Chapter 53 Queen Shen Returns to the Palace

So that's how it is.

Lu Qian's eyes dimmed and he said nothing.

Song Lingyi tilted her head to glance at him, thinking he was still haunted by the two slaps he'd received earlier that day. She spoke softly, "Actually, Auntie is very upset about spanking you. She's been staying in Weirui Hall all afternoon. When I came over just now, she was still there, probably waiting for you to finish copying the scriptures."

Lu Qian gave her a sidelong glance and said, "Why don't you copy it quickly?"

Song Lingyi was speechless.

He really thinks he is a big shot, it is unnecessary to comfort him.

It wasn't until the moon was mid-rise that she finished copying the last of the sutra. The girl picked up the paper and blew gently on the wet ink. She turned to look at Lu Qian, only to find that he had fallen asleep on the spot.

After a moment's silence, the girl took out a new piece of paper, quickly sketched a few strokes, then covered the boy with the paper and left the ancestral hall quietly.

The evening breeze blew the candlelight, and the surroundings were quiet and silent.

After the girl walked out of the ancestral hall, the boy who was lazily lying on the mat slowly opened his eyes and picked up the paper covering his body.

"I've finished copying the scriptures. Our grudge is now over. Don't pick on me again, hehe."

But just a few words, one can imagine Song Lingyi's cunning and playful tone.

"……"boring.

Lu Qian put the paper aside.

The desk was tidy, and the copied papers were stacked on the right. The handwriting was elegant, but the connection between the strokes was a bit stiff, and it was obvious that he was trying hard to imitate him.

…

The next day, the news that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince led the imperial guards to suppress the bandits spread throughout Kyoto, and the people praised the Crown Prince for his wisdom and bravery.

However, important officials at court disagreed. They thought it was a mob, a bunch of rabble, that the Crown Prince and the Imperial Guards needed to intervene. Furthermore, the court was busy with official duties, and His Royal Highness should prioritize government affairs and leave such minor matters to the Jingzhao Prefecture. He shouldn't lose sight of the big picture and focus on trivial matters.

As soon as the morning court session ended, Xiao Mingyi rode in the sedan chair back to Mingde Hall.

The carved mahogany door of the palace was wide open, and the palace servants nodded their heads and lowered their brows in a state of silence.

Noticing that the atmosphere was different from usual, Xiao Mingyi glanced at Feng Tong, who bowed and said, "Your Highness, the Queen is inside."

Hearing this, Xiao Mingyi frowned slightly and walked into the hall.

Mingde Hall, where the Crown Prince received his ministers, had a layout similar to the Golden Throne Hall. The hall was bright and elegant. Empress Shen, dressed in her formal attire, sat at a table at an ebony desk, flipping through a scroll. Upon noticing the Crown Prince's entrance, she placed the scroll on the desk, her expression composed.

"Your son pays homage to the Queen Mother." Xiao Mingyi bowed respectfully and saluted.

Queen Shen carefully looked at the prince in front of her and said lightly: "You have lost a lot of weight."

"For three years in Danyang County, I've had to train every day. It's not as relaxing as life in the capital." Xiao Mingyi said calmly, "Your Majesty, why didn't you send someone to inform me when you returned to the palace early so I could prepare?"

"There's no need for so many empty formalities." Queen Shen waved her hands and stood up calmly.

The mother and son walked slowly to the side hall and sat down at either end of the chess table.

The weather was gloomy this morning. Copper candles as thick as children's arms were lit in the hall, and the candlelight illuminated the similar facial features of the mother and son.

Queen Shen was born into a military family. Not only did she have a striking appearance, but her eyes and eyebrows also had a heroic air. Xiao Mingyi inherited Queen Shen's beauty, with clear features, a high nose bridge, and trimmed sideburns.

clatter--

The crisp sound of chess pieces falling could be heard from time to time in the hall.

"I returned to the palace this morning and heard that the Crown Prince led the Imperial Guards to suppress the bandits. Why is this happening?"

"The bandits in Jiuhua Mountain have been harassing the people for a long time, and the government has done nothing. I have no choice but to lead the army to suppress the bandits and calm the people's hearts." Xiao Mingyi said in a normal tone.

"Oh?" Queen Shen raised her eyebrows slightly and said, "It's a good thing that the prince cares about the people, but I heard that when he went up the mountain to suppress bandits, he also took a portrait to look for someone, and the person he was looking for was a woman."

Xiao Mingyi's chess skills have improved a lot. He is multitasking, thinking about where to place the chess pieces while also thinking about how to deal with Queen Shen's problem.

"This girl came with me to the capital, but she disappeared some time ago. Xuanfeng received news that she was related to the bandits in Jiuhua Mountain. Your son and I are suppressing the bandits and searching for her, so we can both avoid each other's interference."

A good way to not delay each other.

Queen Shen didn't say anything, but her face darkened. If the ministers knew the real purpose of the prince's suppression of the bandits, rumors would inevitably spread.

However, the Eastern Palace has not yet held a selection, and the prince is busy with government affairs. It would be nice to have someone who understands his feelings by his side.

"Is this woman from Danyang County?"

Xiao Mingyi lowered his eyes and nonchalantly admired the jade chess piece in his hand.

After asking this question, he realized that he knew very little about Ali. He hadn't even asked where her family was or her real last name. At first, he didn't care, but later he took it to heart without realizing it.

"No," he said.

I met him in Xuancheng. He must be from a county near Xuancheng.

"What about her family background?" Queen Shen asked again.

Since the Crown Prince wants to stay by his side, he must ask for details. If his family background is clean, he will be given the title of Fengyi, and his rank will be promoted after he has a child.

"She has no parents and comes from a poor family."

Queen Shen froze in her tracks, and suddenly raised her eyes to look at the Crown Prince with a sharp gaze: "What does the Crown Prince like about her?"

With such a family background, she can't even enter the Eastern Palace. There are many graceful and dignified noble ladies in Kyoto, so why keep this girl around and attract criticism?

What do you like about her?

Xiao Mingyi was silent for a moment, his eyes complicated.

He had imagined what the woman who would accompany him for the rest of his life would look like, probably someone from a prominent family, well-educated, beautiful and intelligent.

But that girl doesn't have any of these three things, so do you need a reason to like someone?

Empress Shen had just returned to the palace and didn't want to cause any conflict with the Crown Prince over a woman. She softened her stance a bit: "Since you like her, once you find her, just keep her."

clatter--

The sound of chess pieces falling was crisp, and Queen Shen's voice was gentle: "Just one thing, once the political situation stabilizes, the selection of the Crown Princess should also be decided. There are many noble ladies of marriageable age in the capital, so holding a selection will enrich the Eastern Palace and expand the royal family."

"..." Xiao Mingyi raised his hand and pressed his brow, but did not refute. "Your son knows."

It took half an hour to finish the game. Although Xiao Mingyi's chess skills had improved significantly, they were still no match for Queen Shen, who had spent countless hours studying the chessboard.

Queen Shen came to the Eastern Palace mainly to visit the Crown Prince. Now that she had seen him and talked for a while, she set off to return to Yongning Palace.

………

Perhaps thanks to finding her granddaughter, the old lady's illness improved rapidly, and her complexion became much more rosy. While she was still in good spirits, she discussed with the Duke and his wife and scheduled the banquet for the middle of the month.

The Duke's Mansion hosted a banquet, and the entire house was decorated with lights and swept clean.

The old lady was seriously ill some time ago and declined all visiting invitations. In addition to introducing Song Lingyi to relatives and friends, this banquet also gave them an opportunity to visit the old lady.

Just after the noon hour, guests began to enter the mansion one after another.

The old lady sat at the head of the hall, waiting for the guests to come and greet her. Lu Tanwei led Lu Qian to the main gate to greet the guests, while Wang was busy in the inner chambers.