Fu Yuheng ordered his personal eunuch to call Shen Ji to the imperial study. Shen Ji did not dare to delay and arrived quickly.
"Your humble servant pays his respects to His Majesty." Shen Ji came directly from the army, in such a hurry that he didn't even change out of his military uniform. He entered the imperial study and immediately saluted respectfully.
"No need to be so polite." Fu Yuheng put down the memorial in his hand and looked at Shen Ji calmly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shen Ji responded, brushed off the dust on his sleeves, and stood up straight.
"I wonder why the emperor summoned me today?" Shen Ji raised his eyebrows slightly and looked into Fu Yuheng's eyes as dark as lacquer.
"I have a question," Fu Yuheng looked calmly at Shen Ji who was standing tall in front of him, "I hope Deputy General Shen can answer truthfully."
"Your Majesty, please tell me clearly. I will tell you everything I know!" Shen Ji was a little confused. He suddenly sent a message to ask him to come over, so the problem must not be simple. He suddenly felt a little uneasy.
"Are you dissatisfied with me?" Fu Yuheng spoke softly, his tone slightly raised, and he squinted his eyes as he looked at the person in front of him.
Fu Yuheng's words were like a basin of ice water poured on Shen Ji, frightening him so much that even though the weather was getting warmer, cold sweat still seeped out of his back. Fu Yuheng was the emperor and he was the subject. How could he be dissatisfied with the emperor? Could it be that someone was spreading rumors behind his back
"I dare not!" He shook his head and knelt down. After a pause, he felt that what he had just said was inappropriate, and continued to deny, "I have absolutely no dissatisfaction with Your Majesty. The heaven and earth can bear witness to my sincere heart. Please understand, Your Majesty!"
"Okay." Fu Yuheng smiled and nodded, "I believe you, get up."
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty." Shen Ji stood up slowly, still a little afraid in his heart. When he looked at him again, his eyes were mixed with some indescribable emotions.
Fu Yuheng's mouth corners slightly raised, looking very satisfied, "Sun Ning." He winked at Sun Ning who was standing beside him, and he immediately understood. Then he picked up an imperial edict from the table and walked to Shen Ji, "Deputy General Shen, accept the edict."
Shen Ji, who had just stood up, knelt down hurriedly when he heard that it was an imperial decree, "I am here."
"The Emperor, by order of Heaven, orders Deputy General Shen Ji to assist General Shen in handling military affairs. I decree this."
"I obey your command." Shen Ji couldn't help but show joy when he heard it. He stretched out his hand to take the imperial edict and bowed to him, "Thank you, Your Majesty." He was originally anxious and didn't know what he was keeping in suspense, but now he felt relieved. Besides, being able to help his father was the best thing for him.
After Shen Ji received the imperial edict, Fu Yuheng asked him to leave. Shen Qingwan then walked out from behind the screen, wearing a pure honey-colored brocade dress that made her eyebrows and eyes look beautiful. She held a bowl of bird's nest in her hand, walked to his side, and then put the celadon bowl on the table.
"Your Majesty has been discussing matters with my elder brother for a long time. Please try the bird's nest stewed by me to moisten your throat."
Fu Yuheng took the bird's nest, scooped a spoonful with a smile, and put it into his mouth, "Mm, very sweet."
"Hmm?" Shen Qingwan raised her eyebrows in surprise and asked doubtfully, "I cooked it according to the previous proportions, so the taste should be the same."
"Then try it yourself and you'll know." Fu Yuheng smiled and scooped another spoonful to her mouth.
Shen Qingwan took a sip and said with even more confusion: "It's not very sweet. I remember the emperor's taste, so he didn't put a lot of sugar in it."
"I didn't say bird's nest is sweet," he said, with a gleam in his eyes. "I was talking about your feelings."
"Your Majesty is joking with me again. I was really nervous just now." Shen Qingwan's tone was a little bit angry, but her voice was unusually soft. His words made her heart move slightly, and her face couldn't help but blush. She turned her head away and deliberately avoided his sight.
"You heard everything I said just now." Fu Yuheng asked, looking at her soft profile.
"Yes, thank the emperor for his grace in transferring my brother back to assist my father. My father is old, and my brother will definitely be able to share a lot of his burdens and make more achievements." Hearing this, she smiled gently, and even her eyes were stained with a little smile. Although she was puzzled by his trust in the Shen family, she was still very happy.
"I also hope that Lieutenant General Shen can seize this opportunity to prove that my decision is correct." Fu Yuheng narrowed his eyes and stared at him.
"Of course. I believe that brother will do his best to serve the country." She smiled and bowed.
"You don't have to worry too much, just stay by my side and accompany me with peace of mind." Fu Yuheng smiled and stretched out his hand to hold Shen Qingwan in his arms. She didn't react for a while, and fell into his broad arms. The distance between the two became closer. She could easily feel his steady breathing, and her heartbeat quickened. She pursed her lips slightly. Only then did she react to what he had just said and nodded gently.
"Shen family, don't let me down." After saying that, Fu Yuheng stretched out his slender fingers and gently touched the tip of Shen Qingwan's small nose. She felt her heart skip a beat, then took a deep breath, slightly adjusted her slightly rapid breathing, and then slowly said, "I thank the emperor for his grace on behalf of the Shen family."
"Why are you still telling me this?" Fu Yuheng used a little force in his arms to hold her tighter.
She was not used to such sudden closeness. She was happy in her heart but could not say it out loud. However, her red cheeks easily betrayed her feelings.
"Your Majesty, there is still half a bowl of bird's nest left. It will not taste good if it gets cold." Shen Qingwan turned her head and coughed twice. She couldn't help feeling helpless about what she had just done and quickly changed the subject.
"That's true. Bird's nest is a good thing. It should not be wasted if you make it yourself. But my wrists are sore from reviewing memorials. Why don't you feed it to me?" His thin lips curved up, and his eyes were filled with smiles as he looked at her.
"Yes." Shen Qingwan nodded, then sat up straight, picked up the bird's nest on the table with one hand, picked up the spoon with the other hand, then scooped a spoonful of bird's nest and handed it to his mouth. She didn't leave until he finished drinking it all.
After Shen Qingwan left, she saw Shen Ji about to leave the palace from a distance, so she called out to him, "Brother."
Hearing this, Shen Ji stopped walking, then turned around and saw Shen Qingwan, who was smiling. She walked up to him quickly and continued, "Congratulations, you can fight with your father in the future."
"Haha, yes." Shen Ji laughed heartily, feeling very happy. "I will be able to meet my father more often in the future. It is a blessing to be valued by the emperor now."
Seeing him so happy, Shen Qingwan was stunned, but could only smile helplessly.
After all, he still had something to hand over, so he didn't stay long and left not long after.