OBS Chapter 1082: This honor belongs only to Her Majesty (1 million votes plus)
Chapter 1082: This honor belongs only to Her Majesty (1 million votes plus)
Lin Wan didn't know that her husband had been hiding his true identity from Shen Nanqiao from the beginning to the end.
So at this moment, she couldn't help but wonder in her heart, what was her husband afraid of being discovered at the palace banquet?
Or is it... that he is afraid of meeting Concubine Chen and having her discover his affair with Shen Nanqiao?
Lin Wan looked at Lin Xiu's weak appearance and sneered in her heart.
What a loving and loyal husband!
For the woman outside, he was willing to hurt himself and avoid important occasions where he should have accompanied his wife!
"My husband is so seriously ill, how can I not be worried?"
Lin Wan suppressed the anger and humiliation in her heart, and her face was still gentle and concerned, and her eyes were even slightly red: "I can only apologize and not go to the palace banquet. My husband's health is more important."
"It's just...my husband's illness is so severe that I am really worried."
"Someone, go and ask for the imperial doctor!"
She pretended to give orders to the servants.
"No need!"
Lin Xiu hurriedly tried to stop him, his voice sounding a little sharp due to his urgency, and then he started coughing violently: "Ahem... No need to alarm the imperial physician!"
"The Imperial Medical Bureau must be busy today. I just have a common cold. I have already taken medicine and will be fine after a few days of rest."
"It is more important to celebrate the birthday of Concubine Chen. Don't... don't let this little thing of mine delay your important work."
Little did she know that the more Lin Xiu refused, the more doubts Lin Wan had in her heart.
Common cold?
Which noble family son who caught a cold would not immediately call the imperial physician? He was so resistant, obviously because he was afraid that the imperial physician would notice something!
The so-called cold was probably a self-torture trick directed and acted by my husband.
Lin Wan wanted to insist: "But..."
"Miss Wan!"
Lin Xiu interrupted her, his tone unquestionable, with fatigue and a hint of impatience: "Be obedient."
"I'm fine, go ahead and don't miss the time."
After he finished speaking, he closed his eyes, frowned, and looked like he didn't want to say any more.
Lin Wan looked at Lin Xiu's familiar yet unfamiliar face, his deliberately evasive eyes, and the thin sweat on his forehead that she couldn't tell whether it was due to fever or guilty conscience... All her suspicions were almost confirmed at this moment!
The anger and sadness in her heart surged like a tide, almost drowning her...
For Shen Nanqiao, my husband could actually go to such lengths!
He hurt himself, cheated on his wife, and maybe even... took a life!
"Then... husband, please have a good rest."
Lin Wan's voice was still gentle, but it carried a subtle hint of coldness and distance.
She looked at Lin Xiu deeply, her eyes were complex and difficult to understand, containing disappointment, anger, inquiry, and a hint of deep fear.
How many cruel sides of the man she married are there that she doesn't know about?
"I retire."
Lin Wan bowed, turned and left the study.
The sunlight poured down from the corridor, shining on her gorgeous dress, but it could not dispel the coldness around her body.
She stood in the corridor and took a deep breath of the cool air. The gentleness and softness on her face instantly faded, leaving only cold determination.
"Yun Tao."
Lin Wan called her trusted maid in a low voice, her voice as cold as ice: "Have someone take good care of the young master's condition. If there is any abnormality, report it immediately."
"Also, prepare the car and go into the palace."
She wanted to see what secrets were hidden in this palace banquet that her husband had tried so hard to avoid.
Yun Tao said, "I understand."
Lin Wan adjusted her sleeves, straightened her back, and walked towards the mansion gate.
……
Zhongcui Palace.
The morning light was dim, but the inner hall was already brightly lit and filled with warm fragrance.
The bronze mirror was as smooth as water, clearly reflecting the sitting figure of Shen Zhinian.
She was only wearing a plain white middle-length gown, and her black hair fell like a waterfall over her shoulders, making her face look as white as jade. Her eyes and brows showed the calmness that came from a life of luxury.
"My lady, do you like this headpiece with squirrel and grape patterns inlaid with kingfisher feathers and beads?"
Handan spoke cheerfully, with undisguised excitement: "This was given to you by His Majesty some time ago. Wearing it today can also show His Majesty's favor."
As Shen Zhinian nodded, Handan carefully picked up the glittering hair flower and gently pinned it into the side of Shen Zhinian's carefully tied up bun.
The blue and gold threads of the kingfisher feathers are intertwined, the beads are round and crystal clear, and the patterns of squirrels and grapes are lifelike, implying many children, good fortune, and lasting wealth.
Handan smiled and said, "Today is the Queen's birthday. I must outshine all the other beauties and let everyone in the palace see how charming our Queen is!"
Fuqiu was more steady, and was carefully putting the Lingxiao Wumeng bracelet on Shen Zhinian's slender wrist.
The cool white jade touches the skin, and there seems to be mist flowing inside, adding a bit of coolness and nobility.
Hearing Handan's words, a smile spread across Fuqiu's lips: "Handan is right."
"Your Majesty has specially ordered a banquet to be held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. This honor is only bestowed upon Your Majesty."
Then, she picked up the blue Paraiba pigeon egg ring that was a tribute from Sumu on the dressing table and gently put it on the ring finger of Shen Zhinian's right hand.
Under the candlelight, the gemstone reflects a deep blue light like the ocean.
Shen Zhinian's eyes swept across her gorgeously dressed self in the mirror and she nodded slightly, acknowledging Handan and Fuqiu's intentions.
At this time, Nanny Xiao brought a Qinghe Liuxian skirt made of ice silk and shark gauze, and helped Shen Zhinian change into it.
The texture of the shark silk is as thin as a cicada's wing, dyed with the light pink and green of the early summer lotus. It seems like there are flowing water waves when walking, which is elegant and luxurious.
Everyone looked at it with amazement in their eyes!
When the last tie was tied behind the waist, the beauty in the mirror had completely shed her morning laziness. She was shrouded in the majesty of a favored concubine who could not be looked at directly. She was charming, delicate, and beautiful beyond words!
Looking at the child she raised with her own hands and seeing him reach the high position he holds today, Nanny Lin's eyes are filled with satisfaction and pride.
Xiao Mingzi reminded in a low voice: "My Lady, it's almost time."
Shen Zhinian stood up, and the wide hem of her Liuxian skirt spread out under her feet like water waves.
She took Fuqiu's hand and walked out of the inner hall with great grace.
A sandalwood sedan chair carved with a phoenix, carried by eight eunuchs, had already been waiting at the gate of Zhongcui Palace.
After Shen Zhinian sat on it, the sedan chair was lifted steadily and moved towards the direction of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, surrounded by a group of palace servants.
The cool autumn wind blows across the golden ginkgo trees on both sides of the palace road.
Although today's birthday banquet was not extremely luxurious due to Shen Zhinian's insistence, there was still a festive atmosphere throughout the palace that was different from the past.
The main road leading to the Hall of Supreme Harmony was swept spotlessly clean, and every few steps there were palace servants standing with their hands hanging down.
Under the palace eaves along the way, new octagonal palace lanterns with auspicious meanings have been installed, and the vermilion crepe is painted with patterns of happiness and longevity.
The air was filled with the sweet aroma of the banquet carefully prepared by the imperial kitchen, mixed with the fragrance of flowers.
In the distance, in the direction of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the sounds of stringed instruments and orchestras can be faintly heard, melodious and festive!
The sedan chair moved very steadily.