Chapter 311
Shen Qingnian pushed open the door and entered. Her face was covered with a light veil, and she was dressed in a cloud brocade dress. Her hair was adorned with jasmine-shaped hairpins, giving her an ethereal and elegant air.
As soon as she entered the imperial study, Song Xuan's angry expression softened, and his tone changed from cold and stern to gentle: "Were you bored in the Golden Hall?"
"Your Majesty has been busy lately, so I came here specifically to urge Your Majesty to have a meal," Shen Qingnian said, bowing slightly to Song Xuan. Her words were relaxed and cheerful, without the slightest hint of fear.
As she spoke, she took the initiative to sit down on the chair next to her. This action was quite bold, but it also gave a glimpse into the atmosphere of her daily interactions with Song Xuan.
"Your Highness, Imperial Concubine," Shen Zheng knelt on the ground, his hair disheveled, and greeted Shen Qingnian with a somewhat disheveled expression, concealing the surprise in his eyes.
During the emperor's audience with his ministers, the harem was not allowed to enter according to the rules, but this imperial concubine was able to enter without any hindrance, which shows that she was extremely favored.
Shen Qingnian looked at Shen Zheng kneeling on the ground and simply called out, "General Shen."
Shen Zheng lowered his head, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.
When my father returned last time, he told him that this imperial concubine was arrogant and presumptuous, relying on His Majesty's favor to act rudely. Now that I have seen her, it is indeed true.
Before entering the palace, this imperial concubine was just a peasant girl. She had no powerful maternal family behind her and no outstanding abilities in public. She relied solely on her resemblance to the late empress to disrespect herself as the great general. Such arrogance was truly disgusting.
“General Shen, you may step down. This matter need not be mentioned again. When the time is right, I will naturally issue an edict to send you to the border,” said Song Xuan, who was seated above.
With Qing Nian arriving, he naturally didn't want to get entangled with Shen Zheng any longer.
Shen Zheng was unwilling to accept this, so he kowtowed to Song Xuan and said, "Your Majesty, the soldiers on the border cannot be without a leader for long."
Although he was granted the title of general and given the tiger tally upon his return to the capital, no imperial decree has yet been issued to send him to the border.
He was anxious.
Seeing that Shen Zheng refused to leave, Song Xuan frowned slightly, and his expression turned frosty again.
Seeing this, Shen Qingnian spoke up as if to offer some kind advice: "Please don't be anxious, General Shen. His Majesty has a long-term vision and his thoughts are naturally more comprehensive than yours. It would be better for you to step down, General Shen."
These words, seemingly meant to comfort, actually contained a hidden sarcasm.
How could Shen Zheng not understand? He was furious at being mocked by the concubines in the inner palace, so he couldn't help but retort with his own sarcastic remarks to Shen Qingnian: "Your Highness, the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. I urge Your Highness to be careful with your words. Although His Majesty favors you, you must not take advantage of his favor and lose your sense of propriety!"
He believed that His Majesty's favor towards the Consort was due not only to her resemblance to the late Empress, but also to her humble origins and lack of maternal lineage in the previous dynasty, thus eliminating any fear that such exclusive favor would undermine the existing regime.
A favored concubine without maternal support, no matter how much she is loved, cannot stand on her own! He is now supported by the people, and he believes that His Majesty will not embarrass him because of a mere concubine!
When Shen Qingnian heard Shen Zheng say this, she was not angry. Instead, she smiled and said, "General Shen is right. The harem should not interfere in politics."
Seeing that Shen Qingnian agreed, Shen Zheng felt a little smug and said, "It's good that Your Highness understands. In the future, when ministers come to pay their respects, please do not take advantage of His Majesty's favor to barge in. Now that you have entered the harem, you must abide by the rules of the harem!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Song Xuan's expression turned completely cold, but Shen Zheng didn't see it. He was only focused on how to reprimand Shen Qingnian.
“I come from a humble background and cannot compare to the noble ladies of the capital. My knowledge is also far less than that of General Shen,” Shen Qingnian echoed.
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