"Is that so? Perhaps there is some misunderstanding between the two of you? "
Why was this explanation different from Bian Ruohan's?
Both sides had their own version of events. What should she do?
The Empress truly felt a headache coming on.
Even an upright official would find it difficult to resolve a family dispute. Moreover, this was a family dispute between two families. If Concubine Zhuang hadn't brought Bian Ruohan to beg her twice in tears, the Empress wouldn't have been willing to participate in this matter.
There were many secrets like this in the palace. The Empress had long been used to sweeping the snow in front of her own door.
Moreover, Qin Yining was spoiled by Pang Xiao like the apple of his eye. If there were any rumors here, she was afraid that Pang Xiao would vent his anger on her. Who knew what he would do?
However, she was still the mother of the nation. If this matter was reported to her, she couldn't just ignore it.
Qin Yining observed her body language and knew that the Empress was in a difficult position. Putting himself in her shoes, who would be willing to participate in this kind of rotten matter between other families? Moreover, there was no proof. There was no way to determine who was telling the truth and who was lying.
Qin Yining sighed and said: "This subject knows that the Empress is in a difficult position. However, this subject will tell you the truth. Bian shi misunderstood me first and didn't give me any chance to explain. She already believed that I was the kind of person she thought I was.
"Then she used her own identity to oppose me in every way. She brought people to my door and robbed me. Not only did she rob me, she even falsely accused me. I had no way to deal with her. I couldn't hit or kill her. I don't know what Zhong Yibo was thinking. He couldn't control his own wife well and always let her out to do as she pleased. "
The Empress was speechless when she heard this.
It seemed that Qin Yining also held a grudge against Zhong Yibo?
As a bystander, the Empress naturally knew that Lu Heng had never given up on Qin Yining. When the Empress Dowager held a banquet in the palace, Lu Heng, Qin Yining, and Pang Xiao were all invited. The Empress Dowager had acted as a matchmaker for Lu Heng, wanting to betroth Qin Yining to him. If it wasn't for Pang Xiao flipping the table in public, Qin Yining's husband's family might have been surnamed Lu.
Lu Heng was a refined and gentle gentleman. His appearance was handsome, and his temperament was noble. The foundation nurtured by an aristocratic family was not something that could be matched by any random person. The Empress admired them from a bystander's point of view. She also felt that Lu Heng and Pang Xiao were two different types of handsome men. Both of them had their own advantages. From an outsider's point of view, they were equally matched in terms of appearance and ability.
More importantly, the Empress knew about Lu Heng's thoughts on Qin Yining.
Therefore, it was no wonder that Madam Bian was jealous.
The Empress lowered her eyes to look at the beauty sitting upright in front of her.
The light in the room was slightly dim, and there were even silk lamps in the corners of the room.
Qin Yining sat there with her head slightly lowered. Her posture was elegant, and her figure and bearing were impeccable. Her hair was inky black, and her skin was porcelain white. From top to bottom, she was exquisite and elegant, as if she had been carefully carved by a craftsman. Not a single flaw could be found in her appearance.
It wasn't the first day that the Empress had met Qin Yining. When she looked at her carefully, she would panic, let alone a young lady like Bian Ruohan, who had a good family background and good looks.
Sixteen years old was the age when one's temperament was unstable and impulsive. The handsome and rich newlywed had another beauty in his heart that he couldn't compare to …
No matter who it was, they wouldn't be able to stand it, right?
The Empress rubbed her forehead. She had no choice but to think of a countermeasure.
Forget it. She wasn't from the Yingtian Fu, and she wasn't from the Imperial Clan Court. She couldn't investigate clearly. She didn't have the energy or the leisure to do so. She just had to make a statement to smooth things over.
The Empress' thoughts flashed, but it was only for a moment.
She picked up the teacup with her painted white fingers and smiled, "Princess Consort, please have a taste of this tea. Zhong Yibo specially prepared it for me. It's comparable to the ones in the palace. "
Seeing that the Empress had changed the topic, Qin Yining couldn't figure out what she was thinking. She smiled and picked up the teacup beside her, "The Lu family naturally has many good things."
The Empress smiled, "That's right. The Lu family has been around for hundreds of years and has a deep foundation. Although I'm the Empress, I still feel inferior in front of the Lu family's enormous foundation."
Qin Yining took a sip of the tea and put it down, "A hero's background doesn't matter. Your Highness is already the Empress, the most honorable woman in the world. Why do you have to belittle yourself? Moreover, no matter how big the aristocratic families are, they are only officials in front of the imperial family. "
"Although that's the case, when it comes to foundation, it's really hard to imitate or envy." The Empress probed, "That Zhong Yibo, as the head of the Lu family, already feels aloof in the imperial court."
Hearing that the Empress kept mentioning the Lu family and Lu Heng, Qin Yining was alarmed and didn't respond.
The Empress smiled and said, "However, although the Lu family is big and Zhong Yibo is outstanding, Zhixi is also a rare talent from a general's family. When Zhixi and Ah Lan followed the Emperor to fight for the world, I was really worried sick."
Seeming to think of the past, the Empress sighed, "The men were fighting outside and couldn't come home once a year. Every time they came back, I and the Empress Dowager would be busy preparing a table full of good food. Zhixi and Ah Lan suffered a lot in the army and hated that they couldn't eat." The Empress thought of the past and laughed, "Later on, the situation gradually improved. Zhixi and Ah Lan still yelled 'sister-in-law, we want to eat' when they entered the house."
In the past, when her husband was fighting outside, he still felt guilty towards his wife and mother at home. Every time he came back, he would be affectionate.
But now that her husband was the Emperor and she had a prince, he didn't treat her like before.
He was reluctant to leave among the young and beautiful concubines and had long forgotten about her.
Because of their positions, the two people who treated her like younger brothers only distanced themselves from her when they saw her. They wouldn't call her 'sister-in-law' anymore and wouldn't complain that they were hungry.
Qin Yining could feel the Empress's disappointment and helplessness and couldn't help but sigh.
The Empress didn't forget her purpose and sighed, "You are also a woman with a hard life. I know you don't feel good … "Thinking of how Qin Yining's entire family was gone and how the pair of twins that people envied were now dead. As a mother, she understood the pain of losing a child the most.
The Empress's eyes gradually moistened and she looked down, "Your Majesty has already ordered the capture of the bandits. Sooner or later, he will give you an explanation. You also have to come out and live a good life with Zhixi and look forward. "
Qin Yining nodded emotionally and her eyes instantly moistened.
Now, when she wanted to cry, she didn't need any ginger juice. As long as she thought about how her child in Xiyue might not recognize her, her mother, her tears couldn't stop.
Her tears fell like a broken thread. Qin Yining quickly stood up and apologized. She wiped her tears with her sleeve, "Your Majesty, this subject's wife has been rude. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
The Empress saw that she was sad for her child and family, so her heart softened and she shed a few tears, "Ai, there are only the two of us here. We are just having a heart-to-heart talk. What are you guilty of?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Qin Yining still bowed deeply.
Her heart was slightly relaxed. She shouldn't be in any danger today. The Empress was a gentle person and her thoughts couldn't be considered evil. She wouldn't do anything to hurt her.
However, the Empress pretended to have a heart-to-heart talk today, but in reality, she was testing her attitude towards Zhong Yibo. Qin Yining knew that Bian Ruohan must have taken her kidnapping and scaring her that day seriously. He might have already exaggerated and reported her.
As expected, the Empress wiped her tears and said as if she was speaking her heart, "Although you and Zhixi have been through a lot after marriage and that kind of thing happened in your family, Zhixi's feelings towards you are truly moving. At that time, he would rather quarrel with Your Majesty than go to the Tatan to find you. This One already felt envious when I saw it. Not to mention this One, even Madame Zhong Yibo felt the same way. "
Listening to her words, the Empress' meaning was: Although you and your husband lived a miserable life, your husband truly loved you. When she mentioned the Tatan, it was inevitable that she would think of Zhong Yibo's experience of going through hardships together. However, Zhong Yibo already has a wife, so you should be honest.
Although the Empress's words were tactful, the meaning behind them was like a slap to the face.
Qin Yining had never done anything unethical, but because of Bian Ruohan, this troublemaker, she was here to patiently listen to the Empress's beating.
Qin Yining suppressed her anger and smiled gently, "This Chenfu has always felt this way. If this Chenfu was someone else, I would also feel envious."
The Empress choked. No matter how she heard it, she felt that these words were sarcastic. However, looking at Qin Yining's clear eyes and the smile on her lips, she couldn't be sure.
The Empress smiled and said, "This One always feels carefree when talking with Wangfei." Her eyes flashed slightly, and she said, "This One has a presumptuous request, but I don't know if Wangfei can agree."
Qin Yining's heart immediately jumped. It seemed that this matter wasn't over yet.
"Why does Your Majesty need to be so polite? If you have any orders, please don't hesitate to say it. This Chenfu will do her best to do it. "
As Qin Yining spoke, she had already stood up and respectfully bowed her head to wait for orders.
It had to be said that a noble lady like Qin Yining had been taught by the palace's mamas who were in charge of etiquette and rules. Her every action, every word, and every action made people feel comfortable and fond of her.
When the Empress saw her bow, it was as pleasing to the eye as if she was passing through flowers and brushing willows. Her heart softened a bit, and her voice also softened.
"To tell you the truth, this One came here. Although this One has good food, shelter, and other necessities, I still have to abstain from meat and pray in the temple every day. It's a bit lonely. This One has always gotten along with you, so this One wants to ask you to stay by my side and accompany this One for a few days. I don't know if you're willing to part with this One? Come and accompany me? "
In the end, she used "I" and didn't refer to herself as "this One."
Qin Yining understood that the Empress was putting her under house arrest in disguise.
Because Bian Ruohan had accused her, the Empress couldn't tell who was telling the truth and who was lying. Therefore, she wanted to keep her by her side and slowly investigate. If she really had an affair with Lu Heng, she could also break them up in disguise during this period of time.
The Empress had good intentions. However, this decision was too infuriating.
The Empress's words were tactful, but she was still the Empress. Her orders were imperial edicts. Qin Yining couldn't refuse.
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