Chapter 504: Chapter 284 Phoenix Seal_2
If someone else said this, they would just come off as arrogant and delusional.
Yet, Qi Yuan was different; he was a Bright Emperor who had won over the courtiers and officials, earning their genuine loyalty and respect.
Coming from him, these words carried immense weight.
Shu Wan sighed softly in her heart, “Your Majesty, I am not even one ten-thousandth of the late Empress. Such divine favor is undeserved. Seeing these fireworks once a year is already enough.”
Qi Yuan responded, his gaze fixed on Shu Wan’s face, though it was uncertain if he had truly listened to her words.
Shu Wan avoided Qi Yuan’s gaze, “It’s getting late, Your Majesty has court tomorrow, perhaps it’s time to return.”
Qi Yuan nodded, then reached out his hand toward Shu Wan.
As a concubine, it was impossible to refuse any request from the Emperor.
Without hesitation, Shu Wan placed her hand in Qi Yuan’s.
His gaze softened as he took her delicate hand in his, guiding her back the way they came.
The ancient night was exceptionally peaceful, the stars so numerous they seemed as if they might fall from the sky.
Walking side by side through the long palace corridors, Qi Yuan and Shu Wan’s figures stretched long under the palace lanterns, casting shadows on the cobblestone path.
Such scenes had occupied Qi Yuan’s imagination many times before.
On his path as emperor, he had only envisioned walking it with Shu Wan.
Yet later, he walked it alone for so long, and finally, the wait was over.
Back at the Yuqing Palace, Shu Wan and Qi Yuan went their separate ways to wash up.
Taking her time, by the time Shu Wan returned after freshening up, Qi Yuan had been waiting for her for quite a while.
He was draped in a black robe, sitting in a chair reviewing petitions.
Shu Wan had assisted Qi Yuan with petitions before, well aware of the vast amount of his daily tasks.
Having spent the afternoon with her, Qi Yuan would likely have to work late into the night to finish reviewing all the petitions.
Shu Wan wasn’t heartless; moreover, even if she hadn’t had that special relationship with him, she admired him greatly as a person.
Shu Wan presented a tray of pastries before Qi Yuan, “Your Majesty, the petitions are endless; perhaps it’s better to rest early.”
Qi Yuan glanced at the tray of pastries. His expression softened and he reached out, pulling Shu Wan into his embrace.
Shu Wan had just bathed and carried a faint scent. Qi Yuan inhaled softly, his eyes deepening immediately, but he made no other move, just quietly holding Shu Wan. “Stay with me for half an hour, then I’ll go to sleep, okay?”
So, Shu Wan stayed with Qi Yuan as he reviewed the petitions.
But it didn’t take long before Shu Wan felt something was amiss.
Since deciding on the Western Expedition against the Yuezhi, most of the petitions had been about war preparations.
From the orders Qi Yuan had issued, every decision was flawless.
The right people in the right positions, troops, supplies, personnel transfers—it seemed impeccable.
To anyone, Qi Yuan’s strategies would hold no ground for doubt; as arranged, victory was assured in this war.
But Shu Wan was different.
She had once replaced Shu Yi in the military camp and was well-versed in all aspects of the army.
Furthermore, at that time, Qi Yuan was her direct superior, and he had entrusted her with the responsibility of confidential reports, signifying deep trust.
Having communicated with Qi Yuan so many times, Shu Wan could discern which individuals were his confidants and which harbored ulterior motives.
She likely knew better than anyone the figures in Qi Yuan’s camp.
Yet, in this shift of war personnel, not one belonged to Qi Yuan’s faction.
This was highly unusual.
For an emperor, cultivating one’s own power through war is a subtle means.
A war allows legitimate elevation of one’s allies.
Aside from those not in Qi Yuan’s camp, this personnel adjustment had also alerted Shu Wan to several influential families.
Her brother and younger brother, destined for the front lines as generals, and Prime Minister Shu, tasked with the transportation of supplies, were all to be dispatched to the Northwest.
Shu Wan instinctively felt this included some consideration by Qi Yuan.
Though still unclear on the specifics, a slight chill swept over Shu Wan.
She read with intense focus, unaware that Qi Yuan’s gaze had long shifted from the petitions to rest on her smooth cheek.
“Tired?” Qi Yuan’s voice broke the silence. For original chapters go to novel⁂fire.net
“Then let’s go to sleep.”
With those words, Qi Yuan scooped Shu Wan up by her waist, placed her in the bed, and tucked her in.