Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Delicate Palace Maid VS Cold-hearted Emperor 29
When Shen Qi saw the person who had come, he was instantly stunned.
Then he murmured to himself, “This can’t be an illusion, right!”
“Your Majesty is not seeing an illusion, it’s me,” Su Zhiruan approached the hot spring, then sat down by the edge, reaching into the pool to scoop up some warm water, her fingertips instantly becoming crystal clear and moist. She smiled, “I’m back.”
Shen Qi stared at her, and it was at this moment that he realized his consciousness was exceedingly clear.
The heat in his body had not subsided, but instead became more intense, especially after seeing her. It seemed to grow exponentially. He felt as though he was split into two parts: one was his consciousness, admiring the woman smiling sweetly before him, and the other was his body, so desperately wanting to pull her down from her pedestal, down into the hot spring, to reach the peak together.
At that moment, Shen Qi felt his mouth dry and his tongue parched. He swam towards her, pursing his lips, his expression painted with hurt and confusion, but mostly surprise.
The Shen Qi in Su Zhiruan’s eyes right now had nothing to do with the lofty ruler of a nation. He looked just like a little kid, feeling slighted for not getting candy, but surprised by receiving another gift.
“Ruanruan… you came, someone drugged me just now, it’s so uncomfortable… look at me… Ruanruan, help me, would you please help me…”
At this time, Shen Qi was exactly like a water demon, a tall and well-proportioned man slowly emerging from the water, his undershirt completely wet, and then, he stood up before her, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted. Su Zhiruan looked up at him, and after meeting his dark gaze, she sighed inwardly.
There was no need to prepare breakfast for tomorrow.
Shen Qi stood in front of her, looking innocent, but his actions were anything but hesitant. He directly pulled Su Zhiruan down from the edge of the hot spring.
In an instant, Su Zhiruan felt a pair of warm big hands encircle her waist, protecting her from bumping into the stones surrounding the hot spring, followed by a whirlwind of confusion.
The warm water of the hot spring enveloped her entire body in an instant, her clothes less by two pieces—it was Shen Qi who had removed them. She didn’t even know when her outer garment and cloak disappeared, and now the collar of her underdress was also undone.
A glimpse of spring was revealed.
Then, ripples flowed through the hot spring water, spreading out layer by layer. She hadn’t been drugged, but her cheeks gradually reddened and flushed under the force of the man’s actions.
After that, her consciousness slowly became hazy.
Another night of delightful dreams.
Perhaps due to the potency of the drug, Su Zhiruan woke up later in the night to still feel the two of them together. She moved slightly and heard his husky voice, “The drug’s effect is still present. If Ruanruan still wants… I am not necessarily opposed.”
Upon hearing this, Su Zhiruan froze immediately, but it was already too late, the one acting had begun his movements.
Due to the Noble Consort’s aphrodisiac, Shen Qi today cast aside all notions of gentlemanly conduct, all manners and etiquette were tossed aside, indulging in wildness, following desires and impulses.
All through the night, Su Zhiruan was the one who felt it most deeply.
The next day, as soon as she woke in the morning, she could feel her waist and legs were sore. She lifted her arm, and it was all covered with red marks. Without guessing, she knew her neck would be the same.
She lay flat and sighed deeply, wondering where the Noble Consort had gotten such a strong drug.
Being tossed around once, she felt like she might break, and if it happened a few more times, she would probably crumble to dust.
She sighed and lamented on her side, but on Shen Qi’s side, he felt clear-headed and energetic, full of vigor.
Seated in the Imperial Study Room reviewing the petitions, his mind was also full of this idea.
“The medicine is good indeed, it’s just that it has tormented Su Zhiruan. Seeing her condition this morning, I’m afraid she won’t be able to leave the bed today.
The Noble Consort is not likable in many aspects, but unexpectedly, her means of finding medicine are quite effective.”
Shen Qi’s thoughts gradually drifted towards the unspeakable again.
Although his thoughts went astray, the people he had to deal with today couldn’t escape.
Shen Qi thought of how the Noble Consort dared to drug him yesterday and his eyes turned cold.
On this matter, his thoughts were the same as the Empress Dowager’s: today she dared to drug him, tomorrow she might dare to poison him, or even poison Su Zhiruan and their child. If such consequences were to happen, that would be unimaginable.
Hence, Shen Qi stood up, “Someone come!”
Little Fuzi hurried in, “Your Majesty, your servant is here.”
“Prepare my carriage to Cining Palace. I want to see the Empress Dowager,” Shen Qi said as he headed out. Thinking of Su Zhiruan, he added another instruction, “Let the Palace Maid of Noble Consort Yue serve her well, let her sleep soundly today. There’s no need to disturb her for the morning meal; I will see her for the lunch.”
“Yes, your servant will give the orders.” Little Fuzi instructed his own apprentice to convey the Emperor’s orders, then followed Shen Qi to Cining Palace.
Inside Cining Palace.
The Empress Dowager wore an unhappy expression, whispering to the old nanny beside her.
As soon as Shen Qi entered, he saw this scene and paid his respects, “This son pays his respects to Mother Empress.”
“Emperor, please rise. I was about to have someone fetch you,” the Empress Dowager said as she instructed the old nanny to keep a close watch on the Little Crown Prince. Then she gestured for Shen Qi to sit down for a chat and poured him a cup of tea. Shen Qi received it with both hands, ready to hear what the Empress Dowager had to say next, “About what happened with the Noble Consort yesterday, I have already investigated thoroughly. It was a Palace Maid under the Noble Consort who used a eunuch going out for purchases to bring in the medicine. I have already dealt with it.”
Shen Qi knew the Empress Dowager’s methods; she must have already had a countermeasure in mind, be it towards that Palace Maid or the Noble Consort. He nodded, “Mother must have made a decision.”
“Indeed, I do have such thoughts,” the Empress Dowager drank her tea and pushed the tea leaves with the lid, “Along with the entire harem, we should also come up with a good strategy.”
After the Empress Dowager uttered these words, Shen Qi then remembered that he had a harem full of numerous women.
Ever since he had Su Zhiruan, he was immersed in having a wonderful family, taking on the role of a father. As for those women in the harem, he had completely forgotten them, he couldn’t even recall that they existed.
“What good strategy does Mother have?” Shen Qi knew his mother well. If she didn’t have a solution in mind, she would not have brought it up with him, “Your son is all ears for Mother’s teachings.”
Only then did the Empress Dowager speak, “Now that you have Ruanruan and the Crown Prince, it is uncertain if the Concubines in the harem will not harm their mother and son to rise in rank. The court’s network is intricate, and I think we can dismiss the ladies below the concubine rank and let them leave the palace to find their own way. You do not like to visit the harem, and the chances for those of concubine rank and below to receive favor are even rarer, most of them are marked with palace guard, and they can easily be appointed as female officials. Allow them to leave the palace with double the usual rewards, and return home to find another match.”
“As for the Noble Consort, downgrade her to Noble, the lowest status in the entire harem,” the Empress Dowager’s eyes flashed, “She has bullied so many Concubines before, and now she is reaping what she sowed. Both are Noble, one in heaven and one on earth; let her truly feel the difference.”
“I have interrogated the Palace Maid who bought the medicine for the Noble Consort. She has her difficulties, so she has been dispatched to the Clothing Bureau. Is this acceptable?”
Shen Qi, of course, had no objections. Such handling was indeed very good; it would not cause ministers to make a fuss, and it als punished the Noble Consort, letting her taste her own bitter medicine and suffer the consequences. The wicked would grind upon each other.