nycdaug Chapter 387 (117 words added)
Chapter 387 (117 words added)
Murong Xun was stunned when he saw Xue Ruanruan. He hadn't expected to see such a lively woman in the palace. Xue Ruanruan was dressed in a light pink palace gown, with a simple pearl flower in her hair. Her eyes were clear and bright as she curiously looked around.
Murong Xun unconsciously walked towards her. Only then did Xue Ruanruan realize someone was approaching. Looking up and seeing it was Murong Xun, she was terrified and quickly curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty." Murong Xun's lips curled slightly, and he asked softly, "What is your name? Why are you here?" Xue Ruanruan's voice trembled with nervousness, "Your Majesty, this servant is called Xue Ruanruan. I am a newly arrived palace maid, and I have lost my way." Murong Xun found her flustered appearance quite amusing and said, "I will take you out." Along the way, Murong Xun intentionally or unintentionally struck up conversations with her, and Xue Ruanruan gradually relaxed, beginning to answer questions. Before they knew it, they had reached the exit of the palace road. Murong Xun looked at her, feeling a pang of reluctance, and instructed the eunuch beside him, "Keep an eye on this palace maid in the future." Xue Ruanruan thanked the Emperor and hurriedly left.
Murong Xun saw a graceful figure approaching through the snow; it was the Empress leading a group of concubines. Upon seeing Murong Xun, the Empress quickly stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty." Murong Xun nodded slightly, but his gaze remained fixed on the direction Xue Ruanruan had gone. The Empress followed his gaze, a surge of jealousy rising within her, but her face maintained a gentle smile.
At this moment, a concubine spoke up sarcastically, "Which beauty is Your Majesty looking at so intently?" Murong Xun snapped out of his reverie, coughed lightly, and said, "She's just a lost little palace maid." The Empress quickly smiled and said, "Your Majesty is busy with affairs of state, yet you still show such consideration for palace maids. You are truly a benevolent ruler."
Murong Xun waved his hand and walked towards the Imperial Garden with the Empress and others. Back at her residence, Xue Ruanruan was still deeply troubled. She knew she had attracted the Emperor's attention, and she didn't know whether this was a blessing or a curse. But she was just a lowly palace maid, powerless to change anything, and could only pray for peace and tranquility in the days to come.
Xue Ruanruan sorted through the mountain of supplies piled up in her space, pondering how to survive in the harem. Suddenly, her roommate rushed in, flustered: "Ruanruan, something terrible has happened! The Empress's attendant says she wants you to go to her palace." Xue Ruanruan's heart skipped a beat; she knew the Empress had noticed the Emperor's attention towards her and was coming to cause trouble. She forced herself to remain calm and followed the attendant to the Empress's palace. The Empress sat regally in the main seat, her eyes icy: "I heard you've caught the Emperor's attention?" Xue Ruanruan quickly knelt: "Your Majesty, please understand! This servant was merely lost, and His Majesty kindly guided me; I had no other intentions." The Empress snorted coldly: "That's for the best. If you dare to harbor any ill intentions, I will not let you off easily." Xue Ruanruan nodded hastily. At that moment, a eunuch announced the Emperor's arrival. As soon as Murong Xun entered, he saw Xue Ruanruan kneeling. Displeased, he said to the Empress, "She's just a little palace maid. Why is Your Majesty making things so difficult for her?" The Empress quickly stood up and bowed, "Your Majesty misunderstands. I was just teaching her to follow the rules." Murong Xun didn't say anything more and left with Xue Ruanruan, leaving the Empress standing there with a hint of resentment in her eyes.
News of the food shortage on the frontier reached the palace, causing great anxiety among the ministers. Murong Xun was extremely worried; it concerned the lives of the soldiers on the frontier and the safety of the nation. Upon learning of this, Xue Ruanruan had an idea. She thought of the mountains of supplies piled up in her spatial storage. However, if she were to take them out rashly, it would surely arouse suspicion. After much deliberation, she decided to find an opportunity to secretly inform Murong Xun.
That night, Xue Ruanruan found an opportunity to meet with Murong Xun and cautiously revealed her plan to solve the problem of supplying provisions. Murong Xun was skeptical, but having no other options, he decided to give it a try. Under cover of darkness, Xue Ruanruan retrieved a large quantity of provisions from her spatial storage. Murong Xun was both surprised and delighted to see the mountain of provisions, and his regard for Xue Ruanruan grew even stronger. With the matter resolved, Murong Xun was overjoyed and wanted to reward Xue Ruanruan handsomely. However, upon learning of this, the Empress's jealousy intensified, and she secretly plotted how to deal with Xue Ruanruan, setting the stage for a new palace intrigue.