Shen Yunxi paused, a sense of helplessness welling up inside her. She didn't understand why Jun Xuan had come again.
Knowing that she was recuperating here, couldn't he have stayed in his own palace instead of going to Cining Palace and keeping a distance from her?
“Okay, I understand,” Shen Yunxi replied.
What else could she do but agree? She was already powerless in the palace, and besides, Junxuan had come, probably to ask if she was feeling better. That's why Granny Tian said that and told her to go see him.
Let's meet then, it won't change anything.
After having breakfast, Shen Yunxi walked to the front hall with the help of a palace maid.
Sure enough, Junxuan had been sitting there for quite some time. The Empress Dowager was sitting at the head of the table, and both of them were drinking tea. When they saw her arrive, they put down their teacups.
"Yunxi has arrived. Your foot is still injured, so there's no need for formalities. The Emperor won't mind," the Empress Dowager quickly said.
Shen Yunxi paused in her curtsy, then, with the help of a palace maid, sat down in a chair and nodded slightly, saying, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty."
Junxuan's gaze shifted from Shen Yunxi's feet back to her face. "Miss Shen, are you feeling better today? I was so sorry that you twisted your ankle yesterday."
"Your Majesty is too kind. It was my own carelessness and has nothing to do with Your Majesty. I was in some pain yesterday, but I am much better today. Thank you for your concern," Shen Yunxi replied.
It wasn't that she said it on purpose, but Shen Yunxi calmed down and felt that she shouldn't blame Junxuan, so she wouldn't take him too seriously.
As long as she felt it was her own problem, she wouldn't think about Jun-hyun.
"That's good." Junxuan nodded.
The Empress Dowager didn't understand why Junxuan suddenly seemed to care about Junxuan's reaction, but she had also seen Shen Yunxi's behavior and immediately thought of something important.
"By the way, Your Majesty, recently some old ministers have come to me seeking your assistance regarding the matter of bestowing titles upon your concubines," the Empress Dowager tentatively began.
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager felt a deep sense of helplessness. Junxuan had never been close to her since childhood, but the old ministers had already come to her for help, so she couldn't completely ignore them. She could only convey their wishes to Junxuan.
She didn't want Junxuan to have any lingering feelings about this, and now she just hoped that Junxuan wouldn't overthink it.
It's no wonder that the old ministers were anxious. Junxuan was already over twenty years old, but he still didn't have a woman by his side. He didn't have one when he was the crown prince either. This situation easily made people suspect that there might be something wrong with his health.
Jun Xuan's expression shifted slightly, and he subtly glanced at Shen Yunxi before looking away.
In fact, when the Empress Dowager first spoke, Junxuan was thinking that she was implying that he should fulfill his marriage agreement with Shen Yunxi and give her a good position as a concubine.
However, Shen Yunxi remained indifferent, seemingly unaware of the situation, and even appeared unconcerned about the Empress Dowager's words.
So it seems that Shen Yunxi is unaware of the situation and genuinely doesn't care.
For a moment, Junxuan felt a mix of emotions he couldn't quite describe.
It was supposed to be a good thing, and the best plan, but he still felt a little uncomfortable, which affected his tone.
"Those old fools dare to disturb the Empress Dowager's peace like this, it's outrageous! I will deal with them at the morning court tomorrow. They don't do their proper duties all day, yet they come to concern themselves with my marriage, all they want is to send their granddaughters to the palace. Do they really think I don't know?" Jun Xuan said coldly.
When the Empress Dowager heard Junxuan say this, she knew that her words had been in vain and that Junxuan was not giving her any face at all. Fortunately, she did not feel upset at all.
After all, she couldn't say she knew Junxuan's personality completely, but she knew at least half of it.
If Junxuan were truly such an easily manipulated person, then his arranged marriage with Shen Yunxi wouldn't have been delayed until now. Clearly, he is also self-willed and doesn't care what others think.
"As long as Your Majesty has your own plans, I have nothing to worry about. But Your Majesty should be more lenient. After all, those are the backbone of the court, and many of them are veterans of three reigns," the Empress Dowager reminded him.
"Yes, I understand." Junxuan nodded in agreement.
Even though he was unhappy with the Empress Dowager, Junxuan could still accept her words because they weren't without reason.
Hearing their conversation, Shen Yunxi was filled with mixed emotions.
After she entered the palace, Junxuan took her body, but because of the old ministers of the previous dynasty, he still took several women into the harem.
Now, unexpectedly, he would directly reject the Empress Dowager's words, showing no respect whatsoever to those veteran officials.
If she still doesn't understand why, then she's a fool.
It's very simple. Junxuan took those women in because Consort De was not favored by him. So he deliberately took in a few women to annoy her and to make her a target in the palace, since she was the highest-ranking woman at that time.
Having thought all this through, Shen Yunxi felt even more strongly that she should stay away from the palace, and she only hoped that her foot would heal quickly.
Seeing Shen Yunxi's absent-minded appearance, Jun Xuan felt even angrier.
She didn't care at all?
The Empress Dowager was unaware of what the two were thinking. Upon hearing Junxuan's words, she knew there was no need to continue. Continuing the conversation would only annoy Junxuan, so she smiled slightly.
"His Majesty naturally has the appropriate solutions to matters of the court, and I will not say more. However, since His Majesty has come to see me today, would you like to stay for a meal?" the Empress Dowager inquired.
The Empress Dowager didn't know much about Junxuan's favorite foods. She heard that he had liked to eat fish a few days ago, so she thought that if Junxuan stayed, she could have Granny Tian tell the imperial kitchen to prepare fish. There would be no need to go to great lengths to send Junxuan's meals over today, as her own meals would be sufficient.
Shen Yunxi stood stiffly, knowing that if Junxuan stayed for the meal, she would likely lose her appetite.
Junxuan originally intended to refuse, but he thought he should go to see the Empress Dowager today and stay for lunch to chat with her.
Seeing Shen Yunxi's resistant attitude, Jun Xuan immediately felt furious. Why did she dislike him so much and not want him to stay and have a meal with her?
Thinking of this, Jun Xuan curled up a cold smile, his gaze sweeping coldly over Shen Yunxi before turning to look at the Empress Dowager beside him.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mother. I've come to bother you again today."
The Empress Dowager was unaware that Junxuan had changed his mind because of Shen Yunxi. She hadn't even looked at Junxuan's expression. Now, hearing that Junxuan hadn't refused, she smiled gently.
"Very well, then I will have Granny Tian prepare."
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