From that day on, the atmosphere in the harem became increasingly dull.
Shen Que racked his brains and tried to make everyone happy with Liu Zi, but to no avail. Everyone seemed happy in front of her, but when she was alone, Shen did listen to the reports from the palace people, either sitting in front of the window in a daze all day, or lying down without eating or drinking, and some even cried secretly... …
"What should we do?" Shen Que was very worried and asked Li Luansong to find a solution.
Li Luansong didn't take it seriously and glanced at her: "It's so strange now, Yuanyuan. Do you only see them crying and sad in your eyes? Why don't you look at the dark circles under my eyes? I sleep in the imperial study every day. You Do you think I'm any better off than them?"
How could this still be her fault?
Shen is indeed depressed.
However, something happened.
Cheng Yanyan's palace servants came to report: "Ms. Cheng's wife has been in bed for several days. She has barely eaten. She started to have a fever early this morning and is not awake at all."
The little palace maid was so frightened that she trembled: "I don't want my servant to tell you, for fear that I will worry you..."
Shen Que hurriedly took the imperial doctor to visit.
The doors and windows in the hall were closed, and Cheng Yanyan was lying on the bed with a pale face.
The palace maid said: "My wife won't let me open the window. She always says she is cold and is afraid of the wind."
But it's summer now. It would be boring if we don't open the windows.
After the imperial doctor checked his pulse, Shen Que got up and went to open the window in person. On the desk in front of the window was a calligraphy written by Cheng Yanyan. When women from a scholarly family were depressed, they liked to relieve their depression with poems, songs, calligraphy and paintings.
Those words were really well written. Shen Que looked at them carefully, but found something unusual among the pile of written papers.
She looked back at Cheng Yanyan, who was still unconscious, and then picked up the thick stack of papers and read them one by one. After reading them, she breathed a sigh of relief and looked towards the flowers outside the window.
It turns out that there is someone in her heart. No wonder she has been depressed since entering the palace.
"Physician Jiang, you don't need to look at it." Shen Que interrupted Imperial Physician Jiang, "I'm here, you can go down and do your work."
Imperial Physician Jiang was stunned for a moment, then glanced at the Cheng family's wife, who had her eyes closed. Without asking any questions, he just bowed and silently left.
That day, Cheng Yanyan did not wake up, and Shen Que did not wake her up. He only waited for her for a while and then returned to the palace.
Before leaving, he told the young palace maid: "Please take good care of Mrs. Cheng. If she feels unwell, please report to me. Do not go to the Imperial Hospital to seek medical treatment without authorization."
The little palace maid said yes and respectfully sent the queen off.
In an invisible place, Cheng Yanyan opened her eyes, and two lines of tears flowed down her cheeks. Did she see it?
The queen knows medicine and is so smart, so she must be able to guess at least 70%.
What should she do? The current situation is worse than death.
After Shen Que returned home, he did not visit Cheng Yanyan again. He only cared about her food, clothing and daily life every day. He was relieved to find that she could eat as usual.
She was waiting for her to come see her.
However, there was still no movement from Cheng Yanyan, so Shen Que invited her mother. I heard that mother and daughter have a very good relationship, and maybe her family members can make her feel more comfortable.
Cheng Yanyan's mother stayed in the palace for three days, and the two of them were together day and night. This made Cheng Yanyan very surprised and moved, but she still said nothing.
My mother's advice is still in my ears: "This is your life and the future of the whole family. Women, there is no less pressure than men. You have to cheer up."
Cheng Yanyan did not speak, only silently dazed, but the Queen Mother said that people should pursue their own life...
After his mother left, Shen Que finally waited for Cheng Yanyan.
Incense sticks were burning in the hall, with the scent of orange. The sunset shone into the room, bright and warm.
Cheng Yanyan knelt in front of him and saluted Shen Que: "I am grateful for your kindness. I am here today to confess to your Majesty."
She finally figured it out, finally trusted her, and was willing to tell the truth to her.
Shen Que was very pleased and helped her up personally.
"It's okay if you have anything to say." Shen Que got straight to the point and sent away the palace attendants around him, leaving only Zelan to serve him. "Come here, sit down and talk."
Cheng Yanyan thanked her, but her feet were very weak. Shen Que helped her sit in an armchair and asked someone to add soft cushions.
"Does your Majesty know everything?" Cheng Yanyan asked, apologetic in his tearful eyes, "I have made a big mistake, I beg your Majesty for your mercy."
"My father's father has a student named Chu Yunzhi, who is now taking the examination for meritorious service." Cheng Yanyan spoke very slowly, "I fell in love with him at first sight, but my parents despised the fact that his family was so poor that even though he was full of talent, he could not The two of us are allowed to marry, but I have already married him..."
"It's written on your desk that Yunzhi is him." Shen Que asked.
Cheng Yanyan nodded, "I've seen it all."
After saying that, she knelt down again, "My daughter is guilty and should not deceive your majesty or your empress, but I am helpless. We have the same mind, but our family doesn't allow it, so I went with him... I thought it was a done deal and forced my family to do so. He agreed to our marriage, but my father actually reported my horoscope to the palace without my knowledge, and by the time the imperial edict was issued, it was already too late."
Cheng Yanyan cried: "My Lady, I didn't mean to deceive your Majesty and your Majesty. But I really have no feelings for your Majesty. He is my cousin, the cousin I have known since childhood, and there is Yang Zhi in front of me. I have learned from the past that I have no intention of entering the palace, but I cannot control my own destiny..."
Shen indeed understood.
That day in her room, she saw this name written on almost every piece of paper. It must be the name of her sweetheart, otherwise she wouldn't be remembered so much day and night.
Moreover, when Yanyan fell asleep that day, Shen Que took her hand back from covering her with the quilt and checked her pulse. At that time, he also understood everything. She had been pregnant for two months. Pregnant.
That's why Imperial Physician Jiang was sent away to avoid embarrassment to her.
"Then how do you want me to help you?" Shen Que helped her up.
Cheng Yanyan was shocked: "Empress..."
She didn't expect that Shen Que would want to help her. She wanted to bear all the blame herself and only asked to forgive her family and loved ones after her death. She didn't expect that she would receive forgiveness and help.
"I am also a woman, and I know how it feels to care for someone. You are not wrong. As a woman, there are too many helplessness." Shen Que said, "You don't have to be afraid. After all, you are also His Majesty and my sister. We will let you You married your sweetheart with great grace."
Cheng Yanyan was stunned: "Is it really possible, empress..."
"If you believe me, take good care of your body and the child in your belly. I will let you marry that Mr. Chu as you wish, and get the approval of your parents and family."
Cheng Yanyan cried with joy and kowtowed repeatedly to express his gratitude.
Shen Que comforted her a few more words before asking someone to send her back.
Zelan shook his head at the side and said: "What are you trying to do, your Majesty? These old men have brought you so much trouble. It's okay now. They don't care about it, and your Majesty doesn't care about it anymore. It's all left to your Majesty. This is already the second time." I don’t know what else will happen to the others.”
Shen Que said no, "This is the second and last one. If there is any other situation, please leave it to His Majesty to handle. It is not my harem."
Zelan said yes, the queen still has a lot of things to do. Recently, the second lady has opened many shops and urges the queen to check them out.
Before that, we have to settle Cheng Yanyan's matter quickly.
Shen Que quickly found out about the husband named Chu Yunzhi. His family background was mediocre and he was not from a wealthy family. However, he was extremely smart and motivated, and he was kind and upright. He was a good young husband.
Shen Que made an appointment with him on this day.
After hearing everything from Shen Que's mouth, Chu Yunzhi kept blaming himself: "It's all my fault. Yanyan suffers because I have no ability. I thought that he would come to propose marriage one day if he wins the ranking. Who would have thought..."
So he was still a sentimental person. Shen Que nodded and taught him a method.
"On that day, Your Majesty and I will pass by here in a carriage. I have arranged for the thief. As long as you escort the thief, you will be successful. Your Majesty will definitely reward you..."
But before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by Chu Yunzhi, "A man can't take things for granted. I appreciate your kindness, but I can't be such a villain."
Shen Que said: "I know your intentions. You want to stand out on your own merits and marry her legitimately, but can you wait? Can she wait? Can the child in her belly wait?"
Chu Yunzhi was stunned and had nothing to say.
The young man was very high-spirited, but in the end he had to bow his head for the sake of Yanyan and their marriage.
As the saying goes, a man can bend and stretch, Shen Que said: "I have made an agreement with Your Majesty. I just want to give you and Yanyan a justifiable reason, so I use this reward. In the future, you will have many times to show your talents. I hope you will not let me and Your Majesty down." Don’t let down Yanyan’s trust in you.”
Chu Yunzhi saluted solemnly and thanked him.
A few days later, there was indeed a scene on the streets of the capital where the young master was escorting the young master risking his life. Li Luansong knew the inside story, so he made Cheng Yanyan the princess and married Chu Yunzhi.
However, Chu Yunzhi did not accept the rewarded official position in the end. He said: "I am grateful to Your Majesty, and I am willing to reach the top with my true talents and practical learning."
Shen Que was very satisfied with his ambition.
Sure enough, in the autumn examination a few months later, Chu Yunzhi came in second place, successfully gaining recognition from Li Luansong and the Cheng family.
Except for a few veterans who stood up and objected to this matter, no one else said a word.
The veterans only thought how could your Majesty's concubine marry someone else and still be pregnant with a child.
But if you can't talk about this kind of thing, you can only stop talking about it. As long as your majesty is not afraid of being criticized, what else can you do to me?
So, another one left.
Shen Que said: "This is called the beauty of adulthood, but I can no longer take care of my concubine's affairs in the future, so as not to be accused of jealousy. It is better for me to be busy with the business of my shop."
She got busy again and handed the four young ladies to Li Luansong.
