Chapter 377: Meeting Again in the Palace (6)
Luo Xueyan became increasingly cautious. Whenever Shen Miao was involved, she had to be extremely alert. Just as she was thinking about this, she heard Concubine Dong Shu say with a smile, "Madam, don't be nervous. My sister and I invited you into the palace today just to chat about family matters." After a pause, she continued, "My sister and I have never been to the northwest. Madam's expedition with the general is a legendary story. We are very curious about the north, so we came to invite you to talk."
Concubine Dong's voice was gentle and kind, soothing like a spring breeze. However, Luo Xueyan didn't relax, and Shen Miao became even more suspicious. She knew there must be other motives behind her visit to the palace today, perhaps it was Emperor Wenhui trying to find out something. Emperor Wenhui chose to go to Concubine Xu and Concubine Dong. One was overbearing, the other gentle and kind. Their combination of strength and gentleness was truly confusing, and she could easily be tricked into revealing things.
Shen Miao felt a little nervous.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." Luo Xueyan also smiled, "It's just that the north has always been boring. I'm afraid Your Majesty won't like it when I talk about it."
“That’s okay,” Concubine Dong Shu smiled and said, “Since we invited you here, we don’t have to worry about being bored.” Her voice paused, and she suddenly remembered something and looked at Shen Miao.
Fu Xiuyi knew the emperor wanted them to test Luo Xueyan, and also knew that having Luo Xueyan bring Shen Miao along was a warning. She had been instructed yesterday to send Shen Miao away during discussions if she was present. Fu Xiuyi was Concubine Dong Shu's son, so naturally, she wouldn't be suspicious. However... no matter what, she couldn't see why this somewhat timid young lady was worth being wary of.
Shen Miao lowered her head, and her expression could not be seen clearly. She only heard Concubine Dong Shu say, "But we are talking about these funny things, and it is not fun for the little girl to listen to them. Tong Yao, you take Miss Shen Wu to visit the garden. When she is tired, take her to the living room for some snacks. Take good care of her."
Although Concubine Xu was somewhat surprised, she assumed it was Emperor Wenhui's idea and it didn't affect her, so she naturally didn't refute it. Luo Xueyan felt a sense of unease. It would be best to keep Shen Miao in front of her, but given the current situation, she also realized that what she was going to say to the two concubines wouldn't be a genuine chat. At least... in broad daylight, these people wouldn't dare let Shen Miao get into trouble.
Thinking of this, she felt relieved a little, and then she smiled and said to Shen Miao, "Jiaojiao, go with the female official to visit the garden. I will come to see you after I finish talking to the ladies."
Shen Miao didn't refuse, but she secretly thought it was bad. Why did they send her away for no reason? She could have acted like a spoiled child and refused to leave, but that would have been too deliberate. Why didn't anyone else overhear their conversation? Had she already aroused suspicion? The person speaking was Concubine Dong Shu, and this was the first time they had met... Could it be that Fu Xiuyi was reminding Concubine Dong Shu? This thought suddenly flashed through Shen Miao's mind.
But she said nothing. She stood up respectfully, said goodbye to Concubine Xu and others, and walked out with Tong Yao.
Tong Yao, the court lady, led her to the garden. Gardens could be seen everywhere in the palace, most likely built for the concubines. They were indeed magnificent. However, Shen Miao had no interest in appreciating them. She was familiar with every inch of land here better than anyone else, and knew exactly what flowers grew in every part of the garden. How could she be interested in listening?
Tong Yao, the court lady, also noticed that she was distracted, so she said, "If Miss Chen is tired, I will take you to the comfortable room. There are snacks there."
Shen Miao nodded. Just as she was halfway there, and about to see the door to the comfortable living room, a young eunuch hurried in and whispered something in Tong Yao's ear. Tong Yao apologized to Shen Miao, "The comfortable living room is the main hall in front. Miss Shen, please go in first. I'll be right back after delivering the things. It'll be quick."
Shen Miao nodded, not caring. The comfortable living room was right before her eyes, and there were guards everywhere in the palace, so she wasn't worried about anything going wrong. She had been there before, so she knew it all too well.
She walked to the door of the living room, opened it and walked in. The door closed with a "click". Shen Miao was shocked. Before she could react, a pair of hands covered her mouth from behind. Shen Miao bit down without thinking, bent her elbow and slammed it back fiercely.
She only heard a “hiss” sound behind her and gasped. Her elbow was grabbed by someone and she couldn’t move. A familiar voice sounded, with a bit of suppressed anger: “Chen Miao, are you a shrew?”
Shen Miao was slightly startled. The person behind her had already let go of her hand. She turned her head and looked at the other person. Across from her, Xie Jingxing was touching her hand, his expression still slightly angry. However... Shen Miao was not concerned about this.
Unlike his cynical and unruly demeanor of the past, today he was wearing a dark red official uniform with silver trim, delicate cufflinks, a long hat, and green boots. His sharp and arrogant appearance was completely different from before. Shen Miao had never seen him like this before, and was stunned for a moment.
Xie Jingxing locked the door, turned around and looked at her with his arms folded, as if he was going to settle the score later.
But Shen Miao was not afraid of him, she just frowned and asked, “What are you doing here?”
"I saw you when I came out of the palace and thought it might be you, so I came to take a look, and it really was you." Xie Jingxing said with great ease: "Did the emperor summon your father to the palace?"
Shen Miao’s heart skipped a beat: “What do you mean?”
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