"Ugh!" the little dumpling protested.
However, the protests were ineffective.
"Niannian, don't talk nonsense." Chen Zhixian whispered, giving the little boy a reproachful look.
"Hmph!" The little dumpling puffed out his cheeks, expressing his dissatisfaction.
The little boy's antics eased the tension. For the first time, the usually cold and serious Emperor Chongjin apologized to his concubines. Although it was difficult to say, the little one's meddling made it less awkward.
"Alright, Niannian is not wrong. This light-hearted remark is indeed no match for the grievances that my beloved concubine has suffered over the years."
Emperor Chongjin smiled gently, flicked the tip of the chubby little baby's nose, but his gaze intentionally or unintentionally swept over the person holding her. "How about I go to your palace and apologize to you properly?"
Chen Zhixian was stunned, and could hardly believe her ears.
Emperor Chongjin smiled as he recalled the gentle tone of her voice and the tranquil sound that had touched his heart. He took her hand and led her back, saying, "I don't want anyone to know my whereabouts."
The imperial eunuchs, who were about to follow, paused and stopped, only following at a distance.
With Dejiang not around while Huo Chengche was present, the head eunuch had no idea what Emperor Chongjin meant, so he had to urge someone to quickly bring Eunuch De back.
Chen Zhixian simply followed the man's steps blankly, holding a little baby in her arms who was also blinking its eyes in a silly way.
How can we keep it a secret from everyone that the Emperor actually went to Chen Zhixian's palace?
Did Emperor Chongjin dislike Chen Zhixian?
Definitely not. If Emperor Chongjin dared to have even the slightest intention of doing so, the little baby would have already started making a fuss.
When Emperor Chongjin led Chen Zhixian through the unguarded side gate, his usually cold face darkened with even more fury.
From the side gate to the rear hall, not a single palace maid or eunuch was seen along the way. Emperor Chongjin narrowed his eyes slightly, his anger already faintly visible.
The moment Emperor Chongjin entered the courtyard of the inner palace, he paused, his angry expression turning to one of astonishment.
He never saw wildflowers in any of the concubines' courtyards.
He stared blankly at the wildflowers in the courtyard, feeling that no flower arrangement or potted plant could compare to the warm, bright, lively, and vibrant scenery in her palace.
Chen Zhixian looked at the stunned Emperor Chongjin and finally stopped staring blankly. She quickly explained, "Yingying liked these when she was little, so I got some for her. These wildflowers and weeds are easy to grow and not delicate, perfect for children to play with... I am of humble birth, and I have made Your Majesty laugh at me."
Emperor Chongjin snapped out of his reverie and shook his head. "It's quite nice. I like it too."
With that, Emperor Chongjin walked through the courtyard and went inside.
Wildflowers and scraps of cloth were scattered throughout the house. Emperor Chongjin had assumed that, given Chen Zhixian's current situation, the house would be shabby and unbearable, but to his surprise, it was surprisingly cozy.
The items are indeed very simple, but they are by no means sloppy. They exude warmth and tranquility, just like a girl's home.
Here, in the rooms of his other concubines in the harem, the atmosphere is one of nobility, refinement, and beauty, yet it is permeated with a sense of aloofness and affectation, creating a stark contrast.
"Your Majesty, please... have some water first. I'll have someone serve you tea."
Unlike Emperor Chongjin, who wandered around the house like a master, Chen Zhixian was restless and uneasy. Looking at the bare walls of the house, which didn't even have any tea, she felt completely lost.
"I'm not thirsty. Do you need to serve me tea yourself? Just sit with me for a while. I want to see how many audacious dogs there are in this palace!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
