Chapter 283

When she learned last night that Song Xuan was in such pain after she left the capital, she felt that she should take the initiative.

When Xia Zi, who was guarding outside the Imperial Study, saw Shen Qingnian arrive, he immediately put on a smile: "Miss Liu, please come in quickly. His Majesty has just finished discussing matters with his ministers and is resting inside now."

Looking at Xia Zi's eager face, Shen Qingnian couldn't help but recall what happened last night. Feeling a little embarrassed, she nodded and hurriedly entered the Imperial Study.

Song Xuan was engrossed in reviewing memorials at his desk when he heard footsteps. He looked up and said with a hint of surprise, "Qing Nian."

"Although it's autumn now, the late summer heat is still intense. I brought you some chilled rice cakes; they taste good and are refreshing," Shen Qingnian said, placing the food box on the table and opening it.

Lianggao is made from sweet potato starch and mixed with summer melon, peaches and iced milk. It tastes cool and refreshing and is very cooling.

Although it's called a pastry, it's more like a sweet soup.

"Qing Nian is truly thoughtful," Song Xuan said, his tone full of affection. He was happy whenever the other person came.

Shen Qingnian handed the chilled rice cake to Song Xuan and said with a smile, "Try it quickly. I know you don't like sweet things, so I specifically told the imperial chef not to add sugar to the milk."

This chilled rice cake is the imperial chef's specialty dessert, and both of my little ones love it.

Song Xuan, dressed in a black dragon robe, softened his cold expression, and his eyes overflowed with tenderness.

A moment later, he and Shen Qingnian sat facing each other at a small table.

The hall was filled with a faint jasmine fragrance; today's incense was a blend of jasmine and agarwood, which is said to have a calming effect.

Shen Qingnian's face was covered by a light purple veil. Today, she was wearing a purple ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and her hair was adorned with a colorful glass bead hairpin, making her look less aloof and more gentle.

Song Xuan lowered his head and ate the chilled rice cake. It wasn't very sweet, but the flavor was rich and fragrant, as if it had absorbed the scent of the person opposite him. He ate several spoonfuls before stopping and looking at the person opposite him:

"The Imperial Household Department recently acquired several bolts of gauze fabric. Take them back and make some nice clothes for yourself."

That gauze fabric is rare; it is a tribute from another country, and only a few bolts are obtained every few years.

Shen Qingnian didn't stand on ceremony with the man and said with a smile, "Then thank you very much, Your Majesty. It just so happens that Xiao Xi is also short of clothes, so I'll make some for her as well."

“That fabric is very dazzling in the sunlight when worn, and it is suitable for women. Yan Qing told him that ordinary satin would be fine,” Song Xuan nodded.

“Then I will pick out some better satin for Yan Qing,” Shen Qingnian agreed.

At this moment, Xia Zi from outside the hall walked in and reported softly, "Your Majesty, it is Prime Minister Shen who is requesting an audience, saying that he has important matters to discuss with Your Majesty."

After Shen Zheng met Shen Qingnian at the palace banquet last time, his mind started to wander, and he had been preparing for it ever since.

Upon hearing this, Song Xuan looked at Shen Qingnian, whose eyes flashed with coldness: "Prime Minister Shen's reputation is widespread, but I have never seen his face alone. I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish."

A moment later, Shen Zheng, dressed in court attire, bowed slightly as he entered the imperial study. He kept his head down and couldn't see Shen Qingnian sitting opposite Song Xuan.

After entering the hall, Shen Zheng knelt down and bowed respectfully, kowtowing to the ground: "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Song Xuan was known for his coldness and ruthlessness in the previous dynasty. No minister dared to challenge his imperial authority, and they were all extremely cautious when they tried to do anything.

In the past three years, he had drawn his sword and killed several court officials. The Taihe Hall, stained with blood, was always a place to be feared, and it made the ambitious Shen Zheng feel uneasy.

"What do you want?" Song Xuan's tone was like ice shards, and his imperial aura pressed down on Shen Zheng.