Because of the series of unpleasant things that happened, Fu Yuheng has been frowning and looking serious recently, and even his appetite has been poor.
After hearing this, Xiao Shushen felt that this was her chance. As the queen, she naturally had the right to share the emperor's worries, and it was justified.
Taking advantage of Fu Yuheng's poor appetite, she asked the imperial kitchen to prepare some appetizers. In name, it was to change the emperor's taste, but in reality, she wanted to win over Fu Yuheng to come to her palace to sit and dine.
She sent a eunuch from the palace to invite Fu Yuheng, but she was still unsure because he had not rested in her palace for a long time and she didn't know whether he would come today.
After a while, as Xiao Shushen was eagerly waiting, she finally heard some noise outside the house.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Her beautiful eyes lit up instantly, with a gleam of surprise. She subconsciously adjusted her hair bun and made sure everything was fine before she stood up. At this time, Fu Yuheng happened to walk in.
She bowed slightly, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."
Fu Yuheng glanced at her calmly, his dark eyes were bottomless, and he walked to the table and sat down, "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The corners of her mouth curled up to reveal a faint smile, and her eyes had long since changed to gentleness. Then she sat down beside him, "Your Majesty, please try these side dishes. Although they are not delicacies from land and sea, they have a unique flavor."
He glanced at the dishes on the table with his dark eyes. There really wasn't much food or wine, just some light stir-fried dishes. However, it didn't whet his appetite. He just said perfunctorily, "Thank you Queen for your trouble."
Xiao Shushen was satisfied with his words, and lowered her head coquettishly, "It is my blessing to be able to help the emperor solve his problems." She even served him a few dishes attentively, "Your Majesty, please try them."
"Hmm." He said in a flat tone, but picked up the chopsticks and took a few bites.
Seeing him like this, Xiao Shushen's eyes flashed with a sense of success for a moment, her eyes moved slightly, and she spoke inquiringly, "The harem has been uneasy recently, and the emperor is worried."
When this was mentioned, Fu Yuheng paused, frowned, and immediately lost his appetite and put down his chopsticks.
Xiao Shushen secretly observed his expression and spoke carefully, "I used to be good friends with a Taoist priest. He told me that this harem..." She raised her eyes and carefully observed his expression before slowly continuing, "I'm afraid there are evil things!"
This slightly superstitious belief was not yet advocated in the palace, but she was determined.
The words "evil thing" made Fu Yuheng's eyes suddenly turn cold. He stared at her with a complicated expression. Her hands were full of sweat, but she still pretended to be calm on her face, "A letter from the queen?"
"Of course I don't believe it." She knew what the emperor was afraid of. "How could there be such evil things in the harem with the emperor's grace and protection? I just thought it would be okay to ask a Taoist priest to come and take a look."
Hearing this, he pursed his lips slightly, as if thinking about this proposal. The harem is not peaceful, and people's hearts are unstable. Even if inviting a Taoist priest doesn't work, it can calm people's hearts. Thinking of this, he relaxed and said, "Yes."
As soon as Fu Yuheng agreed, the matter was handed over to Xiao Shushen. She invited a Taoist priest she was on good terms with to come into the palace and perform a ritual in front of the hall.
Although Fu Yuheng did not believe in such superstitions, he still came to see what the Taoist priest had to say.
After everything was prepared, the Taoist priest began to perform the ritual. It was just some ordinary movements and Fu Yuheng did not take it seriously. However, he did not expect that the Taoist priest said something at the end of the ritual.
"Your Majesty, this evil thing is in that direction." As he said this, he pointed with two fingers in a direction, which was...
Following his finger, Fu Yuheng's gaze gradually became deeper. Xiao Shushen frowned in agreement, "That direction..."
He looked at Fu Yuheng with a long voice, but before he could hear the answer, he heard the Taoist's voice again, "Your Majesty, please move."
Fu Yuheng stared at him with deep eyes, but did not refuse. He also wanted to know what he meant.
The group headed in the direction the Taoist master pointed. That was Shen Qingwan's yard!
At this time, Shen Qingwan was just sitting in the study leisurely reading a book. She knew that the Queen had asked a Taoist priest to perform a ritual today, so she just watched coldly and didn't want to get involved in such trivial matters.
Unexpectedly, they came to the door. Lianyun hurried into the study, "Madam!"
"Why are you so flustered?" Shen Qingwan turned the page and continued reading without raising her eyelids.
Lianyun had become much calmer when she came in. Normally, she would never disregard the rules like this. Something must have happened, but she had a clear conscience so she was naturally not panicking.
"The Emperor, the Empress, and the Taoist priest are coming this way. Their target is the Empress's courtyard!" There is only the Concubine Xian's courtyard in this area, so naturally they are coming to hers.
Hearing this, she just raised her eyebrows in interest, as if she was expecting something, and slowly put down the book, "Is it coming?"
"It was coming this way just now, and it might be almost here now."
Shen Qingwan frowned, turned around and went into the house, but came out again after a moment, with a serious look on her face.
With Fu Yuheng around, no one dared to stop her. After a while, she heard the sound of the palace maids bowing outside the house. She then slowly stood up and walked out the door.
When she entered the main hall, she saw a large group of people entering her palace so openly. Her eyes were slightly cold, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Emperor and the Empress."
Xiao Shushen glanced at her and said, "Get up."
They came out of the hall in just a moment, probably during the time she was out of the study.
Seeing that they all had solemn and strange looks on their faces, Shen Qingwan's heart skipped a beat. She raised her eyes and carefully observed the expressions of Fu Yuheng and Xiao Shushen. She knew in her heart that something was not simple.
"I wonder what the emperor is here for?" There was a hint of panic on her face, as if she didn't expect them to appear at this time.
This is very different from her usual self. When was she not calm and composed? Why was she so flustered
Hsiao Shushen was very satisfied with her expression. She finally showed such an unexpected expression. Since she was smart, she must have expected that today would be unusual.
"The Taoist master said that there are evil things here." Fu Yuheng's voice was calm, and it was impossible to tell his emotions.
She turned her eyes slightly, but before she could say anything, Xiao Shushen spoke first.
"Sister Xianfei, this is also for the good of the harem. Since the Taoist said that this place is unusual, we should have people search it. Don't tarnish your reputation for no reason." Xiao Shushen said this as if she was defending her, but how could she not hear the other meaning in it.
Fu Yuheng's silence meant he acquiesced, and Xiao Shushen raised the corner of her mouth in satisfaction.
"Why don't you go and take a look and clear Sister Xianfei's name!"
She stared at Shen Qingwan without blinking, and sent people to search her house. As expected, a box wrapped in red cloth was found in her palace.
When Qing Ling saw the box, her face turned pale instantly and her whole body was shaking with fear. She glanced at Shen Qingwan worriedly from time to time, biting her lips tightly, her face full of fear.
When Shen Qingwan saw the box, she seemed stunned and her face turned pale.