Chapter 37 The Storm
"How is the Empress Dowager's health these days? It's my fault for not visiting you during this period."
"You're not feeling well, so how can I blame you? However, Concubine Hua often comes to Shoukang Palace to chat with me and pass the time. I feel that Concubine Hua has become much more stable now. Your Majesty, have you noticed?"
In the past, because of the fear that the Nian family would be more powerful than the master, they were very cautious about Hua Fei and the others, especially regarding offspring. Now that I think about it, it is really difficult for that child.
"Yes, Shilan has become much more sensible now. Her filial piety towards the Empress Dowager is obvious to all, and she manages all the affairs in the palace in an orderly manner."
Thinking of Nian Shilan, the emperor suddenly realized that he had not been to Yiku Palace for a long time. If it were in the past, he would have been disturbed countless times.
"Speaking of offspring, Concubine Hua was discussing this with me here earlier. I heard that several of these new concubines are very popular with the Emperor. This is a good thing. This way, we can quickly expand the royal family. There haven't been any children born in this palace for a long time."
In any case, in the eyes of the Queen Mother, the royal bloodline is the top priority. Over the years, there have been very few princes born safely in the palace.
When the Queen Mother said these words, she glanced at the Queen vaguely. It's not that she didn't know the Queen's little thoughts, but she turned a blind eye most of the time.
"Don't worry, Empress Dowager. The concubines currently enjoying great favor are all young. I believe there will be good news from the palace soon."
The queen was just thinking about how to bring up the topic, but unexpectedly the opportunity came.
"I have noticed that since Concubine Wan has been serving His Majesty all day, His Majesty seems to be more energetic than before."
"The emperor looks very good recently. It seems that the people serving him are quite well-behaved." The empress dowager thought of the recent rumors in the palace.
"The new Lady Wan is quite to my son's liking."
Speaking of Zhen Huan, the smile on the emperor's face became more sincere.
"Lady Wan? I've heard someone mention her before. She's said to have a pleasing appearance."
When the emperor heard the empress dowager's words, he thought that the empress dowager also liked Zhen Huan, but he didn't expect that the empress dowager's next words were the key point.
"I don't know if it's because the Empress Dowager is getting old, but she keeps thinking about past events. Your Majesty, do you still remember when the late Emperor was alive, when Prince Seventeen's biological mother was the most favored of the six palaces, causing resentment and jealousy among the concubines? What the Empress Dowager is trying to say is that the women in the harem are often the most influential. Your Majesty, you must remember this key point."
"I've learned from Empress Dowager's words and will definitely keep them in mind. How about this? The weather has been nice these past few days, and the flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming beautifully. The Empress is also well now. Let the Empress make the arrangements, and I'll accompany you to enjoy the flowers. How do you think?"
The Queen Mother knew that the Emperor was taking this opportunity to bring Zhen Huan to her. She also knew that she couldn't push too hard in many cases, so she agreed.
"In that case, let's do as the emperor wishes."
It was not known whether the Queen really wanted to find something to kill time or had other purposes, but she quickly arranged all matters concerning the banquet and waited for the next day to arrive.
"Hanhuan, I've been asking you to come to the Imperial Study to keep me company lately. Do you find it a bit boring?"
The emperor couldn't help but feel a little soft in his heart when he saw such a considerate and lovely girl in front of him. He knew the Empress Dowager's concerns, but he also believed that as long as the Empress Dowager and Huanhuan got along with each other, she would definitely fall in love with her.
"How could that be? It's Huanhuan's blessing to be by Silang's side, but Huanhuan is very anxious about Silang's doting on her. There are many sisters in the palace, and Silang should visit the other sisters more often. That way, Huanhuan won't feel uneasy about monopolizing Silang all the time."
After hearing what Concubine Hua said before, Zhen Huan also knew very well that the emperor's favor was too much and dangerous, and she needed to avoid the spotlight appropriately.
"Are you willing to push me to someone else? Besides, I like being with you. You don't need to worry about other things. I'm here for you."
After the emperor dealt with the memorials on the table, he took Zhen Huan's hand and sat with her. Thinking that tomorrow would be the day Zhen Huan would formally meet the Queen Mother, he couldn't help but give her some advice.
"Hanhuan, I've already told you my intentions for tomorrow's banquet. I know the Empress Dowager's concerns, and I understand your intentions. But I believe that once the Empress Dowager sees you, she will definitely fall in love with you. You don't need to be too nervous. Just show your usual side."
Zhen Huan rolled her eyes helplessly inwardly. After saying so much, no one listened to a single word she said. Wasn't this just making her the target of everyone?
But when facing the emperor, Zhen Huan quickly replaced her eyes with one full of admiration: "Huan Huan knows Si Lang's good intentions, and will definitely not let Si Lang down."
While we were chatting, it was almost time for dinner.
"It's getting late, Huanhuan, you can just stay here and have dinner with me."
"yes."
In fact, she had made an appointment with Shen Meizhuang before coming. The two sisters had not had a personal chat together for a long time. Unexpectedly, today's plan was disrupted again, so they could only find another time.
But before the two of them finished their meal, Xiao Xiazi hurried in from outside and whispered a few words in the ear of Su Peisheng who was standing beside them.
Su Peisheng's face froze, and he didn't dare to hide anything when he told the emperor what happened outside.
"Your Majesty, a palace maid from Cunju Hall reports that Concubine Shen has accidentally fallen into the water."
"Noble Lady Shen? Is it Sister Mei?"
Zhen Huan couldn't believe it and confirmed it with Su Peisheng again, hoping that she had misheard, but in the end, the opposite happened.
"Your Excellency Wan, this is the Honored Lady Shen from Cunju Hall."
"emperor."
Zhen Huan looked at the emperor in panic. She didn't know what had happened, but since the emperor was alarmed, Sister Mei must have suffered great harm.
"Hanhuan, I know you're worried. How about this? I'll go with you to Cunju Hall to see what's going on."
The emperor couldn't bear to see Zhen Huan looking at him with such a touching look, not to mention that Concubine Shen was a woman he cared about.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Only after receiving the emperor's approval did Zhen Huan feel a little more at ease.
But the dinner could not continue at all. Fortunately, the emperor knew her anxiety and immediately took her to Cunju Hall.
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