Call of the Heroes of Chaos in Another World

Chapter 2564 Flowing Clouds and Water Sleeves, Grandmaster Zhao Nu

Chapter 2564 Flowing Clouds and Water Sleeves, Grandmaster Zhao Nu

The group escorted the emperor into the warm and bright palace. The main hall of Lingxi Palace was decorated in an elegant and comfortable style, with incense burners already prepared to dispel all the chill.

Zhao Ling'er personally removed the emperor's outer cloak, while Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede were busy setting up cushions and carefully serving fragrant tea at the perfect temperature.

"Please sit down, no need for formalities." Wang Yu took a sip of tea; it was fragrant and sweet, and the temperature was just right.

After expressing her gratitude, Zhao Ling'er sat down at an angle on the embroidered stool slightly below her, maintaining her dignified posture.

Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede stood slightly to the side behind her to show their respect for each other.

"Just now, Feiyan said she learned a new song?" Wang Yu put down his teacup, looked at Zhao Feiyan, and asked casually.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Feiyan stepped forward, bowed gracefully again, and said softly, "Your Majesty, it is 'Treading on the Jade Branch.' I am foolish and have not practiced it for long, so I am afraid it is not worthy of Your Majesty's ears... However, I only thought that if I could use my humble skills to relieve Your Majesty's fatigue, it would be my blessing."

Wang Yu nodded slightly, not immediately agreeing, and then looked at Zhao Ling'er and asked, "What does Ling'er think?"

Zhao Ling'er replied with a smile, "Sister Feiyan has indeed put in a lot of effort for this piece. Even the musicians of the Imperial Music Bureau praised her for her excellent comprehension and increasingly skillful fingering."

"If Your Majesty has the time, you might as well listen to it, so as not to disappoint your sister's good intentions."

“Very well,” Wang Yu seemed persuaded, relaxing his body and leaning back. “Then let’s listen to a song. What about He De? Has he made any preparations?”

Zhao Hede, who was called out, seemed not to have expected the emperor to ask her. She was slightly taken aback, and then a faint blush rose on her cheeks, and her voice became softer.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is not skilled in music and dance, but only knows a little about needlework and preparing simple soups and drinks."

“If Your Majesty… if you do not mind, I recently tried to prepare a calming incense, which may help Your Majesty to calm your mind and spirit.”

As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily drifted to the bronze incense burner beside her, clearly indicating that the incense was already prepared inside, awaiting only the king's command.

A barely perceptible smile flashed in Wang Yu's eyes. The three had very different personalities and used different ways to get attention, which was quite interesting.

"The fragrance is wonderful. Feiyan is playing the zither, and Hede is blending the incense. Ling'er, please keep me company and have a chat."

"Yes," the three women replied in unison, a hint of delight flashing in each of their eyes.

Zhao Feiyan walked briskly toward the Jiao Wei Qin that had been prepared in advance, while Zhao Hede carefully stirred the ashes in the incense burner, preparing to add the incense balls she had carefully prepared.

Zhao Ling'er personally poured hot tea for Wang Yu, then softly recounted some harmless anecdotes and trivial matters that had recently occurred in the palace. Her voice was gentle and the topic was light.

In an instant, the sound of a zither began to play in the hall, clear and melodious, while the subtle fragrance of calming incense quietly permeated the air, mingling with the aroma of tea and fruit. Accompanied by Zhao Ling'er's gentle whispers, it created a warm and pleasant scene of a palace banquet.

Wang Yu closed his eyes and listened intently, his fingertips gently tapping on his knees in time with the music. The decisive battles and strategic maneuvering in the imperial court during the day, and the complex relationships between the world, seemed to be temporarily isolated outside the warm pavilion of Lingxi Palace at this moment.

However, just as Zhao Feiyan was playing "Treading on the Jade Branch" in the middle, with a few high notes and Zhao Ling'er getting up to add more hot tea for the emperor, Wang Yu's half-closed eyes seemed to inadvertently glance at a palace maid standing in the shadows at the corner of the hall.

This woman was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. Her appearance was indeed excellent. Although she could not match the brightness of Zhao Ling'er, the delicacy of Zhao Feiyan, or the beauty of Zhao Hede, she had a calm and elegant air between her brows, like a deep, still stream, with a unique charm.

But what truly caught Wang Yu's attention was not her beauty, but the light and graceful steps she took when refilling Zhao Ling'er's teacup, clearly indicating that she possessed martial arts skills, and quite a high level of them at that.

"Ding, Zhao Shirong, Command 54, Martial Arts Master, Intelligence 82, Politics 76, Charisma 97."

So it was her. Wang Yu had really forgotten that there was such a person among the random summoned cards before.

After all, a Grandmaster in the early stages is not worth Wang Yu's attention.

At the same time, the sound of the piano climbed to a clear and melodious high note, and then slowly slid into a lingering and pleasant ending.

Zhao Feiyan gently pressed down with her delicate hand, stopping the string music. For a moment, only the faint crackling of the charcoal fire in the incense burner could be heard in the hall.

Wang Yu slowly opened his eyes, first glancing approvingly at Zhao Feiyan, and said, "This piece is exquisite, and Feiyan's fingering technique is becoming more and more refined."

Zhao Feiyan blushed slightly and immediately stood up to express her gratitude. Then, Wang Yu's gaze, seemingly casually, fell once again on the quiet palace maid in the corner of the hall, this time lingering for a little longer.

"Are you a member of Ling'er's clan? What is your name? How long have you been in Ling'er's palace? Judging from your demeanor, you are not like an ordinary palace servant."

Zhao Shirong's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure, took two steps forward, and performed a proper salute.

"This servant, Zhao Shirong, has been able to serve in the palace for one year and four months thanks to the grace of Consort Zhaoyuan."

“Your Majesty, Shi Rong is indeed a member of my clan,” Zhao Ling’er added, explaining from the side.

"In terms of family ties, we are distant relatives. When I first entered the palace, I was unfamiliar with many of the rules. Fortunately, Shi Rong was knowledgeable about palace affairs and was calm and considerate. So I asked her to help manage the palace affairs. In the past year or so, she has been a great help."

In fact, in terms of seniority, Zhao Shirong is Zhao Ling'er's aunt.

However, it is only a matter of seniority. In a large family like the Zhao family, the blood ties between branches that were originally completely unrelated have long been weak.

Wang Yu nodded slightly, as if it were just a casual question. He picked up his teacup, gently skimmed off the foam with the lid, and continued casually, "Judging from your composed demeanor and light gait, you are not like an ordinary palace maid. Have you practiced martial arts?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ling'er's heart skipped a beat, and Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede also showed some surprise.

"Your Majesty is wise. I was weak when I was young, and my family hired a martial arts instructor to teach me some basic skills to strengthen my body. I only know a little bit, so please forgive me." Zhao Shirong was startled, but she remained calm on the surface.

She did not intentionally display her martial arts skills, but she did not expect that the emperor would see through her so easily.

"Shallow skills?" Wang Yu smiled noncommittally, put down his teacup, and lingered his gaze on Zhao Shirong for a moment before speaking.

"I see that you have a solid foundation and a long breath. I'm afraid you've already entered the inner circle. With you by my side to take care of Ling'er, I feel more at ease."

Wang Yu's words, though seemingly a compliment, put a sense of pressure on both Zhao Ling'er and Zhao Shirong. The addition of a martial artist to the palace was not a big deal, but it wasn't insignificant either; it all depended on whether the emperor pursued the matter.

After all, a grandmaster martial artist might be able to gain recognition and influence in the martial arts world, but in the imperial palace, that's about it.

However, these words themselves are a form of invisible warning and an invisible form of attention.

As expected, Wang Yu's next words surprised all three women: "I am very pleased tonight, thanks to the good company of Ling'er, Feiyan, and Hede."

Wang Yu paused, then turned his gaze back to Zhao Shirong, who stood with her head bowed, and said in a calm tone, "Shirong has served Ling'er diligently and has made a contribution, so let her stay and serve you in bed as well."

The palace was silent. Zhao Ling'er and the other two women were completely surprised that the emperor would suddenly name a palace maid to serve him in bed, especially such an older one.

Zhao Ling'er reacted the fastest, immediately suppressing the turbulent thoughts in her heart, and showing a perfectly timed joyful smile on her face, she said softly, "Your Majesty's grace is Shi Rong's blessing, and also my honor."

Before long, the silk curtains in the bedchamber were lowered, and the lights of several palace lanterns were dimmed, leaving only a dim, hazy glow that enveloped everything in the room in an ambiguous and private atmosphere.

In the air, the calming incense that Zhao Hede had blended mingled with the woman's faint perfume, creating an atmosphere that was both relaxing and subtly arousing.

Wang Yu had removed his outer robe, wearing only a bright yellow silk undergarment. He leaned against the large dragon-patterned couch, looking languid, but his eyes remained clear as he quietly watched the four beauties before him, each with a different posture.

"Come here." Wang Yu's voice rang out in the silence, his slender fingers casually beckoning towards Zhao Shirong.

Zhao Shirong took a deep breath, suppressing all her turbulent thoughts, and began to move forward. But a force struck her, catching her off guard. She let out a soft gasp, but then fell into a warm embrace.

"Raise your head!"

Zhao Shirong slowly raised her head as instructed, and her face was fully revealed under the light.

She was indeed a beauty, with delicate features, a straight nose, and light-colored lips. Compared to Zhao Ling'er's brightness, she possessed a cool and aloof quality that came with experience.

……

The candlelight flickered gently, casting the shadows of the group onto the wall.