It has been more than half a month since Fu Yuheng left Changle Palace last time. Shen Qingwan thought that Fu Yuheng must have forgotten her.
But it’s okay, it may not be a bad thing to just live a peaceful life and die in the palace.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is here."
Shen Qingwan was still pruning crabapples in the house when Lianyun ran in anxiously and said.
She was really stunned. Why did Fu Yuheng come here
"My queen, let Lianyun quickly dress you up so that the emperor can be enchanted by your stunning beauty when he comes."
As she spoke, Lianyun was about to step forward.
Looking at Lianyun's smiling face, Shen Qingwan felt sad from the bottom of her heart. In the eyes of outsiders, she was undoubtedly favored by the emperor, but in reality, she could only grit her teeth and swallow all the grievances.
Besides, Fu Yuheng hates me so much, what good does it matter even if I put on my makeup carefully
Thinking of this, Shen Qingwan smiled slightly and said, "Lianyun, no need. The emperor is probably just passing by and will not come to Changle Palace."
As soon as he finished speaking, a bright yellow figure walked out. As the familiar body slowly walked in, Shen Qingwan was stunned.
After a long while, she slowly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you."
Fu Yuheng did not let Shen Qingwan get up, but said calmly: "But it seems that Concubine Xian does not welcome me very much."
Shen Qingwan nodded slightly, "I dare not."
"Stand up, don't kneel anymore. I will have lunch here with you today."
The seemingly nonchalant words made Shen Qingwan at a loss. After being stunned for a while, she told Lianyun to have someone prepare lunch.
"Why did Your Majesty think of me today?" Shen Qingwan asked softly while pouring tea for Fu Yuheng.
Fu Yuheng stared at Shen Qingwan for a long time and said, "This is my harem. I can go wherever I want."
Shen Qingwan stopped talking. She couldn't refute what was said.
Soon, the servants brought lunch and placed it in front of the two of them.
"Serve me some food." Fu Yuheng ordered calmly.
Shen Qingwan stood up obediently and picked up some food for Fu Yuheng.
"In the past half month, I have noticed that you have been quite well behaved and have not caused any trouble. I thought that General Shen's daughter would be like a boy, either irritable or temperamental. You really impressed me." Fu Yuheng looked at the food in the bowl and raised a faint smile at the corner of his lips.
In the past half month, she went to pay respects to the queen every day, and never did anything to win favor, as if everything that happened in the palace had nothing to do with her, as if even she had nothing to do with her. Thinking of this, Fu Yuheng looked at Shen Qingwan seriously.
Today she was wearing a plain white long dress, her hair was casually tied up, and she only put on light makeup. Looking at the concubines in the palace, whenever they saw her, they would put on heavy makeup and dress up carefully. Only she was so careless, and only she dared to look down on herself.
This made Fu Yuheng feel deeply frustrated.
"Really?" Shen Qingwan was also surprised, "But the emperor's original edict clearly praised me for my gentle temperament, dignity and generosity..."
Fu Yuheng was really choked and stopped talking.
He was just about to go to Concubine Liu's palace and happened to be passing by. He suddenly remembered that she was not afraid at all that night, so he became interested. Unexpectedly, he was ruined. If he had known this, he should not have come in just now.
"Are you used to living in Changle Palace?" After a long time, Fu Yuheng finally broke the silence.
Shen Qingwan nodded and said, "It's a habit. Your Majesty, don't worry about it."
"Do you like crabapples?" Fu Yuheng turned around and saw the crabapple flowers in the vase on the table, and then asked.
The crabapple blossoms are extremely gorgeous and bright red, the color just like the blood on the silk that night.
Shen Qingwan nodded, "I have liked crabapples since I was a child. In this March weather, only crabapples are in full bloom."
The emperor looked at Shen Qingwan for a long time before he said, "Today in the court, your father told me that your brother is already sixteen years old this year, and it is time to give him an official position so that he can work hard for the country. I think the position of court doctor is quite suitable for your brother. What do you think, Concubine Xian?"
Shen Qingwan's body trembled, then she stood up from the stool and knelt down.
"I dare not make any rash comments."
She lowered her head very low, not even daring to look at Fu Yuheng. Since ancient times, the harem was not allowed to interfere in government affairs. What did he mean by bringing it up now
"Don't dare?" Fu Yuheng suddenly laughed, "I think you are very brave. As the daughter of General Shen, you should have the courage to fight against men. Why are you so timid now? Tell me, I won't blame you."
Shen Qingwan frowned, she didn't know what her father was thinking. Even though the imperial doctor was only a fifth-rank official, her father was already a general with a large army, and her brother was also in an important position. She was puzzled that he suddenly became a fifth-rank official from a young boy, just like she was a first-rank concubine when she first entered the palace.
A tall tree attracts the wind, and my father must understand that. There are as many people in the court who respect the Shen family as there are people who want to put the Shen family to death and watch it go to ruin step by step.
But she is a child of the Shen family after all, and she can't just watch this happen.
Shen Qingwan looked up at Fu Yuheng for a long time before she spoke slowly, her voice very soft, "I think my brother is too young to be qualified for this position."
Fu Yuheng was surprised and asked, "Oh? What do you mean?"
"My younger brother has been stubborn and playful since he was young. I know that my father hopes that he can achieve great things soon, but he is not yet qualified to take on this position. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider it."
Fu Yuheng was confused and stared at Shen Qingwan motionlessly, trying to figure out her thoughts. Then he nodded deeply, "What the virtuous concubine said makes some sense. So, according to you, what official position should be given?"
Shen Qingwan moved the corners of her lips, raised her eyes to meet Fu Yuheng's eyes, and said: "I am just a woman, not familiar with the court... But as the emperor said, I will definitely convince my father."
Fu Yuheng narrowed his eyes quietly, and a hint of confusion flashed across his eyes.
He felt that Shen Qingwan in front of him could remain calm and composed in the face of such oppression. If it were someone else, they would probably have been at a loss.
But she is a member of the Shen family after all.
So Fu Yuheng lowered his eyes and became a little more indifferent, "Xianfei is still smart after all, I am waiting for your good news." He stood up, waved his sleeves and said, "If Xianfei wants to see your father, she should know what to say and what not to say, right?"
Shen Qingwan lowered her head, "From the day I entered the palace, I knew that I was tied to the emperor."
She didn't answer directly, but this answer made Fu Yuheng very satisfied.
Shen Qingwan breathed a sigh of relief only after she watched Fu Yuheng walk out of Changle Palace.