Guo Shaoan sat down in front of the chess table with peace of mind. He didn't believe that a woman could do anything to him. How could he, as an emperor, be easily deceived by a strange woman? It was a joke. He firmly believed that as long as he respected his predecessors and had a righteous mind, he would not do anything wrong.
Your Majesty, please come first. Zhang said softly.
Guo Shao thought seriously for a long time, picked up a white piece, and placed it in the middle of the chessboard in a domineering manner.
Zhang immediately looked up at Guo Shao, but did not say anything, and casually made a move. After a while, she hesitated for a while, and then whispered: I don't want to force your majesty, but I really don't want to let you go like this. I want to see your majesty, but it is extremely difficult. Maybe I won't see you for a year or even several years.
When Guo Shao heard this, he was more certain that Zhang was not satisfied with the status quo. He thought to himself: Sure enough, there was a purpose for the meeting. I finally realized her thoughts and now I will emphasize my position.
At this moment, Zhang's voice said again: Will Your Majesty laugh at me
Guo Shao looked up at her and saw that Zhang looked pitiful. Everything here was very simple and quaint. It was originally a place for meditation, and there were not many colorful furnishings. Zhang was also wearing a thin cotton and linen robe, which made her look even more pitiful. And there was also a sense of undecorated beauty. The setting sun had left its last rays of light. Her fair face and protruding round chest were very clear in front of the window, but the light in other places was dim and a little blurred; in this light and dark contrast, a white and plain woman made Guo Shao feel that there was no beautiful scenery.
Guo Shao suddenly felt that it was really miserable for a young woman to spend the rest of her life in the cold palace. It was normal for her to feel a little unwilling, and there was nothing wrong with that. Moreover, Guo Shao would not be disgusted by a beautiful woman who showed her desire to get close to him in a very humble manner.
Hearing a woman asking him this, Guo Shao couldn't bring himself to lose face and said casually: No, there is no need to worry about why I would ridicule the Imperial Concubine.
"Hmm," Zhang responded somewhat disappointedly.
Seeing the beauty so disappointed, Guo Shao felt a little sorry for her, even though he didn't dislike her, so he said: "I think the Concubine Tai seems to have a secular fate and doesn't really want to become a nun."
Zhang sighed: "It's not that I don't want to live a quiet life. I have a calm mind. But people live in this world, and grudges and disputes cannot be avoided just by wanting to.
When Guo Shao heard this, he finally felt that it made sense. He immediately thought of Zhao Kuangyin. At first, Zhao Kuangyin was so powerful, and he didn't want to offend him at all.
He immediately nodded in agreement: The Imperial Concubine is right.
Zhang lowered her eyes and quickly swept across his face, and said with a slight wry smile: So everyone has worries and troubles, it's not surprising.
Seeing the woman like this, Guo Shao comforted her as usual: But if you can resolve it or let it go, it might be better.
Zhang nodded slightly and sighed: "People are helpless in many ways. They can't avoid it, and they can't escape it even if they want to." She paused, "Just like my status, heaven and earth have already determined what I should do and what I shouldn't do.
Guo Shao didn't even raise his head and said in a friendly manner: The status of the Grand Concubine is very honorable and she is highly respected.
Your Majesty is right, Zhang said.
The two fell silent. Guo Shao barely knew how to play Go, so he made a few random moves, but he saw that Zhang was not interested. Although he did not know how to play Go, he knew some other chess and cards, and understood that chess was also a form of language communication. If one of them did not understand it at all, it would be like chatting without a common language, which would be quite boring.
He immediately said frankly: I actually don’t know how to play Go.
"Yes." Zhang replied softly, "If Your Majesty finds it boring, I will not force you to stay. I was really rude for asking too much just now."
But now Guo Shao was unwilling to leave. This feeling was very strange. He felt as if he owed someone something; or he had not done something well and instinctively wanted to make up for it.
But it was not known whether Zhang did it on purpose or not. Anyway, she seemed like she was flying a kite. When she reeled in the kite before, Guo Shao stayed; and now that she let it go, he didn't want to leave.
Guo Shao rubbed his forehead for a moment, then slapped his thigh with his left hand: Let's change the way we play.
Obviously, the only game that can be played with Go is Gobang. Guo Shaotai thought of this easily. For someone like Zhang who has an IQ that can play complex Go, Gobang will certainly be learned in no time. Something that two people know is interesting and people will have a sense of freshness when it comes to new things. Zhang was very interested. This game is very simple and relaxing. Gradually, there were laughters in the room from time to time, and the sadness on Zhang's face faded.
Even Guo Shao felt very happy, and finally let go of the tangled mood he had just had. He was able to be tangled because he was kind to women and never hurt the weak.
After Zhang became proficient, she won a round and laughed with her hands covering her mouth. She said with a smile: "Take a break first. The tea is cold. I will make a new pot." I remembered that I had hidden a box of good tea.
Guo Shao turned his head to look at the dimming light outside the window and said: You're welcome. It's getting late anyway, so why bother
Please wait a moment. Zhang hurried to a wooden shelf and stood on tiptoe to get something.
Guo Shao was about to persuade her when he heard a noise. When he turned around, he saw a jar falling from the shelf and hitting Zhang's shoulder. She cried out in pain. Guo Shao was startled.
The liquid in the jar splashed all over Zhang, and then fell to the ground and broke into pieces. Zhang squatted down with a look of pain on her face.
Guo Shao hurriedly stood up and walked forward, asking: Is the Concubine Tai injured
It doesn’t matter, I didn’t do it accidentally. Zhang looked in pain and stood up by herself.
Guo Shao smelled the scent of sesame oil and was stunned. Summer clothes are very thin, and no one can bear to wear thick clothes in the current temperature. The jar of sesame oil poured over half of Zhang's body, and the thin light gray cotton and linen material became darker. Zhang wiped the lapels of her clothes and twisted the sesame oil that spilled on her clothes, so Guo Shao saw something he shouldn't have seen. At this time, Zhang raised her eyes, glanced at Guo Shao, and hurriedly hugged her arms in front of her, with one hand on the shoulder that was hit. The atmosphere suddenly became tense and awkward.
Guo Shao just felt his heart pounding.
At this moment, Zhang suddenly turned away in shame without saying a word. Guo Shao looked down and felt even more embarrassed.
She said: Damn it, how can I get out of this door like this
Guo Shao reached out to grab his ribbon, but finally stopped and did not take off his coat. He wanted to take off his robe and give it to her, which was a normal way to express his concern for a woman, but if he did that, it would be even more of a cover-up, so he did not continue.
Zhang looked sideways and looked at Guo Shao's posture for a long time. They both stood there quietly, each thinking about what they were thinking about. She finally whispered: Your Majesty, please don't do this. You have to be a little restrained and have etiquette. Otherwise, what will others say about us
Guo Shao was speechless after hearing this. Shouldn't I be the one to say this? But he couldn't refute it. If he really had righteousness in his heart, how could he explain the reaction on his body
He stopped caring about it and said thoughtfully: The Imperial Concubine will call the attendant in later and ask him to get clean clothes to change into before going out.
Your Majesty is so thoughtful and considerate of me, Zhang said softly.
Guo Shao hurriedly said: "Then I will leave first. It is getting dark now and it is inconvenient to stay for long."
Zhang whispered: If Your Majesty doesn't mind, please come and talk to me when you are free.
Guo Shao nodded in response and clasped his hands to say goodbye.
Zhang's face showed sadness: "I know, the next time we meet may be a year or two, or ten or eight years. But I am grateful for your concern today. In the quiet nights with countless green lamps, I also have a thought, and I look forward to seeing you again in who knows how many days."
Guo Shao was a little confused, but he knew in his heart that if he was misunderstood as having had something going on with Taizu's wife, it would have a bad impact. He left the place quickly without saying anything more.
When they arrived at the gate of Sanqing Hall, the attendants were still waiting outside. Guo Shao then took the imperial sedan chair and returned to Xu'en Hall for the time being.
The lampstands all around were already lit, and the imperial city was shrouded in lights, which gave the place a vague sense of prosperity. Guo Shao had dinner and washed up, and during this time he could still vaguely smell the scent of sesame oil.
He sat down in the bedroom. Tonight, Yang Yue'e was sleeping with him. She was very attentive and much more knowledgeable than Dong Sanmei. She took good care of Guo Shao's daily life. But Guo Shao always felt that something was missing, very subtle, but it made him feel completely different.
There were not many concubines who could normally take turns to serve the emperor in bed. Yang Yue'e was one of them and she often served him in bed. Although she was gentle and attentive, she seemed to lack a strong desire and emotion. After all, she could get close to Guo Shao every now and then, and she seemed overwhelmed every time.
Under the orange light, he stared at the flame on the lamp stand for a while, and felt that there was a halo around the flame. When he turned around, he saw a cup of tea on the table. He had an inexplicable urge to pick it up and pour it on Yang Yue'e, soaking her clothes.
But he finally didn't do that, he didn't want to insult his wives and concubines. He immediately picked up the wine and drank a sip, showing a gentle and loving look, and said kindly: Let's take a rest.
Yang Yue'e smiled and chuckled, "I will undress for Your Majesty."
Guo Shao stood up and asked her to serve him. There was the sound of insects outside the window. Everything was peaceful and quiet. The night was like a windless lake, peaceful and tranquil.
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