Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

Now that the matter of Naha Cairen entering the palace has been settled, the entire harem seems to be shrouded in a subtle atmosphere.

Eunuch An bowed to Murong Shuo and said, "Your Majesty, tomorrow morning, I will go and announce the decree."

Murong Shuo simply said "Hmm" with no expression on his face. Then, he casually asked if there was anything else going on in the harem, and Eunuch An quickly replied, "Nothing else."

At this time, Murong Shuo had already planned to go to Furong Palace. Seeing this, Eunuch An hurriedly sent His Majesty off, but he hesitated and opened his mouth, but in the end, no words came out.

He Cairen had just entered the harem, and tonight was her first night back in the palace, but the emperor hadn't mentioned visiting her. In fact, the same thing happened when he took in other concubines before.

Just as Murong Shuo was about to leave the palace, a palace attendant hurried over. Eunuch An immediately recognized it as someone close to Concubine Liang and was secretly surprised. He had never expected Concubine Liang to send someone here. He said nothing, simply turning his head to look at the Emperor.

Murong Shuo inquired about the visitor's purpose, and the palace servant respectfully replied, "The Empress has ordered vegetables from the garden to be picked and prepared for dinner. She has sent this servant to ask Your Majesty if he has already eaten and if he would like to share."

After hearing this, Murong Shuo smiled faintly and said, "I haven't had my meal yet, so let's go together." After saying that, he put his hands behind his back and strode forward.

Seeing this, Eunuch An hurried to catch up, and the palace maids followed closely behind.

Arriving at Hibiscus Hall, the group dismounted the imperial chariot. Eunuch An followed closely behind, accompanying His Majesty and the palace attendants into the hall. As they passed the garden, Eunuch An noticed His Majesty paying particular attention. He followed suit, but the dim light, the lantern glow intermingling with the moonlight, blurred the view within.

Eunuch An secretly wondered how the vegetables in Concubine Liang's garden were growing.

Walking further, they saw lights ahead. At the same time, they could faintly hear the voices of Concubine Liang, Nanny Li, and Chunmei.

However, just as they were about to hear the content clearly, a melodious piano sound suddenly rang out. The piano sound was beautiful and moving, melancholy and long, as if it contained endless tenderness and narration.

Eunuch An was shocked. Could it be that Concubine Liang was playing the zither? However, Concubine Liang was pregnant, so how could she play the zither?

However, when the sound of the zither rang out again, Eunuch An was certain that it was indeed the sound of Concubine Liang's zither. He couldn't help but wonder, Concubine Liang had never played the zither on her way back from the palace, nor had she had a zither to accompany her, so why did she play the zither on her first night back in the palace?

Could it be that after returning to the palace, he thought of the zither and couldn't help but play it? Eunuch An secretly speculated in his heart.

At this time, Murong Shuo had already stopped, squinting his eyes and quietly listening to the music. Seeing this, Eunuch An also hurriedly stepped back and stood with His Majesty to listen.

The melodious sound of the piano seemed to transport one into a dreamlike world. Eunuch An was mesmerized by it, unable to extricate himself for a long time. Finally, the song ended, and the sound of the piano gradually dissipated into the air.

Murong Shuo then asked, "Has Concubine Liang's piano playing improved?"

Eunuch An was about to speak in agreement, but Murong Shuo didn't look at him, nor wait for his reply, and walked forward. Eunuch An hurriedly caught up, secretly trying to guess the emperor's intentions.

When they entered the palace, they saw Concubine Liang stroking the strings of her zither, her eyes fixed on the window. Her belly was swollen, but it didn't seem to affect her enjoyment of the instrument. Nanny Li and Chunmei stood by.

"Liang Fei." Murong Shuo called out and walked in.

Eunuch An also hurriedly announced: "The Emperor has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, the palace maids all knelt on the ground. Consort Liang, Zhang Tianai, heard the voice and turned around to see that it was the Emperor. She quickly stood up to greet him, "Why didn't you let someone know that the Emperor was here? I only found out now."

After she finished speaking, she saw the palace maid kneeling on the ground and withdrew her gaze. Li Ma and Chun Mei saw this and hurried forward to support their master and also bowed.

Seeing this, Murong Shuo stepped forward and helped Zhang Tianai to sit down. "Sit down. You were playing the piano. How do you report? But why did you think of playing the piano?"

Zhang Tianai smiled slightly when she heard this: "Your Majesty, did you hear that? Yes, Your Majesty has come just in time. You can listen to my piano playing. I haven't played the piano for quite some time."

Murong Shuo glanced at her calmly and said, "Very good. I knew it was you the moment I heard it. The melancholy sound of the piano carries an endless narrative."

After hearing this, Zhang Tianai showed a hint of surprise on her face: "Your Majesty, what do you mean by resentment?" She held the emperor's hand, looking forward to his answer.

However, Murong Shuo just glanced at her hand holding his and said nothing more: "No."

Zhang Tianai couldn't help but feel disappointed when she heard this. She had thought the emperor would understand her music, but she didn't expect him to give such a simple answer.

She wanted to say something else, but Murong Shuo had already changed the subject: "You asked someone to come to me just for this matter?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianai quickly said, "No, Your Majesty. I just wanted to ask if Your Majesty has finished her work. I had someone pick some vegetables from the garden and cook them, hoping Your Majesty and I could taste them together. I wonder if they are ready now? I'll ask someone. Since Your Majesty is here, I'll have them bring them over if they are ready. Please try them."

After saying that, she told Li Ma and Chun Mei to go out and inquire about the situation in the small kitchen.

Murong Shuo looked at her belly and neck, a little surprised: "You only ate these snacks and vegetable juice, and you still have room for dinner?"

Zhang Tianai smiled a little embarrassedly when she heard this: "It can still be used. There's a difference. One is a snack, and the other is dinner. My stomach can still hold more."

After saying that, she pressed her big belly, as if to prove her "strength" to the emperor.

Seeing this, Murong Shuo smiled helplessly: "Okay, then I will try it."

At this time, Nanny Li and Chunmei had returned and announced that dinner was ready. Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianai immediately ordered dinner to be served.

Murong Shuo looked at the dishes on the table, secretly admiring them. These dishes were colorful, fragrant, and delicious, clearly prepared with great care. He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and put it into his mouth, savoring it carefully.

Zhang Tianai was secretly pleased when she saw this.

However, when she looked at the emperor, she found that his expression was still indifferent, and she could not see any emotion. She couldn't help but feel a little uneasy, wondering if the emperor was satisfied with her arrangement.

To break the awkward atmosphere, she asked, "Your Majesty, it wasn't even dark when we returned to the palace. How come it got dark so suddenly?"

Murong Shuo heard this and looked up at her: "Didn't you take a break?"

Zhang Tianai heard this and quickly shook her head: "No, I don't want to rest."

Murong Shuo said softly, "Never mind. Being energetic is good. Playing the zither and painting, these elegant pursuits, ultimately require one to be interested in them."

Zhang Tianai heard this and recalled the time she spent painting with the emperor. She couldn't help but smile and said, "Come to think of it, I haven't touched upon painting for a while. The painting I painted last time is still in the garden. I didn't have time to bring it back."

That painting not only carries her hard work, but also bears witness to a warm time with the emperor. Murong Shuo also thought of this, and a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes.

"If you want to get it back, just tell my servants." He said calmly.

Zhang Tianai shook her head gently, her face as bright as a flower. "No need, Your Majesty. When we have time, we can paint together again and display our new work in Hibiscus Palace. How about that?"

As she spoke, she gently pressed down Murong Shuo's hand as he was about to give an order. That gentle gesture made Murong Shuo feel warm in his heart.

"Okay," he agreed softly, then changed the subject, "But, have you ever thought about those two foxes in the garden?"

At the mention of the foxes, Zhang Tianai's eyes flickered with regret. She had completely forgotten about them during her time in the garden, never visiting them or feeding them. Only after returning to the palace did she suddenly remember those two adorable little creatures.

"Are they... okay?" she asked softly, her eyes full of concern.

Murong Shuo was stunned, obviously not remembering the two foxes. He smiled slightly and said, "I'll send someone to ask."

Before he finished speaking, he had already called out loudly. Eunuch An came in and bowed.

Murong Shuo asked a few brief questions, and Eunuch An replied respectfully, "Those two foxes are well-fed and have grown considerably fatter. If Your Majesty and Concubine Liang wish to see them, I will arrange for someone to bring them into the palace."

Murong Shuo turned to look at Zhang Tianai after hearing this. She nodded gently and said, "Then I'll trouble Eunuch An to bring them to the palace when you have time."

Eunuch An responded, turned around and left to arrange the matter.

"Your Majesty, where are you going tonight?" she asked softly, her tone filled with a hint of tentativeness and anticipation. "I heard that Concubine He is entering the palace tonight and will be staying in the same hall with Concubine Wang. Does Your Majesty know about this?"

Murong Shuo glanced at her and said nonchalantly, "I didn't plan to go anywhere. I was planning to come over to see you."

When Zhang Tianai heard this, a warm feeling surged in her heart.

"Your Majesty, I know the Empress has her reasons for making these arrangements," she said softly, "but I still can't help but ask a question."

Murong Shuo smiled faintly and reached out to embrace her. He knew Zhang Tianai's personality well: gentle and kind, yet sensitive and thoughtful. He stroked her hair gently and soothed her softly, "Don't worry too much. The Queen has her own considerations."

At this moment, Nanny Li and Chunmei came in with dinner. The delicious food carefully prepared in the small kitchen exuded an enticing aroma, making people salivate.

Zhang Tianai held Murong Shuo's hand and walked to the table together. The palace servants had already prepared water and face towels for washing hands. After the two washed their hands, they sat down to enjoy dinner.

"Master, these are the dishes that you and the emperor like to eat on a daily basis." Nanny Li said respectfully.

Zhang Tianai smiled and nodded, savoring the delicacies on the table with Murong Shuo. The two chatted while eating, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

-

Meanwhile, in the side hall, He Qing, the talented woman, was alone, with no appetite for the delicacies on the table. She looked out the window, then back inside, feeling a mixture of emotions.

As a talented woman, her residence was not large, even a little shabby. Compared with the prosperous harem described in the book, this place seemed too deserted and simple.

She knew that the status of a talented woman in the harem was not high, and her monthly salary was pitifully low. If she wanted to live a better life, she had to either rely on financial support from outside the palace or work hard to climb up and gain the emperor's appreciation and reward.

However, on her first night in the harem, the Emperor did not come to visit. This inevitably left her feeling lost and uneasy. She asked the palace maids about Concubine Wang's situation and learned that Concubine Wang was living a joke in the palace. She even wanted to emulate Concubine Liang, but was ridiculed and even confined by the Emperor.

After listening to the palace maid's story, He Qing couldn't help but laugh. She secretly laughed at Wang Cairen's arrogance, but she couldn't help but worry about her own future.