"Although I am willing to share your majesty's worries, I am afraid to tell others. Although I and the emperor are upright, there are rumors. Your majesty's wisdom must not be damaged because of this matter. If I am criticized by the people because of this matter, I will die." Shen Qingwan spoke slowly, looking at Fu Yuheng with a firm look, her voice soft but unusually firm, "Please ask the emperor to appoint me as a female official, then the female official can legitimately share your worries, and people will have nothing to say."
Fu Yuheng stood up and quickly helped Shen Qingwan up, pulling her hand back to the table, "No, how can a virtuous concubine be appointed as a female official? This is not in accordance with etiquette. No, I don't agree."
Shen Qingwan lowered her head, stretched out her hand and grabbed Fu Yuheng's sleeve, "But Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has already scolded me for this matter last time. Although I don't care about these, I don't want this matter to cause constant turmoil in the harem." She shook coquettishly, which made people feel pity for her.
"But this is against the rules after all." Fu Yuheng enjoyed Shen Qingwan's coquettishness. He had to say that he liked Shen Qingwan like this, but he still hardened his heart. After all, there was no precedent in all dynasties for a concubine to become a female official.
Shen Qingwan felt a little aggrieved. She understood Fu Yuheng's concerns, but her situation was not optimistic. It could even be said to be very dangerous. The rule that the harem was not allowed to interfere in government affairs was enough to put her in an irretrievable situation.
"Then what do you say we should do? Are you going to put me on fire like this? Let alone the Queen Mother's troubles against me, the Queen Mother and the concubines in the six palaces have long regarded me as a thorn in their eyes! Besides, the adults of the previous dynasty will not give up. If they use this to suppress me and my father, what should the Emperor do? How can I and my father deal with it? Those who know me will say that I am smart, and those who don't will only say that the Emperor is incompetent and that I am seducing him to control the government. Although I don't care about the rumors, what will happen to my mother's family?"
When Fu Yuheng saw Shen Qingwan's appearance, he felt as if his heart was pierced by a blunt object. He wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and looked at her aggrieved and stubborn appearance with heartache. "It was my fault for not thinking it through. Don't worry, Concubine Xian, I will give you an explanation."
"Does the emperor agree with what I said?" Shen Qingwan looked at him with her bright eyes, blinking them, which made Fu Yuheng distracted and he felt hot all over.
He looked at Shen Qingwan carefully. Her palm-sized face was full of intelligence and strength. She had the gentleness of a lady from a wealthy family yet the heroic spirit of a daughter of a general.
Her bright eyes were clear and pure, unlike the eyes of other women in the palace which were filled with cruelty, calculation and vanity.
Her nose is small and straight, standing above her red lips, and the two dimples when she smiles add to her beauty.
"I think my beloved concubine is really capable of causing troubles!"
Shen Qingwan's cheeks had already blushed when she found him staring at her. Although she was the daughter of a general, she was also a shy little girl. She felt even more embarrassed when she heard his teasing words and pretended to turn around and leave.
"Where are you going, my beloved?" Fu Yuheng grabbed Shen Qingwan's hand and pulled her into his arms. Looking at her blushing cheeks, he suddenly had evil thoughts.
"My beloved concubine, are you throwing yourself into my arms? I didn't expect that my beloved concubine likes me so much that she can't wait."
Shen Qingwan looked at the smile on his face and became even more flustered and at a loss. She didn't dare to look him in the eye again and had to turn away, "Your Majesty, this is the study, please respect yourself." There was some annoyance in Shen Qingwan's tone, but not tough. To Fu Yuheng, it sounded like a woman saying coquettishly to her husband. For a moment, the troubles brought by the government affairs were mostly reduced, and he laughed.
"My beloved concubine is really interesting. She looks so cute when she blushes. I like her very much."
Shen Qingwan broke free from his arms, accidentally fell towards Fu Yuheng, and fell into Fu Yuheng's arms again.
"Haha." Fu Yuheng laughed as he looked at the little woman in his arms.
Shen Qingwan looked at him with shame, and was dazed for a moment. His appearance was truly outstanding, and Fu Yuheng with a smile was many times more handsome.
“Hmm… Hmm.”
As if by magic, looking at the dazed Shen Qingwan, Fu Yuheng moved closer, covered her lips, and carefully felt the taste of this little woman.
When Shen Qingwan found out, it was too late. She couldn't get away any more. She could only scream and slap Fu Yuheng with both hands. He grabbed Shen Qingwan's hands with both hands, and she stopped struggling.
"My beloved, do you want to stay and drink soup with me?" After leaving Shen Qingwan's lips, he felt a little lingering. Looking at Shen Qingwan, whose ears were red, he was in a good mood.
"No, that's not necessary. The emperor has decided to appoint me as a female official. I will take my leave now." Without waiting for Fu Yuheng to speak, she fled from the study, leaving behind one last sentence, "Your Majesty, remember to drink the soup."
Fu Yuheng held the soup brought by Shen Qingwan, touched his lips and laughed out loud.
"Sister Xianfei is so distracted, has something happened?"
On the way back from the study, Shen Qingwan ran into Xiao Shushen. When Xiao Shushen saw Shen Qingwan coming out from the study, she made up her mind, but she held her breath but couldn't say it because of her face.
"Empress." Shen Qingwan calmed down and paid her respects to Xiao Shushen.
"Your Majesty wanted to drink the soup I made just now, so he asked me to go to the study. I came out as soon as I put down the soup."
Xiao Shushen understood in her heart, but she had no way to expose Shen Qingwan, "Sister Xianfei, it is better for us women to go to this study less often. The Queen Mother also warned you last time. Although you are going to deliver soup this time, if someone knows about it, it will not be good for the emperor and you!"
Shen Qingwan bowed again and spoke softly, neither servile nor overbearing, "Thank you, Queen, for your teachings. I will definitely keep them in mind and will not dare to overstep my bounds and damage the Emperor's honor."
Xiao Shushen put on a smiling face again, "That's good. It's not that I'm overthinking, but this is how it is in the deep palace. You should understand my difficulties and don't resent me." She held Shen Qingwan's hand and acted like a virtuous woman. It seemed that she really cared about the emperor and Shen Qingwan.
"I am grateful for the Queen's kindness, so naturally I dare not harbor any resentment." Shen Qingwan exchanged some polite words with Xiao Shushen, and the two of them returned to their own courtyards.
Although Xiao Shushen appeared calm on the surface, her heart was already filled with turmoil. Shen Qingwan had been going out of the study room frequently, which was no longer in accordance with the rules, and the emperor was also indulgent towards her in every way. This Shen Qingwan was really not simple!