sbdcsierra Chapter 1083 Let Shen Zhinian Let Down All Defenses
Chapter 1083 Let Shen Zhinian Let Down All Defenses
Fuqiu lagged behind by half a step. When she passed through the Moon Cave Gate, she lowered her voice and whispered in Shen Zhinian's ear, "Madam, there is news from outside that the eldest lady returned to Beijing from the Summer Resort in the suburbs of Beijing yesterday. Today, the master will bring her to the palace to celebrate the birthday."
Shen Zhinian's fingers on the armrest paused almost imperceptibly, then returned to normal.
Her eyes were still fixed on the magnificent Hall of Supreme Harmony in front of her, and the corners of her lips slowly curled up into a very faint and cold arc, as if she had heard only an insignificant name.
"Oh?"
Shen Zhinian's voice was gentle, with a hint of careless laziness: "She does choose the right time to come back."
The tone was so flat, as if talking about today's weather, with indifference deep into the bone.
The elder sister whom she once looked up to is now not even dust at her feet.
For Shen Zhinian, her battlefield is in the harem and the court, as well as the supreme position of queen!
How could a woman from the Lu family who had lost her power still catch her eye?
Fuqiu observed the empress's expression and saw that she didn't care at all, so she restrained her expression and said no more, just stayed by her side cautiously.
……
The imperial road leading to the palace was freshly swept, and the vermilion palace walls looked even more solemn and majestic under the autumn sun.
There was an endless stream of carriages and horses of all kinds, all of which were princes, ministers, and ladies of honor coming to the palace for the banquet.
Shen Nanqiao followed Shen Maoxue in the Shen family's carriage and slowly drove towards the towering palace gate.
She had dressed up today, wearing a lotus-colored brocade palace dress, which was dignified and low-key. She only had a simple pearl hairpin in her hair, and a light layer of makeup on her face, which just covered up her haggardness without making it look ostentatious.
Shen Maoxue, who was sitting opposite Shen Nanqiao, wore his official robe neatly but his brows were never relaxed.
He is a slippery old fox, so how could he really believe that Shen Nanqiao wanted to repair the relationship with Concubine Chen?
But no matter what Shen Nanqiao was planning, what she said was right.
The news of discord among the sisters in the Shen family will affect the reputation of Concubine Chen.
Therefore, no matter what Shen Nanqiao wants to do today, he must help her shut up the gossips and prevent her from affecting Concubine Chen in the slightest!
With every slight bump in the carriage, Shen Maoxue's scrutinizing gaze lingered a little longer on Shen Nanqiao's face. His eyes were as sharp as a knife, carrying an undisguised warning.
"Father will remind you one last time."
Shen Maoxue's voice was very low, but every word was like a hammer, hitting Shen Nanqiao's tense nerves: "When you enter the palace today, be careful with your words and actions, and put away those thoughts that you shouldn't have!"
"The reputation of Concubine Chen is the reputation of the Shen family. If you make the slightest mistake, you will lose not only your life, but also the dignity and future of the entire family! Do you understand?!"
Shen Maoxue emphasized the word "whole family".
Shen Nanqiao lowered his eyes, and his thick eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes, covering up the resentment that suddenly surged in his eyes.
She took a deep breath, and when she looked up again, her face was just the right amount of submissive and weak, even a little pale and pitiful: "Father's teachings, I will remember them in my heart."
Shen Nanqiao's voice was deliberately soft, with a barely perceptible tremor, as if she was a frightened bird: "My daughter is here today only to congratulate the Royal Concubine Chen and fulfill the sisterhood. I would never dare to have any other thoughts. I will definitely abide by my duty and not cause any trouble to my father and the Royal Concubine Chen."
She was very humble and her words were impeccable. Shen Maoxue stared at her for a moment, then snorted and said no more.
Luoluo walked beside the carriage, not daring to breathe, and felt that the atmosphere was as cold as frozen ice.
She recalled the hatred that was like poison in her lady's eyes last night when she was practicing a weak expression in front of the bronze mirror.
It makes her feel cold all over when she thinks about it...
Luoluo originally just thought that it was a bit absurd for the lady to be hanging out with Master Lin.
But since the miscarriage, my wife seems like a different person.
Gloomy and resentful, she felt a little strange...
Madam wants revenge...
But the other party is Concubine Chen!
Luoluo felt that the road ahead was dark and that her life was hanging on the edge of a knife...
The carriage finally followed the long procession and slowly stopped outside the Meridian Gate.
All ladies and officials had to dismount from their horses or carriages here, and only after their identities had been checked and searched by the eunuchs could they enter the palace on foot.
Shen Nanqiao helped Luoluo get off the carriage by holding her hand.
The late autumn wind blew in with the unique chilly breath of the palace walls, lifting up a few strands of hair on her temples.
Shen Nanqiao subconsciously wrapped his plain cloak tightly around himself and looked up at the towering, heavy vermilion palace gate in front of him.
The doorway was deep, like the open throat of a giant beast, ready to swallow everything.
In her previous life, she did not receive the emperor's favor and died tragically in the deep palace.
In this life, I was almost framed at that palace banquet.
Shen Nanqiao once swore that he would never step into the dangerous palace again!
But today, in order to avenge the unborn child, she still came.
The palace was a prison that she hated to the core, but had to enter...
"Master Shen."
"Minister Shen."
"Today is the birthday banquet of Concubine Chen, Lord Shen is here so early!"
"..."
Officials nearby kept greeting Shen Maoxue with a warm and flattering attitude.
Who made him the father of Concubine Chen?
Shen Maoxue responded without a single mistake.
The imperial guards standing solemnly on both sides of the palace gate were wearing distinctive armor, holding long spears, with eyes as sharp as hawks, scanning every person entering and leaving.
This silent pressure makes those who enter the palace for the first time or have ulterior motives feel weak in their legs...
Shen Nanqiao forced himself to straighten his back and dug his nails deeper into Luoluo's arm.
Green ivy felt pain but didn't dare to make a sound. She just buried her head even lower.
"Sir Shen, this way please."
A white-faced, beardless eunuch stepped forward and was very polite to Shen Maoxue. However, when his eyes swept over Shen Nanqiao, there was a subtle scrutiny and alienation.
After all, everyone knows that Concubine Chen does not have a good relationship with her eldest sister.
Shen Maoxue nodded slightly, motioning Shen Nanqiao to follow.
The moment I stepped into the palace gate, a heavy shadow loomed over me. Under my feet were huge gold bricks polished to a mirror-like shine, extending into the endless palace.
On both sides were continuous, several-zhang-high red palace walls, isolating the outside world from noise and sunlight, leaving only a narrow strip of clear autumn sky overhead, which was cut into pieces by the high walls.
Shen Nanqiao's heartbeat was beating against his chest like a drum, but the corners of his mouth tried to bend upwards into a gentle and decent smile.
Today is not the time to reveal your true colors.
Shen Zhinian was now standing on top of the clouds, and the palace was heavily guarded. If she confronted him head-on, it would be like hitting a rock with an egg.
What she wanted to do was to get close, to lie in wait, to make Shen Zhinian let down all his defenses.