Chapter 118 Gambling
Kunning Palace.
Su Jingyao stood quietly beside the pond that had just been expanded and renovated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. She had a slender figure and gently held some fish food for butterfly carp in one hand.
His eyes were a little distracted as he stared at the butterfly carp in the pond, which was waving its fins vigorously in competition for fish food.
The butterfly carp swims with graceful posture, swaying in the water with a beauty that is like a dream.
Miaoyun, who was standing by, asked casually.
"Master, it's been more than half a month, are you really not going to coax His Majesty?"
"Eunuch Anshun has come to Kunning Palace to look for me many times. I heard that the atmosphere in Qianqing Palace has been very solemn recently, and the palace servants dare not even breathe."
"There was a tea maid who accidentally shook her hands while serving tea to His Majesty. As a result, His Majesty ruthlessly sent her out of the Palace of Heavenly Purity."
Miaoyun shook her head slightly as she spoke. To these palace servants, the jobs in the Qianqing Palace were lucrative and coveted, and it was a place that everyone would try their best to get in.
"Eunuch Anshun has been asking me about your mood, but I said nothing. I just said that you have never been angry and are as kind as ever."
When Miaoyun talked about the latter part, a smile appeared on her face.
The main reason was that she said the master was not angry and was kind, but An Shun didn't believe it at all.
But An Shun didn't dare to believe it. He was afraid that if he told His Majesty the wrong news about the Queen again, His Majesty would eat him alive.
"I am now the empress. As long as I don't make any mistakes, there is no need for me to keep coaxing Your Majesty. I am already exhausted physically and mentally from helping Your Majesty manage the affairs of the six palaces. Your Majesty should understand me."
Su Jingyao said this as she scattered some fish food into the pond calmly.
This was the time when Jun Zechen's feelings for her were the strongest. Su Jingyao couldn't think of a better time than this if she didn't make a fuss, put on airs, or let Jun Zechen completely cross the line.
What's more, even if she pissed off Jun Zechen, she still had a big killer. Su Jingyao always left a way out for herself.
Thinking of this, a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. Her slender and white hands like green onions gently stroked her belly, and her eyes revealed an indescribable meaning.
"But my master, it's not a good idea for you to keep being in a stalemate with His Majesty like this." Miaoyun frowned with a hint of worry.
After all, Your Majesty is the emperor of a monarchy, and is different from ordinary men.
"Has Your Majesty chosen any cards recently?" Su Jingyao asked calmly and nonchalantly.
Miaoyun was unable to react to the sudden change of subject by the master. After a while, she replied, "Your Majesty has been in a bad mood recently. Every day when the eunuchs from the Jingshifang come to visit, Your Majesty always rushes away impatiently."
"Very good. Let's go to the Qianqing Palace and call the eunuch."
Su Jingyao handed the fish food in her hand to Miaoyun next to her. She moved slowly and clapped her hands lightly.
Miaoyun was even more confused now, her eyes full of bewilderment.
What kind of medicine is the master selling?
Afterwards, Su Jingyao calmly returned to the palace to tidy up, and then walked towards the Qianqing Palace with Miaoyun in a graceful manner.
When An Shun saw the Empress came to the Qianqing Palace in person, the smile on his face instantly blossomed like a flower, his eyes sparkled with joy, and he hurried into Yu's study.
"Your Majesty, the Queen is here and is waiting outside." An Shun's voice was filled with irrepressible joy.
When Jun Zechen heard that the queen was coming, his body stiffened noticeably.
His eyes flashed a few times quickly, and then a hint of joy arose involuntarily in his heart, but his expression remained as calm as water, making it difficult to detect the fluctuations in his heart.
He coughed lightly, trying to make his voice sound calm, "Let the Queen in."
Su Jingyao walked in with light steps, stood in front of the table, and saluted Jun Zechen, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
Jun Zechen looked dimly at the person whom he hadn't seen for more than half a month. She was really cruel.
Jun Zechen suppressed the inexplicable joy in his heart and said calmly: "Why did the queen come to the Qianqing Palace?"
"I heard that Your Majesty has been very busy with government affairs recently, so I specially sent you a bowl of ginseng soup."
Su Jingyao spoke softly, her voice as sweet as a clear spring. She then raised her hand and motioned for Miaoyun to serve the ginseng soup.
An Shun hurriedly and respectfully took the ginseng soup and placed it in front of His Majesty. Jun Zechen first glanced at the ginseng soup, and then moved his gaze to Su Jingyao who was smiling gently.
He thought she was going to ignore him forever.
Then he picked up the ginseng soup and took a sip.
"Yaoyao's ginseng soup is delicious, better than the one in Yu's kitchen." Jun Zechen's eyes were filled with satisfaction and joy.
Su Jingyao raised the corners of her mouth slightly and smiled. Haha, even the way he addressed her has changed. I wonder what he is fantasizing about.
But he still responded politely: "As long as your majesty likes it."
I'm so sorry, this is what the kitchen did...
Su Jingyao still had a gentle smile on her face, as gentle as the spring breeze, and said softly, "Your Majesty, are you busy these days?"
Her gaze fell softly on Jun Zechen, with just the right amount of concern in her eyes.
Jun Zechen looked at her intently, and the smile on his lips, which he had been trying hard to suppress, now became difficult to suppress.
Does Yaoyao want him to accompany her today?
As I thought about it, the corners of my mouth unconsciously raised a few more degrees.
"I have finished dealing with the memorials for today, and it is almost time for dinner." Jun Zechen said slowly, with an imperceptible lightness in his voice.
Su Jingyao seemed not to have heard Jun Zechen's words and did not respond to him.
She continued in an orderly manner, "My sisters came to Kunning Palace this morning to pay their respects. They all said that Your Majesty had not set foot in the harem for more than half a month. The head eunuch of the Jingshifang also came to Kunning Palace to tell me about this."
Her expression was still dignified and generous, and she spoke at a steady pace.
"As the Queen, I have the duty to advise Your Majesty that you need to rest even when you are busy with government affairs. Your Majesty's health is the most important thing."
"Since Your Majesty is not busy today, I have brought the eunuch with me. Your Majesty, please turn over a card."
After saying that, Su Jingyao gently signaled to the eunuch behind her, and the eunuch respectfully held the sign and walked quickly to the side of His Majesty.
Jun Zechen had never taken his eyes off Su Jingyao since she came in, and he didn't even notice that there was an eunuch following her.
After hearing what she said, he suddenly realized how ridiculous it was to think that she had surrendered.
He never expected that she would come in person to let him flip the cards!
Jun Zechen's eyes suddenly became as dark as a deep pool, suppressed anger surged in his eyes, and his expression became as cold as an iceberg.
His sharp eyes were fixed on Su Jingyao, but he said nothing.
Su Jingyao lowered her head slightly, unaware of his gaze and emotions, and remained as calm as ever.
"The Queen is so magnanimous, how can I let her down?" Jun Zechen's voice was icy cold without a trace of warmth.
"Summon Concubine Shu to sleep with you tonight." Jun Zechen said coldly, and his words seemed to freeze the air around them.
When the Imperial Eunuch saw that His Majesty had finally turned over the card, he was very happy and a look of joy unconsciously appeared on his face.
Su Jingyao smiled, as beautiful as a blooming spring flower.
"Your Majesty, drink more ginseng soup and take care of your body. I will take my leave."
After saying this, Su Jingyao's eyes slightly curved, like a crescent moon.
She turned gently, the sleeves hanging at her sides swaying gently with her movements, and her long floor-length skirt made her back look noble and charming.
Miaoyun followed closely behind, and the master and servant left like this.
When Su Jingyao completely disappeared in the hall, Jun Zechen's suppressed anger finally erupted like a volcano.
His face was terribly gloomy, and veins bulged on his forehead.
Jun Zechen suddenly raised his hand and swept the ginseng soup on the table to the ground.
A crisp and loud "pop" sound was heard, causing An Shun, who was standing beside him, to tremble involuntarily.
He secretly groaned in his heart, having thought that the Qianqing Palace would be able to return to normal after today, but he did not expect that the Empress's visit would only add fuel to the fire!
The hour of Xu.
An Shun's face was full of helplessness. He really didn't want to hang around in front of His Majesty at this moment. He just wanted to be a transparent person in front of His Majesty.
But Concubine Shu (Princess Mingyue) was already waiting in the west hall.
We can't just leave Concubine Shu alone all the time.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Shu has been waiting in the west hall for two quarters of an hour." An Shun said in a low voice, with a hint of trepidation in his voice.
Jun Zechen frowned and glanced at An Shun with eyes as sharp as a knife.
"Can't you see I'm busy? Let Concubine Shu sleep in the west hall."
An Shun was surprised for a moment, and a look of disbelief flashed across his eyes.
"Your Majesty, do you want to let Concubine Shu stay in the Qianqing Palace?"
After His Majesty ascended the throne, none of the concubines he summoned stayed in the Qianqing Palace, except for the Empress...
Jun Zechen remained silent and just signaled An Shun to leave with his eyes.
He didn't like these women in the harem in the first place, and the queen was angry with him today. He is the emperor, can't he do whatever he wants? Is it his duty to favor women?
But the queen was so magnanimous that she didn't mind his favor, so he gave in to her wishes and did it for her to see.
An Shun walked to the west hall. At this time, Concubine Shu was sitting upright on the bed, her beautiful face was like a blooming flower.
"Your servant pays homage to Her Majesty the Concubine Shu." An Shun bowed respectfully.
"Eunuch Anshun, please get up. Is His Majesty still busy with government affairs?"
Concubine Shu had an innocent smile on her face, with a hint of expectation in her smile.
"Yes, His Majesty is busy tonight and may not come. However, His Majesty has instructed that the Concubine Shu can rest in the West Palace tonight." An Shun said.
When Concubine Shu heard this, there was a moment of loss on her face, and her originally bright eyes dimmed a little.
Then she forced a smile and said, "Okay, I understand. Eunuch Anshun should also remember to tell His Majesty not to overwork himself and to take care of his body."
Concubine Shu was originally very happy that His Majesty summoned her on the first night after he had not been to the harem for more than half a month, but she did not expect that His Majesty was so busy.
She was summoned to the Qianqing Palace, but she was still handling state affairs.
Shufei has always known that she would marry the emperor in the future, and her mother has been training her in this way.
Her mother gently told her since she was young that she only needed to be loved by the emperor and did not need to be greedy for anything else.
Because as a foreign woman, it was impossible for her to become queen, and she might not even have children in her lifetime.
Her mission is to gain the emperor's favor and bring peace between the two countries.
Now that she is one of the four concubines, she has no desire for power.
Concubine Shu thought about His Majesty's handsome face, his innocent and lovely face with a hint of shyness, and his slightly flushed cheeks were as charming as the sunset in the sky.
She just wanted to get a little bit of his favor.