"System, does this quest have a time limit? Also, what does 'Li Cunxiao's physical talent' mean as a reward?"
Faced with the system's sudden quest, Zhang Shihao was instantly captivated, pleasantly surprised. Following behind a group of palace maids, he asked the system in his mind.
"【The quest has no time limit, but it is recommended that the host complete it as soon as possible, as this will be more beneficial in increasing the host's chances of survival in the palace.】"
"【Li Cunxiao's physical talent means that the host can possess the strength, physique, and martial arts aptitude of the historical Li Cunxiao.】"
Sure enough, listening to the system's explanation, which was similar to what he had thought, Zhang Shihao's breathing suddenly became much more rapid.
That was Li Cunxiao's physical talent!
Now, as long as he completed the quest, he could possess the strength, physique, and even martial arts talent of the historical Li Cunxiao?
If he possessed Li Cunxiao's physical talent, then his, Zhang Shihao's, chances of survival in the Imperial Palace, and even in this Late Han Dynasty that was rapidly descending into chaos, would definitely increase exponentially.
"However, gaining the favor of both the Emperor and the Empress, and establishing a foothold in the palace, how easy could that be?"
After a moment of excitement, Zhang Shihao thought of the quest description and gave a slight bitter smile.
He temporarily put the quest aside, because, led by Chun Ying, the Empress's personal maid, they had already entered the Empress's bedchamber.
As soon as he stepped into the Empress's bedchamber, a pleasant, fragrant aroma immediately wafted over him.
The Empress's bedchamber was magnificent, luxurious, and opulent.
It was almost identical to the Empress's bedchamber in his dreams.
Zhang Shihao couldn't help but look curiously towards the Phoenix bed.
Unfortunately, a thin veil obscured the front of the Phoenix bed. He could only vaguely make out a graceful and beautiful silhouette lying horizontally on it.
"Chun Ying, when is His Majesty coming over?"
A soft, delicate, sweet, and lazy voice, like an oriole leaving the valley, came from the Phoenix bed behind the veil.
"Reporting to Empress He, His Majesty has been pulled away by the Great General for a discussion. It will probably be another half an hour before he arrives at Changle Palace!"
"Understood."
The summer heat seemed to make people even lazier. The Empress didn't say much before falling silent again.
Chun Ying, the Empress's personal maid, immediately directed the several young palace maids and Zhang Shihao to clean.
However, not long after, a sharp voice rang out from outside the Empress's bedchamber.
"His Majesty is about to arrive! Empress He, prepare to receive him!"
"Hm? The Emperor is here?"
Hearing the sharp voice outside the door, everyone in the Empress's bedchamber was startled. They immediately tidied up their belongings and collectively knelt down at the doorway, bowing in greeting.
The Empress also got up.
Soon, a series of footsteps entered the bedchamber. Zhang Shihao, who was in a corner, slightly raised his lowered head.
He saw a middle-aged man, wearing a dragon robe, with a pale face and unsteady steps, enter the room accompanied by a gloomy-faced Eunuch.
Undoubtedly, the middle-aged man in the dragon robe was Emperor Liu Hong, and the gloomy-faced Eunuch was Zhang Rang, the leader of the Ten Attendants.
"Your Majesty!"
A soft, delicate, and sweet voice, like an oriole leaving the valley, rang out again. Empress He bowed to Liu Hong.
"Empress, I heard you weren't feeling well? I rushed over to see you!"
Seeing the Empress only wearing a thin veil, Liu Hong's eyes lit up. He helped the Empress up and said with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Oh, Your Majesty, don't be so rough. There are still people here. He Lian is fine, it's just that the weather is hot and dry, and the mosquitoes are buzzing, making it hard to sleep. I feel a bit irritable and weak."
The Empress chuckled, swatting away Liu Hong's hand, and said coquettishly, as if trying to maintain her dignified image as Empress in front of others.
"You all may leave! All of you, leave!"
Faced with the Empress's sweet, smiling, almost coquettish voice, Emperor Liu Hong repeatedly urged them to leave.
Zhang Rang, behind Liu Hong, immediately understood Liu Hong's meaning and said to the kneeling palace maids and servants:
"All of you, leave!"
"Yes!"
Chun Ying and the other palace maids quickly stood up and walked outside. Zhang Shihao hesitated slightly and did not stand up, but instead said softly:
"Your servant just heard Empress He say that the weather is hot and dry, and the mosquitoes are buzzing, making it hard to sleep. Your servant has a wondrous item that can drive away all mosquitoes in the room in a short time, and also has the effect of calming the mind and relieving stress. I am willing to offer it to Your Majesty and Empress He!"
"Hm?"
Zhang Shihao's voice instantly drew everyone's attention.
At this moment, Liu Hong, Empress He, Zhang Rang, and the others all looked towards Zhang Shihao in the corner.
However, seeing Zhang Shihao in his servant's Eunuch attire, Empress He's delicate brows furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure. She reminded him:
"Xiao Haozi, do you know what you're saying? There are no jesting words before the monarch. If you retract that statement now, I will pretend you never said it. Go back and copy the Imperial Harem Regulations ten times, and that will be all."
Empress He's reminder was the first to ring out. Inside the bedchamber, Liu Hong smiled and did not speak immediately, but rather looked at Zhang Shihao with interest, clearly understanding that the Empress was protecting her own people in the palace.
To drive away all mosquitoes in the room in a short time?
And also have the effect of calming the mind and relieving stress?
Is that possible?
Every summer, it's the season for mosquitoes to breed.
Even though the Imperial Palace was clean, a single candle flame would still attract a large number of flying insects.
No insect repellent worked well.
However, they couldn't not light candles.
Inside the Imperial Palace, it wasn't completely dark once night fell.
Zhang Rang, at the side, also glanced at Empress He, remaining calm and not speaking.
However, just as Empress He's kind reminder fell, Zhang Shihao's voice rang out again.
"Thank you for the Empress He's reminder, but this incense was made by your servant according to a rare copy of Bian Que's Inner Canon I read in my youth, and it is indeed effective."
Empress He's reminder warmed Zhang Shihao's heart, but he was unwilling to give up this excellent opportunity to gain favor.
According to the system, the sleep-aid incense was indeed effective, and he, Zhang Shihao, was not worried that the system would trick him. Furthermore, with Emperor Liu Hong and the Empress both present, it was indeed a rare opportunity to gain favor.
And most importantly, he wanted to quickly receive the Li Cunxiao's physical talent reward!
Only by obtaining Li Cunxiao's physical talent reward would his chances of survival in the palace be greater.
Inside the bedchamber, as Zhang Shihao's affirmative voice fell, Empress He, Emperor Liu Hong, and Zhang Rang were all stunned, looking at Zhang Shihao in unison.
They really hadn't expected Zhang Shihao to be so stubborn, even rejecting the opportunity given by the Empress.
"Haha! Good, then I'll give you a chance to prove yourself. If it's truly as you say, with the effects of repelling insects, calming the mind, and relieving stress, I will reward you handsomely. However, if what you say is not true... you may rise!"
Liu Hong laughed loudly, and Empress He almost died of anger.
Zhang Shihao then stood up.
A tall, handsome young man with a height of 1.85 meters, sword-like eyebrows, and bright eyes instantly appeared in the sight of Empress He, Emperor Liu Hong, and Zhang Rang.
Emperor Liu Hong's eyes couldn't help but light up.
Zhang Rang's eyes narrowed slightly, his eagle-like gaze fixed on Zhang Shihao's Adam's apple, his eyes flickering, and he glanced at the fuming Empress He.
At this moment, Empress He was indeed a bit exasperated by Zhang Shihao's lack of discernment.
Empress He was naturally not unfamiliar with Zhang Shihao.
Zhang Shihao had been in Changle Palace for several months, and being so handsome and tall, he naturally attracted attention. Moreover, the key was that Zhang Shihao would appear in front of her from time to time, lingering in her sight, so she naturally knew Zhang Shihao.
And she actually had a good impression of this Xiao Haozi.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been the first to speak up just now, wanting to protect Zhang Shihao.
However, now that Zhang Shihao was so unappreciative, this undoubtedly committed a major taboo in the palace.
If he couldn't deliver on his claims, she wouldn't be able to protect him, and might even be accused of lax discipline.
If she couldn't even manage her own palace staff, how could she manage the entire Imperial Harem and be a mother to the world?
Zhang Shihao didn't know that Empress He was upset. After he stood up, the entire bedchamber instantly brightened.
Empress He Lian also reappeared in Zhang Shihao's sight.
This was a peerless beauty.
She exuded an aura of grace, dignity, and elegance.
"No wonder everyone says Empress He is beautiful. I'm afraid everyone wants to be Dong Zhuo, but now with a sword hanging over my head, I still need to curry favor with the Empress!"
Zhang Shihao took a deep look at the Empress and thought to himself.
However, Zhang Shihao dared not be presumptuous. Under the watchful eyes of Empress He, Liu Hong, and Zhang Rang, he reached into his cloth bag.
Subsequently, a plate of something resembling mosquito coils appeared before everyone.