Chapter 254 World Ten (Twenty-Five)

When General Zhong rushed into the palace, he saw Empress Dowager Zhong with a confused and depressed look on her face.

General Zhong's heart tightened. He stopped and called out, "Empress Dowager."

Queen Mother Zhong turned around, propping her face up with her hands, looking worried. "Brother, what do you think of Boyu's current temperament?"

General Zhong had heard a lot about the affairs of the court. He also did not approve of Chu Boyu's promotion of a boy from a poor family, as this would inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the nobles.

Furthermore, the Zhong family had been wealthy for generations, and General Zhong had earned a distinguished reputation through military exploits. Deep down, he looked down on those impoverished scholars. However, Chu Boyu's assertiveness at court had changed significantly. He was no longer the unyielding, opinion-less man of the past. As his uncle, General Zhong was pleased that Chu Boyu possessed the demeanor of an emperor.

General Zhong considered, "Your Majesty has made great progress, but he has acted too rashly."

Empress Dowager Zhong sighed and mentioned Chu Boyu's anger: "...Lan Zhaoyuan was originally a dancer. If Boyu was just venting his inner guilt, it would be fine.

But Lan Zhaoyuan and Chu Shi are so close that I can't help but feel worried. "Brother, do you remember Concubine Shu?"

General Zhong nodded. He had a deep memory of the culprit who framed Empress Dowager Zhong and caused the brother and sister to not see each other for several years.

Empress Dowager Zhong frowned, and the boldness on her face subsided. In front of General Zhong, she did not want to be a high and mighty empress dowager, but would rather be General Zhong's most beloved sister.

"Shu Fei has a soft mouth but a snake heart. Although she looks delicate and pitiful, she is extremely cruel and ruthless.

Lan Zhaoyuan's appearance is more pitiful than Shufei's.

If not for this, Boyu would not be obsessed with it and would not indulge in revelry every night in Zhilan Palace.

But Lan Zhaoyuan was involved with Concubine Shu's son, which made me feel depressed.

It was as if there was a soft thorn piercing my heart, reminding me that Boyu and I will be influenced by the emotions of people like Concubine Shu for the rest of our lives.

Although Boyu used to be gentle, he always listened to my words and never disobeyed me. But now... for Lan Zhaoyuan, although he didn't directly contradict me, he always defended her. Brother——"

Empress Dowager Zhong grabbed General Zhong's arm, and her usually calm palm was trembling slightly.

Empress Dowager Zhong raised her head and looked directly into General Zhong's resolute profile. "You have to help me. Brother, you must help me. We can't let both mother and son be fooled by the likes of Concubine Shu."

General Zhong said, "Okay."

After receiving General Zhong's promise, Empress Dowager Zhong calmed down and sat back on the beauty couch.

The palace maid came into the hall to report that many beautiful girls were waiting outside the hall.

At the signal of Empress Dowager Zhong, General Zhong turned sideways and hid behind a screen with flowers, birds, and mountains and waters.

Under the guidance of the palace servants, the beauties filed in, lined up in an orderly manner, and paid their respects to Empress Dowager Zhong.

These beauties were selected by Empress Dowager Zhong from the list of beauties, and they were women who barely met her preferences.

Although the concubines did not know why Empress Dowager Zhong summoned them, they knew in their hearts that they had won the favor of Empress Dowager Zhong.

After paying their respects, the concubines showed off their talents, surrounded Empress Dowager Zhong, and acted in a pleasing manner.

Only Sun Ruxuan, standing behind the concubines, did not look anxious.

In the huge inner hall, where hundreds of flowers were in full bloom, Sun Ruxuan's non-competitive and natural demeanor made Empress Dowager Zhong interested.

When the head maid saw that the time had come, she tactfully asked the many beauties to leave the inner hall.

Sun Ruxuan followed the other concubines and slowly left, but she heard the head maid call out, "Sun Xiu Nu, please stay."

In an instant, many vague glances were cast on Sun Ruxuan.

Sun Ruxuan was left in the inner palace of Empress Dowager Zhong.

The other concubines returned to their palaces, all filled with indignation. They racked their brains to please Empress Dowager Zhong. Who could have imagined that Empress Dowager Zhong would ultimately choose Sun Ruxuan?

One of the concubines laughed at herself softly, "I am so cautious and careful, yet I have never even seen the face of His Majesty.

But Sun Xiu-nu was first favored by His Majesty and treated with special favor, and was able to meet with His Majesty frequently.

Now that Sun Xiunü had never done anything, she asked Empress Dowager Zhong to stay.

Is it true that everyone has their own destiny? I cannot receive the emperor's grace.

But Sun Xiunu was standing there, and grace came to her. "

The palace maid comforted her gently, saying that there would be another chance in the future.

The concubine was not optimistic. She had been unable to attend the palace banquet due to illness and had missed the chance to see His Majesty.

When she was at home, she was known for her quiet demeanor, and it's likely that Empress Dowager Zhong summoned her for this reason. But now... His Majesty favors Lan Zhaoyuan, and Empress Dowager Zhong is secretly trying to support Sun Ruxuan.

As for the remaining beauties, there was no chance for them to show up in front of Chu Boyu.

Empress Dowager Zhong looked at Sun Ruxuan in front of her. Even though she was the empress dowager, she had to admit Sun Ruxuan's good luck.

Although Empress Dowager Zhong had doubts about the relationship between Lan Zhaoyuan and Chu Shi, she wanted to find a beautiful girl to divert Lan Zhaoyuan's favor.

However, Chu Boyu was the son of Empress Dowager Zhong, and Empress Dowager Zhong did not want to pick a beautiful girl at random, which made Chu Boyu feel disgusted and the relationship between the two became cold.

At this time, Sun Ruxuan, who was close to Mo Yu and had met Chu Boyu several times, and had a casual personality, was the best choice among the many beautiful girls.

Empress Dowager Zhong didn't try to be evasive, but simply asked directly, "Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Sun Ruxuan's heart was pounding. Although she didn't fight or compete, she hadn't reached the transcendent state of wanting nothing.

What's more, ever since Mo Yu became estranged from her, it has been difficult for Sun Ruxuan to see Chu Boyu.

Ever since Chu Boyu got the treasured fan, he would never set foot in the concubine's bedroom.

Sun Ruxuan brews tea to drink every day and prepares some snacks for meals.

But occasionally, she would subconsciously look towards the palace gate, expecting to see Chu Boyu holding the civet cat Mo Yu and slowly walking towards her.

Chu Boyu stood in front of the palace gate with his back to the sunlight, and said with a gentle smile, "Mo Yu missed you."

But Sun Ruxuan regained consciousness and realized that everything was an illusion.

Chu Boyu would not give her the opportunity to let Sun Ruxuan enjoy such a warm scene.

But now, Empress Dowager Zhong has handed this opportunity to Sun Ruxuan.

Sun Ruxuan simply said, "My father is only an editor, it's difficult..."

Empress Dowager Zhong frowned. She was always straightforward and disliked those beating around the bush. She interrupted Sun Ruxuan and asked directly, "I'm only asking about you, not your father."

Sun Ruxuan clasped her hands together at her abdomen, her fingers clenched until the knuckles turned white. Sun Ruxuan heard her own calm voice echo, "Your Highness, I believe that the Empress's dignity is something everyone should covet. Of course, I cannot escape the vulgarity."

Baoshan looked up at the dark night, her beautiful eyes trembling slightly.

At this time of the day, Chu Boyu would have come to Zhilan Palace and had dinner with Baoshan.

If Chu Boyu was busy with other things, he would order the eunuch serving beside him to come to Zhilan Palace to inform Baoshan, asking her to have her meal first and he would come later.

Baoshan looked quietly at the palace road in front of Zhilan Palace. It was empty, without even the shadow of a eunuch.

Baoshan was already frail, and under the moonlight, she looked even more pitiful. Yinhua stepped forward and gently reminded her, "You didn't eat much for lunch, so you should eat more for dinner."

She gently waved her precious fan, and the silver tassels in her hair swayed with it. Her voice was soft, "I will wait for His Majesty to come and have dinner together. Yinhua, you can go and have your meal first. You don't have to wait for me."

Yinhua saw Baoshan's eyebrows furrowed, and she looked weak and pitiful, gazing out of the palace from afar, just like a poor woman abandoned by her husband.

Yinhua knew that it was useless to persuade him any further, so she ordered the clever little palace maid in Zhilan Palace to go and find out where Chu Boyu was.

As for the dispute between Empress Dowager Zhong and Chu Boyu, it would definitely not be spread in the palace due to Empress Dowager Zhong's strict control.

Even if Yinhua wanted to find out, she couldn't find any clues.

But Yinhua did find out that Chu Boyu, in a rage, executed a young eunuch and ordered his men to take him to a mass grave.

According to Yinhua, Chu Boyu was angry, so it might be a good thing that he didn't come to Zhilan Palace at this time.

This is to prevent Chu Boyu from taking the opportunity to vent his unhappiness on the precious fan.

But Baoshan had deep feelings for Chu Boyu, so Yinhua didn't dare to say it out loud. She could only tell the palace maid to go to the kitchen to get a bowl of thick porridge, a few plates of rose cakes, crystal winter melon dumplings and other food.

“After it’s done, you don’t have to serve it right away; just simmer it over warm water to keep it warm.

When Lan Zhaoyuan wants to eat, go get it and make sure the food and porridge are warm."

The palace maids agreed one after another.

Yinhua looked at the food on the table and sighed in her heart: I don’t know how many times the food has been reheated, I’m afraid Chu Boyu will not come.

But when the night was as dark as ink, Chu Boyu still appeared in Zhilan Palace.

He saw that Baoshan was thin, but still leaning against the palace door, looking forward to his arrival with full eyes.

Chu Boyu's body stiffened for a moment, then returned to normal in an instant.

Bao Shan came forward tenderly. She did not ask why Chu Boyu was late, but only called out softly, "Your Majesty."

Chu Boyu put his arms around Baoshan's slender waist and brought her into his arms.

Chu Boyu had always been gentle, but today, the hand that stroked Baoshan's waist was firm, as if he wanted to clamp Baoshan to his side.

Of course, cold food couldn't be used. Yinhua asked the kitchen to prepare new food and presented it to them. Chu Boyu finished his meal in silence, saying only, "I'm attending to court affairs."

Although the meaning was not spoken out loud, Baoshan already understood it.

——I’m dealing with important matters and I’m not keeping you waiting on purpose.

Baoshan's beautiful eyes trembled slightly, and her face showed a gentle and considerate look, but she was thinking in her heart: Chu Boyu did not deliberately keep her waiting for a long time, but he did not explain or send anyone to pass on the message.

It seems that Chu Boyu is really busy and really angry.

But Baoshan did not ask Chu Boyu why he ignored her.

Although she relied on Chu Boyu, she was not Chu Boyu's subject and needed to figure out Chu Boyu's thoughts at all times.

Chu Boyu was probably angry because of the precious fan, but the precious fan deliberately did not try to comfort him, leaving Chu Boyu to sulk in his heart.

The longer you think about it, the more deeply you will remember the treasure fan.

Without the beauty's gentle comfort, Chu Boyu's face was really tense, which was frightening to look at.

But Baoshan was not afraid of him. After Chu Boyu changed into his pajamas, she softened her body and nestled in his arms.

She looked stupid and ignorant, as if she couldn't understand the cold look on Chu Boyu's face.

Chu Boyu didn't push Bao Shan away, even though he was really angry. Chu Boyu didn't believe what Empress Dowager Zhong said. But this didn't stop Chu Boyu from being filled with anger after he learned that Bao Shan and Chu Shi were alone together.

Chu Boyu had taken off the jade crown that he used to tie up his hair, and all his hair fell on his broad shoulders.

Baoshan stretched out its soft hands, wrapped a strand of Chu Boyu's hair between its fingers, and stroked it lightly.

She was curled up in Chu Boyu's arms, and every inch of her skin could feel the tension on Chu Boyu's body.

The precious fan lifted up her black hair and entwined it with Chu Boyu's.

The hair was pitch black, and it was impossible to tell the difference between the two people.

But Chu Boyu only needed to take a glance to tell that the slightly hardened strand was his.

The other strand, which is very soft, belongs to the treasure fan.

Chu Boyu frowned and said in a deep voice, "Don't mess around, untie it quickly."

Baoshan's body trembled, and her watery eyes trembled slightly, as if she was frightened by Chu Boyu's harsh voice.

She fought back the tears in her eyes and stretched out her fingers to untangle her tangled hair.

When Chu Boyu saw this pitiful look of the little girl, his hardened heart suddenly softened for a moment.

But Chu Boyu forced himself not to be soft-hearted towards Baoshan.

Before coming to Zhilan Palace, in addition to handling government affairs, Chu Boyu also asked the palace servants to collect many scandals and anecdotes about marital discord and his wife's love for other men.

The palace servants only thought that the emperor wanted to hear some folk rumors, no matter what strange and bizarre they were, so they collected them and told them to Chu Boyu in vivid detail.

It is said that there was a woman in Dongcheng who despised her husband because he was weak and incompetent.

The woman openly found her lover and had sex with him indoors.

Her husband was so weak that he didn't even know how to resist, and later he died of anger.

This incident spread widely in the capital. Poor husband, he was hated by his wife during his lifetime and ridiculed by everyone after his death.

After hearing this, Chu Boyu became more determined. He would not be weak and be bullied.

But seeing Baoshan's clumsiness, which had torn several strands of soft hair, and the crimson color still hanging in the corners of his eyes, Chu Boyu spoke in a stiff voice, took the tangled hair back from Baoshan's hands, and untied it lightly without breaking a single hair.

Chu Boyu said coldly: "Stupid."

Upon hearing this, Bao Shan's clear eyes flickered slightly, and she actually took the initiative to withdraw from Chu Boyu's arms, keeping a strange distance between the two.

Realizing that the warm and soft beauty in his arms had left, Chu Boyu's thick brows furrowed even more tightly.