Shen Yuning had become an official and could stand at the back during the court session, watching Xuanzhi sitting on the chair beside the dragon throne from afar.
By rights, during the court session, the Regent should not be sitting but standing with the court officials below.
However, the court officials clearly were used to it and remained calm. Naturally, Shen Yuning couldn't say anything either. She lowered her head and listened to the court session.
This was her first time attending a court session. Adhering to the principle of listening and observing more without saying a word, she stood at the back. After listening for a while, she realized why Xuanzhi was so busy that he had no time to see her at all.
There were quite a number of affairs from various regions being presented. Just this long court session was already extremely headache - inducing. The court officials each expressed their opinions. Even for matters not under their jurisdiction, they still insisted on chipping in.
Shen Yuning slightly raised her head and looked at the emperor on the dragon throne. From afar, she couldn't see clearly. She only vaguely felt that since they were brothers from the same mother, from this distance, they did look somewhat alike.
However, the emperor seemed to have a milder aura around him, while Xuanzhi's was more sharp.
Xuanzhi had never been an obedient child since childhood. The gentleness he showed during his days as the young master of the Yin family was all an act. Now that he was the Regent, there was no need for him to hide his true self, so his sharpness was fully displayed.
He looked like someone not to be trifled with.
Shen Yuning was a bit in a daze at this moment. Now he was the Regent, a powerful figure who ruled with an iron fist. The emperor was in poor health, and all the affairs that the emperor couldn't handle were taken care of by Xuanzhi. He also had to spare time to study with the eldest prince.
Being so busy all day long, Xuanzhi probably had no free time at all.
She was lost in thought and then understood why the emperor allowed Xuanzhi to sit in the court. Being busy all day long and then standing in the palace hall for two or three hours in the morning was really unbearable.
This was her first time, and she really found it hard to endure. Today, Xue Yusong was afraid that she wouldn't be used to it, so he prepared ginseng slices for her to hold in her mouth. He also told the colleague standing with her to take good care of her.
Shen Yuning's thoughts wandered far away. She thought that all the people present were outstanding figures. Just the court sessions that lasted for three or five days would be too much for ordinary people.
Take herself for example. She was really an ordinary person. Standing for these two hours was much more difficult than when she was a child and was punished by her grandmother to kneel in the ancestral hall for making mistakes.
Finally, the imperial eunuch announced the end of the court session. The officials from each department bowed and left. They didn't gather in twos and threes until they reached outside the door.
Since this was Shen Yuning's first time, she naturally had to follow her father and brother. Moreover, they couldn't return to their mansions but had to go to their respective duty - stations. Shen Yuning was from the Ministry of Punishment and should go with Second Brother Chen.
Thinking that she had almost become Second Brother Chen's sister - in - law, Shen Yuning felt a bit strange.
However, Chen Wenpo didn't mind. He waved and led Shen Yuning out of the palace, saying as he walked, "Yuning, don't worry. You won't have too many tasks for the time being. Later, I'll ask someone to teach you slowly."
Chen Wenpo had now been promoted to the right - hand assistant in the ministry and was Shen Yuning's superior.
Just as they stepped down from the steps of the main hall, they saw the imperial eunuch in front of the emperor come over. He bowed to Shen Yuning and said, "Doctor Shen, His Majesty requests your presence in the Hall of Diligent Government."
The late emperor was diligent. After the court session, he often called a few court officials to the Hall of Diligent Government to discuss affairs. However, now that the emperor was in poor health, the task of discussing affairs had always been handled by the Regent and Prime Minister Jiang.
Shen Yuning didn't think much of it. She said goodbye to her father, brother, and Second Brother Chen, and then followed the imperial eunuch to the Hall of Diligent Government.
As soon as she entered the hall, a pair of big hands pulled her into an embrace.
Shen Yuning was startled and quickly broke free. She glared at the young man in front of her angrily and said, "What are you doing? This is the Hall of Diligent Government!"
"Yuning, don't worry. There's no one here."
Although he said so, Yin Zidu didn't make any further moves. He just held her small hands in his and led her to the table to sit down.
Shen Yuning blushed and looked around furtively like a thief. Seeing that there was really no one around, not even an imperial eunuch, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She then thought that she was really strange. Clearly, she was summoned by the emperor to discuss affairs, but she felt as if she was secretly coming to meet Xuanzhi.
It was like having an affair.
Yin Zidu didn't know what was going on in his fiancée's mind. After she sat down, he lifted one of her legs and placed it on his lap.
Shen Yuning was really frightened. Seeing that he was about to reach out to take off her shoes and socks, she quickly pressed his hand and stammered, "Xuanzhi, don't be so reckless. We haven't gotten married yet!"
Yin Zidu looked up slightly in surprise and then chuckled. He put his arm around her neck, moved closer, and planted a light kiss on her lips.
"Those old fools don't do their proper jobs but insist on meddling in my marriage. They've forced me to wait for another three or four months. Otherwise...Yuning would already be my wife, and it wouldn't just end with me touching your feet!"
Shen Yuning thought his words were vulgar. She deeply felt that no matter how well - behaved and cute a man was when he was young, he would become just as annoying when he grew up.
Yin Zidu lowered his head, took off Shen Yuning's shoes and socks, and gently kneaded her feet.
Only then did Shen Yuning realize that perhaps because this was her first court session today, Xuanzhi thought she was too tired and wanted to massage her legs.
In Xitian Town before, he had learned massage skills very well. The strength was just right, and every time he massaged her, she felt extremely comfortable. But at that time, he was still young and was like a younger brother to her. They lived under the same roof but didn't have so many taboos.
Now...
It was really comfortable.
Shen Yuning involuntarily let out a groan of comfort. If it weren't for being in the hall, she really wanted to stretch herself.
However, Yin Zidu's gaze became deeper, and the strength in his hands unconsciously increased.
Shen Yuning was a bit dissatisfied and said, "Hey, be gentler. It hurts too much like this."
Yin Zidu let go of her feet, lowered his eyes, put on her shoes and socks, and then started massaging the other leg.
Shen Yuning leaned on the back of the chair, enjoying the massage while in a daze. Her thoughts wandered far away. Now that the two of them were sitting together like this, weren't they just like King You of Zhou and his concubine Bao Si, standing shoulder - to - shoulder and sitting thigh - to - thigh?
Her face turned completely red all of a sudden. Xuanzhi was the Regent, and she would be his princess. They were not King You of Zhou and his concubine Bao Si, who were the fatuous king and the enchanting concubine who brought disaster to the country. She couldn't make such a random comparison.
Yin Zidu looked up and asked, "What are you thinking about, Yuning?"
Shen Yuning's face became even redder. She stammered for a long time before finally finding an excuse, "I'm just thinking about the affairs in the Ministry of Punishment..."
Yin Zidu raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh? Really? What's going on in the Ministry of Punishment that makes you so preoccupied? Which matter is it? Has it been reported to me?"
Shen Yuning quickly shook her head and said, "It's just some trivial matters... I've just joined the Ministry of Punishment, and Second Brother Chen won't assign me too many tasks. Such trivial matters... don't need to be reported to the Regent."
Yin Zidu's mouth tightened slightly and then relaxed. He let out a soft laugh and said, "I see. So what kind of matter is it that makes you so lost in thought and blush?"
Shen Yuning's eyes widened a bit, and her face became even redder. She then realized that Xuanzhi clearly saw that she was daydreaming and was deliberately asking.
She didn't want to stay with him anymore and wriggled to pull back her feet.
However, with one hand holding her foot and the other holding her calf, it wasn't that easy for her to break free. The more she struggled, the tighter he held on.
When Shen Yuning turned away in a huff and ignored him, he pulled her leg towards him.
Caught off - guard, Shen Yuning had already turned around and lost her balance. She fell backward and was about to tumble.
Yin Zidu reached out and pulled her into his arms. One hand held her waist, and the other held the back of her neck, and his lips pressed against hers.
Shen Yuning's heart was pounding wildly. The last time in the Zhu family, he had kissed her like this too, but perhaps because she was timid, they had just been close to each other. But today, his kiss was so fierce, as if he wanted to swallow her whole.
She knew that he had always been strong, but in the past, he had always been gentle with her. It was not like today...
Not like today.
She seemed to like his fierceness.
The two of them were locked in a passionate embrace for who knew how long when an imperial eunuch outside gave a soft cough. Shen Yuning was jolted back to reality and quickly tried to push him away.
However, Yin Zidu held her tightly and even pulled her legs forward to wrap around his waist.
Shen Yuning was blushing, her heart racing, and she was completely flustered. She really didn't know what to do.
Yin Zidu seemed still unsatisfied. He let go of her but still held her calf and gently massaged it. He also held her foot and kneaded it.
It was a bit itchy.
Shen Yuning lowered her head and said softly, "I... I'm fine. There's... no need to massage anymore."
Yin Zidu squinted at her shy look and chuckled, "I didn't see you being so coy when I massaged you before."
Shen Yuning was a bit annoyed. Before, it was in Xitian Town. Now, what were their identities? Moreover, before, he would never have taken off her shoes and socks like this. It didn't seem like a massage but more like...
Playing with her feet.
There was a smile on Yin Zidu's eyebrows and lips. He whispered, "I've seen your feet before. Why are you so shy?"
The noble people in the capital were very particular. A girl's feet should not be shown in public. But in Xitian Town before, the common girls didn't have so many taboos.
On hot summer days, it was common for girls to go to the river to wash clothes and catch fish in groups. She didn't need to do such things, but just for fun, she took off her shoes and socks and walked along the riverbed with her skirt in hand.
At that time, Xuanzhi was sitting on the riverbank, quietly watching her play.
But at that time, Xuanzhi was only thirteen or fourteen years old, still a child.
Yin Zidu seemed to just come back to his senses. After tidying up her shoes and socks, he said, "If you're not used to it, I'll allow you not to attend the court sessions."
Shen Yuning would never agree. Seeing that he let go, she quickly got up and separated from him. She tidied up her messy clothes and looked around. Unfortunately, there was no bronze mirror in the Hall of Diligent Government. Otherwise, she would have checked if her hair ornaments were in a mess. If someone saw her like this when she went out, it would be extremely embarrassing.
"The emperor said when he issued the imperial edict that I'm the first woman to serve as an official in the Great Zhou Dynasty. If I'm so delicate just after entering the court, wouldn't it prove the saying that women are inferior to men?"
Yin Zidu acquiesced. He just stood in front of her and watched her fumble to tidy up her hair.
Now that she was an official, she didn't even bother to wear hairpins and only used a jade hairpin to tie up her hair.
When Shen Yuning thought everything was in order and she could go out, Yin Zidu blocked her way.
"Your lip balm is smudged."
Shen Yuning's face, which had just returned to normal, immediately turned completely red again. Why was the lip balm smudged? It was all because of his misbehavior.
She took out a handkerchief and wiped off all the lip balm. Only later did she realize that the day in the shop, when Young Master Zhu and her eldest sister came out one after another and her eldest sister's lips were slightly swollen, it really wasn't Zhu Bin who did it.