Chapter 376: Meeting Again in the Palace (5)
Even a domineering Concubine like Xu Xian couldn't say anything when the name of Emperor Wenhui was mentioned. She was about to make some sarcastic remarks when she suddenly saw her female official come in. She asked, "Are you here?"
The female official nodded, and soon after, Luo Xueyan and Shen Miao walked in. After greeting the two female relatives, Shen Miao followed Luo Xueyan and stood aside with her head lowered, not looking up. Only a slightly shrill voice could be heard saying, "Madam Shen, this must be your daughter. Raise your head and let me see."
Shen Miao paused, then slowly raised her head, meeting the gazes of the two women sitting there. When she saw clearly who was sitting on the right, her heart tightened, and she felt the blood in her body boiling.
Concubine Xu on the left was the mother of Prince Zhou and Prince Jing, while Concubine Dong on the right was Fu Xiuyi's biological mother. At this moment, Concubine Dong looked at Concubine Xu with a smile and said, "What a neat child, so clean, he looks so blessed."
"Lucky face," Shen Miao felt her heart was blocked. Concubine Dong Shu looked at her with a gentle face. If she didn't know, she would definitely let down her guard with such a kind attitude towards her.
Concubine Dong Shu was not favored. Emperor Wenhui had countless women around him, some with connections, some with talent, some with beauty, and some with character. However, Concubine Dong Shu was a gentle and unpretentious woman, not fighting for anything, and relying on the word "steadiness" to sit on the throne of the Four Concubines. On the surface, she was the least important of the Four Concubines, but Shen Miao knew that Concubine Dong Shu was by no means a harmless woman as she appeared.
When Shen Miao first married Fu Xiuyi, Concubine Dong Shu praised her as a "lucky and prosperous woman." However, as Fu Xiuyi grew stronger, Concubine Dong Shu treated her with indifference. After she returned from Qin, Concubine Dong Shu, now Empress Dowager, even shared the same grievances with Madam Mei. In Concubine Dong's eyes, she was a pawn to win over the Shen family, a crude and unpresentable one at that. So much so that when Fu Xiuyi deposed the Crown Prince, Concubine Dong was the first to intervene and support Fu Sheng's ascension.
She quickly lowered her head to hide the hatred in her eyes.
Concubine Xu Xian and Concubine Dong Shu thought Shen Miao was shy, and Concubine Xu Xian casually asked, "How old are you this year?"
“Your Majesty,” Shen Miao said softly, “Your Highness the Fourteenth.”
"Fourteen..." Concubine Xu pondered for a moment before smiling and saying, "It won't be long before she can get married."
This nonsensical remark immediately made Luo Xueyan nervous. She was most worried about Shen Miao. A girl's marriage was more important to her life. If Shen Miao's marriage was manipulated by the palace people... Luo Xueyan's face turned very unhappy. Seeing Luo Xueyan's deep affection, Concubine Xu laughed. She said, "Madam Shen is so nervous. Why? Are you afraid that I will be a matchmaker for Miss Shen?"
Luo Xueyan hurriedly said, "I dare not!"
"Don't worry," Concubine Xu said, "Even if I really want to be a matchmaker, I won't do it randomly. I will definitely ask the young lady for her opinion. Speaking of which..." Concubine Xu looked at Shen Miao and smiled maliciously, "Miss Shen, do you have a crush on someone now?"
Asking Shen Miao if she had a crush on someone in front of Concubine Dong Shu was a public embarrassment for everyone. Concubine Xu Xian had always been arrogant and domineering, relying on Emperor Wenhui's favor. Of the four concubines, Concubine Dong Shu was the easiest to bully, and she never tired of using her as a pretext.
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I don’t have anyone I love right now.” Shen Miao said with her head lowered.
Concubine Xu seemed somewhat bored, thinking that Shen Miao was a dull person and not the fool she was said to be. Otherwise, she could have some fun with her. She waved her hand, "Forget it, if she doesn't have it, then so be it."
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