It was an hour later when Liang Qiuli left the study in Zichen Palace.

She shook her aching arms and walked towards the side hall where tea was specially prepared for the emperor.

"Qiu Li, why have you been gone for so long? Did you anger the Emperor?"

As soon as Liang Qiuli entered the door, Granny Qin came to greet her, asking with a worried expression.

After all, everyone in the Zichen Palace knew that the Emperor had been in a bad mood lately.

Liang Qiuli didn't take it to heart, smiled lightly, and shook her head: "No, the Emperor didn't punish me. He was just tired and asked me to massage his shoulders."

"Look, my arms are sore and swollen."

Qin Mama was somewhat skeptical, after all, the Emperor was very fond of that lady, and these days, in order to keep her clean, the Emperor had hardly had a good night's sleep.

How could he possibly let Qiu Li touch him, let her massage his shoulders?

But seeing Liang Qiuli's composed demeanor, Granny Qin realized that she might be overthinking things.

After all, Liang Qiuli's appearance is quite different from Shen Qingyao, whom the Emperor likes. Perhaps the Emperor really just asked her to massage his shoulders to relieve his fatigue?

"Don't talk nonsense. The Emperor has asked you to serve him. That's a blessing for you. Many people would envy that."

Although Granny Qin was verbally admonishing Liang Qiuli, she had already reached out and started massaging Liang Qiuping's arms.

After all, she had come from being a palace maid herself, and she knew that massaging the shoulders of her master was hard work. If she didn't relax properly today, she might not be able to lift her arms tomorrow.

"My nanny is still the best to me~"

Liang Qiuping approached Granny Qin and acted coquettishly. Granny Qin looked at her charming appearance and couldn't help but smile, then gently pinched her nose.

"You little rascal, you're always trying to make me happy."

……

In the following days, Liang Qiuli would always massage the emperor's shoulders while serving him tea.

The emperor seemed to enjoy these moments as well. When Liang Qiuli massaged his shoulders, he would close his eyes slightly and savor the peace that came with the disappearance of his restlessness.

That day, Liang Qiuli was massaging the emperor's shoulders when the door to the study was suddenly pushed open, and Eunuch Wang rushed in.

"Your Majesty, it's not good!"

Eunuch Wang's tone was tense and urgent, "Master Cui... no, Miss Shen has been beaten by Vice Minister Cui!"

The emperor suddenly opened his eyes, quickly stood up from his dragon throne, and stared sharply at Eunuch Wang.

"what happened?"

Liang Qiuli was startled by the emperor's sudden action, and was thrown backward by the emperor's movement of getting up.

Fortunately, Liang Qiuli reacted quickly and grabbed the screen, regaining her balance and avoiding a serious head injury; she just ended up sitting on the ground with a thud.

"I received word that Lord Cui wanted to take a concubine, but Miss Shen refused, so Lord Cui resorted to violence."

As he spoke, Eunuch Wang secretly observed the emperor's expression.

Although the emperor's face was terribly gloomy, a secret joy rose in his heart.

Cui Yuande took a concubine and even beat Shen Qingyao. Shouldn't she give up on him now, so he can have a chance?

"Let's go to the Cui residence!"

The emperor strode out, completely forgetting that Liang Qiuli was still inside the palace.

Even if the emperor remembered, he wouldn't feel sorry for Liang Qiuli, after all, she was just a servant girl, how could she compare to Shen Qingyao?

"Yes."

Eunuch Wang responded and followed.

Liang Qiuli was trained by Granny Qin, so she should know what to say and what not to say.

As for the incident where she tripped and fell because the emperor got up, it's already good enough that she wasn't punished for such carelessness.

Watching the emperor's departing figure, Liang Qiuli mentally gave him the middle finger—what a scoundrel!

However, on the surface, he had to put on a humble and respectful demeanor, slowly got up from the ground, and left the study of Zichen Palace with his head bowed and eyes downcast.

……

Before an incense stick could burn out, the emperor arrived on horseback outside the walls of the Cui residence.

Just as Eunuch Wang dismounted, the emperor had already disappeared over the wall.

"Oh dear, the Emperor, a man of great stature, actually... actually climbed over the wall of a subject! If... if people find out, His Majesty's illustrious reputation will be ruined! What should we do?!"

Eunuch Wang stamped his foot anxiously, but there was nothing he could do. He could only try his best to clean up the mess and shut up those who knew about it.

……

"Madam, the master has gone too far! How could he hit you because of a lowly servant girl!"

Seeing Shen Qingyao wiping away tears, Cui'er couldn't help but speak up.

Shen Qingyao wiped away the tears that had involuntarily streamed down her face with a handkerchief, shook her head, and gave a bitter smile. "Cui'er, don't worry, I'm fine."

"But Madam, if you keep giving in like this, she will only become more and more arrogant!"

Cui'er's voice was full of worry.

Hearing Cui'er's words, Shen Qingyao sighed softly, "I know, but what can I do? After all, I'm just an orphan..."

After hearing this, Cui'er remained silent for a while, and then nodded.

"Madam, I understand what you mean. However, I just can't bear to see you being bullied. Perhaps I should go find..."

Before he could even utter the word "Emperor," Shen Qingyao interrupted him.

"Can't!"

Just then, the emperor, who had been standing outside the door for a long time, finally couldn't resist pushing the door open and walking in.

Shen Qingyao and Cui'er were both startled and quickly stood up to bow.

The emperor saw the dark red handprint on Shen Qingyao's pale and haggard face, which was particularly obvious, and his heart ached. He quickly stepped forward and helped her up.

"Qingyao, I told you long ago that you don't need to bow to me."

Shen Qingyao certainly didn't want to remain in the bowing posture, so she stood up following the emperor's force.

"Qingyao, come back to the palace with me, and I promise to be devoted to you!"

The emperor now only has Shen Qingyao in his heart and mind. Seeing that Shen Qingyao was bullied like this but still made up her mind, he once again expressed his feelings to Shen Qingyao.

Shen Qingyao lowered her eyes slightly, a barely perceptible glint of shrewdness flashing within them.

However, now is not the time. Although the emperor likes her, what is too easily obtained is never cherished. She needs to make the emperor infatuated with her step by step, so that in the end he can't live without her.

So he shook his head. "Your Majesty, don't worry, he treats me very well."

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he hid the half of his face that had been slapped behind his back.

"Qingyao, you don't need to hide it from him. I've already heard that he actually wanted to take a concubine today and even hit you."

Shen Qingyao lowered her head and remained silent, as if tacitly agreeing with the emperor's words. Seeing her like this, the emperor's anger towards her husband and concubine burned even more fiercely.

Shen Qingyao seemed to sense the emperor's anger, and her body shrank slightly.

"You're just too kind. Let's not talk about them anymore. I'll apply some medicine for you first. This ointment is excellent; it will relieve the pain tomorrow."

The emperor silently sentenced the person to death in his heart, but in front of Shen Qingyao, he still maintained a gentle and gentlemanly demeanor.

As he spoke, he took out a box of exquisite ointment from his bosom, wanting to personally apply the ointment to Shen Qingyao's swollen face.

This time, Shen Qingyao did not refuse, allowing the emperor to gently apply the ointment to her. She even made eye contact with the emperor from time to time, and one of her cheeks flushed red.

As for Shen Qingyao's maid, Cui'er had already left the room at Shen Qingyao's signal to go outside and guard the door for them.

She was secretly pleased with herself, thinking that the Emperor had not yet married the Empress. If the Lady were to become the Empress, wouldn't she be the Empress's number one maid?

Just thinking about it makes me very excited.

Inside the room, the emperor looked at her shy appearance, and his heart stirred with restlessness once again.

Just as he was about to lose control and kiss those luscious red lips, Shen Qingyao suddenly lowered her head and avoided his gaze.

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