Seeing Yun Zhi on the verge of tears out of worry for herself, Mingshu was deeply moved. She patted her shoulder, overwhelmed with emotion, "Good girl, indeed, adversity reveals true friends! Don't worry, as long as I have a bite to eat, you'll have a bowl to wash!"
"..."
Yun Zhi glanced at her and felt even more upset.
Is it too late to switch masters now?
The two palace maids at the door exchanged a look, disdain flashing in their eyes.
Originally appointed to guard the Noble Consort, they felt apprehensive, but now it seemed like they were the ones excessively anxious.
After all, how could such a brutal man as the Emperor really care about anyone?
This timid Noble Consort, it seemed, was unlikely to stir up any significant trouble.
*
"Your Majesty, are you really not going to order them?" Zhang Dequan peered at Si Chu's expression, continuing with a flattering tone, "The Noble Consort is frail and delicate, and the small Buddhist hall hasn't been used for a long time, it's damp within. You wouldn't want her to kneel and damage her health..."
Being able to serve close to the Son of Heaven, Zhang Dequan's skill at reading expressions and picking up on hints was top-notch. It was evident that His Majesty showed some special consideration for the Noble Consort, and as a servant, it was natural for him to try to relieve his master of worries and troubles.
Si Chu frowned, giving him a cool glance, his tone betraying no emotion, "You sure love to meddle in others' affairs. Did she come begging to you personally?"
Zhang Dequan felt a jolt in his heart, instinctively worried that His Majesty was unhappy with his presumption in guessing the imperial will, but upon hearing the latter half, he sensed something amiss.
After careful thought, he nearly laughed out loud.
But the desire to live made him restrain himself, and, bending over, he spoke with an anxious and eager tone, "Your Majesty's words fill this servant with trepidation. The Noble Consort, if she were to ask, would rightfully ask Your Majesty, how could it fall upon this servant's head?"
Si Chu hooked his lips in a cold, silent chuckle, his brows relaxing unconsciously.
Zhang Dequan sensed an opportunity and pressed on, "However, in this servant's view, the Consort is a considerate lady and she might not wish to bother Your Majesty with such trivial matters, which could increase the discord between Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager..."
Si Chu's eyes narrowed slightly as he perused the memorial in his hands, snorting coldly, "She certainly thinks she's clever!"
"That's why Your Majesty could be a bit more proactive, surely the Consort would be greatly moved..." Zhang Dequan did not finish his sentence, instead smiling suggestively at Si Chu.
Some things were better left hinted at, he, as a servant, could remind, but not overstep his bounds to make decisions for His Majesty.
Si Chu's focus on the memorial didn't shift for a long time. After a while, he slightly raised his eyes as if a thought struck him, the corners of his mouth faintly curling then quickly suppressing it, casting an indifferent glance at Zhang Dequan, "Do you think I have too much free time?"
Zhang Dequan's neck grew cold, and he was bewildered momentarily, but still instinctively replied, "This servant does not dare."
Si Chu put down the memorial, his tone casual, "Isn't that right? I'm very busy, with so many state affairs waiting for my attention; I can't always be concerned with the harem."
He furrowed his brows slightly, then suddenly, in a good mood, raised his eyebrows, "Let her suffer a bit first, it's good for her to learn a lesson. Look at the women in the harem, which one of them is as spoiled as her? She only knows how to act coquettishly with me all day long!"
Halting mid-sentence, he struggled to suppress a smile, pretending to be discontent, "I aim to be a wise ruler, focused on bringing peace to the realm. How could I be bound by romantic entanglements? It's time to cool her ardor and let her understand her place!"
Zhang Dequan fell silent: ...
For a moment, he didn't know which was more alarming — His Majesty's declaration of being a wise ruler or His Majesty's peculiar way of pursuing his wife...