130Your Majesty, I am playing in the water.
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Chapter 130 Your Majesty, I'm Playing in the Water
Night fell.
Shen Yulou's figure quietly appeared outside Consort Qing's bedchamber.
Today, in court, Consort Qing had spoken many good words on his behalf, so he naturally couldn't be without some expression of gratitude.
During the day, with Zhao Ying present, it was inconvenient, but now that it was late and quiet, it was the perfect time.
Although he was currently 'deeply in love' with the Empress, he couldn't neglect Consort Qing.
Inside Consort Qing's bedchamber, candlelight flickered.
Consort Qing was not yet asleep; instead, she was hunched over a desk, carefully reading a few medical books, a hint of worry in her brows.
For Zhao Ying's leg ailment, she had almost scoured through all the medical texts she could find in the palace.
Although Shen Yulou was treating him now, she still maintained her daily habit of studying medicine until Zhao Ying's leg ailment was completely healed.
Just as she was engrossed in her reading, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind, and warm breath brushed against her ear.
Consort Qing jumped in surprise, almost dropping the medical book in her hand.
"The most beautiful woman under heaven is still burning the midnight oil to study; are you leaving no room for other women to live?"
Shen Yulou's deep voice, with a hint of magnetism, whispered in her ear.
Hearing his voice, Consort Qing's taut body instantly relaxed, and a blush appeared on her face.
She turned around and gave Shen Yulou a chiding look.
"Nonsense, what does my studying have to do with other women?"
Shen Yulou said, "Your Ladyship's words are mistaken. You are already the most beautiful woman under heaven, and you are well-read. What about those women who are not as beautiful as you and not as cultivated as you?
This is called 'involution'! When it's recorded in historical texts in the future, women of later generations will all hate you, hate that you are naturally beautiful and still so diligent; they will never catch up to you in their entire lives."
Consort Qing was overjoyed by his flattery.
This fellow's mouth was truly a powerful weapon; Consort Qing simply couldn't resist such sweet words.
"How can I be as good as you say? What 'most beautiful woman under heaven'? Don't let outsiders hear that."
Shen Yulou embraced Consort Qing.
"Of course, I only say it to your face. In my heart, you will always be the most beautiful."
"Smooth-talker! Today, when the Emperor kept you, he didn't make things difficult for you, did he?"
"No."
She nestled in Shen Yulou's arms, recalling the events of the day, her tone becoming resentful again: "Consort Shu is truly a bitch! How dare she frame you like that!"
Shen Yulou gently stroked her hair, his eyes slightly cold: "Such things will probably continue to emerge endlessly. We must find a way to strike first."
A hint of tenderness flashed in Consort Qing's eyes.
"You are willing to deal with Consort Shu for me?"
Shen Yulou said, "Of course, for you, and even more so for my good son."
"Get lost!"
Consort Qing feigned anger on the surface, but she was deeply moved in her heart.
Shen Yulou actually had no need to get involved at all.
Consort Qing thought Shen Yulou was doing it for her.
In reality, Shen Yulou was just narrow-minded and held grudges.
"Dealing with Consort Shu requires careful planning. If anything happens, notify me in advance, and I will fully support you!"
As Consort Qing spoke, her body pressed closer to Shen Yulou, her fingertips lightly tracing his chest, her eyes already a bit hazy with desire.
Shen Yulou took the opportunity to hold her tighter, whispering in her ear: "Your Ladyship, rest assured, no matter what happens, your subject will definitely stand by you."
Consort Qing was momentarily stunned.
Stand by him?
...On the other side, Eunuch He Shun finally returned to Emperor Ren's side.
During the day, he had rushed back to the palace, walking too fast and straining himself. His lower body was bleeding, and he dared not face the Emperor.
He had to stay in the Imperial Household Department for a day, applied medicine, and only came to the Hall of Mental Cultivation after his wound had improved a bit.
He reported everything he had seen and heard today in front of the Princesss Residence, including how Li Huai had framed Shen Yulou, to Emperor Ren in detail.
Emperor Ren snorted coldly after listening.
"It seems Shen Yulou's words were not false. This Li Huai is truly too bold; he deserves death!"
Eunuch He Shun dared not say more about this matter.
"Your Majesty, it's late. Would you like to choose a consort?" He brought a tray, asking cautiously.
Emperor Ren pondered for a moment, and Consort Qing's figure appeared in his mind.
"Has Consort Qing's name card been presented?"
Eunuch He Shun shook his head, "No, Consort Qing is unwell."
Emperor Ren frowned, glancing at the tray; not only was Consort Qing absent, but the Empress was also missing.
Emperor Ren thought for a moment and said, "Inform the Empress that I will go to her place tonight. It doesn't matter if she doesn't serve me."
Eunuch He Shun was stunned. The Empress also said she was unwell, but since His Majesty had spoken, he naturally dared not ask more and quickly assented...
When Emperor Ren arrived at the Empress's bedchamber, Baiyu was serving the Empress as she washed her face.
The Empress was bare-faced, with a hint of faint weariness in her eyes.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"You may all withdraw." Emperor Ren waved away the Palace Maids, walked to the Empress's side, and looking at her slightly cold face, asked.
"Empress, why have you been in a bad mood recently? Are you feeling unwell?"
The Empress put down the handkerchief in her hand, her tone flat: "Reporting to Your Majesty, your subject merely caught a slight cold and is fine."
Emperor Ren looked at her serene profile and suddenly remembered Li Hui's 'domineering' moves.
He suddenly stretched out his arms, pinning the Empress against the wall, and said in a low voice: "Woman, you are playing with fire."
This should be the 'wall-slam' that Li Hui mentioned.
The Empress was startled by his sudden action, but she quickly regained her composure.
She extended a slender finger, lightly stirring the clear water in the basin beside her, her eyes calm: "Your Majesty, your subject is playing with water."
Emperor Ren choked. This was not like Li Hui's script!
He steeled himself, deciding to continue with Li Hui's tutorial for a forceful approach, directly bending down, intending to carry the Empress in a princess carry.
However, his old injury had just healed, and he was not young anymore. With this sudden exertion, he heard a "crack," and a sharp pain shot through Emperor Ren's lower back.
Emperor Ren cried out in pain, his body swayed, and he dropped the Empress onto the ground.
Emperor Ren's face instantly twisted into a grimace, clutching his waist, grimacing and sucking in a cold breath.
The Empress also fell to the ground and quickly called Eunuch He Shun to come in.
Eunuch He Shun, hearing the sound, rushed in from outside the hall. Seeing Emperor Ren in such a disheveled state, he was scared out of his wits and quickly stepped forward to help him up: "Your Majesty! What happened to you? Quickly summon the imperial physicians!"
Emperor Ren was in so much pain that sweat beaded on his forehead. He waved his hand, trying to maintain his dignity: "No need! No need to summon the imperial physicians! I... I just accidentally twisted myself. Return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation!"
He didn't want the imperial physicians to know that he had sprained his back trying to 'forcefully take' the Empress; wouldn't that become a huge laughingstock?
Eunuch He Shun dared not disobey and carefully helped Emperor Ren, inch by inch, towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The Empress stood in place, watching Emperor Ren's retreating back, a look of speechlessness on her face.
She wondered where the Emperor had learned such clumsy tricks; they were truly terrible...
On the way back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Ren was sweating from the pain, and he felt even more aggrieved in his heart.
He had wanted to learn from Li Hui's methods to give the Empress a surprise, but instead of a surprise, he had ended up in this state.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, and the angrier he got, the more his waist hurt.
Just then, at a corner ahead, a familiar figure came into view.
It was Li Hui!
Li Hui was meticulously patrolling.
Seeing the Emperor, he quickly went to pay his respects.
"Your Majesty, what happened to your waist?"
Emperor Ren's mouth twitched, filled with anger, but such a loss of face was not easy to explain directly.
"Nothing."
"Li Hui, why are you not wearing your official uniform today?"
Li Hui was stunned, "Your Majesty, it was washed and not dry..."
"Hmph, do you still have any respect for regulations? Tomorrow, you will receive twenty strokes of the rod!"
Li Hui:?