Qin Yining stood in place in confusion and gently asked the servant guarding the Chuihua Gate, "Did you hear who came?"
"Wang Fei, I didn't hear. The person sent by Wang Ye only said that it was an extremely important noble."
Qin Yining nodded thoughtfully, "I know. Thank you."
The servant was flattered and respectfully bowed before retreating.
Ji Yun said worriedly, "From his tone, that noble seems to be from the palace. Wang Ye's attitude is so solemn. I'm afraid that the other party's background is not simple. "
Qin Yining also felt this and worriedly returned to her room with Ji Yun. She changed into a royal blue cloak with a cinched waist. Her hair was combed into a simple high bun and fixed with a white jade flower hairpin.
Looking in the mirror, Qin Yining remembered Pang Xiao's solemn attitude. She was afraid that she would be negligent, so she took a white jade butterfly collar and put it on. She also chose a cloud brocade with a cloud pattern for her cloak. This was both solemn and not inconsistent with the status of mourning.
Qin Yining went out with Ji Yun and Bing Tang as usual. Jing Zhe, Xiao Xue, Young Man, Da Han, Tang Xiu and the four Jinghu Wei followed. They braved the rain and headed towards the yamen.
On the way, Qin Yining made many guesses in her mind. A noble from the capital and she, a woman, had to go personally. Either the other party brought his wife, or the other party was a woman.
She thought of many possibilities. She didn't expect that when she arrived at the yamen's main hall and saw the person who came, she was really shocked.
"This subject greets the Empress and Concubine Zhuang." Qin Yining respectfully knelt on the ground and bowed.
The Empress quickly stood up and smiled as she reached out to support her, "Wang Fei doesn't need to be so courteous. We haven't seen each other for a long time. Wang Fei seems to have lost a lot of weight. "
Qin Yining was flattered and respectfully bowed her head, "Thank you for the Empress's concern. The Empress's complexion doesn't look good either. Was the journey too tiring?"
"Yes." The Empress held Qin Yining's hand and walked towards the main seat.
Pang Xiao and Lu Heng stood below with their heads bowed. Bian Ruohan stood next to Zhuang Pin on the other side.
Qin Yining naturally couldn't sit with the Empress, so he stood respectfully by her side.
The Empress said, "It has been raining heavily for a while. Our entire country has suffered from different degrees of disasters. The construction of the Imperial Mausoleum has also been delayed. Your Majesty is very worried and specially ordered me and Concubine Zhuang to come here to pray for blessings and for the rain to stop so that the construction of the Imperial Mausoleum can proceed smoothly. Your Majesty's verbal order is that as long as the rain doesn't stop, ben gong and Concubine Zhuang will keep watch here. "
When Qin Yining heard this, his heart skipped a beat. However, on the surface, he sighed emotionally and emotionally. "Niangniang's heart is attached to Your Majesty. She didn't care about the exhaustion of her phoenix body, but she still worked tirelessly to build Your Majesty's mausoleum.
The Empress' heart was very warm. She held Qin Yining's hand and patted it. "We are the same. Aren't you the same? We women, don't we all work for the sake of the entire family? "
"That's right. His Majesty rules over all the people, and the world is His Majesty's home. What Her Majesty the Empress is worried about, how can it be as easy as this subject's worry about a small family?"
The Empress faintly sighed and silently nodded.
Bian Ruohan lowered his head. His silver teeth were almost crushed from gritting them.
What a shameless flatterer! He had such a glib tongue. When he saw the Empress, he acted like a lapdog. He didn't find it embarrassing at all!
Seeing that Bian Ruohan seemed to be uneasy, Concubine Zhuang next to her smiled and looked at the Empress in the seat of honor. However, the hand hidden behind her back lightly pinched Bian Ruohan.
Bian Ruohan came back to his senses and quickly lowered his head even more.
Pang Xiao had a slight smile on his face. His heart was filled with pride. However, out of the corner of his eyes, he saw that fellow Lu Heng also had an expression of pride. He was openly looking at Qin Yining's back. Pang Xiao's good mood completely disappeared.
This person now had his own status and was looking down on him more and more. He clearly expressed his feelings towards Qin Yining and didn't know how to avoid arousing suspicion.
How hateful!
Qin Yining and the Empress had established some friendship in the palace. However, due to the men's statuses, they stood on different sides. The two knew that once the men shed all pretense of cordiality, they could no longer be friends. Therefore, the two were very restrained in their friendship.
Even though they restrained themselves, it didn't stop them from chatting happily.
Concubine Zhuang and Bian Ruohan stood to the side and couldn't get a word in.
Qin Yining smiled and said, "Since Niangniang has arrived, why don't you move to the wang fu for a short stay? Chenfu will order people to vacate the upper courtyard for you. Is that alright? "
The Empress smiled as she looked at Lu Heng and Bian Ruohan. She shook her head slightly and said, "Ben gong appreciates Wang fei's good intentions. However, Zhong Yibo has already prepared a separate residence. "
Lu Heng timely said, "Yes, Prince Zhongshun fei is wholeheartedly concerned about Niangniang. Rest assured, Prince Zhongshun fei, the separate residence has already been prepared. The people inside have been chosen to be the most trustworthy. The safety of Niangniang and Concubine Zhuang is guaranteed. "
As Lu Heng spoke, he gently looked at Qin Yining. There seemed to be stars twinkling in his eyes.
Qin Yining met his gaze and lowered his long eyelashes. He smiled and said, "Zhong Yibo's actions are reliable. Since that's the case, I have no objections."
Pang Xiao smiled and said, "Chen as well. Presumably, Concubine Zhuang niangniang has a lot to say to Madame Zhong Yibo and her sister. "
Hearing this, the Empress nodded. Her gentle gaze looked in Bian Ruohan's direction.
Bian Ruohan was suddenly called out. He suddenly raised his head. The swollen half of his face fell into everyone's eyes.
The Empress frowned slightly, "Madame Zhong Yibo, your face …?"
Lu Heng had an appropriate smile on his face, but his teeth were tightly clenched. He secretly cursed Pang Xiao for being despicable. Originally, the Empress didn't notice Bian Ruohan's abnormality. It was fine if he just fooled her. However, he deliberately brought it up. He definitely wanted him to make a fool of himself in front of the Empress!
With Bian Ruohan's arrogant and willful personality, Lu Heng didn't have any hope for her.
Bian Ruohan's eyes quickly filled with tears. Just as he was about to step forward and speak, Concubine Zhuang stepped forward first. She curtsied and smiled, "Replying to Empress niangniang, this concubine has already asked. Madame Zhong Yibo accidentally bumped into her in the middle of the night. The doctor has already prescribed her the best ointment. She should be able to recover in two days. "
"Oh?" The Empress looked at Bian Ruohan's cheek. It was clearly a red and swollen mark left behind by a slap.
In Huichuan County, the only person who dared to hit Bian Ruohan and was able to hit Bian Ruohan should be Zhong Yibo alone.
However, thinking about it carefully, it was normal for a young couple to get into a fight. Although she was the Empress, she was also an outsider. It wasn't good for her to keep harping on other people's family matters.
The Empress smiled and said, "Since you bumped into her, you should be more careful in the future, Sun mama."
"This servant is here." The Empress's servant smiled as she walked forward.
"Ben gong remembers that we brought ointment when we came. It's best for reducing swelling and pain. Go get it and give it to Madame Zhong Yibo."
"Yes." Sun mama quickly walked out.
Bian Ruohan's heart was very sullen. She had just taken a step forward when Concubine Zhuang grabbed her hand.
Although Concubine Zhuang smiled gently, the strength in her hand was so strong that it was as if she wanted to crush Bian Ruohan's bones.
"Meimei, why haven't you thanked Empress niangniang for her grace?"
Bian Ruohan almost screamed from the grip, but the pain quickly woke her up. She knew her own limits. Her cousin had lived in the palace for many years and should understand Empress niangniang's temperament the best. At this time, her cousin wouldn't harm her.
"This subject's wife thanks Empress niangniang." Bian Ruohan respectfully bowed.
The Empress smiled gently: "No need for formalities."
Although her attitude was gentle, the Empress was clearly much less talkative towards Bian Ruohan. Her attitude was also not as warm as when she was with Qin Yining.
Bian Ruohan bit her lower lip and lowered her head. She didn't dare let others see her expression, but her heart felt more and more unjust.
Why did everyone favor Qin Yining? Lu Heng was like this, and now the high and mighty Empress was also like this!
She had already sternly questioned Bian Tong. Bian Tong pointed to the heavens and swore that he hadn't lied to her. So that day, Qin Yining really did enter that residence. That residence must be that adulterer.
She clearly had evidence of Qin Yining's adultery, but no one believed her. Everyone was protecting her!
Bian Ruohan's heart was filled with anger, but she didn't dare to show it. She could only endure.
Not long after, the banquet was set. Everyone moved to the Flower Pavilion. Although it had been raining for several days and all kinds of vegetables, fruits, poultry, and meat were rare, with the Empress's arrival, what should be present had to be present. The cooks used all of their skills, but nothing unusual could be seen at the banquet.
Qin Yining and Bian Ruohan accompanied the Empress, one on the left and one on the right. Concubine Zhuang was next to Bian Ruohan. Lu Heng and Pang Xiao were outsiders and should have stayed away because there were only so many people. Pang Xiao was Your Majesty's sworn brother, and Lu Heng was a junior that the Empress Dowager valued greatly. Thus, the Empress had spoken, and everyone ate at the same table.
After the meal, tea and refreshments were served. Qin Yining chatted with the Empress for a while longer before rising and leaving at an appropriate time, "Empress has had a hard journey. Why don't you rest early? Chenfu will come early to pay respects to you."
The Empress smiled and said: "Wang fei is still so polite and considerate. Now that we are not in the palace, and the weather is not good, there is no need to pay respects. Ben gong will summon wang fei to talk when ben gong is free. "
"Yes, chenfu awaits at any time."
Pang Xiao and Qin Yining bowed to the Empress together.
The Empress waved her hand with a slight smile, indicating for the two to rise.
After Pang Xiao and Qin Yining left, Lu Heng also smiled and said: "Empress, chenfu will also leave."
The Empress smiled and nodded. She glanced at Concubine Zhuang and Bian Ruohan who were standing to the side, and said considerately: "Zhong Yibo furen rarely meets with Concubine Zhuang. Presumably, you have something to say. Zhong Yibo, what do you think?"
Lu Heng smiled and said: "Of course that is good."
"Then Zhong Yibo, go and do your work. Later, ben gong will have people send Zhong Yibo furen back."
"Empress is benevolent. Many thanks to Empress for consoling my humble wife."
"Not at all. We are all family. Zhong Yibo, don't worry. "
Lu Heng and the Empress bowed again and then respectfully retreated.
The Empress smiled and said to Concubine Zhuang: "Go, ben gong is tired."
"Yes, pinqie thanks Empress."
Concubine Zhuang pulled Bian Ruohan and bowed together. Then she led Bian Ruohan to her own room.
At this time, Sun mama came forward with a smile and brought a few palace servants to help the Empress change clothes. "Niangniang, why does nubi feel that Madame Zhong Yibo's condition is not quite right?"
"Yes. Ben gong also feels it. So I specially left some time for her to have a good chat with Concubine Zhuang. Concubine Zhuang is a smart person. She should be able to comfort her. "
"Empress is benevolent." Sun mama smiled and praised. She took a comb and combed the Empress' hair.
The Empress looked at herself in the mirror. Her wrinkles had just formed and her skin was slightly loose. She sighed silently.
"Sometimes, ben gong really envies them for their flower-like age."
"Niangniang, you are in the prime of your life. You are at the age where women are most charming. How can you sigh like this?" Sun mama was adept at being punished. Her movements were gentle as she neatly combed the Empress' hair. Then she smiled and said: "Madame Zhong Yibo has come to Huichuan. She seems to be more mature than before."
"Yes." The Empress touched her temples and sighed: "Since ancient times, marriage has been decided by the parents. Zhong Yibo and Bian shi still need a long time to get used to each other, right?"
Sun mama also nodded when she thought of Bian shi's red and swollen face.
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