from pine needles. This way, the landscape painting will have a natural greenish tone."

An inspired idea.

"Who taught you this method?"

"My grandfather. In his spare time, he enjoys calligraphy and painting."

Grandfather! Lin Wanyi certainly had a vivid way with words.

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, an hour had flown by. The Emperor's speed in painting astonished Lin Wanyi.

Was it really done so quickly?

When he finished, the Emperor wore a rare smile.

The painting displayed rolling clouds, towering mountains, and a lone guest-welcoming pine at the peak. Toward the left of the painting was a small courtyard beside a stream, with a bridge at its entrance, its waters flowing peacefully and harmoniously.

Lin Wanyi thought the Emperor was just saying it casually, but she didn't expect him to be so skilled.

He effortlessly captured the scenic beauty of Lingnan's landscapes in a single masterpiece.

"'The winding stone path climbs cold hills; among the clouds, a secluded household appears,'" she recited, as that was her first impression upon seeing the painting.

The Emperor glanced at her and chuckled softly, handing her the brush,

"You can inscribe those words. Last time, I saw the Buddhist scriptures you copied, and your handwriting is elegant."

Lin Wanyi was surprised. How was everything so coincidental?

She didn't refuse but gathered her strength and wrote the lines in the upper right corner of the painting.