Chapter 16 Gifting a Red Rope
Inside the hall.
After Xuan Yi finished his annotations, he put down his pen and reached out to open the box.
A roll of ordinary rough paper with a red string tied in the middle and two small silver bells at the end of the red string.
Xuan Yi untied the red rope and looked at the pair of small silver bells, his eyes flashing slightly.
This was the ornament she wore on her belt that day.
Does she know the meaning of giving someone a red string?
Xuan Yi put down the red rope and unfolded the paper, his pupils constricted and his back straightened.
The entire painting is in only black and white.
I saw a person sitting lazily on the chair, with his hair crown, temples, facial shadows and expressions, slightly drooping eyelashes, palms supporting his forehead, collar and shoulder width, sitting posture and light and shadow, all portrayed in great detail, clarity, three-dimensionality and reality.
It's like a real person jumping off the paper.
She drew the picture of him that she saw that day.
Xuan Yi looked carefully at himself in the painting, and besides being amazed, an indescribable feeling surged in his heart.
He might not be able to draw himself in such detail, but the little girl did it so meticulously.
This shows how focused she was at the time and how vividly she remembered it...
Zhuang Yu, who was standing by the door, took a quick look and was surprised to find that His Majesty had a rare stunned expression and was staring at the paper in his hand.
What are you looking at...
Xuan Yi stared at his own face in the painting for a long time before coming back to his senses and realizing there was a sentence written underneath.
I hope the red on your wrist can withstand the coldness of time and protect you from all dangers in life.
The font is a bit chubby.
The characters are crooked and some are missing strokes.
There was also a small circle drawn next to it, and three curved lines formed a smiley face, which looked very strange.
But it succeeded in raising the corner of Xuan Yi's mouth.
"Oh…"
Zhuang Yu paused and turned his head slowly.
He stared at the king who was holding his forehead and laughing, and the exposed white teeth almost blinded his eyes.
Your Majesty smiled! The sun rose from the west!
What on earth are you looking at?!
…
Baorong Palace
"You said she is Zang Feng?"
The current empress dowager is only in her early forties. She has a well-maintained, smooth and delicate face, thick black hair, and is dressed in a dark purple palace dress that makes her look noble and dignified.
At this moment, he looked at Qin Zheng in surprise.
"I have been with the Queen Mother for many years, so I have some good judgment on people."
Qin Zheng smiled and nodded: "It's no wonder this little girl is like that. After all, she is a concubine's daughter, and her mistress is a powerful woman. If she becomes too popular, it will be difficult for her to protect herself and her mother."
After spending ten days together, she discovered that Su Ci learned things very quickly and could almost remember everything she saw.
He shouldn't be as stupid and illiterate as the rumors say, so he deliberately tried to trick Su Yan.
"That's good."
The Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief. "The Emperor has always been aloof and aloof. He doesn't particularly like anything. Even his marriages and concubines were in accordance with the wishes of the late Emperor and I. He is indifferent to all his concubines."
"After ascending the throne, he was even more busy with state affairs and rarely set foot in the harem. He is already so old and has only one child. I am really worried."
"Now that he has finally taken the initiative to ask for someone, how can I not be happy? But the girl is going to enter the palace as a concubine. If she really can't read, it will bring shame to the royal family."
"Don't worry, my lady."
Qin Zheng stepped forward and poured some more tea. "Although this fourth girl is clever but hides her shortcomings, she's not a scheming person. She's lively, cheerful, innocent, kind, and sweet-mouthed. With that pretty face, she's truly lovable."
"To be honest, not to mention Your Majesty, even I have been in a good mood every day during the past ten days I have been with her."
"That's good."
The Queen Mother also smiled and nodded. "I trust your judgment. The Emperor's temperament is too aloof. He seems like an old man despite his young age. The girl is more lively and can balance him out. It would be best if you could give me more grandchildren soon. Otherwise, the silence in this palace is giving me a headache."
"Yes."
Qin Zheng lowered her voice slightly as she spoke, "On my way here just now, Nanny Li from Zhaohua Palace approached and spoke to me. I only responded with a few words. I think the Empress is aware of this matter as well."
The Queen Mother's smile faded.
"As the mother of a nation, she can't even think clearly about her basic responsibilities and acts recklessly. It's really outrageous!"
"Go back and tell His Majesty that I will make his favorite crispy pork for lunch tomorrow."
"Yes, my lady."
…
Zhaohua Palace
The queen, dressed in a brocade yellow palace gown, looked elegant and imposing. She glanced at the nanny who responded.
"So, the matter of the Su family's daughter entering the palace is settled?"
"Yes, Nanny Qin went to the Su Mansion to teach in person. I don't think there will be any change of heart."
"Oh, this Su family is quite capable."
Nanny Li raised her eyes and glanced at her mistress. "Madam, even if the Su family used their favor to force their daughter into the palace, she is just a concubine of low birth. According to the rules, giving her the title of Beauty is already a compliment. It won't make any difference."
"She is just a lowly concubine. I don't even take her seriously."
The Queen's eyes reflected and she shook her head, "I'm just worried about the Shen family and I'm not sure what Your Majesty means."
"…Your Majesty, are you referring to His Majesty's reprimand of the military officers during the morning court session?"
"You say you're reprimanding the military officer, but everyone knows who your majesty is referring to."
The Queen frowned slightly and lowered her eyes. "I come from a military family, and my father and brother command a large military force. I should have been more cautious in my actions. It's also my brother's fault for not living up to his expectations. He got into so much trouble outside, and even ran into His Majesty on his southern tour. Fortunately, we intervened in time and didn't catch him red-handed."
"But Your Majesty has a keen eye. Even without any concrete evidence, he is certain that those things are related to my brother. He is only afraid of the military power in the hands of the Shen family and is taking this opportunity to reprimand and warn him."
"Su Yan was the main person who uncovered the Shen family's affairs. Your Majesty's request for the Su family's daughter to enter the palace may not be just a reward, but more likely to remind me, the Queen."
Nanny Li's expression tightened.
"Your Majesty, if it is really as you say, then you must not interfere with the Su family's daughter entering the palace. Otherwise, it will damage the relationship between you and His Majesty, which is really not worth the loss."
"Marriage?"
A hint of self-mockery flashed in the Queen's eyes: "My grandfather risked his life to save the late emperor, so that I, the daughter of a military commander, could become the Crown Princess and then the mother of a country."
"But after seven years of marriage, I still don't understand what marital love is..."
"Your Majesty, be careful with your words."
Nanny Li quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is a man who values rules above all else. You and Your Majesty treat each other with respect. You have a son, and your position as Empress is secure. Why should you dwell on Your Majesty's aloof nature?"
"Yes, after all these years, I should have known it by now."
The Queen shook her head slightly. "I should be used to it. His Majesty is always cold and indifferent to all the concubines in the harem. It's all good this way. At least he values my Yin'er very much."
Nanny Li nodded. "Your Majesty is right to think so. If His Majesty were amorous, how could the harem be so peaceful and quiet? Wouldn't it save you a lot of worry and effort?"
"As for the Su family's concubine, Your Majesty, since you know that His Majesty intends to promote her, just ignore it."
"You know our Majesty well. In all these years since he ascended the throne, has he ever treated any of the concubines in the harem differently? Your Majesty, please relax."
…
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