frightfiction Chapter 1176 Seeing the red mark on Shen Zhinian’s neck
Chapter 1176 Seeing the red mark on Shen Zhinian’s neck
Shen Zhinian listened quietly, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the wall of the warm teacup.
There are the Zhou father and son in the border area, and there is Zhan Weiran in the capital.
It is indeed the safest thing to have them investigate.
Shen Zhinian didn't ask any more questions, but just nodded slightly to show that he understood.
Nangong Xuanyu picked up the red pen again and ran the tip of the pen across the paper of the report.
The sound of wind outside the car window, accompanied by the rolling of wheels, drove all the way towards the capital.
The candlelight cast the figures of the two people on the shaking wall of the car.
The emperor was concentrating on handling reports, while his favorite concubine was leaning on the soft couch with her eyes closed to rest.
The important discussion just now concerning the safety of the border and the elimination of traitors happened so naturally in this warm space, as if it was just an ordinary conversation.
Nangong Xuanyu didn't even realize that when he discussed these military secrets with Shen Zhinian just now, his unreserved trust had already surpassed the boundaries of an emperor's favor to his concubine.
The sky gradually darkened.
The night wind, bringing a chill, swept past the royal procession.
However, the emperor's carriage was filled with warmth, and the ambergris mixed with the ambiguous scent after lovemaking had not yet completely dissipated.
The heavy brocade mattress was in disarray.
Shen Zhinian wrapped herself in a soft silk quilt, snuggled up to Nangong Xuanyu's solid chest, and listened to his steady and strong heartbeat gradually calming down.
The intense and passionate embrace just now was like a torrential rain, temporarily washing away the blood and fatigue of the past few days.
Deep inside my body, I felt a familiar soreness and satisfaction.
Shen Zhinian closed her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously stroking her flat belly.
The confusion of not being able to get pregnant is like a reef under the water, which emerges clearly again after the tide of desire recedes.
She was a fertile woman, but there was no sign of pregnancy yet. Even Tang Luochuan couldn't explain the reason...
This doesn't make sense.
Shen Zhinian's slight distraction did not escape the emperor's keen perception.
Nangong Xuanyu's broad palms slowly stroked her smooth back, with a sense of laziness and satisfaction afterwards.
His low voice sounded on the top of her head, with a hint of subtle inquiry: "What are you thinking about?"
Shen Zhinian's heart trembled slightly, and the doubt in his eyes disappeared instantly. He buried his face deeper into his warm neck, and said in a hoarse and dependent voice: "Nothing..."
"I just...just remember the rebels storming the camp, and I still feel a little scared..."
Nangong Xuanyu wrapped his arm around Shen Zhinian, holding it tighter, with an unquestionable sense of protection.
He lowered his head and kissed her sweaty temples. His voice was low and firm, and he comforted her with a strong sense of control: "With me here, what are you afraid of?"
His warm breath brushed against her ear, giving her a sense of peace of mind: "Those dangerous things are over, go to sleep."
Shen Zhinian, in the emperor's arms, hummed softly and closed his eyes obediently, pushing his confusion about his offspring deep into his heart.
The next morning.
The marching team took a short rest on the official road.
After Shen Zhinian had breakfast in the imperial chariot, he was served by Fuqiu and Handan and then got back on his own luxurious phoenix chariot.
The sunlight brought a hint of warmth, but it couldn't dispel the morning frost.
She had just held Fuqiu's hand and stepped down from the imperial carriage. When she looked up, she saw Gu Jinxiao, who was as tall and straight as a pine tree, standing not far away with his hands hanging down, as if waiting to meet the emperor.
His eyes were looking straight ahead, and his expression was still that dignified and proper.
Shen Zhinian nodded slightly as a greeting: "Minister Gu."
Upon hearing the voice, Gu Jinxiao immediately turned around, bowed, and said in a clear and steady voice: "Your humble servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine Chen."
In this brief moment of intersection, the cool morning breeze blew by, just lifting a strand of loose hair on the side of Shen Zhinian's neck.
An ambiguous red mark was particularly eye-catching on her snow-white, delicate skin, and fell into Gu Jinxiao's eyes without any cover.
Although Gu Jinxiao was inexperienced, he understood what this was...
At that moment, Gu Jinxiao felt as if his heart was being grasped by an invisible hand.
He maintained his saluting posture, but his fingers hanging at his sides curled up slightly, and his knuckles turned white under the wide sleeves of his robe.
But Gu Jinxiao forcibly suppressed his turbulent emotions and did not show any abnormality.
Shen Zhinian didn't notice the strange look that flashed across Gu Jinxiao's face. Without saying anything more, he calmly boarded his phoenix chariot with Fuqiu's support.
The heavy brocade curtain fell, blocking out all sight.
Gu Jinxiao still maintained his bent posture until the curtain of the phoenix chariot was completely still, then he slowly stood up.
His eyes were always lowered, as if he was looking at the white frost condensed on the ground.
Gu Jinxiao's fingers were still tightly curled under his sleeves. The glaring red mark, like a brand, was engraved in the bottom of his eyes...
He took a deep breath of the cold air, trying to suppress the overwhelming stagnation in his chest.
Gu Jinxiao turned his gaze towards the direction of the emperor's carriage and took a step forward.
The sunlight fell on his straight back, but it could not dispel the haze that suddenly enveloped him.
……
The phoenix chariot was filled with the elegant fragrance of lilies. Shen Zhinian leaned against the cushion, and Handan was gently rubbing his forehead to relieve the fatigue of the journey.
A corner of the brocade curtain was lifted, and Xiao Mingzi's energetic face peeked in. He knelt politely and saluted: "Your servant greets the Empress. May the Empress be blessed with good health!"
Seeing that Xiao Mingzi was safe and sound, Shen Zhinian breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Get up."
"I just heard from Fuqiu that you sneaked back to the camp on the first day I fell into a coma. Whatever happens, I'm glad you came back safely."
Xiao Mingzi climbed up swiftly, his face showing a mixture of relief and fear after surviving the ordeal: "I deserve to die. I made Her Majesty worry!"
"That night, chaos broke out. Outside, there were rebels and Huns everywhere, with swords flashing and sabers flying..."
"I don't know where I fled to, but I ended up hiding in an abandoned hunter's hut. I only dared to return after learning that the rebels had been wiped out by the Dragon Armor Army."
When talking about this, Xiao Mingzi patted his chest with lingering fear: "What a close call! This time, I almost died outside!"
Shen Zhinian listened quietly.
Although Xiao Mingzi downplayed the situation, the danger involved can be imagined.
She said softly, "I'm glad you're okay."
With the Empress's concern, Xiao Mingzi showed a grateful smile on his face.
Then, he remembered the important matter and took a step forward: "Your Majesty, after I came back, my ears have not been idle. I heard some other rumors..."
Shen Zhinian looked at him with interest: "Oh?"
Xiao Mingzi continued, "It's... it's the gossip that was circulating in the camp a while ago, about you, the Queen, and Minister Gu..."
Handan and Fuqiu's brows furrowed instantly.
Xiao Mingzi didn't notice their reactions and focused on talking to Shen Zhinian, "At first, I also thought it was just a storm out of thin air, just gossip from some ignorant people."