Chapter 237 What about your own future?

Bai Yuxin leaned against the soft pillow, one arm resting on the boxwood armrest. The gentle breeze caressed her face, like a beautiful woman's soft hand, light and smooth, with the fragrance of an unknown flower.

It was a beautiful April with sunny days and the warm sunshine shining on my face made my delicate cheeks slightly hot.

According to palace rules, the princess's procession was in front, and she, a little noblewoman with no real power, followed behind with her procession, moving forward in a winding manner.

Looking at the colorful canopy swaying in the wind in front of her, Bai Yuxin's narrow eyes narrowed slightly, and her thin shoulders drooped, revealing a hint of laziness.

It really is spring now. I feel a little sleepy at noon.

Ever since the day I entered the palace, I have never felt as relaxed and comfortable as I do now.

Now, Sister Yan had ascended the throne and was pregnant with a dragon child—a double blessing. When she safely gave birth to the heir, whether it was a prince, he would naturally become the crown prince. Even if it was a princess, it would be the firstborn child of the Great Zhou Emperor, and would undoubtedly be dignified and invaluable. With a child by her side, Sister Yan's position as empress would be secure.

At present, the Liang family in the palace has fallen, and that damn Lin Changzai has disappeared. The remaining concubines who cannot be ranked are just like her, just filling in the numbers. No one will dare to make trouble for Sister Yan anymore.

She also heard some of the palace people's gossip behind her back, and then she issued a strict order that no news should be allowed to be passed into Changchun Palace, so as not to disturb the Queen's pregnancy.

It is enough for her to take care of these trivial palace affairs, and there is no need to disturb Sister Yan's peace.

After Sister Yan gives birth to the baby safely and leaves the confinement period, she won’t have to put in much effort to manage the palace affairs.

Because he had something on his mind, he traveled faster and arrived at the gate of Shoukang Palace in a blink of an eye.

Princess He An and her study partner Liu Chenxi jumped out of the carriage, and Bai Yuxin also got off the sedan chair.

The palace servants guarding the gate saw the princess's procession from afar and hurried in to pass on the message. At that moment, Zang Xiu, a trusted attendant of Empress Dowager Jiang, was already waiting at the door.

Upon seeing the three people, Zang Xiu tucked her hands at her side, bowed, and said respectfully, "This servant greets Princess He'an, Noble Lady Bai, and Miss Liu."

Zang Xiu has lived in the palace for a long time. Although she has served Empress Dowager Jiang for many years and her status is far more noble than that of ordinary palace maids and eunuchs, her daily words and deeds are still respectful and humble. Even towards concubines like Bai Yuxin, she never shows any arrogance.

Bai Yuxin knew she was of high status, so she quickly said, "Aunt, there's no need to be so polite. It's me who's being abrupt." Then she smiled and said, "On a day this hot, anyone can just come out and greet them. Why bother you standing at the door?"

Princess He'an acted like a grown-up. She looked up at Zang Xiu and said, "Aunt, has the Empress Dowager finished her prayers before the Buddha? Wouldn't it be too disturbing if I went in now?"

Zang Xiu smiled faintly and replied, "Your Highness, Lady Bai, you are too polite. Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has just finished reading three volumes of scriptures and has moved to the west warm room. Princess, please go in freely, it won't be a problem." After that, she bowed again and turned to walk inside.

The two little girls, Lu Doukou and Liu Chenxi, walked inside hand in hand.

Bai Yuxin followed them, walking neither fast nor slow, but her heart felt a little tight.

In the past, she had accompanied Meng Yan to Shoukang Palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager and chat with her.

Although Empress Dowager Jiang was over fifty, her vigor and vitality were no less than those of the young women in the palace. Sister Yan had once told her that the Empress Dowager had accompanied the late emperor in his conquests, and was certainly different from ordinary old women.

She was witty and free-spirited, and was also very kind and benevolent. She often held Princess He'an's small body in her arms, half leaning on a goose-feather pillow on the kang by the east window of the west warm room, chatting and laughing with them. When Sister Yan told a joke, she would laugh out loud, her eyes narrowed, and fine crow's feet appeared at the corners of her eyes.

Who could have imagined that such an old lady was the most honorable empress dowager in the world.

However, every time Bai Yuxin came here to meet the Queen Mother, she always felt uneasy in her heart.

Perhaps it was a natural reverence for the supreme ruler of the world; or perhaps it was because of the scrutiny that occasionally shone in Empress Dowager Jiang's smiling eyes...

The crabapple blossoms in the yard are in full bloom, looking like rosy clouds and brocade.

Bai Yuxin had no intention of watching, she just lowered her head and walked, letting the petals fall on her body.

In just a moment, the group arrived outside the West Warm Pavilion.

The palace maid guarding the gate saw this and hurriedly opened the pomegranate red and gold-sprinkled cotton curtains, saying with a smile, "The Empress Dowager has been waiting for quite some time. Your Excellency is a little late today."

Bai Yuxin responded with a smile, lifting her skirt and going up the stairs.

As Princess He'an entered the door, she was greeted by a subtle fragrance, quiet and distant, which made her feel peaceful.

This is sandalwood, which Sister Yan taught her. Although this dynasty also produces it, this is the top-grade tribute from the Kingdom of Jialuo, and the Empress Dowager usually uses it for offerings to Buddha.

She is still somewhat uncomfortable with the feeling of extreme wealth and luxury in the world.

He lowered his head and followed Aunt Zangxiu, passed through the moon-shaped door, and entered the inner room.

Upon entering, Empress Dowager Jiang sat by the east window as usual, reclining against a lake-green, gold-woven pillow. She wore an autumn-colored, double-breasted satin jacket with a pattern of cranes and deer, a lake-blue, six-panel skirt, and a headband embroidered with the pine, plum, and bamboo designs of winter. On one wrist, the Empress Dowager wore a single bracelet made of jiannan wood, while the other wore nothing at all. Despite being devoid of jewelry, she still exuded an air of elegance and grace.

Empress Dowager Jiang was chatting with the palace maids, a smile still on her face. When she saw them, she said, "I was just talking about it, and now you're here."

Bai Yuxin responded and bowed politely.

Doukou didn't care and brought out her coquettish nature when she entered Shoukang Palace. After a casual glance, she threw herself into the arms of Empress Dowager Jiang.

Empress Dowager Jiang was doting on her youngest, so she was naturally delighted. She held her in her arms, stroked the child's head and face, and asked questions such as "Did you study well today?" "Are you hungry?" "Don't be naughty and make your mother upset." She also asked Liu Chenxi a few more questions before nodding slightly to Bai Yuxin, signaling her to stand up.

Bai Yuxin straightened up, and seeing that the empress dowager had no intention of letting her sit, she clasped her hands in front of her and stood with her head lowered.

Empress Dowager Jiang began by chatting and joking with the two children. Although they were both pampered daughters with unusual upbringing, they were still very young, and their childish chatter made the empress dowager burst into laughter. Once the empress dowager was laughing, everyone else couldn't help but laugh, and the West Warm Pavilion was filled with laughter and joy.

Only Bai Yuxin seemed to be isolated from all this, standing there awkwardly.

She didn't know how she had offended the Queen Mother. She had been ignoring her for quite some time. Her legs were already numb from standing, and it felt as if countless little bugs were gnawing at her heart.

After a while, Empress Dowager Jiang suddenly announced, "Today, my kitchen has some freshly made scallion pancakes and lotus cakes. I'll have someone bring you a plate of them. Go play in the yard. Don't stay with me, old woman. Stay in this room."

The two children had long been bored of staying there, so when they heard this, they giggled and ran out hand in hand again.

Empress Dowager Jiang looked at the two girls' backs and sighed with a smile, "It would be better if there were more children in this palace."

Bai Yuxin didn't dare to think too much and just agreed.

Empress Dowager Jiang fixed her eyes on her. She was thin and slender, dressed in plain clothes. However, a crabapple petal fell on her bun, making her look elegant and refined.

The empress dowager saw this and asked about some palace affairs, and Bai Yuxin reported them one by one.

Hearing her well-balanced conversation, the Empress Dowager nodded secretly and said, "Although there is a Queen in the palace now, the Queen is pregnant, which is more important than anything else. Since she values ​​you and has entrusted all the palace affairs to you, you will have to work harder. When the prince is born in the future, the Emperor and the Empress will surely remember your kindness."

Bai Yuxin hurriedly replied, "These are all my duties. I cannot bear the Queen Mother's words."

Empress Dowager Jiang smiled and suddenly changed the subject, "If I'm not confused, you were selected to enter the palace this year?"

Bai Yuxin was slightly startled, but she replied truthfully, "Your Majesty the Queen Mother, I did enter the palace this year."

Empress Dowager Jiang continued, "Have you never served the emperor?"

Bai Yu's heart skipped a beat, his face flushed slightly, and he whispered, "No."

Empress Dowager Jiang smiled and said, "You're so busy running around for the Empress and taking care of the Princess, have you ever considered your own future?"

After he finished speaking, those shrewd eyes stared at Bai Yuxin without blinking.