Chapter 280
Apart from the young emperor sitting high on his throne, the Qianqing Palace was empty. But as soon as Shi Sheng finished speaking, a low, hoarse voice responded from the shadows: "Yes."
A moment later, Shi Sheng opened his eyes.
His eyes were indifferent, but a hint of inquiry lurked beneath.
Having lost his birth mother at a young age and with his maternal clan in decline, he was always an insignificant presence in this vast imperial palace.
But the fact that he was able to grow up alone in the palace, from initially being used to the ridicule and the leftovers, to later being seen by her, already proved that he was not a simple, pitiful person.
At least after being favored by his father, his rapid learning speed was obvious to everyone, except for her.
However, simplicity has its advantages, but too much simplicity leads to confusion.
If it weren't for what my father said before his death...
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests an audience," the eunuch reported.
The young emperor's eyes flashed with a fleeting inquiry before returning to calm.
"Please invite the Empress Dowager in." His tone remained devoid of any emotion.
The eunuch bowed and withdrew.
Soon, Lingwu entered the hall.
The palace was brightly lit. When the young emperor, wearing a crown, saw the woman in gorgeous clothes, he was momentarily stunned. Then his eyes became deep and unfathomable, revealing neither joy nor anger.
However, in that instant, Shi Sheng reverted to the respect he usually showed in front of Su Lingwu.
"Mother." Shi Sheng stood up.
Normally, Su Lingwu felt a little awkward about this title, but she accepted it well and nodded in agreement.
“Your Majesty must not have had lunch yet. Why not set aside state affairs for now and deal with court matters after you have lunch?” Ling Wu said gently, her tone devoid of the awkwardness and embarrassment she usually displayed.
This new emperor is exceptionally capable and outwardly shows great respect to Su Lingwu, promising her almost everything she asks for, just as the previous emperor had done.
However, Su Lingwu passed away later, and he perished along with the dynasty.
Shi Sheng thought that her nominal mother had come today to ask for the treasure and then give it to that maid.
I didn't expect it to be a meal for him.
Lingwu raised her hand, and Linlang behind her presented the lunch that she had asked the maids to fetch halfway through the journey.
When Shi Sheng noticed that Ling Wu's attire today was completely different from her usual plain and simple appearance, he remembered the palace maid she had recently favored.
He couldn't help but glance at Lingluo.
So this cheap mother-in-law is acting like this today because of this newly favored little maid?
Thinking of this possibility, Shi Sheng put aside his inquiry and simply nodded upon hearing this, then sat down to eat as Ling Wu suggested.
Ling Wu sat opposite him without saying a word, just looking at him gently.
Shi Sheng, who was being watched by his master throughout his meal for the first time, ate the most difficult meal of his life.
This feeling made him even more uneasy than when he was treated cold food and not treated well.
How could she, who wasn't much older than him, watch him eat with such loving tenderness?
He thought to himself, but remained aloof on the surface. Just as he was about to ask Ling Wu what she wanted after the meal, Ling Wu spoke first:
"Your Majesty must eat on time in the future. Although state affairs are heavy, Your Majesty's health is the most important thing."
Shi Sheng agreed without any hesitation, saying, "Your son obeys."
She thought to herself, "This new maid is quite shrewd; she even secretly tells me not to make demands openly."
However, this move was somewhat superfluous. She could have just asked for what she wanted, and he would have naturally agreed to anything he could.
Before he could even ask Ling Wu what reward she wanted for the day, he saw her get up and leave decisively, without looking back.
They left?
Shi Sheng was slightly taken aback.
This time, they didn't ask him for any rare treasures.
Is it really true, as she says, that his health is the most important thing?
Because he wasn't really close to Ling Wu, Shi Sheng didn't eat for long. The food on the table was still warm, with wisps of steam rising upwards.
Shi Sheng withdrew his gaze and said, "Someone come here."
"Your Majesty." The eunuch bowed and entered.
Lingwu hadn't gone far when eunuchs carrying her sedan chair caught up with her.
"Your Majesty, it is freezing cold right now. His Majesty is worried that you will catch a cold, so he has specially ordered me to escort you back to Chonghua Palace."
The speaker was Shi Sheng's confidant, named Zhang Cheng.
Su Lingwu, who used to take the reward and leave, would not have received this honor, let alone Zhang Cheng coming in person.
Lingwu glanced sideways at the phoenix carriage.
The prince, who had gotten something for free, felt uncomfortable because she didn't ask for anything as usual today.
"In that case, I'll have to trouble Eunuch Zhang."
"Your Majesty is too kind." Zhang Cheng lowered his eyes, not daring to look at her again.
Lingwu turned around and sat in the sedan chair, closing her eyes to rest.
Lingwu occasionally noticed Zhang Cheng, sitting to her left, seeming to want to say something but holding back, but her heart remained unmoved.
Even after arriving at Chonghua Palace, Zhang Cheng did not hear Ling Wu speak. He raised his eyebrows and bowed to Ling Wu on the bluestone slab where the palace servants had cleared the snow.
After getting up, Zhang Cheng stared at the plaque of Chonghua Palace for a moment before leaving.
Qianqing Palace
“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager did not mention anything.” Zhang Cheng recounted the events that had just transpired.
Shi Sheng, still investigating, ordered, "Keep an eye on it."
Is it really just for his sake, or is it a strategic retreat to gain more?
"Yes." Zhang Cheng accepted the order, but after a moment's hesitation, he couldn't help but remind her, "Your Majesty, perhaps the Empress Dowager is truly just concerned about you."
These words are somewhat disrespectful, but Zhang Cheng had been by Shi Sheng's side since he was a child. In terms of closeness, Zhang Cheng was far superior to Empress Dowager Ling Wu.
Shi Sheng remained silent for a moment before shifting his gaze from the memorial to the palace gate. "Where is that maid?"
“That maid is named Lingluo. She has been by the Empress Dowager’s side since childhood. I’ve noticed her along the way. She seems quite flattered, but her manners are excellent, unlike Suisui’s. She didn’t complain about being tired on the way back to the palace, and the Empress Dowager doesn’t treat her with any particular affection or distance. Perhaps…” Zhang Cheng hesitated.
Seeing his hesitation, Shi Sheng looked at Zhang Cheng.
Zhang Cheng quickly put on a smiling face and pretended to wipe the sweat from his face. "Your Majesty, please forgive this servant for overstepping his bounds in what I am about to say."
Shi Sheng glanced at him but did not stop him.
Only then did Zhang Cheng muster his courage and say, "This servant guesses that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager may have been confused for a moment, but has now come to her senses."
As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell into a brief silence.
Shi Sheng's fingers tapped slowly and rhythmically on the armrest of the throne. After a long while, he said, "Go down."
"Yes." Zhang Cheng's eyes flickered, and he finally bowed his head and left.
Ambergris rose from the incense burner.
As Shi Sheng gazed at the ashes burned out in the eight-treasure incense burner before the throne, the scenes from just moments before flashed through his mind—
The woman was bright and gentle, yet still retained her usual vivacity. Her movements were graceful and elegant, and when she whispered her advice, the tenderness in her eyes seemed to materialize and envelop people, making it difficult for them to refuse her requests.
Shi Sheng frowned slightly, then shook his head, clearing his mind and lowering his head to handle government affairs.
Since her appearance, the world has been at peace, the people have lived in peace and contentment, and even after the death of her father, the borders remained stable and secure.
However, some people were not happy about it.
He would give her anything she wanted, he just hoped she wouldn't go to see people she shouldn't.
It would be best if she were sober, after all, it would be ridiculous for an empress dowager to fawn over a maid, but what if someone was behind it all...?
A drop of ink fell from the young emperor's brush, blurring the writing on the paper.
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