sbdcsierra Chapter 503 The Emperor Protects Shen Zhinian (Added for [Book Friend Kitten])
Chapter 503 The Emperor Protects Shen Zhinian (Added for [Book Friend Kitten])
"Go! Go! Go!"
Xiao Zhouzi rolled his eyes at Xiao Mingzi: "What nonsense are you talking about in front of Her Majesty? Aren't you afraid of polluting Her Majesty's ears?"
Shen Zhinian lowered his head and smiled, and said in a gentle voice: "I know, you did a good job on this matter."
Little Zhouzi looked proud and said, "Your Majesty, I am too kind. I still have a lot of room for improvement."
Shen Zhinian looked in the direction of Ruixuexuan, her eyes narrowed slightly: "If Lady Xiao has no doubt that she will die soon, then if I tell her about this without any evidence, she will definitely not believe it. Instead, she will think that someone is trying to use her to deal with the Empress Dowager."
"But I don't believe it... With Lady Xiao's personality, she wouldn't think too much about something that almost cost her her life."
"I will tell her the truth now. The Queen Mother has the motive and ability to harm her. Even if she doesn't believe it completely, she will believe it about 60% to 70% in her heart."
"A dying person's 60 to 70 percent suspicion is enough to drive her crazy."
"Lady Xiao will definitely make some moves next. Xiao Mingzi, send someone to keep an eye on Ruixuexuan."
Only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you have everything under control!
Xiao Mingzi nodded: "Yes!"
He and Xiao Zhouzi are from the same hometown. Xiao Zhouzi is highly valued by the Empress, so he cannot fall behind, lest he be looked down upon by this kid.
At this time, Madam Xiao came over and reminded her, "Madam, it's almost time to get dressed."
Today is the day when Shen Zhinian goes to the Cining Palace to express his gratitude to Empress Dowager Liu after holding the ceremony of enthroning the four concubines.
There's no telling how many people are in the harem, waiting to find something to hold against the Empress. Such an important matter cannot be delayed.
"understood."
Shen Zhinian stood up, walked to the bronze mirror and sat down, and Handan immediately got busy.
She would give Shen Zhinian the right makeup on specific days.
Under Handan's skillful hands, the charm in Shen Zhinian's eyes and eyebrows was suppressed a lot, and a solemn and majestic beauty slowly appeared.
Handan smiled and said, "My Lady, it's done."
"Take a look, is there anything else that needs to be modified?"
Shen Zhinian nodded with satisfaction: "I am naturally satisfied with your craftsmanship, there is no need for any modification."
Handan smiled shyly, and together with Fuqiu, she supported Shen Zhinian and went all the way to the Cining Palace.
Now that the weather is getting colder, she changed from the open-air sedan chair to a warm sedan chair that can shelter from wind and rain, and went all the way to the Cining Palace.
Looking at the familiar palace road, Shen Zhinian suddenly recalled the last time she went to express her gratitude to Empress Dowager Liu after being promoted to the position of concubine. It seemed like it was just yesterday.
At that time, Meng was promoted to a higher position with her and she was pregnant, which was a time of great joy. She even forgot her original intention and looked down upon many people.
Times have changed. The other party has long been eliminated from the struggle in the harem, while she has risen from a concubine to the head of the four concubines!
Soon, Shen Zhinian's procession arrived at the Cining Palace.
The palace servants welcomed her in politely and respectfully.
Shen Zhinian bowed and said, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!"
Empress Dowager Liu sat in the main seat and looked at Shen Zhinian with a smile: "Xianfei, there is no need to be polite. Please stand up."
If someone who doesn't know the situation saw this, they would definitely think that Queen Mother Liu was a very kind and easy to get along with.
However, we are all smart people, so how could Shen Zhinian not feel the undercurrent hidden behind her smiling eyes.
After the last canonization ceremony, she did not perform the Six Su Ceremonies when she came to express her gratitude. At that time, it can be said that she was attacked and injured her foot, and Empress Dowager Liu was lenient and exempted her from the ceremony.
Everything is understandable. Once the news spreads, no one will say anything.
However, this time, Shen Zhinian was fine. If she didn't complete the etiquette according to the palace rules, even if the concubines in the harem didn't complain about it, the officials in the Ministry of Rites and the Censorate would report her!
Empress Dowager Liu was secretly setting a trap for her while chatting and laughing.
Shen Zhinian kept smiling as she said respectfully, "It is my blessing that the Empress Dowager understands me. But I cannot be arrogant and disregard the palace rules."
After she finished speaking, she swung her wide sleeves, folded her hands in front of her forehead, and bowed deeply. Then, with the help of Madam Xiao, she stood up and repeated the previous action.
Three kneelings and three prostrations are the Six Supremacy Ceremony.
After thanking the Empress Dowager and listening to her teachings, she was considered the fourth concubine with full legitimacy.
Empress Dowager Liu kept looking at Shen Zhinian with a smile, as if she was really satisfied with this concubine. But deep in her eyes, a barely visible cold light flashed!
An ordinary woman, who was only seventeen years old, had ascended to a high position and was the mother of a prince. Even if she didn't float to heaven, she wouldn't have such a mentality.
Empress Dowager Liu asked herself, even at her age, she could not be as calm and composed as Concubine Xian.
This knife has been used to its greatest extent and may even pose a threat to Duke Dingguo's Mansion!
What a pity... If Shi Zhang had not been still at the border, how could she have allowed the virtuous concubine to continue to grow stronger?
If you want to get rid of Concubine Xian, you have to disregard Shi Zhang's life.
Could it be that... between Qingqing's future and Shizhang's fate, the Dingguo Mansion can only choose one?
Empress Dowager Liu's eyes suddenly turned dark: "Xianfei is a good and sensible child."
"I believe that from now on you will be able to assist the Emperor together with the Imperial Concubine..."
Who knew that before she finished her teachings, a eunuch's respectful voice suddenly came from outside: "Your Majesty has arrived--!!!"
Seeing the bright yellow figure, the palace servants knelt one after another: "Your servants pay their respects to His Majesty. Long live His Majesty!"
Nangong Xuanyu walked in from outside without looking around, and his eyes fell on Shen Zhinian at the first moment. Seeing that the other party was intact, he looked away calmly.
"I've met my mother."
Empress Dowager Liu asked with a smile: "The Emperor rushed to the Cining Palace right after the court session. Could it be that he was worried about what I had done to Concubine Xian?"
Although she said this with a smile, with a sense of joking and teasing, if it got out, people would not think that Empress Dowager Liu and the emperor did anything wrong, but would only blame Shen Zhinian.
After the enthronement ceremony, it was the rule set by our ancestors to go to the Cining Palace to express gratitude. She made such a big show that even His Majesty came over. Did she think that the Empress Dowager was vicious and wanted to do something to a junior like her?
To put it more seriously, there is suspicion of sowing discord between the Empress Dowager and His Majesty, and his crime should be punished by death!
Nangong Xuanyu said calmly, "Mother, you are too kind."
"Why do you think so? I just suddenly remembered that I haven't come to the Cining Palace to pay my respects to my mother for some time, and I am very concerned about her health."
"I just remembered halfway through that today is the day when the virtuous concubine comes to express her gratitude."
Empress Dowager Liu sneered in her heart.
Before she could say a few words, the emperor came to her defense.