In the clothing store, Shen Ling was clearly very interested in the clothes that were completely different from the styles in the palace.
She picked up one of the garments and said excitedly, "Your Majesty, I'd like to try this one on."
The garment that Shen Ling picked up was not as traditional as the clothing of ancient times.
Moreover, it appears to have very little fabric, making it perfect for a cool summer and pleasing to the eye for Gu Mu.
It seems that the local customs are a bit more open, which is why the unmarried girls in the inn dare to dress so revealingly.
Gu Mu nodded. He was naturally happy to see Shen Ling try a more unrestrained style.
The officials and guards who accompanied the Empress glanced at Gu Mu with some envy when they heard that the Empress wanted to try on clothes.
After all, Gu Mu was the emperor, and he could do whatever he wanted. But for a woman as beautiful as Shen Ling, the rest of them wouldn't even dare to defile her in their hearts.
So, one by one, they wisely retreated to the outside of the clothing store.
He then closed the door of the clothing store.
After all, when the emperor goes shopping, other idlers certainly cannot disturb His Majesty's enjoyment. His Majesty's joys and sorrows not only affect the official hats on their heads, but also whether they will get a scar the size of a bowl on their necks.
Although His Majesty still appears approachable, his cruelty is evident to all.
Soon, only the embroiderer, Gu Mu, and Shen Ling remained in the clothing store. Even the embroiderer wisely retreated to the far corner of the store, trying her best to minimize her presence, waiting to appear only when His Majesty and the Empress needed her.
Shen Ling went into the room, changed her clothes, and came out quickly.
She seemed quite pleased with her clothes and twirled in front of Gu Mu.
Gu Mu was momentarily stunned.
Shen Ling was wearing a V-neck dress. Although the neckline wasn't very deep, it was still quite stimulating compared to the traditionally conservative clothing worn by women in ancient times.
Moreover, this outfit isn't the particularly loose style; once the belt is tied, you can see that Shen Ling's second father has a really small waist.
This made her figure look even sexier.
Seemingly noticing Gu Mu's gaze, Shen Ling suddenly realized something, and her face flushed red.
She tugged at her collar, blurting out in a panic, "Why is Your Majesty looking at me like that...?"
Gu Mu chuckled: "Of course it's because Ling'er is pretty."
Unexpectedly, at this moment, she was unhappy when Shen Ling praised her.
Her eyes darted around, very bright and lively, and after a long while she stammered, "Does that mean that Your Majesty won't like me because I'm not pretty? But I will grow old one day."
Girls who aren't considered pretty often worry that their partners will stop liking them if they meet someone prettier.
Even for an impeccably beautiful woman like Shen Ling, there's a concern that their partner might only like them for their looks.
Girls are always so cautious, sensitive, and suspicious in love.
Gu Mu knew this, but he didn't expect that Shen Ling, who was like a goddess descended to earth, would also have moments of insecurity.
But seeing her staring intently at him, hoping for an answer, he also seemed a little silly and cute.
It's probably because they really care that they would ask such a question.
Gu Mu smiled and patted her head.
This time, Shen Ling didn't complain that Gu Mu had messed up her hair, which shows that she really cared about the answer.
"No, even if you're not pretty, I'll still like you," Gu Mu said, though he didn't mean it.
However, Shen Ling clearly believed it, and her eyes lit up immediately.
But one answer was clearly not enough, so she pressed on, "What if I don't know any magical arts, can't embroider, can't dance... I'm just an ordinary peasant girl with no skills, would Your Majesty still like me?"
Gu Mu glanced at Shen Ling.
Beneath her aloof and detached demeanor, she wore a dress so sexy it could make any man's blood boil.
Her skin was flawless and smooth, and she had a pair of bright, expressive eyes.
But at this moment, Shen Ling's usually aloof face showed some tension, as if she was very uneasy, with many little deer pounding in her chest.
So cute.
He kills without blinking an eye, yet calmly wipes the blood from his hands with a clean white handkerchief.
At this moment, despite being out of danger, he showed a tense expression.
Gu Mu knew that, without realizing it, Shen Ling had already fallen for him, and fallen even deeper than she had imagined.
Gu Mu pulled Shen Ling into his arms and gently kissed her forehead: "Of course we will. You may not know, but the fact that we can be together in this life is a blessing from our past lives."
......
Qingqiu in the inn
Bored, I leaned against the window, watching the few pedestrians on the street.
"Why hasn't His Majesty returned yet?" she muttered softly.
However, at this moment, the door to her room was suddenly pushed open, and a person who looked just like Zhang Banxian appeared behind Qingqiu.
It seems he is one of the real Zhang Bansian's stand-ins in public.
When Qingqiu saw the person who came in, her expression changed, and a hint of disgust flashed in her eyes. Then she said coldly, "Close the door. Don't let anyone else see."
Zhang Banxian obediently closed the door, his face showing a hurt expression: "Shishi, do you really have to have that person?"
"Don't call me by that name." Zhang Banxian's humility only earned him Ma Shishi's even colder attitude.
However, Zhang Banxian was not angry at all.
He looked at Qingqiu with deep affection: "Okay, Qingqiu, I'm willing to do anything you like. If you don't like me calling you Qiu'er or Shishi, then I'll listen to you and call you Qingqiu."
"But you know His Majesty already has an Empress. Even if you marry him, you'll always be overshadowed by her and have to be subservient..."
"No way!" Qingqiu was clearly unhappy to hear this and interrupted Zhang Banxian, saying, "As long as His Majesty likes me, I will find a way to monopolize his favor. He only married Chen Ling because her family background is better than mine."
"His Majesty was momentarily bewitched when he saw her face before, but now I am no less beautiful than her, His Majesty will definitely like me, and His Majesty and I are the true love!"
"Once I enter the palace, I will make Shen Ling disappear from this world sooner or later, and I will become the Empress!" As she said these words, there was a suppressed madness in Qingqiu's tone, and a happy smile appeared on her face.
Then she turned her head and finally looked at Zhang Banxian properly: "Thank you for turning me into what I am now, but I can't let His Majesty find out about my relationship with you, so please don't come looking for me again."
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