The sky was dark, and there was silence everywhere except for the sound of rain in the garden. The bluestone road was stiff and cold. If she really knelt here for an hour, she would become a joke in the whole capital tomorrow. When she returned, her knees would not be able to hold on, and she might not even be able to walk tomorrow.
The Empress hated Song Lingzhi, and so did her personal maid.
The maid said arrogantly, impatiently: "... Miss Song, are you going to keep the Queen waiting for a long time?"
She curved her lips and said, "And the Third Prince has always been filial to the Empress. Miss Song's action can be regarded as helping the Third Prince to show his filial piety and making it worthwhile to come to the palace. I think Miss Song has no reason to be unwilling."
The raindrops are drifting, and the shadows of the bamboos are uneven.
The man in the scarlet robe turned around, lowered his head, and slowly brushed away the raindrops on his sleeves.
Suddenly, the sleeve of the dress embroidered with gold thread was grabbed by a small hand.
Her fingernails were dyed with Impatiens juice, and her fingertips were white and smooth. Further up, her wrist, adorned with a gold bracelet inlaid with blue and white glass beads, was slender and white, like cold frost on a bright moon.
Two or three drops of rain rolled down the brim of the umbrella, instantly soaking the concubine's red robe.
Shen Yan looked back nonchalantly. Through the misty rain, Song Lingzhi looked at him anxiously. She whispered softly with her red lips, "Your Highness."
Her voice was so low that it was instantly drowned out by the sound of the pouring rain.
Shen Yan silently withdrew his gaze, his dark pupils were calm and peaceful like autumn waves.
The red robe slipped silently from Song Lingzhi's fingertips. Song Lingzhi was shocked: "Your Highness!"
Shen Yan turned around and looked at Song Lingzhi leisurely. It was rare for him to have such patience.
"I don't want to kneel."
The oil-paper umbrella was gently raised, and Song Lingzhi, who was under the umbrella, had skin as white as cream, a small face the size of a palm, and wide-open almond-shaped eyes, looking anxious. Her figure was thin and weak, and her imperial-colored brocade clothes fell in the vast rain, making her look even more lonely and helpless.
The maid's eyes widened, and the word "outrageous" was yet to come out of her mouth.
Suddenly, I heard Shen Yan's chuckle, and his ink-black eyes contained a faint smile.
The maid's heart tightened.
Shen Yan remained calm and composed: "It is wrong to offend the Queen Mother."
The maid smiled.
Song Lingzhi's eyes were stunned, and the next moment, she suddenly fell into a strong embrace. Shen Yan embraced her, and the red figure blended into the misty rain curtain, and walked towards the palace gate: "Let's go."
The maid was stunned. She lifted her skirt and stepped forward to stop him: "Your Highness!" She was anxious, "Your Highness, the Queen is still waiting for you."
Shen Yan gently turned the jade ring in his hand, and a sneer escaped from his throat: "The Queen Mother is precious and noble, if we offend her, wouldn't it be our fault?"
He slowly raised his eyelids, without a trace of smile: "Didn't aunt say that herself?"
The maid was apprehensive: "The Queen only allowed Miss Song..."
Shen Yan looked at him coldly.
The maid dared not say anything more and just lowered her head in silence.
Through the hazy rain, the tightly closed lattice wooden door was finally pushed open. The young eunuch ran over with a bow, respectfully inviting Shen Yan and Song Lingzhi into the hall.
"Your Highness, Miss Song, the Queen invites you."
…
The King's uncle had an accident at night. Since the Queen learned the news, she has lost her appetite and has been unable to sleep.
The Kunning Palace was filled with gloom and sorrow. All the palace servants were trembling with fear, standing by with their hands hanging down. It was quiet and no one whispered.