Traitors of the Manchu dynasty, why do you make me an emperor through the ages Chapter 147 Wang Mang: Your Majesty is really a Mingjun! Xi Shi goes out of the bath
Chapter 147 Wang Mang: Your Majesty is really a Mingjun! Xi Shi goes out of the bath
Li Qian temporarily came out of Wenrou Village, got on his carriage and walked forward.
He was lying on his shoulder, thinking about Wang Mang.
Was Qin Hui really unable to convince Wang Mang, or did he deliberately throw this problem to himself?
Li Qian thought for a while and couldn't think of an answer.
Maybe it's both.
But it stands to reason that upper-class civil servants would not like to see the emperor having too much contact with middle- and lower-class civil servants.
If the emperor has an unusual relationship with the officials below and can issue orders directly, then their power will be diluted in disguise.
Of course, Wang Mang was not considered a middle- or lower-level civil servant, so Li Qian was really unclear about Qin Hui's specific intentions.
But no matter what, Li Qian was still a little curious about Wang Mang.
After all, this person is really... special. He was a very controversial figure not only in his previous life, but also in Daqian.
When Li Qian spoke to Qin Hui before, Qin Hui mentioned that Wang Zongbo of the Ministry of Rites was a man with very strange ideas.
"Your Majesty, we are here." the old eunuch reminded.
"good."
Li Qian got off the carriage and walked slowly to the political hall.
At this time, he had begun to initially try the so-called "voting and drafting" system, letting Wu Meiniang and Lu Pheasant vote on the memorial, while Li Qian was responsible for the final part.
This not only reduced his workload, but also allowed Li Qian to discover an unexpected benefit.
Before, he only asked two secretaries for their opinions when he encountered a memorial that he had questions about.
But now, no matter how big or small the matter in the memorial is, Wu Meiniang and Lu Zhi can write their opinions.
In this way, Li Qian had more ideas when reading the memorial, and sometimes he would think more about why Wu Meiniang and Lu Fei thought so, and why they had such thoughts...
Even Li Qian had to admit that when it came to approving memorials, both Wu Meiniang and Lu Pheasant were more talented than himself.
When it comes to handling some things, Lu Pheasant is more tactful than herself, while Wu Meiniang is a little more domineering, but she can still handle things well.
Of course, in the eyes of the two concubines, His Majesty the Emperor was as wise as abyss, but it was not something they could guess. From time to time, he would come up with new and strange ideas, as if there was another world hidden behind him.
"His Majesty."
Seeing Li Qian entering the political hall, Wu Meiniang and Lu Zhi hurriedly put down their pens and stood up: "Wang Zongbo is coming."
"It must be that Prime Minister Qin didn't capture him."
Li Qian smiled and sorted out the memorials and receipts on the table.
"What even Prime Minister Qin can't do, only His Majesty can do it." Lu Pheasant looked at Li Qian with a gentle smile on his face.
"I haven't seen it yet, who can say for sure."
Li Qian chuckled and shook his head: "But I do know something about Uncle Wang Dazong..."
Wang Mang has a great reputation. After usurping the throne in his previous life, he also faced a situation where a large amount of land was annexed, which was even worse than the situation he faced now.
At that time, he proposed a series of reforms such as renaming the world's fields as king's fields, changing slaves to "private property", and private individuals not being allowed to trade.
Just because of personal character flaws, wrong timing, inappropriate situation, and some external factors, the implementation of the policy failed miserably...
"Your Majesty knows everything like a god and knows every adult in the court like the back of his hand." Wu Meiniang came over to help Li Qian rub his shoulders and back, with a pair of noble Danfeng eyes full of bright smiles.
"It's not as powerful as you said."
Li Qian chuckled, shook his head, and said to the old eunuch at the door: "Uncle Xuan Wang, come in."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The old eunuch responded and left, while Wu Meiniang and Lu Pheasant also retreated to the side room.
After a while, Wang Mang, wearing a bright red official robe, came in from outside the hall.
"Wang Mang, Minister of Rites, is here to see Your Majesty."
"Get up and give Wang Zongbo a seat."
Li Gan smiled and said to the old eunuch, and a young eunuch hurriedly moved a round stool for Wang Mang.
"Why did Wang Zongbo come to see me? Is there some problem with the recent provincial examination, or is there another change in the selection of examiners?"
Wang Mang looked at him with some confusion. Unexpectedly, His Majesty the Emperor suddenly mentioned the Provincial Examination.
"Your Majesty, there are no mistakes in the provincial examination. It is expected to start on the ninth day of August. Now the Gongyuan of each state has been locked up and is just waiting for the examination to start."
The examiners of the rural examination must set out from the capital and arrive at the Gongyuan of each state half a month in advance. They are then shrunk in and stay there for half a month. During this period, they are not allowed to enter or exit, and they are not allowed to communicate with anyone.
Of course, this time is longer in the capital, and the examiners have to be locked up in the Gongyuan almost a month in advance.
"That's good."
Li Qian nodded lightly and said with emotion: "Speaking of the provincial examination, it's almost August, right? The imperial army must have arrived in the Kingdom of Wu soon. Think about the swearing-in in the southern suburbs, they are still in front of you..."
Wang Mang was even more confused and did not understand what His Majesty the Emperor wanted to express.
However, he still replied: "Your Majesty, the imperial troops and horses have entered the territory of Chen State. If they want to reach Wu State... it must be mid-August."
"good."
Li Qian smiled and nodded: "It seems that we are taking the exam here, and the fight will probably start over there."
The provincial examination lasts for nine days and is divided into three sessions. If the examination starts on the ninth day of the lunar month, it will not be completed until August 18. The scholars will also have to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in the Gongyuan.
"It's a pity that the soldiers of the Forbidden Army who are away at war cannot be reunited with their families during the Mid-Autumn Festival." Li Qian said with some emotion.
Wang Mang frowned: "Your Majesty, the soldiers are out on an expedition and are naturally willing to fight for the imperial court."
Li Qian chuckled softly. He heard that when Wang Mang became emperor, only one pig was killed in a swearing-in ceremony, and all the soldiers in the army only received a few drops of pig blood, which caused the soldiers below to rebel.
Such a stingy character must not be able to understand the mood of the soldiers below.
"Stop talking about this, Wang Zongbo."
Li Qian waved his hand and said with a smile: "Since the preparations for the provincial examination are going well, why did you come to see me?"
After being interrupted by Li Qian, Wang Mang lost the impulse he had before coming. Instead, he frowned and said slowly: "Your Majesty, I am here because of Li Gefei's affairs."
"Li Gefei?"
Li Qian seemed to suddenly realize it, and then he remembered this person and said with a smile: "Is it him that Wang Zongbo is talking about? It was my idea that this person was promoted to Yuanwailang of the Ministry of Rites."
"I wonder if Prime Minister Qin has told you?"
"That's exactly what Prime Minister Qin and his ministers said."
When it comes to this, Wang Mang's previous energy returned, and his words were somewhat tough: "Your Majesty, the four members of the Ministry of Rites are all in their positions. Now that Your Majesty wants to add more people, I'm afraid it won't be consistent with the system."
Li Qian was startled: "That's it."
"However, Wang Zongbo, can't you help the four current ministers of the Ministry of Rites transfer their posts?"
Hearing the same argument as Qin Hui, Wang Mang became a little angry: "Your Majesty, what crime is Yuanwailang guilty of? In order to cooperate with Li Gefei's promotion, he will be transferred."
"Besides, Li Gefei has always been an academic officer and served in the Imperial College. Now he has suddenly come to the Sixth Department. There must be many things he doesn't adapt to. How can he do better than his predecessors?"
Li Qian pondered for a moment after hearing this, and seemed to understand Wang Mang's thoughts.
However, he had other ideas and said with a smile: "I promoted Li Gefei not only because he did well in his articles, but also because I thought he would become Wang Zongbo's assistant."
"Um?"
Wang Mang was startled when he heard this, obviously he didn't expect Li Qian's idea.
Li Qian smiled and said: "Dr. Li's article uses ancient rites to talk about the shortcomings of the current times. He always advocates the restoration of people's hearts. I think that if Dr. Li goes to the Ministry of Rites, he will definitely help Wang Zongbo."
Wang Mang was stunned: "Dr. Li is this kind of person?"
Now his name is no longer Li Gefei, but Dr. Li.
Li Qian smiled softly: "I don't need to lie to you, right?"
"Has Mr. Wang Zongbo ever known Dr. Li? Didn't you know that you came to look for me?"
Wang Mang didn't know why, but suddenly his face turned red: "Your Majesty, I..."
"It doesn't matter."
Li Qian smiled and waved his hand: "You can read Dr. Li's works when you go back. His books such as "The Essence of the Book of Rites" and "Historical Biography" are quite insightful."
This is Wang Mang's temperament, he is obsessed with ancient things.
When he was in power in his previous life, he believed in Confucianism and believed that the world must return to the era of ritual rule before the "collapse of rituals and music" as claimed by Confucius, in order to achieve political integrity and people. After usurping the throne and proclaiming himself emperor, he even attempted to restore the Zhou ritual system of the Western Zhou Dynasty. He came to govern the country and secure the world, and also implemented the New Deal based on the system of the Zhou Dynasty.
Now that Li Qian talks to him, all he has to do is take the medicine according to the prescription.
"Alas~"
Wang Mang sighed quietly, then regained his energy, stood up and cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I will go back and read Dr. Li's works now. If he is really such a stable person, he can try to join the Ministry of Rites."
"I came here today because I was rude."
Just hearing His Majesty the Emperor's description of Li Gefei made him feel a little itchy in his heart.
To be honest, even in today's Ministry of Rites, there are very few people who advocate retrospection. When he heard the names of Li Gefei's books, "The Essence of the Book of Rites" and "Historical Biography", Wang Mang's heart was shaken. Before, Most of the vague dislike towards him disappeared immediately.
Someone who can admire ancient rituals so much cannot be too bad no matter what!
"It doesn't matter."
Li Gan smiled and waved his hand: "No one who doesn't know is guilty. Even before I read the article, I didn't know that Dr. Li is such a serious and down-to-earth person."
"Nowadays, people's hearts are not as old as before, and there are not many people as down-to-earth as him." There was some emotion in his words.
Wang Mang was about to resign, but after hearing this, he looked up at Li Qian again: "Your Majesty, you think so too?"
"Of course."
Li Qian gave Wang Mang a weird look: "If I didn't think so too, why would I appreciate Dr. Li's article?"
"Is it possible that you really think you are promoting Prime Minister Qin's closeness?"
With a bit of shame on his face, Wang Mang sat back on the round stool again and looked at Li Qian tentatively: "Does it mean that His Majesty also feels that only by imitating the ancient etiquette can one achieve political integrity, govern the country and bring peace to the world?"
Li Qian sighed, thinking that was just fart.
"That's true!"
"But nowadays, people are impetuous. How can there be such stable people as Wang Zongbo and Dr. Li?"
Li Qian stood up with his hands behind his hands, sighed and shook his head, as if he was lamenting that people's hearts are not ancient.
"Your Majesty is indeed a wise king!"
Wang Mang immediately became excited, but he did not expect that His Majesty the Emperor had similar thoughts to his.
He was not in a hurry to leave, and immediately stayed in the political hall. While expressing his thoughts, he complained to Li Qian. At one moment he said that the minister was not good enough, and at another moment he said that the minister thought he was crazy...
Li Qian just smiled and listened to his complaints. From time to time, he would echo a few words and add some opinions to Wang Mang's thoughts.
Wang Mang's idea of blindly advocating the ancients may be wrong, but as he can be the Minister of Rites, his ideas in some aspects are still very insightful.
Li Qian discussed the government affairs in depth with him and felt that he had benefited a lot.
The two chatted for a long time, and when it was getting late, Wang Mangcai said goodbye without saying anything.
"Having a good chat with Wang Zongbo is like encountering high mountains and flowing water." Li Qian appropriately showed a bit of reluctance.
Wang Mang was even more confused by what he said, and kept saying that Li Qian was a wise king who only comes across once in a thousand years.
"Today's chat has not been smooth. I will invite Wang Zongbo to the palace another day!"
Li Qian smiled and stood up to see him off: "By the way, you should think about Dr. Li's matter again."
"good!"
Wang Mang patted his chest proudly and had a good impression of Li Gefei, a possible "comrade": "Perhaps those few Yuanwailang have long wanted to be promoted? I will go to Qin Xiang to discuss it and see. Raise them somewhere!"
"good."
Li Qian waved his hand and sent him away with a smile.
After he left, Li Qian sat on the table and looked at the drafting of the memorial. Wu Meiniang and Lu Pheasant walked out from the side room. Wu Meiniang still had a hint of worry in her eyes.
"Your Majesty, do you really agree with Wang Mang's idea of restoring ancient times?"
During the conversation just now, Wang Mang even mentioned the need to educate people with benevolence and righteousness, so that the public would be able to achieve a situation where they would not close their doors at night.
Wu Meiniang and Lu Zhi, one of whom had worked hard to make a living outside, and the other was from a commoner background, naturally knew that this was absolutely unworkable and would even lead to big trouble.
Li Qian approved the memorial on the table and smiled softly at the two of them: "I actually don't agree with Wang Zongbo's words."
"But after all, he is a veteran of the court and a high-ranking official who was promoted by the imperial examination. I can't get into too much of a quarrel with him."
"Today's impetuous atmosphere in the court requires a mature and prudent minister like Wang Zongbo to balance it, and many of his ideas are also very insightful."
To be honest, Li Qian still has a somewhat complicated impression of Wang Mang, an idealist.
On the one hand, he has many flaws, but on the other hand, this kind of person who constantly strives for his goals is the cutest.
When the two women heard this, they breathed a sigh of relief, lit the lights in the hall, sat next to Li Qian, and helped him approve the memorial.
Li Qian read the small "juanxiu" characters on the ticket, nodded slightly, changed a little more on the above opinions, and then wrote it on the memorial in the form of Zhu's criticism.
This last step of copying, he would never do it to others again.
After all, the talent is not very good to begin with. If you are too lazy, you will be completely hopeless.
Lu Pheasant said softly from the side: "At least, as Wang Zongbo just said, setting up a free school to let the people know etiquette, I think it is very good."
He looked at Li Qian and persuaded softly: "Your Majesty, I know that many of the imperial decrees are not known to the people when they reach the counties."
"Sometimes in lean years, when the harvest is not good, the court is willing to exempt the people from paying taxes, but the notices are posted and the people cannot understand them. The landowners take the opportunity to collude with the Yamen officials, saying that this is another tax increase... …”
Hearing this, Li Qian put down his pen and sighed softly.
Why doesn't he know the benefits of free study? But it involves many problems.
Where does the money to run the school come from? Where do I hire teachers?
Moreover, in today's countryside, half-grown children usually have to work in the fields. If they go to school, the family will lose a labor force.
In this era, it is very difficult for ordinary people to cultivate a fully independent scholar, and it is almost impossible for them to pay tuition.
Without a source of income, how can volunteer schools be maintained?
Nowadays, the imperial court is almost unable to untie the pot, and it is difficult to devote money to such a thing.
These are all problems.
Wu Meiniang seemed to see that Li Qian did not agree with it very much, so she frowned and said: "If a volunteer school is to be established, it must be organized by the Ministry of Rites. If this is done, won't Wang Mang's authority be increased again?"
Li Qian shook his head gently: "It's not a matter of authority, but..."
He sighed softly and didn't know how to explain it to them: "Let's put this matter aside for now."
Lu Pheasant also knew that there must be difficulties here. Seeing that Li Qian had already made a decision, she could not say anything more: "Yes, Your Majesty."
After being busy for a while, the old eunuch came up and asked Li Qian if he wanted to have dinner. Only then did Li Qian remember what he had said to his eldest grandson Wugou when they were in Yulin Garden today.
"If you don't want to eat here, let's go to the Sixth Palace."
Li Qian smiled and said, before leaving in the morning, Changsun Wugou asked if he should tell Xi Shi in advance so that she could be prepared, and he agreed.
It would be bad if I break my promise now.
"Would you like to go together and try Yue's craftsmanship?"
Li Qian wanted Xi Shi to join in and help approve the memorial, so he naturally wanted her to get acquainted with Lu Pheasant and Wu Meiniang.
Unexpectedly, Lu Pheasant smiled and helped him tidy up his clothes, and said softly: "Your Majesty, you should go alone. It would be too unfair for Sister Xi Shi if we are here to eat."
Wu Meiniang also looked at him with a sweet smile, but said nothing.
Li Qianqian laughed twice. He was only thinking about approving the memorial, but he almost ignored Xi Shi's feelings as a girl.
"Then let's talk about it another day. Let's talk about it another day."
Under the dim sky, the cool breeze blew, the bright moon hung high, and the stars gradually climbed into the sky.
The emperor drove with bright lights to the Jingyang Palace where Xishi lived.
"My slaves have met your Majesty." The palace people had already learned the news of the emperor's return, and they all saluted at the entrance of the palace.
"Get flat."
Li Qian smiled and walked down the carriage, passed the vermilion front pillars and the palace gate, and as soon as he entered the magnificent Jingyang Palace, he smelled a scent from a distance, which whetted his appetite.
When he arrived at Qiu Shui Pavilion where Xi Shi lived, after opening the door and entering, two palace maids immediately leaned over to say hello to him.
"Where is your queen?"
"Go back to your majesty, your majesty is cooking for you."
There is no separate kitchen in Qiushui Pavilion, but there are several such kitchens in Jingyang Palace that can open fire.
Li Qian was startled when he heard this, and then he burst into laughter, but he forgot about it.
"The queen told the slaves that if Your Majesty comes, just wait here for a while. She will be back soon."
Li Gan smiled and shook his head: "Where does she cook? Take me to see her?"
The palace maid did not dare to refuse his request, so she led Li Qian towards the kitchens.
The further you go, the stronger the aroma becomes.
Li Qian opened the door and saw Xi Shi dressed in gray and white linen clothes with a black apron in front of her body. Her cloud-like hair was tied high behind her head with a linen scarf. There were big beads of sweat hanging on her forehead. She was meticulous. He paid close attention to the flames in the stove and used the bellows to blow air from time to time to control the heat. He didn't even notice anyone entering the room.
The most eye-catching thing is her pretty face.
The Jingchai sarong not only failed to cover up her peerless grace, but instead added a touch of simple elegance to Xi Shi, with her exquisite and graceful curves rising and falling under the sarong.
It was midsummer, and the kitchen was extremely hot. There was a fire on the stove, and the dim yellow light reflected the sweat slowly flowing down from her white jade-like forehead, flowing through the tip of her straight nose, and her flawless cheeks, as pink as cherry blossoms. The lips... have a different kind of charm.
Li Qian was startled, but when he came to his senses, he laughed out loud.
We have obviously spent a lot of time together, but every time I see Xi Shi's flawless face, I still feel distracted.
"His Majesty?"
But Xi Shi heard his laughter, and when she saw it was Li Qian, she hurriedly stood up and saluted, and said with some anxiety: "I... I have the last porridge left to cook."
She pointed to the table on the other side, where there were several covered wooden food boxes, which were obviously dishes that had been cooked and were being kept warm.
"Let the palace maid cook it first, and you come with me."
Li Qian took out the handkerchief and wiped her forehead carefully, but found that Xi Shi's ivory-white neck was also covered with sweat, and even her hair was sticky.
Xishi's face turned red, but she felt a little at a loss.
Although the two of them had communicated several times these days, Li Qian had never touched her. The two of them had only held hands before, but they had never been so close.
"Your Majesty, they may not be able to cook it well, so I'd better let me do it myself."
Xi Shi's face turned red with embarrassment. She gently wiped her forehead with her sleeves and said softly: "It's very hot here. Your Majesty, you'd better go out and sit down first. I'll be ready soon so I won't keep Your Majesty waiting."
Li Qian smiled: "No need, I'll just cook porridge with you here."
Before Xi Shi could refuse, he was walking in the kitchen to look at it.
Under the dim firelight, there are various bottles and jars, including soy sauce, vinegar, refined salt, soy sauce and other condiments, as well as various ingredients and so on.
Due to the Silk Road and trade in the Western Regions, the dining tables of Daqian people are still very rich, including eggplants, cucumbers and other vegetables.
Of course, things like peppers, potatoes, corn, onions, cabbage and the like are out of the question.
There is the Maritime Silk Road over Baiyue, and many Hu merchants are said to have introduced a lot of fresh vegetables. It is said that they are also available over there in the Ming Dynasty, but maybe due to climate reasons, they cannot be grown in Daqian, and they have not spread to the capital yet. Come.
Nowadays, when people eat spicy food, they mostly rely on ginger to bring out the spiciness, while richer families use pepper, a luxury product brought from the Western Regions, to make it.
Li Qian looked around at the things in the kitchen and was suddenly attracted by several strange-shaped square tools.
"My beloved concubine, what is this?"
He pointed at this thing and turned to look at Xi Shi.
Xi Shi hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, that is a mold for making tofu. I have been practicing for several days, and today I made tofu for Your Majesty."
Li Qian suddenly became interested. Isn't this the original version of Xishi tofu?
"Then I will eat more today."
He smiled and came to the stove to help Xi Shi light the fire.
Maybe it's because it's too hot, or maybe it's because Li Qian is here, but the flush on Xi Shi's pretty face never fades: "Your Majesty, just let me do these tasks."
"Are you afraid that I will boil your pot of porridge?" Li Qian asked with a smile.
"No, no." Xishi blushed quickly and shook her head.
"Then come." Li Qian imitated Xi Shi's behavior, observing the fire, constantly pulling the wind direction, and soon there were beads of sweat on his forehead.
Xi Shi took a wooden spoon and turned the porridge in the pot. The white and tender fish fillets were tumbling up and down in it. She looked down at Li Qian and reminded in a low voice: "Your Majesty, cook it more vigorously..."
But when Li Qian raised his head and looked at her, Xi Shi always shrank her neck subconsciously. Her delicate little appearance was so cute that Li Qian almost couldn't control it.
"Why are you so afraid of me? I won't eat you?" Li Qian looked at her with a smile.
"I'm not afraid, Your Majesty."
Xi Shi whispered, although she said this, she always shrank her neck subconsciously.
The sight of Li Qian holding a handkerchief to wipe his sweat just now was always lingering in her heart.
That rich masculine aura made Xi Shi's heart beat faster.
As the saying goes, if men and women work together, they will not be tired from work.
With a little girl like Xi Shi teasing her with a peerless beauty, Li Qian didn't feel the stuffiness here anymore, and the two of them quickly finished cooking the pot of fish fillet porridge.
"Let's go and eat."
Li Qian did not let the palace maid help, but smiled and picked up the food box beside him.
Xi Shi used a towel to cushion her, picked up the fish fillet porridge in the casserole, and followed Li Qian out the door.
But seeing her slender pink arms carrying the casserole, Li Qian was always worried about whether she could hold it.
When the two returned to Qiushui Pavilion, the air cooled down instantly, which refreshed Li Qian, who had been in the sweltering heat of the kitchen for a long time.
But then he came back to his senses, frowned and looked at the closed doors and windows, and the dense ice trays surrounding him...
"Remove these and open the windows."
It is easy to get sick under prolonged heat and sudden cold.
The maid who served Xi Shi came with her from Yue, and her name was Hongxi. She didn't know why His Majesty the Emperor looked so ugly, but she still hurriedly removed the ice tray and opened the window.
"His Majesty……"
Xi Shi was behind, with a bit of anxiety on her face: "They also have good intentions, please spare them once."
Only then did Li Qian come to his senses and realized that she was still standing behind with a casserole in her hands.
"I didn't intend to embarrass them in the first place."
Li Qian turned to smile and walked in quickly. Xi Shi and the palace maid Hong Xi also breathed a sigh of relief, followed him in and put the food on the table.
Although he said this to the two of them, it was difficult to dispel the doubts in Li Qian's heart.
Is this the good intention of the palace maid below, or does she have other intentions, targeting Xi Shi or herself?
Li Qian's eyes casually glanced at the pretty palace maid Hong Xi, but he did not express his thoughts.
Maybe he was being suspicious, but Li Qian felt that it was best to have someone investigate this matter...
With the window open, the night breeze outside quickly dissipated the uneasy coolness in the room, making it very comfortable.
With a smile as bright as a jade, Xi Shi took out today's meals from the food box and introduced them to Li Qian.
"Your Majesty, this is fried tofu with eggs, and this is roasted fish..."
They are all very simple dishes, but you can see that Xishi really put a lot of thought into them.
The flower knife on the fish, the meticulous presentation...
Li Qian was very satisfied with this meal.
Xi Shi's cooking skills may not be as good as those of the master chefs who cook for him every day, but Li Qian has never had such home-cooked food from them.
Today I occasionally eat these simple tofu, wild vegetables, and fish, but they have a unique flavor. It seems that I can taste the gentleness of the women in the Jiangnan water towns...
"Your Majesty, I am going to take a bath."
After dinner, the palace maid came to clear the table, and Xi Shi blushed and was about to leave.
Li Qian also stood up with her and said with a smile: "I will go with you."
He was sweating all over just now, and his body was always sticky and uncomfortable.
"Your Majesty..." Xi Shi's pretty face suddenly turned red, and she stopped moving forward. She turned around and wanted to explain clearly to Li Qian, but in this atmosphere, she did not dare to look at Li Qian.
Seeing her helpless look, Li Qian suddenly laughed and said, "You're just kidding me, I'll wash it myself."
Xi Shi subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, but then realized her actions, and her pretty face suddenly turned redder. She lowered her head and whispered: "Your Majesty, I... I don't dislike you..."
By the end, it was almost impossible to hear what she was saying.
Li Qian smiled softly and without saying much, walked over, took her hand and walked to another room.
He knew that Xi Shi was shy, so in order to take care of her emotions, the two of them washed themselves in separate rooms.
But lying in the bathtub, listening to the sound of water rushing from next door, Li Qian was a little distracted and couldn't calm down.
Listening to the sound of water, Xi Shi's flawless face and figure subconsciously appeared in my mind.
But he didn't know that Xi Shi next door was even worse than him. Every time he made a little noise, he would feel panicked.
However, men always take baths faster than women. After Li Qian finished washing and put on his clothes, he asked the maid to place two ice trays in the corner of the bedroom, then he lay on the triangular chair and wanted to close his eyes and relax for a while.
It's just that no matter how hard I try, my heart can't calm down.
"Alas~"
Li Qian sighed quietly, knowing what was going on.
The dim red candle brings light but also exudes heat, adding a touch of heat to the room and accelerating the melting of the ice cubes.
Just when Li Qian was lost in thought, the door opened with a creak.
Li Qian turned around and saw Xi Shi, dressed in plain white gauze, slowly walking in from the door.
Her graceful and exquisite figure rises and falls under the gauze, revealing her crystal-clear legs and pink arms underneath.
Her hair is still a little wet and hangs down behind her pink face, adding a touch of elegance to her flawless face.
Like a fairy in the sky, it creates an indescribable feeling in people's hearts.
"Your Majesty..." Xi Shi's pink lips parted slightly, her hands were tangled together, her head lowered, not daring to look at Li Qian.
Only then did Li Qian come to his senses, stood up, walked over, closed the door, and pulled the beauty to the bedside.
It can be felt that Xi Shi is a little uneasy. Li Qian has been in contact with many concubines in the past, so he knows how to eliminate their uneasy feeling.
"His Majesty……"
Xi Shi's voice trembled slightly, but Li Qian just held her in his arms and gently wiped her wet hair with a silk towel without making too many movements.
The beauty is in her arms, her figure is as light as a feather, and the fragrance after bathing reaches her nose, making her mind wander.
The skin on the back of the neck is as crystal clear as jade, and the pink lips are especially beautiful because they have just taken a bath. Looking at such a beautiful face, it is difficult to feel blasphemous.
Just with the hot and delicate body in his arms, Li Qian couldn't help but feel some strange feelings.
"His Majesty."
Xi Shi seemed to feel something. She turned her back and took the silk scarf in his hand and put it outside the bed. She lay on the bed and buried her head in the pillow mat, not daring to turn her head to look at Li Qian.
However, it can be seen from the red skin at the base of her ears and the back of her neck that she must be in a very uneasy mood.
Li Qian finally came back to his senses, smiled and blew out the red candle in the room.