With a decree issued by Shen Shi, the Marquis of Zhenbei embarked on his journey back to the capital.
The border is thousands of miles away from the capital. Even the finest Akhal-Teke horses would take half a month to travel there without stopping.
Shen Shi silently calculated in her mind that if the imperial edict was sent to the border by express courier and Qi Xiao returned to the capital immediately after receiving it, it should be around the middle of next month, before the coronation ceremony.
When Shen Shi sent someone to deliver the order, he did not instruct them to keep it a secret. Less than half a day after the order was issued, the news that His Majesty had urgently summoned the Marquis of Zhenbei back to the capital spread throughout the court.
What was common knowledge in the previous dynasty would naturally reach the inner palace as well, especially since Qi Zhenzhen was the daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei and was so concerned about his every move.
"That's wonderful, Miss! The Emperor has summoned the Marquis back to the capital! This is such a joyous occasion!" The borderlands are harsh and cold, so being able to return to the prosperous capital is certainly something to be happy about.
Thinking of how much the Marquis doted on the young lady, and how the young lady worried about her father every day, the maid Xiao Tao excitedly reported this as soon as the news of the Marquis of Zhenbei's return to the capital spread.
Although she had already heard the news before she reported it, it did not diminish Qi Zhenzhen's joy at hearing it again. "It is indeed a good thing, it is indeed a good thing."
Moreover, it was a great thing. She had never seen Qi Xiao since entering the palace. The separation of several months made her, who had grown up with the Marquis of Zhenbei, miss the desolate winds of the border and the time when she could ride wildly on horseback. Of course, the person she missed the most was Qi Xiao.
On this unusual day, Chen Shi was in the mood for play and casually pointed to a guard to play chess with him.
Shen Shi's chess skills are not very good; he's the type who can lose eight out of ten games of Gomoku.
Even the worst skill can't withstand the opponent's conceding. Under the emperor's powerful pressure, the little guard's hand trembled as he placed the pieces. After several rounds of play, Chen Shi won every game.
Such an unfair victory quickly became boring after a few rounds. Just as he was about to send the guards away, Wang Xi came to report: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine has made your favorite pastries and said she would like you to try them. She is waiting outside the door now. What do you think?"
Shen Shi guessed that Qi Zhenzhen would come, but he didn't expect her to come so quickly. "Since you've made my favorite pastries, please come in."
With a crisp sound of a white piece falling, the outcome of the game was once again decided. "Your Majesty's strategy is divine; I am ashamed of my inferiority," the guard who had been playing chess with him quickly flattered.
"It's just a game of chess, it's not really a big deal." Shen Shi waved his hand, telling him to leave.
The guards bowed and took their leave. Before their figures had completely disappeared, Qi Zhenzhen had already entered the hall.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace." Qi Zhenzhen knelt down and bowed to Chen Shi.
This was the first time Shen Shi had seen the female lead of this world since he transmigrated. She was almost exactly as described in the plot. Qi Zhenzhen was beautiful and delicate, and just looking at her made people feel an endless urge to protect her.
Chen Shi stared at her for a long time, and Qi Zhenzhen's half-kneeling figure swayed precariously. Only then did the voice telling her to get up come.
"Rise."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
With the help of her maid, Qi Zhenzhen stood up. As soon as she was steady, she held up a food box and said, "This is osmanthus cake that I made myself. Your Majesty, please try it and see if it suits your taste."
As the deep red sandalwood box was opened, a plate of exquisitely arranged osmanthus cakes was revealed. The cakes were small and delicate, and smelled sweet and tempting. If it weren't for the fear that Qi Zhenzhen might poison them, Shen Shi would have been happy to try a piece.
"I've just had lunch and won't eat anything else, but I appreciate the Consort's kind offer," Shen Shi politely declined.
Qi Zhenzhen's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this. "Since His Majesty doesn't want to eat, then forget it." With that, she handed the food box in her hand to a palace maid to carry.
Seeing that she wasn't planning to leave, Chen Shi knew very well what Qi Zhenzhen's purpose was. She was there to inquire about Qi Xiao, but since she kept beating around the bush and didn't speak up, Chen Shi didn't want to play matchmaker.
She didn't say anything, so Chen Shi simply picked up the documents on the table and started reading, leaving Qi Zhenzhen standing aside.
The Imperial Study fell into a deathly silence. The servants inside dared not even breathe loudly, and the only sound was the soft rustling of papers turning back and forth.
After a long while, Qi Zhenzhen spoke as if she had just remembered something: "I heard that His Majesty has summoned Father back to the palace. I would like to ask, how long will Father stay in the capital this time?"
Without even exchanging pleasantries, she immediately inquired about the Marquis of Zhenbei's return to the capital, revealing just how deep Qi Zhenzhen's longing was.
"The Imperial Concubine's information network is quite impressive. I just issued the edict yesterday, and you're already asking about it today." Shen Shi didn't answer Qi Zhenzhen's question, but instead spoke these words in a dangerous tone.
Faced with Shen Shi's pointed questioning, Qi Zhenzhen did not panic but remained unusually calm. "Your Majesty is joking. There is no such thing as being well-informed. It is just that as a daughter, I am concerned about my father's news."
"In that case, I have misunderstood the Imperial Concubine's filial piety."
Shen Shi asked rhetorically, and Qi Zhenzhen immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I had no such intention."
Seeing her strong reaction, it's clear she's not as stupid as Zhang Han'er; she does have some redeeming qualities.
"It was just a joke, why did you take it so seriously, Consort? Let's cool off on the ground."
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty." Qi Zhenzhen bowed deeply before standing up. Only now did she truly realize that the Emperor had changed as rumored.
From the moment she entered the palace, Shen Shi had always doted on Qi Zhenzhen, treating her like a precious treasure, afraid of dropping her or melting her. At that time, Shen Shi was passionate, and even as the emperor, his love was unreserved. He gave Qi Zhenzhen everything, regardless of whether she wanted it or not.
Those were the eyes Shen Shi used to look into when he looked at her, like a blazing sun, so intense it almost melted her. But now, all Qi Zhenzhen could see in his eyes was a frosty indifference.
It seems that Shen Shi has truly given up on her, which should be a good thing for Qi Zhenzhen, since her heart has always belonged to Qi Xiao and she cannot and will not accept Shen Shi's love.
But when Shen Shi actually stopped loving her, Qi Zhenzhen wasn't as happy as she had expected.
The palace is a ruthless hell that devours people without blinking an eye. Even though she had only been in the palace for a few months, she had already experienced the harsh realities of human nature.
People strive for higher positions, just as water flows downhill. When Qi Zhenzhen was a favored imperial concubine, the servants in the harem fawned over her, providing her with the best of everything, and the threshold of the palace was almost worn down by the constant stream of people.
But once she lost the emperor's favor, all those things vanished like flowing water.
Qi Zhenzhen wasn't particularly concerned with wealth and status; it was simply that one had to bow one's head under someone else's roof. If nothing unexpected happened, dying in the deep palace would be her final destination, so thinking about her future was inevitable.
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