The Virtuous Concubine

When Nalan Rongruo heard her say this, he knew that the King of Xiang was completely interested in her, but the Goddess was ruthless. A trace of bitterness rose in his heart. All those sleepless nights in the past, all those secretly pondered emotions, now became pale and powerless.

He stood in the moonlight, looking particularly lonely. Nalan Rongruo closed his eyes: "Your Majesty's words, Rongruo will remember them in his heart." His voice was low, with an indescribable heaviness, "I have overstepped my authority."

Seeing the tears in his eyes, Malu also felt a little soft-hearted, but the environment she was in did not allow for softness. She nodded: "I have already seen the way back, Guard Nalan will send me here. Thank you for today."

She took a last deep look at the vast grassland and the mountains in the distance, then turned and walked away. Bai Xia, who had just recovered, hurriedly followed. When they were far away, Bai Xia whispered to Malu: "My lady, Nalan guards him..."

Malu glanced at her and asked, "What's wrong with him?"

Bai Xia hesitated for a moment, then quickly shook her head and shut up. Bai Fu had reminded herself many times that she had to go back to discuss this matter. When Malu returned to her bedroom, she saw Bai Fu pacing back and forth in the yard, anxious as an ant on a hot pot.

At this time, neither her queen nor Bai Xia came back, which made Bai Fu, who was left behind to pack up, almost go crazy with anxiety. However, she did not dare to make a big fuss. She could only quietly send people to check around. If Malu did not come back in another quarter of an hour, she would go to find Concubine Hui.

"My queen, you are finally back!" Seeing Malu's figure, Bai Fu hurried to greet him, her face full of anxiety and worry, "Why did you and Bai Xia take so long? I was so worried."

Malu patted Bai Fu's hand gently and comforted her, "Okay, don't worry, we just stayed outside for a while. The moonlight is so beautiful tonight, and we will go for a walk after the party." Malu was so calm as if nothing had happened just now.

Bai Fu then noticed the tired look on Malu's face and quickly said, "Madam, please go in and have a rest. I'll prepare some hot water for you. Take a bath and relax." She was about to help Malu and take over Bai Xia's shift. Bai Xia must be tired after accompanying the banquet and walking for so long today.

Bai Xia was not willing to do that. She still had a lot of questions to ask! She quickly rejected Bai Fu and said that she would help the queen take a bath herself! She blinked her big eyes at Ma Lu. Ma Lu knew her little thoughts and wanted to give her some advice, so she didn't refuse.

Malu smiled and said to Bai Fu, "Bai Fu, you are careful. You should help me prepare the dress and riding clothes for tomorrow. This is more important." Although Bai Fu felt a little strange, she said "yes" and hurried to prepare clothes. Malu, supported by Bai Xia, walked to the bathing place.

The palace was spacious, and there was even a small bathing pool. Steam rose from the pool, and the air was filled with mist. Once inside, the warm water vapor hit my face. With the fluttering gauze curtains, it really felt like a fairyland. There was water in the pool, and the sound of the water was like a stream. Bai Xia served carefully, undressed Malu, and then gently helped her into the water.

Malu sat in the pool, while Bai Xia gently massaged her shoulders and arms, with moderate force, causing Malu to sigh softly. Seeing that there were no people around and the sound of water was covering it up, Bai Xia whispered, "My queen... Nalan guards him..."

Malu closed his eyes and enjoyed the water temperature, saying, "You don't have to worry too much about Guard Nalan. He is just being sentimental."

Bai Xia's hand paused for a moment, then continued massaging, but she was even more confused: "But Madam, Guard Nalan seems to really care about you, where did you put the pair of jade pendants? Let's just throw them away!"

Malu nodded: "I thought so too, and I've already dealt with it." Malu placed the cuttings of the plum blossom in the earthen urn. When the plum tree grows into a seedling, she will plant it beside the Plum Fragrance Snow Pond. The roots of the plant will hold the soil tightly, and as time goes by, it will grow more and more. Even if someone accidentally moves the tree out, they will not think of breaking its core roots, and naturally no one will know that there is a priceless jade pendant hidden inside.

Bai Xia was relieved and was ready to joke: "If I were to say, Guard Nalan is not bad. Your Majesty, are you really not tempted?"

Upon hearing this, Malu scooped up some water and splashed it on Bai Xia: "You little bitch, I think you're moved!"

Bai Xia was not annoyed by being drenched, she chuckled: "I dare not move, Madam. Moreover, Guard Nalan has such a good eye, it is normal for him to like Madam. However, I have served Madam for so many years, and I have seen from my cold eyes that men are not very good, and men's love is not reliable at all."

Malu couldn't help but laugh when she heard this. Of course, the man Bai Xia had seen the most over the years was Kangxi. Wasn't this pointing at Kangxi and scolding him?

"Girl, you are becoming more and more bold in your words. Let me be honest with you. I really don't know what Guard Nalan is doing. I have never had much in common with him." Malu explained to Bai Xia while patting the water.

Bai Xia nodded: "Your Majesty has always been a secluded person in the harem, and it is even more impossible for her to have any involvement with men from the previous dynasty. If he bites us, we will never let him off!"

Seeing that Malu was not angry, Bai Xia relaxed even more: "Your Majesty, I dare to speak my mind. In this world, every man has three wives and four concubines. Today he likes this one, tomorrow he likes that one. I thought that women were incapable and incapable of tying down men. But after following Your Majesty, you are such a good person, and the emperor is also like that... I have seen so much that I have become indifferent to it."

Malu was filled with emotion after hearing Bai Xia's words: "Bai Xia, although what you said is blunt, it is also true. People's hearts cannot be controlled. Even though Guard Nalan acted so affectionate today, in fact, he doesn't know what kind of person I am, and he has barely spoken to me. Where does this affection come from?"

Malu didn't give Nalan any face at all. She felt that Nalan was just attracted by her beauty. Seeing Bai Xia nodded in agreement, she continued, "What's more, you see, he said that he loved her so much, but in fact, he still got married. He couldn't even bear the pressure from his family, and he wanted to let down another girl. He pretended to be so disgusting in front of me."

After hearing this, Bai Xia was filled with indignation: "Your Majesty is right. I have never thought of this before! This kind of man, on the surface, appears to be affectionate and loyal, but in fact he is just selfish."

Malu sighed softly: "True love is hard to find, and falsehood is rampant~" As she spoke, she jumped into the pond like a fish longing for freedom, dived into the warm water, and let the waves surround her.

Seeing this, Bai Xia stopped talking and just quietly waited by the pool until the empress had had enough fun, and then helped her dress and go to bed. When the two of them finished their fun, it was already late at night.

The moonlight was like water. Bai Xia and Bai Fu finished their shifts and went back to sleep. Bai Fu sat on the footrest beside the bed and dozed off. She was on night duty today. In the silent night, only Malu had his eyes open. No one knew what he was thinking.