Chapter 35

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

Xiao Yanchen was naturally busy, but the more important matters had already been smoothly resolved; the rest were just miscellaneous trivialities, and this short while would make no difference.

"So, tonight, His Majesty will come over?"

She even specifically instructed Qiu Yue to keep it from her — was she trying to give her a surprise?

Shen Yao received the news from this big-mouthed System, and the whole person instantly felt a bit caught between laughter and tears.

No way, they've been an old married couple for several years now; is there a need to be this romantic?

While sighing, Shen Yao felt she absolutely had to control her expression when she saw Xiao Yanchen tonight; otherwise, this man might overthink things.

Never expected that after giving birth to five children, she'd still have to find ways to coax the kids' father.

Stretching out a hand to rub her cheeks, Shen Yao rallied her spirits and, feigning ignorance, asked Qiu Yue about other matters in the palace.

When it came to other things, Qiu Yue could say quite a bit more, and the person instantly perked up.

Hands clasped together in front of her, Qiu Yue mentioned the Empress of Fengyi Palace.

"Your Highness, the Empress's personal maid Qingsuo has sent good news.

The Empress's illness is cured; the daily greetings will resume before long."

Speaking of the Empress, ever since the last palace confinement, this person announced she was convalescing.

Apart from when Noble Consort Zhou passed away, when she forced her body to come out and preside over the funeral rites, at all other times she stayed in Fengyi Palace and would not go out.

Naturally, the daily greetings were also cancelled by the Empress to this day.

Shen Yao blanked, "The Empress is cured?"

His Majesty doesn't even want the Empress to live, yet the Empress can recover? How can she not believe it.

Qiu Yue nodded, "That's what they say; even the imperial physicians aren't frequently going to Fengyi Palace to diagnose the pulse anymore.

Perhaps after a few days, when Your Highness goes to Fengyi Palace to pay respects and sees the Empress, it will be clear."

Anyway, whether a person's illness is truly gone or not, one can discern some clues from their surrounding aura and facial complexion.

Although this dialectical method has an accuracy rate of eight or nine out of ten, people in the harem are all sharp-witted; when it comes to reading complexions, they still have some skill.

Shen Yao hummed in agreement, "You're right; however the Empress's body truly is, once we go pay respects, it will be clear at a glance."

She wanted to see just what trick the Empress was secretly playing again.

"For tonight's late dinner, I want to drink soup; remember to have the small kitchen prepare more.

Also go check if Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhi are awake; if they are, bring them over here.

Xiao Jin, Xiao Yu, Xiao Yue — those three, if they're still fooling around in the side hall, have the wet nurses take them back to rest."

Shen Yao leaned back lightly, letting her tense body stretch and relax.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yue lowered her head and answered yes, then turned and went out the door.

……

At the late dinner hour, Shen Yao sat by the Eight Immortals Table with the three children Xiao Jin and company, dining warmly together.

The dragon-phoenix twins Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhi had already drunk their milk and were carried back to sleep by the wet nurses.

Infants a few months old, their behavior consists of nothing but sleeping and eating.

Shen Yao expressed a few words of concern for the two children, then turned her gaze to the more worrying Xiao Jin and them.

"Mother Consort"

Xiao Jin pouted his little mouth, holding the dishes he disliked with a face full of discomfort.

Xiao Yu and Xiao Yue weren't picky eaters; each hugging a small bowl, they buried their heads in the bowls eating with relish.

"Finish eating and you'll get the sweet osmanthus soup you want," Shen Yao picked up a chopstick of vegetables and put it in Xiao Jin's saucer, "No picky eating, or Mother Consort will tell your Father Emperor."

Xiao Yanchen was a good excuse to threaten the children; Shen Yao decided to establish her kind mother image and win back some of the "reputation" that had plummeted in the hearts of Xiao Jin and the other three.

How could it be kind father strict mother? Clearly it should be kind mother strict father.

Hearing this, Xiao Jin directly wrinkled his round chubby little face into a steamed bun face, "Mother Consort" how could there be such a one.

Shen Yao raised an eyebrow; she was just like this — little children, liking to be picky eaters, worried they'd turn into short stumps and not grow tall.

Burying his head and taking a big mouthful of rice and dishes, Xiao Jin sobbed and choked and spoke no more.

Shen Yao shook her head helplessly, but her heart to put food in Xiao Jin's saucer did not lessen.

Watching vegetables pile up saucer-full chopstick by chopstick, Xiao Jin was so shocked even his sobs stopped.

Mhm, in this aspect, Mother Consort is truly ruthless and merciless.

Xiao Yu and Xiao Yue were frightened into hugging their bowls and plates even tighter; they were obedient good children, absolutely not getting involved.

By the time this late dinner finished, it had used up almost all of Shen Yao's patience.

Waving to call Qiu Yue who was standing by, "Take the three of them to the side hall to play for a while then rest."

"Yes"

Qiu Yue nodded, smiling as she stretched out a hand to lead away Xiao Jin and the other three.

Before leaving, Xiao Jin looked at Shen Yao with tear-filled eyes — Mother Consort had promised him sweet osmanthus soup.

"Rest assured, someone has already delivered it to the side hall; when has Mother Consort ever broken her word to you."

This child, sigh

Xiao Jin beamed with joy, "Mother Consort, your son takes his leave; tomorrow I'll come see you again."

"Mother Consort, son/daughter takes leave"

Soft, childish voices rang out; the three children spoke line by line, their little hurried steps running extremely fast.

In the blink of an eye, the spacious Weiyang Palace great hall held no one else besides herself.

Shen Yao sighed, walking around the great hall's layout, looking here and there.

"Sigh, how boring."

Staying in the palace all day, even going out was merely wandering aimlessly in the surroundings.

Such scenery was fine to look at for a short time, but over a long time Shen Yao only felt thoroughly uninterested.

Sure enough, in the world of palace intrigue novels, no wonder so many women would fight endlessly with one another — turns out they were just finding entertainment for themselves.

Inwardly complaining that the palace intrigue novel's map was too small, Shen Yao turned a circle; her body had not yet steadied when she heard movement from outside the door.

"Want to go out? In a few days when We are free, We can take you out for a look."

Xiao Yanchen, in a set of common clothes, tall and upright, appeared before Shen Yao.

Shen Yao's eyes brightened; like a gust of wind she ran into Xiao Yanchen's embrace.

Both arms encircling Xiao Yanchen's shoulders, Shen Yao brought her mouth corner to Xiao Yanchen's ear, "Your Majesty, is what you said true?"

Xiao Yanchen's smile was radiant; he took the opportunity to ease the cold solemnity on his face, "True."

Shen Yao tightened her arms, "Where are we going?"

Xiao Yanchen backhand-encircled Shen Yao's slender waist, held her in his arms and carried her to the bedchamber, "On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, We will take you out of the palace."

Leave the palace?!

Wow, this was something Shen Yao never even dared to think; you must know she had been in this small world for several years, and even before entering the palace this body did not have several proper experiences of going out.

Xiao Yanchen reached out and touched Shen Yao's smooth tender cheek, explaining softly, "On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, the capital will lift the night curfew for three days before and after.

At that time there will not only be various performances by the common people, but also merchants selling lanterns and snacks."

So their going out of the palace to play will not only be lively, but also very interesting.

Shen Yao was happy, but her expression also held some hesitation, "That day there is the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, and outside the palace is dangerous; only Your Majesty and this subject?"

On such a reunion day, it would be hard to manage, right.

Although Shen Yao loved to play, there was no need to frame her greatest backing for a single trip out of the palace.

Xiao Yanchen was her entire confidence; her five children had not yet grown up.

Xiao Yanchen patted Shen Yao's shoulder, holding her tightly in his arms, "Rest assured, the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet is held in the afternoon; we can leave after the banquet is half over.

Moreover, the only people going out to play this time are us; the guards by our side will only appear in the dark.

Yao'er, don't you want to experience how the common people celebrate the festival?"

Shen Yao blinked her eyes; she of course wanted to — the palace's Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet every year was the same pattern, terribly monotonous.

Unlike outside the palace, where people are everywhere; the two of them entering among them, as long as they guard properly, they will definitely encounter many interesting things.

Following her heart she nodded, and Shen Yao began to speak incessantly with Xiao Yanchen about what fun things were outside the palace.

Shen Yao of course did not know true or false; these were all things she had seen in picture books; previously she had no opportunity to see them; this time leaving the palace she would definitely seize the opportunity.

Xiao Yanchen listened but only smiled without speaking; compared to Shen Yao, his number of times leaving the palace was not few.

Back when he was still a Prince, his mansion after his grand wedding was outside the palace.

On ordinary days when he had nothing to do, he would also retreat to outside the palace to avoid court disputes.

That period of time, Xiao Yanchen thinking back now still feels quite nostalgic.

Time flashed by; he had already gone from subject to Emperor; the elder imperial brothers who once pressed him until he could not breathe have one after another passed away; who could have thought the final winner would be him.

"Rest assured, outside the palace there are many fun things; we go out early, and in the evening we can rest at the mansion."

Shen Yao: Huh?

Seeming to have heard some remarkable statement, Shen Yao's eyes widened, "Your Majesty, is that allowed?"

Turns out the Emperor can not live in the Imperial Palace; heavens, has she come to know too much.

Round eyes held a trace of bewilderment; Shen Yao had been in the Huang Hou for many years, protected very well by Xiao Yanchen.

Some matters, like the content on the Great Jing Palace Regulations, although Shen Yao could guess Xiao Yanchen would not be too rule-abiding, what she did not expect was that this person simply regarded regulations as nothing.

Good fellow, turns out all these years she has been deceived by Xiao Yanchen.

Xiao Yanchen laughed loudly, his hearty laughter passing through the ears into Shen Yao's heart.

"Yao'er, you really are," so cute.

Worthy of being the woman he values in his heart; she is different from others.

People, when they truly put a person in their heart, will unconsciously apply all kinds of filters.

Now Shen Yao in Xiao Yanchen's heart is exactly like this; one could say, bundle all the Huang Hou consorts together and weigh them by the catty, they are not as important as Shen Yao alone.

Xiao Yanchen understands his feelings for Shen Yao; deep love certainly cannot be spoken of, but they have children between them, their companionship is also very pleasant, liking certainly exists.

Shen Yao, slightly shy, lay in Xiao Yanchen's embrace; the two people did not speak, just quietly enjoying this rare tranquil time.

Until Xiao Yanchen opened his mouth, asking about Shen Yao's family outside the palace.

Mainly still Shen Yao's birth father; Shen Yao has now smoothly risen to Noble Consort.

According to Xiao Yanchen's plan, the Empress position, sooner or later, will all be something in Shen Yao's pocket.

Whether looking at offspring or looking at background, Shen Yao is one of his best choices.

However, if Shen Yao becomes Empress, then a new problem appears.

The Shen Family as Shen Yao's maternal family is still too low; it would very easily lower Shen Yao's worth.

So, Xiao Yanchen wants to raise the Shen Family's position a bit, especially Shen Yao's birth father.

Shen Yao hearing this hurriedly shook her head, "Your Majesty, what kind of person this subject's birth father is, you understand best; he being able to hold a Fourth Rank Official post now is already Your Majesty's grace; promoting him further, even Father himself could not bear it."

Moreover, giving Father this good-for-nothing a promotion would not be helping her but harming her.

Because Father is simply a brainless person; otherwise he would not have served as a Fifth Rank Assistant Official for decades on end.

Shen Yao's disdain for her father was plain in her words; Xiao Yanchen's mouth twitched as he listened — surely Father Shen wasn't that incompetent.

Hm, it did seem he truly lacked outstanding ability, and his handling of affairs was rather rigid.

Unable to resist, he stroked his chin; Xiao Yanchen pondered his previous arrangements for the Shen family — they were indeed somewhat unsuitable.

"Yao'er, perhaps your father... still has some redeeming qualities; at least he knows the ropes, doesn't stir up trouble, and can sit steadily in whatever post he's given."

The words halted halfway, forced to stop because Xiao Yanchen met Shen Yao's eyes brimming with accusation.

Shen Yao knew her own father's character better than anyone; without that cheap grandmother keeping him down, he would surely run wild.

Rather than promote such a man and waste both her own and Xiao Yanchen's favor, why shouldn't Shen Yao hoard that favor for her own use?

"Your Majesty, if you truly consider Jin'er and the others' future, just let the Shen family be as they are."

When the time comes and the Shen family can't help, they certainly won't dare cause trouble recklessly.

Xiao Yanchen:...

"Very well, everything as Yao'er says."

He nodded; Xiao Yanchen did not argue with Shen Yao on this point — perhaps Father Shen was truly too mediocre, for even when Xiao Yanchen wanted to praise him he didn't know where to start.

"Your Majesty, you've come all this way with difficulty; shall we not speak of these vexing matters?"

Shen Yao's eyes turned, smiling as she pulled at Xiao Yanchen, her hands wandering.

Xiao Yanchen let Shen Yao fan the flames on him yet remained impassive. "What does Yao'er wish to speak of?"

Shen Yao met Xiao Yanchen's charming handsome face and kissed it. "Naturally, something more interesting."

Even kissing each other back and forth is better than the Shen family, than any probing.

Shen Yao's gaze was clear and full of tenderness; she truly liked Xiao Yanchen's beautiful face — though it wasn't her usual type, she could change her taste for once.

The corner of Xiao Yanchen's mouth curled slightly, his voice low and pleasant. "We listen to Yao'er in all things."

A beautiful night always passes in a flash, like a fleeting shooting star — brilliant yet beautiful.

Opening her eyes and rising from the bed, Shen Yao stretched out a hand to rub her sore waist; satisfied in her heart, she also marveled that Xiao Yanchen was truly an all-round talent.

Whether learning technique or his own comprehension, both were enough to astonish.

One night of exchange — aside from bodily fatigue, Shen Yao had no other discomfort.

"Qiu Yue, when His Majesty left, did he give any instructions?"

Every time Xiao Yanchen departed Weiyang Palace, Shen Yao was unable to get out of bed.

Over time, Shen Yao had developed the habit of sleeping in whenever Xiao Yanchen came.

Xiao Yanchen indulged her in this, even making a great show of having the Imperial Household Department swap Shen Yao's bed for a larger, softer wooden one, saying a bigger bed allowed better performance.

Truly thick-skinned; Shen Yao admitted defeat.

Qiu Yue smiled, holding the water basin Shen Yao used to wipe her face after washing. "His Majesty only said he would come tonight to accompany Your Highness for the evening meal."

Shen Yao picked up a clean handkerchief and wiped her hands. "Remember to have the Imperial Kitchen prepare extra."

"Yes, this servant understands."

"Go attend to your duties."

"..."