When Su Qingyu returned to the west courtyard, it was already completely dark.
She thought Shen Zhixiu had not returned yet, so after entering the inner room, she turned around and instructed Chuntao.
"Third Master might be back late today. Tell someone to make a pot of multi-grain porridge and prepare two baskets of vegetarian buns."
"For the side dishes, prepare some shredded winter bamboo shoots, daylily cucumbers, and a plate of stir-fried lotus roots..."
Before he could finish his words, he heard Shen Zhixiu's voice with a hint of laughter coming from inside the room.
"In addition to these, bring up a plate of mixed yellow sprouts and a plate of smoked fish sent by the Songjiang Governor."
Su Qingyu was a little surprised. "Third Master, you're back so early? I thought you were going to have dinner with the Emperor and Third Master Xie."
Shen Zhixiu had already changed into a light-colored casual uniform and it looked like he had been back for a while.
He walked forward and personally took off the fox fur cloak on Su Qingyu, then grabbed her hands and rubbed them in his.
"I didn't even bring a heater with me when I went out, and my hands are so cold."
Su Qingyu smiled and said, "I just went to see Shen Yue and then went to see my mother. I thought it wasn't far to go, so I didn't bother to bring her along."
Shen Zhixiu pulled her to sit at the table and asked someone to bring in some boiling hot ginger tea.
"You should go and comfort Shen Yue. There should be...good news coming back soon."
Su Qingyu's face lit up with joy. "Really? That's great. I haven't been sleeping well these past few days. I'm always worried that something might happen."
He muttered again, "If everything goes well, my brother will be able to return to the court in a few months."
"I have to ask them to find some material tomorrow. It's time to make clothes for my brother to wear in spring."
Shen Zhixiu was also thinking about Li Yunzhou in his heart, the same kind of thought that he had for his juniors.
But ever since Su Qingyu and Li Yunzhou became relatives, and Li Yunzhou was away on a military expedition, Su Qingyu was always worried about him.
Shen Zhixiu knew that this was human nature. They were blood relatives and had just met each other, so it was normal for them to care about each other.
So even though he felt jealous, he didn't show it on his face.
He always felt that he was not a young boy of seventeen or eighteen years old, and he felt embarrassed to say such jealous words.
But at this moment, Su Qingyu had already talked about Li Yunzhou's favorite food, from Chunri's clothes, and even talked about which courtyard Li Yunzhou would live in when he returned to the Su family.
After a long while, Su Qingyu finally realized that Elder Shen seemed unhappy.
She thought it was something that happened in the court outside, so she said apologetically: "Third Master, did I say too much and make you upset?"
"I'll prepare some hot water for you. Take a bath and relax."
Su Qingyu felt sorry for him working so hard outside, so whenever he came home, she would try her best to make him relax and be in a good mood.
The pain in her eyes was clearly reflected in his.
Shen Zhixiu reached out and held her in his arms, burying his face in the crook of her neck.
"Qingqing, I'm sorry."
Su Qingyu was slightly stunned, not understanding why he suddenly apologized, but she could hear the loneliness in his tone.
She started to tease, "Third Master suddenly apologized, didn't he do something to offend me outside?"
Knowing that she was joking on purpose, Shen Zhixiu pulled her to sit on his lap and rested his forehead against hers.
"I will never let Qingqing down in my life."
Shen Zhixiu's words were deep and hoarse, and his hot breath made Su Qingyu's heart palpitate.
Su Qingyu's usually cool and elegant features were now tinged with lust. She took the initiative to cling to his back, dotting his handsome face with kisses.
"Mr. Shen is in a high position and has great power. Who knows how many people will send you beauties in the future. Tsk tsk, Mr. Shen will be dazzled by then."
Su Qingyu appears dignified and reserved in public, and only when lust comes to her face will she smile so charmingly and seductively.
Shen Zhixiu was stunned for a moment, staring at her and said in a low voice: "Qingqing always teases me, only you don't mind my age."
Su Qingyu's soft and boneless hands fell on his tight waist, "It's still useful now."
Shen Zhixiu felt a heat build up in his chest and bit her delicate red lips lightly. "Are you saying this so reluctantly?"
…
A room in the west courtyard of the Shen family's residence was charming, its spring air intoxicating. However, Su Xiangling's residence in the Eastern Palace was unusually deserted today.
After the emperor returned to the palace, he scolded the prince for half an hour in the imperial study, and ordered Chen Zheng to teach the prince good conduct and knowledge.
Even his words hinted at a desire to change the crown prince. Even if it was just an angry remark, it still frightened the crown prince.
The prince is a narrow-minded person. When encountering problems, he does not reflect on himself, but often puts the blame on others.
Today, the anger that had nowhere to vent finally found an outlet, and that was Su Xiangling.
In the Crown Prince's view, if Su Xiangling had not persuaded him, he would not have left the palace. If the Su family had not been unreliable, he would not have been reprimanded by the Emperor.
So after returning to the Eastern Palace from the Imperial Study, the Prince humiliated Su Xiangling in public.
In less than half an hour, the news spread like wildfire throughout the Eastern Palace. Of course, most people were gloating over her misfortune, waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
There were many concubines and noble ladies in the Eastern Palace, but only Su Xiangling was pregnant, so she naturally became the target of public criticism.
So after being scolded by the prince, people came to ridicule Su Xiangling one after another.
The women of the Eastern Palace all lived under the Crown Prince's wing. Whoever could climb to the position of Crown Princess and finally sit on the throne of Empress would be the biggest winner.
Qianyue, the personal maid, had just sent Concubine Zhao away when she said in a stern tone, "She's the only one who knows how to pretend to be nice. She's here to make a fool of herself under the pretext of comforting the Empress."
Everyone else came to Su Xiangling's place, teasing and mocking her. Only Concubine Zhao came to comfort her. She explained that the Crown Prince was just like that, and told her not to take it personally. She could say a few nice words tomorrow, and the matter would be over.
Concubine Zhao's father was the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, a powerful figure. Furthermore, Concubine Zhao had been meticulously nurtured by her grandfather since childhood, and she was both dignified and well-mannered. Of all the concubines in the Eastern Palace, she held the greatest hope of becoming the principal concubine.
She was originally chosen as a concubine because the virtuous concubine thought she could marry Li Chaoyun as her principal wife.
During the Chinese New Year, Concubine Xian had also made a remark. If there was no more suitable candidate, Concubine Zhao would be the best candidate for the Crown Princess.
So in Su Xiangling's heart, Concubine Zhao is her biggest rival.
But Concubine Zhao was so cautious that no one could find fault with her. Just like today, even when she was scolded by the Crown Prince, she politely tried to comfort him without saying a single outrageous word.
Throughout the entire Eastern Palace, from concubines to palace maids and eunuchs, no one could find fault with Concubine Zhao.
But the more she did this, the more fearful Su Xiangling became.
After what happened today, she had completely lost to Concubine Zhao in terms of family background. If she wanted to succeed, she had to find another way.
Just as she was debating whether to use the last trick, Qianxue suddenly walked in.
"Your Majesty, the Su family sent someone to deliver a letter to the palace."
Su Xiangling's expression was filled with impatience, as she suspected her mother was again begging her to save her brother. However, the emperor was personally conducting the interrogation; how could she possibly deny the decree?
Su Xiangling opened the letter handed to her by Qianxue and took a glance at it, and her expression suddenly changed.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
