Chapter 44
Seeing her insistence, Song Xuan went to the door to wait for her to tidy up her appearance.
When Shen Qingnian came out, she had changed into a proper ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and was wearing the same pair of red jade earrings that she had worn at the temple that day.
Song Xuan's eyes lit up. The girl not only wore red jade earrings, but also had a red jade jasmine hairpin that he had given her in her hair, making her extremely beautiful.
He couldn't help but whisper his praise: "Qing Nian is so beautiful."
The girl was so beautiful that he couldn't take his eyes off her.
Shen Qingnian's cheeks flushed slightly, like blooming jasmine, as she walked side by side with Song Xuan towards the outside of the mansion.
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Inside the Imperial Study in the Imperial Palace.
The rich scent of sandalwood wafted gently, filling the hall.
The emperor, with a humble yet dignified expression, sat in the seat of honor, attending to state affairs at his desk.
Lin Minxin and Shen Zheng sat in the lower seats. Shen Zheng leisurely sipped his tea, while Lin Minxin's face showed a hint of unease.
Just now, His Highness the Crown Prince left the palace midway, and the Emperor did not stop him, but made him stop talking, saying that he would wait for His Highness the Crown Prince to return before continuing.
Lin Minxin has recently faced numerous impeachments in court and has been demoted. The emperor was already dissatisfied with him, and today, Lin Minxin barged into the imperial study, so the emperor naturally didn't give him a friendly look.
Previously, Song Xuan suddenly wanted to leave the palace, and Shen Zheng requested to see him outside, so the emperor simply left Lin Minxin waiting in the imperial study.
After Shen Qingnian and Song Xuan entered the Imperial Study, Lin Minxin's entire expression changed.
The two were seen behaving intimately, with Song Xuan taking extra care of Shen Qingnian. He even gently supported Shen Qingnian's shoulder when they entered the imperial study to prevent her from tripping over the threshold.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
"This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
The two bowed before the Emperor, who then looked up from his state affairs. His humble gaze swept over Shen Qingnian's face and then glanced at Shen Zheng, who was sitting on a stool.
Just now, a eunuch came to deliver a message, saying that Shen Qingnian and Lin Yue'er had a dispute by the North Lake. Lin Yue'er tried to push Shen Qingnian into the water, and as a result, both of them fell into the water.
The eunuch whispered this in his ear, and neither Shen Zheng nor Lin Minxin knew about it. Just now, he had also sent someone to bring Lin Yue'er into the palace.
"Is Miss Shen feeling any better?" The Emperor's tone was tinged with concern.
Shen Qingnian lowered her head, her tone calm: "Your Majesty, I am perfectly fine. Thank you for your concern."
This was her first time meeting the emperor, and she was poised and confident, showing no signs of timidity.
It's understandable that ordinary noble ladies would feel a little nervous when meeting the emperor for the first time, but Shen Qingnian's poise and elegance made the emperor take a second look at her.
He waved to the eunuch beside him: "Please take a seat."
Shen Qingnian bowed slightly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The eunuch brought over a chair, and Song Xuan even instructed the eunuch to add a soft cushion, showing his obvious concern.
Shen Qingnian gave Song Xuan a grateful smile. The atmosphere between the two was harmonious and even somewhat intimate, which was obvious to anyone with discerning eyes.
This was the first time the Emperor had seen Song Xuan so considerate of a woman, and he watched with great interest.
He now understood his son's thoughts.
Seeing this, Lin Minxin couldn't help but feel a little anxious and said:
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