In response to Shen's numerous questions, Shen Junming could only shake his head.
Although he held a fourth - rank official position, he was not well - versed in court affairs.
Reluctantly admitting it or not, the truth was that he had enjoyed a smooth official career thanks to his elder brother, Shen Junhong. After his brother left the capital, he had spent a fortune to get promoted.
On a daily basis, he managed to get by through opportunistic means and currying favor with his superiors.
"If not, I'll go back to my parents' home another day and ask my father for his thoughts," Shen said. Since she couldn't count on Shen Junming, she thought of returning to her natal home to seek her father's help.
"That's a good idea! We should ask for our father - in - law's opinion on this matter! He has spent a long time in the officialdom, so he must understand better and see further than us!"
Shen showed a smug smile. Now that her father held real power, she had more say in the Shen family. Even if Shen Junming wanted to treat her badly, he would have to think twice.
In the imperial study in the palace, Emperor Xiao Huaishi sat on the dragon throne with a gloomy face.
Eunuch Li, who served the emperor closely, stole a glance at the emperor's face while keeping his head down and didn't dare to say a word.
"Smack!"
Eunuch Li's eyelids twitched. Looking down, he saw the broken teacup on the floor beside the table. He quickly motioned for the two young eunuchs in the imperial study to come forward, clean up the fragments, and wipe the floor clean.
The emperor watched the two young eunuchs bustling about with a cold stare but said nothing.
After hesitating for a long time, Eunuch Li finally said tentatively, "Your Majesty, the queen and Concubine Chen have both come! They requested an audience with Your Majesty but have been sent away by this humble servant!"
Upon hearing this, the emperor's face grew even colder. "Why are they all coming to see me at this time? Why don't they think about whether I'll be angry before they act?"
Eunuch Li just stared at the shoes on his feet. He didn't dare to answer the emperor's question. If he said one more word, he would be presumptuously discussing court affairs!
The emperor didn't expect him to give any advice either. He just wanted to let off some steam and express his dissatisfaction!
In his current position, there were few people he could trust and talk to. More often than not, he was just talking to himself.
"Sigh!" Letting out a soft sigh, the emperor still said, "Send someone to invite the concubine! I'm craving the snacks she makes!"
Eunuch Li went out to convey the message as ordered. In Chengqian Palace, Concubine Chen, under the service of the maids, redid her makeup and changed her clothes. After a while of dressing up, a maid carried a red - lacquered food box, and the group walked towards the imperial study.
In the imperial study, Concubine Chen took the food box from the maid, opened it herself, and took out two small plates of delicate snacks, placing them on the table in front of the emperor.
"My concubine knew that Your Majesty must not have had a good breakfast! So I made these snacks early and kept them ready. It's the right time to eat them now. Your Majesty, please have a taste quickly!"
As she said this, Concubine Chen moved the snack plates a bit closer to the emperor.
The emperor followed her suggestion, picked up a piece of pastry with his hand, put it into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed it. Then he praised, "My love's cooking skills remain the same. It's still so delicious!"
Concubine Chen let out a charming laugh. "Your Majesty is just flattering me! I only know how to make a few kinds of snacks. How can I deserve Your Majesty's praise?"
Although Concubine Chen was nearly forty years old, she took good care of herself. Her face was still fair, tender, and shiny, and there were not even a single wrinkle at the corners of her eyes.
Due to her age, she had the charm of a mature woman. When she acted coquettishly towards the emperor at this moment, it was not at all out of place.
"I say you deserve it, and you do! I like the snacks you make the most. Even the snacks from the imperial kitchen are outshone by yours!"
Hearing this, Concubine Chen lifted her lips and let out another soft laugh.
Under Concubine Chen's service, the emperor ate as many as five pieces of snacks before stopping. He also felt that all the pent - up anger in his stomach had dissipated.
After the servants removed the snacks, Concubine Chen voluntarily walked behind the emperor and gently massaged his shoulders.
"Your Majesty, why are you still like before? You don't know how to take care of your own body! Look at how stiff your shoulders are. My concubine can hardly knead them!"
Concubine Chen kneaded the emperor's shoulders one by one to relax his muscles and bones. Half - complaining and half - concerned, she said.
The emperor was very receptive to her concern and leaned back on the chair with a look of enjoyment and relaxation.
"I know that no matter what, Rong'er always worries about me the most! With you by my side, I don't have to worry!"
Hearing this, Concubine Chen complained again about the emperor not taking care of his body. Then she turned to instruct Eunuch Li to take good care of the emperor and pay attention to his health.
The emperor listened to her words with pleasure and looked at her dotingly as she worried and toiled for him.
He waved his hand, signaling Eunuch Li to lead the servants out. After the door of the imperial study was closed again, the emperor pulled Concubine Chen's hand, let her sit on his lap, wrapped his arms around her slender waist, and looked at her with an apologetic face.
"Rong'er, do you blame me? I promised you before that I would discuss a marriage for Hanzhi in a couple of years, but I'm going to break my promise again this time!"
This time, the emperor didn't refer to himself as "I" (the imperial self - reference). Instead, he referred to himself as "I" like an ordinary man.
Concubine Chen shook her head understandingly and looked at him with loving eyes. "Rong'er doesn't blame! Rong'er has never blamed Sixth Brother!"
"You're always so understanding, but I break my promise again and again. I'm sorry for you!"
"Sixth Brother, don't think like this. In this life, as long as I can be with Sixth Brother, I have no other wishes!" Concubine Chen said affectionately, holding the emperor's hand with tears in her eyes.
The emperor was also very touched. He raised his hand and stroked her face. "Having you by my side in this life makes me not feel lonely in this palace!"
Hearing this, Concubine Chen didn't say anything more. She just rubbed her cheek gently against the emperor's hand, and tears instantly fell.
"Forget it! Forget it! Children are all debts! I've always owed you and your son!" The emperor wiped the tears from Concubine Chen's face with his hand and said with a relieved look.
"Hanzhi is indeed not young anymore. When I was his age, I was already married! Now, it's time for him to find someone to accompany him and take good care of him. That way, you won't have to worry about him all the time!"
At this point, the emperor paused and said with a hint of jealousy, "You don't even have time to care about me! After the fourth prince gets married, you can focus all your attention on me."
"Your Majesty!" Concubine Chen lifted her head from his arms and said coquettishly, "Who would be jealous of their own son? Your Majesty is getting more and more petty!"
"Hahaha!" The emperor burst into laughter upon hearing this and hugged Concubine Chen even tighter.
Concubine Chen in his arms also laughed charmingly.
Now, the imperial study was filled with a harmonious and happy atmosphere, full of laughter.
On the other side of the palace, the atmosphere in Fengyi Palace was as cold as frost.
Nanny Gui carefully placed a cup of tea in front of the queen and said, "Your Majesty the Queen, the emperor has summoned Concubine Chen in the imperial study!"