frightfiction Chapter 1683 The Imperial Concubine Has Returned to Secular Life (Bonus Chapter for 275 Million Rewa
Chapter 1683 The Imperial Concubine Has Returned to Secular Life (Bonus Chapter for 275 Million Rewa
Yongshou Palace.
Granny Lin specifically instructed the small kitchen to prepare light and nourishing dishes that were suitable for pregnant women.
The fourth prince sat on a specially made high chair, being fed by his wet nurse, his little mouth smacking with relish. Every now and then, he would look up and grin at his father and mother, making the emperor and empress unable to suppress their laughter.
During the meal, Nangong Xuanyu remembered Tang Luochuan's instructions and said to Shen Zhinian, "...Nian Nian, Physician Tang said that your pregnancy is now stable and you need to move around appropriately every day, which will be beneficial for your future delivery."
“I remember you were like this when you were pregnant with A-Xu, often going to the Imperial Garden to relax.”
Shen Zhinian was sipping her delicious fish soup when she heard this and nodded: "That's what Physician Tang instructed."
"I also feel uncomfortable being cooped up in the palace all day."
Nangong Xuanyu said gently, "I will accompany you."
"The weather is warm today, so it's a good time to take a stroll in the garden."
"Ah Xu, would you like to go see the flowers with Father and Mother?"
The fourth prince immediately and loudly replied, "Yes!"
After lunch and a short rest, Nangong Xuanyu, holding the Fourth Prince's hand, accompanied Shen Zhinian, and the group left Yongshou Palace and headed towards the Imperial Garden.
The emperor's entourage was greatly simplified, with only necessary guards and palace servants present, to avoid excessive disturbance.
Early April is the best time to visit the Imperial Garden.
Flowers of all colors vie for attention, willows droop gracefully, and orioles and swallows sing sweetly. The air is filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, and the sweet fragrance of flowers wafts from afar.
Sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled, shimmering spots of light on the ground.
Shen Zhinian walked slowly, wearing a loose and comfortable light blue palace dress and a moon-white cloak trimmed with silver fox fur.
Nangong Xuanyu walked beside her, holding the bouncy Fourth Prince's hand in one hand, occasionally whispering a few words to her, or reminding her to watch out for the unevenness of the cobblestone path under her feet.
The fourth prince was full of curiosity about everything around him, chasing butterflies and feeding koi in the pond, quite lively indeed. This added a lot of fun to today's stroll.
The group was walking slowly along the winding corridor when Shen Zhinian pointed to a crabapple tree in full bloom not far away and showed it to the Fourth Prince.
Nangong Xuanyu listened with a smile, creating a warm atmosphere.
Just then, from the other end of the corridor, the soft laughter of a woman drifted closer. It seemed to be a group of people walking in this direction.
Nangong Xuanyu frowned slightly, seemingly displeased that the tranquility had been disturbed.
Shen Zhinian also looked up.
As the flower path turned a corner, a group of beautiful women in brightly colored palace attire emerged.
The woman at the head of the group wore a lilac-purple palace gown embroidered with gold lotus patterns, over which she wore a light gauze vest in the same color. Her hair was styled in an elegant and dignified updo, adorned with a red-gold and kingfisher-feather phoenix hairpin and several delicate pearl flowers. A pair of pearl earrings, each the size of a lotus seed, swayed gently with her steps.
Her demeanor was elegant and noble, yet she was also graceful.
It was Consort Zhuang.
Behind her followed five or six equally exquisitely dressed women, among whom Consort Mei, dressed in a water-red butterfly skirt, was particularly eye-catching.
The others were all unfamiliar, low-ranking concubines, but each one was meticulously dressed, like delicate flowers moving in a spring garden.
The two groups met unexpectedly in the corridor, and the atmosphere immediately changed subtly.
Consort Zhuang and her entourage had obviously also seen the Emperor's carriage and the Imperial Noble Consort, and their laughter and conversation came to an abrupt halt.
She immediately stopped, and the concubines behind her also stopped and bowed deeply in unison: "Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live Your Majesty!"
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine, may Her Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness!"
Her voice was clear and melodious, and her manners were impeccable.
Nangong Xuanyu remained calm and nodded slightly: "Rise, all of you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The concubines thanked the emperor and rose, standing respectfully to the side to make way for the emperor. Their gazes, however, drifted towards the emperor, and the pampered imperial concubine beside him, with either subtle or bold expressions.
Shen Zhinian's gaze fell on Consort Zhuang, who was at the head of the group, and a hint of amusement flashed in her eyes.
Consort Zhuang's attire today is quite different from her usual style.
In her memory, Consort Zhuang always wore simple clothes and light makeup, with Buddhist beads around her wrist, and her brows were always tinged with a compassionate devotion to Buddhism, making her somewhat overly solemn. Although she did not lose the dignity of a consort, she inevitably made people feel old-fashioned.
But today... the lilac-purple palace dress made Consort Zhuang's skin appear even whiter, and the luxurious jewelry perfectly highlighted her status without being cumbersome.
The Buddhist aura that had lingered around her for many years seemed to have vanished overnight.
It seems that Consort Zhuang, known for her benevolence and Buddhist faith, was not truly detached from worldly affairs and was well aware of the emperor's changing likes and dislikes.
Shen Zhinian's gaze swept over the concubines behind Consort Zhuang, who were also dressed in their finest attire. Especially the charming Consort Mei, whose eyes sparkled as she looked at the emperor.
Did they come as a group to "accidentally" meet the emperor?
Han Dan, standing behind Shen Zhinian, secretly sized up Consort Zhuang and couldn't help but wonder to herself, "Has Consort Zhuang returned to secular life?"
She looks much more pleasing to the eye than her usual solemn and dignified appearance, and she even has some of the air of a noble consort.
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze lingered on Consort Zhuang for a moment.
The emperor also noticed the obvious changes in Consort Zhuang.
The imperial concubine I remembered, always dressed simply and holding prayer beads, now seemed somewhat unfamiliar.
The woman before me was impeccably made up, her clothes were luxurious yet elegant, and her expression was gentle. Although she was not as charming and beautiful as the newlyweds, she possessed a dignified charm that belonged to a mature woman.
Nangong Xuanyu recalled Li Changde's previous report about Consort Zhuang sealing off the Buddhist hall and taking away the Buddhist beads.
At this moment, it seems that she was indeed pragmatic, knowing what he disliked, and immediately changed her ways.
Regardless of whether Consort Zhuang's past belief in Buddhism was genuine or not, her obedience and compliance undoubtedly pleased the emperor.
Nangong Xuanyu praised, "Your attire today is better than usual."
A simple sentence, but to Consort Zhuang, it sounded like heavenly music!
She suppressed her excitement and joy, maintaining a composed and respectful demeanor. Lowering her eyes slightly, she said softly, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your praise!"
"In the past, I was foolish and only knew how to cultivate myself, neglecting my appearance."
"Looking back now, as a concubine, it was my duty to be dignified and proper. I shouldn't have been too simple and plain, which would have made me lose my decorum."
Nangong Xuanyu nodded: "That's good then."
His gaze then swept over the others behind Consort Zhuang, lingering for a moment on Consort Mei's expectant face before moving away.
The emperor looked at Shen Zhinian beside him again and said in a gentle tone, "Imperial Consort, are you tired? Would you like to rest in the pavilion ahead?"
Seeing this, Consort Mei was not about to let go of this opportunity that was so close at hand.
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, she immediately stepped forward, a sweet smile blooming on her face, her voice soft and sweet: "Your Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort, are you here to admire the flowers too?"