dognovel Chapter 134: Concubine Xue is about to regain her favor
Chapter 134: Concubine Xue is about to regain her favor
Handan smiled and said, "It smells so good!"
Most of the masters in the palace do not treat their servants as human beings. But after getting along with them, Madam Xiao and Yuanbao slowly discovered that although the young master seemed to be decisive in killing people, she actually treated the people around her very well. There was always laughter and joy in Tingyu Pavilion.
As time went by, even Aunt Xiao was influenced by it and was no longer as conservative as before. She smiled and said, "The real top-grade golden nanmu has a fragrance that lasts for thousands of years, so it is naturally good to smell."
Although Fuqiu never said it, she had been worried since she entered the palace.
The eldest lady deliberately exchanged marriages with the young lady. Could it be that marrying that Mr. Lu is really better than entering the palace?
After witnessing His Majesty's love and favor for the young lady over the past three months, she finally felt relieved.
Apart from other things, this chessboard alone is something that the Lu family cannot afford in ten lifetimes. How can the young lady be tortured by the poor life of the Lu family when she is born with such a good appearance? She should enter the palace and be supported by the overwhelming wealth!
"Golden nanmu wood will not rot for a thousand years, and will last for ten thousand years, just like the true love between your majesty and the young lady, which will last forever!"
Shen Zhinian's cheeks were slightly red, like a charming hibiscus flower, and she glared at Fuqiu: "You girl, you are just talking nonsense!"
Everyone covered their mouths and laughed softly.
Nangong Xuanyu was an emperor, and the last thing he lacked was people who served him tremblingly. The relaxed atmosphere of Tingyu Pavilion was rare for him.
"Nian Nian is smart, and the maids serving her are also smart."
Shen Zhinian blushed and said dissatisfiedly: "Your Majesty, Fuqiu is talking nonsense, and you are also teasing me..."
"Why is it nonsense? I think she is right."
There are more women in the harem than flowers, but only a handful of them can be remembered by the emperor. Many concubines were favored for a short time and then forgotten by Nangong Xuanyu. Only this little girl made him feel that no matter how long he was with her, it would not be enough.
Shen Zhinian lowered her eyes, and with a shy smile on her face, which was as white as the morning glow reflecting the snow, she changed the subject: "Your Majesty, don't you want to play a few rounds with me?"
In the former imperial court and the imperial harem, few people were as good at chess as him. The emperor also recalled the time when he and Shen Zhinian were so absorbed in playing chess that they didn't even notice the dawn.
"Come on. Let me see if Nian Nian's chess skills have declined."
Shen Zhinian said angrily: "If I regress, will Your Majesty despise me for being stupid?"
Nangong Xuanyu simply couldn't do anything with her: "Among the concubines in the harem, no one is better at chess than you. If you are stupid, then what are the others?"
"I will take it as your majesty praising me."
Linglong chess pieces are indeed treasures. No matter whether they are black or white pieces, the materials are extremely delicate, soft to the touch, and have an oily luster. They are indeed the best among Hetian jade!
Playing chess with chess pieces like these can make you feel better.
The room was warm and comfortable, the atmosphere was relaxed and cozy, Shen Zhinian and the emperor sat face to face, playing chess back and forth. This scene was like a beautiful painting, giving people a feeling of peace and tranquility.
Unconsciously, Nangong Xuanyu relaxed from the inside out, and the irritability and pressure brought by state affairs seemed to gradually disappear.
Only when he is with this little girl can he feel relaxed and comfortable.
Time passed by little by little, and every time His Majesty played chess with Concubine Rou, he would forget the sun.
Seeing that it was getting late, Li Changde had to bite the bullet and step forward to remind: "Your Majesty, you summoned General Yuchi and Lord Liu to discuss matters this afternoon, and they are already waiting in the imperial study..."
The game has not yet been finished, and the emperor has a feeling that he is still unsatisfied, but state affairs are more important.
He put the chess piece in his hand back into the chess box, pointed at the chessboard and said softly: "Leave it there. I will come back to finish this unfinished game with you when I have time."
Shen Zhinian stood up and saluted: "Yes. Your Majesty, I respectfully send you off!"
After the emperor left, Handan and Fuqiu surrounded Shen Zhinian on the left and right: "Your Majesty really dotes on me. He even gave me the exquisite chess that the Duke of Zhenguo wanted but couldn't get!"
Shen Zhinian gently pinched the chess piece in his hand: "Your Majesty favors me, but when this matter spreads, not only will the women in the harem be jealous, but even the Duke of Zhenguo in the previous dynasty will feel ashamed. People will definitely say that he, a dignified Duke, can't even compete with a little noble in the harem."
Handan said worriedly, "When one is favored by the emperor, he will also be envied and hated. This is inevitable. But we cannot afford to offend the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion... Young Master, what should we do now?"
Shen Zhinian remained calm: "Even if I do nothing, the Queen and the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion have already regarded me as a thorn in their side. This is not the worst thing to offend them."
"I am in the harem anyway, and the people in the Zhenguo Mansion can't do anything to me. Fuqiu, you send someone to warn my father to restrain the children of the clan and be careful in what they say and do, so as not to be caught doing something wrong and give the enemy a chance to exploit it."
Fuqiu replied respectfully, "Yes," and went to do it immediately.
Handan looked at the unfinished chess game on the table and said comfortingly, "My lady, don't worry too much. His Majesty has said that he will finish this game of chess with you when he has time, and he will definitely turn over your card again in the evening. As long as you have His Majesty's favor, who dares to make things difficult for you?"
Shen Zhinian shook his head and said, "You are wrong. His Majesty will not come to Tingyu Pavilion tonight."
Handan asked in confusion: "Why?"
Shen Zhinian sat on the couch, took a sip from the teacup, and analyzed slowly: "When His Majesty left, Eunuch Li said that General Yuchi and Lord Liu were waiting for His Majesty to discuss matters in the Imperial Study."
"General Yuchi is the father of Concubine Xue, and he is stationed in Licheng. A few days ago, a rebellion broke out near Licheng. Fortunately, General Yuchi led his troops to suppress it in time, so no disaster occurred. He came to the capital this time, probably to report his position to His Majesty."
"Empress Xue is already the head of a palace, but according to ancestral law, a concubine cannot be made a concubine without a child. Since Empress Xue cannot be promoted to a higher position, in order to reward meritorious officials and show honor and favor, Your Majesty will definitely visit the Yanxi Palace more often recently."
Nanny Xiao has served in the palace for a long time and has seen many smart women, but this is the first time she has seen someone as smart as the young lady, who can analyze so many things based on just a little information.
"If my lady is not mistaken, Concubine Xue will regain her favor in the near future."
"In fact, it cannot be said that the favor has been restored. Concubine Xue is an old lady in the palace. His Majesty has always had a place for her in his heart, but Concubine Xue does not take the favor lightly..."
Madam Xiao said this in a tactful way. In reality, Concubine Xue had long been calm and usually didn't pay much attention to the emperor...
Shen Zhinian asked the question in her heart: "Madam, do you know what happened to Concubine Xue that made her develop the personality she has now?"