Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Tender Palace Maid VS Ruthless Emperor 26
Shen Xingzhi blinked his big eyes and turned over to watch his parents leave affectionately, but because he was too small, he could not maintain his position for long and fell back onto the bed. However, he did not get angry or cry, instead, he just waved his little hands, and when the Empress Dowager stretched out her finger, Little Xingzhi gently grasped it.
The Empress Dowager had longed for a grandson, and now that her wish was fulfilled, she was full of vitality as if she had rejuvenated by ten years. Seeing the little one, she was energized and continued to play with the Little Crown Prince.
Su Zhiruan and Shen Qi walked out of the Empress Dowager’s palace. Not far away, Shen Qi saw the Noble Consort swaying in the distance, and he frowned, “Why has she also come?”
As soon as Shen Qi saw the Noble Consort behaving sneakily, he felt sure that she was up to no good, wandering around the Empress Dowager’s palace likely trying to harm his and Ruanruan’s child.
If it had been earlier, Shen Qi might have turned a blind eye to her actions, but now that he had someone he wanted to protect, he would never allow the Noble Consort to harm them in secret.
“The Empress Mother said she came to pray for the Crown Prince’s blessing and will ask her to leave in a couple of days.” Su Zhiruan sighed inwardly, knowing the Noble Consort would definitely take action; given her character, it would be odd if she did not. Her only hope was that the Noble Consort would not harm the child.
When the Noble Consort saw Shen Qi looking at her, she approached hesitantly, first gazing at Shen Qi with tender affection. Then, glancing at Su Zhiruan, she acted as if Su Zhiruan was just an interfering third wheel, “Greetings to the Emperor—Emperor, your consort has come to pray for the little prince’s blessing, and the Empress Dowager has also agreed. Noble Consort Su… surely wouldn’t mind her sister coming, would she? Emperor, I hope I’m not bothering you and Noble Consort Su!”
Her words, dripping with insincerity, insinuated that Su Zhiruan disliked her and tried to sow discord.
However, Su Zhiruan was not flustered but simply smiled at her.
She said nothing, and Shen Qi, seeing her smiling expression, felt even more aggrieved.
His Ruanruan truly was unlike any other woman.
There she was, not caring at all whether her man was with another woman or not, indifferent as if whoever he was with, she’d always bear the same smile.
The more she was , the more he felt as if he was about to lose her, no longer able to tolerate any other woman.
Thinking this, Shen Qi’s eyes grew colder as he looked at the Noble Consort. He even thought it was all because of the Noble Consort that his Ruanruan was thinking of distancing herself from him, so Shen Qi bluntly said, “If you’re here to pray, then pray properly. If you try any funny business, the Cold Palace has been vacant for a long time, and I find it quite suitable for you.”
Upon hearing ‘Cold Palace,’ the Noble Consort shuddered, then, looking at Shen Qi, she hurriedly grabbed Su Zhiruan’s hand and left.
Her face contorted with rage, she clenched the small vial in her sleeve tightly, her fingers closing around it almost grinding her teeth, she muttered word for word, “Su, Zhi, Ruan! Wench, I’ll make you pay! Once I gain the Emperor’s favor and have a prince, just you wait—”
The Palace Maid kept her head down, not daring to say a word, simply watching the path in front of her as her body trembled slightly.
Seeing the Noble Consort storm off, she hurriedly followed suit.
“Ruanruan! Next time you encounter this woman, just scold her outright, look at how she was glaring at you just now!” Shen Qi held Su Zhiruan by the shoulders, seating her on the bed, and then looked at her with a sense of grievance in his eyes.
Su Zhiruan was indeed puzzled, “Isn’t she your woman?”
Shen Qi was now almost infuriated to death, did she not consider him her husband at all! Even if other women came to him, she seemed not to mind, “I only want to be good to you, I don’t want to care about anyone else, Ruanruan, do you not want me anymore…”
At this point, Su Zhiruan did indeed start to feel a little at a loss. She had bound the Childbirth System, and knowing that Shen Qi was the Emperor, she had known from the beginning that he would definitely not have just her.
But as far as now, it seemed like… Shen Qi had developed real feelings for her, he could even distinguish green tea on his own and automatically avoid other women, all to avoid making her overthink.
Moreover… as the Emperor, he should refer to himself as “We,” and he did indeed do so in front of the Noble Consort just now, but in front of her, it seemed he always referred to himself as “I”.
After thinking it over, she decided to find a sensible reason, and carefully considering it, she looked at Shen Qi’s aggrieved expression and said seriously, “I am afraid if I make a fuss, you will find me annoying.”
“I won’t!” Shen Qi answered decisively, sitting down beside her, “Whether it’s a man or a woman, showing jealousy and quarreling for their partner is an expression of love. Without love, after being disappointed by someone for a long time, one wouldn’t even think of arguing but would just feel tired and gradually drift away. Ruanruan, you don’t have to hold back, I am here for everything, I will support you!”
“And with Xingzhi, once he grows up, we will protect you together. If we have a little Princess, it will be up to me and Xingzhi to protect you and the little Princess.” Shen Qi said, seemingly already fantasizing about a soft and adorable little girl who looked just like her, being held in his arms, sweetly calling him father.
“To want a little princess, I alone can’t manage it,” Su Zhiruan gave a sly smile, then blinked, leaning back directly, her thin outer garment slipping off her shoulders. Her slender figure was just right in all the right places, the fullness from childbirth making her look like a fairy, the corner of her eyes full of sly amusement as she nestled up to him, whispering in his ear, “How about, Your Majesty…”
“Ruanruan, I am not a saint,” he replied.
Shen Qi could hardly withstand such a Su Zhiruan; usually demure and dignified in front of others, yet so tempting only in front of him, his eyes darkening in almost an instant.
The slippery sensation, the pleasing chants, were almost instantly conjured from the memories in his mind.
Soon, the canopy was pulled down, clothes scattered across the floor.
Tearful eyes, drenched in fragrant sweat, a supple waist, skin white as snow.
Little Fuzi, not finding his Emperor in the Imperial Study Room, took a turn to the Empress Dowager’s palace without any luck either – clinching cold sweat, he eventually returned to the side hall of the Imperial Study Room.
Then… he heard noises from the sleeping chambers…
His rushing footsteps silently retracted, walking away a bit, mumbling to himself as he walked.
If someone were beside him, they would hear him muttering, “… clear skies and daylight … proclaim during the day… Alas, Your Majesty… Lady… indeed…”
On the other hand, he also thought—having a few more Princes and Princesses in the harem… perhaps some of the void in His Majesty’s heart could be filled a bit…