novelaction Chapter 240 Natural Beauty
Chapter 240 Natural Beauty
Chapter 240
After Luo Shuiyao left, the Marquis of Zhongyong and the others stood up. He waved his hand, and the steward beside him had already handed over the prepared red envelope. Eunuch Su accepted it naturally without refusing. It wasn't that he was greedy, but it was just his way. In this capital, accepting red envelopes was an unspoken rule. If he didn't accept it, it would make people worry.
Eunuch Su put the red envelope into his sleeve, flicked his whisk, and said, "The decree has been announced. It's getting late. I have to go back and report to His Majesty. I won't stay here any longer."
The Loyal and Brave Marquis chuckled, cupped his hands, and said, "In that case, I won't keep you for dinner. Please, eunuch."
Ye Yunzhou and the father and son of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery stepped forward and escorted Eunuch Su and his entourage out of the mansion before returning.
At this moment, in the inner courtyard, the Marquis's wife looked at the table filled with imperial gifts and looked at Luo Shuiyao in surprise: "Yaoyao, when did you meet His Majesty? And how could His Majesty specially reward you?"
Luo Shuiyao was equally surprised. She had only met that person yesterday, and had never imagined His Majesty would specifically issue an edict today. She pondered for a moment, then shook her head honestly, saying, "I have never met His Majesty, and I don't know why His Majesty would reward me."
This wasn't a lie. The man yesterday didn't reveal his identity, and she never asked. Normally, no one would think that way, so it's understandable that she said she didn't know.
Lu Zhaozhao finally came to her senses and looked at the dazzling jewelry on the table, feeling an inexplicable surge of emotion in her heart. It wasn't that she coveted these items, after all, her mother's dowry left her with many fine things. But no matter how fine the things were, how could they compare to the honor bestowed by His Majesty himself?
Hearing Luo Shuiyao's words, she couldn't help but said with a forced smile: "That's strange. Sister Yao has never seen His Majesty, but he specially rewarded her. Could it be that as you said, you are naturally beautiful and can even attract His Majesty's favor in a dream?"
As soon as she finished speaking, before Luo Shuiyao could open her mouth to refute, the Marquis's wife immediately stopped her, saying, "Zhao Zhao, stop talking nonsense!"
The Marquis's wife was genuinely shocked. She hadn't expected this usually composed child to utter such outrageous words. She quickly looked around and saw that the servants had already quietly retreated. She finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"How dare you, child, speak such outrageous words? If Eunuch Su, who hasn't left yet, hears them, not only you, but I'm afraid our entire mansion will be punished. As a woman, you should be respectful and virtuous. Your aunt doesn't want to hear such nonsense from you again."
Lu Zhaozhao had lost her mind in a fit of jealousy and hatred. She was immediately startled and broke out in a cold sweat when the Marquis' wife stopped her. Then, she heard the Marquis' wife's words, and felt terrified. She quickly responded, "Don't blame me, Auntie. I was just talking nonsense in a moment of excitement. I will definitely be more careful in the future."
The Marquis's wife finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This is the capital, but it's different from your Lu family. You should understand that walls have ears. If I hear you say something like this again in the future, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Don't worry, auntie. Zhaozhao will be careful with his words and actions in the future and will never make such a mistake." She lowered her head slightly, a look of regret on her face.
Seeing her genuine expression, the Marquis's wife finally felt relieved. Then, she turned her gaze to Luo Shuiyao, who sat there with her eyes lowered and silent, her expression unclear, and sighed softly. After Lu Zhaozhao's outburst, the Marquis's wife couldn't help but feel a little suspicious, wondering: Could it be that this girl had truly caught the Emperor's eye at some point, leading him to consider taking her into the palace, hence this reward?
Thinking of this, the Marquis' wife felt a secret joy well up in her heart. If that were the case, even if this girl didn't have her family to support her, the Marquis' Mansion would be her support. Although His Majesty was old and had few concubines in the harem, if this girl was favored and had children in the future, how could the Marquis' Mansion not benefit?
Just as he was lost in thought, Ye Yunzhou and the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery walked in from outside. Seeing that they were silent, the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery raised his eyebrows and asked with a puzzled look on his face, "What's wrong? You haven't received such a reward from His Majesty, but why don't you look happy?"
Although the Marquis's wife pondered this in her heart, she dared not utter a single word to the Loyal and Brave Marquis. This was because the Marquis always disapproved of such acts of flattery, and if he knew, he would certainly not approve. So she suppressed her thoughts and said happily, "How could it be? These two children have received a reward, and I'm so happy, and you sent the father-in-law away?"
The Loyal and Brave Marquis nodded, then looked up at the pile of rewards, then glanced at Luo Shuiyao, who was standing beside him with a calm expression, and asked, "Girl Yao, do you know why His Majesty gave you the reward?"
Luo Shuiyao shook her head, just as she had just replied to the Marquis' wife, indicating that she didn't know. Seeing this, the Loyal and Brave Marquis didn't ask any further questions. Instead, he turned his gaze to his eldest son and asked, "Do you know why?"
The eldest son is the supervisor of the Hidden Dragon Division and is the emperor's confidant. He usually works for the emperor, is well-informed, and knows many secrets. Marquis Zhongyong thought that he might know the reason for the reward, so he asked him this question.
Who would have thought that Ye Yunzhou actually knew? He glanced at Luo Shuiyao and then replied, "Yesterday, my Majesty and I went to the camp outside the city. On the way back, we happened to meet Cousin Luo on the street. Cousin Luo invited us, and after His Majesty agreed, we went to a restaurant for dinner. During the meal, His Majesty was quite impressed by Cousin Luo. After the meal, Cousin Luo even gave His Majesty some handmade items. His Majesty took them back to the palace and presented them to the Queen Mother, who was very pleased. That's why there was this reward."
The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery looked at him suspiciously and asked, "Is that why?"
Ye Yunzhou's eyes were firm as he nodded and replied, "That's it." This was indeed true. After all, it was the fact. If anyone had any doubts, they could verify it and find out the truth.
The Loyal and Brave Marquis stroked his beard and thought for a moment, thinking that His Majesty always emphasized filial piety. If this pleased the Queen Mother, then this reward was justifiable. Then, he looked at Luo Shuiyao and said with a smile: "It seems that you are a lucky girl."
Luo Shuiyao leaned forward and said, "Thank you, my Lord. I didn't know that the old man yesterday was His Majesty. If I had known earlier, I would definitely not have been so bold."
The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery waved his hand and said, "That's all right. His Majesty has given you a reward, so please accept it. With this reward, your marriage will be much easier when you are in the capital."
This sentence made Lu Zhaozhao and Madam Hou involuntarily cast their eyes towards Ye Yunzhou, but Ye Yunzhou only lowered his eyelashes slightly and did not give any reaction. Luo Shuiyao was the same, as if she had not heard the words, her expression was calm.