Chapter 483 Misunderstanding
As soon as Jiang Huan spoke, Mingzhu's face, which was already flushed from exercise, turned even redder, like a ripe apple.
Her eyes flickered, and she subconsciously avoided Jiang Huan's gaze. She lowered her head and unconsciously ground small stones on the ground with her toes, her voice muffled and clearly sullen.
"Why would Your Highness bring him up out of the blue? What could possibly happen between us? Lord Shen is a dashing and charming man with countless female admirers throughout the capital. He has no reason to concern himself with me."
Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost a mumble.
But that sour smell could be detected from a great distance.
"Besides, I would never want to date someone like him again. He has his own mistress who's after him, and I don't care about her."
The last word, "my dear sister," was practically squeezed out through gritted teeth, brimming with jealousy.
Jiang Huan and Ashina Yun exchanged a glance, both seeing a smile in each other's eyes.
Ashina Yun, being straightforward, couldn't help but tease, "If it really is Sister Qing, then I'll go and see for you, and seek justice from that Lord Shen."
Mingzhu felt even more embarrassed by what she said, stomped her foot, and turned to run away.
"Sister Ayun, you're making fun of me! I'm ignoring you all! I'm going to find some freshly made milk cake from the little kitchen!"
Before the words were even finished, the person had already vanished like a startled rabbit.
Jiang Huan watched her retreating figure, shaking her head and chuckling helplessly.
This looks like the young couple is having a tiff...
As evening fell, Huo Lin returned to Weiyang Palace after finishing his official duties, followed by a carefree tail.
Shen Yi waved his signature jade-bone fan as he entered the room and sat down at the table with a grin.
"Your Majesty, I've been running around all day by His Majesty, my legs are practically worn out. I need to grab a good meal here to make up for it."
"I think you came because you smelled it." Huo Lin glanced at him irritably, but didn't actually send him away.
This guy's skin is getting thicker and thicker; he even acts like it's his right to freeload.
However, considering he handled things fairly well today, let's treat him to a meal.
Jiang Huan smiled and instructed the palace servants to add a set of bowls and chopsticks, but her gaze couldn't help but linger on Shen Yi's face for a few more seconds, with a thoughtful and inquisitive look.
Shen Yi felt a little uneasy under their gaze and touched his face.
"Is there something on my face?"
Huo Lin immediately shot him a glare, his tone chilling.
"I think you're asking for trouble."
Jiang Huan was amused, suppressed her laughter, and waved her hand casually.
"No, no, I just have something I wanted to ask you. We're so close, so I'll be frank. Have you been involved with some young lady again lately, causing her to misunderstand?"
Shen Yi was stunned, forgetting to wave his fan, looking completely bewildered.
"Sister-in-law? What sister-in-law? Your Majesty, please don't wrong me. I've been so busy lately, running around for the Emperor. Where would I get any sister-in-law?"
Huo Lin also raised an eyebrow and looked at Jiang Huan, asking with his eyes what was going on.
[Besides that girl Mingzhu, who else would he dare to mess with?]
[Could this fellow really have some romantic entanglements outside? But he's been busy with the tasks I assigned him these past few days.]
Hmm... let's wait and see.
Jiang Huan then briefly recounted Mingzhu's sour remarks from the afternoon, emphasizing the younger sister, Qingmei, who had been a source of resentment for Mingzhu.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yi was first taken aback, then tapped his palm with his fan, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"It's a misunderstanding, a huge misunderstanding. A few days ago, a distant cousin from my mother's family came to Beijing to visit relatives and stayed with my mother temporarily."
He quickly explained, "That girl is only fifteen years old, still a green onion. My mother asked me to take her to buy some beaded silk and satin to show her hospitality. That day, I happened to run into the princess's carriage on the street, and I even greeted her. She was perfectly fine at the time. How did she become my lover?"
"I swear to God, I am completely innocent and have remained chaste. But... did the princess really say that? And she's even jealous?"
As he finished speaking, his eyes lit up slightly, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, clearly showing his interest in Mingzhu's jealousy.
Jiang Huan found it amusing after figuring out what had happened; it seemed that Mingzhu had indeed been overthinking things.
Seeing Shen Yi's smug yet forced composure, she couldn't help but offer him some advice.
“Since it’s a misunderstanding, we need to clear it up quickly. Mingzhu is simple-minded and tends to overthink things. If you don’t explain, she might just make up a whole drama out of it. If she really angers people, you’ll be in for a world of trouble.”
Shen Yi immediately put away his playful smile and said seriously, "Your Majesty is right. I will go to her first thing tomorrow morning to explain. Thank you for your advice, Your Majesty."
They seemed eager to go immediately.
The dinner ended in an eerie atmosphere, with Shen Yi sometimes grinning foolishly and sometimes pledging his loyalty.
After dinner, Huo Lin and Jiang Huan took a walk in the courtyard to digest their food. The moonlight was perfect, and its silvery glow filled the palace gardens.
Huo Lin held Jiang Huan's hand and said slowly, "This year, the palace has been in turmoil. First, there was the epidemic, and then there were disturbances in the southern border and the western barbarians. I thought that for the upcoming festival, I would like to make a grand celebration to dispel bad luck and let the people of the world see the prosperous atmosphere of my Great Liang."
Jiang Huan nodded in agreement: "It's time to have some fun and celebrate."
Huo Lin stopped and turned to look at her, somewhat hesitantly: "But if it's going to be a big event, the palace affairs will inevitably be complicated. Won't it tire you out?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan smiled and said, "Your Majesty underestimates me. Have you forgotten that I am the best at using people?"
She shook their clasped hands. "If there's a lot to do, then we should divide it up and assign it to the right people. That way, they can do a great job, and I can also take a break. That's the smartest way, isn't it?"
Huo Lin's smile deepened at her self-praising manner, and he followed her words, asking, "So right now, who is the most suitable person in your eyes?"
“Of course it’s Consort Li,” Jiang Huan answered decisively. “I saw her checking the expense list a few days ago, and she was meticulous. Even those old hands in the Imperial Household Department are very impressed with her.”
Since entrusting some palace affairs to Consort Li for assistance, especially after the incident involving the jade bracelet from the southern border, Consort Li seems to have become a different person.
She was no longer the brooding, calculating woman she once was. Now, she was decisive, organized, and managed the affairs of the harem with great efficiency.
Although she still has a bit of a temper occasionally, she focuses her energy on important matters, and her face has gradually regained its radiance.
Huo Lin nodded: "Make the best use of everyone's talents. She is a capable person. She was just putting her mind to the wrong things in the past. Now that she's on the right track, it's a good thing for her."
......
The following day, the palace began preparing for the grand festival celebrations.
Palaces everywhere were decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, banquets were being prepared, and songs and dances were being rehearsed, creating a lively and bustling scene.
Consort Li lived up to expectations and arranged all matters perfectly.
She shuttled between various departments every day, issuing instructions and checking progress. The focused brilliance in her eyes made her whole being shine.
Jiang Huan occasionally encountered her during her patrols, and the two would exchange a smile, displaying perfect understanding.
The past grievances and entanglements seem to have gradually faded away in the busy and fulfilling days.
Seeing the gloom gradually dissipate from Consort Li's face and the renewed radiance in her eyes, Jiang Huan felt a sense of relief.
Within the depths of the palace, there is more than one path than vying for favor and beauty. Finding one's place and realizing one's value can also lead to a fulfilling life.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com