Chapter 106: Painting
Yan Xin stood where she was, staring with her beautiful eyes at the direction where Shen Yuning left. Seeing that His Majesty had no intention of stopping her, the corners of her mouth raised and her smile became even brighter.
She walked back to the flowers she had just been to, wearing a white dress with fluttering sleeves, looking like a fairy under the moonlight.
Kwon Myung Hyuk picked up the paintbrush on the table.
His eyes seemed to be on Yan Xin, but for some reason, the lonely figure of Shen Yuning just now appeared involuntarily in his mind.
He frowned.
Today is her birthday, why didn’t Li Ming remind him?
"Li Ming."
Li Ming heard the shout and walked forward quickly: "Your Majesty."
"Go to my private vault and select some rare and interesting items, and send them to Concubine Shen immediately."
Send some gifts to comfort her first, so that she won't cry alone on her birthday.
Li Ming responded and went to make the arrangements.
Yan Xin saw everything, her expression instantly turned ugly, and her smile became stiff.
Your Majesty, what does this mean?
Could it be that he really cares so much about Shen Yuning?
She suppressed her displeasure, stepped forward, and said coquettishly, "Your Majesty, my facial skin has been recovering these days and is very delicate. Your Majesty has not been painting for a long time. I have been staying here for a long time and I actually feel a little itchy."
Quan Minghe stared at Yan Xin's face.
What happened to him just now? While painting for Xixi, he was thinking of another woman.
Seeing that His Majesty did not speak, Yan Xin continued to act coquettishly, "I have to go back to Ganquan Palace to apply the ointment prepared by Doctor Hu for me, so as to prevent any problems with my face."
"Your Majesty, how about going to Ganquan Palace with me?"
She paused and explained, "I am afraid that your Majesty's face will suddenly turn red when you are halfway through painting. Wouldn't that affect your Majesty's mood for painting?"
Quan Minghe frowned again and looked up at the sky. It was already late.
If he hadn't just learned that Shen Yuning's birthday was today, he wouldn't have been in a hurry.
But looking at Yan Xin's appearance, he was also worried that she really had a rash on her face, which would be a waste of his time.
"Let's go."
Quan Minghe sat on the imperial carriage.
Yan Xin also got on her own sedan chair. The moment the curtain fell, the forced smile on her face disappeared instantly, replaced by a cold look.
It seems that His Majesty still cares about Shen Yuning. He is so anxious. Could it be that he plans to go to Yaohua Palace to find her after finishing the portrait?
No, she would never allow it!
The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on the road back to the palace.
In Ganquan Palace, Yan Xin held a small box of milky white ointment in her hand and slowly and evenly applied the ointment on her face, layer after layer.
After applying the ointment, she sat in front of the dressing table, staring at herself in the bronze mirror with her beautiful eyes, patiently waiting for her skin to slowly absorb the ointment.
Quan Minghe sat in the hall, his face becoming increasingly uglier and his brows furrowed.
But Yan Xin remained calm and unhurried.
Today, Your Majesty, may be the most patient day.
He would definitely finish the painting today, and he would have to paint two more.
One of the paintings will be taken to Fanyin Temple tomorrow. That is the place where he goes every year to pray for the woman in his heart. I guess he wants to enshrine the painting there. The other one will be placed in Lingxi Palace, which is the place he cherishes most in his heart.
Yan Xin used to always compete with a dead woman, but now she thinks she shouldn't have done that.
"Go and see when your mother is done."
Quan Minghe finally couldn't hold back his annoyance anymore, and his tone was filled with obvious impatience.
Yan Xin came out with ointment applied on her face because of His Majesty's urging.
She bit her lower lip lightly, her innocent face full of innocence: "Your Majesty, the ointment prepared by Doctor Hu for me is really strong. I feel a little stinging on my face right now. I am afraid that I will not be able to control my expression and affect your Majesty's interest in painting."
"Your Majesty, would you allow me to absorb the ointment before continuing?"
Yan Xin sat next to Quan Minghe, pulling his sleeve with her hand, looking like a spoiled child.
Quan Minghe's fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, and his repressed emotions became more intense.
He did not answer Yan Xin's question, but turned to ask Li Ming: "Li Ming, have all the things been delivered?"
Li Ming said respectfully: "Your Majesty, it has been sent to Yaohua Palace."
"How is Concubine Shen feeling?"
"According to the palace servants, Concubine Shen seemed very surprised by the birthday gift sent by Your Majesty. I think she must be happy."
Quan Minghe breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense expression eased a little. He waved his hand, signaling Li Ming to leave.
He hardly ever gave any gifts to the concubines in the harem.
Even when Xixi was around, he just followed her wishes and gave her whatever she liked.
I never bothered to choose gifts, as Li Ming always arranged the gift-giving.
However, what women seek is nothing more than status or rare treasures.
The collections in his private treasury are either rare treasures tributed from all over the world, or masterpieces handed down from masters, or objects carefully carved by famous craftsmen. Each one is priceless.
No matter which of these things is given to her, she will probably like it.
Yan Xin felt more and more uncomfortable, and a feeling of bitterness spread from her heart.
It seems that Shen Yuning is indeed different from others. When has Your Majesty ever cared about the birthday of the Emperor's concubine before?
Not to mention the birthday present.
However, Yan Xin already had an idea in mind today. She wanted to create a rift between Shen Yuning and His Majesty, just like what she did in the past.
His Majesty's favor is only superficial. Once Shen Yuning shows dissatisfaction with His Majesty, His Majesty will withdraw his favor without hesitation, just like he did to himself in the past.
The night deepens.
Quan Minghe focused on the painting, and finally, after careful polishing, he completed the painting in his hand.
Yan Xin sensed that His Majesty was about to leave, so she asked, "Your Majesty, it's late, would you like to stay at Ganquan Palace tonight?"
In the past, Your Majesty never stayed overnight in the emperor's or concubine's bedroom, but after Shen Yuning entered the palace, Your Majesty broke this principle.
Yan Xin doesn't want His Majesty to leave today.
Quan Minghe lowered his eyes and looked at her: "Today is Concubine Shen's birthday, I will go over to take a look."
Yan Xin pulled the corner of her mouth awkwardly: "It is my fault for not considering it carefully. I respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty."
Quan Minghe turned and left.
When the imperial carriage stopped outside the Yaohua Palace, he looked up and saw that the entire palace was in darkness.
It was almost midnight, so it was normal for her to fall asleep.
But his eyes then fell on the closed and locked palace gate.
The harem has strict rules. The doors of the emperor and concubines' palaces should be open and must not be locked without permission unless they are under house arrest or imprisoned.
Li Ming was following nearby, and when he saw the locked palace gate, his heart skipped a beat.
Is Concubine Shen deliberately giving His Majesty a cold shoulder?
But not long ago, he reported to His Majesty that Concubine Shen accepted the gift and looked very happy. Why...
Quan Minghe said nothing.
He neither ordered anyone to open the palace gates nor immediately said that he would return to Weiyang Palace. He just sat in the imperial carriage, emitting a low pressure that made people afraid to approach.
After a long while, Li Ming finally heard His Majesty's low voice, but the emotion contained in it could not be heard: "Return to Weiyang Palace."
The voice echoed in the silent night, carrying a hint of chilliness.
The imperial carriage changed direction and disappeared into the night, leaving only the tightly closed gate of Yaohua Palace, silent in the darkness, as if it was a silent contest.
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