frightfiction Chapter 1322: Minister Gu is here too. I came at an unfortunate time.
Chapter 1322: Minister Gu is here too. I came at an unfortunate time.
She raised her foot and stepped calmly onto the white marble steps.
No matter who is behind this, she has taken on this secret battle!
Shen Zhinian, holding Fuqiu's hand, entered the palace with great grace, and was about to salute the emperor behind the imperial desk. His eyes shifted slightly, and he unexpectedly saw another figure in the palace.
The man was wearing a purple official robe, with a goldfish bag on his waist. He stood as straight as a pine tree, with his head bowed respectfully at the foot of the imperial steps.
It was none other than Gu Jinxiao.
He seemed to have just finished reporting on official business, and a hint of seriousness still remained in the hall.
Hearing the noise at the door, Gu Jinxiao subconsciously turned sideways and looked up.
The moment their eyes met, the air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Shen Zhinian clearly saw a complex glimmer flash across Gu Jinxiao's usually distant and indifferent eyes. It seemed to be surprise, but also something deeper and more difficult to discern.
But the next moment, he quickly lowered his eyes, perfectly concealing all his exposed emotions under his thick eyelashes.
All that remained was the ministers' impeccable respect and aloofness towards the Imperial Concubine.
Gu Jinxiao still looked like a gentleman, dignified, cold and self-restrained, like an uncarved jade, warm but distant.
Although Shen Zhinian was a little surprised, she didn't show it on her face. She bowed calmly and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live Your Majesty!"
Then, she turned her gaze to Gu Jinxiao and said in a calm and polite voice, "I didn't know Minister Gu was here too. I'm sorry I came at such a bad time."
Nangong Xuanyu put down the red brush in his hand, glanced between the two of them, and said casually: "It's okay. Gu Aiqing has already reported the matter."
Gu Jinxiao immediately bowed, his voice clear and steady, without a trace of emotion: "I have already reported my affairs to you. I dare not disturb your majesty and the Imperial Concubine any further."
"My minister retire."
He saluted with meticulous care and composure. Then, with his eyes lowered, he slowly retreated out of the hall.
The moment he passed by Shen Zhinian, Gu Jinxiao's steps did not slow down or become disordered at all, and he still maintained the posture of a subject retreating.
Only a very subtle, almost imperceptible glance lingered on Shen Zhinian's fair face for a moment.
The glance was as light as a feather passing by, but it carried an indescribable concentration and restraint. Gu Jinxiao then quickly retracted it, as if it was just an unintentional glance.
The next moment, he had walked out of the palace safely. The hem of his purple official robe flashed at the threshold and disappeared from everyone's sight.
Nangong Xuanyu called out in a gentle voice, "Nian Nian, come here."
Shen Zhinian walked forward as he was told, but before she could react, the emperor reached out and embraced her, gently pulling her up and letting her sit on his strong thighs.
She immediately relaxed and leaned gently into the embrace filled with the scent of ambergris.
"His Majesty."
Shen Zhinian's voice softened a bit, with a hint of tentativeness: "I just came in, did I interrupt your meeting with Minister Gu?"
Nangong Xuanyu put one arm around her slender waist and gently rested his chin on the top of her head. Hearing this, he said nonchalantly, "It's okay."
"Lord Gu, I'm just here to report on the details of the ceremony for your Imperial Noble Consort next month. I just happened to finish discussing it."
Shen Zhinian showed some interest on his face. He looked up at Nangong Xuanyu, his eyes shining: "Is this the enthronement ceremony?"
"Is there anything novel about the regulations drafted by the Ministry of Rites?"
Nangong Xuanyu chuckled softly, playing with a strand of Shen Zhinian's hair with his fingertips: "It's just the old rules, with some details added and subtracted."
"Once the Ministry of Rites has sorted everything out and drawn up detailed regulations, Gu Jinxiao will report to you. If Nian Nian has any ideas then, it's not too late to raise them."
"Yes, I understand."
Shen Zhinian nodded, not dwelling on this issue too much, as if it was just a casual question.
Nangong Xuanyu lowered his eyes to look at her delicate face so close to him, then changed the subject and returned to the main topic: "Nian Nian just went to the Heavenly Prison. What did that traitor Liu Shixiu say to you?"
When Shen Zhinian heard this, the relaxed look on his face faded slightly.
She sat up straighter, but did not leave the emperor's arms. Instead, she frowned and repeated Liu Shixiu's crazy questions and accusations word for word.
Including the harsh words he used to insult her.
After saying that, Shen Zhinian raised her eyes and looked at Nangong Xuanyu. Her charming fox eyes were filled with genuine confusion and grievance of being wronged.
She pursed her lips slightly and said, "...Your Majesty, when I heard that, I was shocked, angry, and completely confused."
"When I was in Mulan Paddock, I learned from Lin Wan, who had surrendered voluntarily, that Shen Nanqiao and Liu Shixiu were having an affair."
"After learning about this, although I thought they were absurd, I never thought of harming an unborn child. Even if I dislike Shen Nanqiao, I would never do such a sinister thing."
At this point, Shen Zhinian's voice choked with sobs, as if she had been greatly slandered. "I really don't know why Liu Shixiu would slander me so much and pin this unfounded accusation on me."
"I don't even know... who is this black-hearted, rotten-lung person who secretly harmed others and wanted to throw the dirty water on me! I have been made to bear this bad reputation for nothing..."
Shen Zhinian felt more and more aggrieved as she spoke, her eyes slightly reddened, but she forced herself not to cry.
This look of being wronged yet stubborn was captured just right.
Nangong Xuanyu listened quietly, his eyes, as deep as a cold pond, narrowed slightly, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.
He was so smart that he instantly captured the most crucial information from Shen Zhinian's narration.
Someone once took advantage of Shen Nanqiao's miscarriage and secretly made a fuss in an attempt to frame Nian Nian!
Looking at the slightly red corners of Shen Zhinian's eyes, Nangong Xuanyu's heart seemed to be gently pulled by something.
He tightened his arms around her, holding her slender body tighter in his arms, and said in a low voice with soothingness: "Okay, don't think too much, and don't worry about the crazy words of the dying man."
The emperor's warm palm gently stroked Shen Zhinian's back, his movements gentle: "Liu Shixiu is just a piece of fish on the chopping board now, and he can no longer hurt you."
At this point, Nangong Xuanyu's voice grew colder, and a hint of cold murderous intent flashed in his eyes: "As for that venomous snake that dared to stir up trouble in the dark... I will never let it go!"
"I want to see who has the guts to pull such a trick right under my nose!"
This is exactly the result Shen Zhinian wanted.
She knew that even though she was now in charge of the six palaces, she had some influence behind the scenes. However, if she wanted to thoroughly investigate such an old matter, it might involve the secrets of someone who was hiding something very secretive.