Chapter 14: Embarrassment
Shen Qingru prepared carefully for the entire afternoon, and before it got dark, she held the hand of a palace maid and rushed to the Qianqing Palace.
When we arrived at the Palace of Heavenly Purity, it was getting dark.
The house was brightly lit, and as soon as I entered, I could smell the faint scent of ambergris. Shen Qingru had been to the Qianqing Palace several times before, but she had fallen out of favor before, so for some reason she felt timid when she saw it again.
She held her breath, quietly stepped forward, and knelt down to salute: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."
Xiao Yu was reading a memorial, and when he heard the voice, he subconsciously lowered his head to look down.
The beauty lowered her head, her face was gentle and slender, and she subconsciously relaxed her brows when she thought of something, and stretched out her hand to Shen Qingru: "My beloved concubine, please stand up."
Shen Qing stood where she was. The Qianqing Palace was where the Emperor handled official business, and she had been there before.
But there has never been a situation like today.
She knew it, but she was still twisted in her heart. Chen Fu was Chen Fu, and she was her. Now that His Majesty has sent for her to come, the person she is meeting now is herself.
Shen Qingru kept giving herself hints in her heart, but she didn't realize that the more she did so, the more guilty she felt.
The beauty stood in front of him without moving.
Xiao Yu was getting impatient, his brows knitted rapidly, and he did not retract the hand he had extended, and continued to look at her with a cold gaze: "My beloved concubine?"
Shen Qingru's heart began to beat violently and she dared not delay any longer. She lowered her head and walked forward shyly, bowing delicately: "Your Highness, your concubine is here to see you."
She was wearing a sky-blue long dress today, with a slim waist and plump hips. The gauze skirt seemed to be shaky on her slender figure. When she bowed her head, her waist was so thin that it seemed like it could be pinched by one hand.
Xiao Yu sat behind a rosewood desk. I lowered my eyes and carefully appreciated the beautiful scenery.
Then he put down the brush in his hand and walked down himself. Just as Shen Qingru bent her knees, her wrist was grabbed by someone.
His Majesty held her hand tightly and pulled her up directly: "No need to be polite."
The soft and boneless hand was held in the palm of His Majesty, and Shen Qingru felt the caressing sensation on her palm.
His Majesty has been practicing martial arts since he was young and has been practicing spearmanship for many years, so his knuckles have a thicker layer of calluses than those of other people. At this moment, these hands were holding her tightly, and Shen Qingru only felt her face getting hot instantly.
It had been a long, long time since she had been so cared for by the Emperor.
"Your Highness." The woman's voice was timid and charming, and there was a hint of shyness in her gentleness.
It still sounds good, but it's a little less soft than that night.
Xiao Yu frowned subconsciously, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, but he didn't show it.
I just looked at Shen Qingru carefully for a while, and it was indeed the same face.
"Are you feeling better?" Xiao Yu thought of the woman's pitiful appearance that night. Now when I look at the person in my arms, I subconsciously feel much more intimate with him.
There are many concubines in the harem, but most of them are well-behaved and polite. It is beautiful but lacks some novelty. The same is true for Shen Ronghua in front of him.
But after that night, I felt different.
Shen Qingru's body stiffened slightly, and gradually returned to normal after a while. She knew that His Majesty was talking about Chen Fu, and it was clearly she who asked Chen Fu to pretend to be herself.
But now that His Majesty asked her this, she somehow felt like she was being a substitute for Shen Fu.
"Much better." Shen Qingru smiled at His Majesty, and said with ease, "With His Majesty's concern, how can my body not get better?"
When she spoke, she deliberately imitated Chen Fu's accent, the soft, gentle and charming voice of a Jiangnan woman. The voice is thin but not soft, and although it is similar, it lacks the charm.
Xiao Yu smiled, and the hand on Shen Qingru's waist also fell down: "Serve the food."
Shen Qingru didn't even dare to sit down. As soon as she saw His Majesty's hand fall, she immediately stood up.
The meal was already prepared.
As soon as His Majesty gave the order, the servants in the imperial kitchen immediately served the meal, and the table was filled with delicacies from land and sea.
The Palace of Heavenly Purity is where His Majesty handles official business. Shen Qingru has never had a meal in the Palace of Heavenly Purity in all the time she has been in the palace.
She was a little nervous and subconsciously wanted to go to the side to serve the dishes.
But just as he stretched out his hand, Lin An dodged it with a smile: "Master Shen."
There are so many servants in the house, how could it be Shen Ronghua's turn? Besides, His Majesty invited Miss Shen to come because he wanted to have a meal together, not to watch Miss Shen serve him.
Shen Qingru was used to serving His Majesty, and was a little at a loss when she saw this. In front of him, His Majesty lowered his head and drank a mouthful of soup, then said, "Sit down."
Shen Qingru ate the meal with trepidation. On the one hand, she was a little nervous, and on the other hand, thinking about having to sleep with the emperor next, she naturally did not dare to eat too much.
Shen Qingru ate carelessly and didn't even know what the food tasted like.
The dinner was unusually quiet, and Shen Qingru finally breathed a sigh of relief after it was over.
After knowing that His Majesty didn't like her serving him, Shen Qingru naturally just stood there without moving.
When the meal was finished, the servants brought digestive tea.
Lin An stood aside but didn't know how to start. His Majesty never let concubines stay overnight in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Asking Shen Ronghua to come here today was considered breaking the rules.
If Chen Ronghua were to stay later, I'm afraid the entire harem would know about it.
Lin An's mind was full of thoughts, and Shen Qingru was also in a state of confusion. She hoped that His Majesty would let her stay, but she was also afraid that His Majesty would discover that she was different from Shen Fu.
Each of them had his own thoughts, but the Emperor sitting on the dragon throne remained unchanged.
Xiao Yu sat on the dragon throne, his eyes thoughtfully cast at Shen Qingru's face.
This face is indeed beautiful, but for some reason it just can't give him the same feeling as that day. I stroked the teacup with my hands, thinking of that night...
He raised his eyes slightly and looked forward.
Lin An was standing behind a gold and jade screen. When he noticed the emperor's gaze, he was secretly shocked.
This Shen Ronghua really has this ability!
He was startled and quickly knelt on the ground: "I will prepare it right away."
Shen Qingru subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Lin An's words.
Seeing that she was absent-minded, the maid who was serving her comforted her, "The young lady is so well-born, there is no need to be nervous."
"Your skin is so white and delicate. I have served so many young ladies, and your body is also first-class beauty." The nanny said flattering words, and Shen Qingru felt much more relaxed.
She looked down at her figure. Even though there were many concubines in the harem, her beauty was still among the best.
The most amazing thing is her skin, which is as delicate and white as mutton-fat jade. Now that she has just washed, her snow-white skin is still tinged with pink, making people unable to take their eyes away at first sight.
Shen Qingru knew that her appearance was not the best, but she was still confident about her snow-white skin.
Except... she was slightly inferior to Shen Fu, as for the others in the harem, she was naturally not afraid of them.
Shen Qingru was lying on the dragon bed, feeling a little nervous. Fortunately, footsteps were heard approaching soon.
His Majesty must wash before and after going to bed.
Although the Qianqing Palace was used to handle government affairs, he lived here all year round and it could be considered as another sleeping palace.
He had just finished washing up and was still damp. He came over in his pajamas.
With her slender fingertips, she lifted the curtain and saw the timid person inside. Xiao Yu raised his eyebrows: "My beloved concubine?"
Shen Qingru had not slept with the emperor for some time, and she thought of the scene in which the emperor and Shen Fu were fighting on her bed the day before yesterday.
When she faced His Majesty again, her heart skipped a beat for some reason. Holding the quilt tightly, Shen Qingru boldly shouted to His Majesty: "Your Majesty."
The women who served in the bedroom were only covered with a thin gauze, and their snow-white skin was faintly visible under the quilt.
Shen Qingru knew that she was beautiful at this moment. Although she was a little scared, she still spoke timidly and courageously: "My concubine...I am not in a position to perform the ceremony."
The woman was kneeling on the bed, with her head lowered, revealing her pitiful slender waist. Xiao Yu stood outside the curtain, looking at her exposed figure, but he did not move.
Shen Qingru waited for too long, but the Emperor never took any action.
She quietly opened her eyes and looked. The Emperor's face was too cold and his eyes were too sharp. Shen Qingru was really a little scared.
But after thinking of something, Shen Qingru still stood up. The quilt fell off her body and Shen Qingru half-knelt on the bed.
The semi-transparent gauze skirt is faintly visible, and the snow-white figure swaying is charming and seductive. Shen Qingru suppressed her shame, crawled forward on her knees and hugged His Majesty's waist: "Your Majesty..."
Xiao Yu's brows subconsciously frowned, he lowered his eyes and looked at the person in his arms, neither pushing away nor refusing.
He asked Shen Ronghua to come today, naturally he wanted her to sleep with him. Now that the beauty is kneeling at his knees, no one can bear to refuse.
His tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and Xiao Yu's hand was about to fall. At this time, there was a sound of footsteps at the door, and Lin An ran in panting: "Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, there's news from Changqiu Palace that the Third Prince has been burned. Your Majesty, please go over there."
Lin An rushed in and knelt on the ground, not daring to look any further.
Shen Qingru's clothes were half exposed. She turned pale with fright at the sight. After screaming, she quickly hid under the quilt.
Xiao Yu's face had become gloomy at this time. There were not many princes in the palace, and he had always been concerned about the third prince's affairs.
All the thoughts that had arisen in his mind were extinguished, and he immediately turned around and had someone help him get dressed.
Wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, His Majesty stretched out his hand to pull the collar, thinking of something, he turned his head and glanced, and said indifferently to the person on the bed: "Send Shen Ronghua back."
Lin An followed behind the Emperor and subconsciously turned his head to take a look, then he felt relieved. As expected... He shook his head, there was indeed no one in the harem who could make His Majesty make an exception.
I thought Shen Ronghua would be the first one, but I didn’t expect that…it seems that he overestimated Shen Ronghua.
Shen Qingru was lying on the bed. Lin An gave her a meaningful glance. She felt as if her heart was twisted, and then the pain instantly spread from her chest.
She, she was so proactive, but His Majesty still...
Shen Qingru bit her lip and was about to fall. When she looked up again, she could no longer see the Emperor's back.
His Majesty didn't even look at her and walked out the door.
*****
Shen Qingru thought she could stay overnight. Although she was unwilling, there was nothing she could do.
There are stars outside, and it's hot as soon as you go out in June.
After leaving the Qianqing Palace, Shen Qingru felt her face getting hot and tears almost rolled down her cheeks, and she couldn't stop them.
"My lady." Fengchun looked at her with concern. Shen Qingru gritted her teeth and raised her hand to wipe away the tears that had not yet overflowed from the corners of her eyes.
It was obvious that Concubine Xiang did this on purpose.
The prince was born to Concubine Dunhe, and was the nephew of Concubine Xiang. Relying on this relationship, Concubine Xiang naturally took care of the third prince's food and daily life.
It is not uncommon to use the third prince to win favor like today.
But before that, it took a long time for her to act like a demon, and her targets were always people from other palaces.
Like today, they clearly live together in Changqiu Palace.
His Majesty had already summoned her over, but he abandoned her and returned to Concubine Xiang.
This is the first time.
Shen Qingru couldn't stop trembling when she thought of this. She was afraid that the whole harem would laugh at her the next day.
The Qianqing Palace was quite a distance away from the Changqiu Palace, and it took Shen Qingru a whole incense stick of time to get there.
The main hall was brightly lit. When Shen Qingru arrived, he saw the Emperor's dragon chariot parked at the gate of Xiang Guipin's palace.
The guards surrounded the place in three layers inside and three layers outside.
Through the window, the bright lights seemed to allow one to hear laughter from inside. Shen Qingru took a deep look, then turned around and was about to leave.
At this moment, the door creaked and the palace maid beside Concubine Xiang Guipin came out.
Bihe held the copper basin in both hands and made a "Pooh" sound when she saw her. A full basin of water was poured directly onto Shen Qingru.
It happened so fast that neither of them had time to react. Fengchun came to his senses and immediately stood in front of Shen Qingru, but it was too late.
When the basin full of ice-cold water was poured over her, Shen Qingru was instantly soaked all over.
After spending the whole afternoon carefully getting dressed up, I'm now soaked to the skin in an instant.
Fengchun's eyes widened in anger, and he looked behind him angrily: "You splashed it on our young master."
"It was too dark. I didn't see clearly just now. I'm sorry to disturb Miss Shen." Bi He said this in a bland tone. After she finished speaking, she refused to take a step down. It didn't seem like she was really apologizing.
Fengchun turned his head: "You did it on purpose!"
"I advise you to lower your voice." Bi He hissed, raised her hand and pointed inside: "Your Majesty is inside. If you disturb him, your lives will not be enough to compensate you."
Fengchun felt as if his throat was strangled in an instant, and his face turned pale.
If you offend His Majesty, the consequences will be so severe that even several lives will not be enough to compensate for it.
Fengchun was so scared that she was shaking all over, and Shen Qingru reached out and grabbed her.
"I accidentally took the wrong road." In the dark night, the wet dress stuck to her body. Shen Qingru was shivering from the cold, but she still forced a smile and said to Bihe.
"I won't bother you, Miss Bihe. Go back and serve His Majesty and His Majesty."
This Chen Ronghua is quite sensible. Thinking of the punishment she received in the afternoon, Bihe snorted coldly, turned around and went into the house.
"She!" Fengchun looked at the tightly closed palace gate, shaking with anger: "She, she really doesn't take you seriously, young lady."
"Shut up." Shen Qingru raised her hand and wiped the water droplets off her face. Her delicate makeup looked particularly disheveled after being wet.
"My lady, they are really going too far."
Shen Qingru turned her head and looked at the closed palace gate with a deep gaze. Didn't she know that she did it on purpose?
When beating a dog, you have to consider the owner. Since Xiang Guipin dared to do this, she is naturally not afraid.
What's more, the Emperor is here tonight, so even if Shen Qingru had the courage, she wouldn't dare to cause trouble at this time.
Shen Qingru pulled the cloak on her body, suppressed her trembling fingertips, and returned to the house in a very embarrassed manner.
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