OBS Chapter 1095 Shen Zhinian sends someone to investigate Shen Nanqiao
Chapter 1095 Shen Zhinian sends someone to investigate Shen Nanqiao
Shen Zhinian woke up slowly, and the seat beside him was empty. Only the faint scent of ambergris remained on the brocade quilt, indicating that the emperor had left not long ago.
She propped herself up lazily, her long black hair falling over her shoulders, making her face look as white as jade, and her eyes and eyebrows still held a hint of the charming look of someone who had just woken up.
"Your Majesty, are you awake?"
Handan, who had been waiting outside, heard the noise and immediately walked in with Fuqiu, lifting the curtain with a bright smile.
Behind the two men followed palace maids holding warm copper basins, towels and other items.
Handan deftly helped Shen Zhinian put on a soft coat, while Fuqiu instructed the little palace maid to hand her a warm handkerchief and gently wash her face.
Shen Zhinian's voice was a little hoarse from waking up in the morning, adding to his lazy style: "When did Your Majesty leave?"
Handan used a comb soaked in perfume to carefully comb Shen Zhinian's long satin hair, and replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, His Majesty got up at the beginning of the morning hour to attend the court, and specifically instructed not to disturb Your Majesty's sleep."
Her movements were skillful and her strength was just right.
Then she opened her dressing box and selected the hairpins and rings she would use today, and said quickly, "Your Majesty is really good at treating the queen! She was tired all day yesterday, and he even remembered to let the queen rest a little longer."
Handan picked up the headpiece with kingfisher feather and beads and squirrel and grape patterns and looked at it. Remembering that she had worn it yesterday, she put it down carefully and took out a pair of small pearl earrings instead.
Shen Zhinian curled the corners of his lips slightly and let them serve him.
In the morning light, the Lingxiao Wumeng bracelet on her wrist glowed with a warm glow.
After she had finished washing and dressing, Handan tied Shen Zhinian's hair into a bun.
Fuqiu reported in an orderly manner, "Your Majesty, I have already counted the gifts received at yesterday's birthday banquet overnight."
"All items, no matter how big or small, valuable or cheap, have been checked one by one by Doctor Tang and confirmed to be correct. Now they have all been registered and put into the warehouse."
Her voice was steady, yet with a barely perceptible solemnity.
In the deep palace, no matter how great the favor is, one must be cautious, especially with things that enter the mouth and are close to the body, and objects of unknown origin must be guarded against even more strictly.
Doctor Tang is a skilled doctor who has the Empress's trust, so the Empress can feel at ease only after he examines the patient.
"Well, well done."
Shen Zhinian looked in the bronze mirror, watching Handan's deft hands tying her long hair into an elegant bun, and nodded slightly.
The person in the mirror has a clear mind that sees through everything.
The emperor's favor is like oil boiling in a raging fire and flowers blooming in profusion, but it is also the easiest to attract poisonous needles in the dark.
This caution is the foundation of her foothold in the palace.
Xia Feng, who was standing by, took the calming sachet that Concubine Kang had given her yesterday, put it to her nose and sniffed it, smiling, "You don't know, your Majesty, that the storehouse in our Zhongcui Palace is almost full."
Handan's face was also filled with joy. "Just the South China Sea red coral tree that His Majesty gave me occupies a large area! Fortunately, Your Majesty placed it in the bedroom, otherwise there would be no place to store it in the storehouse."
"The exquisite items sent by the ladies of the palaces are dazzling. Xiao Mingzi and the others were exhausted just moving them in."
Handan's tone was lively, with the excitement of a young girl.
The storehouse was full, which was a symbol of the emperor's favor and status in the palace. As a senior maid in Zhongcui Palace, she was naturally proud of it.
Shen Zhinian listened to Handan's description, and the smile on his lips deepened a little: "Pick some suitable and exquisite ornaments to replace the old ones in the hall. Register the rest and store them properly."
"Yes, my dear, don't worry!"
Fuqiu agreed crisply, her eyes sparkling. She had already started thinking about which objects would look better when displayed.
Handan put the last pearl hairpin on Shen Zhinian's head, then took a half step back to examine her, making sure that her appearance was flawless.
The empress in the mirror, dressed in gorgeous attire, looks even more majestic and charming!
Handan looked at it, her heart filled with pride.
Shen Zhinian slowly stood up, her wide skirt spreading out like water waves. The morning light fell on her, as if she was coated with a layer of soft gold.
Fuqiu looked at the empress with peerless beauty, with pure admiration and loyalty in her eyes.
However, between her delicate eyebrows, there was a trace of barely perceptible worry, and her voice was lowered: "Madam, from what I saw from the eldest lady's behavior yesterday... something must be wrong!"
Shen Zhinian's gaze met Fuqiu in the bronze mirror. A hint of understanding flashed across those charming fox eyes, and then they returned to calmness.
Her voice was indifferent and showed no emotion. "Of course I noticed her abnormality, but yesterday was my birthday, a rare good day. I was too lazy to bother with such a clown and ruin my mood."
Later, Nangong Xuanyu was always there, and Shen Zhinian had no time to pay attention to Shen Nanqiao.
She stood up slowly and walked to the window at a leisurely pace.
The autumn sun was shining brightly outside the window, illuminating Shen Zhinian's beautiful profile, with a majesty that was growing with her rising status.
"Fuqiu, you have to understand..."
Shen Zhinian cast her eyes towards the magnificent palace eaves in the distance, and said calmly, "I am now the Imperial Concubine Chen, assisting in the management of the six palaces, and in charge of the huge power of the harem. I need to deal with all the attacks, both open and covert."
"Empress Zhuang is deep-minded, Concubine Wang is jumping around, and we need to be on guard against Ba Ying at all times... and there are also those from the previous dynasty who are ready to make trouble through the harem. I need to focus my energy on these opponents."
At this point, Shen Zhinian paused, and her tone was filled with indifference, "As for Shen Nanqiao... a woman of the Lu family with an empty reputation, she is not even a speck of dust in front of me, and has long ceased to pose any threat. Her thoughts and methods cannot make any waves."
In Shen Zhinian's eyes, Shen Nanqiao was indeed like an ant.
In Shen Zhinian's view today, the past grudges and disputes are nothing more than minor quarrels that are not worth discussing.
She is already standing on the clouds, why should she look down at the struggle in the mud?
However, Fuqiu's words finally left a ripple in Shen Zhinian's heart.
Shen Nanqiao's sudden realization yesterday was completely different from the elder sister in her memory who thought highly of herself and always wanted to be better than her.
Shen Zhinian changed the subject, and there was a barely perceptible chill in his voice, the caution of a superior: "But you are right to remind me."
"Her behavior yesterday was too deliberate and out of character. Although I am not afraid of her, I don't like being watched from behind. I don't want a self-righteous bug to ruin my mood."
Shen Zhinian turned his head slightly, his eyes fell back on Fuqiu, and with a calmness that seemed to be in control of the overall situation, he ordered: "Send someone to check what happened to Shen Nanqiao during the past few months of 'resting' in the Mountain Resort."
"I want to know everything, especially who she has come into contact with, or...whether any 'accidents' have happened."