Qin Shu loosened her arms from around Xuan Yuan Che’s waist, intending to end the embrace, only to realize she was being held tightly against him.
Didn’t he say it would just be a brief hug? Why wasn’t he letting go? And was a simple hug really enough to make him this happy?
This was the first time she had ever been held so closely by a man, intimately feeling the warmth of his embrace. His hold was surprisingly comfortable, and she felt no resistance—in fact, she rather enjoyed it.
Her hands, which had been resting behind his waist, naturally moved to his sides. She had touched his chest before and found his pectoral muscles impressive; now it seemed his abdominal muscles were equally remarkable.
Even through the fabric of his clothes, she could trace the distinct, well-defined lines.
After quite some time, Qin Shu noticed that Xuan Yuan Che showed no intention of ending this “brief hug.” If she didn’t remind him, he might just hold her indefinitely. Finally, she spoke up: “Your Majesty, don’t you have state affairs to attend to?”
Xuan Yuan Che held the person in front of him tightly, surrounded by her warm presence and the faint, delicate fragrance that permeated his senses. He truly wished he could hold her like this forever, but reluctantly, he released her.
“Mmm,” Xuan Yuan Che responded, then said, “Well, I’ll take my leave now.”
As Qin Shu watched Xuan Yuan Che’s retreating figure, she clearly saw the look in his eyes—it was as if they were pulling threads, desperately wanting to entangle her and take her along with him.
Alright, she had now personally experienced that Xuan Yuan Che was entirely different from the rumors she had heard.
Wait, no—this man was still cold and distant at other times or when facing others. So, this difference was reserved solely for her.
Qin Shu moved to the rocking chair nearby and lay down, thinking that since Xuan Yuan Che had completely opened up to her and trusted her fully, and since she intended to give their relationship a sincere try, she ought to support and help him in whatever he wished to do.
Just then, Xin Lian entered and, seeing her mistress lying in the rocking chair, approached and said, “Your Highness, when His Majesty left, he specifically instructed this servant to take good care of you. Your Highness, you and His Majesty…”
“Don’t worry, everything is fine,” Qin Shu glanced up at Xin Lian and said, “Last night, you asked me a question. Now, I can give you an answer.”
Xin Lian stood respectfully by her side and, upon hearing this, immediately understood what her mistress was referring to. She promptly replied, “This servant is all ears.”
Qin Shu spoke slowly, “If he can fulfill his promises, then he is. Although becoming a consort in the palace is an unchangeable fact, I am still who I am. Being in the palace doesn’t mean I have to alter the principles I hold dear. I know very well what I want.”
Xin Lian looked at her mistress. Of course, she knew—since childhood, she and Xin Yi had followed their mistress, hearing and witnessing many novel things over the years. Their mistress was the most unique existence in the world, and she and Xin Yi were incredibly fortunate.
After a moment of silence, Xin Lian said, “Your Highness is right. Behind you stands the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence, with the Duke and his wife, as well as the eldest, second, and third young masters. Your Highness herself is no ordinary person. Although entering the palace is like stepping into an abyss, you will never be bound or influenced by these constraints.”
Qin Shu smiled at Xin Lian and said no more, reclining leisurely on the rocking chair as she savored the sincere feelings Xuan Yuan Che had revealed to her. Back when that inexplicable imperial decree had arrived at the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence, summoning her to the palace for the selection, the trajectories of their fates had inevitably intertwined. Since that was the case, she might as well try walking this path.
……
Zhaoyang Palace, inside the hall.
Consort Li picked up a pomelo from the fruit platter on the table, carefully peeled the thin outer skin from the flesh, and handed it to Noble Consort Lan. “Your Highness, this pomelo flesh looks plump and delicious. Please try it.”
Zheng Shiyao took it and glanced at Consort Li. “You needn’t trouble yourself with such tasks. Let the maids handle them.”
Consort Li smiled and was about to respond when a palace servant happened to enter.
Zheng Shiyao tasted the pomelo in her hand and asked, “What is it?”
The servant meticulously recounted everything that had occurred in the Chrysanthemum Garden of the imperial gardens in detail to the noble consort.
After listening, Zheng Shiyao couldn’t help but laugh. “How amusing, truly amusing.”
Consort Li chimed in with a smile, “Indeed. Among the newly entered consorts, the first to gain favor—what seemed like glory has turned into a colossal joke. The Empress will probably be furious when she finds out.”
Zheng Shiyao wiped her hands with a handkerchief, picked up the scented tea beside her, took a sip, and sneered, “That day, when Lady Wei was sent to the cold palace by the Empress, and the very next night, this Yang Shi received the first favor among the newcomers—and she’s the Empress’s person. I thought the Empress must be exceedingly pleased. Who knew her triumph would vanish within days? Tomorrow morning, during the greetings at the central palace, there will be quite a spectacle.”
Consort Li agreed, “Your Highness is absolutely right. But come to think of it, why did the Emperor appear there so coincidentally? Moreover, the Emperor demoted Yang Shi because of Consort Chen, and it was after Consort Chen had already punished Yang Shi that the Emperor issued a separate decree to demote her. Isn’t the Emperor paying too much attention to Consort Chen?”
“Ever since the Empress sent Imperial Hospital physicians to examine Consort Chen, and the Imperial Hospital reported that Consort Chen is extremely weak with a very poor constitution, the Emperor has been quite concerned. After all, she is the legitimate daughter of the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence. If something were to happen to her health so soon after entering the palace, it would be difficult to explain to the Duke. Yesterday, during the Mid-Autumn palace banquet, Consort Chen didn’t attend. It’s only reasonable for the Emperor to check on her today.”
Zheng Shiyao said nonchalantly, “As for Yang Shi’s demotion—she was reduced to the lowest rank. That was the Emperor’s decree. Probably no one present expected such a decision. But the Emperor likely used Yang Shi as an example to warn those in the Imperial Harem not to entertain any improper thoughts about Consort Chen. Yang Shi was foolish enough to walk right into the blade.”
Consort Li pondered, “Your Highness means that because of the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence behind Consort Chen, regardless of whether she gains favor after entering the palace, as long as the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence remains standing, the Emperor won’t allow Consort Chen to suffer the slightest loss in the Imperial Harem.”
Zheng Shiyao laughed heartily. “The Empress wanted to use Consort Chen to annoy me, but she ended up annoying herself instead. This is the most entertaining joke I’ve seen in a long time.”
“Exactly. It also avenges what happened to Lady Wei.” Consort Li then asked, “Your Highness, regarding Consort Chen’s side…”
“Those who pose potential threats must be dealt with when necessary.” Zheng Shiyao’s cold gaze swept past Consort Li seated beside her as she remarked, “Besides, I never laid a hand personally. Should anything happen in the future, it cannot be blamed on me—after all, it wasn’t I who instructed the Imperial Hospital physicians to carefully tend to Consort Chen’s condition.”
Understanding the implication, Consort Li smiled obsequiously and flattered, “Your insight is truly wise, Your Highness.”