sbdcsierra Chapter 133: The exquisite chess pieces presented as tribute from the Western Regions
Chapter 133: The exquisite chess pieces presented as tribute from the Western Regions
Tingyu Pavilion.
Shen Zhinian knew that after the news of what happened in Yongshou Palace spread, the emperor would definitely come. And what she had to do was to use his guilt to the fullest!
She deliberately asked Handan to put on a pitiful makeup for her, and used rouge to make the corners of her eyes slightly red, making her look like she had just cried.
After doing all this, Shen Zhinian sat on a chair by the window, waiting for something to happen.
Because of this angle, if someone comes in from outside, she will be able to see it immediately.
Sure enough, not long after, a bright yellow corner of clothes flashed past Shen Zhinian's sight.
She immediately pushed down a few strands of hair in front of her forehead, adjusted her expression, and prepared to start the performance.
The emperor stopped the palace servant who was performing the ceremony and said, "No need to inform them. I will go in by myself."
Handan and Fuqiu looked at each other and lowered their heads to hide the smile that flashed across their lips.
Nangong Xuanyu walked into the inner room and saw the young woman sitting on a chair by the window, looking outside. She looked sad and aggrieved. The hair on her forehead hung down, adding to her sense of brokenness. Her charming eyes were slightly red, but she bit her lips stubbornly to prevent herself from showing any signs of vulnerability.
Thinking about how he had suspected this little girl before, secretly defected to the imperial concubine, and the two of them joined forces to plot against the queen. At this moment, the emperor's guilt towards Shen Zhinian reached its peak.
She is a kind-hearted person, how could he be so suspicious of her?
Shen Zhinian seemed to have just noticed someone coming in. She looked up and saw the emperor's bright yellow figure. She quickly stood up and saluted: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be well!"
"No need to be polite."
Nangong Xuanyu stepped forward and personally helped Shen Zhinian up. Then, he frowned slightly: "Why are your hands so cold? How did the people around you serve you?"
Handan and Fuqiu both showed looks of panic on their faces and were about to apologize.
Shen Zhinian whispered, "Your Majesty, it's none of their business. I wanted to sit by the window to get some fresh air myself."
Yuanbao was very considerate and quickly closed the window.
The emperor took Shen Zhinian's hand and sat down, saying gently: "I have heard about what happened in Yongshou Palace. The cold palace has always been quiet. Even if there is something, just let the people below deal with it. You don't have to do it yourself, let alone go to such a gloomy place."
"Nian Nian, don't be afraid."
Shen Zhinian's purpose in acting out this drama was to dispel the emperor's suspicion, not to flatter Concubine Liu, so he naturally stopped when he saw the good news: "Yes."
"I think the Imperial Concubine also thinks that I have just learned the affairs of the six palaces, and in order to avoid me making mistakes, she asked me to start with the simple things. I understand the Imperial Concubine's painstaking efforts, and I understand your Majesty's intentions even more."
Seeing this young lady so sensible, the emperor was very pleased: "It's good that Nian Nian understands. You should learn these things first, and when you get the hang of it, you can help the Imperial Concubine and the Good Concubine more in the new year."
The implication is that as long as Shen Zhinian does not make any mistakes, she will be granted more power over the six palaces after the new year.
She was filled with surprise, but her face remained clear and righteous: "I don't care about my identity and status, let alone power. As long as I can share your majesty's worries, I will feel happy!"
Shen Zhinian's pair of fox eyes were charming and alluring. Every time she looked at him, her watery eyes were filled with deep affection.
No matter how cold and hard the emperor's heart is, when he is looked at by such a peerless beauty with such eyes, his heart will turn into spring water.
"I haven't played chess with Nian Nian for a long time."
"Li Changde, take the exquisite chess set that was presented as tribute from the Western Regions a few days ago and give it to Concubine Rou."
Everyone in Tingyu Pavilion had an expression of surprise that was difficult to conceal on their faces!
Everyone in the harem knew that envoys from the Western Regions came to the court some time ago and presented a large number of precious tributes, and Linglong chess was the best among them.
This Go set has a total of 361 pieces. It was made entirely by hand by the best craftsmen in the Western Regions using the finest Hetian jade. It took a full three years!
There are many types of Hetian jade, among which 1 black pieces are made of black jade, and white pieces are made of the rarest and best quality mutton-fat white jade among Hetian jade!
As the saying goes, a good horse deserves a good saddle. Such fine chess pieces naturally need to be matched with a carefully crafted chessboard.
The chessboard is made of a whole piece of golden nanmu wood, which is countless times more precious than gold. At first glance, the bright colors are like flowing gold, showing luxury!
The crisscross lines on the chessboard are carved by professional craftsmen with sharp knives. They are required to be formed in one cut, and the length and thickness of each line must be exactly the same. If there is a slight mistake, the whole piece of golden nanmu will be scrapped. It is very difficult!
Finally, the filigree technique is used to inlay silver wires of uniform thickness into the carved lines, and the work is considered complete.
That day, when the envoys from the Western Regions displayed this tribute in the court, even though the Great Zhou was a supreme country, the ministers and nobles could not hide their amazement!
Even Queen Jiang's father, the extremely noble Duke Zhenguo, was moved by it and asked the emperor to give him the Linglong chess piece.
You have to know that the Zhenguo Mansion is a century-old family. What good things does it not have? The things that can make him ask the emperor for it must be the treasure among treasures.
Even so, the emperor did not agree, and now he wants to give the exquisite chess to Concubine Rou? !
Even though he had already seen how favored Concubine Rou was, Li Changde was still deeply shocked!
Shen Zhinian likes playing chess, and how can someone who knows chess not love chess?
It seems that after these days of her subtle training, the emperor has already understood how to comfort her when she has been wronged.
Shen Zhinian's eyes were slightly red, and she looked at the emperor with emotion, but she still suppressed the joy in her eyes and declined, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness! But I have done nothing for the country, and I am of no help to the royal heir, so I dare not accept such a precious reward..."
The emperor could of course see her affection and wanted to make this young lady happy: "I say you are worthy, so you are worthy."
"Li Changde, hurry up!"
Li Changde quickly responded "yes" and left quickly.
He has been serving His Majesty since he was a child, and has never seen His Majesty favor anyone so much. Concubine Rou is truly the apple of His Majesty's eye!
It seems that in the future not only he, but also his disciples will have to tell them to be respectful to Concubine Rou!
Although she is just a minor noble now, with this favor, her future is limitless!
Not long after, Li Changde brought the things over.
The square golden nanmu chessboard was placed on the table. The golden light that seemed to be flowing was so beautiful and luxurious that it was simply indescribable in words!
At this moment, the palace servants who were serving closely were almost dazzled and were so amazed that they almost forgot to breathe!
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Note: 1 Quoted from a Beijing collector who bought a top-quality Hetian jade Go board for RMB 398 million at an auction.