Chapter 521 My Gift, Give It to Me!
Xie Shang handed Xie Hongrui to the wet nurse and walked straight to Jiang Fenghua, raising his eyebrows at her to indicate that he wanted to give her a birthday present.
Jiang Fenghua pretended not to understand. She had also prepared a birthday gift for him this year. After all, Xie Shang would also give her an exquisite gift on her birthday, so it was a matter of reciprocity.
Xie Shang shamelessly leaned forward again, "Give me my gift!"
“Who would personally ask someone for a gift?” Jiang Fenghua knew that Jiang Zhiqin was in a good mood because he had helped him win the battle, and she didn’t want him to be too proud.
"I don't care, I just want the gift. You promised last year, you're not going to go back on your word, are you?" He continued, "Grand Tutor Jiang values his reputation most. His daughter shouldn't be a liar, right? If Grand Tutor Jiang and Madam Jiang find out that Jiang Ruan is leading the way in swindling in the palace, where will the Jiang family put their face!"
Jiang Fenghua was speechless after hearing his lighthearted and humorous words. "Your Majesty is really forgetful!"
"I don't need to forget anything, anyway I don't remember anything. I only know that some people are eager to marry me and seduce me." He brought his handsome face close to hers, but kept his distance. Only the two of them could hear the last few words.
Jiang Fenghua's cheeks flushed instantly, and she wanted to disappear into the ground. She hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I have prepared a gift for you. I will go and fetch it." Just take the gift and leave. What kind of tactic is this? I don't understand it at all.
Based on her understanding of Xie Shang, he was definitely a very lazy person, and even less patient with women, but now she felt that she suddenly didn't understand him anymore.
He seemed incredibly patient; even if she said she didn't like him, he didn't care.
Xie Shang smiled alluringly and seductively, "In that case, I am very satisfied."
After saying that, he lifted his foot and walked towards the main bedroom.
Jiang Fenghua glanced around and saw that Granny Wang, Lin Yu, and the others were all staring at them.
Everyone felt that the relationship between the Emperor and Empress was just like the weather: when it was good, it was as hot and fiery as summer, and when it was bad, it was as cold as thunder, rain, and hail.
Today, the Emperor seems to be in a good mood, but no one knows when he might erupt again. Everyone is terrified and acting with extreme caution.
Jiang Fenghua composed herself, her expression calm and collected, and followed Xie Shang.
Standing to the side, Song Qing felt even more restrained. She had no other wish than for the Second Prince to gain the Emperor's favor.
She also realized her situation. Even someone like the Empress couldn't completely win the Emperor's favor, so if she tried to compete, she would only end up getting hurt.
Now she realized that Gao Qingtong was the truly intelligent woman; she had already chosen her side and voluntarily stood by the Empress's side.
Song Qing always felt that the Empress was not a simple woman. Her smile and gentleness were fake. Women who entered the harem without scheming would not live long.
What were the methods used by Consort Su and Concubine Ye back then, and what became of them in the end? I heard that Consort Su was the Emperor's favorite woman, but what happened to her afterward?
The Empress is an enigmatic person; she is gentle and kind yet ruthless.
But the Empress seemed genuinely kind to her, caring for her and giving her advice. She felt that she also liked the Empress, and that as long as she sided with the Empress, she could survive in the harem.
Jiang Fenghua herself had no idea that she would be reborn and receive the admiration of so many women. She just didn't want everyone to cause her trouble. Now that she was sitting on the throne of the empress, all she wanted was to live a peaceful life.
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On the other side, Xie Shang entered the bedchamber but did not wander around. He sat down at the table and looked through the words she had written.
Jiang Fenghua followed him in and went directly to the inner room to retrieve a purse she had made for him by hand, handing it to him. "This is a birthday gift from your concubine to Your Majesty. I wish Your Majesty peace, joy, and a happy birthday."
Xie Shang took it and found it to be exquisite and delicate, with very fine patterns and embroidery, showing that the embroiderer had put a lot of effort into it.
The next moment, he suddenly loosened her hair bun, cut off a lock of hair with scissors, then cut off a lock of his own hair and put them together in his purse: "Is this what it means to be a couple bound by marriage?"
Jiang Fenghua wondered what he meant.
Xie Shang stood imposingly before her, his obsidian-like black eyes flashing with a sharp and dignified aura as he stared intently into her eyes.
He handed the purse to Jiang Fenghua, saying, "Help me put this on!"
Jiang Fenghua stared at her actions for a long time, unable to recover. His handsome face, as if sculpted, was full of gentleness yet imposing aura, and his thin lips curved into a dazzling smile.
Her fair, jade-like cheeks suddenly flushed red, and her eyes, like autumn water, were clear and deep, somewhat dreamy, like a deep, unfathomable spring.
She wondered if he would believe her if she pretended to be deeply in love with him.
She took the purse and avoided his gaze. She wanted to tie the purse to his belt, but that would inevitably involve physical contact. She was careful and cautious in guarding against him.
However, he didn't make a move until she straightened his dragon robe, remaining very obedient and well-behaved.
Xie Shang suddenly said, "After returning that day, I thought carefully about what you said. You said that Jiang Fenghua deeply loved her husband, but isn't her husband me?"
He was smug, as if he had her completely under his control. "I am still Jiang Fenghua's husband, so Jiang Fenghua still loves me. Whether she hates me or loves me, she has been mine alone for both lifetimes."
Jiang Fenghua thought: That was a matter from her past life. Now that she no longer loves him, does Xie Shang's statement mean that she can never win against him?
"The coronation ceremony will proceed as scheduled. From now on, you will stay in the palace and be the Empress!" He whispered in her ear, "As you wish, I will make you my Empress for life."
He took her hand and smiled, saying, "Even if you're just pretending to like me, shouldn't the Empress still act as if we're still deeply in love in front of others? Otherwise, if the Jiang family finds out, wouldn't it be a waste of all the effort the Empress has put into achieving this? The Empress wouldn't want her family to worry, would she?"
The shock in Jiang Fenghua's eyes was almost exposed to him. Her face turned ashen, and her eyes were filled with fear. Behind his gentleness, however, lay a calculating intent.
She finally ascended to the throne of Empress, and Xie Shang would not depose her. Perhaps because the Jiang family's value had increased, he seemed to have reached some kind of agreement with her.
She thought about it and realized that this was exactly what she had been hoping for.
He gently stroked her cheek, pinched her chin, and kissed her lips passionately. Jiang Fenghua instinctively tried to pull away, but Xie Shang held her tightly. "Pleasing me is also the Empress's duty. Continue your schemes!"
Jiang Fenghua slowly closed her eyes, her arms wrapped around his neck, ready to accept his kiss. So what if she's planning this? Who's afraid of who? It's not like she hasn't done it before.
Xie Shang had been prepared, but seeing her accept it so readily, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "I have no interest right now."
He pushed her away. "The banquet is about to begin. Get ready."
After saying that, he walked out.
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