The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 703 - 463. Sealing (5k)
As the Emperor, every word and action can release various signals.
At this moment, the Empress deliberately ignored the actions of the Shen family, which appeared particularly striking in the eyes of the guests at Jing Garden.
The reasons were self-evident, and everyone was aware of them.
The recent rivalry between the Shen family and Zhao Douan had long been an unspoken "secret," and now, the Empress's presence clearly seemed to be about restoring the "Imperial Consort's" face.
Zhao Douan was well aware of this, yet he did not purposely target them but rather tried to minimize his presence at this banquet.
As a minister, one should know to restrain one's sharp edges in the presence of the monarch.
Under his gaze, after Prince Jing took his seat, he smiled and chatted with the Empress, catching up on family matters, merely asking about each other's recent situations.
However, the uncle and nephew who hadn't met for years had limited shared topics to discuss, especially since they had to avoid the coup initiated by Xu Jianwen.
Thus, after a moment of conversation, both parties fell silent, and the spectacle Zhao Douan imagined of verbal sparring and hidden struggles between the Empress and Prince Jing did not occur.
The hostile relationship between the two was common knowledge, and the saying goes that forced words are excessive when there is no mutual understanding. Moreover, with so many outsiders present tonight, neither the Empress nor Prince Jing wanted to showcase royal family discord for entertainment.
Therefore, the entire banquet unfolded unexpectedly bland, and the attack outside the city today was tacitly not mentioned.
Until the prepared song and dance ended, the Empress expressed fatigue, and Prince Jing rose to bid farewell and leave.
It was only then that she seemed to remember something and finally glanced for the first time at the always-kneeling figure of the Shen family on the ground, almost prostrated, and said indifferently:
"The Shen family has been somewhat excessive lately."
The Old Dowager, prostrate on the ground, lowered her eyebrows and said submissively:
"This servant realizes the error, the Shen family will fully cooperate with the court's New Policy."
So obedient? Submissive?
No... doing this makes all my previous efforts seem wasted... Zhao Douan was filled with grievances inside.
Of course, he knew that the Shen family nodding in surrender at this moment was largely because they had already been defeated in their war with him.
"If that's the case, then you may retreat."
Xu Zhenguan spoke with neither joy nor sadness, indifferently.
Immediately, he rose and headed towards the room prepared for the Empress to rest in Jing Garden, while Zhao Douan hurriedly followed like a lackey.
After the Empress and her group left.
From afar, including "Miss Hong," "Shen Wuji," the Shen family quickly rushed forward to support the Old Dowager and the middle-aged Family Head, who had been kneeling for nearly an hour or two.
The Family Head managed better, being in the prime of life, with some martial arts background, he could endure.
But the silver-haired Old Dowager was nearing exhaustion, her legs hurt too much to stand, and only after the maid massaged them for quite some time did she reluctantly get up with the support of family members.
Then, carried by Shen Wuji, they left Jing Garden like a defeated dog, amidst countless strange gazes.
Under the night sky.
The Shen family's carriage rolled down the deserted street until it suddenly stopped at a corner. Inside the carriage, the Old Dowager opened her eyes as she heard Shen Wuji, who was driving, say:
"Prince Jing's carriage is waiting up ahead."
Then, Xu Jinglong stepped down from Prince Jing's carriage, walked straight to the Old Dowager's carriage, and cupped his hands:
"My apologies for the hard work, Old Dowager."
The silver-haired old woman looked through the lifted curtain, gazing at the Heir Pianran, and said:
"What instructions does the Prince have?"
Xu Jinglong replied indifferently: "Wait."
"Wait?" The Old Dowager repeated the word.
Xu Jinglong nodded.
All of human wisdom is contained in these five words—waiting and hoping. Always read at the source—MV@LEMP@YR.
...
...
Jing Garden.
The crowd dispersed, and the lively riverside garden fell silent.
The room where the Empress was to rest remained the most prestigious in Jing Garden.
After Xu Zhenguan stepped through the doorway, he turned and raised an eyebrow at Zhao Douan, who was following behind: "Why are you following me?"
Zhao Douan remained calm:
"Your Majesty came alone, without attendants. I thought that if Your Majesty needs anything, you could let me know."
Xu Zhenguan barely perceptibly rolled her eyes as her delicate feet stepped on the luxurious carpet of the spacious, brightly lit room. Her slender jade hands fiddled with the flawlessly trimmed flower branch in a vase on the round table, catching him off guard as she said:
"Last time you spent the night at Jing Garden, did you also stay in this room and encounter that Oiran's assassination?"
??
Zhao Douan broke into a cold sweat, his mind buzzing, thinking, who leaked this information?
Could it be old Hai?
Yes, it must be that old Hai fellow...
He took a deep breath, raised his right hand, and swore with his middle, index, and ring fingers to the heavens:
"That day, I was completely innocent, and I absolutely did not indulge in debauchery; Eunuch Hai is aware of it."
"Pfft..."
Xu Zhenguan unexpectedly chuckled, teasingly saying: "I didn't say anything about you; look how nervous you are."
At that moment, the Empress switched from her dignified and imposing demeanor in front of her subjects to a bit of charm and languor, transitioning seamlessly.
And as she let go of the intentionally "proper" imperial demeanor she maintained in front of outsiders, the entire room seemed to brighten up.
Zhao Douan was taken aback and suddenly, as if driven by a ghost, said: "Your Majesty looks better like this."
Xu Zhenguan pursed her lips, considering it an old habit of his acting charmingly or sweet-talking, thus not paying it much attention. With a wave of her sleeve, two pitchers of wine inexplicably appeared on the table: "Will you drink with me?"
Drinking, I'll drink with you... Zhao Douan strode forward and picked up a pitcher, not forgetting the truth that the Empress privately had a fondness for alcohol... and her habit of secretly hiding to drink whenever she was happy...