Chapter 300: Leaving the Palace
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
After Qin Zhenzhen completed the third acupuncture session for the Empress Dowager, the emperor summoned her to his presence, requesting her presence alone.
Qin Zhenzhen had noticeably shed some weight. Her countenance radiated a newfound beauty, while her silhouette had become even more voluptuous. Resembling her grandma Qin, she possessed a unique allure in her moments of quiet contemplation. When she moved, an audacious and untamed beauty flowed through her.
The emperor, already prone to lustful tendencies, found himself gazing at her in a trance-like state.
If only she were not already married.
He considered taking her as a concubine, a convenient replacement for Beauty Jiang.
He vowed to shower her with genuine affection and, should he desire an heir, offer her the privilege of bearing his child in gratitude for saving his life.
Qin Zhenzhen, however, sensed the inappropriate intensity of the emperor’s gaze and silently cursed lecherous men for their unsettling ways.
Fortunately, the emperor still recognized that Qin Zhenzhen was a married woman, and despite his infatuation, he restrained his impulses.
The emperor redirected his gaze to where it belonged.
He rewarded Qin Zhenzhen generously with gold and silver.
Then, he inquired about her adjustment to life within the palace.
Qin Zhenzhen replied confidently, “I struggled initially, but I have grown more accustomed to it now.”
Seizing the moment, Qin Zhenzhen boldly voiced her request, “I have a favor to ask of the Emperor.”
“Please, go on!”
“I wish to leave the palace for two reasons. Firstly, my grandma has been tormented by nightmares in recent days, and I believe taking her away from the palace may bring her some peace.”
“Secondly, my husband has grown increasingly concerned for my well-being and decided to follow me to the capital. He is a sentimental man, and since my entry into the palace, no news of me has reached him. I fear he must be filled with worry.”
“I intend to send my grandma out of the palace and meet him along the way, reassuring him of my safety.”
The emperor hesitated briefly.
The one responsible for detaining Qin Zhenzhen and her grandma was the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager had already assured him that she would not harm their lives. Under these circumstances, intervening in her affairs might not be wise.
However, Qin Zhenzhen persisted, “I solemnly swear that I will return to the palace as soon as possible to attend to the Empress Dowager. Please grant my request, considering that I once uncovered the Jiang family’s conspiracy! ” The emperor appeared conflicted but ultimately acquiesced to her request.
Qin Zhenzhen expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the emperor.
She thought to herself that perhaps the emperor wasn’t entirely despicable. Initially, his gaze had been somewhat inappropriate, but he had withdrawn it eventually.
He must have realized that she was already a married woman.
She couldn’t help but think how fortunate she was that circumstances had forced her to marry Su Bin. Otherwise, escaping from the clutches of this elderly lecher would have been nearly impossible.
With the emperor’s approval, Qin Zhenzhen and her grandma prepared to leave the palace. The Empress Dowager, knowing of the emperor’s consent, did not obstruct their departure.
For the first time, he bestowed upon Qin Zhenzhen a selection of gold, silver, and jewelry as a token of appreciation.
Perhaps the words of the housekeeper had made an impact. The Empress Dowager decided it was prudent not to antagonize Qin Zhenzhen. Maintaining a cordial relationship with her could prove advantageous.
Continuing to make life difficult for Qin Zhenzhen seemed unwise, especially considering the help she had provided.
Qin Zhenzhen graciously accepted the Empress Dowager’s reward without hesitation.
With the rewards bestowed by both the emperor and the Empress Dowager,
Qin Zhenzhen successfully departed from the palace alongside her grandma.
The emperor displayed his benevolence by dispatching an elderly eunuch from the palace to escort her to Su Bin’s residence.
Qin Zhenzhen displayed her generosity by generously tipping the eunuchs who accompanied her with ten liang each.
She also discreetly slipped a golden coin into the old eunuch’s palm.
Cultivating positive relations with these servants of the emperor could prove beneficial in the future..