nucmednet Chapter 233 Shaoyang Palace
Chapter 233 Shaoyang Palace
Royal Palace
After leaving the Imperial Study, Xiao Han headed towards Consort Shu's Shaoyang Palace.
Before even stepping into Shaoyang Palace, one could hear the melodious sound of a zither emanating from within.
The young eunuch, wrapped in a thick cotton coat, stood guard at the palace gate. When he saw Xiao Han's figure, he took small, quick steps to greet him.
"This servant greets Your Highness."
"No gift."
"This humble servant will lead the way for Your Highness," the young eunuch said respectfully with a smile. "Her Majesty would be delighted to know of your arrival today."
At that time, the sunlight shone on the window frames of the West Warm Pavilion, making the room exceptionally bright.
Consort Shu sat gracefully before a guqin by the window, her fair fingers gently caressing the strings, the melodious music echoing through Shaoyang Palace like a gentle stream.
A basin of charcoal fire was placed at her feet for warmth.
Xiao Han stopped when he reached the carved screen, afraid of disturbing Consort Shu who was focused on playing the zither. He stood there quietly, listening to the soothing melody.
"Mother Consort, you are in a very refined mood today." As the last overtone faded away, Xiao Han smiled faintly and walked around the screen into the room.
"Your Majesty, it has been a long time since I heard you play the zither."
Upon hearing Xiao Han's voice, Consort Shu looked up, a hint of surprise rising in her eyes, and a gentle smile blooming on her face.
"Han'er..." Consort Shu called softly.
She got up and walked towards Xiao Han, her skirt inadvertently brushing against the charcoal brazier at her feet, raising some ash and sparks.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty." Xiao Han respectfully bowed to Consort Shu.
"What time is it now? Why are you still paying your respects?" Consort Shu couldn't help but chuckle.
She took Xiao Han's hand and asked with concern, "Look at your hands, they're so cold. Come over here and warm yourself by the fire." With that, she led Xiao Han to the charcoal brazier.
"Why haven't you worn the mink hand warmer that I sent you last time?"
After sitting down by the charcoal brazier, Xiao Han accepted the hot tea offered by the palace maid: "I left in a hurry this morning and forgot to wear it, but I'm wearing a lot of clothes, so I'm not cold."
"Look at you," Consort Shu said with a hint of reproach, "You can forget, but why didn't your two guards remember to prepare it for you in advance?"
"It's because I got up a little late today and left in a hurry, so I can't blame them."
"If you ask me, men are just not as attentive as women. Can two grown men take good care of you?"
Consort Shu said earnestly, "How about I find a few personal maids to serve you in your courtyard?"
Xiao Han smiled helplessly, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. I just forgot to wear a hand warmer. It's alright. I think it's fine as it is."
Consort Shu stared intently at Xiao Han, her expression one of wanting to say something but holding back.
Xiao Han noticed her hesitation. "Mother, judging from your expression, is there something you want to say to me?"
Consort Shu reached out and tucked a strand of his wind-blown hair behind his ear, saying earnestly, "Han'er, His Majesty sent a copy of the portraits of the noble ladies that the Ministry of Rites collected last time to the ladies of the palace."
"Your mother thinks there are several very good girls. Now that you are of age, if you haven't found a suitable princess consort yet, why not take two concubines back first, so that they can take good care of your daily life?"
Xiao Han was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this: "The portraits sent by the Ministry of Rites have all been beautified and embellished. Some of them are not even as good as the maids who sweep and clean in Mother Consort's palace! Don't take them seriously. You should look at them less often."
"They're not as bad as you say. Didn't I see quite a few at the Winter Solstice Banquet last time? Mother Consort thought they were all quite good-looking."
She turned around and beckoned Aunt Yu to bring the roster, then casually flipped through it.
“Look at this one,” Consort Shu said, pointing to the girl in the portrait. “This girl looks gentle and well-behaved. She is the granddaughter of the Grand Tutor and must be a knowledgeable and reasonable person.”
She turned two more pages: "And this one is the Prime Minister's granddaughter. I saw her in person at the Winter Solstice Banquet last time. She's even more beautiful than in this portrait. Your mothers are very satisfied with her."
She then flipped through several more portraits, introducing and pointing them out to Xiao Han.
Xiao Han said helplessly, "Didn't you say before that you weren't worried about your son? Why are you suddenly talking about these things today? Did you hear something from the other concubines?"
"This... nothing can be hidden from you." Consort Shu closed the booklet: "Isn't this because the Empress is currently preparing for the selection of a consort for your third brother?"
"And your fourth brother, if he hadn't gone to guard the border, Consort Li would have already given him her niece from her maternal family."
"And there's Consort Yu. I heard she's also looking for a girl for your fifth brother. As for which family's daughter she's interested in, I don't know for now. But I've also heard she wants to give your fifth brother a girl from her own family."
Xiao Han listened to Consort Shu's account and felt both helpless and amused.
"Mother, you wouldn't also want to give those girls from your maternal family to your son, would you?"
Consort Shu waved her hand: "I never thought of that. However, your two uncles mentioned it to me last time. I know you have your own ideas since you were a child and don't like being arranged by others. I let it slide for you."
"Moreover, although the girls in my maternal family are all good-looking, they are a bit spoiled, just like their mother."
"Look at how frustrated your two uncles are being manipulated by their wives, it's bound to be a nightmare for them to get along in the future."
"My mother is still the best." Xiao Han couldn't help but laugh. "However... isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to say that about my uncle's family?"
"I'm not wrong. Don't be fooled by their glamorous lives outside. When they go back home, they're still completely controlled by their wives."
Xiao Han laughed and said, "Maybe it was my uncle's own choice!"
"By the way, Mother, I'm staying here to have lunch with you today."
"Good!" Consort Shu smiled knowingly: "It has been a long time since you have dined with your mother."
She turned to Aunt Yu beside her and instructed, "Ayu, prepare more of Han'er's favorite foods for lunch."
Aunt Yu, who was standing to the side, curtsied and replied, "Yes, ma'am! I'll go and give the order right away."
Xiao Han looked at the guqin beside him and said, "Mother, why don't you play a tune for me?"
"Alright." Consort Shu readily agreed: "However, you've come at the perfect time. Help your mother tune these seven strings again. I've tuned them several times these past two days, but the tone hasn't been quite right."
"Very well, let me take a look."
Xiao Han adjusted the tuning pegs while plucking the strings to test the sound.
Looking at the strings he was plucking, he recalled the scene of Long Chuqing playing the zither at the poetry gathering.
At that moment, she sat gracefully in front, effortlessly plucking the strings of her instrument. The confidence and composure she exuded made her even more beautiful and captivating, drawing all eyes to her.
The sound of her playing the piano is quite unique. Every note is played perfectly, and the music flows smoothly between melodious and gentle and passionate and soaring, without any dragging or stiffness.