The answer is undoubtedly absolute. Leng Qinghan had lived under her nose for over a decade, yet she had gone astray. She felt regret, helplessness, and sorrow.
However, she was an empress, and emperors could never treat everyone equally. If she had to choose, she would give Leng Qingning the full bowl of water.
Between pearls and gemstones, she firmly chose gemstones.
Pearls are fragile, but gold and stone, even when covered in dust, still shine brightly.
There are shortcomings, but I have no regrets.
The empress, with a resolute expression, resolutely stamped the judgment with her golden seal.
...
Summer is almost over, and the chirping birds have quieted down.
Langya Prefecture was filled with peace and prosperity. A new music troupe arrived in Chang Le City and became the most sought-after in the entire capital. Leng Qingning simply spent money to invite them to her residence, where they sang for the young men every day.
He himself traveled between the palace and bookstores, actively engaging with court officials, wealthy merchants, and powerful families to lay the foundation for his future endeavors.
Whenever she had free time, she would accompany her husbands to admire flowers, play musical instruments, and spar with swords. She would also often take them to the largest jewelry shops, clothing shops, and musical instrument shops in Chang Le City.
Anyone who recognized them screamed with envy as they watched them leave.
Leng Qingning seems to enjoy this kind of life.
It was another release date. When Fu Wen visited the bookstore, he was extremely busy and asked her to hurry up and write her new book. [The Legend of Zhen Zhen] was about to end, and [Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio] was also about to reach its final chapter. Everyone was looking forward to her next masterpiece.
Leng Qingning was both amused and exasperated, but nodded in agreement. She had no choice but to pick up a brush and grind ink in front of him, improvising on the spot.
I made up a story about time travel to a post-apocalyptic world set in ancient times, hoping it would awaken people's sense of crisis.
She did this for a purpose…
It was quite late when they returned to the manor.
Not wanting to disturb her husbands, she returned to the Rose Garden alone to rest.
Inside Hehuan Pavilion.
Xiao An walked hurriedly, her face full of worry, and sighed, "Master, it's very late, you should rest."
Lu Shiyi stood alone in the courtyard, admiring the moon. The moonlight shone down on his slender figure, making him appear particularly lonely.
Has she returned home?
Xiao An couldn't bear to look at him, so she lowered her eyes and looked at the tall, slender figure on the ground.
In this mansion, all the young men have healthy, rosy complexions, but their master is worried every day.
Lu Shiyi didn't like crowds. Apart from being close to Sang Yu, Lin Xianzhi was his only friend in the mansion.
During the day, Lu Shiyi pretended to be nonchalant, eating, reading, and playing the piano. But at night…
Xiao An had lost count of how many times she had seen her master standing alone in the courtyard, gazing at the moon.
He knew better than anyone why his master acted this way…
"Master, let's go back to our room. Autumn is almost here, and the nights can be chilly. Be careful not to catch a cold."
Lu Shiyi replied expressionlessly, "It's not autumn yet, where did this cool breeze come from?"
"But your body is not as robust as the other young men, so it's better to be careful."
Upon hearing this, Lu Shiyi's expression finally changed. In the light and shadow, his melancholy black eyes seemed to blend into the pale night.
His tone was filled with boundless desolation: "So what if I'm sick? She won't care, and she won't feel sorry for me."
"How could that be!" Xiao An hurriedly comforted her, "Don't overthink it. Her Highness cares about you. I can see it. Really, my lady, you must not give up on yourself."
"Heh." Lu Shiyi looked away, no longer gazing at the high, bright moon.
"If someone else had said such a thing, I might have believed it."
“Even in the past, I would have been willing to believe it, albeit reluctantly.”
Whether she cares or not, I know perfectly well! Why do you need to deceive me?
She never truly loved me.
If it's love, why won't you stay after all this time...?
"Everyone in this household is favored, except for me..."
Lu Shiyi swallowed the bitterness, and before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face.
Fortunately, it was nighttime, and no one could see!
Xiao An understood her master's thoughts and quickly comforted her, "No, that's not how it is. Those two ladies-in-waiting were not favored either, were they?"
"I did not deceive you, nor would I dare to deceive you. In my opinion, Your Highness has you in her heart. She named our courtyard Hehuan Pavilion because she wanted to spend her life with you, have a happy family, and have your children around her in the future!"
"Is it really true that one can live a life of harmony and happiness, with children around one's knees?" Lu Shiyi's eyes showed confusion as he seriously considered this question.
Xiao An nodded affirmatively, "Absolutely. Her Highness definitely loves you. She has always been very good to you and has never mistreated our courtyard. Even during the time when the favored Young Master Chi was around, Her Highness never neglected you. She came to watch over you every day. Young Master Chi even flew into a rage over this. Don't you think that's true?"
“I am telling the truth, my master, please believe me.”
"Yes, I believe you."
Lu Shiyi was filled with complex thoughts and his emotions were in turmoil, unable to calm down for a long time.
Xiao An is right about everything, but that's not love!
"Hehuan!" A bitter, self-deprecating smile curled at the corner of his lips.
What a joke!
Xiao An was still saying something, but he seemed to hear nothing at all.
………
Since autumn began, there has been less business at court, and I have had some free time, so I often go in and out of the military camp.
In my spare time, I spend more time with my husbands.
Perhaps because of Sangyu, Lu Shiyi often appeared at Hemian Garden, or sat with Lin Xianzhi in the garden or central hall, and met with Leng Qingning many more times.
During this period, "Chen Su" frequently sent people to deliver gifts to the mansion, mostly delicious snacks or hairpins, with a style that leaned towards the Li Kingdom, presumably due to different aesthetic tastes.
Leng Qingning bestowed all of these upon Biluo and the others.
Occasionally, a few small items would catch the eye of the young men, and they would be bestowed upon them as well.
It wasn't until the winter solstice, when Shen Su visited, that he learned the envoy had sent so many gifts to curry favor with the other party.
Shen Su was both amused and exasperated. He then ordered his men to prepare a seven-tailed snow fox, a species unique to the Li Kingdom, and send it to Langya Prefecture by mid-December.
The small, obedient fox immediately captured Sang Yu's heart, and he couldn't bear to let go of it even after Leng Qingning returned to the mansion that night.
With a wave of her hand, Leng Qingning sent him directly into the Crane Sleeping Garden.
Shen Su was not angry when he found out. Leng Qingning often left early and returned late, and it was good if he could touch her occasionally. He had taken this into consideration before sending her.
Taking this opportunity, he visited Xiaoyu every day to teach her how to tame snow foxes. After half a month, the husbands gradually got used to his presence.
She remained calm and composed, only smiling silently.
After the New Year, a mysterious letter was delivered to Langya Mansion, disrupting the apparent peace within the mansion.
The husbands immediately felt as if they were facing a formidable enemy, gathered together to condemn the letter's author, and discussed among themselves how to handle the letter.
Wen Yanche held the letter and pondered it over. Several of his husbands suggested that he burn the letter directly so that it would not appear in front of Leng Qingning.
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