Xiao Wenqiang, upon seeing Steward Zhang being dragged away, immediately reverted to her frail demeanor. She cast a complex gaze towards Situ Chuanqiong, a mixture of subtle resentment and unconcealed affection, "This concubine previously thought, Your Majesty was truly so cruel to me!"
Situ Chuanqiong, who always appeared to dote on Chu Yulan in public, stepped forward and took her hand. "How could that be! Don't you already know my feelings for the Empress? Though this harem boasts three thousand beauties, none can compare to the depth of emotion between us."
Xiao Wenqiang inwardly scoffed, *This dog emperor is quite the actor! He kept proclaiming his love for the original Empress, yet he still annihilated the entire Chu family.*
However, outwardly, she softened her tone and looked at Situ Chuanqiong with trusting expectation, "This concubine knows. It is just that our Chu family has sinned, and this concubine dares not ask for Your Majesty's love anymore."
"The Chu family is the Chu family, and you are my first wife, the Empress personally enfeoffed by me. Do not speak such words again." Situ Chuanqiong was adept at sweet-talking. Otherwise, how could he have deceived Chu Yulan, a spirited daughter of a general, back then!
Xiao Wenqiang nodded, about to say something more, when a "rumble" came from her stomach, causing her to blush furiously. The body of the original Chu Yulan had only eaten breakfast and nothing more all day.
Seeing her lowered head and flushed face, Situ Chuanqiong felt a strange sense of novelty.
Chu Yulan, having grown up around military camps, had always carried herself with a valiant air. After marrying him and being gradually elevated to Empress, she had become even more composed. Such a charming, girlish display was rarely seen.
"Someone! Quickly prepare dinner for the Empress," Situ Chuanqiong commanded, then turned to Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang), "Empress, I shall accompany you back to your palace first!"
The young palace maid, Chu Li, followed behind, her small head filled with immense confusion. She couldn't quite grasp how things had progressed to the Emperor and her mistress returning together. However, the current situation was quite good. Her mistress had been so worried lately, and she truly feared her mistress might do something drastic...
As they neared the entrance of the Cold Palace, Situ Chuanqiong intended to leave. After all, his beloved Leng Yuanxiang was waiting for him to dine together!
Before he could voice his intention, Xiao Wenqiang spoke first. "Your Majesty, you haven't accompanied this concubine for a meal in such a long time. Today... may this concubine dare to have such a wish?"
Situ Chuanqiong glanced around. While there weren't many people in plain sight, he knew there were certainly many palace maids and guards hidden, observing them. To put on a show, they had to do it thoroughly. Since Empress Chu Yulan was being so humble, he couldn't refuse.
He then exchanged a look with the accompanying Chief Eunuch, Wang You.
Wang You immediately understood. He summoned a young eunuch and whispered in his ear, "Go quickly and inform Consort Leng Xian that His Majesty will not be dining with her tonight."
After watching the young eunuch nod in acceptance and head towards the "Jin Le Palace," Situ Chuanqiong turned back to the Empress and said, "Lan'er, what are you saying? I've been particularly busy with state affairs lately. Today, I will dine with you!"
Chu Yulan's (Xiao Wenqiang's) bright, expectant expression was immediately met with a response. She curved her lips, bowed slightly, and her tone became noticeably excited, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Didn't Situ Chuanqiong complain that the original host wasn't lively enough? That she rarely displayed girlish charm? Then she would perform the style he favored. After all, Xiao Wenqiang had been a double-award-winning actress in two worlds.
It was ironic. The young Chu Yulan had originally been spirited and decisive, quick to act and quick to seek revenge. It was Situ Chuanqiong who had personally clipped her wings and confined her to this grand prison of the imperial city.
By the time Chu Yulan became Empress, she had suppressed her personality, managed all the affairs of the harem, and cultivated an air of magnanimity and composure. Yet, Situ Chuanqiong then found fault with her for lacking girlish charm.
Ultimately, this man was inherently heartless. Xiao Wenqiang felt that Situ Chuanqiong loved no one more than himself. Therefore, she remained skeptical about the novel "When You Came Across Time to Love Me," which described his deep affection for Leng Yuanxiang after her transmigration.
There were few servants in the Cold Palace. Besides Chu Li, the others, though supposedly attending to the Empress, never truly took her seriously. Most of the servants were spies from various palaces. Among them, the palace maid Zhao Yan was someone Emperor Situ Chuanqiong had placed there. Previously, she had consistently reported to the Emperor that the Empress was well, without truthfully conveying the dire situation in the Cold Palace.
When Xiao Wenqiang and the Emperor entered, Zhao Yan was still leisurely eating her dinner in the courtyard. As a palace maid, the food she was eating now was far more lavish than what had been prepared for the Empress before.
Upon hearing the sound of their arrival, palace maid Zhao Yan had no intention of getting up to pay her respects. After all, this Empress was deemed by everyone to be beyond any hope of regaining power, so they rarely showed her respect.
However, when she looked up and saw the Emperor standing beside the Empress, she was startled and immediately stood up. She quickly knelt on the ground to pay her respects to Situ Chuanqiong. In her haste, she choked. But Zhao Yan dared not make a sound, her face turning red, and it took her a long while to catch her breath.
The other palace servants, hearing the commotion, hurried over and knelt on the ground, all of them silent and fearful.
Situ Chuanqiong looked at the desolate Cold Palace. In the dead of winter, there wasn't even a brazier. He then observed the idle servants, whose meals were even better than the Empress's. He had always cared about his reputation, but these actions were a blatant slap in his face. In an instant, Situ Chuanqiong's expression turned extremely grim.
"What are you all standing there for? Light the lamps quickly!" Amidst the suffocating silence, it was Eunuch Wang You who reacted first.
The palace servants then dispersed to busy themselves. Soon, the Cold Palace was illuminated and warmed.
"Your Majesty, shall we go inside and sit for a while?" Xiao Wenqiang did not choose this moment to make an accusation. After all, she needed to cultivate an image of weakness and helplessness before the Emperor.
Situ Chuanqiong's expression softened. He sighed, "Lan'er, it is I who have wronged you! How could I have been unaware that you have been living like this these past few days!"
Xiao Wenqiang quickly shook her head, "Your Majesty is busy with state affairs; of course, state matters are paramount." She led Situ Chuanqiong as they walked and spoke, "These matters should not have troubled Your Majesty. Moreover, this concubine's appetite has not been very good recently, so eating a little less is of no consequence."
She led Situ Chuanqiong to the couch and seated him. Xiao Wenqiang continued with her subtle words, "To have made Your Majesty worry about such a trivial matter of this concubine, this concubine truly feels remorseful!"
As expected, Situ Chuanqiong's demeanor visibly brightened. "Lan'er, your temperament has changed quite a bit lately."