If the Empress Dowager was still unsure who Junxuan had come for just now, she no longer had any doubts; it was clearly for Shen Yunxi.
However, the Empress Dowager did not expect Junxuan's words to be so direct. He actually asked the question so bluntly. For a moment, the Empress Dowager really couldn't lie or make up an excuse, such as saying that Shen Yunxi hadn't come.
Junxuan meant that he didn't know Shen Yunxi was coming, and that his visit today was just a coincidence. But was it really such a coincidence?
Whether others believe it or not, the Empress Dowager will not believe it.
"Your Majesty is right. Yunxi is indeed a skillful girl. After massaging me, I feel much better. Yesterday, Granny Tian saw that I was unwell and sent a message to Yunxi. She came to the palace early this morning to see me. However, she massaged me for a long time and is now tired, so I told her to go and rest." The Empress Dowager is quite perceptive.
Junxuan feigned sudden realization, seemingly unaware of Shen Yunxi's presence. "I never expected Miss Shen to be so filial. She truly lives up to the Empress Dowager's affection. However, since Miss Shen has already helped the Empress Dowager, it seems she is feeling better. In that case, I will stay here and have lunch before returning. I wonder if the Empress Dowager would welcome me?"
Now that Junxuan has said so much, if the Empress Dowager were to refuse directly, it would seem disrespectful to him as the emperor.
Left with no other choice, the Empress Dowager could only smile and agree.
"I am happy that Your Majesty is willing to dine at Cining Palace. After all, Your Majesty is usually very busy, so this is a rare opportunity."
That's what they said, but both the Empress Dowager and Junxuan knew perfectly well that the reason he stayed was none other than Shen Yunxi.
The Empress Dowager felt helpless. She thought Junxuan's actions were not good, since Shen Yunxi had already given up. However, she couldn't say anything about deliberately making things difficult for Junxuan. She decided to leave the two young people alone and let them be.
Junxuan stayed where he was, chatting casually with the Empress Dowager, but his gaze kept drifting in another direction.
The Empress Dowager was not unaware of such an undisguised attitude, but she pretended not to understand.
Compared to Junxuan, she naturally loved Shen Yunxi more, and therefore cared more about Shen Yunxi's thoughts. Knowing that Shen Yunxi did not want to see Junxuan, she would not let Granny Tian bring her out, even though she had already realized that Junxuan wanted to see her.
Finally, the time for dinner arrived, and Granny Tian had no choice but to call Shen Yunxi to eat.
“Miss Yunxi, the Emperor hasn’t left yet. He must have known your whereabouts today and came here specifically. It seems he won’t leave until he sees you. May I be so bold as to ask, Miss Yunxi, do you want to see the Emperor? Judging from his posture, it seems he won’t leave until he sees Miss Yunxi. I don’t know if I’m right.” Granny Tian sighed.
Having seen so many people, Granny Tian herself often saw Junxuan and sometimes heard the Empress Dowager talk about him, so she had some understanding of him.
I can't say I'm completely certain, but I'm about 20-30% sure.
Shen Yunxi knew Junxuan better than Granny Tian, and therefore understood his thoughts more clearly.
Junxuan may not show it on his face, but he is actually quite stubborn. Once he has made up his mind, he will not change it, and he will definitely do what he wants to do.
Rather than letting him remain here and make the Empress Dowager uncomfortable, it's better to go directly and see what he's up to.
Having thought this through, Shen Yunxi took a deep breath and stood up.
“Granny, I understand. The Emperor will not let this go until he sees me today, and there is no need for me to keep avoiding him. I don’t want to see him, not because I’m afraid to. He won’t do anything to me,” Shen Yunxi said frankly.
Granny Tian nodded. "Miss Yunxi, there's no need to worry. Her Majesty won't let you suffer any injustice. It's already noon, so let's have our meal quickly."
"Let's go." Shen Yunxi lifted her foot and walked out.
Since Junxuan wants to see her so much, then it wouldn't hurt to meet her.
Some things have already been made clear, but if Junxuan insists on going his own way, she is not someone to be trifled with; at worst, they will fight to the death.
Upon arriving at the dining room, Shen Yunxi immediately curtsied to Jun Xuan.
"This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
Jun Xuan didn't show it on his face, but the moment he saw Shen Yunxi, the displeasure between his brows undeniably vanished, clearly because Shen Yunxi had arrived.
“Miss Shen, there’s no need for such formalities. Please rise,” Jun Xuan said calmly.
If it weren't for the joy in his eyes, it would be hard to tell that he was actually very happy about Shen Yunxi's arrival.
Shen Yunxi stood up. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager knew that Shen Yunxi hadn't come to see Jun Xuan, but rather that she realized he wouldn't leave until she saw him, which was why she had come here.
For a moment, the Empress Dowager's feelings were also somewhat complicated. Shen Yunxi was such a sensible girl that it was heartbreaking.
Such a good girl, following Junxuan for so many years, yet he couldn't see her good qualities. Only now that she has let go does he realize it.
"Yunxi, come and sit down. You've worked very hard today, you should eat more," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.
The atmosphere was somewhat strange, so the Empress Dowager took the initiative to speak and break the silence.
Shen Yunxi agreed, "Your Majesty is too kind. Yunxi is not tired at all."
"It must have been hard work, Miss Shen. She came to the palace early this morning to take care of the Empress Dowager. She is more filial than I am as her son. She should eat more to nourish herself. Speaking of which, I should also thank Miss Shen. It is Miss Shen who has fulfilled her filial duty on my behalf." Jun Xuan said with a light smile.
The Empress Dowager and Shen Yunxi both understood what Junxuan meant. He was simply trying to tie him and Shen Yunxi together and to highlight their engagement.
It's often said that people in the palace have many faces, and their words are full of traps; if you're not careful, you'll be led astray.
"I dare not accept such praise. It is because Your Majesty has treated me so well, and not for any other reason. I am truly unworthy of Your Majesty's words of filial piety." Shen Yunxi replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, her gaze fixed on Jun Xuan without the slightest hint of yielding.
Junxuan narrowed his eyes, looking at Shen Yunxi with some displeasure, but he did not show it. He understood that Shen Yunxi did not want to be associated with him, but he also made it clear that he would never break off the engagement, and Shen Yunxi could not escape.
Junxuan also knew that he couldn't push Shen Yunxi too hard, otherwise she would only become more resistant.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore, let's have our meal," Junxuan said.
Junxuan spoke up and suggested they have a meal. The Empress Dowager and Shen Yunxi readily agreed and picked up their chopsticks to eat, though they were still somewhat unaccustomed to Junxuan's arrival.
If it were only Shen Yunxi dining with the Empress Dowager, the two should have enjoyed themselves and wouldn't be so unable to eat.
After finishing his meal, Junxuan didn't rush to leave but sat down in the dining room to rest.
Soon after, footsteps could be heard.
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