webnovelvip Chapter 102 My dear Xu, I will take you as my concubine, how about it?
Chapter 102 My dear Xu, I will take you as my concubine, how about it?
He was a middle-aged man, around forty years old, wearing a brocade robe and a jade crown. He had a handsome face and a scholarly air about him.
At this moment, his face was ashen, his forehead was covered with large beads of sweat, his lips were trembling, and even his legs were shaking.
It was Xu Fenghua's husband, Zhao Wenxuan.
"Wenxuan?" Xu Fenghua frowned.
When Zhao Wenxuan saw her, it was as if he had seen a savior. He scrambled to her side, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
"Mother, my lady... hurry, hurry inside and see... it really is... His Majesty has arrived..."
As he said this, his eyes were filled with fear, as if he had just experienced something extremely terrible.
Looking at his dejected appearance, Xu Fenghua's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible cold light.
She had been married into the Zhao family for six years and knew her husband better than anyone.
A typical son of a wealthy family in Jiangnan, he was neither good at literature nor martial arts, and spent his days composing poems and indulging in pleasures.
Timid, cowardly, and lacking in assertiveness.
Even the most timid person wouldn't be this scared.
unless……
He really saw something beyond his imagination.
Xu Fenghua suppressed the doubts surging in her heart and said calmly, "You look pathetic. Stand up straight and stop shaking your legs."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a habitual commanding tone.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenxuan subconsciously straightened his back, but his legs still felt weak.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but swallowed it back under Xu Fenghua's cold gaze.
Xu Fenghua stopped looking at him and instead looked at the wide-open gate of the mansion.
Deep within the shadows of the door, it seemed as if an unseen behemoth lurked.
She took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Miss..." Zhao Hu couldn't help but call out softly, his eyes filled with worry.
Xu Fenghua did not stop walking, but raised her hand to make a "stop" gesture.
Since the other party specifically requested to see her and used the pretext of "His Majesty's invitation," she had no choice but to go in and see for herself.
Whether it's a trap or a conspiracy, we must find out the truth for ourselves.
Moreover—
She wanted to see who dared to set up such a scheme in the Zhao residence, in Suzhou, and on her, Xu Fenghua's, territory.
With her pale purple skirt brushing past the threshold, Xu Fenghua stepped into the Zhao residence.
One step, two steps...
As she entered the mansion completely, the gate behind her creaked shut.
It isolated them from the outside world, and also cut off all escape routes.
.......
The scene inside the mansion made Xu Fenghua's heart sink again.
On the bluestone ground in the front yard, a large group of people were kneeling.
They were all servants, maids, nannies, and guards from the Zhao household... A rough count showed no fewer than a hundred people.
They all lay prostrate on the ground, foreheads touching the earth, their bodies trembling, not daring to even breathe.
No one looked up, no one made a sound, only the suppressed breathing rose and fell.
A thick sense of fear filled the air.
Xu Fenghua's gaze swept over the people and finally landed in the direction of the main hall.
The hall door was open, and some figures could be vaguely seen inside.
She composed herself and walked towards the main hall.
Her steps were steady, her skirt remained perfectly still, as if she were strolling leisurely in her own garden admiring the flowers.
But only she knew that her palms were covered in a fine layer of cold sweat.
Passing through the crowd kneeling on the ground and stepping up three stone steps, Xu Fenghua finally arrived at the entrance of the main hall.
Then, she saw the scene inside the hall.
There were more than a dozen people standing in the hall.
They were all people of some status and position in the Zhao family.
The housekeeper, accountant, several capable stewards, and Zhao Wenxuan's two concubines.
They all stood with their hands at their sides, heads bowed, faces pale, foreheads covered in sweat, and some even had trembling legs.
In front of these people, near the head of the table, stood a woman dressed in black.
The woman was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, tall, with a cold and stern face, and a sharp edge between her brows that suggested she had been through many battles.
She was dressed in a simple black outfit, her long hair tied into a neat ponytail at the back of her head, and a simple-looking long sword hanging at her waist.
She stood there quietly, radiating no imposing aura, yet the air in the entire hall seemed to freeze.
Xu Fenghua's pupils contracted slightly.
She recognized the outfit.
Or rather, she recognized that quality.
Only the most battle-hardened generals in the Northern Army possess such a fierce aura.
But this woman is definitely not from the North.
So...
Xu Fenghua's gaze slowly shifted to the deepest part of the main hall, to the sandalwood armchair that should have belonged to the head of the Zhao family.
At this moment, a person was sitting in the grand master's chair.
He wore a moon-white, wide-sleeved robe, with flowing cloud patterns embroidered on it with extremely fine silver thread, which shimmered faintly in the sunlight streaming in from outside the hall.
Her long hair was not crowned, but loosely tied up with only an ebony hairpin, with the rest of her hair hanging down to her shoulders.
With a handsome face and a lazy, casual air about him, he seemed to be just passing by and taking a break.
He sat there casually, one hand on the armrest, the other holding a celadon teacup, sipping lightly.
Her movements were elegant and composed, completely out of place with the extremely oppressive atmosphere in the hall.
But the moment Xu Fenghua saw that face clearly, her heart sank to the bottom.
Qin Mu.
It really is Qin Mu.
That young emperor, rumored to be incompetent, addicted to wine and women, and who had only returned to the capital two days prior.
At this moment, she is sitting in Suzhou, thousands of miles away, in the main hall of her Zhao residence, leisurely drinking tea with her most precious "After the Rain, the Sky Clears" tea set.
absurd.
Unbelievable.
But that is the truth.
Countless thoughts flashed through Xu Fenghua's mind in an instant.
How did he get here? And why did he arrive so quickly?
What did he know? What is he doing here?
Every question made her heart race, but she didn't show the slightest sign of distress on her face.
She even slowly curved her lips into a perfectly timed smile, a smile that blended surprise and respect.
Then, she lifted her skirt and gracefully knelt down.
The pale purple skirt spread out on the smooth blue brick floor, like a violet suddenly blooming.
"Your subject, Lady Zhao Xu, greets Your Majesty."
His voice was clear and bright, his posture was dignified, and his bowing movements were impeccable.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The hall was completely silent.
Only her clear, melodious voice echoed, its lingering notes lingering.
Qin Mu did not call out immediately.
He continued to sip his tea slowly, as if he hadn't heard her voice or seen her kneeling there at all.
Time passes little by little.
Xu Fenghua remained kneeling, her forehead touching the ground, her gaze fixed on a tiny speck of dust in the crack between the bricks.
She could feel the gazes of everyone in the hall.
The managers looked on with suspicion, the woman in black gave him a cold, scrutinizing look, and... Qin Mu's gaze seemed to penetrate everything.
But she didn't move an inch.
He even maintained that respectful smile on his face.
for a long time--
"Smack."
A soft sound.
It was the sound of a teacup being placed on the table.
"Rise."
Qin Mu's voice finally rang out, calm and gentle, revealing no emotion.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xu Fenghua slowly rose, stood with her hands at her sides, and kept her eyes lowered.
"Raise your head," Qin Mu said again.
Xu Fenghua looked up as instructed, but dared not look directly at Qin Mu, instead respectfully focusing her gaze on the hem of his robe.
"I had long heard that the eldest daughter of the Xu family was exceptionally talented, and seeing her today, I can confirm that her reputation is well-deserved."
Qin Mu's voice carried a hint of amusement, "Your composure in the face of danger is far superior to that of your younger brother."
Xu Fenghua's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained calm: "Your Majesty flatters me. How could I, a mere woman, dare to compare myself to the Crown Prince who guards the northern border?"
"Female stream?"
Qin Mu chuckled lightly, "To be able to triple the Zhao family's business in six years, open up trade routes between the north and south, and supply goods to the northern border... how many women in the world can do that?"
Xu Fenghua's breathing paused almost imperceptibly.
A gentle smile remained on her face.
"Your Majesty is too kind. The Zhao family is merely engaged in the honest silk trade to make a living. As for supplying provisions to the northern border... my younger brother is stationed on the northern frontier, and as the eldest sister, it is only natural for me to send some local specialties to express my concern."
Qin Mu looked at her quietly and smiled.
"That's only human nature." He slowly stood up.
His moon-white robe draped down with his movements, the silver cloud patterns flowing in the light and shadow, as if they had come alive.
He walked slowly to Xu Fenghua, with only three steps between them.
Xu Fenghua could smell the faint scent of ambergris on his body and feel the invisible yet heavy pressure emanating from him.
But she kept her eyes down, her posture respectful, and her back straight.
"Madam Zhao," Qin Mu began, his voice soft yet each word clear, "do you know why I have come to Suzhou?"
Xu Fenghua's inner alarm bells were ringing, but her face remained calm:
"Your Majesty is unaware. His Majesty's presence here must be for important matters. If there is anything that can be of help to the Zhao family, I will certainly do my utmost."
"Important matter?" Qin Mu smiled. "Indeed, it is important."
He paused, then suddenly changed the subject:
"Does Madam Zhao still remember the wedding gift I bestowed upon you six years ago?"
Xu Fenghua was taken aback.
Of course she remembers.
Six years ago, the late emperor bestowed a marriage upon her, and she was forced to marry into the Zhao family.
Qin Mu, who was then the crown prince, did indeed send a congratulatory gift.
A white jade Guanyin statue symbolizing the wish for an early birth of a son.
A very ordinary gift, a very ordinary blessing.
She took it as a routine matter and didn't think much of it at the time.
She bowed slightly, her voice soft and steady: "Of course I remember. The white jade Guanyin statue bestowed by Your Majesty, granting a child, has been enshrined in the Buddhist hall, with incense burning continuously every day. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness."
Qin Mu's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, as if examining the truthfulness of her words.
Then, he sighed softly and shook his head.
"It seems I sent the wrong item."
Xu Fenghua's ominous premonition grew stronger.
Was it sent to the wrong person? It's just a Guanyin statue, how can there be right or wrong?
This is definitely not something Qin Mu would say when he traveled a long distance to personally visit the Zhao residence.
She forced herself to look up, her gaze still humbly fixed on the cloud pattern beneath Qin Mu's robe, her voice carrying just the right amount of confusion:
"Your Majesty... This humble woman is foolish and does not understand Your Majesty's meaning. That statue of Guanyin, who grants children, was bestowed by Your Majesty and symbolizes good fortune. What is wrong with it? Please, Your Majesty... enlighten me."
The air in the hall seemed to grow even more stagnant.
Zhao Wenxuan knelt in the corner, his head lowered even further, his shoulders trembling like leaves falling in the wind.
Those in charge and concubines dared not utter a sound.
Qin Mu did not answer immediately.
He slowly walked to the window, turned his back to Xu Fenghua, and looked out at the century-old locust tree with its lush branches and leaves in the courtyard of the Zhao family mansion.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows that fell on the hem of his moon-white robe, making the silver cloud patterns seem to come alive, flowing with delicate light.
"Guanyin sends a child, hoping that you and Young Master Zhao will... live in harmony and have many children."
Qin Mu's voice wasn't loud, but it resonated clearly in the silent hall, carrying a strange, penetrating power.
"But six years have passed, and Lady Zhao's belly seems... to have shown no sign of pregnancy? Isn't this my mistake?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Fenghua's lips twitched involuntarily.
So that's the reason.
She has been busy with business all these years and rarely shares a bed with her husband. The number of times they have shared a bed can be counted on one hand. How could she possibly have given birth to a child?
She took a deep breath, forced a bitter smile of shame and helplessness onto her face, and lowered her voice even further:
"Your Majesty's concern moves me to tears. It is my misfortune that I have been unable to continue the Zhao family line, failing Your Majesty's expectations and ashamed before the ancestors of the Zhao family. In the future, I will certainly do my best to serve my husband, so that I may give the Zhao family a son as soon as possible."
She spoke with such sincerity and emotion that she perfectly portrayed the image of a woman confined to her chambers, ashamed of her lack of children.
Her eyes were even slightly red, as if she was about to shed tears at any moment.
"Do your best?"
Qin Mu slowly turned around, his gaze returning to Xu Fenghua's face.
A meaningful smile curved at the corner of his lips:
"Relying solely on Madam Zhao's own efforts... I'm afraid that won't be enough, will it?"
Xu Fenghua's heart sank suddenly, and an even stronger sense of unease gripped her.
Following Qin Mu's gaze, she subconsciously looked at the figure trembling in the corner.
Her husband, Zhao Wenxuan.
When Zhao Wenxuan met Qin Mu's gaze, he was so frightened that he almost collapsed to the ground, uttering muffled sobs.
Qin Mu's gaze lingered on Zhao Wenxuan for a moment before returning to Xu Fenghua.
The playfulness in his eyes deepened.
Then he spoke, his voice still calm, even carrying a hint of lazy laughter.
But it struck like a thunderbolt, hitting everyone in the hall hard on the head—
"Since that's the case, I've thought about it and decided... perhaps we could try a different approach."
He paused, then spoke each word with perfect clarity, making sure everyone in the hall could hear him:
"Minister Xu, what do you think of this?"
"I will take you as my concubine, what do you say?"