Chapter 50
Inside Yikun Palace, several days had passed since their last parting, and Consort Shen's anger towards Shen Yao had long since dissipated.
This time, the aunt and niece were exceptionally affectionate upon meeting. After exchanging pleasantries, the Imperial Concubine asked, "Why haven't you come to the palace lately? Are you still angry?"
Shen Yao quickly shook her head and said, "I've been busy lately, and if I go to the palace too often, the Emperor will mind."
Women in the harem are not allowed to interfere in politics. When she comes, it means she is representing Master Shen. It's fine if she comes a few times, but if she comes too often, it will inevitably cause some rumors.
Shen Yao's words made sense. The Imperial Concubine lowered her gaze slightly, then took Shen Yao's hand and sighed, "You've finally grown up and know how to share your aunt's burdens."
The imperial concubine looked at her with a smile, feeling very pleased.
Shen Yao lowered her eyes and gave a soft "hmm" in response. Without further ado, she handed the letter to the Imperial Concubine and said, "Father said you should write a reply."
After opening it, the imperial concubine quickly read it, skimming through ten lines at a time.
She had heard a little about the Emperor's order for the Crown Prince to reorganize the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but she didn't know the details. In his letter, Master Shen listed the pros and cons one by one, and now he was waiting for her to make a decision.
The ink emitted a captivating fragrance, and the concubine's hand holding the letter trembled slightly.
The Crown Prince has already entered politics, and at this rate, his faction will soon be formed, which is truly unfavorable for the Shen family.
The imperial concubine's willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Just as they were hesitating, Shen Yao broke the silence, "Auntie, I think this is too much trouble, we'd better not get involved."
The Imperial Concubine's eyes sharpened, and Shen Yao's heart raced. She explained softly, "What I mean is that the matter of the demonic book has put the Shen family in a precarious position. This time, the Crown Prince's reorganization of the Embroidered Uniform Guard can serve as a way to divert attention."
She was actually a little guilty. After finishing her speech, she lowered her head and pondered, not daring to meet the Consort's gaze, for fear that the Consort would notice something amiss.
This time, the Imperial Concubine didn't scold her; instead, she smiled and asked, "Is that what you think, A-Yao?"
Shen Yao raised her eyes and nodded emphatically, saying, "I was just trying to help my aunt and offer a small suggestion."
"Not bad, he's quite intelligent."
As the two were talking, a maid entered the room and interrupted their conversation, "His Majesty has arrived."
Shen Yao was taken aback and suddenly felt flustered. Why did the emperor come with her as soon as she arrived? She was a little scared.
This realization startled Shen Yao, and her hands and feet immediately went numb. It was the Imperial Concubine who said, "Don't panic, the Emperor is not here to punish you."
The imperial concubine offered a few words of comfort, telling her to relax and just kneel and bow as usual.
The two then left the bedchamber, escorted by maids, to greet the emperor.
"Get up."
The emperor stepped down from his imperial carriage, his gaze briefly sweeping over Shen Yao's head, before striding into the hall, followed by a eunuch carrying a tray.
Shen Yao slightly raised her eyes and saw that the tray was full of velvet flowers for hairpins, including peonies, peonies, and chrysanthemums, decorated with gold leaf, pearls, and gemstones. They were exquisitely crafted and brightly colored.
So, the emperor came to deliver velvet flowers!
Before anyone could react, Shen Yao had already followed the Imperial Concubine into the palace.
The emperor took his seat and said, "Officials from Suzhou and Hangzhou have presented many velvet flowers as tribute. I have already sent them to the Empress Dowager and the Empress. The rest are for you."
The eunuch presented the velvet flowers, and the Imperial Concubine glanced at them and laughed, "They are all brightly colored. At my age, how can I wear such delicate flowers? Ayao, go and pick a few."
When the Imperial Concubine called her name, Shen Yao was taken aback and exclaimed "Ah!" Her eyes turned to the Emperor, and the two met each other's gazes unexpectedly. The Emperor's expression was gentle as he said, "Go."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
A palace attendant brought a tray to Shen Yao. Adorned with jewels, the velvet flowers shimmered with an unusual brilliance, dazzlingly beautiful. As Shen Yao was choosing, a voice suddenly came from behind her, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince and Prince Xi request an audience."
Shen Yao's expression changed, and she quickly put down the velvet flower and obediently stepped aside.
Why is Wei Luo here?
While they were pondering, the emperor had already let the two of them in.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"Get up."
Wei Luo stood up, his eyes briefly glancing at a beautiful figure before silently looking away.
Shen Yao also lowered her head, not daring to look around.
A palace attendant brought over tea, which the emperor accepted, took a sip, and said, "Why did you all come together?"
The teacup lids rubbed together, making a slight clinking sound, and the hall was very quiet.
Before Wei Luo could reply, Wei Xun's eyes flickered, and he spoke first, saying, "It was just a chance encounter. I came here because I heard that my cousin was coming."
He winked at Shen Yao, then looked at Wei Luo, his tone carrying a strange undertone, "As for why my elder brother came, I have no idea."
"I sent him," the emperor replied, then instructed, "Please sit down."
After everyone was seated, the emperor looked at the crown prince and asked, "How is the matter of the Embroidered Uniform Guard progressing?"
The emperor was asking about state affairs and did not ask the imperial concubine to leave. Wei Luo thought for a moment and said, "The Ministry of Revenue is still checking the accounts."
How long will it take?
Wei Luo's eyes flickered slightly, and he spoke hesitantly, "About ten days."
The emperor slammed down his teacup, startling Wei Luo and Shen Yao alike.
"So slow, are you planning to keep checking until Chinese New Year?"
The emperor's tone turned cold, and everyone else in the hall immediately became more careful with their breathing.
"Your subject will urge them," Wei Luo replied cautiously.
"The list of layoffs will be prepared before the end of the year, and I will personally review it at that time."
The emperor picked up the teacup again and said softly, "Let's go back."
Wei Luo raised his eyes, a hint of surprise barely showing. They had specifically invited him to Yikun Palace just to say this one sentence? And they said it in front of Consort Shen!
So his purpose is...
The emperor sent velvet flowers and reprimanded the crown prince. On the surface, he was scolding the crown prince, but in reality, he was using this to warn the imperial concubine against making any underhanded moves regarding the Embroidered Uniform Guard!
At this moment, the Consort's hand holding the handkerchief was trembling slightly. She couldn't help but look at Shen Yao. Their eyes met, and Shen Yao shook her head slightly at her.
The Imperial Concubine's heart stirred slightly. Just as Wei Luo was about to turn back, she called out to him, "Your Highness, please don't go yet."
Wei Luo was stunned. He looked at the Imperial Concubine who stepped forward and handed over the tray carried by the eunuch. She said warmly, "His Majesty sent someone to deliver some velvet flowers. Your Highness, please pick a few to take back to the palace."
Wei Luo wanted to refuse, but before he could speak, his gaze fell on Shen Yao, meeting her bright, beautiful eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly looked away. "Then I'll pick a few and give them to her."
Just as she was about to raise her hand, Wei Xun, being mischievous, immediately interrupted, "Mother, my elder brother is still observing mourning, and there are no women in the palace. What use would you be with the velvet flower?"
Wei Luo was taken aback, her face immediately turned red, and she put down the hand she was about to raise.
He was angry!
Today, Wei Xun interrupted him for the second time. This was the last straw. Wei Luo looked directly at him, suppressing his anger, but still smiled and said, "It would be a waste for me to take the women in my third brother's palace, since he has more women."
Wei Luo reached out and pushed the tray back, looking at Wei Xun with a smile, "Third brother, you choose."
Upon seeing this, the Imperial Concubine glared at Wei Xun and scolded, "Third Prince, His Highness has no women in his palace, and you only have a few maids in yours. How dare you bring that up?"
The Imperial Concubine silently refuted Wei Luo's words, but when she faced Wei Luo, her tone softened again, "Your Highness, don't listen to Sanlang's nonsense. The velvet flowers are beautiful. Your Highness can keep them or give them away."
Wei Luo looked at the velvet flower but didn't move.
There was a moment of awkwardness.
The Emperor, unable to bear it any longer, shouted, "The Consort is letting you choose, stop dawdling. Ayao, you choose too."
The emperor also summoned Shen Yao inside.
Ten velvet flowers were divided among three people, with three flowers for each person, leaving one peony flower. Logically, Wei Luo, as the crown prince, should have taken the most, but Wei Xun insisted on taking four.
Wei Luo was therefore dissatisfied.
Just as the fourth peony was about to fall into his hands, Wei Luo immediately slapped the back of his hand, stunning Wei Xun. After a few moments, Wei Xun came to his senses and yelled at Wei Luo, "Why did you hit me?"
"Third brother, give the last one to Miss Chen."
“But I have four maids, how can I divide the three of them?” Wei Xun’s eyes widened in anger.
"Ha, your maid's fine jewelry worn upside down?"
"None of your business?"
Seeing that the two were about to quarrel, the Imperial Concubine quickly intervened to mediate, "Third Prince, there is an order of seniority. Since His Highness said it was for A Yao, you should quickly take your hand away."
He was the one who got hit, and the Imperial Concubine even spoke up for outsiders, which made Wei Xun even angrier. He glared at the two of them and shouted, "Fine, fine, you two divide it up, I don't want it."
He withdrew his hand, slamming the three flowers he had taken onto the tray with a "thud," and ran angrily to the emperor, complaining, "Father, look at them, they're bullying me so much. They won't even let me take a flower, and my eldest brother even hit my hand."
After he finished speaking, he held out the back of his hand, which had been slapped red by Wei Luo, and complained to her face, "It's all red from being slapped. Is it worth it for a flower? It's not some rare treasure. Father, you have to stand up for your son and give me some more hairpins."
"..."
Shen Yao looked at Wei Luo, both of them looking embarrassed. The Imperial Concubine was also speechless and said helplessly, "Sanlang doesn't want it, it's perfect for you two to share."
However, Wei Xun refused, so Wei Luo put down the velvet flower as well. His face was ugly, but when facing Shen Yao, he still forced a smile, "Give them all to Miss Shen."
After speaking, he turned and walked outside; at the same time, the emperor agreed to send Wei Xun some more hairpins.
Upon hearing this, Wei Luo paused slightly, clenched his fist, and then quickened his pace to leave the palace.
Shen Yao was shocked. She didn't know whether to keep the velvet flower in her hand or put it down. After hesitating for a while, she finally said, "I'll take it to His Highness." She hurriedly chased after him.
Wei Luo walked very fast, and by the time Shen Yao chased him out of the palace, the two were already a hundred paces apart.
"Your Highness, wait for me!"
Shen Yao ran and shouted, and soon caught up with Wei Luo.
She was running rather fast. When Wei Luo saw that her face was flushed and she was panting, he couldn't help but laugh and say, "Why are you running so fast? I won't get lost."
His body reacted instinctively, and he wanted to touch her cheek. Seeing this, Liu Heng coughed a few times to remind the two of them that they were in the palace and that someone was watching.
Wei Luo was stunned for a moment before giving up.
Shen Yao handed the velvet flower to Wei Luo, saying, "Your Highness, please take it back..."
"I don't want it." Wei Luo interrupted her gently. "The velvet flower was a gift for you. Keep it safe and remember to wear it."
Shen Yao blinked, and suddenly felt the velvet flower in her hand getting even hotter. She was stunned for a moment, not knowing what to do. Just as she was thinking, Wei Luo said, "It's still early, why don't you come and sit in Cining Palace for a while?"
Before Shen Yao could answer, Liu Heng coughed violently again, until he drew their attention, before finally saying, "Your Highness, this servant is fine, you may continue... cough cough cough~"
Shen Yao, observing the situation, refused, saying, "I won't go. My aunt is waiting for me to return to the palace. If Your Highness needs anything, just send someone to find me."
They each returned to their respective palaces.
*
Inside Yikun Palace, the Emperor and Wei Xun were playing chess happily, with a group of eunuchs watching, but no imperial concubines were around.
Shen Yao asked, "Where is the Imperial Concubine?"
"She was getting ready in the warm room."
Shen Yao then went to the Imperial Concubine's bedroom, where she was writing a letter.
Seeing this, Shen Yao stood aside without saying a word. After the Consort finished writing, she stepped forward, took the letter, and put it in her pocket.
"If there's nothing else, you should leave the palace and go back."
"Hmm." Shen Yao nodded. When the palace servants brought the velvet flowers over and she took them in her hands, she suddenly remembered Zhao Xian's desire to enter the palace as an eunuch. With a thought, she said, "Aunt, I have something I'd like to ask for your help with."
The imperial concubine was taken aback and asked, "What is it?"
Shen Yao then told him everything about Zhao Xian, omitting some details, saying, "He has been kind to me, so I want to help him."
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Concubine remained silent for a moment before saying, "So he has already been castrated, is that right?"
"Yes."
The Imperial Concubine summoned Zhang Bao, the eunuch in charge of Yikun Palace. Shen Yao recognized him; it was Zhang Bao who had escorted her out of the palace a few days earlier.
After Zhang Bao finished bowing, the Imperial Concubine looked at him and instructed, "Someone wants to enter the palace as a eunuch. Make arrangements for him later."
"May I ask, Your Majesty, where will you be placed?"
The Imperial Concubine looked at Shen Yao, who shook her head and said, "I don't know either, but I'll try to get a better position."
Zhang Baodao: "There are a total of twenty-four departments within the palace, including twelve directorates, four offices, and eight bureaus. The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs is in charge of the seal and imperial approvals, the Directorate of Imperial Horses is in charge of the imperial military tally, and the Directorate of Palace Guards is in charge of palace hygiene..."
Zhang Bao gave a brief introduction to the eunuch's office, and then said, "This matter requires me to inquire and see which office is currently short of staff."
"Okay, I'll leave it to you to handle."
After Zhang Bao left, Shen Yao also took her leave.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
