Duke Cheng'en didn't know that Shao Wanru's painting outshone his, and he bought that maple-leave picture in vain.
After going back to his mansion, he headed for his study to appreciate the satisfactory painting again. To his great surprise, Madam's maid stopped him, saying that his wife wanted him to come to the inner court first.
Duke Cheng'en, who had no idea what had happened, followed the old maid in. When he entered the door, his eyes immediately fell on the table — his precious painting was right in the box on the table. For a moment, he had no clue of what was going on.
He entered the room. With his hands behind her back, he stepped to the table, looked at the painting, and turned back to ask in confusion, "What's wrong? You said you didn't want to see the paintings I bought, didn't you?"
"Is this your birthday gift for the Empress Dowager?" asked Madam of Duke Cheng'en.
Duke Cheng'en turned around
"What kind of painting do you want?" Rui'an Great Elder Princess was drawn to this matter and exclaimed in surprise, "The painting you've prepared for the Empress Dowager is nice. Do you need more?" She was worried that Shao Wanru didn't know how to choose gifts, so she patted her hand lovingly and remarked, "Too many gifts aren't necessary. Just pick the best one for her. The Empress Dowager has seen all kinds of good things. The expression of your goodwill is the most important thing. Your painting of maple leaves expresses your kind feelings and has a striking originality. It is the best. Why take the trouble to collect other inferior gifts?" "Grandma, I want to view more scripts and paintings. Maybe I can do better," Shao Wanru explained. "That's good. I have some. You can take away any of them that takes your fancy." Rui'an Great Elder Princess nodded approvingly, thinking that Shao Wanru meant to put all paintings’ ideas togethe
Thinking of these frustrating things, Madame Zhao felt dejected. If it hadn't been for her husband, her daughter wouldn't have had to waste so much effort and energy. Madam Zhao raised Zhao Xiran from birth. Her daughter had always been smart and quick-witted, even better than her son. Even Minister Zhao had repeatedly mentioned that it would be great if Xiran were a son. But her daughter had gotten bogged down in the abyss of misery because of the Marquis Xing's Mansion, and she couldn't get away. When Madam Zhao was also in tears, Zhao Xiran calmed down and put away her sense of grievance. With a soft voice, she consoled her mother, "Don't be sad. What's done is done. We should take more time to achieve our goal. If those characters are in this mansion, I think what we want is most likely in the study of Hua'an's father, but Hua'an doesn't know about it." She had searched inside and outside her husband's place several
After returning from Rui'an Great Elder Princess's Mansion, Shao Wanru immediately sent someone to invite the chief supervisor. When the chief supervisor sat down, she immediately told him what she had seen in the Duke Cheng'en's Mansion and asked for his advice. The chief supervisor tightly frowned when listening to Shao Wanru's detailed account of the painting. His face changed as he listened to her. When Shao Wanru stopped, he asked hurriedly, "Was the Empress Dowager... Was the mother in the painting feeding the eldest son medicine?" "It should be like that. The child was lying in bed with a towel covering his forehead. His face was pale, and the medicine in the bowl was black. It didn't look like the ordinary drink at all." Shao Wanru thought about it carefully and said. At that time, she deliberately saw it clearly because she wanted to come back and tell the chief supervisor about it. Since the chief supervisor ha
Shao Wanru's face clouded, and there was a severe look in her penetrating eyes. She fully understood what the chief supervisor meant. Others might not understand the painting presented to the Empress Dowager before many others on her birthday, but how could the Empress Dowager not understand it? When the painting displayed by her brother dredged up a distant memory, the Empress Dowager might not bear the scene and faint. After that, she would be seriously ill. The Emperor could also get the hidden meaning of this painting. Even if he was not on the spot, he must have asked about it later, so he also knew the truth. When he saw that the Empress Dowager could only remain in bed due to an emotional breakdown, he would fly into a towering rage. To his dismay, the Emperor had nowhere to vent his anger because this painting was from Duke Cheng'en, his mother's brother. The Emperor could not punish Duke Cheng'en when the Empress Dowager was
The matter they talked about before was so secretive that the Empress Dowager didn't want others to hear their conversation, so even Nanny Wei was not with them. In fact, it didn't matter whether she trusted Nanny Wei or not. When Shao Wanru talked about some secrets with the chief supervisor, she also asked Yujie and the others to go out. Knowing too many secrets was not a good thing for them. The Empress Dowager must have had the same considerations, which showed that she trusted Nanny Wei very much. Shao Wanru was fully aware that she should be more careful when talking about Nanny Wei. "It has something to do with Nanny Wei? How could it be possible?" asked the Empress Dowager. From her surprised reaction, Shao Wanru knew what she said had successfully attracted the Empress Dowager's attention. At first, she just asked this question casually after making sure that Shao Wanru had nothing to do with the matter related
Nanny Wei had walked back and forth outside the Palace gate many times, feeling troubled and uneasy. Absentmindedly, she pretended to look at the Palace gate and the sky, but she was in terror and uncertainty. "What did Princess Chen say to my master? Why did she even invite over the Emperor?" "Is there anything that I don't know happened? What is going on?" In the past, the Empress Dowager would ask me to serve her. What went wrong? Was it about Wei Dahai?" When Nanny Wei thought about this, her heart fluttered more and more wildly, and she felt very guilty about lying about the contract. Of course, the story about the contract was cooked up by Wei Dahai and her. It was her nephew who told someone to bring the contract to the Palace and dropped it there. Then she accompanied the Empress Dowager to take a walk nearby, and they saw it. If the Empress Dowager learned the truth about this matter, she would be in a towering
"Her Majesty wants me to see her in the Palace?" asked Shao Wanru in surprise. She had just had breakfast, and a familiar face came to her. Unexpectedly, it was Nanny Xi. "Yes, my master said she hadn't seen you for a long time. You had been ill before, and she was worried about you. So, she specially asked me to invite you and wanted to discuss something about Secondary Consort Shao with you in passing." Nanny Xi said with a broad smile. Her attitude was completely different from when she was in the Marquis Xing's Mansion. With kindness, her smile appeared pretty amiable. "Something about Shao Yanru?" Shao Wanru secretly frowned because she didn't want to interfere in Shao Yanru's things at all. Who knew what this unruly woman had done? "I've never been in charge of her business. Why didn't Her Majesty look for my Second Uncle?" Shao Wanru asked. Nanny Xi's last sentence was crucial, but she didn't want to get involved
"Princess Chen, do you know what you were referring to?" No one in the hall spoke except for the imperial consort who had been forced to argue with Shao Wanru. In this case, the Empress had to ask personally. "Your Highness, I know what I'm talking about. Even if the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were here, I would say the same thing," Shao Wanru raised her head and said coldly. She showed no fear and looked steadily at the Empress, her soft and charming eyes appearing piercing and steely as the Empress watched her closely. With her current status, the Empress couldn't punish her in private. Since it was so, she did not have to give in to the Empress. In her eyes, the Empress was just making an empty show of her strength. Shao Wanru knew she didn't dare to do anything to her. After Shao Wanru finished speaking, the Empress was so angry that her face turned pale. But as Shao Wanru had expected, her anger gradually coole
"Not yet. My leg just cramped up." Shao Wanru reached out to touch her calf, but her belly was too big to reach it.The Emperor reached out his strong hand and massaged her calf. The young and handsome Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. "Thankfully, you are not going to deliver the baby!"As soon as he said this, Chu Liuchen realized he had said something wrong. He hurriedly explained, "I didn't mean that. It's good that you are not delivering the baby now."After saying that, he realized that something was wrong again and laughed.Shao Wanru laughed so hard that she couldn't speak. Since when did Chu Liuchen, who was as scheming and gloomy as a demon king, could not even speak clearly?"You're still laughing. Did I say anything wrong?" Chu Liuchen glared at her. However, with an elegant smile on his face, he didn't look domineering at all.Shao Wanru continued laughing happily. After a while, she s
Everything in the past had a cause, but this cause was concealed in many mists, so it appeared unreal.After reading the letter in her hand, Shao Wanru put it down with a trace of a smile across the corners of her eyes. She had been relieved of some things. Once she hoped that Qin Huaiyong would treat her like Qin Yuru.This was what she hoped for most in her last life. After all, at that time, she had always thought that she was Qin Huaiyong's biological daughter, and she had no idea that her identity had been seized by Qin Yuru. Right now, Shao Wanru didn't want to mention it again. After the rebirth, she found out the truth and could not be reluctant to get close to Qin Huaiyong anymore.The memories of her last life were fading away, and they become blurred in her eyes.Putting down the memorial in her hand, Shao Wanru smiled with an elegant and calm look in her eyes. "Madam, please pass my gratitude to Ningyuan Army Gen
Shui Ruolan followed the Nanny who led the way ahead and felt uneasy. Since she came to the capital, she occasionally associated with some Madams from aristocratic families. She would not attend their parties unless it was necessary.On the one hand, she always had a weak character. On the other hand, every time she joined them, some Madams always asked about Madam Di intentionally or unintentionally. They were polite to Shui Ruolan on the surface, but they sneered at her behind her back when talking about her.People in the capital thought that Madam Di was Qin Huaiyong's legal wife. Shui Ruolan was a divorced woman. How could she compare with a decent Madam from an aristocratic family? Her status was much lower than Madam Di's. Of course, there were some people who flattered her. They were two-bit nobodies who wanted to curry favor with Qin Huaiyong.This was the first time Shui Ruolan had entered the Palace since she came to the capit
"Yes, Her Highness fainted. Hurry up... Inform His Highness to go to see her. Mingqiu Nun is also there... Hurry up!" Yujie was so excited that she spoke incoherently."Are you stupid?" Xiao Xuanzi looked at Yujie as if she were a fool."Quick! It's true. Believe me." Yujie was overjoyed and kept urging."His Highness will get angry," Xiao Xuanzi reminded Yujie.Yujie blinked her eyes in confusion. "Go quickly. His Highness will be happy.""His Highness will be angry!" Xiao Xuanzi said loudly. He thought that Yujie was out of her mind. What nonsense she was talking about! Xiao Xuanzi had seen with his own eyes how his master treasured Princess Chen. Princess Chen fainted now, but Yujie said that Prince Chen would be happy. What could he be happy for?Xiao Xuanzi felt a chill on his back. He even thought that he might not be safe. Instead, this silly girl was giggling here.Yujie looked
The swing swayed slowly. Shao Wanru sat on it and slightly narrowed her clear eyes in the sun, enjoying the gentle breeze. After a shower, the sky cleared up. Under the blue sky, she felt quite pleasant.It was the third day since the violent political upheaval in the Palace. Everything had returned to the right path, and the Emperor had woken up. The Fake Dead Medicine was remarkably effective.Chu Qing planned to kill the Emperor and shift the blame onto Chu Liuyue. In the end, he occupied the Palace, but at the last moment, Chu Liuchen changed the ultimate outcome.Chu Qing was not the deceased emperor's son. As the truth was exposed, he became a surviving supporter of the previous dynasty.Consort Dowager Qing had an affair with the prince of the previous dynasty on the run and was pregnant. After that, she met the deceased emperor, who had come to wipe out the rebels. She seduced him and entered the Palace. Not long aft
Chu Liuyue looked at the Emperor indifferently. During this period, the Emperor often vomited blood. He was used to such a scene. He fainted again, but so what?He walked up to pull the Emperor up and said, "Father, you'd better write it carefully so as not to cause me more trouble..."The next moment, his hand paused before the Emperor. Abruptly, Chu Liuyue reached out to feel his breath, and his face changed drastically."Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Derong was terrified and looked at Chu Liuyue. Likewise, he reached out to feel the Emperor's breath and knelt on the ground in a panic. "His Majesty... passed away!"Chu Liuyue looked sullen and reached out to feel his breath again. He found it hard to believe that the Emperor would die of anger because of him. Although he had said he was not afraid of this result, it became more difficult for him to clear up such a messy situation when the Emperor died. Since he was in t
Lights of every palace in the imperial Palace went out at night. There was a great noise somewhere. When the first scream came, many people put on their clothes and lit the lights again.These women in the Palace looked ghastly pale. They wanted to hide elsewhere but couldn't find shelter in the darkness. They trembled and huddled together, not knowing what had happened. Anyway, it didn't sound like a good thing. How could such a lot of awful noise appear in the Palace? The first idea that came to many people was that a rebellion was happening.In the night, Zhaoyi Di hurriedly followed a eunuch carrying a lantern and went to a palace out of use.Chu Liuyue was sitting in the middle of the hall."Greetings, Your Highness!" Zhaoyi Di said."How is it going?" Chu Liuyue asked."Commandery Prince Cheng has taken some people to the Emperor's resting place!" Zhaoyi Di reported."Good, well d
"From the previous dynasty?" Shao Wanru looked up. Though she was surprised, she didn't show it. She had figured it out. But after confirming it, she was wide awake."Will the Empress Dowager be in danger? I'll go to the Palace every day in the next few days!" Shao Wanru suggested."No, it's too dangerous!" Chu Liuchen shook his head."It doesn't matter. I have helpers by my side and bracelets!" Shao Wanru reached out her hand and cutely shook it. There was a pair of glossy sapphire bracelets on her wrist. At a glance, they were not ordinary.Chu Liuchen said with his face darkening, "No!"Such a close-fitting concealed weapon should be the last resort. As long as he thought Shao Wanru would be in such a dangerous situation, he would not be at ease. "Let Qin Yiyan accompany my Imperial Grandmother!""But someone should accompany and protect Noble Consort Lan. If those people deal with her..." Shao W
"Master, there is something wrong with the sandalwood." Qi Jue pulled an incense stick out of the incense burner at hand.Chu Liuchen took it and frowned. "What's the problem?"Qi Jue replied with a serious look, "There is something added to it. If it is used for a long term, one will be mentally and physically exhausted, then lack strength, and spit out blood. If putting another ingredient into the medicine at this time, it is very likely to cause sudden death."On the bed, the Emperor leaned against Noble Consort Lan with a pale face. Just now, he spat out blood again, and he felt very uncomfortable all over.Noble Consort Lan stroked the Emperor hard while looking toward Chu Liuchen with her red eyes, but she did not speak."What was added?" Chu Liuchen asked sternly. He didn't trust the imperial physicians in the Palace, so he brought Qi Jue to the Palace. After entering the Palace, Qi Jue did not check the