It was a hot July day and one would sweat profusely if staying outside for a while. Shen Qingwan accompanied Fu Yuheng to inspect the progress of the dam construction.
"Why don't we go back to the Governor's Mansion first? You've just recovered, so it's not suitable for you to travel outside." Fu Yuheng looked at the fine beads of sweat oozing out of the tip of her nose and said with some concern.
"My health has improved a lot, thanks to Lianyun's careful care. I have been in much better spirits and look much better these days. Otherwise, I would not have come out for inspection today." Shen Qingwan did not want to delay the investigation plan because of herself, so she waved her hand and said.
"You just love to show off," Fu Yuheng smiled gently, then took out a handkerchief from his arms, then leaned over to her face and gently wiped the sweat off her face, "I'll make the decision today. Let's go back first. We've already checked the dam, and you should rest."
"Yes, I obey your command." She responded indifferently, but her heart was not as calm as her face. She nodded slightly, and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth without her knowing when.
On the way back to the Governor's Mansion, Shen Qingwan and Fu Yuheng rode in the same carriage. The two hadn't seen each other for some time, and now they were sitting face to face in a small space, and the atmosphere was a little unnatural for a while.
Shen Qingwan lowered her hands and folded them on her legs. She wore a pleated skirt with scattered flowers and misty green grass today, which made her look bright and light. Fu Yuheng sat opposite her, and his dark eyes kept imprinting her beautiful face.
His eyes moved across her body, finally stopping on a golden imitation butterfly wing emerald jade hairpin she wore. The hairpin was very delicate, adding a bit of liveliness and beauty to her.
"This hairpin suits you very well." Fu Yuheng spoke slowly. It had been a long time since he had looked at her so carefully. He had been thinking about her a lot these days, and now the person in front of him was finally her.
"This was given to me by the Emperor on New Year's Eve. I didn't bring any jewelry with me when I went south this time, so I was happy to see this hairpin, so I took it with me."
Seeing how much she treasured the gift he gave her, Fu Yuheng was moved, and he stood up and sat next to her. Shen Qingwan was slightly startled, her slender hand still on the hairpin, and the next moment, it was already held in Fu Yuheng's broad palm.
Shen Qingwan's heart was suddenly filled with waves. She turned her head to look at him, her long eyelashes trembling gently, and a bright and gentle smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. His eyes were also full of tenderness at this moment. She slowly leaned her head on his shoulder, and the two of them returned home together.
The Governor's Office received the news that Fu Yuheng was coming and hurriedly made preparations.
As soon as the carriage they were riding in arrived at the door, servants came to greet them. Fu Yuheng waved his hand, indicating that they did not need to greet him, as he wanted to keep a low profile during his trip to the south this time.
Fu Yuheng took her arm and walked into the courtyard of the governor's mansion. They saw Li Jieyu trotting over. She must have received the news, because when she saw him, she immediately shouted happily, "Your Majesty!"
"Speak more quietly, why are you shouting so loudly?" Fu Yuheng frowned and whispered, obviously unhappy.
"I haven't seen Your Majesty for a long time, and I miss you very much." As she spoke, Concubine Li had already arrived in front of Fu Yuheng. She bowed and continued speaking with an ingratiating smile on her face, unable to hide her joy.
"Let's go into the house first." Fu Yuheng ignored Li Jieyu. He waved his long sleeves, bringing a gust of wind past her, and went into the house with Shen Qingwan.
Li Jieyu was left standing alone in the yard, her face puffed with anger, the jealousy in her eyes looking as if she wished it could burn onto Shen Qingwan all at once.
"Shen Qingwan!" Li Jieyu gritted her teeth and silently chanted her name in her heart. She was full of joy and came to pick him up with a smile as beautiful as a flower, which was much better than that bitch's dull face every day. But it seemed that he only had room for her in his eyes, and regarded her closeness and flattery as air.
The more Li Jieyu thought about it, the more dissatisfied and angry she became. The cruelty in her eyes and eyebrows made people stay away from her.
Shen Qingwan followed Fu Yuheng into the hall and sat down. Shen Qingwan rubbed her brows and took a deep breath to relieve the depression in her chest. Then she naturally turned her eyes to his direction and slowly asked, "I wonder why the emperor went south this time?"
"I heard that you have helped the governor to control the flood and have achieved initial results. I have come to see the people's sentiments." Fu Yuheng stared at her with his dark eyes. After a pause, he suddenly curved his thin lips and said, "Although I can receive news in the palace, I am still worried about you. A woman is going to Jiangnan alone, and you are weak. I am really worried about you."
Shen Qingwan's eyes were shining brightly and full of smiles. She was happy in her heart, but her words were much colder. "It's my fault. The emperor is busy with government affairs and has to distract himself from me."
"What are you talking about? You are my virtuous concubine, and I should be concerned about you. Seeing the dam project today really makes me happy." At this point, Fu Yuheng couldn't help but smile, "I underestimated you before. You have made great contributions in this flood control. When you return to the palace, I will definitely reward you well."
"Your Majesty, you are too polite. I just don't want to see you worry, and I don't want to see the people suffer from the flood. I don't want any reward. Your Majesty should sympathize with the people and reform more policies to benefit people's livelihood and win more love from the people." Shen Qingwan's face was serious but there was a hint of smile in it.
"You still understand my intention." Fu Yuheng sighed, and there was a hint of entrustment in his eyes as he stared at Shen Qingwan, "I still need you to improve the next water control plan."
"I will definitely not let the emperor down." Shen Qingwan nodded in response. For the sake of the people in the south, she would not give up halfway.
As the two were talking, Concubine Li, who had just been in the courtyard, came in with tea and snacks, and said in a high voice, "Your Majesty must be thirsty after talking for such a long time. I just found the tea leaves I brought from the palace and asked someone to brew them. Your Majesty, please try them."
Without waiting for Fu Yuheng to answer, Li Jieyu walked quickly up to him holding the lacquered wooden tray. The moment she picked up the teacup, she suddenly felt a burning pain between her fingers, and she hurriedly let go of the pain.
"ah!"
Seeing the hot tea spilled all over Fu Yuheng, she was so scared that she quickly knelt down and apologized repeatedly.
Fu Yuheng frowned and picked up his handkerchief to wipe it.
Shen Qingwan saw that the situation was not right, and immediately spoke up for Concubine Li, "The emperor finally came out, don't get angry over trivial matters, and the matter of Jiangnan is more important..."
It wasn't that she was thinking too much about her, but now was not the time to get angry over such a small matter.
Hearing this, Fu Yuheng nodded and glared at Li Jieyu, but did not blame her.