Chapter 349
“This venison is fresh, and the taste is even better than the venison in the palace. Wrapping this venison in green leaves will make it less greasy. Try it,” Song Xuan said as he wrapped the venison in green leaves and handed it to Shen Qingnian.
Shen Qingnian took the food and took a bite. The aroma of vegetables mixed with venison filled her mouth, and it was indeed more delicious than what she ate in the palace.
Song Xuan wrapped several more for her until she shook her head, at which point he stopped.
"His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine truly have an excellent relationship," a courtier exclaimed.
Since the passing of the late Empress, His Majesty has never been gentle again, until this Imperial Concubine entered the palace.
“No matter how good the Imperial Concubine is, she can’t compare to His Majesty’s feelings for the late Empress,” Shen Zheng said, his eyes full of disdain.
Someone couldn't help but chime in: "Prime Minister Shen is right. His Majesty's affection for the late Empress is naturally unmatched by anyone else."
“Yes, the late Empress’s beauty and grace are incomparable to anyone else’s.” Shen Man, who had been seated in the corner, finally found a chance to interject and spoke up hastily.
Tonight, she wore only a pink dress, and her head was no longer covered in gold and silver. She also only applied a light layer of makeup, which made her look much more comfortable than usual, and she resembled Shen Qingnian a bit more.
Shen Qingnian looked at Shen Man. She had noticed Shen Man's change as soon as she took her seat and guessed that it must have been Shen Zheng's instruction yesterday that made Shen Man dressed like this tonight.
But it's not very useful.
"The late Empress's beauty is unmatched by anyone, and I am well aware of that," Shen Qingnian said calmly, without showing any displeasure on her face.
Seeing the Imperial Concubine's frankness, Shen Man felt as if she had punched a cotton ball. She felt stifled and uncomfortable. She wished she could drag the other woman into the Ice Palace and tell her that she was just a substitute, that His Majesty did not love her, and that she was just a plaything.
At this moment, Xiao Yanqing, his face full of displeasure, stood up. He frowned deeply and scolded, "My mother is a woman of exceptional talent. How dare you, a mere concubine, speak so presumptuously? Concubine Shen, I think you have completely forgotten the rules!"
Xiao Yanqing was personally raised by Song Xuan from a young age. Although the little guy's noble air and majesty were far inferior to his father's, they were still enough to give Shen Man, the concubine's daughter of a merchant, a hard time.
When Shen Man was reprimanded by the young prince, she couldn't help but swallow hard, a sense of fear creeping into her heart.
“Xiaoqing is right. How could the late Empress allow a mere minor to discuss this? This is tantamount to insubordination!” Xiao Shenxi also stood up, her face under her veil tense, clearly unhappy.
Shen Man gave a stiff smile and explained, "Your Highness is joking. I did not speak ill of the late Empress. Please, Your Highness, investigate further."
She would naturally explain to His Highness the Crown Prince, but she wouldn't bother with the little girl with her face covered.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Shenxi was immediately displeased and shouted, "You have often used the late Empress's name to pressure the Imperial Concubine. Such behavior is either reckless or insubordination, and is extremely disrespectful to the late Empress!"
This was a huge hat, pressing down on Shen Man's face until she turned pale. She hadn't expected this little girl to be so eloquent.
She blurted out instinctively, "I have not disrespected the late Empress. You little girl, don't talk nonsense!"
"Shen, you must not be rude to my little sister!" Xiao Yanqing said sternly.
Shen Man's heart skipped a beat, and she was so frightened that she immediately knelt down: "Please forgive me, Your Highness."
"You'd be better off asking Xiao Xi to forgive you than asking me to! She's my cousin, and you dared to speak to her like that! I could easily sentence you to death!" Xiao Yanqing unleashed her full power, constantly threatening him with her words.
Shen Man trembled with fear, repeatedly saying, "Please forgive me, sir, please forgive me."
Seeing Shen Man's useless state, Shen Zheng wanted to kick her, but thinking of the plan ahead, he held back.
He stepped forward and knelt down before Shen Chao, who was seated on the throne: "Your Majesty, it was Shen Chao's foolishness that caused her to misspoke. I beg Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine to forgive Shen Chao."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
