"explain."
"As a maidservant, I should serve my master by his bedside!"
Sheng Xiyan's drooping eyelashes brought out a drop of crystal pearl tears.
The tip of his thumb rubbed the corners of her eyes, ruthlessly crushing the tears.
Emperor Xuanwu's voice was low, hoarse, and cold, with an innate sense of majesty.
A sinister aura permeated his deep brows and handsome eyes, but his expression remained as solemn and calm as ever.
Close to her ear,
"Sheng Xiyan, I won't indulge you anymore."
A cold and murderous aura lingered around her neck, and the sneer was full of sarcasm and chilling.
Gurgle, gurgle, Sheng Xiyan's stomach growled.
If it were a normal day, Xuan Ling would definitely ask the imperial kitchen to serve the best meals.
I wish I could shoot down the stars and the moon in the sky and feed them to her.
At this time, he said fiercely:
"Serve the master. No matter how hungry you are, you have to endure it. This is your duty."
You are hungry because you have been busy all day for your ex-husband. Why should I feel sorry for you?
It was dark in an instant, just like my heart turning cold, and I quickly erected a defensive barrier around my body.
The imperial carriage moved forward steadily, with the emperor sitting high above.
Sheng Xiyan walked aside with a palace lantern in her hand and lifeless eyes.
The night was very quiet, and the fallen leaves made a rustling sound when stepped on.
Maybe because I hadn't eaten anything from morning to night, my legs were weak and I stepped on a stone and sprained my ankle.
Eunuch Fu ran forward and asked, "Madam, are you okay?"
Sheng Xiyan glanced at Xuan Ling and said through gritted teeth, "It's okay."
His eyes were so cold, even more ruthless than when he first met him in Zhongcui Palace.
Her heart felt like it was being pierced by needles, and her eyes were blurred with tears.
Today, I looked through all the ancient books in the Sutra Library and found out that Qi Yan was poisoned and there was no medicine to cure it.
As a person with medical skills, I am filled with despair.
If Qi Yan was fine and living his own life, she wouldn't think too much about it, but if he wasn't well, she couldn't help but care about him.
Outside the gate of Jingren Palace, Empress Duan was wearing a double-breasted outer gown made of yellow phoenix and peony scented satin and a skirt with a pattern of hundreds of butterflies and thousands of waters.
Her hairstyle today was different from usual. It was the bun worn by married women in the common folk society, with two golden lotus hairpins, making her look gentle and elegant.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you."
Empress Duan came forward and saw Sheng Xiyan. She asked with a smile, "Is Concubine Chen here too?"
Sheng Xiyan bowed and saluted.
Xuan Ling got off the imperial carriage and did not move forward. Someone had to hold a lantern in front of him.
Sheng Xiyan walked forward holding a palace lantern, enduring the pain in her ankle.
Empress Duan held Xuan Ling in her arms and spoke softly:
"Your Majesty, I have prepared some nourishing meals and have them simmered over low heat, just in time for your arrival."
Xuan Ling looked at the woman in front of him and said calmly, "The Queen is thoughtful."
When they arrived at the palace, Queen Duan gave Xuan Ling a thin cloak for early autumn.
The palace maid brought a yellow-glazed porcelain basin.
Queen Duan wanted to wash Xuan Ling's hands.
Xuan Ling said, "Queen, please take a rest. I will handle this matter."
Queen Duan smiled and moved to the other side.
Sheng Xiyan stepped forward, reached into the water and gently scooped water into his hand.
Wipe it with a handkerchief.
The emperor said coldly:
"I have reviewed eighty memorials today, and there is still ink on my hands. Is this how you can fool me?"
Sheng Xiyan hung the brocade handkerchief back on the golden frame.
He reached into the water and took his hand, cleaning the ink stain finger by finger.
His eyes were cold and he stared at her intently.
Her lips were bloodless, her face was pale, and on her delicate skin, it was hard to tell whether it was tears or sweat.
Like a blooming peach blossom trapped in an ice river, it is still beautiful but has lost its vitality.
On the Huanghuali phoenix-shaped soft couch and the low kang table were five or six exquisite dishes and medicinal foods.
In the past, the emperor and empress would sit on the left and right of a low kang table.
But today, Queen Duan did not sit opposite him, but sat next to Xuan Ling, right next to him.
Although the emperor's eyes were always fixed on another woman,
But she knew very well that if he wanted to piss off that person, he would not refuse her, so his behavior was much bolder than usual.
He picked up the porcelain cup, scooped a spoonful of soup and fed it to Xuan Ling's mouth.
"Your Majesty, this is the cordyceps and lean meat soup I asked you to cook. Would you like to try it?"
Xuan Ling glanced at Sheng Xiyan, opened his thin lips slightly and took a half bite.
"Very good, the soup base is rich. I can tell at a glance that the Queen put a lot of thought into preparing it for me."
Queen Duan smiled gently and said:
"I have no other ambitions. I want to be a good wife to the Emperor, so that he has no worries. I also want to live in harmony with the Emperor, just like ordinary couples."
Normally, she would never dare to say these words. She spoke with great fear and trepidation, observing the emperor's expression.
Xuan Ling held Queen Duan's hand and said in a deep voice:
"Empress, you and I were a young couple, we've endured hardships together, and your place in my heart is unshakable."
Sheng Xiyan lowered her head and stood beside him, holding a lotus bowl for rinsing her mouth, like a jade carving.
Yes, you and she are a young couple, I naturally know that, and I have never dreamed of replacing the Queen's position in your heart.
Queen Duan happily leaned on Xuan Ling's right shoulder. They had never been so close since their wedding seven years ago.
This was the first time he took the initiative to hold her hand and said tender words.
Queen Duan was so excited that tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Your Majesty, I don't know how happy I am to hear your words."
"Why are you crying again?"
Xuan Ling shouted at Sheng Xiyan, "Concubine Chen, the Queen is crying, why don't you quickly find Jinpa?"
Sheng Xiyan glanced at the handkerchief in her sleeve but did not take it out.
He put down the lotus bowl, picked up the handkerchief he had just wiped his hands with, and presented it with both hands.
Xuan Ling took the handkerchief and wiped Queen Duan from left to right, and from right to left, extremely rudely.
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