Upon hearing Madam Shen's words, Shen Yunxi simply shook her head slightly, her expression remaining unchanged.
"Since that's the case, why should Grandmother care so much? Putting aside the late Emperor's bestowed marriage, Fourth Sister will never be among the Emperor's concubines, so Grandmother shouldn't waste her efforts. And Fourth Sister, your schemes are no match for the Emperor. After all, he grew up surrounded by intrigue and deceit, and he can see right through your thoughts." Shen Yunxi ignored them and glanced at Old Madam Shen casually. "I believe Grandmother won't invoke family discipline today, so please excuse me and I'll go back to rest."
After saying that, Shen Yunxi ignored Madam Shen's reaction and turned to leave, leaving the other three dumbfounded.
Why is Shen Yunxi so arrogant now? Does she really not give me any face at all?
Little did they know that Shen Yunxi was no longer the same person she once was. She no longer sought the kinship that was destined to be unattainable, and therefore had no need to wrong herself.
Seeing Shen Yunxi's retreating figure, Old Madam Shen suddenly felt that Shen Yunxi was no longer easy to control. She was in a bad mood, so she scolded Qian Shi and then asked Shen Leyi a few words of concern before letting her go back to rest.
Meanwhile, Junxuan also left the Xiaoyao Prince's Mansion and returned to the Imperial Palace.
As soon as he stepped into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Defu came up to him and said, "Your Majesty has returned. The Empress Dowager said that Your Majesty has something to discuss with her. When is Your Majesty available?"
Junxuan, who had been expressionless, turned slightly cold. "Since it is the Empress Dowager who asked me to go, I should be available whenever I am."
After saying that, he turned and walked out, heading towards the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace.
Defu quickly followed. He still didn't quite understand why the Emperor and Empress Dowager weren't close, but these were not things he could be curious about. He could only hurry and follow Junxuan.
After walking for a while, Junxuan arrived at the entrance of Cining Palace.
The emperor's arrival required no announcement. Junxuan stepped inside. He had just returned from outside the palace and was dressed in a crimson brocade robe.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty," Junxuan's cool voice rang out.
The Empress Dowager was enjoying her flower tea when she saw Junxuan walk in, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"It's the Emperor. I told you before that there was no need for such formalities. My son and I shouldn't talk about these things. I just happened to get a few boxes of flower tea. Your Majesty, please come and try it. It tastes quite good," the Empress Dowager said.
Junxuan chuckled, "The things here, Mother, must be of good quality. I must have a good taste of them."
After speaking, Junxuan took the flower tea handed to him by the Empress Dowager and took a small sip.
"How is it?" the Empress Dowager asked.
Junxuan slowly put down his teacup. "The aroma is fresh and lasting, the taste is delicate and refreshing, the liquor is bright yellow-green, and the tea leaves are tender and soft. As expected, everything here from Mother is excellent. It is truly a fine product. I am very fortunate today."
The Empress Dowager sensed something was amiss with these words, but didn't dwell on it. She remembered the purpose of summoning Junxuan today.
"If Your Majesty likes it, then this flower tea is fine. However, the reason I invited Your Majesty here today is to discuss something with you. I wonder what Your Majesty's opinion is?" the Empress Dowager added.
"Please speak freely, Mother," Junxuan said softly.
Hearing Junxuan say this, the Empress Dowager knew that he might not reject her idea, but she still couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Emperor Junxuan had only been on the throne for a year, but his decisive and swift methods when he was the crown prince were not to be underestimated. Everyone knew that this new emperor was not easy to talk to, so even though she had become the empress dowager, she still had to ask the new emperor for advice on some things before making a decision.
The Empress Dowager didn't have much affection for her maternal family; in fact, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she disliked them. Of course, she wouldn't always be thinking about her maternal family, which is why she felt so at ease in the palace.
Perhaps because there was nothing he cared about too much, and it didn't bother him in any way, Jun-hyun was happy to give his nominal mother a son.
However, Junxuan's gesture of respect was only superficial; he himself probably knew best what he was really thinking.
Even Shen Yunxi from her previous life could only understand some peripheral things, and could not touch the truly important things. The only thing she knew was that Junxuan did not show the Empress Dowager the respect he appeared to have. He even unintentionally revealed a special look in his eyes, which seemed to be... disgust.
"Your Majesty, I feel unwell since returning from Yanshan Tang, as I have no one to talk to. Therefore, I wish to bring Yunxi into the palace to stay with me for a while. However, Your Majesty is not yet married and there are no concubines in the harem. That is why I am asking Your Majesty, I wonder if Your Majesty agrees?" the Empress Dowager said softly.
Under normal circumstances, if the Empress Dowager wanted to summon a young lady from a prominent family to the palace to accompany her, she wouldn't need to say a word to Junxuan.
However, the Empress Dowager was also well aware that Junxuan did not have much affection for Shen Yunxi, otherwise he would not have fulfilled the late emperor's bestowed marriage. Unfortunately, she could not say anything.
It's true that she's feeling unwell and wants Shen Yunxi to stay by her side, but it's also true that she wants to make one last effort to create an opportunity for Shen Yunxi and Junxuan. If she still can't change Junxuan's mind this time, then she will give up on this plan.
The Empress Dowager truly loved Shen Yunxi and knew her feelings for Junxuan, which is why she was willing to take this step.
Unfortunately, Junxuan couldn't understand the Empress Dowager's thoughts, and a feeling of disgust suddenly welled up in his heart.
Shen Yunxi had clearly told him that they were even and had no debts to each other, implying that the two of them would never have any contact again. So why would the Empress Dowager bring up these words now?
It seems we underestimated Shen Yunxi. Knowing it wouldn't be easy to get through to him, she chose to approach the Empress Dowager instead.
Once you enter the palace, many things can no longer be delayed. Shen Yunxi's strategy of retreating to advance is quite clever; I wonder how she came up with it.
Although he didn't want to agree, Junxuan couldn't refuse the Empress Dowager for such a small matter. Otherwise, it would be considered unfilial of him as the emperor, especially since the Empress Dowager was still his legal mother.
“Since the Empress Dowager wishes for Miss Shen to enter the palace to accompany her, I will not say anything more. The Empress Dowager can make the decision,” Junxuan replied.
The Empress Dowager smiled slightly, "It's good that the Emperor agrees. I will have someone send Yunxi to the palace later. She will stay for a few days and then go home, so that she won't miss her family too much."
“Alright, if Mother has nothing else, then I will return first. I have left the palace today to attend my uncle’s birthday banquet, and I still have many state affairs to attend to.” Jun Xuan said, standing up abruptly, seemingly unwilling to linger any longer.
The Empress Dowager had no suspicions. "Very well, Your Majesty, you must take care of your health while you are busy. Your royal health is of utmost importance. Please rest early."
"I understand." Junxuan smiled as he walked out of the main hall.
The moment he turned around, Junxuan's face turned extremely ugly, his eyes were filled with coldness, and his whole being exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay.
Shen Yunxi, do you really dare to enter the palace?
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