PDLP Chapter 109 The First Beauty Who Became a Substitute Bride (25)
Chapter 109 The First Beauty Who Became a Substitute Bride (25)
Upon hearing this, Shen Huanyu collapsed to the ground, her face ashen.
She never expected that her carefully crafted plan would be seen through by the Emperor so quickly.
Her lips trembled, wanting to explain but unable to find the words, she could only keep kowtowing and begging for mercy: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, Your Majesty, please forgive me, I was just momentarily bewitched and wanted Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine to see my intentions, I will never dare to do it again."
Her voice was choked with sobs, and tears welled up in her eyes. At this moment, she was filled with fear and had completely lost her previous desire to attract the Emperor and the Prince of Chu.
Shen Han was also terrified and broke out in a cold sweat. He hurriedly knelt before the palace to beg for mercy, almost stumbling over. "It's all my fault for failing to properly educate my daughter. She is young and ignorant. Please forgive me, Your Majesty! Please forgive me, Your Highness!"
His forehead was pressed tightly against the ground, and his body was trembling slightly.
Xie Yanhuai's anger had not completely subsided when he saw the disheveled state of the father and daughter in front of him.
He snorted coldly and said, "Do you and your daughter think that my palace is a place where you can play tricks at will? If word gets out about what happened today, what will become of my reputation?"
Xie Siyuan was furious at the stupidity of Shen Han and his daughter, but since Shen Han was already on his side, he couldn't just ignore it.
Xie Siyuan stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, I believe that Miss Shen has indeed committed a grave error."
But Miss Shen was just young and impetuous, and acted rashly in a moment of confusion. She wanted to impress His Majesty, which is why she resorted to this desperate measure.
"Now she knows she was wrong. Your Majesty is merciful. Please be lenient and give her a chance to reform." Xie Siyuan said, bowing respectfully to Xie Yanhuai.
Shen Chumo nodded slightly and said softly, "Your Majesty, what Prince Chu said makes sense. Today is a festival of reunion, and it is not appropriate to punish them too much. Just as Prince Chu said, let's give them a chance to make amends."
Xie Yanhuai's expression softened slightly after hearing Shen Chumo's words.
He paused for a moment, then slowly said, "For the sake of the Imperial Concubine, I will not pursue your crime of deceiving the Emperor."
Shen Huanyu, go back and be confined to your quarters for three months, and copy the "Women's Virtues" one hundred times. Shen Han, go back and reflect on your actions in seclusion, and have your salary deducted for six months. If there is a next time, I will not let you off lightly!
Shen Huanyu and Shen Han felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and quickly kowtowed to express their gratitude: "Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty, thank you for your mercy."
Although Shen Huanyu felt somewhat unwilling, she dared not utter any more complaints at this moment and could only be thankful that she had escaped a calamity.
Shen Han secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling fortunate that Shen Chumo had pleaded for him this time; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
He glanced at Shen Chumo, his eyes filled with gratitude and complicated emotions. After all, he hadn't treated this daughter well before, but now he had to rely on her to resolve the crisis.
When the banquet moved to the back, An Nuannuan came in from the side hall and whispered something in Shen Chumo's ear. Shen Chumo nodded.
Then, Shen Chumo said to Xie Yanhuai, "Yanhuai, do you remember the surprise I told you I had for you?"
Xie Yanhuai's eyes lit up as he looked at Shen Chumo expectantly and said, "Momo, are you going to show me that surprise now? I've been curious for a long time."
A rare, childlike smile appeared on his face, a stark contrast to his previous stern and aloof demeanor.
Shen Chumo smiled gently, stood up, took Xie Yanhuai's hand, and said, "Your Majesty, please come with me. Let all the ministers come as well."
Shen Chumo led Xie Yanhuai to the palace corridor, and everyone followed behind, unaware of what was going on. Looking out from there, there was a spacious courtyard, and in the courtyard, the once calm lake was now lit up by countless lotus lanterns.
The lotus lanterns floated on the water, swaying gently in the breeze. The candlelight rippled across the lake, casting golden shadows, like stars fallen to earth.
Xie Yanhuai looked at Shen Chumo, who pointed to the sky and said, "Look there, Yanhuai, this is the surprise I'm giving you."
In an instant, a firework shot into the sky and exploded with a bang in the night. The firework bloomed like a brilliant flower, and golden rays spread out in all directions, like a dazzling shooting star streaking across the sky, illuminating the dark night sky as if it were daytime.
Immediately afterwards, more fireworks rose into the sky, red like fire, pink like the sunset, and purple like a dream. They intertwined and painted beautiful pictures in the sky.
The ministers and attendants were all captivated by the magnificent fireworks, exclaiming in amazement. The children ran excitedly around the courtyard, pointing at the sky, clapping their hands and shouting, "Flowers are blooming in the sky! Flowers are blooming in the sky!"
Xie Yanhuai looked at this dreamlike scene, his heart filled with surprise and emotion.
He turned to look at Shen Chumo, his eyes filled with love: "Momo, this is truly the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. Thank you for doing all this for me."
Shen Chumo leaned gently on Xie Yanhuai's shoulder and said tenderly, "As long as Ayan is happy, it's all worth it for me to do this."
Xie Siyuan stood in the crowd, watching Xie Yanhuai and Shen Chumo's intimate behavior, feeling a mix of emotions.
Xie Yanhuai was unworthy to have such a woman by his side; all of this should have been his.
After the fireworks ended, Shen Chumo introduced the items to everyone: "These are called fireworks. They are from the hometown of one of my maids, and this is a replica of the fireworks made by her."
The maid had described to me the magnificent sight of fireworks, and I thought I must let His Majesty and everyone else experience it as well.
"Your Highness is so thoughtful; Your Majesty is truly blessed. These fireworks are so beautiful; the maid's hometown must be a place full of wondrous things."
Shen Chumo smiled slightly and replied, "You are right, sir. The maid's hometown has many unique skills and objects. I have promoted her to a female official in the Palace Construction Department. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely let everyone see more."
Xie Yanhuai nodded in agreement, and then he looked at the ministers and said, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. With such a magnificent scene and the presence of all of you ministers, it is truly a joyous occasion. I hope that our dynasty can also shine as brilliantly as these fireworks."
The ministers shouted in unison, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Xie Siyuan, behind the crowd, took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and left the palace with mixed feelings. He walked alone to the pond in the back garden and took a quiet stroll.
Just then, An Nuannuan was seen instructing the palace servants to put away the firework boxes that had just been set off.
An idea surged in Xie Siyuan's mind. He walked up to An Nuannuan, his eyes filled with a barely perceptible hint of inquiry.
"Are you a maidservant of the Imperial Concubine?" Xie Siyuan asked with a smile. If he wasn't mistaken, it was this woman who had just conveyed the message to Shen Chumo in the main hall.
An Nuannuan gave a slight curtsy and replied, "Indeed, Your Highness. May I ask what brings you here?"
She was puzzled, wondering why the King of Chu would suddenly speak to her.