The fight between Lou Yan and the fourth prince spread a lot, and it was very lively for a while.
However, of the two parties involved, one was beaten and was lying in the house recovering from his injuries, while the other was locked up in the palace.
However, the news of their fight was quickly suppressed by another news.
Their ascetic Emperor suddenly favored a beautiful woman.
It is said that His Majesty the Emperor loved this beauty so much that he, who rarely went to the harem, stayed in her palace every night and received constant rewards every day. Within a few days of entering the palace, he directly made her a concubine.
The last person who suddenly appeared like this and was granted the title of concubine was the folk woman Lou Shufei.
Even before everyone had seen the face of the emperor's new love, they were already comparing her with Concubine Lou Shu. If they had all seen that face, they would probably be even more involved with Concubine Lou.
This matter soon reached the palace.
At that time, Lou Yan was lying on the soft couch, with his head resting on Qin Zhen's thigh, his arms around Qin Zhen's waist, and his sticky head rubbing against Qin Zhen's arms.
Linglong stood not far away, her head lowered slightly and she did not look here, but when she talked about the things in the palace, she still couldn't help but grit her teeth.
"That woman must have been found by the fourth prince just to disgust us." Linglong clenched her fists, really wanting to drag Xiao Yao over and give her a vicious beating.
Their prince is the only relative in this world. When Concubine Lou Shu went there, the prince almost went with her. He was as decadent as a puddle of mud all day long, drinking and drinking until he didn't know what the sky was like.
At that time, if it weren't for Qin Zhen, the prince might not have been able to get back on his feet so quickly.
Now, Xiao Yao is making a big fuss about Concubine Lou Shu. This is simply adding salt to the prince's wound and deliberately disgusting the prince.
When Qin Zhen heard this, she raised her head and glanced at Linglong, and said in a slightly calm tone: "You go down first."
Linglong was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized something, glanced at Lou Yan with some annoyance, and then turned around and retreated.
After Linglong left, Qin Zhen raised her hand and touched Lou Yan's head, like smoothing a dog's hair, and asked softly: "Are you sad?"
Lou Yan didn't raise his head, he just nuzzled into Qin Zhen's arms again and said calmly: "I won't let him go."
Qin Zhen had no expression on her face. She hummed and said, "Don't be sad, I will help you."
Lou Yan said nothing and only rubbed Qin Zhen, like a coquettish big dog.
Qin Zhen's expression softened, she raised her hand to rub Lou Yan's head, and hugged him a little tighter.
These days, maybe because of the injury, or because the woman touched his sad things, he became extra clingy.
Qin Zhen didn't feel annoyed, and even enjoyed it.
She likes that Lou Yan relies on her like this.
Lou Shulan is gone, and Lou Yan has no relatives in this world. Even if he is bullied and wronged outside, he has nowhere to express his fragility, sadness, and grievances when he returns home.
See. Gradually, he will feel that emotions are useless, and slowly he will become colder and colder, losing the emotions that normal people should have.
But now, he is willing to rely on himself.
He would act coquettishly with me when he was in pain, he would cling to me for a hug when he was sad, and he would rub himself into his arms when he was wronged.
Qin Zhen hopes this. She hopes to be someone Lou Yan can rely on and someone who can give him a sense of security.
Before Lou Shulan left, she had entrusted Lou Yan to her. She thought that she should try her best to pamper this person in her arms, so that when she saw Lou Shulan in Jiuquan in the future, she might as well explain to her.
Qin Zhen lowered her head and kissed Lou Yan's forehead, and said softly: "I won't let that woman live too long."
She would not allow that woman to hurt Lou Yan in the face of Lou Yan's beloved mother.
Lou Yan didn't say anything, he just raised his upper body and kissed Qin Zhen's eyes. Then he felt it was not enough, so he moved down and placed a sticky kiss on the corner of her lips.
These days, he always likes to do these little gestures, as if no intimacy is enough.
Qin Zhen was helplessly entangled by him, but she never pushed him away and indulged him in everything.
———
Lou Yan's injury didn't hurt his muscles and bones. Coupled with Murong Yan's medical skills, he was almost healed after about ten days. At least he didn't have to lie on the bed all day and could move freely.
As his injury healed, his stickiness towards Qin Zhen gradually subsided a little.
When he was not clinging to Qin Zhen, he began to frequently stay in the study to deal with things, and some new faces often appeared in the palace, which Qin Zhen had never seen before.
Qin Zhen never asked about these things.
On this day, while Lou Yan went to the study to deal with things, Qin Zhen went out alone.
She went directly to the largest bank in Beijing.
As soon as she walked in, the shopkeeper recognized her. Compared to last time, the shopkeeper was obviously much more enthusiastic this time.
"Isn't this the princess? Princess, please come inside." The shopkeeper smiled and led Qin Zhen inside.
Qin Zhen said calmly: "Is your master here? I ordered a set of longevity locks from him last time. According to the agreement, today is the day to pick up the goods."
The shopkeeper said enthusiastically: "Our master chef has been waiting for the princess early in the morning. He is upstairs."
Qin Zhen's expression softened a little, she nodded to the shopkeeper and went upstairs.
Compared to the hustle and bustle downstairs, it was much quieter upstairs. There was only one person in the room, the shopkeeper, who was drinking tea slowly.
Seeing Qin Zhen come in, he seemed a little dissatisfied and muttered: "Why did you come so late..."
Qin Zhen had a rare smile in her eyes. She looked at the man and said, "What, you've been waiting for me for a long time?"
The other party felt a little awkward and said angrily: "Who is waiting for you? Stop being so sentimental."
"Really?" Qin Zhen smiled, walked over and sat down opposite the other party.
Qin Zhen looked down at the exquisite wooden box on the table and asked, "Have the things been packed?"
The man raised his chin proudly: "Open it and take a look?"
Qin Zhen followed his instructions and opened the wooden box, only to see a long-life lock and a pair of silver bracelets lying inside. With just one glance, you can tell that these things are exquisite and cannot be compared with those on the market.
.
"Not bad, right?" The other party was somewhat proud, "I made this myself."
Qin Zhen's lips curled up, and she raised her eyes to look at the other person: "Are you very attentive?"
The other party coughed lightly: "I pay great attention to every piece of jewelry."
"That's it," Qin Zhen said leisurely, "Look at the workmanship, it's extremely meticulous. If I didn't know, I would have thought you were a nephew of the family who made it. You are so considerate."
"..."
The corners of the other party's mouth twitched, his eyes changed, and his mouth moved, but in the end he was stunned and couldn't say a word.
He stared at Qin Zhen, as if he wanted to say something, but couldn't, and his face was full of hesitation.
