bookcurios Chapter 137: Xuepin's Past
Chapter 137: Xuepin's Past
Liu Ruyan glanced at the tray Xunyou was holding. "Your Majesty only told me to copy the palace rules ten times, but he didn't say that I should be confined to Yilan Pavilion for a long time. Now that I have copied the palace rules, I will go to thank His Majesty."
The eunuchs looked at each other with some hesitation.
After all, what Lady Liu said was not wrong...
The eunuch guarding the gate still did not move aside: "That being said, without your majesty's order, we dare not let Concubine Liu go out. Besides, your majesty has been turning over the sign of Concubine Xue these past two days, so he may not be willing to see Concubine Liu."
Liu Ruyan took out the power of a palace concubine and said in a cold voice: "Whether His Majesty is willing to see me is my business. Now I will take the copied palace rules and go to the Yangxin Palace to express my gratitude!"
Seeing that the eunuchs guarding the gate were still trying to stop her, Xun You scolded them, "How dare you! His Majesty didn't even tell us that even after our young lady copied the palace rules, she still can't go out. How dare you stop her? If she hurts the heir to the throne, can you afford it?!"
The eunuch guarding the gate was Queen Jiang's man, and he was following the orders of Kunning Palace to deliberately treat Liu Ruyan harshly, making her think that it was Shen Zhinian who did it, in order to arouse Liu Ruyan's fighting spirit and hatred towards Shen Zhinian.
Seeing that his goal was achieved, he pretended to stop them and made way for them.
……
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.
A rebellion broke out near Licheng. Although it was suppressed in time by General Yuchi, the leader of the rebels has not yet been captured. If he is allowed to escape from the border to the enemy country, he will definitely find an opportunity to stir up trouble.
The emperor handed the follow-up matters to General Yuchi, who also tried his best. In order to show his favor, the emperor stayed in the Yanxi Palace for the past few days.
Although Concubine Xue has gained some popularity and is no longer like before, as if she has lost hope in everything, she still treats the emperor coldly.
There are so many women in the harem, and the emperor never bothers to coax anyone. After all, this concubine is not tactful, there will always be someone who is tactful.
If it were someone else who behaved like Concubine Xue, she would have fallen out of favor long ago, but the emperor always felt guilty towards her and was more tolerant of her.
"Li Changde, tell me, does Concubine Xue still resent me for what happened back then?"
Li Changde dared not respond to this, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he quickly advised: "Your Majesty also knows that Concubine Xue's temperament is as cold as a lotus on a snowy mountain, so Your Majesty gave her this word as a title."
"So I think that Concubine Xue is not resentful of you, but it is her nature."
The emperor glanced at him and said: "You little dog slave, you only know how to say nice things to please me."
Li Changde bent over and smiled, "How dare I? Everything I said is true. There is no lady in the harem who doesn't love Your Majesty, and Concubine Xue is no exception."
The emperor didn't care whether Concubine Xue loved him or not. He just wanted to make her happy because of what happened back then.
"When I was still a prince, the Great Zhou was at war with the Jurchens, and Concubine Xue's father, elder brother, and younger brother were ordered to guard Licheng. Unexpectedly, heavy snow blocked the road, and the food and supplies sent by the court to Licheng were all blocked on the road. Concubine Xue was extremely anxious and hoped that I could ask my father to send more reinforcements to deliver food and supplies."
"But at that time, the battle for the throne was fierce, and my father was instigated by other princes and suspected that I was forming a clique in the court, and even reprimanded me in court. If I intervene in the border war again, wouldn't it make my father more suspicious and give my opponents a chance to catch me?"
"Later, although Licheng was rescued, Xuepin's elder and younger brothers were ambushed by the Jurchens while they were out of the city looking for food and grass, and both died. Xuepin was so sad when she heard the bad news that she had a miscarriage and could no longer have children."
"I know that Concubine Xue has always resented me for not offering help that day. But I am not only responsible for myself, but also for the lives and property of countless people. How dare I make a mistake under such circumstances?"
"The child that Concubine Xue lost was also my child. How could I not feel heartbroken? I thought that she would understand me one day, but I didn't expect..."
Li Changde listened to the emperor's bitter story and couldn't help but lower his head and wipe away his tears.
Everyone thinks that Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, but who can see Your Majesty's difficulties?
From being an unloved and unappreciated prince to ascending the throne and ruling the world, your Majesty's journey has been really hard...
He had served His Majesty since he was young, and he knew that His Majesty hated women with deep scheming, and liked simple and free-spirited girls. Concubine Xue grew up in the border area, and unlike the noble ladies in the capital, who had to follow strict rules, His Majesty and her also had a good time.
But ever since Concubine Xue had a miscarriage, the two of them could never go back...
"Your Majesty, I heard that Concubine Rou once saw that Concubine Xue was in a bad mood and comforted her. Since then, Concubine Xue has stopped indulging in the sadness of the past. I believe that in time, she will understand you."
Speaking of Shen Zhinian, the emperor's brows softened: "Rou Guiren has always been kind and pure. If all the women in the harem could be like her, I would have fewer worries."
Only the Empress, who is the mother of the country, is the role model for the concubines. Your Majesty actually hopes that all the women in the harem will emulate Concubine Rou...
The emperor dared to say such high praise, but Li Changde did not dare to respond. He lowered his head and changed the subject.
"The knot in Concubine Xue's heart is nothing more than that she can no longer have her own children. If one day she has a little prince or princess, I'm sure her mood will naturally become cheerful..."
Li Changde's words seemed contradictory, but in fact there was nothing wrong with it. Although Concubine Xue could not give birth, there were many women in the harem who could give birth. Concubines of lower rank were not qualified to raise children, so it was normal for them to be given to concubines of higher rank.
The figure of Liu Ruyan suddenly appeared in Nangong Xuanyu's mind.
This woman looked like Guanyin, but her heart was like a snake and scorpion. He really hated her! Naturally, he would not give the prince or princess to such a woman to raise.
Then...Xuepin is the most suitable candidate.
At this time, the eunuch came in and reported: "Your Majesty, Concubine Liu said that she has finished copying the palace rules and came to thank you for your grace. She is waiting outside."
The emperor said expressionlessly: "Let her in."
"Yes!"
Liu Ruyan, wearing a light blue palace dress, walked in slowly from outside and bowed gracefully: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be well!"
She was born with a delicate figure, and after being mistreated these days, she became much thinner, as if she could be blown down by a gust of wind.
Such a weak and helpless posture can best arouse a man's sympathy and desire to protect.
However, the emperor had already seen through Liu Ruyan's true colors. He only felt that she was pretentious, and his eyes were full of disgust: "Didn't I tell you to stay in Yilan Pavilion?"