All of this was observed by the local officials.
Especially when the waiter approached Gu Mu to pour him wine, His Majesty instead embraced the Empress, looking very affectionate, which made them quite envious.
They quickly realized: His Majesty was not a casual person. After all, the Empress was already a beauty unparalleled in the world. His Majesty spent day and night with the Empress, so how could he possibly be interested in an ordinary beauty?
However, given the small size of the area, these beauties, who in Gu Mu's eyes were far inferior to Shen Ling, were already considered outstanding in the local area and were carefully selected by the local officials.
Unfortunately, none of them caught Gu Mu's eye.
All the local officials looked at Qingqiu. She was dressed simply and elegantly, and as her name suggested, she looked clean and innocent, which made people feel good about her. She was like a little girl who did not know the ways of the world. She had a sweet smile and was very approachable.
It makes people feel warm just looking at it.
Since His Majesty doesn't even fancy those ordinary beauties...
So only autumn remains...
Although Qingqiu could not compare to the Empress's unparalleled beauty, she was a completely different type.
Moreover, she is not inferior in terms of beauty either.
Perhaps His Majesty has had enough of the celestial fairies and also wants to experience the warmth of a girl next door on earth.
Those local officials gave Qingqiu a look that said, "We're counting on you."
After all, if Qingqiu catches His Majesty's eye and becomes his first concubine, these local officials might also have a chance to be promoted and ennobled.
Even if they don't get promoted or ennobled, at least they'll be well-regarded in His Majesty's eyes.
After finishing the meal,
Gu Mu stepped out of the private room, intending to take advantage of the cool night air and go out for a stroll with Shen Ling to experience the local customs and culture.
But as soon as they stepped out of the private room, they saw that the scene outside the inn had changed drastically.
The dining tables had been pieced together and covered with a clean white cloth, just like modern display tables.
Those tables were further divided into several different areas.
On some tables were fabrics, on others fresh flowers, and on still others jewelry...
The officials brought over almost everything that girls were interested in.
"Weren't these officials trying to please me? Why are they now trying to please the girls?" Gu Mu wondered to himself when he saw Shen Ling's eyes light up. She walked over to the tables where the fabrics were laid out, her fingertips lightly gliding over the fabrics, then picked them up with great delight and examined them closely, seemingly very fond of them.
The local officials immediately explained, “These were embroidered by our best embroiderers, and the cloth used is the finest fabric, woven on a magical loom. If Your Majesty likes them, I can send someone to take you to the shop to see them. The shop has a wider variety of styles, but our inn is a bit too small to bring them all over.”
Shen Ling was quite knowledgeable about these things: "The material is top-notch, especially the embroidery, it's really amazing, the patterns are so lifelike, it's really good."
"Furthermore," Shen Ling looked at the garment in her hand, her eyes sparkling, "this style is very special; it must be a local specialty. I've never seen anything like it in the capital!"
It's only natural for girls to love beauty.
When Shen Ling sees something beautiful, she can't help but be drawn to it.
"If Your Highness likes it, you can go to the shop to see it. My carriage is already prepared outside. Of course, besides clothes, we also have a rare variety of flower cultivated by a flower farmer over several years... and these pieces of jewelry..."
Seeing that Shen Ling's attention was drawn to the brightly blooming flowers, she noticed that her gaze had been diverted to them.
The local officials gave Gu Mu a look that seemed to be seeking credit.
On the surface, it appears that they are trying to please the Queen.
But every sentence was meant to get Shen Ling to leave the inn and go to the shop.
If we successfully lure the tiger away from the mountain, and without the jealous jerk by his side, His Majesty will surely be able to play freely.
So in reality, they are still trying to please His Majesty.
Shen Ling looked at these beautiful things that were unique to the local area and rarely seen, and seemed very eager to go and see them, but she also naturally saw through the thoughts of those local officials.
Although she was unhappy, the other party's actions were quite complicated, so she had no reason to blame them.
Reluctantly, I wanted to decline the suggestion to go to the store.
After all, although she believed in Gu Mu's feelings for her, she was caught in a dilemma; their plans were too meticulous.
What if His Majesty has a little wine...?
Her feelings for His Majesty are still pure, and she does not want any accidents to taint them.
"I just won't..." Shen Ling glanced at those things reluctantly, and just opened her mouth.
Her Majesty stopped her from continuing: "My Empress likes the things very much, but if I let her go out alone, even though there are guards to protect her, I am still not at ease. So I will accompany the Empress."
Although Gu Mu's empress could torment a great general to the point of wishing she were dead without batting an eye, and could face thousands of troops without fear, Gu Mu spoke these words without changing his expression.
So what if his empress is powerful? Does that mean she can't be protected?
Moreover, Gu Mu had wanted to go out for a walk anyway, so this would not only fulfill his original idea but also win Shen Ling's favor, killing two birds with one stone.
As expected, Shen Ling was clearly surprised by Gu Mu's words. She raised her eyes and looked at Gu Mu with emotion.
His Majesty......
He truly only has her in his heart.
She raised her head, her eyes crinkling into crescents, her gaze as bright as starlight: "Your Majesty, I thank you."
In the inn,
The officials were left speechless.
His Majesty is truly ungrateful.
It turns out that His Majesty wasn't after the beauty, but rather the beauty of the Empress's second father.
No wonder he takes the Empress with him when he goes out on official business.
They're sour, so sour, each one of them is as sour as lemons.
After all, if they had such beautiful wives, they would be willing to dote on only one person.
As for Qingqiu, the original plan was that after Shenling was transferred away, those officials would try their best to create opportunities for her to be alone with His Majesty.
But unexpectedly,
Regardless of her identity, His Majesty was unwilling to even glance at her.
"Your Majesty, do you truly have no feelings for me whatsoever...?"
"But you didn't say that before..."
You said you would marry me.
"I took it seriously..."
Qingqiu's eyes were red.
A tear, about to fall but not yet.
She raised her hand and quietly wiped away the tear from the corner of her eye.
Why am I crying? Before, it was always others who loved me but couldn't have me, who would be heartbroken and shed tears for me, while I secretly mocked their hypocrisy.
To contemplate suicide over such a vague and ambiguous relationship—Qingqiu of the past simply couldn't understand it.
So, in Qingqiu's eyes, all those fish, despite their vows of eternal love and willingness to give everything, were nothing but hypocrisy and Huangdao.
So this is what it feels like to be moved.
It really makes people sad.
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