Chapter 410

Song Xi and Yan Qing went to the Imperial Academy, and Xiao Qingxue had finished her milk and fallen asleep.

Shen Qingnian then called Xiaoju to her side: "Xiaoju, the matter of Shen Zheng has come to an end, and the days to come will be peaceful. It is time to fulfill the promise I made to you earlier."

After saying that, she picked up the makeup box on the table and handed it to Xiaoju.

She added, "There are 10,000 taels of silver notes here, as well as some jewelry and other items. I have already ordered people to prepare a three-courtyard house for you in a prosperous and safe area of ​​the capital, and I have also assigned some servants and guards to you."

Although the capital is safe, it is still not as safe as the palace. I feel more at ease with someone following me. These people have all signed a life-or-death contract, and the contract is in the dressing box. As for the storefront, you will have to take care of that yourself.

"Oh, and there's also a token in this makeup box. With this token, you can enter the palace directly to find me. From now on, no matter what happens, you can come to me."

These past few days, she could see the longing in Xiaoju's eyes. She was afraid that if she didn't speak up soon, Xiaoju would have to speak up herself. She and Xiaoju had a deep friendship, and these things were not enough to diminish the feelings between them.

Looking at the makeup box in her hand and listening to Shen Qingnian's instructions, Xiaoju's eyes immediately reddened. She knelt down and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I have no way to repay your kindness!"

She was originally a servant girl, and it was only because she was fortunate enough to serve the Empress and be favored by her that she was able to receive such benefits. These are things that she could never earn in her entire life.

As things gradually calmed down, she was indeed thinking about how to bring it up with the Empress. The Empress had said that she would wait until things were settled, but she was a servant and the Empress was the mistress. If the mistress went back on her word, she, as a servant, could not have any objections.

She longed for freedom, and so she wondered how to bring up this matter with the Empress...

Shen Qingnian personally stepped forward to help Xiaoju up from the ground and said with a smile, "From now on, we are not master and servant, but close friends. This relationship has nothing to do with status."

Her relationship with Xiaoju had long transcended that of master and servant. During those years in Jiangnan, without Xiaoju, she and her mother would have faced immense hardship.

Xiaoju nodded firmly, clutching her makeup box tightly, her tone resolute: "Your Majesty, I have read many books these days and have also learned some business acumen. Please help me make a name for myself in the capital!"

During her time with the Empress, she learned a lot, the biggest lesson being the courage to fight! If you want something, you have to work hard for it and never back down.

She planned to open a shop to settle down for the rest of her life. If she could open several shops, she could also help the Empress in the palace...

Xiaoju left the palace three days later on a cloudy day.

Shen Qingnian, along with Liu Yurou and the two little ones, escorted her to the palace gate. Yan Qing and Xiao Xi were both very sad to see her leave, and the two held onto Xiao Ju's clothes with reluctance.

"Sister Xiaoju, you must come to visit me and Xiaoqing often!" Xiaoxi said eagerly, she really liked Sister Xiaoju.

Xiaoju smiled brightly and said frankly, "The harem is not a place you can just come and go as you please. If the princess likes me, then grow up quickly and leave the palace to find me!"

Xiao Xi nodded firmly: "I definitely will."

After Xiaoju left the palace, a light rain began to fall from the sky, like mist but not quite, drifting in the bluish-gray air. Xiaoju's figure gradually became a black dot in sight.

Zhu Lan held the umbrella for Shen Qingnian, and said with some emotion, "Sister Xiaoju is truly free-spirited and brave."

Sister Xiaoju went outside the palace and was all alone. Isn't that carefree? She doesn't have that kind of courage.

"I want to leave the palace someday!" Xiao Xi's voice was filled with longing.

At this moment, a tall figure walked over, took the umbrella from Zhu Lan, and his deep voice rang in Shen Qingnian's ear: "You really aren't afraid of the cold."

Shen Qingnian looked up at the man. His eyes were clear and bright, without a trace of gloom. She smiled and said, "Spring is a good time for outings. I hope Your Majesty can take some time to accompany my mother and the four of us."

Song Xuan raised his hand and pulled the woman beside him into his arms, saying softly, "I will naturally obey my wife's words."

The secluded palace became peaceful and comfortable because of the loving couple. After all the hardships they had gone through, the family would never be separated again.

[My darlings, the main story is now complete. What follows are some side stories.]