"Sister," Ban Heng worriedly walked in front of Ban Han, "I'll go with you. ggdown.”
"His Majesty didn't summon you. What can you do if you go? Make up the numbers?" Ban Han sat in front of the bronze mirror and drew her eyebrows, making them appear sweeter and more obedient, "Right now, the situation in the palace is unclear. If you stay outside the palace, I'll be more at ease."
"But I'm not at ease," Ban Heng sat at the table and frowned, "Second Wangzi and you have always been at odds. What if he makes things difficult for you and makes you suffer?"
"Right now, he's only a Prince," Ban Han lowered her eyebrows, "If he wants to punish me, he'll have to wait until the day he ascends the throne."
"Didn't you say that Second Wangzi is stupid?" Ban Heng felt uneasy, "A simple-minded person will do things without thinking of the consequences."
"He doesn't have a brain. Do you think I have a brain?" Ban Han put on blush and lipstick. She even drew a flower between her eyebrows. She shouldn't dress like this during the mourning period. But she understood His Majesty's nature. Only by dressing up brightly and beautifully would she gain his favor.
"The palace is Second Wangzi's territory. I'm worried that you will suffer," Ban Heng thought, "How about, you don't go."
"Don't be silly," Ban Han stood, "If I don't go now, it will be Second Wangzi bullying our family. It will be His Majesty bullying our family."
Hearing this, Ban Heng fell silent. He knew that his sister was right. But when he thought of the current situation in the palace, he couldn't be at ease.
In the end, Ban Han and Ban Huai entered the palace. There were female officials and taijian leading the way. It seemed that they wanted to separate the Ban Family father and daughter.
"Gu Gu," Ban Han smiled at the female official, "Didn't His Majesty summon me?"
"Junzhu, don't be anxious. The Empress has a few words for you," the female official curtsied to Ban Han, "Please come with nubi."
Ban Han turned to Ban Huai and nodded. "Father, your daughter will leave now."
"Daughter, if you don't come later, father will go to the Empress to pick you up," Ban Huai said with a smile, "In front of the Empress, don't be rude."
"Father, don't worry." Ban Han looked at the high palace wall and said, "I will come as soon as possible."
The female official led Ban Han to the back of the palace. They were indeed going to the Empress' palace. However, halfway there, the female official suddenly stopped. "Princess, please wait a moment. There is someone else who wants to see you." While saying this, the female official observed Ban Han's expression. She didn't find any surprise on his face.
For a moment, the female official felt a little awkward. She avoided Ban Han's smiling eyes and retreated to the side.
"Princess Fule," Xie Wanyu walked out from behind the rockery and came in front of Ban Han. "How has Junzhu been?"
"Thank you, Imperial Concubine, for your concern. I am well." Ban Han saw a stone table with fruits and pastries. She walked to the stone table and sat down. "It seems that Second Imperial Concubine came prepared."
"Junzhu is joking. I just haven't seen Junzhu and miss you a little." Xie Wanyu sat down across from Ban Han. "Junzhu, I have something to discuss with you. Is Junzhu willing to listen to this one?"
"I don't want to listen."
"… …"
"Junzhu is still as straightforward as before." Xie Wanyu took a sip of the tea a palace maid handed over. "Even if you don't think for yourself, you should think for the Ban Family and Cheng Anbo."
"Imperial Concubine is joking," Ban Han picked a piece of fresh fruit from the table and ate it. "What I want to know is, does the Empress know that you gave a fake decree?"
"Junzhu, you are treating me like an outsider. We are a family. We are just meeting to talk. Why be so serious?" Xie Wanyu smiled and didn't take Ban Han's threat to heart. Right now, she was very calm. She wasn't like a year ago before she was married. When Ban Han only needed to say a few words, she would fly into a rage.
Ban Han even felt that although the woman sitting in front of him was still Xie Wanyu, she seemed to be wearing a thick layer of armor. She could charge and break through enemy lines at any time and use tricks and schemes. The palace could really change a person. It could change a person beyond recognition. Even their soul had changed.
Seeing that Ban Han didn't speak, Xie Wanyu wasn't angry. She picked up a piece of dessert and placed it on the plate in front of Ban Han: "I heard that Junzhu likes to eat this dessert. Try it and see how the cooks in the palace make it."
"Second Imperial Concubine, there's no need to pretend between us," Ban Han didn't touch the dessert, "If you have something to say, say it. There's no need to waste each other's time."
"Princess Fule's personality is very straightforward," Xie Wanyu smiled and raised the teacup to toast Ban Han, "I hope that Junzhu can cooperate with us."
"What did you say?" Ban Han thought that there was something wrong with his ears. She looked at Xie Wanyu in surprise, "Are you joking with me?"
Xie Wanyu shook her head: "Of course not."
"Who in Jing doesn't know that Second Imperial Concubine doesn't like me? What do I gain by helping you?" Ban Han pointed at her own head, "Do you think I'm an idiot?"
Xie Wanyu took a sip of tea and put down the teacup, "Even if there were misunderstandings in the past, they were just small fights between you and His Highness. You, the Crown Prince, and Second Imperial Concubine are childhood friends. What's the difference between the past and the fights between children? "
"Your family has children in their twenties?" Ban Han was amused by Xie Wanyu's words, "Second Imperial Concubine, I think that you may have misunderstood our Ban Family. Our Ban Family doesn't have power, and we don't want to interfere with the fights between the princes. Also, this world belongs to His Majesty. He can give the throne to whoever he wants. As a son, you only need to listen to Father's arrangements. "
"Princess, it's easy for you to say. The winner is the king, and the loser is the bandit. This is the Imperial Family." Xie Wanyu sneered, "Do you think that all parents in the world are like the Duke Of Jingting and his wife?"
Ban Han shook her head, "No matter what you say, I won't agree. This world belongs to His Majesty. Our Ban Family's glory is also given to us by His Majesty. Today, it doesn't matter if you or the Crown Princess comes, I will say the same thing. The Ban Family will never interfere in this kind of matter. "
Xie Wanyu felt that Ban Han was used to putting on an act. Not interfering in the Imperial Family's matters? How did the previous Emperor and His Majesty obtain the throne? How dare she say that the Princess Royal and the old Duke Of Jingting didn't do anything? Now she was pretending to be pure and innocent. Who knew who she was putting on this act for?
In her opinion, these were just excuses for Ban Han. The person that the Ban Family wanted to support was the Crown Prince, not the Second Prince.
"A fine bird chooses a tree to nest in. The Crown Prince is now a rotten tree with a broken branch. Why should the Ban Family hang on to one tree?"
"Probably the Ban Family is a free-range bird. They only rely on the Heavens to eat. We don't care which tree grows better." Ban Han stood up, "Second Princess Consort, it's getting late. I should go visit the Empress."
"Ban Han," Xie Wanyu calmly said, "Don't you want to reinstate Rong Xia as an official?"
"It's better that he's not an official." Ban Han smiled as she turned her head, "In the future, she'll have more time to accompany me."
"If Duke Rong knew that you clearly could have helped him but didn't want to, would he hate you?" Xie Wanyu stood up and walked in front of Ban Han, "As a woman, you shouldn't be too selfish. Selfish women aren't liked by men. "
"Then I'm sorry," Ban Han sighed, "I've been selfish since I was born. I don't like to be liked by men. I'm just waiting for them to come and make me like them." Saying this, she smiled charmingly and touched her cheek, "I've made Second Princess Consort laugh."
Xie Wanyu felt that her temper had become very good after marrying into the palace. But seeing Ban Han like this, she still felt her hands itch. The anger in her heart flared up again. How could there be such a detestable woman in the world?
"Junzhu is very confident in herself."
"En, because confident women are more beautiful."
"Ban Han!" Xie Wanyu's self-restraint after entering the palace was completely broken. She coldly glared at Ban Han, "Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."
Seeing her like this, Ban Han thought to himself, that's right. She still has the shadow of the Xie family's second young miss.
"Miss Xie doesn't need to tell me this," Ban Han calmly shook his head, "It's useless to tell me this. I can't represent the Ban Family, and I won't represent the Ban Family."
"As a woman, you don't protect your future husband, and only care about your maternal family. Do you think they can protect you for the rest of your life?" Xie Wanyu didn't understand Ban Han's actions. As long as the Ban Family was willing to cooperate with them, His Highness wouldn't make things difficult for the Ban Family after he ascended the throne. He would even reinstate Rong Xia. Why wasn't Ban Han willing?
"I don't know if Miss Xie's maternal family can protect you for the rest of your life. But I'm sure that my maternal family can protect me for the rest of my life," Ban Han expressionlessly said, "It's pointless to say anything else. Second Princess Consort, please leave."
Saying this, she turned to leave.
"Stop her!" Xie Wanyu was furious. She wanted to teach Ban Han a lesson.
"Greetings to Second Princess Consort, greetings to Princess Fule." Shi Jin, who was wearing silver armor, appeared on the other side of the rockery with the Imperial Guards. He didn't seem to see the eunuchs and palace maids trying to get close to Ban Han. He bowed to Xie Wanyu in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing. "I heard some noise coming from here. What happened?"
Xie Wanyu's face darkened. Didn't she already order people to stop them? Why did the Imperial Guards come over?
"Imperial Consort, we are following His Majesty's orders to patrol the palace." Shi Jin's tone was calm. "If Imperial Consort needs anything, just call for the Imperial Guards."
Xie Wanyu felt a chill in her heart. His Majesty was guarding against his children to such an extent that he even ordered the Imperial Guards to patrol the inner palace. Was this to guard against bandits and assassins, or to guard against the people living in the palace?
She tilted her head to look at Ban Han. She hated that she couldn't teach this woman a lesson today.
Ban Han looked at Xie Wanyu with a faint smile. She reached out her hand that was hidden in her sleeve, sneered, and turned to leave.
Xie Wanyu looked at her back as she left. Her face was terrifyingly dark.
"Second Princess Consort, we will take our leave." Shi Jin bowed and turned to leave.
After the Imperial Guards left, Xie Wanyu was so angry that she smashed the teacup on the table. She turned her head and saw a eunuch come over to speak. She took a deep breath and asked, "Where did His Highness go today?"
"Imperial Consort, His Highness is in the palace today."
Xie Wanyu smiled ambiguously. "It's rare that he didn't think of leaving the palace today."
The little eunuch didn't dare to speak. He bowed and retreated to the side.
Thinking of Jiang Luo, Xie Wanyu was even angrier. Jiang Luo was a useless person who couldn't be helped up. He was already a regent, but he still had the energy to indulge in beauties. He wanted to touch and taste everything, be it fragrant or smelly. If he really ascended the throne, who knew how many women in the harem would be ruined by him.
Thinking of how Ban Han made her angry, and how the man she married was also not a good person, Xie Wanyu wanted to pick up a stick and beat Jiang Luo. However, she only thought about it. Because she was the Second Princess Consort, she was in the same boat as Jiang Luo. If he was successful, she would enjoy the glory and wealth. If he was defeated, she would also have to suffer.
Ban Han went directly to the Empress's palace. The Empress didn't look well, so Ban Han spoke with her for a while and then left to see His Majesty. The Empress didn't urge her to stay. After she stood, she wanted to speak but stopped.
"Niangniang?" Ban Han looked in puzzlement at the Empress.
"Don't worry about the matter of Rong Junpo," The Empress sighed, "His Majesty hasn't been in a good mood recently. When he thinks things through, the matter will be easy to handle."
Hearing this, Ban Han smiled: "Niangniang, I don't care about this matter."
"You child …" The Empress saw Ban Han's bright smile and sighed in relief inside. No matter what, she didn't want to have any animosity with this child. His Majesty's actions were becoming more and more absurd, but now, he didn't even listen to her.
"Go," The Empress shook her head, "His Majesty's temper hasn't been good recently. Pay more attention when you reply."
"Yes." Ban Han bowed and left.
"Niangniang," The female official beside the Empress walked next to the Empress and said in a small voice, "The servants have sent news. Second Wangfei has just stopped Princess Fule on the way. The two seem to be in a bad mood."
Second Wangfei was still too young. There weren't any secrets in the palace. She should have known that the news would reach niangniang's ears one day when she stopped them.
"All of them are troublesome," The Empress tiredly closed her eyes, "Let them be. As long as they don't go too far, ben doesn't want to care."
"Niangniang, you have been working too hard recently," The female official came forward and gently massaged the Empress' shoulders, "You should rest for a few days."
"Right now, the inner palace is in a mess, the rumors are endless. How can ben rest peacefully," The Empress anxiously propped up her chin with one hand, "His Majesty just punished Yao Peiji and Rong Xia a few days ago. Today, he sent an edict to reprimand the ministers. Isn't this forcing the courtiers to be at odds?"
"Niangniang, don't think too much. These daren are all loyal and will not be dissatisfied because of His Majesty's actions."
"It is because these ministers are loyal that His Majesty should not do this." The Empress sighed. In a daze, she thought of the night when His Majesty had just suffered a stroke. In his daze, he had called out the names of the old Duke Of Jingting and Rong Xia's father.
They had been married for so many years, but she probably still didn't fully understand His Majesty.
In the Great Moon Palace, Emperor Yunqing was in a rage and knocked over a bowl of medicine. The medicine splashed all over the palace maid's head and face. She knelt in terror on the broken porcelain and begged for forgiveness, not daring to show any pain on her face.
"Clumsy thing, get out!" Wang De gave the palace maid a light kick. The palace maid took the opportunity to roll on the ground and hurriedly retreated.
Two eunuchs came forward and quietly took away the broken porcelain. Another two eunuchs hurriedly wiped the medicine on the ground with their sleeves. Soon, the bitter smell of medicine filled the entire hall.
"Your Majesty," Wang De respectfully bowed to Emperor Yunqing, "Princess Fule is here."
Emperor Yunqing was stunned for a moment. He turned his head and said, "Let her in."
Wang De retreated and walked to the door of the hall. He gave Ban Han a bright smile and said, "Junzhu, please."
"Thank you for your trouble, Gonggong."
"Junzhu, you are too kind." Wang De personally helped Ban Han lift the thick outer layer of gauze curtain. Walking into the hall, the unpleasant smell of medicine rushed into Ban Han's nose. Her eyes fell on Emperor Yunqing who was sitting on the bed.
In just half a month, Emperor Yunqing seemed to have aged a lot. His face was sallow and his eyes were sunken. His face was not as gentle and dignified as it was in the past. Instead, it looked harsh and crazy. Ban Han blinked. Her eyes were still full of admiration. She quickly walked to the side of the dragon bed and knelt down, "Your Majesty, you finally remembered to see me."
Seeing Ban Han's obvious desire to be close, Emperor Yunqing's expression softened a bit, "You didn't want to see me. How can you blame me for wanting to see you?"
"It's not like you don't know that I'm currently in my mourning period. If I directly come to see you, others will say that I don't know the rules." Ban Tong's eyes lit up. "If you summon me, then I can openly enter the palace."
"You can not follow the rules at this time?"
"Rules are dead, but people are alive," Ban Han smiled slyly, "Anyway, as long as you are here, I'll see who dares to say anything."
"I think you are twisting words and forcing logic." Emperor Yunqing smiled, "I shouldn't have spoiled you in the past."
"Your Majesty, this subject's daughter is not twisting words and forcing logic. This subject's daughter is using your majesty to intimidate others," Ban Han said proudly, "This subject's daughter used this idiom well, right?"
Seeing Ban Han's proud expression, Emperor Yunqing remembered a few years ago. At that time, Huahua didn't like to read and often used the wrong idioms. He couldn't help but laugh. Later, every time she used an idiom correctly, he would praise her. Later on, every time she used an idiom in front of him, she would look at him proudly, waiting for him to praise her.
The little girl who was as cute as a white dumpling had grown up in the blink of an eye, and he had also grown old.
Emperor Yunqing's face showed traces of a gentle smile, "Not bad. You have improved."
The smile on Ban Han's face became even more proud.
Ever since they entered the room, Ban Han never mentioned Emperor Yunqing's health. Emperor Yunqing also seemed to have forgotten about his body's discomfort. Chatting with Ban Han made him feel a few years younger.
Unknowingly, an hour passed. The palace servants guarding the outer hall heard the emperor's laughter from time to time in the inner hall, and they all breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, they also admired Princess Fule. Even the princes and princesses couldn't do it, but the Princess Fule did it. No wonder the emperor doted on her so much. If they had someone by their side who could make them happy, they couldn't help but treat her better.
"Huahua," Emperor Yunqing suddenly said, "I had people beat Rong Junpo. Do you resent me?"
"Why would I resent you?" Ban Han looked at Emperor Yunqing in confusion. After a moment of shock, he seemed to react. He waved his hand and said, "Don't worry. These days, I often go to Cheng Anbo's residence to visit. Duke Rong's injuries aren't too serious."
"I'm not worried about his injuries. I'm worried that you'll be in a bad mood because of this." Emperor Yunqing looked at Ban Han. He didn't want to miss any expression on his face.
"I … am okay?" Ban Han thought for a moment, "He doesn't have to work at the Ministry of Appointments, so he has more time to spend with me. In any case, he still has his title, and he doesn't lack food. Isn't that good? "
Emperor Yunqing heard this and laughed. He had forgotten that this girl grew up in a jar of honey. Even if no one in her family had any real power in the court, she had never suffered any grievances. She didn't know how important power and status were to her sons. All she saw was the world in front of her.
Therefore, she was telling the truth.
"What if he doesn't even have his title?"
"Your Majesty, you wouldn't do that, right?" Ban Han's eyes widened, "Then after I marry him, what will I eat? I can't go back to my parents' home every day to eat and drink. How embarrassing would that be?"
The Emperor of Yunqing saw her facial features squeezed together and couldn't help but laugh loudly. It wasn't until he saw Ban Yu's expression become more and more angry that he said, "Don't worry, I really won't take away his title. When he recovers, I'll let him return to the court to work for me. "
"No, no," Ban Han shook his head, "Have someone beat him until he's a bloody mess. He'll have to recuperate for a few months."
"You." Emperor Yunqing shook his head. Fortunately, Rong Xia didn't hear this. Otherwise, the young couple would have a conflict before they even got married, "Didn't you just say that he's fine? Why is it so serious now?"
"Oh …" Ban Han turned his head, "In any case, he'll have to recuperate slowly."
Emperor Yunqing smiled helplessly and didn't comment on Ban Han's words.
"Your Majesty," Ban Han's shoulders suddenly slumped, "you must get better soon."
Emperor Yunqing looked at the young girl's watery eyes, which were full of worry and expectation. He froze for a moment, "I'll get better soon."
"That's good!" Ban Han's face revealed a bright smile, "This subject's daughter can rest assured."
Emperor Yunqing thought to himself, this girl has been raised to have such a pure personality. What will she do in the future? In the end, she was a child that he watched grow up. Emperor Yunqing's heart softened, "Yes."
Although she was pure and straightforward, her intentions were indeed precious.
In the Duke of Cheng 'an's residence, after Rong Xia had taken the medicine, he lay on the bed and read a book. An hour had passed and he had only flipped through a few pages of the book in his hands. Instead, he had looked out of the door many times.
"Count," Du Jiu saw Count like this and couldn't help but say directly, "Princess Fule was summoned to the palace by His Majesty today."
Rong Xia turned a page of the book and said faintly, "I know."
Du Jiu went out to do something. After half an hour, he came back and found that Count's book was still on the same page.
"Count?"
"What's wrong?" Rong Xia put down the book and turned to look at Du Jiu.
"Do you have something on your mind?" Du Jiu carefully thought about the events of the past few days. There didn't seem to be anything wrong. Why was Count so uneasy?
"It's nothing," Rong Xia closed his eyes and said carelessly, "the next time the Ban Family comes to the palace, remember to tell me."
"Yes." Du Jiu agreed, "But His Majesty and the Empress dote on Princess Fule very much. There shouldn't be any problems."
Rong Xia opened his eyes and looked at him, "I know there won't be any problems. I'm just asking."
Du Jiu: Oh …
"Count," the housekeeper walked in, "the servant of Jingting Gongfu said that Princess Fule is busy today and will only have time to visit you in the afternoon."
"Since Princess Fule is busy, how can we trouble her to run back and forth? Let Princess Fule go home and have a good rest."
"But the servant of the Duke Of Jingting has already left," the housekeeper thought, "should I send someone to Jingting Gongfu to inform them?"
The room was strangely silent for a moment.
"No need." Rong Xia's voice was calm and collected, "There's no need to disturb them."
The housekeeper and Du Jiu looked at each other and inexplicably had a strange tacit understanding.
Just as noon arrived, the servant came to report that Princess Fule had arrived.
Du Jiu saw that the book in Count's hands was wrinkled, but his tone was as calm as ever.
"Invite her in."
Tsk.
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