Chapter 369 Emperor's Cousin
Qianyu followed Shen Xia's gaze and couldn't help but laugh softly.
Shen Xia quickly took a deep breath and tightened his abdomen.
She secretly marveled that her belly was visible even when she was sitting. This was not okay.
Just after finishing the meal, Nanny Gui beside the eldest princess asked, "Princess, how was your breakfast?"
"Well, I'm full. Is there anything I can help you with?" Shen Xia asked curiously.
"Yes, Princess, you received a gift yesterday, so naturally you need to go to the palace to express your gratitude today." Nanny Gui explained.
"Ah! Is it still in time to go now? Will it be too late?" Shen Xia asked in surprise.
She was not very clear about these rules. If she had known that she needed to go to the palace, she should have gotten up earlier.
Nanny Gui smiled and replied, "It's okay. Your Majesty still has to attend court. This time is just right."
"Okay then!" Shen Xia put down his chopsticks, stood up and prepared to leave with Nanny Gui.
Before leaving, she asked Qianyu to arrange her own affairs.
Then they left the restaurant together.
Wait until Shen Xia arrives at the front yard.
Looking at the princess drinking tea, she said, "Mother, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
The eldest princess smiled and said, "No, as long as it's you, I'm willing to wait as long as it takes."
"A child with a mother is a treasure, indeed!" Shen Xia said with a smile.
Shen Xia did not bring a maid because the eldest princess had two maids who were enough for her.
Moreover, the palace is complicated, and Shen Xia's two maids may not be very useful in coping in such a place.
So I just didn't bring it.
Shen Xia followed the eldest princess and got on the carriage that belonged to the eldest duke.
The city gate is not far away.
In just two minutes they arrived at the palace gate.
Shen Xia got off the carriage first.
Then he helped the eldest princess out of the carriage.
The carriage slowly stopped and could only reach the palace gate.
The eldest princess got out of the car gracefully, followed closely by Shen Xia.
They walked straight into the palace gate without showing any tokens, because the eldest princess's noble status was the best pass. Only people who were not familiar with her would ask for tokens and make tedious requests.
Shen Xia stepped into the palace gate and looked up at the towering city walls, feeling a sense of solemnity in her heart.
This place is very similar to the modern Forbidden City, but it has its own unique charm.
Starting from the entrance of the palace, it extends all the way to the hall in the distance, as if there is no end, which makes Shen Xia feel puzzled, but he does not say much, just silently follows the eldest princess forward.
When they passed the main hall in front, the princess noticed the curious expression on Shen Xia's face and explained with a smile: "This is the Taiji Hall, where all officials hold court. The court should be adjourned now. His Majesty is probably handling government affairs in the imperial study, so we can go directly to the imperial study."
"Oh," Shen Xia responded softly, his eyes still fixed on the magnificent hall, his heart filled with awe.
This palace carries the weight of history, and every brick and stone tells a story of the past.
The eldest princess took Shen Xia around the Taiji Hall and came to the imperial study at the back.
When we arrived at the door, there were palace maids and eunuchs standing there.
Looking at the eldest princess, he went back to ask for instructions without saying a word.
After a while, Manager Zhao came out and said, "Your servant greets the Princess and Princess Anping."
The princess smiled and said, "Eunuch Zhao is right. Your Majesty, are you busy?"
"Your Majesty is not busy. Besides, no matter how busy Your Majesty is, he will see the Princess first. Princess, you know that His Majesty has always respected you very much." Manager Zhao greeted with a smile.
The eldest princess took Shen Xia and followed Manager Zhao in.
Got inside.
Shen Xia kept her head down throughout the whole process, watching the eldest princess salute, and then Shen Xia followed suit.
But the eldest princess saluted while standing.
Shen Xia knelt down to salute.
This is the evil slavery system.
But although he was complaining in his heart, he didn't show any dissatisfaction on his face.
I only heard someone say from above: "Cousin, please get up quickly. No need to be so polite."
Only then did Shen Xia get up.
He looked up at the man above him, curious.
Shen Xia thought about it and decided that since the emperor had said there was no need to be polite, there should be no problem in taking a look secretly.
After all, she was full of curiosity about what the emperor looked like.
But who could have thought that this sight would make her stunned.
This emperor's appearance... Although he looks very approachable, I always feel that he looks a little strange.
The first impression he gave people was that of a wise king.
However, if things were really as simple as they seemed, then how could Fan Zifu be imprisoned and have his property searched because of his writings?
What's even stranger is that the emperor looks familiar and seems to have some similarities with Xiaotian.
Could it be that Xiaotian is your Majesty’s child?
When Shen Xia was lost in thought, the eldest princess gently pulled her.
Shen Xia finally woke up from his dream and quickly apologized to the emperor: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Anping is really curious about what our Great Jin's Holy Lord looks like."
After hearing this, the emperor smiled and said, "My cousin really didn't inherit the calmness of my aunt and uncle at all, but I like this lively personality. My cousin doesn't need to be restrained."
Shen Xia bowed respectfully and replied, "I'm sorry to make you laugh, Your Majesty."
The emperor's mouth curled up slightly, his eyes sparkled with tenderness, and he smiled and responded: "You can just call me Brother Yichen. Isn't that what you called me when we were little?"
His voice is as gentle as the spring breeze, making people feel extremely warm.
Shen Xia bit her lip lightly and replied, "That was when I was a child. Now you are His Majesty. How can you be so ignorant of the difference between superiors and subordinates?" Her eyes revealed a firmness and awe, and she was full of respect for the emperor.
A look of disappointment flashed across the emperor's face, but he quickly regained his composure.
He asked softly, "Is my cousin estranged from me?"
There was a hint of helplessness and sadness in his tone, as if he was asking about a distant past.
Shen Xia quickly shook her head and explained, "No, the title is just a way of calling you. No matter how you call me, it won't change the relationship between us, right?" She smiled and glanced at the emperor, with sincerity and kindness in her eyes.
After hearing this, the emperor's mood improved slightly and a smile appeared on his face again.
He chuckled and said, "Okay! Then I won't force you anymore."
His eyes were full of understanding and tolerance, and he seemed to have accepted this reality.
Shen Xia nodded to show her agreement.
She said gratefully: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your reward yesterday. Anping likes it very much." Her words revealed deep gratitude, which made the emperor feel very gratified.
The emperor nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "Well, as long as my cousin likes it. My cousin has just arrived and encountered a shock in the capital. It seems that the security of the capital is still a little lax."
Having said that, he frowned slightly.
However, these words seemed to have touched upon state affairs, and Shen Xia wondered whether she should take up the topic.
She turned to look at the eldest princess beside her, seeking a hint.
The princess smiled and said to the emperor: "Your Majesty is busy with many things every day, and all of them are state affairs. This little thing in the capital is not worth disturbing Your Majesty."