"Otherwise, I will punish you for being unfilial. Also, didn't you say you would be back in two months at most? Look, it's already been over five months."
Zhou Zhaonuan: “…”
A bolt of lightning flashed through my mind, and I was almost petrified on the spot.
Why was her mother so gentle and kind just a moment ago, and then completely changed in just a moment?
"Mother, mother, I was wrong. It was my daughter who was wrong. I just didn't expect it to take so long. Mother, please don't be angry. Come, mother, I will support you. Walk slowly."
It has been seven months. Shen Nian'an's belly is getting bigger and bigger, and her movements are becoming more and more clumsy. Thinking of when her mother was in the cold palace, she had to do everything by herself with such a body. Even during the childbirth, only Aunt Xu who was in the cold palace at that time helped to take care of her. Otherwise, she might have suffered even more. Zhou Zhaonuan felt bitter in her heart.
Concubine Shu and Concubine Ying looked at each other, ignored Concubine Liang who was sitting next to them, and followed the mother and daughter to the inner room.
A hint of reluctance flashed across Concubine Liang's eyes, and she hurriedly chased after him.
"Wait for me, all of you, wait for me."
Concubine Ying walked even faster, but Concubine Shu stopped and stood there.
Looking at Concubine Ying's back, she shook her head and looked at Concubine Liang with a helpless look on her face.
"For so many years, Concubine Ying has always been like a child. It's not worth getting angry with her."
Concubine Liang understood what was said on the surface. She nodded slightly, looking relieved.
"Look at you, what are you saying? You and I have served the Emperor for many years. I naturally understand Concubine Ying's personality. However, after all these years, I don't know how I offended her."
Concubine Shu smiled awkwardly. In the past, when Li Shuren was still the Imperial Noble Concubine, Concubine Liang was the closest to her. With her intelligence, many strategies must have been planned together with her by Concubine Liang. In the end, when the Li family fell, Concubine Liang acted as if nothing had happened and said something directly.
"There are so many sisters in the harem, and she often hangs out with Li Shuren, just to relieve her boredom. Besides, who would harm someone and bring it to the surface?"
Even if Zhou Beichen wanted to ask for punishment, he still needed evidence in everything.
During this period, Concubine Liang deliberately got closer to some princes and princesses. She always sent them snacks when they were in the Shangshufang, which made many of them like her very much.
Especially Zhou Zeyu, because he had a special relationship with Concubine Liang, the two of them became particularly close during this period. Concubine Shu wanted to find time to remind him, but she felt a headache.
That child was too thoughtful. Many times, she was afraid that a word from her would make Zhou Zeyu upset.
"About this, I have to ask Concubine Ying in person."
Shufei's tone was neither sad nor happy, but calm and indifferent. Liangfei's face changed slightly, and then she heard Shufei urging her again.
"Let's go, Sister Liang Fei, Nuan Nuan is back. I'm sure Concubine Hui must be very happy. Let's go and take a look."
Concubine Liang did not refuse. She had another purpose for coming today, which was to establish good relationships with all the princes and princesses in the palace.
Over there, the small kitchen was cooking quickly. After Zhou Zhaonuan helped Shen Nian'an to his seat, he first ran to the inner room to take a shower.
"Now that Nuannuan is back, you can probably let go of your worries."
Concubine Liang stepped forward with a smile, and held Shen Nian'an's hand in a friendly manner.
"That's right, isn't it? We were all so happy when Princess Chang'an returned. I just wonder if Concubine Liang is truly happy or just pretending to be happy?"
Concubine Ying stepped forward arrogantly, took away Concubine Liang's hand that was tightly holding Shen Nian'an, rolled her eyes, and said something sarcastic.
"you......"
This was the first time she was humiliated like this. Concubine Liang pointed her orchid finger at Concubine Ying angrily. Concubine Shu felt that the situation was not good and hurriedly acted as a peacemaker.
"Alright, alright, my two sisters, today is a good day for Nuannuan to come back, so please stop arguing, okay? Yingfei, please be careful. You are already so old, why aren't you as steady as Nuannuan?"
When Zhou Zhaonuan was mentioned, Concubine Ying rolled her eyes at Concubine Liang again, then sat back in her seat, pouting without saying a word.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the palace was a little awkward. Concubine Ying wished that Concubine Liang would leave quickly, and Concubine Liang wished that Concubine Ying would leave quickly. At this moment, Shen Nian'an just felt a little headache. So, she hoped that Zhou Beichen would come to help her out. After all, the other person came to see her with good intentions, and she couldn't drive him away for no reason.
Xuanzheng Hall.
Zhou Beichen was concentrating on reviewing memorials, while Zhou Zeyun was sitting at the desk beside him, trying hard to learn how to review memorials. Deshun came in trotting, hesitated for a long time, and lowered his voice.
"Your Majesty, Princess Chang'an has returned."
"Where is it? Go to the imperial kitchen and ask them to prepare some delicious side dishes and a few bowls of noodles and send them to Xuanzheng Hall."
Zhou Beichen didn't even raise his head, as if his mind was completely focused on the memorial.
Deshun's face immediately turned as ugly as if he had eaten shit. He actually didn't want to say that the princess didn't come to him the first time she came back, but now she had run to the Pepper Palace. He wondered how deeply the mother and daughter must be in love at this moment.
Deshun stood still without leaving. Zhou Beichen closed the last memorial, raised his head, and looked at Deshun, who was still standing there and kneeling on the ground. His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"What? You didn't understand what I said?"
Deshun closed his eyes, preparing for the coming storm.
"Your Majesty, it's not that I won't go. It's that the princess entered the palace an hour ago and went straight to the Pepper Room. Now, I don't know if she has finished her meal."
Deshun had a wronged expression on his face, which made Zhou Beichen feel sick. He picked up a useless notebook and threw it at Deshun's head.
"Next time something like this happens, please report it to me immediately. It's disgraceful to keep dragging your feet."
He has been delayed from seeing his daughter and having his meal. If he goes now, he doesn't know if he can make it in time.
Deshun picked up the memorial. He had just been frightened to the point of peeing his pants, but now he felt as if he had been reborn. He put the memorial back on the imperial desk, shook off the dust, and trotted out.
"Your Majesty, wait for me. I heard that the meal prepared by the Pepper Room Palace has just arrived. Please wait slowly."
After everyone left, the huge Xuan Zheng Hall immediately became quiet. Zhou Zeyun rubbed his temples and looked outside. It was already dark.
He stretched and planned to go to the Pepper Room to have a good meal.
Standing with hands behind his back, the moonlight was dim, and the fish in the pond of the imperial garden seemed to be free and swimming proudly without any worries. The bright moonlight shone through the big trees onto the ground, and gathered into all kinds of strange and bizarre shapes. For a moment, it was as beautiful as a fairyland on earth.
As Zhou Zeyun walked, he suddenly found a woman in blue standing in the shadows, sobbing softly.
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