116Isn't that a social disaster?
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
Chapter 116 Isn't this a recipe for disaster?
Li Huai was fuming, his mustache bristling.
Shen Yulou's words were utterly out of line.
It sounded as if Li Huai had taken Princess Naxing because he coveted her beauty.
Li Huai was already old, and though he often visited Brothels, he always did so secretly.
Among the court officials, his prestige was quite high.
After all, as an Imperial Doctor, he frequently entered the Imperial Harem. If Emperor Ren were to perceive him as lustful, it would greatly affect his future.
Shen Yulou smiled, "I just spoke without thinking, Lord Li, please don't take offense."
"Hmph!"
Emperor Ren said, "Since that is the case, Princess Naxing will be entrusted to the Imperial Medical Academy. You must take good care of her. Next month, I will begin negotiations with Yan State."
The news of Princess Naxing giving birth should have spread by now. Emperor Ren intended to let them stew for a while longer before negotiating with Yan State.
Li Huai said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, we will do our utmost."
Shen Yulou said, "Your Majesty, the wedding between your subject and the Princess is approaching. I would like to request a day off today to prepare for the wedding."
"Granted."
Emperor Ren said, "The Empress Dowager also places great importance on Princess Siyi's wedding. I have decided to personally go to Mount Wutai to invite her back. What do my beloved subjects think?"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
No one had any objections to Emperor Ren going to invite his mother back.
However, if the Empress Dowager returned, Prince Zhao Jing would naturally also return.
The officials in the court exchanged glances; the situation was about to become more intense.
Could His Majesty be planning to establish a Crown Prince?
The news of Zhao Ying's leg being healed had not yet reached everyone.
But everyone knew of Zhao Jing's excellence.
Was Emperor Ren's trip to welcome the Empress Dowager merely a cover?
Was his actual purpose to bring Zhao Jing back to inherit the throne?
Everyone began to ponder the Emperor's intentions, but no one could figure it out.
Shen Yulou walked out of the Golden Throne Hall and saw Li Hui, greeting him.
"Lord Shen, the method you taught me has been very effective. My wife has already been subdued by me."
"As expected of Commander Li."
"However, my right eyelid has been twitching all day today, and I don't know why."
Shen Yulou thought for a moment and said,
"Commander Li, a twitching left eye means wealth, and a twitching right eye means disaster. You must stay close to His Majesty these next few days to avoid a repeat of what happened last time."
Li Hui was startled, "I never knew there was such a saying. Thank you for the reminder, Lord Shen."
After giving his instructions, Shen Yulou left the Imperial Palace with Song Hu.
After leaving the palace, he felt that there seemed to be more people outside today.
Song Hu frowned, his expression a little strange.
"What, did you find anything?"
Song Hu said, "It's a bit strange; there are suddenly a lot more martial arts practitioners on the streets."
Even Shen Yulou, who was not skilled in martial arts, noticed this, which meant something big was truly about to happen in the Imperial City today.
"It has nothing to do with us. Today, I'm taking the Princess out for some fun."
The two arrived at the Princesss Residence.
Upon entering, servants and maidservants immediately came to attend to them.
Shen Yulou nodded in satisfaction. The Princess still had some skill; everything in the household was well-organized.
The Princess was already a little impatient in her room.
Qingqing said from the side, "Princess, be more reserved."
The Princess rolled her eyes at her, "You're reserved? You play hat tricks with him?"
Qingqing:... After Shen Yulou entered the room, the Princess immediately stood up.
"You're here."
Shen Yulou stepped forward, took the Princess's hand, and said,
"Zhao Siyi, you've lost weight. Did the servants below not take good care of you?"
Zhao Siyi, the Commandery Princess smiled sweetly, "No, I'm used to eating light meals. You must be tired. Sit down quickly, and hurry up and serve tea."
The two sat down hand in hand, their intimate display making Qingqing shake her head.
She had promised to be reserved before he arrived, but as soon as they met, her true nature was revealed.
Shen Yulou said, "The weather is nice today. How about we go to the western suburbs for a stroll?"
"That would be wonderful."
"Someone, prepare a large, thick piece of cloth, a few wooden poles, and some ropes. Also, prepare charcoal, fresh meat, and seasonings. Today, we're having barbecue in the western suburbs."
...Shen Yulou and the Princess boarded the carriage extorted from Minister Hu's family, and the group arrived at the western suburbs in a grand procession.
Looking at the beautiful scenery, the Princess's mood improved greatly.
Shen Yulou went to an open space and instructed the servants to spread out the large cloth, using two wooden poles and ropes to create a simple canopy.
This was common camping equipment in later generations.
People of this dynasty had no concept of camping and naturally found it novel.
The Princess sat under the canopy, feeling very cool.
"Lord Shen is truly talented."
"Not at all. Compared to the Princess's intelligence, it's just a trifle."
"Lord Shen is too kind. To be acquainted with Lord Shen is a blessing cultivated over several lifetimes."
"The Princess and I are even more like a pair of lovebirds in the sky, or intertwined branches on the ground."
"What beautiful poetry. Your concubine loves it."
Their overly sweet words made Qingqing feel a little nauseous, and Song Hu also felt very uncomfortable, so he went to the river to catch fish.
The servants lit the charcoal, grilled the meat, and brought it to their table.
The Princess said, "Lord Shen's idea is truly excellent. With such scenery and some barbecue, it has a unique flavor."
"As long as the Princess likes it."
"Qingqing, dance to liven things up."
Qingqing:??
In broad daylight, wouldn't that be social suicide??
...Li Huai and the others brought Princess Naxing and her child to the Imperial Medical Academy.
Li Huai said, "Princess, rest assured, the conditions in our Imperial Medical Academy are even better than the Imperial Heirs Residence. Besides us Imperial Doctors, there are also many female doctors. When it's inconvenient, the female doctors will take care of you for us."
The Princess had already finished her confinement month, and her body was much better; she didn't need much care from them at all.
However, Li Huai and the others treated the Princess as a treasure, thinking that by getting her, they would be able to enjoy a life of luxury.
If Emperor Ren conquered Yan State later, would their rewards be small?
Princess Naxing held her child, surveyed the environment of the Imperial Medical Academy, and asked,
"Did Lord Shen tell me to come here?"
"No, it was this old subject who petitioned His Majesty for this opportunity."
"Oh, then I'm relieved."
...Emperor Ren's trip to Mount Wutai was a two-day journey, round trip.
Li Hui led twenty guards to escort him throughout the journey.
Emperor Ren sat in the carriage, pulled back the curtain, and asked,
"Li Hui, your wife said she would arrange a concubine for you. Have you found a candidate yet?"
Li Hui awkwardly rubbed his nose, "Your Majesty, not yet. I'm still looking."
"Oh."
"The method you taught me last time wasn't very useful."
Things like 'drink more hot water' only made the Empress more displeased after he said them.
Li Hui scratched his head, "That shouldn't be. It worked very smoothly for your subject. However, Your Majesty is, after all, the Son of Heaven, different from ordinary commoners.
If Your Majesty wishes to make the Empress happy, just bestow some rewards. Why bother racking your brains like your subject?"
Emperor Ren recalled the recent states of the Empress and Consort Qing and said,
"I'm not as easy as you imagine. To win a beauty's smile is not simple either