Palace maid Shuoning

(Up)

The dog days of summer have arrived, and the weather is dry and hot, making the entire palace feel as if it were enveloped by a giant oven.

After a long drought since the start of summer, the oppressive heat has left everyone feeling restless.

Under the scorching sun, Jiang Shuo stood calmly outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Inside, the Emperor was furious over the locust plague in the Jianghuai region.

Locusts swept across the fields, devouring all the green seedlings. Urgent reports were sent into the palace one after another, and angry shouts pierced through the palace gates.

Jiang Shuoning looked up at the glaring sun; his clothes were already soaked with sweat and clung stickily to his body.

Waiting from dawn until noon is not a long-term solution.

After the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, Consort Rong still showed no intention of waiving her the task.

Consort Rong used to be most afraid of appearing in front of the Emperor, but now she seems to be happy about it.

Not only that, Consort Rong has been finding fault with the Imperial Household Department for days on end, complaining about the quality of the Shu brocade fabric or the jewelry, and instructing Bao Zhong to handle everything.

Jiang Shuoning closed his eyes, beads of sweat sliding down his temples.

Jiang Shuoning could easily see through Consort Rong's true intentions. Her complaints about the brocades and jewelry were nothing more than a desire to see Baozhong.

Thinking of this, Jiang Shuoning slowly opened his eyes, his heart filled with mixed feelings, which he couldn't quite describe.

Previously, there was Xia He's infatuation; now, there is also Rong Fei's ulterior motives.

Baozhong's peach blossoms, however, kept coming one after another without stopping.

Never mind, I won't think about it anymore.

Right now, we should try to get closer to Zhou Yan so that we can seize the opportunity to bring down Consort Chong who is hiding in the shadows.

However, the most pressing matter is to first relieve him of his daily task of running to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to report on Consort Rong's pregnancy.

After waiting for a long time, Feng Xi wiped the sweat from his brow and stepped out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. He immediately saw Jiang Shuoning still waiting outside, stepped forward, and spoke with a half-smile:

"Go in. The Emperor is still furious, so be careful what you say."

Jiang Shuoning nodded slightly: "Thank you for your guidance, Steward Feng. This servant knows what to do."

After saying that, she straightened her stiff legs and walked past Feng Xi with a bow.

Before he had taken more than a few steps, Feng Xi's voice drifted from behind him:

"Miss Shuoning, you are a smart person, how can you not understand the Emperor's good intentions? I am anxious for you watching from the side."

Xia Cairen is far more clever than you, but she lacks the same fortune. Now she holds the title of Cairen, but has no one to rely on. A month has passed in the blink of an eye, and the Emperor seems to have already forgotten about her. If it were you, the situation would be completely different.

Jiang Shuoning's back stiffened slightly, and he turned his head slightly, his voice respectful yet indifferent:

"I don't understand what you're saying, sir. I only know how to serve Consort Rong wholeheartedly, and I dare not have any other thoughts in my mind."

As soon as she finished speaking, she stepped into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Feng Xi remained where he was, a mocking smile playing on his lips, and muttered to himself:

"He really thinks he's something. What an ignorant fool."

(under)

Yangxindian

Jiang Shuo Ning stood before the imperial bed and reported back on the condition of Consort Rong and the unborn child from the previous night.

She paused for a moment, then secretly glanced at the Emperor before continuing softly:

"Your Majesty, since the Empress became pregnant, she often wakes up in the middle of the night and is restless. I asked the imperial physician in private, and he said that the Empress is weak during her pregnancy and needs yang energy to calm her mind."

Moreover, there was an incident at Yihua Palace before, and now Your Highness is carrying the imperial heir... If Your Highness doesn't get enough rest in the long run, it will affect the fetus in your womb."

The Emperor closed the memorial, looked up at Jiang Shuoning, and said in a deep voice, "And what is your opinion?"

Jiang Shuo Ning bowed his head respectfully and replied:

"His Majesty is the supreme ruler, possessing the pure Yang energy of a true dragon. If the Empress were to move to the Imperial Palace to accompany him, she would be able to rest peacefully under His Majesty's dragon aura, thus ensuring the safety and well-being of the imperial heirs."

The Emperor gazed at her intently for a moment, then instantly saw through her thoughts and said directly:

"Jiang Shuoning, you used Consort Rong's insomnia as an excuse to have her move into my palace. Was you truly acting in her best interest, or were you simply trying to avoid having to come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation every day and using this as an excuse to extricate yourself?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the emperor slammed the memorial in his hand heavily onto the low table next to him.

Jiang Shuoning immediately knelt down on both knees: "This servant dares not, this servant truly is thinking of Your Highness and the imperial heir."

The Emperor stared at her, his anger rising, and said sternly:

"I'm giving you one chance. Speak honestly: are your words for Consort Rong, or for yourself?"

Jiang Shuoning's heart jolted, and he lowered his head even further, his fingernails digging into the ground, his gaze shifting slightly.

Do you want to tell the truth?

The Emperor had already seen through her thoughts. If she insisted on being stubborn and angered the Emperor, it was not impossible that he would drag her out and beat her to death.

After a moment's hesitation, Jiang Shuoning took a deep breath, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead onto the blue bricks, his voice trembling slightly:

"This servant... is half worried about Your Highness, and the other half is indeed selfish. His Majesty has ordered this servant to come and report on Your Highness's condition three times a day. Running back and forth in this sweltering heat is really too much for this servant to bear."

Besides, if His Majesty were truly concerned about the pregnancy, the imperial physician should have explained it to him in person. I am merely a messenger, clumsy with words, and often fail to speak clearly, fearing that I might say something wrong and anger His Majesty. I live in constant fear, lest I bring about my own death.

The Emperor frowned slightly as he listened to her aggrieved words:

"In your eyes, I am a tyrant, taking lives at will? Am I really that easily angered?"

Jiang Shuoning nodded slightly, her heart pounding: "His Majesty is already angry, how can this servant not be afraid?"

One sentence left the emperor speechless for a moment.

He gazed at her trembling shoulders, noticing the damp patches on her back from the blazing sun, and his anger slowly subsided. His tone softened unconsciously: "How long have you been standing outside the palace?"

"Three hours," Jiang Shuoning replied in a low voice.

The Emperor couldn't help but laugh in exasperation: "When did I ever make you wait outside for so long? After you've finished reporting your business, you can simply leave."

Jiang Shuoning replied truthfully, "This servant dares not enter rashly. It would be impolite for you to trespass without permission. His Majesty has been furious about the disaster for a long time this morning, and this servant dares not disturb him."

The Emperor smiled helplessly: "If I were to punish you today, I imagine you would still think I am unreasonable."

He paused, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly began to speak:

"From now on, I will visit Consort Rong at Yihua Palace every three days. You can then report on her condition. There's no need for you to make three trips a day. The sun is scorching outside, so have Baozhong escort you back to the palace."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuoning's tense body suddenly relaxed, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

After hesitating for a moment, she whispered:

"Right now... I'm afraid Eunuch Baozhong is tied up. Her Majesty dislikes the brocade and jewelry sent by the Imperial Household Department and is currently disciplining him."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor frowned and said, "Women are prone to mood swings during pregnancy. Bao Zhong can't understand Consort Rong's thoughts. From now on, these trivial matters in Yihua Palace will be handled by Feng Xi."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Jiang Shuoning bowed his head and kowtowed, a faint smile quietly appearing on his lowered face.

The Emperor instantly caught the barely perceptible upward curve of her lips and immediately put down his teacup.

"Jiang Shuoning, you have a lot of ulterior motives in your heart. Don't think you can hide them all from me. If you dare to try to fool me again, you should really watch your head."

Jiang Shuoning lowered her head and said in a very low voice, "This servant understands."

"Go back." The Emperor stopped looking at her and picked up the memorials again, burying himself in reading them.

Jiang Shuoning slowly stood up, bowed, and slowly walked away.

Just as she turned to walk towards the palace gate, the Emperor suddenly called out to her:

"Jiang Shuoning, is my anger truly enough to make you so afraid?"