Chapter 109 Mingzhen, Drink More Hot Water
Shen Yulou found it relatively convenient to move around the palace, and with the Empress's cooperation, things were going smoothly.
If it were truly an emergency, Consort Gui could also be coerced into cooperation.
Therefore, even if Prince Zhao Jing really returned, Shen Yulou had no need to fear him.
His current goal was to fully support Zhao Ying to the position of Crown Prince, which would solidify his own standing in the palace.
Once the Old Emperor passed away and Zhao Ying ascended the throne, Shen Yulou would ask Zhao Ying for a piece of land and become a powerful regional official, living a carefree and leisurely life. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Of course, he still had to work hard for this goal.
Inside the bedchamber, Shen Yulou exchanged glances with Consort Qing a few times, but with so many people in Consort Qing's palace, they dared not be too obvious.
He would find an opportunity later to turn Consort Qing's brand (name tag).
After leaving Consort Qing's bedchamber, Shen Yulou prepared to go to the Ministry of War to get some good steel. He had promised Song Hu a good saber before, and he needed to fulfill that promise.
Song Hu had been so thoroughly coaxed by Shen Yulou recently that he was somewhat reluctant to leave, and there had been no news from Wulin Kingdom.
Shen Yulou had to seize the opportunity to win over this strong man and make him completely loyal to himself.
However, seeing Song Hu's disinterest in women, Shen Yulou had no choice but to approach him through weaponry, catering to his preferences.
Just as he exited the Gate of Heavenly Purity, he saw Li Hui, whose face was beaming.
"Commander Li, what has you so happy?"
Seeing Li Hui's radiant face, as if he were a groom about to get married, Shen Yulou, who was about to marry a princess, wasn't even this happy.
"Lord Shen, I was just about to thank you!"
"Those two tricks you taught me were really effective. After I went back, my wife has been thoroughly disciplined and said she would find me ten concubines."
Shen Yulou frowned immediately upon hearing this.
"Commander Li, is that true? You're not joking, are you?"
"Of course it's true. Yesterday, after I went back, I used the first trick on Madam Li: drink more hot water..."
Li Hui recounted what happened last night. After listening, Shen Yulou only felt his scalp tingle.
You learned what you should, but why did you also learn what you shouldn't?
Is the technique of slapping someone something you, at your level, can master?
Shen Yulou only felt a headache coming on. Madam Li was clearly speaking in anger, but this big, straightforward man, Li Hui, actually thought she genuinely wanted to get him ten concubines!
Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be telling everyone he met, overjoyed. But when he returned home, he would be in for a terrible time. He should brace himself for the storm!
Shen Yulou scratched his head and said, "Commander Li, those few tricks I taught you before were just superficial.
This time, I'll teach you something profound called 'wall-slamming'. If you master this move, no matter how fierce your wife is, you'll be able to handle her with ease."
Hearing Shen Yulou say this, Li Hui cupped his hands and bowed respectfully.
"Please enlighten me, Lord Shen!"
...Emperor Ren was in a very good mood today. Consort Wan was pregnant with twins, which was a joyous occasion.
It would be even better if she could give birth to two princes.
While happy, Emperor Ren also thought of his Old Mother on Mount Wutai.
No matter what, she was his birth mother, and back then, the Empress Dowager had voluntarily withdrawn from the power struggle, which was why things hadn't turned too ugly.
Many years had passed, and he heard that the Empress Dowager's hair had turned completely white. Whenever Emperor Ren thought of this, he felt a pang of guilt.
However, inviting the Empress Dowager back to the palace could not be too abrupt. If Emperor Ren personally invited her and she refused, he would lose face.
So he needed to find an opportunity and someone to sound her out.
The opportunity had now presented itself: Shen Yulou's marriage to the Princess was that very opportunity.
He could use this chance to invite the Empress Dowager back to the palace. If she wished to return, it would naturally happen smoothly.
Therefore, Emperor Ren wanted to discuss it with the Empress to see if she had any better ideas.
Arriving at Kunning Palace, the Empress was practicing calligraphy.
Seeing Emperor Ren arrive, the Empress bowed coolly.
Emperor Ren looked at the characters written by the Empress and nodded in approval.
"Empresss given name, your calligraphy is getting better and better, especially this character 'Lou'; it has great spirit."
The Empress's eyes flickered slightly, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."
The reason this character was well-written was because she practiced it often. When she was bored, she would write certain people's names, and naturally, it improved with practice.
"What is Your Majesty looking for me for?"
"What, can I not come to see you when I have nothing to do?"
The Empress smiled politely, but her smile was filled with distance.
"Your Majesty should visit Consort Wan more often. She has just conceived a royal child and has been promoted to a Consort. She might feel a bit constrained and unfamiliar with many things.
If Your Majesty could show her more care, she would surely be very happy."
Hearing the Empress's somewhat distant tone, Emperor Ren asked.
"Empresss given name, are you blaming me for the assassin incident last time?"
Emperor Ren had also reflected on it; the Empress's cold attitude towards him began after he was assassinated last time.
That time, Emperor Ren, in a panic, had pulled the Empress in front of him to block the blade.
An emperor is inherently ruthless; in his heart, he himself was always the most important.
Let alone the Empress, what if it were even the Empress Dowager?
However, this incident had caused the Empress's displeasure and resentment, which made Emperor Ren somewhat uncomfortable.
The Empress shook her head, "This concubine would not dare. This concubine only regrets that she did not actively throw herself forward at that time. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."
The Empress's words were impeccable and very eloquent, but Emperor Ren always felt that something wasn't quite right.
The reason the Empress spoke this way was because he was the Emperor. If he were not the Emperor, and they were just ordinary husband and wife, would the Empress still be fond of him if he did such a thing?
Of course, Emperor Ren had many concubines in his Imperial Harem, and he didn't need to deliberately try to please anyone; these women all vied for his favor.
But the Empress had, after all, been with him for a long time, and with so many years of affection between them, he didn't want any rift to form.
Now, the Empress consistently refused to open her heart to him, and he was at a loss.
"Empresss given name, I want to find an opportunity to bring the Empress Dowager back. What do you think?"
The Empress said indifferently, "Your Majesty is wise."
She didn't care at all whether the Empress Dowager returned or not.
Emperor Ren sighed. It seemed he would have to figure it out himself.
"You continue practicing calligraphy. I'm leaving."
"Respectfully seeing off His Majesty."
Emperor Ren walked to the door, and just as he was about to exit, he suddenly remembered something, turned back, and looked at the Empress, saying.
"Empresss given name, drink more hot water."
...Li Hui had been on duty for a day and a night, and it was late again when he returned home.
As soon as he entered the door, he saw a mess everywhere.
The room hadn't been tidied, and all the pots and jars in the house had been smashed on the floor by Madam Li.
Li Hui instantly felt his scalp tingle, thinking that everything was fine when he left, so how did it turn into this state when he returned?
At this moment, Madam Li sat on a chair, her face as if covered with a layer of frost.
"Madam, what's wrong?"
Madam Li stood up and said coldly, "Nothing. Didn't you want me to prepare concubines for you? From now on, when you have concubines, you won't need to enter this room!"
Hearing Madam Li's sarcastic and somewhat angry words.
Li Hui scratched his head, recalling Shen Yulou's teachings.
He walked over step by step, cornering Madam Li against the wall, then propped one hand on the wall and lowered his voice, saying.
"Woman, you're playing with fire