vrcanaries Chapter 542: Thinking of His Majesty (for [Book Friend Kitten])
Chapter 542: Thinking of His Majesty (for [Book Friend Kitten])
When everyone thought that the current Concubine Shu was the once favored, arrogant, and domineering Concubine, they felt a little dreamy...
In the past, who would have dared to imagine that one day someone would make her kneel in the Imperial Garden as punishment...
It was not until this moment that everyone deeply understood that the one who was now most favored in the six palaces was the Empress Xianfei!
At the same time, their awe of Shen Zhinian deepened.
The concubines in the Dingguo Mansion were even more terrified.
The virtuous concubine dared to punish the virtuous concubine, let alone them? It seems that I really need to be more careful in what I say and do in the future.
It has to be said that after this incident, Shen Zhinian's prestige in the harem soared!
The remaining prestige of Concubine Shu when she was a noble concubine is gradually disappearing...
Finally, an hour passed.
It was already the twelfth lunar month, and the ground was cold and hard. Cuizhu and Xiaohuazi had been kneeling for so long that they could no longer stand up.
In the end, other palace servants helped them up, and helped Concubine Shu onto the sedan chair and carried her back to Yongshou Palace.
The imperial physician brought the ointment and had the palace maid apply it to Concubine Shu.
A trace of hatred flashed across Concubine Shu's eyes, and she said in a deep voice: "Help me go to the Yangxin Palace. I want to see His Majesty!"
These days, Concubine Shu has been wanting to do what Empress Dowager Liu asked her to do.
But she couldn't even admit her guilt, let alone see the emperor. Every time she went to the Yangxin Palace, she was turned away.
The maids looked at each other and then advised: "Madam, your knee is not healed yet, why don't you take a rest first..."
Concubine Shu said bitterly, "Hasn't Your Majesty always been bewitched by that bitch, Concubine Xian, and thought she was weak, helpless, and pitiful?"
"I just want to let your majesty know that Concubine Xian's usual behavior is just an act!"
"Go to the Heart Cultivation Palace!"
No one dared to refute, and passed the sedan chair over: "Yes..."
Soon, Concubine Shu's entourage arrived at the Yangxin Palace, and she was supported by palace servants and walked forward.
Li Changde knew her purpose and went in again to report: "Your Majesty, the Concubine Shu wishes to see you."
Nangong Xuanyu did not stop reviewing the memorials and said coldly: "No, let her go back!"
Li Changde was a little hesitant.
Nangong Xuanyu raised his eyes and glanced at him: "Anything else?"
It stands to reason that some trivial matters in the harem should not be heard by His Majesty and disturb His Majesty's peace. But since it concerns the virtuous concubine, Li Changde dare not hide it.
"Your Majesty, I heard that today, the Concubine Xian and the Concubine Shu had an argument in the Imperial Garden. The Concubine Xian punished the Concubine Shu and made her kneel there for an hour."
When the emperor heard about this, his first reaction was not that Shen Zhinian had revealed her claws; nor was it what kind of conflict had occurred between them; nor was it to wonder if Concubine Shu had come to complain.
But...
He put down the memorial and asked curiously, "Jiang was not deposed back then. She was punished by the Empress to kneel down, but she refused to acknowledge him and just turned around and walked away."
"Now she is of the same rank as Consort Xian. Given her personality, will she accept Consort Xian's punishment?"
"This is really the sun rising from the west..."
Li Changde became more deeply aware that the status of Concubine Shu in His Majesty's heart was really different.
In the past, if someone dared to treat Concubine Shu like this, His Majesty would be furious and punish the person who did it. But now... His Majesty's eyes were full of smiles, only curiosity, no heartache.
Li Changde explained the whole story in detail before saying, "…If Empress Ren Xianfei decides to deal with it, it was Empress Shufei who released it herself, so she must not go back on her word."
Nangong Xuanyu nodded in understanding: "I see."
"Finally, someone can control Concubine Shu's temper."
Li Changde said again: "The Concubine Shu is still outside asking for an audience. Your Majesty, would you like to summon her in?"
Nangong Xuanyu could imagine that as soon as Concubine Shu came in, she would cry and complain again, begging him to seek justice for her.
The affairs of the Fang family were already enough to worry him, so how could he have the extra energy to be bothered by Concubine Shu's nagging?
Nangong Xuanyu picked up the memorial again and waved his hand impatiently.
Li Changde understood what he meant, lowered his head and walked out.
After hearing what Li Changde said, Concubine Shu's eyes were filled with disbelief: "...Your Majesty still doesn't want to see me?!"
She had been in the harem for so long, so she naturally knew what had happened in the Imperial Garden today, and it must have reached His Majesty's ears.
His Majesty knew that she was punished by the Concubine to kneel, and knew that her pride was humiliated, but he still refused to let her in...
At this moment, Concubine Shu's eyelashes were filled with tears.
But she still didn't want to resent the emperor, so she could only project all her anger onto Shen Zhinian.
It's the virtuous concubine who seduces the master!
It was night in a blink of an eye.
The young eunuch from the Jingshifang brought in trays of green cards.
These days, the emperor has been resting alone in the Yangxin Palace.
But Li Changde still followed the custom and asked, "Your Majesty, do you want to turn over the cards tonight?"
Nangong Xuanyu recalled what happened during the day.
He knew Nian Nian's personality. If she wasn't really angry, why would she punish Concubine Shu like that?
He stood up and said, "I will go to see Consort Xian and the Fourth Prince."
Li Changde immediately swung his whisk and said, "Go to Zhongcui Palace--!!!"
……
Zhongcui Palace.
Little Zhouzi strode in from outside: "My queen, the emperor is coming soon."
Shen Zhinian nodded calmly: "Got it, let's get ready to welcome him."
"Yes!"
The tightly closed door of Zhongcui Palace was not opened until the murder of Queen Mother Liu was settled.
This was the first time the emperor came here as he was busy with Fang family affairs.
Counting the days, the two haven't seen each other for nearly twenty days.
After getting down from the ceremonial guard, Nangong Xuanyu's steps were somewhat hurried.
"Your servant greets His Majesty. Long live His Majesty!"
The emperor ignored the palace servants who were performing the ceremony and walked towards the main hall without looking away. He supported Shen Zhinian who was waiting outside and said, "No need to be polite."
"It's cold, just wait inside, why are you standing at the door?"
As he said this, he took Shen Zhinian's slightly cold little hand and walked into the inner room.
Shen Zhinian raised her eyes and looked at the emperor. In her slightly upturned fox eyes, her eyes moved with a bit of charm and affection: "Nian Nian... I miss your majesty..."
"But Nian Nian knew that His Majesty was busy with government affairs, so she didn't dare to disturb Him in the Yangxin Palace. When she heard that His Majesty had come to the Zhongcui Palace, Nian Nian was overjoyed. So she waited at the door, hoping to see His Majesty as soon as possible."
Looking at her charming face, the emperor's heart softened, and he embraced Shen Zhinian in his arms, but his tone was a little cold: "Little liar!"
"You really missed me, and you even had someone close the gate of Zhongcui Palace and keep me out?"
"I see that you just say what you think, but your actions are completely the opposite!"
Shen Zhinian pursed her lips and said aggrievedly: "I am also thinking about your majesty's reputation, so I endured my longing and lived in seclusion in Zhongcui Palace."
"Your Majesty, it's fine if you don't appreciate it, but why do you still misunderstand me like this..."