De Fei slowly fanned herself and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, most women in the boudoir like to play on the swings. It helps them relax their bodies and minds."
Dun Shuyuan, who was standing by, looked at Xuan Ling lovingly and said in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, can you take me on the swing with you?"
Xuan Ling responded seriously, "You guys go have fun, I still have something to say to Sheng Chongyuan."
Sheng Xiyan gritted her teeth and followed Xuan Ling into the main hall.
I secretly regretted not mentioning the desire for a swing. Concubine Shu really wouldn't miss any opportunity to sow discord!
After entering the main hall, Sheng Xiyan hurriedly took the hot tea brought by Hua Xia, poured a cup, shook it gently, and handed it to Xuan Ling respectfully after feeling the temperature was suitable.
He took the teacup, drank the tea, and looked at her quietly, not knowing what he was thinking.
After a long moment, he finally spoke, "Yanyan, don't be afraid. I'm glad you can express yourself frankly instead of hiding your preferences deep in your heart."
Sheng Xiyan softly snuggled into his arms, "I want to give your Majesty my most authentic self, and your Majesty can also give me your most authentic self, okay?"
He stroked her head and said, "Okay."
After a while, it was dark and the imperial kitchen brought in a celebratory banquet.
Auspicious dishes were placed on the table, and the palace servants happily announced the names of the dishes.
"Your Majesty, these are the new products developed by our servants: Magpie Climbing the Plum Tree, First-Class Official Bird's Nest, Longevity Porridge, White Dragon Flower Silk, Imperial Concubine Red, and Pearl Orchid Shengping Steamed Rice..."
Xuan Ling said with satisfaction: "The meaning is good, and the shape is unique. It's worth a reward."
The two of them had dinner quite calmly. Sheng Xiyan carefully observed Emperor Xuanwu, trying to figure out whether he took Concubine Shu's words to heart.
After dinner, he pulled her to sit on his lap and said, "Yanyan, I hope you can live happily in Guanju Palace."
Sheng Xiyan leaned against his neck and said softly, "Your Majesty treats me so well. I am very touched. This is my home with you. I feel especially happy because of Your Majesty."
There was also a celebratory banquet in the side hall of Guanju Palace, but Dun Shuyuan had no appetite and just sat there in a daze.
The palace maid Qingya advised: "My dear, I have asked, and the dishes in the main hall tonight are the same as ours. The emperor is not partial."
Dun Shuyuan said, "The dishes are the same, but the emperor gave Sheng Chongyuan such a rare jade pillow, but gave me a box of pearls."
"Master, that box of oriental pearls is as big as a finger and is very valuable. It can be made into a necklace, earrings, or inlaid with a gold hairpin. It is even better than a jade pillow."
"What's the use? The emperor won't come to accompany me tonight."
Dun Shuyuan lazily stood up, but heard an announcement from outside the palace: "The Emperor has arrived!"
Her unhappy face immediately regained its cheerfulness, and she hurried to the door of the hall and ran down the steps.
"Your Majesty, I thought you wouldn't come."
Xuan Ling walked into the hall with a faint smile on his face.
"My beloved, haven't you eaten yet?"
Dun Shuyuan said aggrievedly: "I have no appetite to eat alone."
Qingya said respectfully, "The master was secretly crying just now."
Xuan Ling glanced at her, his eyes indeed reddened, "Use some, today's dishes are good, Yanyan likes them too."
When Dun Shuyuan heard him address Sheng Xiyan so affectionately, she squatted in front of him, placed her hands on her knees, lowered her eyebrows and said submissively, "Your Majesty, could you also call me by my nickname?"
Xuan Ling said coldly, "Are you teaching me how to do things?"
Dun Shuyuan quickly knelt down and said softly, "I have overstepped the bounds of propriety. I know I was wrong and will never do it again."
Xuan Ling said calmly, "Get up. Your father has gone to the southwest to lead the troops. I hope he can properly reorganize the local army this time."
Dun Shuyuan stood up and sat down, expressing her loyalty: "Your Majesty, please rest assured that my father will not let you down."
She did not eat the dishes, but quickly asked the palace maid to bring her tea to rinse her mouth.
After helping Xuan Ling change his clothes, the two went to bed together to rest.
Dun Shuyuan wanted to crawl under his arm and said coquettishly, "Your Majesty, I am taking a bath with lavender and gardenia today. Do you want to smell the fragrance?"
Xuan Ling said coldly: "I am tired and need to rest."
Dun Shuyuan leaned helplessly on his arm and whispered, "Your Majesty, Sister Sheng cried today and looked very pitiful."
When Xuan Ling heard this, he immediately asked, "Why are you crying?"
"I don't know, maybe I have some feelings in my heart?"
Xuan Ling fell into deep thought. She must have been thinking of Qi Yan. Even the swing carried the reminder of their past happy times.
In the main hall, Sheng Xiyan was reading a book attentively. The book recorded in detail the types and characteristics of various agarwoods.
That day, Xuan Ling mentioned that he liked to collect agarwood. If he wanted to have a deeper communication with him, he had to supplement his knowledge in this area as soon as possible.
Hua Xia walked in, holding an exquisite fan in her hand, and fanned her gently.
"My lady, why did the Emperor suddenly go to the side hall? Is it because of Concubine Shu's mention of the swing?"
Sheng Xiyan calmly turned the page and said calmly, "Dun Shuyuan's father is now the emperor's newly promoted general, so it's normal for the emperor to visit her. Besides, what is the most important task of the concubines in the palace?"
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