The moment Liu Hong saw Zou, he was utterly shocked and delighted.
His eyes were fixated on Madam Zou, as if mesmerized.
She was too beautiful.
Her skin was as delicate and smooth as warm, soft jade.
Her cherry lips were naturally red, vibrant and luscious.
A high Meiren bun held her black hair, with two strands gently caressing her cheeks in the breeze, adding a captivating charm.
Even though Liu Hong had countless concubines, the instant he saw Zou, he was captivated by her beauty.
"Zou Yu'er greets Your Majesty!"
A soft, melodious voice rang out, startling Liu Hong.
"Good, good, Meiren, quickly rise, quickly rise!"
Liu Hong was excitedly overjoyed and stepped forward to help Madam Zou up.
However, before he could take a step, his thigh, which had been wounded by an arrow and not yet fully healed, gave out, and he almost fell face-first. Fortunately, Zhang Rang, who was nearby, caught him.
"Your Majesty, are you alright?"
Zhang Rang, who had initially been pleased that Liu Hong liked Madam Zou, quickly asked.
"I'm fine, I'm fine."
Liu Hong's face showed a hint of embarrassment, and the sharp pain in his leg made him grimace.
However, in front of Madam Zou, Liu Hong still spoke forcefully.
"Hiss, hiss…"
But just as Liu Hong was about to move forward again, a sharp pain in his leg made his face turn pale.
"This… Your Majesty, are you alright?"
Seeing Liu Hong's appearance, Zhang Rang immediately panicked.
Madam Zou clearly stood rooted to the spot, somewhat at a loss, and instinctively looked towards Zhang Shihao.
Instantly, Madam Zou saw Zhang Shihao's uncontrollably upturned lips, as if he was struggling to suppress a laugh.
At once, Zhang Shihao's expression made Zou Yu'er also want to laugh, but she dared not. However, her inner tension dissipated considerably.
"Your Majesty, Shihao will take a look!"
Zhang Shihao, not idle, quickly came before Liu Hong to examine his left thigh. Soon, a wry smile appeared on his face as he said to Liu Hong:
"This… Your Majesty, the wound on your leg has reopened a bit and is not suitable for activity. How about today…"
Liu Hong and Zhang Rang heard Zhang Shihao's words and suddenly felt a mix of joy and sorrow. What did he mean?
The wound had reopened a bit, and strenuous activity was not advisable?
Liu Hong's face turned somewhat green.
Madam Zou, however, was immediately happy upon hearing Zhang Shihao's words.
Nevertheless, with a peerless beauty before him, Liu Hong was clearly not going to give up so easily.
"Ha, then I won't engage in strenuous activity. I haven't had dinner yet, so I will dine with Consort Zou in Ningxiang Hall. Consort Zou has just entered the palace and is inevitably a bit apprehensive, so I will chat with the Meiren tonight."
Liu Hong forced a smile and said gently to Madam Zou.
Upon hearing this, Zou Yu'er, who had just been joyful, stiffened.
Liu Hong said he would chat with her tonight?
Zhang Rang's face also broke into a smile, and he quickly said to a Little Eunuch serving nearby:
"Didn't you hear His Majesty? Go prepare dinner! His Majesty will dine in Ningxiang Hall and have a heart-to-heart talk with Consort Zou."
The Little Eunuch heard this and quickly went to prepare.
Inside Ningxiang Hall.
Liu Hong and Zou Yu'er finished their meal, and the two awkwardly chatted on and off. Liu Hong seemed very enthusiastic, curious about everything concerning Zou Yu'er, asking this and that, while Zou Yu'er answered.
By then, it was already pitch dark outside, and Zou Yu'er seemed a bit nervous.
Zhang Rang forced a smile and said:
"Your Majesty, it's late. It's best to rest early."
"Rest? Rest is good, I am indeed tired."
Hearing Zhang Rang's words, Liu Hong immediately perked up and said.
Madam Zou, however, became even more nervous and at a loss, her beautiful eyes involuntarily glancing at Zhang Shihao.
Zhang Shihao seemed not to notice Madam Zou's gaze, took a deep breath, and said:
"Since Your Majesty is going to rest, Shihao will light the sleep-aid incense for Your Majesty!"
"Good, good, the Meiren probably hasn't seen it yet. Quickly let the Meiren witness it."
Hearing that Zhang Shihao was going to light the sleep-aid incense, Liu Hong's smile grew even wider. sleep-aid incense was a good thing; the feeling of resting with it lit versus not lit was a world of difference.
Madam Zou, who was already nervous and flustered, looked at Zhang Shihao with a puzzled expression, wondering what kind of sleep-aid incense he was talking about.
Zhang Shihao took out a plate of sleep-aid incense and lit it under Liu Hong's eager gaze and Madam Zou's faint scrutiny.
A magical scene unfolded before them.
The sleep-aid incense emitted wisps of white smoke visible to the naked eye. The white smoke quickly spread throughout the entire room. Mosquitoes and insects circling the candles in Ningxiang Hall seemed to have encountered something terrifying, flying out of the room in a scramble.
Seeing this magical scene, Liu Hong and Zhang Rang smiled, while Madam Zou paused slightly, looking at the green mosquito coil emitting white smoke with confusion.
Soon, Liu Hong's breathing became heavy, his face flushed, and his eyes glowed as he looked at Madam Zou.
"Your Majesty, Shihao will guard outside. Should you need anything, you can call Shihao at any time!"
Zhang Shihao glanced at Liu Hong, whose breathing was becoming heavy, and then at Madam Zou, who showed almost no reaction. His lips curled slightly as he cupped his hands to Liu Hong.
"Get out, all of you get out!"
Looking at Madam Zou, Liu Hong waved his hand.
Zhang Shihao bowed, and Zhang Rang also did not linger, winking at Madam Zou as he exited Ningxiang Hall.
Zhang Shihao and Zhang Rang both exited Ningxiang Hall, closing the door behind them.
"Chamberlain Zhang, it's getting late, so I won't keep you. Go back. I'll guard here; nothing will happen."
Zhang Shihao glanced at Zhang Rang, then looked at the dark night sky, speaking calmly.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Rang's face immediately fell.
He glanced at the tall, formidable Iron Guards surrounding them, a cold glint flashed in Zhang Rang's eyes, and he snorted:
"Hmph, then I'll trouble Marquis of Yiyang. I'll take my leave now."
Zhang Rang didn't suspect anything and didn't linger. He flicked his sleeve and left with a few Little Eunuchs.
Soon, the area around Ningxiang Hall fell completely silent.
Only the Iron Guards, imbued with the warrior souls of the Iron Eagle Elite Soldiers, stood guard.
… … … …