Chapter 38

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

The two held hands by the river and released the water lanterns, then smoothly returned to the mansion.

At the mansion, under Wei Zhu's arrangement, the vacant front courtyard had been tidied up.

Although Xiao Yanchen had moved into the palace to live after becoming Emperor, occasionally he would return to this place he had once lived to stay for several days and relax.

The Emperor was still too tired, and Xiao Yanchen had no better channel for confiding; facing the problems that gave him a headache, he could only resolve certain bad emotions brought by the court and the imperial harem on his own.

Even though he now had Shen Yao, Shen Yao was not an all-powerful trash bin.

Furthermore, Xiao Yanchen by nature did not quite trust anyone; Shen Yao was at most of slightly higher status than others, but if Xiao Yanchen had to choose, he could not possibly give up others in the palace for Shen Yao.

This was also why Shen Yao would always keep her original intention, insisting on first living her own life well.

Xiao Yanchen and her, in essence, were still a mutual exchange of interest distribution; who contributed more or less did not matter much.

But if they were to give everything for each other, that was impossible.

"It's almost been a little year since the last time I returned."

Under the warm yellow candlelight, surveying the room's layout, Xiao Yanchen felt moved.

Shen Yao stood beside Xiao Yanchen, her head lightly leaning on his shoulder, "This time returning, Your Majesty, please rest well."

Staying outside the palace for two more days was probably not possible; the matters at court still needed Xiao Yanchen to handle.

But staying a few more hours, returning to the palace a little later, was no big problem.

Perhaps it was because the sky was already dark, or perhaps it was because today's emotions were in place.

Xiao Yanchen held Shen Yao's wrist, the two sitting in the bedchamber, heads touching, shoulders leaning, chatting for a long while.

Mostly some old stories of Xiao Yanchen's past years, with no one else, only Xiao Yanchen himself.

Shen Yao did not understand why Xiao Yanchen was so moved, but as a qualified thoughtful person, she understood what she should do at this moment.

No extra words of comfort, nor any beautiful behavior of persuasion.

Shen Yao obediently played the role of listener well, until the candlelight lit on the table burned out, did the two change into quilt and go to bed to rest.

Without the rules of the palace, Xiao Yanchen pulled Shen Yao into his embrace, closed his eyes, and they slept embracing each other.

……

When Shen Yao opened her eyes again, the window outside made of thin gauze was already bright.

Beside her there was no trace of Xiao Yanchen anymore; she was first stunned, then got up and got off the bed.

Squeak—

The room door was pushed open from outside; it was a strange-looking little maid.

"Your Ladyship, this servant serves you in dressing and washing."

"Where is His Majesty?"

"Replying to Your Ladyship, His Majesty has been in the study for a while; Eunuch Wei instructed this servant that when Your Ladyship wakes, you should go to the study."

Shen Yao hummed softly upon hearing this, spread both hands and looked straight ahead, "Begin."

The maid agreed upon hearing this, quickly walked to Shen Yao's side and stood still, then opened the folded clothes one by one from one side and helped Shen Yao put them on.

After everything was done, it took a little more than a quarter of an hour; during this time Shen Yao did not speak nonsense with the maid, only calmly looking at herself in the copper mirror.

"Your Ladyship, we should go."

"Let's go, don't let His Majesty wait anxiously," after speaking, Shen Yao stood up, her hanging sleeve swaying a layer of fragrant ripples, she seemingly casually asked, "When His Majesty rose, did he use the morning meal? Has he been in the study all day?"

The maid lowered her head slightly, her voice neither high nor low, "His Majesty has stayed in the study since washing up, and has not yet used the morning meal."

"This morning when rising, news was sent from the palace; this servant saw Eunuch Wei's expression was not right."

Expression not right?

Shen Yao said nothing, still walked lightly toward the door outside to the study.

"Perhaps you saw wrong."

Being able to make Wei Zhu change his expression, Shen Yao's mouth corner hooked into a smile; she suddenly thought of the cups and bowls drugged at last night's Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet.

Hmm, if it were exposed, it would also be no small matter.

The maid, hearing Shen Yao's words, immediately said no more, but followed behind Shen Yao until Shen Yao entered the door.

At the study door stood Wei Zhu with a stern face; before Shen Yao entered, the two exchanged glances, uh, Shen Yao indeed could see Wei Zhu's worry.

Tsk, trouble!

Suppressing these troublesome matters in her heart, Shen Yao raised a smiling face and turned her gaze toward Xiao Yanchen.

At this moment Xiao Yanchen stood with hands behind his back by the window; the window was not opened, only a few stray rays of light shone through the thin gauze onto the ornaments at one side, forming a patch of crystal.

"Your Majesty"

"Yao'er"

The two smiled at each other.

Shen Yao did not care how Xiao Yanchen felt inside; she quickly walked two steps to Xiao Yanchen's side, then reached out and simply embraced his arm.

"Your Majesty rose so early today," Shen Yao's voice was somewhat soft and sticky, as if holding a piece of sweet rock sugar, not yet melted.

Xiao Yanchen turned around, "Earlier when at the mansion, Zhen rose very early."

Back then he was afraid, afraid of the Imperial Brother, afraid of Imperial Father, afraid of anyone who could threaten his life.

At the most dangerous time, Xiao Yanchen wished to shut himself in the room and not go out to see people; after all, power and authority were very important, but life was equally important.

"But fortunately everything is in the past," whether Imperial Brother or Imperial Father, in the end neither could threaten him anymore, and he had successfully sat firmly on the Throne, no longer needing to worry about being overthrown by them again, just like Imperial Father.

After listening, Shen Yao said nothing; she silently rested her head on Xiao Yanchen's shoulder, her eyes filled with worry.

"No need to worry, I am already the emperor," he said, "no longer that weak prince without any power whom everyone could trample upon."

Shen Yao nodded, her gaze now filled with obvious admiration and reverence.

The two stood by the window for a while until a knocking sound came from the doorway.

It was Wei Zhu, reminding them whether they would dine.

"Serve the meal."

Xiao Yanchen brought Shen Yao back to the Eight Immortals Table and had her sit; as the room door opened, a squad of slaves carrying food boxes surged in like fish finding water.

The food boxes contained dishes prepared by the kitchen, all dishes Wei Zhu had instructed earlier, dishes that Xiao Yanchen and Shen Yao both liked.

"Try it quickly; although it cannot compare to the craftsmanship in the palace, after living in the mansion for years, I still cannot forget it."

Xiao Yanchen picked up a piece of pork ribs and put it in his mouth, finding the fragrance delightful.

Shen Yao nodded, "No wonder His Majesty misses it; if I were your subject, I would remember it for a long time too."

Indeed the taste was very delicious, having more spontaneity and relaxation than in the palace.

Clearly it was the same plate of dishes, but those in the palace were just stiff and rigid.

Perhaps this was also the difference between inside and outside the palace; everyone longed for the peak of power, but those sitting at the peak of power missed the days of being destitute before.

Shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly, Shen Yao buried her head and ate heartily.

Not surprisingly, she did not know when she would be able to go out next time.

Since she had time now, she definitely had to eat her fill.

Because Shen Yao was especially open, Xiao Yanchen ate an extra half bowl of rice for this morning meal.

The two, feeling slightly stuffed, went outside for a walk, and then Xiao Yanchen regretfully suggested they should return to the palace.

"I originally planned to stay one more day, but there are matters in the palace that need handling."

"Yao'er, I have to wrong you."

Xiao Yanchen's tone was somewhat apologetic; he truly wanted to let Shen Yao experience a few more days of life outside the palace.

After returning to the palace, they were the emperor and Imperial Concubine Xi; only outside the palace were they Xiao Yanchen and Shen Yao.

Shen Yao naturally could not say she felt wronged in front of Xiao Yanchen; besides, what did she have to feel wronged about? The difference between entering the palace and being outside was not great.

Could it be that if the emperor had not ascended the throne back then, there would be no struggle in the back courtyard of the Wang Fu?

It was just moving from one circle to another; in such an era, no one could escape it.

The two did not stay outside for too long, because the matters in the palace weighed on their hearts.

Boarding the carriage in front of the mansion, the two returned to the palace faster this time than when they came out last night.

"Your Majesty, Your Ladyship, we have arrived."

Wei Zhu stood at the carriage door, speaking respectfully to the carriage interior.

Xiao Yanchen and Shen Yao got out of the carriage one after another.

"Yao'er, let Wei Zhu send you back."

At the door of Taiji Hall, Xiao Yanchen patted Shen Yao's shoulder, then turned and left himself.

Shen Yao bowed her body to see off the emperor, then stood up and told Wei Zhu not to follow.

"This palace observes that Your Majesty's mood is somewhat off, so Eunuch Wei need not send me off; attending to Your Majesty is more important."

Now Your Majesty is most important; besides, returning to Weiyang Palace in broad daylight, he is not directionally challenged, how could he possibly get lost?

Wei Zhu nodded in agreement, "This slave thanks Your Ladyship for your consideration."

With the excuse Shen Yao provided, Wei Zhu breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

At other times, he would definitely be willing to send Shen Yao back.

But the current situation was indeed special; a batch of imperial consorts had fallen ill in the palace, and the cause was still unknown; he also feared that if he did not handle it in time, he would incur the emperor's wrath.

Originally, the emperor had planned to return to the palace tonight, and had even excitedly planned the corresponding arrangements earlier.

As a result, everything was completely shattered by an urgent letter delivered this morning.

Now Wei Zhu just had to think of the scene this morning, and his heart would tremble.

Ai yo wei, it was so terrifying!

He had never seen such a terrifying master, one who could scare all the fat off his body.

After hearing Wei Zhu's words, and seeing that Wei Zhu's expression did not seem fake, Shen Yao immediately understood that the letter Xiao Yanchen received this morning must be important.

Mm, it was probably that the matter of the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet yesterday had been exposed.

After all, the system had once said that the medicine's effect was extremely good; basically, as long as someone drank it, there would be an obvious reaction within a few hours.

Calculating the time, plus the working hours of the imperial physicians at the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Shen Yao unkindly mocked in her heart, not mocking that His Majesty would be busy, but mocking the person who administered the medicine, that they wouldn't end up making things worse and failing to curry favor, instead incurring wrath.

"Eunuch Wei, go attend to your duties; this palace will return now," Shen Yao made a move to leave, and by the way told Wei Zhu to let the Imperial Kitchen prepare in advance the soups and pastries His Majesty loved to drink.

She did not know if it was a habit of all those in high positions; when busy, they could not attend to eating.

This flaw was not very good; not to mention how many harms there were in not eating, just speaking of temper, it could not be suppressed.

Waving her hand, Wei Zhu bowed and bade farewell to Shen Yao again.

Shen Yao turned around, feeling completely relaxed as she left from the door of Taiji Hall.

On the other side, seeing Shen Yao walk away, Wei Zhu hurriedly called the palace attendants who had stayed on duty last night to ask what had happened yesterday when he was not there.

Upon learning that, except for the Empress, most of the other imperial consorts in the harem, especially the pregnant consorts, could not avoid it, Wei Zhu immediately slapped his forehead hard; terrible, the matter was more troublesome than imagined.

The letter sent out, with just its brief content, had already made His Majesty dissatisfied; if he were to tell all the exact news of what happened in the harem, hiss, he dared not think, dared not think.

Wei Zhu shook his head while telling the palace attendant who had spoken to withdraw, and he himself frowned, pondering how to reply to His Majesty.

To conceal it was impossible; not to conceal it, His Majesty would surely fly into a rage.

Lost in thought, the Tai Ji Hall Study drew ever closer.

Wei Zhu looked at the tightly shut door and the cold, stern surroundings, unable to help swallowing her saliva.

Hah

Don't be nervous, don't be nervous

Silently reciting two phrases in her heart, Wei Zhu lifted her spirits, pushed open the door, and walked in.

"Your Majesty"

"Didn't the Noble Consort let you go see her off?"

"Noble Consort Niangniang ordered this slave to remain by Your Majesty's side to serve at any time."

"Hah, whatever the Noble Consort says goes—are you not perhaps the Noble Consort's slave?"

"This slave knows her fault; this slave acted on her own authority. Please forgive this slave, Your Majesty."

"Get up. This time the matter is temporarily pardoned. Tell me about the situation in the palace—exactly what is going on?"

Xiao Yanchen turned around from behind the desk, his gaze calm as he looked at Wei Zhu kneeling on the ground.

Wei Zhu gave a fawning smile, nimbly climbed up from the ground, "Replying to Your Majesty."

"This slave heard from the Night Watch Palace Attendant that today after the Zi Hour, someone among the imperial consorts in the harem suffered abdominal pain."

"The Duty Imperial Physician from the Imperial Hospital was summoned for pulse diagnosis, but there was no improvement, and the same situation also appeared in other palaces."

"To date, most consorts in the harem have experienced abdominal pain of varying degrees."

"Among them, the most severe are several pregnant consorts; according to the Imperial Physician, they are likely to miscarry."

As soon as the words landed, Xiao Yanchen threw a memorial from his hand over.

With a pattering sound, the memorial fell to the ground, landing not far from Wei Zhu's feet, and at the same time frightened Wei Zhu into trembling all over.

Xiao Yanchen's complexion remained unchanged, but the baleful aura between his eyebrows and eyes was terrifyingly great.

Reminding himself he should not be angry about this, but Xiao Yanchen still could not help feeling irritable.

Originally a pleasant trip out of the palace, yet upon turning around, the palace had caused him such a big trouble.

"Investigate! Investigate fiercely for Zhen! Whoever it is, none shall be spared."

Wei Zhu hurriedly nodded, "Acknowledgment, this slave understands."

"Go down," Xiao Yanchen raised an eyebrow, his gaze turning to the window at one side, "Three days. This is the last deadline Zhen can tolerate them."

So, the implied meaning: if nothing is found within three days, then all of them should get lost!

Cold sweat poured from Wei Zhu's forehead; she repeatedly agreed, and even when going out she was somewhat flustered, nearly knocking over the porcelain bottles placed on both sides of the doorway.

The Tai Ji Hall side was tense and stimulating, while the Weiyang Palace side appeared tender and affectionate.

Having learned from the little eunuch who came to deliver the letter that her master would soon return, Qiu Yue stood waiting early at the doorway of Weiyang Palace.

"Master"

"Go in"

Shen Yao saw Qiu Yue at a glance, smiling and waving her hand, "This palace is fine. Were the few children well last night?"

She did not appear all evening; the two little ones might not look for her much, but the three older ones are already sensible, and likely would cry and fuss because they could not find her.

"Master, rest assured. With the Fourth Prince present, the Fifth Prince and the Eldest Princess, though they could not find the Imperial Consort, still slept obediently."

It's just that they wailed loudly twice during the period; this matter, the Master knows, and there is no need to tell the Master in detail.