OBS Chapter 411: Concubine Xue bows to the emperor
Chapter 411: Concubine Xue bows to the emperor
A few days later.
Liang Fei's uncle and brother, who were on a tour of inspection under the imperial order, returned to Beijing after completing the tasks assigned by the emperor.
Nangong Xuanyu rewarded people according to their merits, and the two of them were once the most powerful people in the court.
When the news reached the harem, everyone was speculating. Concubine Liang's rank was already two levels higher than Concubine Xue's. Now that her mother's family had made achievements, His Majesty would definitely give the second princess to her for raising.
Concubine Xue was neither arrogant nor impatient. She wore a light orange palace dress, with her jet-black hair tied into a moon-shaped bun, decorated with a pearl hairpin. Her face was lightly powdered, her eyebrows were like spring mountains, and her eyes were like autumn water.
This outfit is less cold and more beautiful than usual.
In the evening in the Imperial Garden, the light of setting sun shines on the Qianqiu Pavilion, adding a layer of warmth.
Xuepin was sitting in the pavilion, leaning against the railing, fanning herself gently with her other hand, looking very comfortable.
This scene is like the painting of ladies hanging in Ruyi Pavilion.
The imperial carriage passed through the imperial garden. The emperor looked at this scene from afar and was slightly stunned.
In the past, when she was in the Qiandi Palace, Concubine Xue's temperament was not as cold as it is now. She often dressed like this, drinking wine and discussing poetry with him, drinking tea and chatting.
But later... ever since the child died, she completely closed her heart.
Nangong Xuanyu could no longer remember how long it had been since he had seen a smile on Xuepin's face.
"Your Majesty..."
The emperor raised his hand to stop Li Changde and strode towards Qianqiu Pavilion.
Only then did Concubine Xue "inadvertently" notice the corner of his bright yellow robe, and she quickly stood up and saluted: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live your Majesty!"
Nangong Xuanyu's eyes darkened slightly.
In fact, Xuepin is not good at acting. Today, whether it is dressing up or waiting for a chance encounter here, it seems a little deliberate.
The emperor also guessed the purpose of Concubine Xue's actions.
But no problem.
Because there are so many women in the harem, Nangong Xuanyu doesn't care whether they are sincere to him or just trying to please him, as long as they can make him happy.
He stepped forward and helped Xuepin up, saying calmly, "No need to be so polite."
"Why do you have the leisure time to come out and stroll around the Imperial Garden today?"
Concubine Xue smiled slightly. Her fair skin looked even more rosy because of the thin layer of rouge she had applied. "It was Yu Mei who said that it was not good to stay in the Yanxi Palace all the time, so she asked me to come out and get some fresh air."
"I didn't expect to meet His Majesty here."
"Quhe Garden is not far from here, and the lotus flowers are in full bloom. If Your Majesty does not mind, would you like to enjoy the lotus with me?"
Li Changde was behind the emperor, watching in amazement.
The sun really rose from the west today. Concubine Xue, who has always been unfriendly to Your Majesty, actually took the initiative to invite Your Majesty to appreciate the lotus flowers together.
In order to raise the second princess, Concubine Xue really tried her best!
If even he could see it, how could Your Majesty not see it? He just didn't care.
"It's a rare opportunity for you to invite me, so I'll respectfully obey your order."
The palace servants were very considerate and just followed from a distance so as not to disturb their time together.
Concubine Xue lowered her eyes, and a clear and cold voice rang out beside Nangong Xuanyu: "Your Majesty, today, I want to apologize to you..."
"Oh?"
Nangong Xuanyu glanced at her, his tone was emotionless: "How could I not know, what crime has my beloved concubine committed?"
Concubine Xue knelt down and spoke earnestly: "What happened back then... I knew that Your Majesty had his own difficulties, but I still felt resentful about it. It was really wrong..."
"I have already realized my mistakes. I hope Your Majesty will be magnanimous and not hold it against me anymore. I was ignorant in the past..."
When Xuepin said this, she felt extremely complicated...
From His Majesty's perspective, under the circumstances back then, he really could not send troops to aid Licheng.
But from her perspective, she lost her older brother and younger brother in one day, and was so devastated by the news that she had a miscarriage. She would never be able to be a mother in her lifetime.
How could Concubine Xue not feel pain and resentment?
So over the years, she was angry with His Majesty and also with herself.
She understood this, and so did His Majesty.
But Your Majesty is the emperor, it is impossible for him to lower himself to coax her, and he disdains to use power to force her to do anything.
The two of them remained in a stalemate.
Concubine Xue knew that His Majesty had been waiting for her to bow her head.
Wait until she realizes the truth.
Wait until her pride is broken and she becomes like those concubines in the harem who try every means to please him every day.
But Concubine Xue has her own pride.
She could not let go of what happened in the past and was unwilling and disdainful to bow to His Majesty.
Therefore, he was complacent and lived in the Yanxi Palace, ignoring worldly affairs.
Xuepin thought that she would live like this for the rest of her life.
However, the birth of the second princess became the softest spot in her heart.
For the sake of the second princess, she was willing to put aside her pride, admit her mistakes to His Majesty, and bow her head.
She was willing to admit that she was ignorant all these years, so she had been immersed in pain and unable to get out of it.
Nangong Xuanyu looked down at Concubine Xue.
Looking at this usually cold and proud woman, she lost her pride in front of him and listed her faults one by one.
A complex look flashed in the emperor's eyes. After a long while, he stretched out his hand to Concubine Xue and said in a deep voice, "Let the past be the past."
"I have never blamed you, so don't think about it anymore. Just start a new life from now on, okay?"
Tears fell from Concubine Xue's eyes, and she looked at the emperor hopefully: "I am willing to live a good life and start a new life..."
Some things don't need to be stated too clearly.
Nangong Xuanyu knew what Xuepin meant.
What rekindled hope in her desperate heart?
What made her change her usual style and dress up again, just to reconcile with him?
She is no longer able to bear children, and only if she could have a child would her life be hopeful.
It's just that... Concubine Liang's father and brother had just returned from their meritorious service, and this was the first time Concubine Liang had asked him for help. He shouldn't have refused, both emotionally and logically.
Although the emperor has not made the final decision yet, the balance in his heart has already tilted when he sees Concubine Xue's expectant eyes.
Tonight, Nangong Xuanyu went to the Yanxi Palace.
The next day, the Ministry of Internal Affairs came with a large amount of rewards, making the deserted Yanx Palace lively in an instant.
Originally everyone thought that when it came to raising the second princess, Concubine Xue had no chance of winning compared to Concubine Liang.
But after this episode, everyone was a little unsure again...
After all, there are so many women in the harem who want to attract His Majesty's attention every day, but only a handful of them can succeed. However, Concubine Xue succeeded with one move.
After dinner, the emperor went to Zhongcui Palace to see Shen Zhinian as usual.
The two talked for a long time, and Shen Zhinian asked casually, "Your Majesty seems to be worried?"
Nangong Xuanyu did not hide it from her: "Liang Fei and Xue Fei both want to raise the second princess. According to Niannian, which of them is more suitable to be the second princess's adoptive mother?"