In the blink of an eye, it was autumn and the weather gradually became cooler.
According to previous years, the Emperor should have returned to court by now. But after a few days, there was still no movement from Bai Zhou. Some of the old officials couldn't help but worry and there were many discussions in court.
"The country cannot be without a ruler for a day. We should invite the Emperor back as soon as possible." Han Wenfu was the first to express his opinion.
"That's right. The Emperor is not here. How will the important matters in court be decided?"
"That's right."
Some of the officials agreed and there was a lot of discussion.
"Even if the Emperor is not here, there is still Cheng Wang and the Duan Of Silla to manage the government. We can only do our best to assist the two princes. The Emperor will decide when to return." Prime Minister Xiao Ze loudly said.
"The Emperor has decreed that the two princes will manage the government. Everyone just needs to follow the decree."
"The Emperor's body is not well. He should rest."
"The Emperor's body is not well. He should rest more." Imperial Consort Yi gently covered the Emperor with a blanket and softly said.
The Emperor was lying on the dragon bed. The bright yellow light was like a cloud of smoke that covered him. There was not a trace of blood on his pale face. His eyes were closed. It was like he was sleeping and awake. He was in a daze and couldn't say a word.
"Niangniang." Qing 'er quietly entered and softly said at the door, "Imperial Consort Duan Of Silla has come to pay respects."
The Emperor seemed to have heard these whispers and let out two gasps. "Mmm, mmm."
Imperial Consort Yi saw this and her eyes darkened. She said, "The Emperor just fell asleep. Let her go back."
Qing 'er accepted the order and left. After a while, she came back in and said, "Niangniang, Imperial Consort Duan Of Silla is not willing to leave. She says she is worried that niangniang will be tired from serving the Emperor day and night and wants to share the burden for niangniang."
"Share the burden?" Imperial Consort Yi said with a cold smile, "Then I'll see how she wants to share the burden."
It was clearly a bright and clean palace, but the Liu Hua Palace where the Emperor lived did not have a single ray of sunlight. The palace doors were tightly closed, blocking all the light outside. There was a soothing incense burning in the palace and the smoke rose from the golden incense burner.
Chen Qiong sat on the chair. His sweaty clothes suddenly felt cold. She didn't know why, but she felt fear in her heart.
But in a flash, she remembered Huan Zhuo's request. She had to see the Emperor. Even if she couldn't see the Emperor, she had to see the Imperial Consort Yi. Therefore, she tried her best to suppress her uneasiness.
"Chen Qiong, why are you here at this hour?"
Chen Qiong looked up and saw that Imperial Consort Yi had already been helped to the seat of honor by Qing 'er.
Chen Qiong hurriedly returned to his senses and bowed, "Niangniang, may you enjoy endless happiness. Qiong 'er was worried that niangniang would be tired from taking care of His Majesty, so I specially sent some lotus seed soup to nourish your body."
Imperial Consort Yi's eyes were slightly green. Although she covered them with makeup, Chen Qiong still saw them.
Imperial Consort Yi smiled. Her voice was as relaxed as usual, "You worry too much. His Majesty just caught a cold. It's not serious. This consort is just accompanying him to chat."
Chen Qiong was puzzled, but his expression didn't change, "If that's the case, Qiong 'er is relieved."
"Don't worry. It's just that His Majesty is tired and sleepy recently, so there's no need for him to come and greet you. If there's anything, he'll let you know. "Imperial Consort Yi leisurely touched the flower hairpin in her hair. Her intention to send him away was very clear.
Chen Qiong didn't have any intention of leaving. He said, "My father sent me a thousand year old ginseng today. Qiong 'er brought it. I don't know if His Majesty needs it."
"Ginseng is very nutritious. I'm afraid His Majesty doesn't need it. Take it back." Imperial Consort Yi said indifferently, "This consort wants to rest. If there's nothing else, you can withdraw."
Chen Qiong couldn't stay any longer. He could only stand, bow, and withdraw.
Leaving Liu Hua Palace Hall, the servant girl Luo Yu helped Chen Qiong slowly walk back. The pavilion was hidden in a patch of green willows. Chen Qiong looked at it from afar and muttered, "It seems that His Majesty's illness isn't that serious."
Luo Yu listened and said, "Wang fei, don't worry. His Majesty is the Emperor and will naturally be protected by the gods."
Chen Qiong didn't respond. He only said, "Go tell the person who came to pass on the message. Tell him to return to Jing as soon as possible."
Luo Yu accepted the order and left. She hurriedly went to find the person.
After the beginning of autumn, it rained for several days. The weather suddenly cooled.
On this day, Princess An Le still invited Gu Yan and the others into the palace to pass the time. A Nuo helped Gu Yan change her clothes and asked her to add an outer garment. Gu Yan didn't want to wear it because she thought it was cumbersome. A Nuo had no choice but to prepare a dark embroidered cloak.
Although the weather was cold, it didn't dampen Princess An Le's mood. The chrysanthemums in the garden were in full bloom. Hundreds of flowers swayed and fell. It was a beautiful scene.
Everyone sat and talked. After sitting for a long time, Princess An Le suggested that they play hide and seek. The young misses all clapped their hands and agreed. The married women looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
Princess An Le saw this and advised, "There are no outsiders here. Everyone is here to play. It's best to have fun."
Since the princess had spoken, everyone could only nod in agreement.
Thus, they began to play in a lively manner.
Gu Yan was too lazy to run far and only chose a small path to follow. Who knew that the path would twist and turn far away. When she came out, she didn't know where she was.
Gu Yan wasn't afraid. She only chose a hidden place to sit and wait for others to find her.
The sky was clear after the rain. The sky was blue as if it had been washed. Gu Yan slightly raised her head and looked at the corner of the blue sky in the distance. For a moment, her heart was calm and peaceful.
"What are you looking at?" Suddenly, a question came from behind. Gu Yan was startled. She quickly turned around. Huan Xuan was bending down to her level and looking in the same direction as her.
When Gu Heng turned around, their faces were extremely close to each other. Huan Xuan retracted his gaze and looked at her. Her skin was smooth and creamy. A faint fragrance came from her hair.
Gu Yan reacted. She stood up and distanced herself. She respectfully saluted, "His Highness Cheng Wang, Changle."
Huan Xuan said, "Get up. I haven't seen you for a long time. I heard that Qin 'er often invites you into the palace. "
Qin 'er was Princess An Le, Huan Qin.
Gu Yan's expression didn't change. She said as usual, "The princess is still a child. She thinks that it's more lively with more people. She invites us into the palace to enjoy the flowers and have fun."
Huan Xuan looked at her and asked, "Does Qin 'er treat you well?"
"The princess is noble and gentle." Gu Yan answered one by one. She stood there quietly. Her eyes were slightly lowered. She was wearing a thin robe. The sleeves were gently fluttering in the wind. She was fatter than when they first met. She looked more dignified and demure.
Huan Xuan wanted to ask something. But he heard someone calling Gu Yan from afar. Gu Yan knew that A Nuo was looking for her.
Huan Xuan said, "You go first."
Gu Yan bent her knees and saluted. Then, she walked back the way she came. She didn't walk far before she saw A Nuo from afar.
She ran over and complained, "Why did Your Highness go so far? It took me a long time to find you."
"I didn't want to go far. I didn't expect that I didn't pay attention and went astray."
"Your Highness, go back quickly. Everyone is waiting."
When the crowd saw that Gu Yan had returned, they rushed to ask her where she was hiding. Gu Yan smiled and explained, but she walked further away.
The crowd gave up and the second round began.
This time, A Nuo wanted to stay by Gu Yan's side no matter what. The two of them walked along the road to the lake.
When they were walking in the small forest, Gu Yan felt someone grab her sleeve tightly. She turned around and saw Princess An Le hiding behind a tree.
"Madam, can I have a word with you?"
Gu Yan vaguely understood. She nodded and let A Nuo guard here. Then, she walked with her into the depths of the forest.
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