frightfiction Chapter 1338 This is a rare opportunity (168 million reward value plus more)
Chapter 1338 This is a rare opportunity (168 million reward value plus more)
That evening, Shen Zhinian took off her luxurious palace attire, wearing only a simple, light green skirt. With her hair loose, she reclined on the soft couch by the window.
The Fourth Prince was lying beside her, concentrating on piling up a pile of colorful wooden blocks, then giggling and knocking them down with a palm, enjoying it so much.
Shen Zhinian watched with a smile, occasionally reaching out to support the Fourth Prince who was about to fall, and lightly touching his round nose with her fingertips, which in turn made him laugh even more cheerfully.
The candles in the hall were just beginning to light, and the warm light filled the room with warmth and tranquility.
This was the scene Nangong Xuanyu saw when he stepped into the hall.
He did not ask the palace servants to announce it loudly. He raised his hand to stop everyone who wanted to salute, and stood alone beside the pearl curtain.
The emperor's gaze fell on the playful mother and son on the couch, and his deep eyes were unconsciously tinged with a soft color.
The fatigue and coldness accumulated from dealing with government affairs for days seemed to be quietly soothed at this moment.
It was the Fourth Prince who first noticed Nangong Xuanyu. His big, dark eyes lit up, and he dropped the wooden block in his hand, opened his little hands, and called out vaguely, "Father...Father!"
The people in the inner room were surprised to find the emperor had arrived and hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects: "Your servants pay their respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"
Shen Zhinian also stood up immediately, straightened her slightly loose dress, and led the Fourth Prince to bow: "I didn't know Your Majesty was coming, and I'm sorry for not coming to greet you."
Nangong Xuanyu strode forward, bent down first, picked up the Fourth Prince who was rushing towards him impatiently, and skillfully let him sit in his arms, while his other hand lightly supported Shen Zhinian.
"No need to be so polite, Nian Nian."
He looked down at the Fourth Prince in his arms, his tone unusually gentle: "What new tricks did Ah Xu learn today?"
"Replying to Father, your son, your subject... the fortress is high!"
The fourth prince answered in a baby voice, his little face full of excitement to see his father.
Shen Zhinian stood up and saw that Nangong Xuanyu had a hint of fatigue between his eyebrows, so he said softly, "Your Majesty, you came here at this time. You haven't had dinner yet, right? I will ask the kitchen to bring you food."
Nangong Xuanyu had indeed not yet eaten, so he nodded when he heard this, and sat down beside the couch with the Fourth Prince in his arms: "Alright, I'll have it here with you."
Shen Zhinian immediately gave the order.
Fuqiu and Handan quickly brought the palace maids and started working quietly, and soon they had set the dishes and chopsticks on the Eight Immortals Table.
The dinner consisted of light and nourishing dishes that suited Nangong Xuanyu's taste, as well as some soft pastries and minced meat that the Fourth Prince could eat.
A family of three sits around having a meal.
The Fourth Prince was now able to hold the spoon by himself and eat clumsily. Although he made crumbs all over the table and the floor, Nangong Xuanyu did not blame him.
Shen Zhinian occasionally wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief.
During the meal, the Fourth Prince kept babbling in childish words, and Shen Zhinian responded softly.
Although Nangong Xuanyu didn't talk much, his gaze was always gently on the mother and son, with a faint smile on the corner of his lips.
The candlelight flickered, the aroma of food wafted in the air, interwoven with the childish laughter of children and the gentle words of women.
The inner hall is rendered like an ordinary person's home, full of plain yet real warmth.
At this moment, there are no disputes in the previous dynasty, no calculations in the harem, only the simplest atmosphere of human life.
After dinner, the hall was warm and the aroma of food lingered in the air.
The fourth prince had been taken aside by his wet nurse, who carefully wiped his hands and face that were stained with minced meat.
Nangong Xuanyu put down the silver chopsticks, leaned back slightly in his chair, and looked out the window.
As dusk deepened, a hint of orange-red glow still lingered in the sky, reflecting the towering eaves of the palace.
He had been busy with the government affairs of the previous dynasty recently, and was exhausted by paperwork. At this moment, he felt a rare sense of laziness and relaxation.
Turning her head, she saw Shen Zhinian quietly instructing the palace servants to remove the leftovers. Her profile looked particularly gentle and beautiful under the glow of the newly lit palace lanterns.
The fourth prince, standing aside, was babbling and trying to grab the buttons on the wet nurse's collar, full of energy.
The emperor's heart moved slightly, and the tension in his mind caused by government affairs seemed to relax a lot.
He suddenly spoke, his tone casual and gentle: "It's still early, Nian Nian, would you like to accompany me to the Imperial Garden for a walk to help digest the food?"
The emperor's gaze fell on Shen Zhinian, with a questioning look but no command, as if it was just the most ordinary proposal between husband and wife.
Shen Zhinian raised his eyes when he heard the voice, and met Nangong Xuanyu's eyes which were tinged with warmth, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
She put down the teacup in her hand and replied softly, "Your Majesty, if you have such a refined taste, I am naturally willing to accompany you."
"It's a chilly night. I'll have someone add a cloak for Ah Xu."
Nangong Xuanyu stood up and did not urge anyone. He just waited patiently for the palace servants to dress the Fourth Prince.
The wet nurse carefully wrapped the Fourth Prince in a small apricot-yellow cloak, held him in her arms, and quietly followed the Emperor's concubine a few steps behind.
As dusk fell, the palace lanterns in the Imperial Garden were lit one after another, outlining the hazy outlines of pavilions and towers.
The evening breeze brings the fresh scent of grass and trees, occasionally mixed with a few hints of floral fragrance.
Nangong Xuanyu and Shen Zhinian walked slowly side by side, whispering occasionally, the atmosphere was peaceful and harmonious.
……
Yikun Palace.
Princess Dun leaned against the window, looking at the dark dusk outside, feeling very happy.
Ever since the enchanting Baharguli, who was always against her, was banished to the cold palace for poisoning the eldest princess, the Yikun Palace has been completely peaceful.
No one would use those exotic eyes to secretly compete with her anymore.
In almost every confrontation, Concubine Dun failed to gain any advantage over Baharguli. Seeing her suffer such a miserable end, she felt extremely happy.
The only drawback is that His Majesty has not summoned her for a long time.
It would have been fine if she had just been feeling unwell a few days ago, but after He Yuanpan treated her, the Imperial Household Department had already put up her green card again, and His Majesty still hadn't turned over her card...
The emperor did visit the third prince twice, but he just sat for a while, asked a few questions about the third prince's daily life, and then left without staying overnight.
This indifference mixed the little joy in Concubine Dun's heart with a hint of anxiety and unwillingness.
In the deep palace, the emperor's favor is the foundation of one's life. She still has A Jing, and she cannot fall out of favor just like that.
Therefore, Concubine Dun had already secretly instructed Odazi to spare no expense and find out the whereabouts of His Majesty.
Just as her thoughts were swirling, Xiao Tianzi hurried in with a hint of excitement on his face, and said, "My Lady, I found out!"
"I spent a lot of money to get the confirmation from the little Wuzi who serves in front of the emperor. His Majesty went to Yongshou Palace tonight and is now walking with the Imperial Noble Consort in the Imperial Garden!"
Concubine Dun's eyes suddenly lit up and she stood up abruptly.
This is a rare opportunity!