Qin Shu lay on the rocking chair, gazing at Xin Lian and Xin Yi standing beside her. Their faces were still filled with concern. She spoke softly, “What happened earlier was truly nothing to worry about. There’s no need for you both to be so anxious. In this palace, you two are the people I trust most. If something were truly wrong, I wouldn’t hide it from you.”
Upon hearing these words, Xin Lian and Xin Yi finally relaxed a little, though they still couldn’t comprehend why the Emperor had suddenly come to Yuehua Palace.
As for this point, Qin Shu thought to herself, not only were you two unaware of the reason, but even she hadn’t figured it out. Especially since Xuan Yuan Che had said some inexplicable things to her, which made it even more perplexing.
Fortunately, it wasn’t completely without gains. At the very least, her persona of being frail and sickly remained intact and was firmly established. After all, the Empress had allowed her to rest and recuperate in Yuehua Palace for this reason, and Xuan Yuan Che’s visit to Yuehua Palace to see her—whether mixed with other intentions or not—was ultimately because of her poor health.
Everything that had just occurred was flawless. With this layer of security ensured, she could remain ‘behind the scenes’ from now on, avoiding direct contact with those people in the Imperial Harem. No matter how many disputes and conflicts arose, she could remain calmly seated on the fishing platform.
Qin Shu lay leisurely on the rocking chair, intending to take another short nap. However, after the recent events, her drowsiness from the afternoon had completely vanished. She simply lay there with her eyes closed, resting her mind.
But the moment she closed her eyes, Xuan Yuan Che’s appearance suddenly flashed into her mind. Instantly, her eyes snapped open.
She slapped her forehead and let out a long sigh. It was truly bizarre. Just because that damned emperor’s looks far exceeded her expectations, she had been able to act naturally and flawlessly when facing him directly, without showing the slightest ripple of emotion. But now, even though he wasn’t in front of her, she was still feeling unsettled.
Although she had encountered all sorts of handsome men in her previous life, after joining the organization and gradually becoming a top agent, she had never entertained such thoughts in this regard. What was going on? Had she been reborn into a new life only to become infatuated with a man who happened to align perfectly with her aesthetic preferences?
Xin Lian and Xin Yi stood attentively by her side. Noticing their mistress’s strange expression, Xin Lian asked softly, “Your Highness, what’s wrong?”
Qin Shu replied firmly, “It’s nothing. Pour me a cup of tea.”
Xin Yi hurriedly poured a cup of tea from the small square table nearby and handed it to her.
Qin Shu sat up straight, drank the tea in one go, and felt her thoughts clear considerably. Xuan Yuan Che had his own charm, and while handsome men were pleasing to the eye, she was well aware that he was the emperor of the Celestial Sun Nation. She had no interest in playing any ‘competition for favor games.’
It was often said that once you entered the palace, even if you wished to avoid conflict, you would inevitably be drawn into it. For her, as long as those women didn’t provoke her, they could coexist peacefully. But if anyone dared to cross her, they shouldn’t blame her for being merciless.
…
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study.
Li Mo followed the Emperor back and saw him seated before the Dragon Throne Desk, clearly not intending to review any Official Documents. Instead, he sat there quietly, as if pondering something important. Li Mo knew better than to disturb the Emperor at a time like this.
Just then, a young eunuch entered carrying tea. Seeing the situation, he didn’t dare to breathe too loudly and spoke in a hushed voice to Li Mo, “Master, the Emperor’s tea is ready.”
Li Mo brought the tea over, signaling for him to step back first, then gently placed the teacup on the Dragon Throne Desk.
Suddenly, Li Mo noticed the Emperor turning his gaze toward him. His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately said, “Your Majesty, this is freshly brewed tea. Please have a sip before reviewing the memorials.”
Xuan Yuan Che casually picked up the teacup, lifted the lid, and took a sip.
Seeing this, Li Mo’s anxious heart eased slightly.
While drinking his tea, Xuan Yuan Che glanced at Li Mo and said, “Li Mo, am I not likable?”
Li Mo was caught off guard by the Emperor’s question. His previously calmed emotions plummeted into an abyss. Why would the Emperor suddenly ask such a thing? His mind raced, and without hesitation, he knelt and replied, “Your Majesty is the ruler of the nation, beloved by the people and revered by all. How could you not be likable?”
Xuan Yuan Che set down his teacup and said, “That’s not what I meant. Rise.”
Li Mo: “Thank you, Your Majesty.” He stood up, his mind still working furiously. Recalling that the Emperor had visited Yuehua Palace, he cautiously ventured, “Is Your Majesty referring to Consort Chen?”
Xuan Yuan Che’s gaze sharpened. He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the desk, pausing thoughtfully before saying, “When I visited her and spoke with her, she remained indifferent as usual. She showed no joy at my presence.”
Having served by the Emperor’s side since childhood, Li Mo was well aware of His Majesty’s unique feelings for Consort Chen. Hearing this, he promptly responded, “Your Majesty, Consort Chen has only just entered the palace. Today was the first time you’ve met since her arrival. She is likely still adjusting to life in the palace. With time, things will improve. How could it be that Your Majesty is not likable?”
In his heart, Xuan Yuan Che knew that while he adored her, she did not feel the same way about him. He had brought her into the palace to keep her by his side precisely because he did not want to see the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence seeking a husband for her and arranging her marriage once she reached the appropriate age. Thus, he had no other choice.
He understood that winning her affection would not happen overnight. Hadn’t he thought the same at Yuehua Palace earlier? With time and gradual interaction, things would surely improve. Why had he suddenly trapped himself in this dead end again?
Collecting his thoughts, he shifted his focus to the pile of unprocessed official documents on the Dragon Throne Desk.
Seeing this, Li Mo immediately understood and hurried forward to grind the ink.
…
In the bedchamber of Phoenix Sun Palace.
Wang Wan Ning had just woken from her afternoon nap.
Her maids, Ling Qian and Ling Xi, attended to the Empress as she washed her face.
Ling Qian said softly, “Your Majesty, after the noon meal, the Emperor left the Imperial Study and went to Yuehua Palace.”
Ling Xi added, “Your Majesty, the Emperor originally intended to take a stroll in the Imperial Garden after the meal to aid digestion and happened to pass by Yuehua Palace.”
Wang Wan Ning tossed the towel into the washbasin, splashing a few droplets of water, and said, “Consort Chen is frail. It is only right for the Emperor to visit her. The legitimate daughter of the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence has entered the palace. Whether she is favored or not, the Emperor ought to show some concern.”
Ling Qian replied, “Your Majesty is right. With Consort Chen’s delicate health, what influence could she possibly have?”
Wang Wan Ning let out a cold laugh and then changed the subject, “By the way, is everything prepared for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet tomorrow evening?”
Ling Xi answered, “While Your Majesty was napping, Noble Consort Lan sent someone to inform us that everything has been arranged.”
Wang Wan Ning glanced at her reflection in the bronze mirror before her, her eyes turning cold. “The others are of no consequence. Noble Consort Lan holds the authority to manage the Imperial Harem—all trivial matters in the palace are handled by her. Only when she is stripped of her authority to manage the Imperial Harem will it be something worth celebrating for this consort.”