Li Xinyu wanted to cling to Xiao Shushen, this big tree, and whenever she found time, she would go to her palace to chat with her, or take a walk in the imperial garden.
That day, he took time off to go for a walk in the garden with Xiao Shushen, with a flattering smile on his face, "The air in this imperial garden is really good. Walking out with the Empress makes me feel better."
Xiao Shushen had heard too many flattering words, so she didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Her face was peaceful, but her eyes were filled with disdain. "Lady Li is really sweet."
"I am not used to speaking well, and what I said is all from the heart." Li Xinyu's smile became more intense, with a fawning look on her face.
Xiao Shushen did not comment and said no more. These new concubines who entered the palace were all introduced by Shen Qingwan, and they were still very respectful and adoring to her at this time. She must be aware of their status.
If Shen Qingwan was out of favor, she could only be a concubine, but she was the queen, so even if she fell out of favor, she was still the queen.
At this time, Shen Qingwan was sitting alone in the yard playing the piano. She didn't like going out in the first place, and now people outside were lining up to laugh at her, making her even more reluctant to go out. It would be quieter in her own palace.
She fled wearing a snow-white fur coat, her body wrapped in it, and stretched out her slender white jade fingers to touch the strings of the zither. She hadn't played the zither for a long time.
Normally he would sit in the hall and play chess or read a book, but today he could not concentrate on playing the zither, so he had to order someone to set up the zither.
After dismissing the palace maids around her and leaving her alone, she lightly touched the strings of the zither with her jade fingers and slowly began to play. Every time she plucked the strings, her heart felt like it was stabbed, and an inexplicable emotion slowly flowed through her heart. She frowned slightly, and the strings under her fingertips couldn't help but speed up.
The man in yellow robe standing at the palace gate had his hands behind his back, his tall body facing Shen Qingwan's back. Looking at that small body, the pity and reluctance hidden in his black eyes grew stronger and stronger, but he still suppressed that emotion.
He walked outside her palace involuntarily. Even though he couldn't help but want to see the person inside, he couldn't take a step forward every time, or maybe he couldn't bring himself to do it because of his dignity as an emperor.
After she finished the song, his dark eyes relaxed a little, and the wrinkles between his sword-like brows deepened, but he just turned and left.
Shen Qingwan, who was sitting in her seat, was not unaware of the gaze from behind. How could she not know? She just pretended not to know.
Taking her hands off her strings, Lianyun had already brought tea and snacks from the hall. She had to wait until the right time before bringing them. She didn't dare to disturb the empress when she was playing the piano, especially during such a special period as now.
"My lady, please have some refreshments."
There was a little sweat on her forehead, she wiped it and said, "Put it down."
Lianyun looked at her with some concern, lowering her head slightly, her eyes fixed on nowhere, "Madam..."
She wanted to say something but was interrupted by Shen Qingwan, "Go and close the palace gate." For some reason, she just didn't want anyone to see her from that palace servant, not even him.
If he really wanted to reconcile with her, why didn't he come in? He was just standing on the emperor's status. After all, she was just a concubine. She was just being sentimental.
Lianyun glanced at the palace gate with some embarrassment. If it was closed, wouldn't that leave no chance for Fu Yuheng? If he came and saw the closed palace gate, he would surely be unhappy.
Her hesitation made Shen Qingwan a little irritated, and her voice became more impatient and anxious, "Turn it off!"
"Yes, Madam!" Lianyun bit her lip and closed the palace door helplessly. Serving the Madam naturally couldn't make her unhappy. Even if the emperor was the most important, he was still not as important as her own Madam.
"Put away the piano." After saying that, he went back to the inner room. Lianyun sighed and put away the piano.
After a while, there was a noise at the palace gate. It was Li Xinyu who came to visit. Although Lianyun didn't like her, she still remembered the proper etiquette and said, "Greetings to Concubine Li."
Shen Qingwan leaned on the beauty couch, looked up at her lazily, and then stopped looking at her.
"Your concubine pays her respects to Her Majesty the Concubine." There was a hint of casualness in her tone, completely lacking the reservedness and flattery she had when she first entered the palace.
However, Shen Qingwan didn't care. She understood the ups and downs of the harem. At this moment, she was in a situation where she could allow others to bully her.
"Your Majesty is so strange that she closed the door in broad daylight." Li Xinyu covered her face and chuckled. There was a hint of sarcasm in her laughter, which was so obvious that it was impossible to ignore it.
"What does it have to do with you?" Shen Qingwan said coldly, leaving Li Xinyu stunned.
She always felt that she had an aura, an oppressive aura, but now she has been neglected, so what is the use of having an aura
"I am just worried about Your Majesty." Li Xinyu glanced at the cold palace and said sarcastically, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid you don't want to see the Emperor and the Empress' love as strong as gold, flying together as a pair, right?"
Shen Qingwan lowered her eyes to hide the emotions in them, and then she continued, "Your Majesty, there is no need to be sad. After all, women in the harem are sometimes favored and sometimes out of favor. Your Majesty entered the palace earlier than I, so you should have seen it clearly a long time ago."
"How dare you! How dare you talk like that in front of the Empress!" Lianyun couldn't stand it anymore and stood up and scolded him coldly.
But Li Xinyu didn't think so. She was not afraid of the virtuous concubine, so how could she be afraid of a little palace maid
"You are the one who is so presumptuous! I am the master, how dare you speak so arrogantly in front of me!" His eyes fell on Shen Qingwan, and he snorted coldly, "I don't know how the virtuous concubine trained her servants!"
"How dare you!" Shen Qingwan stood up, her beautiful eyes shone with coldness, and her whole body exuded a dangerous aura, "How dare a little nobleman make trouble in my bedroom?"
"you… "
"How dare you disrespect me in front of me, Lady Li, you'd better recognize your own identity!"
Li Xinyu was frustrated, but she didn't dare to refute anything. She was so arrogant! She left in disgrace and went to Xiao Shushen's bedroom. How could she be willing to not breathe a sigh of relief
"Your Majesty, you don't know how arrogant Your Majesty is. It's ok for her to treat me badly, but she doesn't even take you seriously!"
Xiao Shushen listened with disdain in her heart. She knew a little about Concubine Xian's personality. She thought that Li Xinyu must have exaggerated and implicated her. However, she still showed an unhappy look on her face.
Li Xinyu felt proud when she saw this, and continued to criticize Shen Qingwan.
Listening to her words, Xiao Shushen could also think of Shen Qingwan's situation. Fu Yuheng no longer favored her, and she was probably being exiled to the cold palace. Thinking of this, she felt much better.
"Madam Gui, bring me the bracelet that the emperor gave me."
Under Li Xinyu's expectant gaze, he handed the bracelet to her and said, "This is a reward for you."