Chapter 14 Waiting quietly is just her wishful thinking again.
Cuiwei, who was sitting in the carriage and hadn't looked outside, noticed that Shen Mi's expression was off. With one hand still holding the curtain, she turned to Shen Mi and asked, "Consort, weren't we supposed to be delivering an umbrella and a cloak to His Highness?"
When she saw Gu Zhan and Su Yuzhao standing together, she didn't actually want to see Gu Zhan in person. Even though she had to do everything she could to please Gu Zhan in order to gain a foothold in the Eastern Palace, she still had dignity and a sense of pride. With the two of them standing side by side, wouldn't she just be a laughingstock if she went over to them?
Therefore, she originally intended to instruct the coachman to return directly to the East Palace, but she didn't have time to stop Cuiwei from saying that.
The carriage from the Eastern Palace was parked at the entrance of Fanlou, just a few steps away from Gu Zhan. At this time, there were hardly any people drinking and making merry in the main hall on the first floor of Fanlou. In the quiet wind and snow, this sounded even more obvious.
As expected, Gu Zhanben turned his head to talk to Su Yuzhao. As soon as Cuiwei finished speaking, he looked over here, and Shen Mi met his gaze.
At this moment, whether intentionally or unintentionally, she had to get out of the car and pay her respects to Gu Zhan.
Cuiwei helped Shen Mi down from the carriage and stood behind her to greet Gu Zhan.
Gu Zhan asked calmly, "What are you doing here?"
"I saw that it was snowing outside and I was worried that Your Highness did not bring an umbrella," Shen Mi said, still holding the cloak she had given to Gu Zhan in her arms. She took the umbrella from Cuiwei and did not dare to look up at Gu Zhan, nor could she bear to see him and Su Yuzhao, a handsome couple, standing side by side.
Gu Zhan's gaze swept over the carriage shaft, which was covered with a thin layer of snow, and the woman's ears and earlobes, which were red from the cold. Her skin was pure white, and she wore a lychee-colored cloak over her shoulders. In the snowy night, she was as bright as a red plum blossom, but she always kept her head down and her eyes downcast, truly bound by the rules.
He asked, "How long have you been waiting here?"
Was Gu Zhan questioning her about why she left the palace and came to Fanlou without permission? Or did he not want her to see him with Su Yuzhao?
The wind whistled past Shen Mi's ears, her skirt fluttering in the breeze. Her fingers were already slightly stiff, but she dared not think too much about it. She simply bit her lip and said, "I just arrived when Your Highness came out. I had no intention of interfering in Your Highness's affairs. I just wanted to bring you a cloak and an umbrella." As she spoke, she tugged at Cuiwei's sleeve, signaling Cuiwei not to say anything more. She then took two steps forward, stood at the bottom of the steps, and presented the umbrella and cloak to Gu Zhan with both hands.
Gu Zhan took the umbrella and cloak in turn. His fingertips accidentally touched hers. The woman's fingertips were as cold as ice, but she quickly withdrew them when he touched them. He didn't ask any questions, but only replied, "Shen Liangdi is very thoughtful."
Shen Mi bowed to him, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw him hand the umbrella to Su Yuzhao. "I didn't know Miss Su was also here, so I didn't prepare an extra umbrella."
Su Yuzhao looked at her with a smile, "Consort Shen, there's no need to be so formal. Since you are His Highness's consort, you can call me 'Yuzhao' from now on, just like His Highness."
Shen Mi did not respond to this. If what Gu Chiying said in the palace was true, that Gu Zhan was originally going to marry Su Yuzhao, then after she entered the palace, she would be the real Crown Princess. Etiquette should come first, so how could she dare to call her by her name directly?
Gu Zhan glanced back at Su Yuzhao, "Keep the umbrella."
Shen Mi was stunned, her whole body stiffening on the spot, unable to move, for a moment she didn't know whether it was because of the falling snow or because of Gu Zhan's words.
She was worried that Gu Zhan might return in the snow from the East Palace, so she personally brought an umbrella and cloak to Fanlou to wait for him. Gu Zhan, on the other hand, turned around and gave the umbrella to Su Yuzhao.
Gu Zhan didn't notice her unusual behavior. He casually walked down the steps and adjusted his cloak: "Let's go back to the palace."
Shen Mi looked up in surprise, suddenly not understanding what Gu Zhan meant.
Gu Zhan had no intention of explaining further to her. He leaned against the carriage wall and got into the carriage. "The snowstorm is too heavy. Someone will send the horses back to the East Palace tomorrow."
Shen Mi then realized that Gu Zhan wanted to ride back to the East Palace with her in a carriage. However, she didn't dare to speculate whether it was because riding a horse was inconvenient due to the snow or because he wanted to leave the umbrella for Su Yuzhao. She simply followed Gu Zhan's instructions and stepped onto the carriage using a low stool.
During the time the group spent in the snowstorm, a layer of snow had covered the low stool. When Shen Mi lifted her skirt to get into the car, she lost her balance and almost fell backward. At the critical moment, Gu Zhan grabbed her forearm from behind.
Her arms were slender, while Gu Zhan's large hands easily encircled her forearms. The warmth of his fingertips seeped through the thin sleeves of her undergarment, causing her to catch her breath. After a long while, she finally managed to utter, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Gu Zhan didn't say anything, but pulled her into the car and then withdrew his hand.
When they left the East Palace, they chose a small carriage to keep warm. Normally, the three women could squeeze in, but once Gu Zhan got in, Cuiwei could not stay in the carriage, both in terms of etiquette and space. So she sat outside with the driver.
Gu Zhan closed his eyes and remained silent as soon as he got into the carriage. Shen Mi looked at his face, wanting to ask him if he wanted to return to Qingluan Palace to rest tonight, but she hesitated several times. After all, everything she had seen tonight was the answer. After hesitating for a long time, she sighed softly, lowered her head, and gently poked at the purse at her waist as she used to pass the time as a child.
The carriage was so quiet that only the two people's breathing could be heard.
Gu Zhan suddenly spoke up: "What do you want to ask? About me and Yuzhao?"
Shen Mi's heart immediately went into overdrive, how could she dare to ask?
"No, Your Highness, I dare not pry into your private affairs," she said after careful consideration. "A hot hangover soup has been prepared in Qingluan Palace."
Gu Zhan lowered his brows and glanced at her; she was far too sensible. "Okay."
Shen Mi thought he would refuse. After all, in the month or so since she married into the Eastern Palace, she had already gotten used to Gu Zhan's rejections in various ways and to varying degrees. She had only asked Gu Zhan tentatively, but she didn't expect him to agree.
Overjoyed, but unsure what to say, he could only reply, "Yes."
The palace maids and eunuchs of Qingluan Palace were getting sleepy from waiting. Finally, Shen Mi returned, but they did not expect that His Highness the Crown Prince would also return. This was the first time His Highness had returned to Qingluan Palace since their wedding night. Everyone busied themselves and ran to boil water without Shen Mi having to give any instructions.
After serving Gu Zhan the hangover soup, Shen Mi took off her outer robe and sat on the edge of the bed wearing only an undergarment, waiting for Gu Zhan to finish his bath.
Before long, Gu Zhan, also dressed in his nightgown, came around from the back hall.
Shen Mi rose and bowed, then whispered in Gu Zhan's ear, "Your Highness, my period just ended a few days ago."
She thought she had revealed her true intentions, but Gu Zhan didn't react. He casually sat on the edge of the bed, took off his wooden clogs, and said, "Rest early. I have things to do tomorrow."
Shen Mi's smile froze on her face; she had been deluding herself again.
But since Gu Zhan had already said so, how could she dare to say another word? She could only silently lie down on the inside of the bed and lie down properly.
I slept fully clothed all night.
When she woke up the next day, Gu Zhan had already left. She didn't know when he left. Cuiwei said that Gu Zhan had to go to court to report for duty and got up at 3:45 AM, so she didn't have to wake Chen Mi.
Shen Mi was initially quite disappointed, but from that day until the end of the year, Gu Zhan was rarely in the Eastern Palace. If he returned early, he would rest in the Qingluan Palace, and if it was late at night, he would rest directly in the Qinzheng Palace. Sun Cheng had said that it was because Gu Zhan, as the crown prince, was always very busy at the end of the year. After all, one day the world would belong to him, and as the crown prince, he had to deal with many things related to the two offices, three departments, and six ministries.
Shen Mi understood. Although she didn't know if Gu Zhan would come back every day, she would always have the cooks leave dinner for her. She would stay up late every night in Qingluan Palace until past midnight before turning off the lights and resting. Occasionally, when Gu Zhan came back, even if he just slept fully clothed like that night, she didn't complain at all. After all, Gu Zhan's willingness to come was already a great blessing to her.
This continued until the grand assembly on New Year's Day.
Although the Great Qi occasionally clashes with the Tanguts, the two states still maintain a facade of goodwill. During festivals, a grand court assembly is held, and the Tanguts send envoys to Bianjing to pay tribute. In return, the Great Qi bestows gifts to demonstrate the friendly relations between the two states.
In the morning, the envoys would pay homage to the Emperor, and Gu Zhan, as the Crown Prince, would also be present. After noon, a banquet would be held in the palace.
Shen Mi and Gu Zhan entered the palace together. Gu Zhan went to see the envoy, while Shen Mi had to pay her respects to the Empress and chat with other members of the imperial family according to etiquette.
The roads were slippery due to the snow, so the carriage moved slowly. Gu Zhan always observed etiquette and paid attention to the time. As soon as the carriage came to a stop, he got off first. Shen Mi hurriedly followed him off, trying to catch up with him, but she tripped over the layers of her auspicious dress.
The pain crept up her ankle, and she called out to Gu Zhan, "Your Highness."
The voice that spoke in unison with hers was another voice that wasn't unfamiliar. Shen Mi looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was Su Yuzhao.
Gu Zhan paused slightly and turned around to look at him.
A note from the author:
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Unless there are special circumstances, I will update daily until it becomes a paid service, with 2500 or 3000 words per day depending on the situation.
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