Lin Shiheng attentively rubbed his shoulders, still acting like a dandy Prince who didnât know the hardships of the world.
However, it was in a certain way that Emperor Anqing didnât notice. He was squeezing his shoulders and tapping his acupuncture points every now and then.
The more at ease he was, the more concerned Emperor Anqing became.
Although he was technically in his prime, he had suffered too many assassination attempts in his early years. The situation was so serious at the time that he couldnât even seek medical treatment from a doctor, so he delayed until now and became physically weak.
Now, he could clearly feel that his body was getting heavier and heavier every day. Coupled with the fact that nothing was born in his harem, although the doctor said that his health didnât affect his ability to have children, Emperor Anqing decided that he had already broken his body, and wouldnât be able to bear any children, nor did he have much time left.
Even if he had no heir to the throne he had worked so hard to seize, he would never give it to someone else. Even if he had to do so, he would give it to his younger brother from the same mother.
But in the end, he was the child he had grown up with, and he couldnât bear to let his younger brother, who had always been free and easy-going, study day and night like he did, not daring to relax for a moment. Sitting on the throne wasnât easy. He couldnât stop, and for the sake of the country, he had to continue to deal with government affairs even when he was sick and in pain.
Feeling the gradual relaxation at his shoulders from his brotherâs massaging by tapping, Emperor Anqing sighed, âYouâve been here long enough, go and visit Empress Mother. I still have a bunch of things to do here.â
Not wanting his younger brother to suffer, the only thing he could do was to take care of the country from top to bottom while he was still alive, and then hand it over to his brother in a complete and prosperous state.
The heartless young prince really didnât notice the heaviness on his older brotherâs face, and with a joyful response, he left the hall with the wind in his sleeves.
Emperor Anqing looked at his cheerful back, unaware of the hardships of the world. He shook his head helplessly and smiled dotingly. He stretched out his hand and touched his shoulder, saying to the Chief Eunuch waiting beside him, âThis boy still has a couple of tricks up his sleeve, after being massaged by him, I do feel a lot lighter.â
The Chief Eunuch laughed in his heart. How can anyone have that ability when they have been served since they were young and never served anyone else? Especially Prince Linjiang.
He laughed in his heart but wore a smile on his face, âIt must be that His Highness is bent on being good to Your Majesty and used his heart to achieve that effect.â
âHmm, I think so.â
Emperor Anqing nodded in satisfaction and moved his shoulders, feeling as if a light, brisk stream of aura was travelling down his body, bringing a sense of relief wherever it went.
Its just a few squeezes, how could it hove such on effect? I must be dreaming about it
Cui Mu had been demoted for making a mistake in treating Princess Consort Linjiang.
By the time this news reached Mu Qingrongâs ears, it was nearly time for her to enter the palace.
Her mother and father were acting excited about her entrance into the palace. Her mother kept telling her to relax, and even her father came to visit her several times.
Mu Qingrongâs heart felt disdain for these sentiments.
Since her rebirth, she was looking down at everyone except for her future husband, Prince Linjiang.
These people knew nothing and were still happy that she was likely to be favored by Emperor Anqing.
They don't know that Emperor Anqing would die in another year, and that by that time, Prince Linjiang would be the one heir to the throne.
Mu Qingrong was also disdainful of Emperor Anqing, whom she had served.
As the Emperor, he was too generous, both to the palace concubines and to the courtiers. He was even worse than Prince Linjiang, who later ascended to the throne, and had no imperial majesty at all. He only cared about state affairs every day and never enjoyed himself. She wasted all her talents and abilities in vain.
Especially because of this, he had a short life.
Whatâs the point of the selection process when youâre going to die?
In this life Mu Qingrong had no desire to serve Emperor Anqing, so when she entered the palace, she kept her eyebrows low and never fought for the prize, not even trying to show herself off.
She knew that Emperor Anqing had a lukewarm temperament and that he wouldnât actively take someone in if the young lady didnât express her admiration for him.
Mu Qingrong thought she had done well enough, but little did she know that Emperor Anqing was the type of person who wouldnât pay attention to a submissive woman with downcast eyebrows, but the Empress Dowager liked that type.
As the group of young ladies knelt down to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, who had been quietly observing the ladies, looked at the peaceful Mu Qingrong and nodded in satisfaction.
âYour Majesty, as I see it, this young lady is very good.â
Emperor Anqing also lifted his gaze. Looking from afar, she appeared to be good-looking. He wasnât too picky, so he simply said, âLet her come forward and weâll see.â
Mu Qingrong was anxious.
She didnât want to be chosen. That would make marriage to Prince Linjiang even more difficult.
In desperation, she pretended to trip and fall to the ground as she stepped forward.
âGreetings Your... ah!â
Mu Qingrong heard the Empress Dowagerâs voice at the top as she hoped, âHow can you serve His Majesty and give him an heir when you canât even walk properly? â
âYes.â
Mu Qingrongâs eyes were full of joy, completely oblivious to the icy glare of the Empress Dowager and Emperor Anqing, looking at her from above.
The fact that Mu Qingrong tripped and fell on purpose, and that she looked so happy after being given the flower, was a clear indication of how much she didnât want to serve Emperor Anqing.
(TNote: If a girl was chosen, she would be given a scented pouch; if she wosnât chosen, she would be given 0 flower)
For the imperial mother and son, Mu Qingrongâs attitude was enough to annoy them.
However, they were still selecting and holding back for the time being.
After the selection, Emperor Anqing, who had always felt weak in the bedroom, spent a rare amount of time in the harem these days, because his body had relaxed a bit. The Empress Dowager saw this and was so happy that she simply forgot about Mu Qingrong.
Mu Qingrong, on the other hand, was preparing in the residence.
It was because Prince Linjiang had sent word that the Princess Consort had recovered and that he was bringing her back to visit.
Mu Qingrong hasnât been able to go to the Linjiang mansion since she was practically humiliated last time.
Although the beginning was rough, Mu Qingrong relied on the fact that she had spent many years with Prince Linjiang, who had become Emperor in her last life. She was quite sure that there was no one else in the world who knew him better than she did.
She knew that Prince Linjiang loved beauty above all else, and what he loathed most was women competing with each other and being jealous.
The most important thing now was to separate Prince Linjiang from Mu Qingling as husband and wife, and then, afterwards, she could slowly make plans.
After thinking it over, Mu Qingrong carefully chose a maid who almost looked like the one Prince Linjiang liked in his previous life. On the day Mu Qingling returned to her home, she would time it perfectly, to let them meet on a narrow path.
As she had hoped, Lin Shihengâs eyes were instantly glued to the maid.
âYouâre a good-looking girl, but are you a servant of the Marquis? Whatâs your name?â
The maid tenderly curtsied, âThis maidâs name is Poâer, I serve at the Third Young Ladyâs side.â
Seeing that Lin Shihengâs eyes were glued to Poâer and he couldnât move away, Mu Qingrong was pleased with herself. She slightly straightened her waist and gave Mu Qingling a seemingly unintentional glance.
Howâs that for a new husband, praising another woman in front of you?
The gaze passed, only to pause in slight disbelief.
She saw that Mu Qingling was smiling and there was no reluctance in her eyes.
How is that possible? Isnât she afraid that this girl will threaten her position? She had just gotten married!
âPoâer?ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
And at the moment, Mu Qingling heard Poâerâs name repeated by her husband beside her, silently connecting the dots in her mind.
-Sure enough, as the name implies, she looked like a watery, attractive girl.
(TNote: Po [jS]=Lake. And watery/water fairy in Chinese implies vivid; full of life; fresh; charming and flowy.)
In the next moment, Lin Shiheng looked at Poâer with approval in his eyes and said, âAs your name implies, you look beautiful and charming.â
Looking at her husbandâs familiar expression of fondness and joy, Mu Qinglingâs heart didnât waver.
There was even some desire to laugh.