The Emperor's uncle loves me! My paranoid wife, don't run away

Concubine Jing lay quietly on the bed, her breathing long and shallow, as if she had not yet fully recovered from her fainting.

Luo Yuyao's small figure stood beside the bed, motionless, with both hands tightly holding Concubine Jing's hands.

Shen Runing sat quietly behind the screen, observing the situation in the room with a steady gaze.

She couldn't leave easily until Concubine Jing woke up.

Besides, she had no intention of leaving so soon.

During this period, many servants and imperial doctors came and went. Each of them seemed to be concerned about Concubine Jing, but also seemed to be concerned about more than just Concubine Jing.

As night falls, the light from the palace lanterns shines on the eaves of Ruifu Palace, making it look quiet and profound.

The atmosphere in Ruifu Palace was depressing and dull. Although the people who came and went during the day had dispersed, the undercurrents in the palace had not stopped.

Concubine Jing's sudden fainting caught the attention of countless people.

A cool breeze blew into the hall through the half-open window, dispelling some of the stuffiness of the summer night. The candlelight flickered slightly, and wisps of ambergris burning in the incense burner rose up and filled the entire room.

Shen Runing raised her head slightly, looked at the bright moon outside the window, and silently said in her heart: I hope Mian'er is safe and comes back soon.

He collected his thoughts and looked at Luo Yuyao.

Shen Runing stood up, walked to Luo Yuyao's side, and said softly: "Princess Yuyao, you haven't eaten all day, you must be starving, right?"

"Chun Zhi, take Princess Yuyao to find some food."

Chunzhi quickly responded and gently advised: "Princess, if you collapse from exhaustion, the Imperial Concubine will be distressed when she wakes up."

Luo Yuyao hesitated for a moment, and finally stood up slowly. She looked at her mother reluctantly, then followed Chunzhi out the door, looking back every few steps.

The palace door slowly closed and silence returned to the room.

Shen Runing stood in front of the bed, looking at Concubine Jing quietly with calm eyes.

She gently lifted the curtain beside the bed, her eyes fell on the still pale face, and suddenly whispered.

"My Lady, you've been lying straight on the bed all day. You must be exhausted, right?"

As soon as the words fell, the air in the room seemed to suddenly stagnate. It was so quiet that even the faint sound of the burning candle could be clearly heard.

After a moment of silence, her long eyelashes trembled slightly.

Then, Imperial Concubine Jing slowly opened her eyes. Under the dim candlelight, her eyes were as quiet as a deep pool.

She exhaled lightly, slowly sat up, and her eyes fell calmly on Shen Runing.

"I am so exhausted."

Shen Runing smiled slightly and replied calmly: "If the queen continues to sleep, won't I be trapped in Ruifu Palace?"

Concubine Jing lowered her eyelashes, raised the corners of her mouth slightly, but said nothing.

Shen Runing smiled slightly, looked at Concubine Jing calmly, and sat down opposite her slowly.

She did not pretend to be modest, nor did she try to please, but sat down naturally, as if Ruifu Palace was not Concubine Jing's territory, but her home ground.

The candle flame flickered gently, and the dim light and shadow were reflected on the faces of the two people, one was calm and composed, and the other was graceful and charming.

Concubine Jing looked at Shen Runing quietly, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised, as if admiring or examining her.

Shen Runing spoke softly, her tone casual but revealing a hint of inquiry: "Yuyao? Did the Empress teach you all this?"

Imperial Concubine Jing chuckled and raised her hand to casually fiddle with the slightly scattered hair on her temples. Her every move revealed her elegant demeanor.

"of course."

She spoke in a calm tone, as if she was describing a common occurrence.

"As long as Yuyao holds my hand, she will understand what I mean."

Shen Runing raised his eyebrows slightly, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

She originally thought that Luo Yuyao was simply dependent on Concubine Jing, but she never imagined that the mother and daughter had actually developed a silent way of communication.

Such tacit understanding cannot be developed overnight. Obviously, they have practiced it countless times in places where outsiders cannot see.

Shen Runing sighed softly and smiled with an ambiguous meaning: "My queen, you are really far-sighted."

Concubine Jing smiled softly, but there was a hint of bitterness in her eyes.

"I'm just protecting myself. Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. If I don't leave a way out for myself, I really don't know how many times I would have died."

Her tone was gentle, as if she was talking about an insignificant old story, but Shen Runing heard it very clearly.

In this deep palace, staying alive is the most important thing.

Shen Runing looked at her quietly, with some thoughts in her mind.

Imperial Concubine Jing was meticulous and shrewd. She wanted to get to the point quickly and ask what she wanted to know, but Imperial Concubine Jing would definitely not speak directly.

But things have developed to this point, and she is not in a hurry to pry open Concubine Jing's mouth immediately. After all, the night is still long.

Shen Runing picked up the teacup on the table and gently blew away the tea foam on the surface. Then she spoke casually, "My queen, in fact, you can get away even if I'm not here today."

When Concubine Jing heard this, her expression did not change. She just slowly raised her eyes and her gaze fell on the bright moon outside the window.

The moonlight was like frost, sprinkling on the floor tiles in the hall, reflecting a cold and desolate glow.

After a long while, she sighed softly, with a hint of ambiguous smile in her tone: "You can get away, but..."

She slowly withdrew her gaze and fell on Shen Runing again. A faint smile appeared in her eyes, with some indescribable emotions.

"Then I won't be able to pull you into my ship completely."

She paused, then curled her lips slightly, her eyes slightly smiling, but her tone revealed a hint of certainty: "Thanks to Concubine Rong's making such a fuss, I got it without any effort."

Shen Runing looked at her and suddenly smiled.

The smile was light, but carried a hint of profound meaning.

She put down the teacup, gently stroked the rim of the cup with her fingertips, and said leisurely: "Since your majesty wants me to board the ship, why don't you... tell me, where is this ship going?"

Hearing this, Concubine Jing smiled even more. She slowly leaned back on the bed and said meaningfully, "Would you like to hear a story?"

Shen Runing raised his eyebrows: "I'd like to hear the details."

Concubine Jing closed her eyes gently, as if she was lost in some memories.

After a moment, she slowly spoke in a faint voice: "In the past..."

The night was dark, the moonlight outside the window was still as frosty, but the atmosphere in the palace became increasingly gloomy.

This game of chess has just begun.