Chapter 81 Try to slap me again
Just at this moment, the floor-standing Western chime clock on the east side of the South Study rang "Ding Dong", crisp and melodious, lingering in the air.
It was already midnight, the night was deep and the dew was heavy, but the room was brightly lit and memorials were piled like a mountain on the golden nanmu desk.
The emperor just said coldly: "Chang Ying, I think you are going backwards as you grow older."
How could he meet with the late emperor's concubine, who was of similar age to him and the mother of his adopted son, in the middle of the night?
Chang Ying laughed awkwardly, "I just told the Concubine Shu that it was late at night and His Majesty was not in a position to receive me. But the Concubine Shu said that she came here for Yang Shangyi's matter..."
When it came to Yang Shangyi, a person held in the emperor's arms and legs, Chang Ying did not dare to act on his own and could only boldly come in and pass on the message.
Sure enough, when he mentioned the three words "Yang Shangyi", the emperor paused slightly while flipping through the memorials.
During the lunch break today, Yang Manyan slapped him in the face while he was half asleep and half awake. The sound was loud, but the force was light to him.
The emperor had been in a high position for many years, but he had never been treated so impudently. However, instead of getting angry, he became extremely lustful.
The feeling of the slap was still clear at this moment. His throat moved slightly and his eyes darkened.
However, the Gansu prison donation case was of great importance and had far-reaching implications, so he had to return to the palace in advance to arrange a thorough investigation of the matter.
Unfortunately, she was sleeping very soundly at that time, and he did not have the heart to wake her up, so he could only set off for the palace and leave his son to look after her in Nanyuan.
After a long pause, the emperor ordered in a deep voice: "Let her come in."
Chang Ying secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said hurriedly, "Yes, I will send someone to invite the Concubine Shu in right away."
Outside the Qianqing Gate, Concubine Wei Shu had been waiting for a long time.
The spring night was slightly chilly. She wore a smoky blue crane cloak, her hair tied in a low bun, with only a few jade hairpins inserted diagonally, and no other decorations on her body.
Her appearance is only above average, with delicate features, and her simple dress makes her look fresh and elegant.
Concubine Wei Shu was actually not sure whether the emperor would see her, but she was unwilling to sit and wait for death, so she had to take the risk and come overnight.
In the past, she only despised Yang Manyan for her humble background and her lack of help to the Eastern Palace, but now she simply regarded her as a thorn in her side.
In Concubine Wei's view, the emperor chose a girl from a humble family for the Eastern Palace out of fear and intentional suppression of the Eastern Palace.
Then the emperor had an affair with Yang Shangyi, which was clearly a deliberate humiliation of her son!
Yang was just a lowly maid who could be slept with by anyone. How could she be qualified to become the future mother of the country?
With all kinds of thoughts swirling in her mind, she clutched her sleeves tightly with both hands, her knuckles turning white.
At this moment, she had forgotten that it was she who had originally sent the person to the emperor.
In the silent night, there was a sudden sound of rustling footsteps, and several young eunuchs came forward holding lanterns.
"Madam Shufei, the emperor summons you to come in. Your servants will lead the way for you."
Concubine Wei Shu's eyes moved slightly, and she immediately smiled gently, "Thank you, eunuchs."
The senior palace maid Luxia beside her quietly stuffed a heavy purse into the leading eunuch's hand.
Concubine Wei Shufei lived a very simple life. Most of her salary was given as rewards to others. She was also generous and would often give dozens or even hundreds of taels of silver, which was equivalent to several years' salary of many palace maids and eunuchs.
There were many people in the palace who had received her favor, and everyone in the palace praised this Concubine Shu for her kindness and charity.
Unfortunately, the young eunuchs in the Qianqing Palace did not appreciate her kindness.
The leading eunuch said calmly, "No merit, no reward. Madam Concubine Shu, please follow us."
Although they are of low rank, they are also the emperor's close attendants. How can they be bought off with a few small favors?
Concubine Wei Shu was not embarrassed or angry, but just smiled gently and amiably.
Stepping into the huge and empty Qianqing Gate Square, turning left and walking a few dozen steps further, you will reach the Southern Study where the emperor usually handled government affairs.
Concubine Wei Shufei used to be a secretary in the Southern Study, but the Southern Study had been renovated several times and was no longer what she remembered.
As he walked into the hall, a fierce and majestic aura came over him like an overwhelming force, making his heart feel suffocated.
Concubine Wei Shu was about to bow, but she heard the man's low and cold voice: "If you have something to say, just say it. I don't have time to listen to your beating around the bush."
The emperor raised his eyes calmly, leaned back slightly towards the throne, and radiated an icy oppressive feeling from his whole body.
As the concubine of the previous emperor, Concubine Wei Shu had almost no chance to meet the current emperor. This was her first time being received.
Even though she had been immersed in the imperial palace for many years and prided herself on being able to remain calm even when faced with a huge crisis, she was actually frightened by the other party's imperial aura.
Her mind raced as she considered her words, but her hands beneath her sleeves trembled.
The subtle ticking sound of the Western clock echoed in the southern study. The crescent moon rose to the zenith, and the cold moonlight poured in through the windows, casting mottled shadows on the gold brick floor.
Half a minute later, the emperor's eyes became increasingly impatient and he tapped the table with his fingers.
Concubine Wei Shu calmed herself down and slowly told her purpose.
The emperor said nothing but did not seem surprised. His deep dark eyes were like an ancient well without any ripples, distant and indifferent, and it was difficult to tell whether he was happy or angry.
**
The next day, the morning court session ended.
It was already past noon, and Yang Manyan was still sleeping soundly within the bed curtains. Xiao Yan got up early and went to the study room on the other side of Yan Qing Palace for his morning lessons.
He expected that the one-month spring hunting in Nanyuan might have to end early, and planned to take Yang Manyan out for a walk after she woke up.
But what he didn't expect was that at this time his father had quietly broken into his and Yang Manyan's bedroom.
Yang Manyan opened his eyes drowsily, his cheeks flushed and his eyes moist.
She rubbed her eyes and murmured "Your Majesty", her voice slightly hoarse.
The emperor's heart softened. He held Yang Manyan's soft little hand and played with it. Suddenly he said, "My dear, be good. Try slapping me again."
Hearing this, Yang Manyan was stunned for a while.
After she reacted, her eyes widened and she immediately woke up.
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