Yin Zidu indeed found some free time to visit the Empress Dowager and ask for some ways to please girls.
The Empress Dowager smiled amiably and told him in detail how to coax a girl gently. She even worried that he might be impatient, but when she looked up, she saw that he was listening very attentively.
The Empress Dowager felt somewhat relieved. She thought that although this young man was already married, he was only twenty years old after all and didn't know much about such things. Shen Yuning had always acted like his elder sister and was always strong - willed and never cried. It was thought that even if they quarreled, it was the elder sister who should give in to the younger brother.
Now asking him to learn how to coax a girl was a bit of a challenge for him.
The Empress Dowager burst into laughter, covering her mouth and chuckling, "Zidu, don't worry. Men can never guess what's on a girl's mind. But you must remember that if a girl is easily coaxed, it means you're in her heart."
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Yin Zidu.
After all, he was just a child and didn't understand her subtle hints.
Yin Zidu nodded and murmured, "Give her nice things, greet her every day, apologize, and never ignore her again..."
There wasn't a hint of impatience in his tone.
The Empress Dowager thought that Qianqiao was really naive. When a man was dealing with important matters, how could he have time to take care of your feelings? At that time, you should just step aside. Well, after the man finished his business, he would naturally remember that he had offended you and would come to apologize.
She looked at Yin Zidu appraisingly. As long as Yin Zidu was willing to humble himself and apologize, it would be fine, which meant that he wasn't that repulsive to other women in his heart.
While staying at the Xue family's, Shen Yuning still went to her duty at the Ministry of Justice as usual. But on the day of the small court meeting, she suddenly felt unwell, so she had to ask her elder brother to take her place and ask for leave from Second Brother Chen.
Xue Yuxin had a low - ranking official position and didn't need to attend the court meeting. When she heard that Shen Yuning was ill, she came to her courtyard in advance. She sized her up from head to toe and saw that the girl in front of her had a rosy complexion. There wasn't a trace of illness on her.
She rolled her eyes and reached out to tickle her younger sister. "You little rascal, quickly tell the truth. What illness and discomfort? Don't you just not want to get up early for the court meeting?"
Shen Yuning was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted and simply nodded. "You're right. I just don't want to. Oh, sister, stop fooling around. Otherwise, your niece will be unhappy."
Since both of them were pregnant, they didn't dare to make too much noise.
Xue Yuxin stood up, pouted, and stroked Shen Yuning's not - so - obvious belly. "How do you know it's a girl? Maybe it's my nephew. If it's a son, as handsome and capable as your prince, that would be great."
The face of Xuanzhi appeared in Shen Yuning's eyes, and a touch of sadness welled up in her heart. It was clearly her stubbornness that made her leave the palace and avoid seeing him, but for a whole five days, he didn't even send a message.
Maybe he was really angry.
Had he ever been like this before? She couldn't remember. At that time in Xitian Town, she was busy all day long. It was normal that she didn't see Xuanzhi for several days. Even when they met, Xuanzhi always obediently stayed by her side.
He was clearly a child with a strong temper, but in front of her, he was as obedient as a young animal.
From now on, her young animal might never appear again. Now that he was the Regent, he was like a lion or a tiger, the king of the mountain, and could live well without relying on her, his elder sister.
This sad feeling made Shen Yuning restless. Even the junior officials on duty were surprised and asked her if she was unwell because she had mis - approved two case files in a row.
At noon, the Ministry of Justice provided meals. Shen Yuning had no intention of looking at the case files anymore. She got up early and planned to go to the dining hall for lunch.
Just then, two eunuchs carrying food boxes walked in with Chen Wenpo.
Seeing that Shen Yuning was so early today and was about to have lunch, Chen Wenpo couldn't help laughing. "It seems that the prince knows you've been eating more these days. Before it's even time for lunch, he's sent the food over. Tsk tsk, this is special treatment for you."
Shen Yuning blushed. Afraid that she might have misunderstood, she looked at the two eunuchs and asked, "Did the prince send you?"
The eunuchs were smart and good at talking. "Yes, the prince thought today's food was very appetizing. He was afraid that the princess wouldn't enjoy it during pregnancy, so he thought of sending some for the princess to taste. But the prince is extremely busy with state affairs and really can't get away, so he had to send us to do it for him."
The corners of Shen Yuning's mouth involuntarily turned up. This Xuanzhi was deliberately looking for a way to make up, wasn't he?
But when the food box was opened, Chen Wenpo burst out laughing. "Doesn't your prince have meals in the palace? These dishes are clearly from Yipinlou. Well, your prince can't get away to bring the food to the princess in person, but he has time to go to Yipinlou to enjoy these delicious dishes?"
The eunuch stammered and quickly shook his head. He looked at Shen Yuning with a mournful face. "Princess... The prince is really extremely busy. Not to mention going out for meals, the food from the imperial kitchen is sent to the Hall of Diligent Government, and he may not even be able to eat on time."
Seeing his timid look, Chen Wenpo laughed. "Alright, alright. The prince is busy every day. How could the princess not know? Put the dishes down."
But the eunuch hesitated and didn't want to leave.
Just as Chen Wenpo was about to pick up his chopsticks to start eating, he saw the eunuch frowning and looking at him hesitantly. He asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Don't you need to go back and report?"
The eunuch quickly shook his head. "My lord, the prince said that these dishes are all for the princess. He told us to watch and not let others eat them."
Chen Wenpo couldn't put his chopsticks down. He simply threw them on the table and looked at Shen Yuning impatiently. "Your prince is really... Well, with all this food, is it just for you to eat? Is he raising you like a pig?"
Shen Yuning forced a smile and quickly said, "Second Brother Chen, don't be angry. There's no such thing. Don't listen to their nonsense. Come on, let's eat together."
Chen Wenpo didn't feel like eating anymore. He got up and left. "Forget it. Otherwise, your prince will scold me for even robbing the food of a pregnant woman. I'd better go and eat with them."
At this moment, there were quite a few people in the dining hall. When they heard this, they all burst into laughter, laughing at Deputy Minister Chen for being so gluttonous that he even didn't let go of the food of a pregnant woman.
However, with so much food, Shen Yuning was too embarrassed to eat alone. She invited the other female officials to come and eat together.
Maybe she felt a bit uncomfortable during breakfast and ate less, or maybe the dishes from Yipinlou were really good. Shen Yuning had a good appetite today and ate more. It was Lvtiao who was afraid that she had eaten too much and stopped her from eating more.
"If the princess wants to eat, this servant will go and buy it every day."
Shen Yuning didn't really have a special craving for it.
In the late afternoon, when Shen Yuning was discussing a case with several doctors, she heard someone calling her. The two eunuchs came over again, holding food boxes.
"The prince said that the princess is busy and may not take care of herself. He was afraid that the princess might be hungry by now and have no snacks. So he sent us to bring some soup and snacks."
Shen Yuning's eyes widened. She really didn't understand what Xuanzhi was up to today.
Since Chen Wenpo let her sign in and out of work, at the Shen hour, Shen Yuning packed up and planned to go home.
As soon as she left the Ministry of Justice, she saw the carriage of the Regent's Mansion waiting at the door.
Shen Yuning rubbed her forehead. What did Xuanzhi send again? Making so many trips a day. Didn't he think it was troublesome?
Before she could step forward, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Yin Zidu got out of the carriage. He smiled and looked at her.
Shen Yuning was stunned for a moment and quickly stepped forward to ask, "Why did you come, Your Highness? Aren't you busy today?"
Yin Zidu held her hand. Feeling that it wasn't cold, he was relieved. He led her into the carriage. "No matter how busy I am, I have time to pick my wife up."
At this moment, Chen Wenpo rushed out in a hurry and planned to go to the Censorate. When he looked up, he saw this scene. He gasped and shook his head. "Sure enough, newly - wedded couples are like glue. Tsk tsk, they're so affectionate."
After Shen Yuning got into the carriage, she realized later that this wasn't the way to the Xue Mansion.
She quickly looked up and asked, "I haven't packed my things properly. I have to go back to the Xue family's."
Yin Zidu hugged her in his arms and replied in a low voice, "If you don't want to live in the palace, we'll go back to the mansion. I've already had the mansion cleaned up. I'll send someone to the Xue family's to pack your things later. Let's go back first."
Shen Yuning was shocked. The reason why the emperor let Yin Zidu live in the palace was that he was so busy with state affairs that he was afraid that it would be too tiring for him to travel back and forth between the palace and the mansion.
"No, no. If you leave the palace, you'll have to get up early and come back late every day. It'll be too hard for you."
Yin Zidu kissed her from her forehead to her temple. He didn't answer but only said, "Yuning, I miss you. I was wrong before. Please don't be angry with me, okay?"
Just like before, the innocent young man with his wet eyes looked at her eagerly. As long as she reached out and stroked his head, he would be happy.
Shen Yuning looked up at him, and immediately he kissed her lips. They were deeply attached to each other.
At this moment, in the middle palace, Tong Qianqiao was at a loss. She sat blankly on the chair, and her lips trembled uneasily.
The Empress Dowager also looked gloomy. She clenched her fist so tightly that her fingernails were almost digging into her flesh.
Two lines of tears slid down Tong Qianqiao's eyes. "Didn't you say... he... came to ask you specifically how to please a girl? But..."
But they never expected that the girl the Regent was so eager to please wasn't the wronged her, but Shen Yuning, who was well outside the palace.
Tong Qianqiao stepped forward and knelt in front of the Empress Dowager, holding her knees with her hands. "Cousin... Cousin, he has moved out of the palace. Does he hate me and not want to see me?"
A hint of fierceness flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes, and soon she held Tong Qianqiao's hand. "Qianqiao, don't be anxious. Cousin will always protect you."
She stood up and walked to the window. A pot of crabapple in front of the window was in full bloom.
The palace maid said that the Regent's Princess loved crabapples very much.
The Empress Dowager's long fingernails pinched the crabapple. Creak, she plucked the crabapple blossom.