eurekapd Chapter 319 Weakness
Chapter 319 Weakness
After a few days, rumors were rife in the Old Summer Palace, saying that Concubine Xi's belly was too big and the dragon fetus was definitely not three months pregnant as announced. There must be some hidden secret.
The rumor originated in the inner corners of the imperial palace, but quickly spread to every other palace. The maids and eunuchs exchanged meaningful glances in private, and when they gathered in groups of three or four, they couldn't help but whisper to each other. The concubines heard this, some of them didn't care much, while others feigned surprise, but in their hearts they were secretly delighted.
However, Zhen Huan, who was at the center of the rumor vortex, remained calm and composed. She followed Su Ye's arrangements every day and lived and worked in an orderly manner, as if the rumors outside were just insignificant gossip that could not affect her at all.
When Shen Meizhuang arrived at Bitong Academy, Zhen Huan was sitting on the couch reading a book.
"It's rare that you still have the mind to read!"
Zhen Huan looked up and saw Shen Meizhuang had come and sat down beside her.
Taking the tea from Huanbi and handing it to Shen Meizhuang herself, Zhen Huan asked with a smile, "Sister Mei, what do you mean?"
Shen Meizhuang sighed helplessly and said, "Rumors are flying everywhere. My sister Jingfei and I have started to investigate the source, but we still have no clue."
Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan gently waved her hand and said calmly, "Sister, please don't bother investigating any further. As the saying goes, rumors stop at the wise. As long as I behave honestly and respectfully, those rumors will ultimately be of no use."
Shen Meizhuang's face showed worry. She shook her head and said, "While that's true, you also know how many truly wise people there are in this palace. Most people just believe everything they hear and follow the crowd. The lethality of rumors should not be underestimated!"
"Don't worry, sister." Zhen Huan said, and asked doubtfully, "Where's Rong'er?"
"Now that the sun isn't so strong anymore, she's out playing with Liu Zhu!"
Zhen Huan's lips curled up slightly, with a bit of unconcealed joy: "I was just about to tell you, Su Ye said I'm pregnant with twins, so my belly is a little bigger!"
"Really?" Shen Meizhuang was stunned at first, then her face was full of surprise and joy. She subconsciously stood up from her seat, her eyes fixed on Zhen Huan's belly.
"What Su Ye says can never be wrong."
"Okay!" Shen Meizhuang's face flushed with excitement. She said to Caiyue, "Caiyue, go find Rong'er quickly."
Before Caiyue could reply, Shen Meizhuang could no longer contain her anxiety and said impatiently, "Forget it, forget it. I'll go find her myself. I have to tell her about this happy event in person."
As she spoke, she walked forward quickly. However, after taking just two steps, she suddenly felt a strong sense of dizziness. She felt that the scene in front of her eyes began to become blurred, her feet became weak and powerless, and her body swayed uncontrollably for a few times.
Caiyue, who was standing behind her, watched her master's actions and immediately realized something was wrong. She rushed behind Shen Meizhuang and reached out to hold her steadily.
Zhen Huan's face suddenly changed. She hurried to Shen Meizhuang's side, stretched out her hand and tightly grasped her arm. Her voice trembled unconsciously: "Sister Mei, what's wrong with you? Don't scare me!"
With Caiyue's support, Shen Meizhuang sat back on the couch, gently closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths, and after the dizziness gradually dissipated, she slowly opened her eyes, forced a smile, and said softly, "Huan'er, I'm fine, just a little dizzy. Maybe I got up too hastily just now. I'll be fine after a rest."
However, even though she said this, her originally rosy face looked a little weak.
Seeing this, Zhen Huan frowned tightly, her worry growing stronger. She turned to Huanbi and ordered, "Huanbi, go get Su Ye quickly. Also, have Caixing go find Rong'er!"
After hearing this, Huanbi did not dare to delay for a moment. She responded and hurriedly turned around and ran out of the house.
On the other side, An Lingrong and Liu Zhu were paddling a small boat in the Back Lake. The lotus leaves in the lake were crowded together, and the overlapping layers completely blocked the boat she was riding.
An Lingrong tossed the oar aside and slowly leaned back, leaning comfortably against the boat. She tilted her head back slightly, quietly gazing at the lotus leaves, soaring high above and yet so close. They swayed gently in the breeze, seemingly dancing above her head, creating a tranquil world all her own.
She sighed softly: "Comfortable!"
The noise here startled the water birds in the lake, and they flapped their wings and flew towards the sky on the other side.
"I often remember the sunset at the pavilion by the stream, when I was so drunk I didn't know the way home. When my excitement wore off, I returned to the boat late at night and strayed into a deep lotus blossom. Struggling to cross, I startled a flock of gulls and herons. The ancients were right!"
"My Lady, let's go back. I'm so scared that you might fall!"
"Don't worry, I can swim. Even if you fall in, I can pull you out!"
Liu Zhu smiled and said, "This slave is here to protect the Majesty, but you can't let the Majesty protect this slave!"
"Haha, then let's protect each other."
The setting sun shone through the layers of lotus leaves, casting dappled shadows. With the breeze, the fragrance of the lotus leaves filled the air. An Lingrong was intoxicated by the tranquility and gradually felt a little sleepy.
She turned slightly to a more comfortable position and said to Liu Zhu lazily, "Liu Zhu, I'm going to take a nap. Thank you for watching over me."
"Okay!" Liu Zhu responded softly, and then sat quietly at the bow of the boat, paying attention to the movements around him.
The boat floated leisurely on the water, gently rising and falling with the waves, rocking back and forth like a cradle. An Lingrong sat quietly in the boat, slowly relaxing in the gentle swaying of the boat, and before she knew it, she fell into a light sleep.
She didn't know how long it had been before Liu Zhu's gentle voice woke her up from her sleep: "My Queen, My Queen!"
An Lingrong slowly opened her eyes, still drowsy, and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Liu Zhu pointed to the shore and said, "My Lady, there's Xiao Luzi's voice on the shore. I'm afraid he has something to ask us."
"Well, okay, let's go!" An Lingrong sat up and straightened her messy clothes.
Liu Zhu picked up the oar and gently pushed the water, slowly pulling the boat out from the depths of the lotus leaves. As they got closer to the shore, the lotus leaves became increasingly sparse. An Lingrong looked up and saw that besides Xiao Luzi, there was also Caixing on the shore.
The corners of her mouth rose slightly, with a faint smile, and she murmured softly: "Sister, are you calling me to eat?"