Chapter 37 arranged everything, and Shen Yunrong felt like she was hugging a furnace...
Shen Yunrong felt like she was hugging a furnace. Even as she turned away in the sweltering heat, the furnace followed closely behind her. Once or twice, she finally opened her eyes in exhaustion.
"You're awake!" Zhao Linzhang seemed to have not slept all night; his eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was lazy and hoarse.
He propped his head up with one hand and played with her hair with the other, watching her like that for who knows how long.
"Hot!" Shen Yunrong felt sticky and hot all over. She shifted her body. She didn't know how long she had been fooling around last night. Just when her hand was about to break, Zhao Linzhang finally held her and fell asleep, still not satisfied.
She struggled, but couldn't break free from his grasp, so she simply let him be. She was too tired to keep her eyes open.
This was the first time they had shared a bed for a night. Afraid of being seen by the maids, Shen Yunrong pushed away the man who was still trying to hug her: "Get up quickly, or someone will see us!"
The satisfied man chuckled softly: "So what if you saw it? Once your confinement is lifted, I'll take you to meet my godfather and we'll settle the marriage as soon as possible!"
"Godfather!" Shen Yunrong had never heard of him having a godfather.
"It's Physician Shen. From now on, you will be his adopted daughter. In three months, I will welcome you into my family!" Zhao Linzhang originally wanted to keep it a secret, but now he was in a great mood and couldn't wait to tell her everything.
"What?" Shen Yunrong turned around, her thick, black hair cascading down her chest.
Zhao Linzhang was stunned after taking a look. Under the candlelight and in the morning light, her beauty was two different kinds of charm.
"When did this happen?" She didn't even know that she had a godfather.
“A few days ago! Yes, that’s right, you were always worried about the difference in our status. I already told you that unless you don’t want me, these are all minor issues!” He wouldn’t let her leave him; he would definitely pester her to the ends of the earth.
When a man likes a woman, he will overcome all obstacles; status is just a matter of a word.
"You're being treated so unfairly!" Which noble young master doesn't marry someone of equal social standing? Who would formally marry a country girl like her?
“I’m worried you’ll feel wronged. The royal family looks prestigious, and there are strict rules of etiquette everywhere. You are simple and honest by nature, and I’m afraid they will make things difficult for you!” Zhao Linzhang’s worries were not unfounded. His wife had to be more tolerant than other noblewomen.
"Aren't you envious that they all married ladies from prestigious families?" Shen Yunrong looked at the thin calluses on her fingertips, which had grown from years of picking herbs and chopping firewood. How could she compare to those noble ladies who never lifted a finger?
"They are the ones who envy me!" Even an emperor may never meet a woman he would risk his life to love.
"If you meet someone better and more beautiful than me in the future, will you be tempted?"
"No matter how beautiful or wonderful she is, there will naturally be better and more handsome men to match her. What does it have to do with me?"
"When I get old and my youth fades, you won't think that way anymore!" It's strange, I never thought that way before, but now I'm like a complaining little woman, afraid of this and that.
"I'm not a monster. When you get old, I'll get old too. If you don't mind me being an old man, why should I mind you?" Zhao Linzhang reached out and pulled her back into his arms, inhaling the fragrance on her body, which still carried his scent.
"Stop fooling around!" Shen Yunrong pushed away his lips that were about to kiss her again. They had been hiding in this house all night, and the servants didn't know what they were thinking about her.
"Don't move, let me hold you a little longer!" I really want to get married soon so I can hold her and sleep every day.
"Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived!" Chief Steward Tan knocked on the door.
Shen Yunrong quickly got off the man and straightened his clothes.
"Who sent this?!" Zhao Linzhang exclaimed in confusion.
He's currently under house arrest, so what are the palace people doing here?
"It's an eunuch from the Empress Dowager's side. He said he wants to invite Miss Shen to the palace!"
"I'm not going!" Zhao Linzhang flung open the door, then sighed, "Wait, why are you sending someone into the palace at this critical juncture!"
"They only relayed the Empress Dowager's verbal instruction!" Steward Tan tried to get more information indirectly but failed.
"You and Yunrong go to the palace together. Quickly have Liu Hu send a message to Lord Shen, asking Madam Shen to come to the palace!" Zhao Linzhang pressed his fingers on the door frame until they turned white. After making the arrangements quickly, he let go and turned around.
"You'll probably have to go to the palace today. Don't be afraid, I'll make the arrangements. Just answer whatever the Empress Dowager asks!" Zhao Linzhang whispered to the woman, who was clearly frightened.
"Why does the Empress Dowager want to see me!" Shen Yunrong was genuinely flustered and surprised. Apart from Zhao Linzhang, she had never met any member of the royal family.
Everyone says the palace has strict rules, but she doesn't understand palace etiquette.
"The Empress Dowager should know about the beating. Don't be afraid, Chief Steward Tan will teach you!" Zhao Linzhang let the maids come in to help her wash up and get dressed. She was not his wife yet, so she didn't need to wear elaborate palace clothes. She chose a newly made outfit and applied light makeup.
Zhao Linzhang wished he could transform into Eunuch Tan and go with her. The people in the palace were waiting outside, and there was no way to say much to her for the time being. He could only hold her hands tightly and say, "Don't be afraid. The Empress Dowager is kind. Just listen to Eunuch Tan!"
No matter how scared Shen Yunrong was, she knew that she had to face these situations herself. She couldn't hide behind Zhao Linzhang forever. Whether it was a blessing or a curse, she had to bear it all herself.
"Yes, don't worry!"
Zhao Linzhang watched her being picked up by the palace carriage from inside the gate. He was so flustered that he couldn't sit still and urged, "Has Liu Hu gone to the Shen residence yet?"
Xiao Zheng replied, "Your Highness, Liu Hu should have arrived by now!"
"I wonder if he has made myself clear. Tell me, should I speak with my brother, the Emperor?" Zhao Linzhang continued rambling on.
Where did their former majestic prince go? Now he's like an old father worried about his child who's gone on a long journey. Xiao Zheng touched his nose and decided to pretend he didn't understand.
"Alright, let's go to the study. I'd better write a letter to my elder brother!"
After being forced to learn palace etiquette and a few greetings, Shen Yunrong was filled with anxiety. The Empress Dowager was Zhao Linzhang's mother, and the thought of a future daughter-in-law meeting her mother-in-law always made her uneasy.
The Prince Zhuang's residence was built on the outskirts of the palace. The carriage arrived in less than half an incense stick's time. Eunuch Tan helped Shen Yunrong out of the carriage: "Miss, don't be afraid, the Prince has made all the arrangements!"
Shen Yunrong took a deep breath. Zhao Linzhang had done so much for her; all she had to do was meet the Empress Dowager. She could do it!
Shen Yunrong kept her head down, not daring to look at anything more. She was even more apprehensive than when she first entered the Prince's Mansion. Following behind the eunuch beside the Empress Dowager, when they arrived at the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace, Chief Steward Tan stopped in his tracks. The Empress Dowager summoned only her.
"Miss, please follow the eunuch inside. This servant will wait outside!"
She followed the eunuch. The Empress Dowager was sitting upright on the couch, and the air in the palace was filled with a faint fragrance. Shen Yunrong remembered the proper way to greet the Empress Dowager and knelt down to pay her respects: "This commoner greets the Empress Dowager!"
"Raise your head!" a dignified female voice rang out.
Shen Yunrong unconsciously raised her head due to the oppressive aura, only to see a noblewoman in her thirties sitting at the head of the table, who was also sizing her up.
"No wonder the seventh brother was interested; he is quite handsome!"
Shen Yunrong did not know why the Empress Dowager had summoned her, and dared not reply.
"A seat is offered!" A palace maid helped Shen Yunrong to her feet and she sat down below the Empress Dowager.
"What's your name? What do you do at home?"
"Your Majesty, my name is Shen Yunrong. My family makes a living by collecting herbs." She was extremely worried before seeing the Empress Dowager, but she calmed down after seeing her. The Empress Dowager was like a wealthy old lady.
"Hmm, his family background is impeccable. I've heard about your affair with Xiao Qi. It's rare to see him so concerned about a woman!"
Shen Yunrong couldn't tell whether the words were a compliment or an insult, so she lowered her head and didn't dare to reply.
"Your Majesty, the family of Imperial Physician Shen requests an audience!" Just as she was wondering how to respond, a young eunuch entered through the door to report.
"What a coincidence that Lady Chen has been summoned to the palace today!" The Empress Dowager knew what was going on after a moment's thought. It seemed that Zhao Linzhang had truly fallen for this young lady.
After entering the hall and bowing, Madam Shen said, "Your Majesty, I learned that Yunrong has been summoned to the palace. I was afraid that her manners and etiquette were inappropriate, so I came to apologize to the Empress Dowager!"
"Madam Shen, what is this...?" The Empress Dowager asked knowingly.
"Your Majesty, Yunrong is gentle and refined. I took an instant liking to her and adopted her as my goddaughter!"
"I can see she likes him too. No wonder Xiao Qi is moved. If such a confidante were by His Majesty's side, I would even regret that I wasn't born a man!"
"Your Majesty, Liao Zan, this child is shy!" Madam Shen bowed her head in thanks.
"I'm getting old, as long as the children are happy!" The Empress Dowager smiled and looked at Shen Yunrong: "With her by Xiao Qi's side, I feel at ease. I'll persuade him to marry a princess and have children as soon as possible, so I can face the late Emperor with my face!"
These words made Shen Yunrong's heart skip a beat, and Madam Shen's smile froze on her face. Their Shen family had never had a daughter become a concubine! Not even an adopted daughter. But this was not the time to say such things.
The Empress Dowager, feigning exhaustion, saw them off from the palace. Shen Yunrong, carrying several palace flowers bestowed upon her by the Empress Dowager, followed behind Madam Shen, her mind elsewhere.
The Empress Dowager's meaning was clear: she would not allow her to become Zhao Linzhang's principal wife.
She could become Zhao Linzhang's concubine, but she felt she didn't like him that much.
Madam Shen and Shen Yunrong were not familiar with each other. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they bid each other farewell once they reached the palace.
Shen Yunrong turned around to look at the magnificent palace, which was surrounded by high red walls, making it difficult even for a bird to fly inside. The high walls in the royal palace were all like that.
Zhao Linzhang was already waiting at the gate of the mansion, and personally helped her out of the carriage: "What brings you here, Your Majesty?"
"The Empress Dowager only said a few words and gave me a few palace flowers!" Shen Yunrong opened the box containing the palace flowers to show him.
"What did she say?" She summoned people in just to admire a few palace flowers.
"The Empress Dowager said that I should persuade you to marry the Princess Consort into your household as soon as possible!"
"I knew it would be like this!" Zhao Linzhang nodded, as if he knew exactly what was going on.
"Did the Empress Dowager also mention this to you?"
"It's alright, I'll persuade her!" Zhao Linzhang, afraid she would overthink things, took her hand and said, "Ruoyu has been looking for you for ages, and she's still crying! She's always so worried. Once the confinement is lifted, I'll personally go and explain things to the Empress Dowager."
"Hmm!" Shen Yunrong lowered her eyes, looking at the shadows of the two people overlapping on the bluestone bricks on the ground, and softly replied to him.
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