Birds on the edge of the abyss 29
The fresh meatballs dance on the tip of the tongue as you chew them, and the collision of teeth evokes an endless aftertaste of fragrance.
Before he could react to the taste, he had already eaten a bun. Shen Luli opened his eyes wide and dropped his chopsticks on the table.
Seeing this, Chu Xin thought he was upset again, so he put down the spoon and frowned, "What? It doesn't taste good?"
Shen Luli looked into the other's gentle and fiery golden eyes. When his eyes met, he lowered his head as if he was burned and said, "It's delicious, Your Highness. I have never eaten such a delicious meal. I can't help but lose my composure. I hope Your Highness will understand."
Chu Xin's eyes darkened, and when he opened his mouth to speak, he was interrupted by Le Luo who walked in from the door. "Your Highness, His Majesty summoned Master Shen."
She signaled to the eunuch waiting outside and whispered in Chu Xin's ear.
Chu Xin frowned upon hearing this and said, "Go and tell them that he is recuperating in this palace and will come to see the emperor this afternoon."
After finishing speaking, he waved his hand casually, picked up a few other snacks and handed them to Shen Luli's bowl and said slowly, "Let's eat."
Le Luo hesitated for a while, and seeing Chu Xin's indifferent face, he finally went to reply. Looking at the little eunuch hurriedly walking out of the East Palace and into the distance, Le Luo sighed, the relationship between His Highness and the Emperor has further deteriorated. It really is the times that make people...
After breakfast, Shen Luli drank the dark medicinal soup brought in by the palace servants, which exuded an inexplicable smell. The familiar bitter taste spread to the tip of his tongue. He couldn't help coughing. As soon as he moved, he saw Chu Xin say
"Come, help Master Shen down to rest."
Shen Luli raised his head and looked at Chu Xin, who was reading a book with his head down. He was wearing light casual clothes and lying on the couch leisurely, flipping through the book. His long legs crossed together, looking particularly straight and strong. When he looked down, he could clearly see the book he was reading - Shi's Military Strategy.
The sun shone on his body, and the man's eyes stayed on it intently, not giving a single bit to Shen Luli, but he inexplicably heard from the words that Chu Xin cared deeply for him.
Shen Luli was helped to stand up. He bowed his head and said goodbye to Chu Xin. Until the moment before he walked out of the palace door, he couldn't help but look back and look at the man who had never raised his head. A ripple appeared in his heart.
The beauty looked back, her eyes shining, there was something special about it. Chu Xin turned the page and smiled slightly.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Shen Luli followed Chu Xin down from the carriage and looked up at the exquisite and luxurious palace in front of him. The inscription on the palace door was clearly visible: Yaohua Palace
Chu Xin turned her head to look at the person who was staring blankly at the plaque above, and said soothingly, "Remember to be quiet when you see Father and Mother later. I will take care of everything ahead. You just need to follow my words."
"I will remember this." Shen Luli looked at his tall back and responded silently.
After they entered the main hall, the eunuch hurriedly went in to announce that the palace maid Yuzhu from Yaohua Palace came out to greet them and lead them in.
Thinking that he would soon see the emperor, his mind flashed once again with the miserable appearance of his aunt. Shen Luli clenched his hands, trying his best to suppress his trembling body. The further he walked in, the more he could hear the laughter coming from the hall. They seemed to be talking about extremely happy and interesting things. Listening to the loud laughter coming from the emperor inside, Shen Luli's eyes flashed with murderous intent.
Then he walked into the hall and knelt down to pay his respects.
"Your son pays homage to His Majesty, Father, and Mother."
"Chen Luli pays homage to His Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort."
"Well, get up!" Chu Yanting waved his hand and asked Chu Xin to sit next to his mother. He glanced casually at the people kneeling below and said with a smile.
"Yesterday, I suddenly felt unwell, and Hou Delin hurriedly summoned the imperial physician, but he forgot to summon you to an audience. I hope you will forgive me."
"It is best that your Majesty is in good health. I dare not speak rashly." Shen Luli heard that his words were intended to hit him, and immediately said
Chu Yanting's smile did not reach his eyes. He cheerfully sent someone to help him sit down. Shen Luli was able to catch a glimpse of the emperor's face. The emperor on the high seat was wearing a golden robe, his black hair was mixed with mottled white hair, his face was full of wrinkles, and he was smiling as he pressed the hand of the imperial concubine. He was very old, and he sat hunched on the seat. From time to time, a gleam of light appeared in his cloudy eyes. Seeing this, Shen Luli secretly raised his vigilance.
"Haha, you are a good child. Your character is just like your father's when he was young. I miss him so much." Chu Yanting suddenly sighed.
Shen Luli couldn't tell for a moment whether he was mocking himself for being as bad as his good-for-nothing father, or suggesting that he should be a wise man who knows the current situation and live a quiet life by guarding his own small piece of land.
Everyone chatted for a long time. Shen Luli mostly catered to them and rarely spoke actively. After sitting for a long time, his body became very tense and he soon felt a little uncomfortable.
At this time, Chu Xin said, "Father, Master Shen is still sick and weak. I guess we're not summoning him today just for a chat, right?"
Chu Yanting turned his head to look at Chu Xin, and saw that the crown prince was looking at him without giving in, and it was obvious that he was extremely protective of Shen Luli. This scene reminded Chu Yanting of some bad memories, and his face suddenly turned cold.
Seeing the atmosphere between father and son gradually becoming tense, the Imperial Concubine gave a sweet laugh and gently stroked the back of Chu Yanting's hand with her bright red nails painted with kohl. She stroked it gently and said, "Your Majesty, didn't you say that you would go to the garden with me later? Why don't you finish your talk quickly so that we can go out?"
Chu Yanting glanced at the charming face of the imperial concubine, held her delicate hand with his backhand, and said with a smile, "Okay, okay, don't worry, don't worry!"
"Since the Imperial Concubine has said so, I can't delay any further. I feel deeply guilty about the incident at the Zhenguo Mansion. By the time the Crown Prince discovered the truth, I had already missed the opportunity and could not make amends. According to the hereditary system, I grant you the title of the new Zhenguo Duke. Starting tomorrow, his remains will be buried with state rites. I will also reward you with three thousand acres of fertile land in the suburbs of Beijing, twenty shops, one thousand taels of gold, one hundred taels of silver, and one hundred bolts of cloth. Do you have any other objections? Feel free to ask!"
Chu Yanting waved his hand and said loudly, Shen Luli suppressed the anger in his chest. He said this as if he was giving him alms. He had seen his grandfather's corpse in person yesterday, but today he was pretending to be righteous.
"Shen Luli thanks the Lord for His Majesty's great grace. I am deeply grateful for your kindness. I have no way to repay you." Shen Luli knelt down and saluted. He tremblingly took the imperial edict handed to him by the eunuch beside him, clenched it tightly, and whispered
"Good boy, I remember that you should observe three years of mourning and pray for your family. Right now, the Zhenguo Mansion is in ruins, and the court is most in need of smart children like you. I allow you to observe mourning later. You can come to court after the Jingtian Ceremony is over in a month!"
Chu Yanting stood up, took the Royal Concubine's hand and walked down the stairs.
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