The Virtuous Concubine

He stood there in a daze, his eyes fixed on Malu, and for a moment he even forgot to salute.

After not seeing her for a long time, Nalan felt that she looked even more beautiful and charming than before. She still did not dress up to go out today, but it was precisely this simple look that made her look more refined.

Her beautiful face was like a painting or a poem against the backdrop of the rain. The wind and rain were everywhere, but she just stood there quietly, with a calm look in her eyes, as if the hustle and bustle of the world had nothing to do with her.

Including him.

They had had so many intimate moments before, and even Fourteen was the child she risked her life to give birth to for him. But now that they met again, he could only look at her from afar and could not get close.

Malu didn't recognize him at first, but after she recognized him, she didn't even look at him and walked forward.

He has already chosen the Lu family, and I certainly understand and respect that. It would be ugly if I still pretended to be reluctant and pestered him.

It was Nalan who started it first, and Malu was just half-hearted. As for "letting go", Malu was very casual.

It would be a lie to say that I don't feel sad or grief at all.

But knowing that the "forever" he said was fake was one thing, but she was still a little sad when reality burst the bubble.

Originally, there was no pure love between her and him, and the relationship between them became more complicated because of the existence of Fourteen and Ming Xiang's conspiracy. Let it be over!

Malu thought so, and before she could take a few steps forward, Nalan subconsciously walked to the middle of the palace and blocked her way. He couldn't help it, he didn't want to see her for the last time in such a fleeting glimpse.

Seeing this, Bai Xia coughed lightly and glared at the person who blocked his way with a warning look. Nalan came back to his senses and hurriedly bowed and said, "Your humble servant greets the Imperial Concubine."

As if this could explain his rude behavior of suddenly jumping into the middle of the road.

Malu nodded politely and arrogantly, without saying anything more, waiting for him to make way.

But Nalan did not stand up. He could only look at Malu with longing eyes, hoping that she could say a few words to him.

Malu noticed Nalan's gaze, but she didn't even look at him. She just said to Bai Xia, "Let's go."

Bai Xia responded, stepped on Nalan's foot without any hesitation, pushed him away, and continued to support Malu as they walked towards the sedan chair.

Looking at Malu's departing back, Nalan's heart seemed to be tightly gripped.

He wanted to rush forward, hold her, and tell her about his longing and guilt for these days. But his feet seemed to be nailed to the ground, unable to move even a step.

He still has a family, Yuchan and the child, and his own future. Nalan originally thought that he would give everything for Malu, but now he realizes that he made such a promise because he had nothing.

The rain was getting heavier and heavier, and Malu's figure gradually became blurred in the rain.

Will this missed opportunity last forever?

The rain was so heavy that seeing that the palace maids around him could hardly hold up their umbrellas, Malu had no choice but to wait for the rain to stop in the Jiangxue Pavilion in the Imperial Garden.

There's no rush to go back anyway, otherwise it would be bad if someone fell.

Jiangxuexuan was the place where the emperor and concubines could enjoy flowers and rest. Five red crabapple trees were planted in front of the pavilion. When the petals fell, it looked like colorful snowflakes, so it was named Jiangxuexuan.

Now is not the season for crabapples to bloom, Jiangxue Pavilion lacks the bright colors and people who come to appreciate the flowers, but it has a bit more tranquility and elegance. The rain curtain outside the pavilion is like a curtain, covering the whole world in a hazy state.

Bai Xia settled everyone down, and like magic, he took out a set of exquisite tea sets and snacks, and asked the palace servant who was in charge of Jiangxuexuan to bring a small stove with a burning charcoal fire and hot water.

Seeing Bai Xia busying around, Malu held his temple and tried to hold back his laughter and said, "You're like a bee. Why don't you take a break?"

Bai Xia chuckled: "My lady, since you are already waiting here, why not have some tea to kill time."

Malu shook his head: "The rain is so heavy, it means it won't last long. Maybe the rain will stop before you finish it, so it would be a waste of effort."

Bai Xia didn't think so: "How can working for the queen be considered a waste of effort?"

While speaking, Bai Xia did not stop his hands and feet. He skillfully boiled water and brewed tea. After a while, the fragrance of tea filled the air, which was much more comfortable than when it was mixed with the smell of rain and earth.

Malu had no choice but to take the teacup and take a sip.

Seeing that Malu was in a good mood, Bai Xia asked Malu carefully: "Madam... aren't you sad?"

Malu nodded seriously: "Of course I'm sad."

Seeing Bai Xia's expression of "as expected", Ma Lu smiled and added: "The emperor is in poor health, and I am always worried about him. How can I not be sad? Fortunately, the emperor is blessed by heaven, and he will soon see the moon after the clouds have cleared."

Bai Xia realized that she had been teased and stamped her feet in anger. The Queen knew that this was not what she meant!

Bai Xia felt that he had watched Master Nalan and the Empress overcome numerous difficulties before they were able to get closer to each other, but he didn't know when they were gradually drifting away.

The two of them once sang in poetry and painted in harmony with each other, and their close relationship seems still vivid in my mind, but now everything has changed.

She felt very sorry! After all, in her opinion, how could two people who were willing to risk their lives to be together break up?

Bai Xia resisted the urge to sigh and fixed his eyes on Malu, trying to find the reason from the queen's expression.

Malu, however, remained calm, as if those past emotional entanglements had never existed.

Just when Bai Xia was about to say something, Malu gently raised his hand and made a "hush" gesture.

Seeing this, Bai Xia immediately fell silent.

Malu remained silent, and for a moment, no one dared to say a word. The tea turned from hot to warm, and then gradually cooled, and the sound of rain was still heavy. At this time, a slightly awkward but trying to maintain a decent voice came from the side room next to Jiangxuexuan: "I pay my respects to the imperial concubine."

This sentence startled Bai Xia and others so much that they quickly stepped in front of Malu.

Who is this! Hiding here and eavesdropping on their conversation is really hateful and abominable!

Bai Xia was glad that her master didn't want to say too much today, but she would never let the man inside go.

But Malu already knew that there was someone hiding here, he raised his eyes slightly, his expression remained calm.

Few concubines would come to Jiangxuexuan at this time of year, but when she came, the tables and chairs were neatly covered with chair covers and table covers, and Bai Xia asked the palace servants for hot water and a stove, which were given to her almost instantly.

Someone must have come, but when she came, she didn't see any concubines, so she guessed they hadn't left yet.

That's why she evaded Bai Xia and didn't say anything she shouldn't have.

Everyone's attention was attracted by the voice, and they saw a woman in gorgeous clothes and a maid slowly walking out from the side room of the porch. Judging from her posture and outline, she must be a lady from a wealthy family.