mesbooks Chapter 276 Avoiding Seeing
Chapter 276 Avoiding Seeing
In the deep corners of the palace, the dispute between Li Zhen and Xu Jiaoran was like a silent storm, quietly spreading to every corner of the palace. Because of a trivial dispute, Li Zhen angrily left the Queen's bedroom and stepped into Concubine Liu's palace.
Concubine Liu, who was in her prime, pretty and from a good family, was overjoyed to see Li Zhen coming and entertained him. However, Li Zhen was always indifferent to her.
It was already late at night. Concubine Liu stepped forward and said softly, "Your Majesty, I will help you change your clothes."
Her words were full of respect and concern. However, Li Zhen's face was extremely cold, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed an unquestionable coldness, "Don't touch me!"
This cold shout echoed in the quiet palace. Concubine Liu's hands froze in mid-air, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared.
She quietly withdrew, but she felt mixed emotions. She knew that this was the emperor's temper. Why was he like this? He was obviously not here to favor her.
Li Zhen stood there, his aloof figure seemed a little lonely. He was furious, and he couldn't understand Xu Jiaoran's indifference and disregard for him. So he chose to spend the night here, allowing Concubine Liu's diligence and humility to play out before his eyes.
Concubine Liu stood quietly by the side. She knew her position and dared not make any rash moves. She could only quietly prepare everything to make Li Zhen live comfortably here.
It was really late at night, and Concubine Liu was already sleepy. She spoke softly, "Your Majesty, it's late at night, you need to rest."
Although her voice was gentle, it was cautious. Li Zhen raised his head and looked into her bright eyes without a ripple in his heart.
"You should go and rest yourself." Li Zhen's voice was full of fatigue and helplessness. He knew that staying here overnight would only add to his troubles.
Concubine Liu smiled stiffly, "Yes, Your Majesty."
At night, Li Zhen slept on the bed. She could only sleep on a small and hard couch, which made her feel uncomfortable. Her heart was unsettled and she guessed many possibilities.
It was late at night, and the lights in the palace gradually went out. Li Zhen sat alone on the bed, his heart filled with loneliness and confusion. He looked at the moonlight outside the window, and couldn't help but think of Xu Jiaoran's face. He began to reflect on his behavior. Was he too impulsive? Should he not just walk away? But people had rejected him, and he was a little angry.
But he couldn't calm down. He felt hurt by Xu Jiaoran's indifference, but he couldn't find a way to solve the problem. His mood was complicated and contradictory, like a tangled thread that couldn't be sorted out.
……
Early the next morning, Li Zhen went to court. When Concubine Liu woke up, she still felt confused about the night before. However, she didn't have time to think about it because the favored concubine had to pay respects to the queen the next day, so Concubine Liu dressed up and went out.
Many concubines came to pay their respects to the Queen today. Most of them came to take a look because Concubine Liu was favored last night, and they all felt jealous.
Concubine Liu ignored the envy and jealousy of these people, but when she met the Queen, there was a hint of unknown panic in her heart.
"I am late. I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen. I hope Her Majesty will not blame me."
The concubines were envious, jealous and resentful of Concubine Liu, and began to speak sourly of her.
"Look, isn't this our sister Concubine Liu? She was favored by His Majesty yesterday, yet she dares to be so late today?" an arrogant concubine challenged.
"Humph, the newly favored ones are always so ostentatious. Why don't they restrain themselves a little?" another sneered.
These words were as sharp as needles, and every word made Concubine Liu feel terrified. She was worried that she would be surrounded by hostility from everyone, and she was even more afraid that she would offend Queen Xu Jiaoran.
However, Xu Jiaoran's expression remained calm. She shook her head gently and said calmly, "Sisters, please don't say that about Concubine Liu. His Majesty's favor for the newcomer is a happy event for the harem. We should work hard for the harmony of the harem and make His Majesty's days in the harem more spacious and enjoyable."
As soon as these words came out, there was a sudden silence. The concubines looked at each other in bewilderment. They did not expect the queen to be so magnanimous. Not only did she not blame Concubine Liu, she even spoke well of her favor.
Xu Jiaoran's words were like a spring breeze that swept through everyone's hearts, making them feel ashamed for a moment. They realized how narrow-minded and jealous their previous remarks were.
"Your Majesty, what you said makes sense." A gentle concubine stood up, "We should work hard for harmony in the harem."
Seeing that the queen seemed easy to talk to, Concubine Liu quickly apologized and said, "Your Majesty, today is also my fault. I shouldn't have eaten it. I won't do it again in the future."
"It's not your fault. You're tired from serving His Majesty. Sit down quickly!" Xu Jiaoran said with a smile.
However, only Concubine Liu herself knew that what happened last night was not as the outside world had said. The arrival of Emperor Li Zhen did not set her heart on fire. Last night, the Emperor was like frost in the cold moon, high above, with cold authority and indifferent distance. The unspeakable disappointment and anger made it difficult for her to look up and look directly at the Queen's majestic eyes.
Although the emperor stepped into her bedroom that night, it was not a warm favor. At that moment, she only felt a sense of alienation and coldness from the superior. There was no warm fire or tenderness in the emperor's eyes, but only a cold and majestic scrutiny. Concubine Liu knew that it was not true favor, it was just a symbol of power and a ritual in the palace.
So when she went to pay her respects to the queen, she felt mixed emotions. The jealous eyes of the concubines pierced her heart like needles, making her unable to stand there comfortably. But she knew that her heart could not be shaken by the outside world. Even if the emperor did not favor her last night, she was still the emperor's concubine and a member of the palace. In the future, she would definitely be favored, and she must seize the opportunity next time.
Concubine Liu was thinking this, but who knew that the opportunity would come again tonight.
Your Majesty actually came to me again.
Concubine Liu went to greet him happily, but His Majesty was still cold to her. Concubine Liu was very confused. Since His Majesty came to her place, why did he treat her like this?
Concubine Liu put on her most beautiful dress, hoping that His Majesty would look at her more? To attract His Majesty's attention.
However, when Li Zhen saw this woman hanging around in front of him, he became even more annoyed. He looked up at Concubine Liu angrily and said, "Just do what you should do. Stop hanging around in front of me!"
"But your majesty... you should rest. Let me serve you, okay?" Concubine Liu felt very aggrieved, but she didn't want to miss this opportunity, so she said it directly and ran to Li Zhen, wanting to hug him.
However, Li Zhen quickly stepped away from Concubine Liu. Concubine Liu staggered a few steps in surprise and looked at Li Zhen with grievance.
Li Zhen scolded her impatiently: "Get out! If you want to rest, go to the side hall! Don't bother me!"
If Xu Jiaoran hadn't avoided him tonight, Li Zhen wouldn't have wanted to come.