A moment after Yan Chou left Jin'an Palace, a palace maid ran in, sweating profusely, holding a bronze vessel in her arms, carefully protecting it.
As she approached the bed, her footsteps became much lighter and she whispered, "Your Majesty, I heard that the imperial physician had come, so I turned back the way I came."
The woman hidden by the veil slowly sat up and hummed softly. With her slender fingertips, she pushed aside the curtain and said to the palace maid, "Boil the dew I collected today to make tea, and then come with me to the birthday banquet."
The palace maid was startled, and looked at Xie Shizhu's calf wrapped in a thin cloth, and tried to dissuade her, "Your Majesty, your leg is injured."
Xie Shizhu smiled, her bright features radiant with color, "It's okay, just make some tea and help me over."
"……yes."
While the maid was making tea, the system curiously asked, "Host, what are you still doing? The Empress Dowager herself doesn't like the original owner."
Xie Shizhu sat on the edge of the couch and tidied up his messy hair. "She doesn't like me, so I have to go over and disgust her. Of course, I'm going to fulfill my promise to the Regent."
System: [Huh?]
After a while, Xie Shizhu went to the birthday banquet with two palace maids.
The Empress Dowager was frowning, her fingers tapping the wooden table impatiently to the rhythm of the music. Several maids standing behind her were kneeling on the ground, massaging the Empress Dowager's shoulders.
Yan Chou closed his eyes to rest, his mind filled with the thought that Xie Shizhu did not elope with Yan Xiuran at the South Gate, disturbing his thoughts.
The Empress Dowager endured for a long while, but finally, unable to contain herself, she said, "Your Majesty, I understand that you favor the Empress, but it's not a good idea to have the harem empty all the time. Look, today is my birthday banquet, and she, as the head of the harem, hasn't shown up yet."
Yan Chou slowly opened his eyelids, and the Empress Dowager continued, "The Minister of Personnel's daughter is also of marriageable age. Why not wait a few days..."
Just as he was halfway through his words, the eunuch's shrill voice reached everyone's ears: "The Queen has come to congratulate the Queen Mother on her birthday."
In an instant, everyone's eyes glanced at a thin woman in a green dress.
The woman was supported by the palace maid beside her. She seemed to have difficulty walking with her right leg, and it took a long time before she stood in front of the empress dowager.
The sun shrouded her head, and her jet-black hair was coated with a layer of golden light. Her face was pale, and her eyes seemed to contain all kinds of charm, filled with spring water, and her red lips were charming.
Most of the people present had seen the queen several times, but when they met her again, they were still shocked by her appearance for a long time.
Yan Chou stood up suddenly, lowered his head to look at her legs, frowned slightly, as if he was dissatisfied with her coming here.
Xie Shizhu bowed her head and saluted, "I am late, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive me. This is the tea I brewed with dew in the Imperial Garden. This is Cang Yue's courtesy. I wish Your Majesty a long life."
The words that the Empress Dowager wanted to say to Xie Shizhu got stuck in her throat. She snorted inwardly, "Cang Yue? Just a fallen nation."
But he said with a false smile: "The Queen is thoughtful."
Then, the palace maid knelt in front of the table and poured tea into the empress dowager's cup.
But the Empress Dowager just glanced at it and showed no intention of drinking it.
Yan Chou stared at Xie Shizhu intently. Seeing that she had been keeping her waist bent, and the Empress Dowager had no intention of asking her to stand up, he felt unhappy and said coldly, "Empress Dowager, the Empress injured her leg while trying to collect dew in the Imperial Garden. Please don't waste the Empress' kindness."
The smile on the Empress Dowager's lips froze. After a while, she picked up the teacup and took a sip. The sour and bitter tea almost made her lose her composure and spit it out, but she forced herself to swallow it.
Under Yan Chou's gaze, the Empress Dowager gave a fake smile and said, "Reward."
Xie Shizhu quickly thanked her: "Thank you, Queen Mother."
The Empress Dowager motioned for Xie Shizhu to take a seat. She walked with difficulty and was supported by the palace maid to Yan Chou. In front of everyone, Yan Chou hooked his arm around her waist and took her from the palace maid.
After sitting down together, Yan Chou pulled her towards him and asked Xie Shizhu in her ear, "Why did you come?"
Xie Shizhu was more obedient than usual, not trying to break free from his embrace. She whispered, "I am the emperor's concubine. If I don't come, it will only cause dissatisfaction to others."
As soon as he finished speaking, surprise flashed across Yan Chou's dark pupils, and the fingers on her waist trembled slightly.
This was the first time Xie Shizhu considered him.
Yan Chou's heart was in turmoil.
After the birthday banquet, Xie Shizhu was supported by two palace maids and went to Jin'an Palace. It was already dark, and Yan Chou was forced to stay and could only watch Xie Shizhu go further and further away from his sight.
Then, Yan Chou glanced at Fu Yun beside him.
Fu Yun understood what he meant and followed Xie Shizhu quietly. When he saw Xie Shizhu was about to reach Jin'an Palace, Fu Yun was about to turn around to report to Yan Chou when he saw a purple brocade robe appear beside Xie Shizhu.
He was startled and quickly hid behind a tree, watching their every move.
*
Yan Xiuran walked up to Xie Shizhu and looked around vigilantly. When he found that there was no one around, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Xie Shizhu sent the two palace maids away. After they left, she looked apologetic and whispered softly, "Xiuran, I wanted to offer tea to the Queen Mother today and then go to the South Gate, but I fell from a tree and injured my leg..."
Yan Xiuran said sympathetically, "It's okay. Is your leg okay?"
Xie Shizhu nodded and smiled gently. Her eyes were bright, her teeth were white, her skin was fair and clear, and the smile on her lips was captivating.
This made Yan Xiuran want to take Xie Shizhu away immediately.
Yan Xiuran clasped his hands behind his back, clenching them tightly. He suppressed his emotions and said, "It's a good thing you didn't come. I don't know why Yan Chou came to the South Gate. We've dodged a disaster. Wait until you recover from your injuries. I'll think of a solution."
Xie Shizhu's eyes were a little wet, she bit her lip, as if thinking of the pain Yan Chou had brought her, and whispered the word "OK".
Suddenly, the two of them caught a glimpse of a bright yellow figure not far away. The eunuch next to it was holding a lantern, and the light was dim.
Yan Xiuran patted her shoulder and took a deep breath: "I will definitely take you away."
After saying this, Yan Xiuran turned and left.
Staring at his back, Xie Shizhu sneered.
Tsk.
He seems to be a loving and warm man, but he just leaves and always leaves a mess for Xie Shizhu.
Fu Yun quickly walked out of the darkness, followed Yan Chou, and reported to him in a low voice everything he saw.
Yan Chou's face flickered, and although his expression could not be seen clearly, Xie Shizhu could still make out the gloom in his expression.
In a moment, Yan Chou appeared in front of Xie Shizhu, his scarlet eyes filled with terrifying anger. The next second, without giving Xie Shizhu a chance to react, he wrapped his long arms tightly around her waist, lifted her up, and carried her thin body into the hall.
The young eunuch outside the hall was stunned for a long time, and when he was about to follow, he was stopped by Fu Yun.
Fu Yun said in a cold voice: "If you want to live, be more discerning."
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