Was this a compromise?
The concubines who had been watching the drama unfold couldn't help but show looks of disappointment.
They had expected some exciting show, but it turned out to be much ado about nothing.
Hua Fei, standing to one side, showed a look of frustration.
This useless woman! She had gone through so much to support her, but she had caved in just because of a few words from the queen.
Thankfully, she had a backup plan for herself.
When the Empress Dowager shifted her gaze to her, she quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I was not involved in this matter. Yu Fei came to me crying that day, so I let her join my dance. I never expected her to slander me like this."
Su Wan'er looked at Si Junlin with a hint of helplessness. At this moment, she actually felt a bit sorry for him.
Living among so many false faces every day must be truly nauseating.
Su Wan'er glanced at the Empress Dowager, who looked rather troubled. After hesitating for a while, she finally said, "Mother, I think we should postpone this matter until tomorrow. Today is your birthday. We shouldn't let these trifles spoil the fun."
The Empress Dowager nodded, thinking, This is what my son should say.
Then she said, "Alright, we'll discuss this later. You may all leave now."
Although she said so, after this incident, the Empress Dowager had no mood for the rest of the banquet. Everything was quickly wrapped up.
Walking on the palace path back to their quarters, Su Wan'er turned to look at Si Junlin. Seeing his gloomy face, she thought he was depressed because he hadn't been able to hold a perfect birthday banquet for his mother.
Clearing her throat lightly, Su Wan'er waved the servants away a bit and then asked Si Junlin, "Your Majesty, are you feeling guilty because you couldn't hold a perfect birthday banquet for the Empress Dowager?"
Si Junlin turned to look at her and then shook his head. "No, I just feel sorry for you."
"What's there to be sorry about? It's all in the past. I don't care," Su Wan'er said, shrugging indifferently.
"From now on, stop embroidering those things. Whatever you want, I'll prepare it for you. I don't want you to suffer anymore," Si Junlin said sincerely. He really didn't want to see Su Wan'er's sincere efforts being wasted. Seeing the way she had tried so hard to control the clinking of her chopsticks against the plate during the banquet today, his heart ached as if someone were stabbing it with a knife.
After this incident, he had a different view of the gifts for his mother.
Just as his mother had once told him, in this harem, calculation and treachery were tolerated, but sincerity was not.
This incident had made him fully understand the meaning of this, very deeply.
Unfortunately, Su Wan'er didn't care about his words. Or rather, after so many years, she had gotten used to the Empress Dowager's attitude. But why did she still insist on learning embroidery? It was because she was waiting for the day when she could leave the palace and use this skill to earn a living.
If the soul - swapping incident hadn't happened, she might have been sent to the Cold Palace. Once in the Cold Palace, she could start a new life under a new identity.
But unfortunately, there were no ifs in this situation.
"Actually, you just need to get used to it. You've been the emperor for so many years. Haven't you learned to handle things calmly?" Su Wan'er asked skeptically.
Si Junlin sighed and didn't continue the previous topic. The two of them silently returned to their palace.
"Tomorrow, your elder brother is going to the frontier again. Do you want to go and see him off?" After they had taken a bath and changed their clothes, Si Junlin turned around and pulled Su Wan'er onto the bed.
Su Wan'er nodded. "Of course. Moreover, doing so can show that you care about your officials, which will greatly improve your reputation."
Si Junlin had just wanted Su Wan'er to say goodbye to her elder brother. He didn't expect this girl to come up with such a long - winded speech.
Although he was the one who had initially emphasized the importance of reputation, he didn't want their relationship to be just about interests now.
"By the way," Su Wan'er seemed to remember something. She suddenly turned to look at Si Junlin.
"What's wrong?" Si Junlin asked in confusion.
Su Wan'er smiled mischievously. "I remember someone said that he would give me a massage after coming back..." She had never been served by the emperor before, so she was naturally looking forward to it.
Si Junlin was stunned for a moment. Then he remembered what he had said during the banquet and shook his head helplessly. "You woman..." She cared about such a small thing but didn't care about the Empress Dowager's attitude towards her.
"Are you regretting it?" Su Wan'er raised her eyebrows.
Si Junlin forcefully turned her around. "I'm the emperor of a country. A gentleman's word is as good as his bond. How could I regret it?"
Su Wan'er snorted. "Who knows? Maybe you're afraid of being seen massaging your queen and it will affect your reputation."
Si Junlin reached out and tapped her on the head. "Have you forgotten your own identity?" She had told him to pay attention to his identity during the banquet, but now she had forgotten her own.
"Even if outsiders come in, they'll just think the queen is being virtuous and massaging the emperor. This will actually earn you some good reputation," Si Junlin added.
Su Wan'er snorted and stopped talking. She quietly enjoyed Si Junlin's massage.
Si Junlin had some strength. After all, it was Su Wan'er's body. What surprised Su Wan'er more was Si Junlin's technique. It was exactly the same as her own... Could it be that this man had mastered the massage technique just by watching her massage a few times?
"How about it? Isn't my technique good?" Si Junlin said proudly.
In response to Si Junlin's question, Su Wan'er could only say helplessly, "It's good. But if the Empress Dowager finds out that you learned it from me, she'll probably dislike me even more."
"Don't worry. She won't," Si Junlin said. Whether it meant she wouldn't blame or wouldn't find out was unknown.
However, compared to not blaming, Su Wan'er thought it was more likely that she wouldn't find out.
Under Si Junlin's massage, Su Wan'er relieved the day's fatigue. After yawning, sleepiness came over her like a tide and she couldn't resist it.
"Good night," Su Wan'er said, then turned over and snuggled into the quilt and fell into a deep sleep.
Listening to the gentle breathing sound beside him, Si Junlin was quite surprised.
Was she that tired? Otherwise, how could she fall asleep so easily?