frightfiction Chapter 331: First Entry into the Palace
Chapter 331: First Entry into the Palace
Chapter 331: First Entry into the Palace
Li looked at Li Ming, then at the porridge in her hand. She thought Rouge's words made sense, so she hastily ate a few mouthfuls, finishing the whole bowl. Rouge, satisfied, took the empty bowl to the kitchen. Lifting the lid of the pot, she found it completely empty; she had forgotten that the bowl of porridge she had just given Li was the last one. Clutching her empty stomach, she had no choice but to reluctantly endure her hunger as she tidied up the kitchen and washed the dishes.
The business at Zuixianlou was as good as ever. Zhao Ning'er was a star performer at Zuixianlou, and her songs were known to everyone, young and old. Occasionally, some scoundrels would come to harass them, but Yin Lie would always beat them to a pulp.
Because of the Emperor's arranged marriage, Shen Bin asked the Emperor for several days off, spending his days in the restaurant, drinking tea and watching Zhao Ning'er perform. These were his days free from political affairs; he cherished the company of his friends and, most importantly, his beloved. Every time he saw Zhao Ning'er, his heart was filled with joy.
Early this morning, Shen Bin bid farewell to his father at home and went to the morning court. He did not go directly to the palace, but went to Zuixianlou instead. Because the restaurant had many servants and also had pavilions, Zhao Ning'er and several others each had a room, so they could stay at the restaurant without going home that night.
After a bumpy ride in the carriage, Shen Bin arrived at Zuixianlou. He told the driver to wait at the door. Shen Bin knocked, and soon the waiter opened the door, hurriedly inviting him in upon seeing him. Shen Bin went straight to the attic, found Zhao Ning'er's room, and knocked on the door. Perhaps she was sleeping too soundly, as it took Zhao Ning'er a while to open the door. She seemed somewhat bewildered upon seeing Shen Bin.
"Young Master Shen... what brings you here?" Zhao Ning'er stammered. Shen Bin simply took her hand and said, "Come on, let's go to the palace today."
Upon hearing Shen Bin's words, Zhao Ning'er's mouth dropped open in alarm. She frantically shook off Shen Bin's hand and said, "Young Master Shen, why are you taking me to the palace all of a sudden?"
Seeing Zhao Ning'er's resistance, Shen Bin ignored it and tried to take her hand again, but Zhao Ning'er dodged it. Shen Bin's face darkened. Zhao Ning'er wasn't in a hurry and said slowly, "Let me change my clothes first before we go to the palace." After Zhao Ning'er finished speaking, she closed the door. Only then did Shen Bin realize that Zhao Ning'er was wearing her underpants and undergarments that she wore to bed.
Thinking about how impulsive she had been just now, her ears turned a little red. After a while, Zhao Ning'er came out, dressed in plain clothes without any accessories, her face lightly made up, and her hair simply tied up with a hairpin as usual.
Shen Bin's eyes sized up Zhao Ning'er, but Zhao Ning'er turned her head away shyly. After a while, she turned her head back and said, "Wouldn't I look a little tacky like this?" Her eyes never left Shen Bin.
Shen Bin chuckled and said, "No, you look beautiful no matter what. Even heavy makeup and gold and silver jewelry can't compare to you; that would just look tacky." He then stroked Zhao Ning'er's head. Zhao Ning'er lowered her head shyly, while Shen Bin, seemingly in high spirits, hugged her. Zhao Ning'er tried to push him away, embarrassed, but Shen Bin, despite his seemingly gentle and weak appearance, possessed considerable strength.
"Alright, let go of me. Didn't we say we were going to the palace?" Sure enough, Zhao Ning'er's words had the desired effect. Shen Bin released his hold on Zhao Ning'er and looked at her, saying, "In the palace, you have to call me husband, understand?" As he spoke, Shen Bin flicked her nose. Zhao Ning'er lowered her head, her face flushed, and said, "Why..."
Before she could finish speaking, Shen Bin pulled her downstairs and they got into the carriage together. The journey was quite bumpy, and several times, because the road was steep, Zhao Ning'er accidentally fell into Shen Bin's arms. Each time, she blushed and apologized to Shen Bin, but Shen Bin didn't say much, which made Zhao Ning'er even more embarrassed.
"Ouch!" On another steep road, Zhao Ning'er accidentally bumped into Shen Bin's arms again. She kept apologizing, but Shen Bin gave a wicked smile and pressed Zhao Ning'er into his arms.
"Stay tight in my arms." He said, pulling Zhao Ning'er closer, and she had no choice but to lie obediently in his arms. Her face was flushed, but she couldn't hide her smile.
After a long while, they arrived at the palace gates. Shen Bin looked at Zhao Ning'er, who was asleep in his arms, with a hint of helplessness. The coachman lifted the curtain, about to speak, but stopped when he saw Shen Bin put his index finger to his lips. Shen Bin gently lifted Zhao Ning'er out of the carriage and got off. He suddenly realized how light Zhao Ning'er was, and felt a little displeased, thinking that he must raise her to be plump and healthy when they got home.
"Good morning, Young Master Shen." Shen Bin suddenly heard someone call him from behind. He turned around and saw Princess Xiangping. Because he was holding Zhao Ning'er, it was inappropriate to bow properly, so he only slightly bent over. Princess Xiangping looked at Shen Bin with a smile in her eyes, but her eyes kept glancing at the woman in Shen Bin's arms.
Although she couldn't see the woman's face clearly, she was still seething with hatred, but she could only force a smile because of Shen Bin.
Shen Bin, sensing something amiss, said, "This is my betrothed." Princess Xiangping smiled and said, "I wonder what her name is? She's truly blessed." She covered her face and laughed as she spoke. Shen Bin simply said, "Just call her Ning'er."
Perhaps because they were talking too loudly, Zhao Ning'er stirred in Shen Bin's arms, opened her eyes, and found herself being held. She looked up, saw a familiar face, smiled, and then, noticing someone nearby, quickly broke free from Shen Bin's embrace, shyly lowering her head. Shen Bin, however, found it amusing.
"Ning'er, this is Princess Xiangping," Shen Bin said, pointing to Xiangping standing to the side. Zhao Ning'er looked up at Xiangping, but noticed that Princess Xiangping was looking at her with a hateful gaze, which disappeared in an instant. Although it was only for a second, Zhao Ning'er felt a chill. She bowed slightly to Princess Xiangping and said, "This humble woman greets Your Highness."
Princess Xiangping then got a good look at Zhao Ning'er's face. Her skin was as white as snow, her long black hair was slightly tied up, and she had a slender and tall figure. She looked like a fairy who didn't eat the food of this world, and Princess Xiangping was almost captivated by her beauty.
But upon seeing Shen Bin beside her, she couldn't help but sneer inwardly. She thought to herself, "It must be that vixen's face that has bewitched Shen Bin. If I ruin her, Young Master Shen will be mine." Thinking this, she still gave Zhao Ning'er a fierce look.
"Since you are Young Master Shen's friend, then you are my friend too." As she spoke, she took Zhao Ning'er's hand. For some reason, Zhao Ning'er felt a little resistant to Xiangping, but Princess Xiangping held her hand tightly and wouldn't let go.
"Ning'er, you can walk around with the princess. I have to go to the morning court." Seeing that Zhao Ning'er and Princess Xiangping seemed to get along well when they met, Shen Bin felt relieved and went to the morning court.
"My lord, come back soon." After walking a short distance, Zhao Ning'er called out to Shen Bin. Shen Bin turned around, nodded slightly, and disappeared at the palace gate. Princess Xiangping behind her looked at Zhao Ning'er with jealousy, wishing she could tear her to pieces. Zhao Ning'er turned around and immediately said with a smile, "Ning'er, let's go, I'll take you around the palace."
Zhao Ning'er had no choice; it was her first time in the palace and she didn't know anyone, so she followed Princess Xiangping inside. Princess Xiangping led her to a pavilion and sat down, deliberately keeping a distance between them, which Zhao Ning'er didn't notice. Having just entered the palace, Zhao Ning'er was excited to see such beautiful scenery for the first time and paced back and forth. Princess Xiangping, however, looked at the excited Zhao Ning'er with disdain.