Chapter 301: Chapter 244: Clothes Drenched with Water

Xiao Chengyu still wore a bashful expression and said, "Eldest Princess, I will speak to him directly.

If he has no interest in me, then I will give up and pretend this never happened.

Raising the matter at this moment, whether he agrees or refuses, I cannot force him. I ask for the Eldest Princess’s understanding."

Initially, some young noblemen who heard her initial words thought she was somewhat lacking in reserve.

However, upon hearing her subsequent fearless and straightforward declaration, a sense of admiration arose in their hearts.

After all, in this world of strict etiquette, how many women could confront their feelings so directly?

The Eldest Princess’s face was also full of admiration, "Since that’s the case, we can only wish for your success."

"Thank you, Eldest Princess." After thanking her, Xiao Chengyu returned to her seat with light steps, her face beaming with pride.

Mrs. Zhou, on the other hand, secretly worried in the background, full of confusion.

When did her daughter become close with the Eldest Princess? Although they seemed unrelated on the surface, she felt there might be an underlying connection, hoping nothing else would arise from it.

Over on Shen Ruoxi’s side, she had just told her husband not to worry about her anymore, that he had eaten enough, and to have some more to eat.

At this moment, a lady-in-waiting was pouring water for Shen Ruoxi, who couldn’t drink alcohol due to pregnancy.

Somehow, her hand suddenly slipped, and water spilled from the pot onto Shen Ruoxi’s blouse.

Even though Jun Moling reacted quickly, he couldn’t prevent this situation from happening.

In an instant, a large brown water stain appeared on the peach-colored dress, and Shen Ruoxi immediately stood up from her chair.

"How are you pouring the water?" Jun Moling snapped angrily.

While wiping the water stains on Shen Ruoxi’s clothes, he asked gently, "How are you, my dear?"

Fortunately, the water was warm and not hot, Shen Ruoxi chuckled to reassure him, "It’s fine, it doesn’t burn."

The little lady-in-waiting got scared and knelt immediately, trembling as she said, "Prince, forgive me, Princess Consort, forgive me."

The commotion at Shen Ruoxi’s and Jun Moling’s side attracted the attention of the Empress Dowager and Emperor, who asked in unison, "What happened?"

The Emperor, perceiving that Shen Ruoxi seemed to have been scalded, looked displeased and almost stood up yet restrained himself forcibly.

Xu Ci’s eyes swiftly followed, and seeing Shen Ruoxi unharmed, merely stained with water, she breathed a sigh of relief.

She shrugged slightly in secret, thinking that her cousin still mattered the most; the Emperor almost lost his composure this time, though just a tiny bit.

Jun Moling’s face remained extremely unsightly, but Shen Ruoxi gave him a glare.

It wasn’t out of concern for being in the Imperial Palace but rather because today was the Empress Dowager’s grand banquet, and such a small matter shouldn’t spoil the Empress Dowager’s joy.

However, Shen Ruoxi vaguely felt that this maid was not acting inadvertently.

In such an important moment, every palace maid was well-trained. How could the water be spilled on her gown so easily? There might be another plot behind this.

What someone intended to do, she observed silently.

Shen Ruoxi with a gentle expression, softly said, "Empress Dowager, it was this maid who accidentally spilled water on my clothes. The water wasn’t hot, it’s nothing serious, and she didn’t do it on purpose, you may rise and retreat now!"

With the latter sentence, she addressed the kneeling maid.

The maid promptly thanked and stood up.

Yet the Empress Dowager showed displeasure: "How do you serve?"

After all, in such an important occasion, how could a palace maid make such a low-level mistake?

The maid hurriedly kneeled again, fearfully saying, "Reporting to Empress Dowager, it was my hand that slipped, I deserve punishment."

"You indeed deserve punishment!" The Emperor squeezed the words through his teeth, his face gloomy.

Luckily, the water wasn’t hot; if it had been, scalding her, flaying this reckless maid wouldn’t suffice.

As the Emperor finished his words, the atmosphere in the great hall instantaneously turned frigid, and everyone dared not breathe.

Noticing the increasingly tense atmosphere in the great hall, Shen Ruoxi skillfully smiled and said, "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, water is wealth, a good omen indicating that Dayi will enjoy bumper harvests for years. On such an auspicious occasion as the Empress Dowager’s birthday, she shouldn’t be punished!"

Inwardly, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but think, this child is indeed clever and kind-hearted.

If only she had been more forceful earlier and made her marry the Emperor. Thinking of her mother being such a remarkable person, how bad could she be?

Everyone’s gaze focused on this Princess Consort Zhan, all inwardly praising that the Consort’s temper is indeed good, even speaking for that maid.

"Alright then, since the Princess Consort Zhan doesn’t blame you, you may leave!" The Empress Dowager said kindly.

After all, it’s her grand banquet; she can’t lose her temper, especially after she mentioned the auspicious meanings.

Though the Emperor’s expression was still unsightly, he said no more; in his mind, he considered that such a maid still needed a warning.

"Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, I would like to take Ruoxi back to the residence to change her clothes," Jun Moling stood up and addressed the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

The Emperor was about to say to have the maids prepare clothes without needing to return to the residence, but Xu Ci stood up before he could speak, graciously saying, "Prince Zhan, no need to trouble, let me take Ruoxi to my room to change clothes!"

"That’s good too. Thank you, Imperial Concubine," Shen Ruoxi expressed gratitude gracefully.

Upon hearing Shen Ruoxi say this, Jun Moling could only say, "Then thank you, Imperial Concubine."

The Emperor and Empress Dowager nodded in agreement.

Shen Ruoxi stood up, seeing Jun Moling seemed to want to accompany her, she smiled and said, "Husband, just wait here, I’ll be back after changing clothes."

"I’ll go with you," Jun Moling said firmly.

Seeing this, the Emperor smiled and said, "Prince Zhan, I still need to propose a toast to my mother together with you, as it’s her birthday."

Jun Moling paused, looked around, and saw everyone with a humorous expression, seemingly implying he couldn’t leave his wife even for a moment.

"Alright then, come back after you’ve changed clothes," Jun Moling said helplessly.

"Got it," Shen Ruoxi replied with a smile, understanding that he was concerned about her chatting endlessly with her cousin.

As the two figures gradually moved away, everyone raised their glasses again, the scene becoming lively, the sounds of revelry rising and falling.

"The Imperial Palace is about to welcome two new concubines," Xu Ci lightly sighed after leaving the great hall.

Shen Ruoxi was taken aback upon hearing this, "Ah! Two?"

She could see the Emperor’s affection for Xu Ci but felt surprised about another one.

"It’s exactly your former sister-in-law. Who would have thought she possessed such means, truly surprising."

Shen Ruoxi couldn’t help but chuckle, "She merely knows some old tricks others have played before. When accompanying the Empress Dowager to the opera this afternoon, you’ll understand what true astonishment means. But don’t worry, the Emperor won’t favor her."

"Ah? There’s something even more astonishing?" Xu Ci’s eyes were filled with curiosity.

"You’ll see after watching this afternoon," Shen Ruoxi teased.

Xu Ci nodded slightly, "Yet the Emperor seems earnest."

"This Xiao Chengyu set her sights on my husband; when I visited the Xiao Family two days ago, she was infatuated, and today it’s even worse, casting glances towards my husband multiple times. Humph, she can dream," Shen Ruoxi said with disdain.

Xu Ci teased deliberately, "Are you so sure?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Of course, not out of blind confidence, but because he knows that if he involves someone else, he’d lose me. I understand my husband; he wouldn’t do that."

"You certainly have your fun!" Xu Ci couldn’t help but laugh.

Staring at Xu Ci’s beautiful face, Shen Ruoxi suddenly felt a wave of sentiment, "Cousin, take care of yourself too."

Xu Ci’s eyes unexpectedly reddened, yet she forced a casual appearance, "I’m doing very well, you, Imperial Concubine, just rest assured! The Emperor is destined to have multiple consorts, and I’m quite clear about that."

Shen Ruoxi hold her hand tightly, softly saying, "It’s best if you can see it clearly."

Xu Ci gently pinched Shen Ruoxi’s nose, joking half-seriously, "I should’ve dragged you into the palace earlier; that way, I wouldn’t be struggling so much.

Tell me, if you entered the palace, would the Emperor have left all the old concubines like us as widows?"