old friend

"What do you mean by sending someone to take your mother away? Are you afraid that the substitutionary marriage will be exposed and implicate her?"

After the door was closed, Qi Lin spoke more and more impolitely. Although his voice was not loud, everyone could hear it clearly.

Qi Qinghe chuckled. "Uncle, what do you mean by that? Isn't my niece still here?"

She looked at Qi Lin carefully. After not seeing him for many days, her uncle looked much more haggard. His eyes were full of resentment and unwillingness, as if he wanted to swallow her up. There were dark circles under his eyes and stubble on his chin. He had not yet changed his bright red official robe.

Seeing this reaction, she felt relieved. Her mother left the house safely and successfully escaped from Qi Lin's control.

Following her expectations from last night, she ignored her uncle's expression and turned a deaf ear to his angry scolding. "Walls have ears. Uncle should be careful with his words and actions."

“…Since we are in the same boat, what do you mean, niece? Are you asking me to take the blame for you? You are such a heartless girl. Without me, you could not become the Crown Princess and have such a grand ceremony…” Qi Lin was interrupted by her halfway through his scolding. He barely swallowed the second half of his sentence and looked at the swaying figure outside the house with fear.

Fortunately, Qi Lin was mindful of the large crowd present today, so he didn't raise his voice loudly. His angry gaze swept over Qi Zhang, then fell on the two sisters. He snorted heavily, then reached out to pull Qi Qingyu's ear.

Qi Qingyu stood beside her mother, motionless, allowing her father to pull her ear and scold her.

She was used to her father's behavior. If she tried to hide, she would probably be scolded and punished even more severely. Fortunately, this was about to end.

Qi Qinghe was startled. When Qi Lin was about to attack her, she stepped back repeatedly, but she didn't expect that he would go after Qi Qingyu.

She watched helplessly as Qi Lin grabbed her sister and cursed at her. Her ears instantly turned red. She immediately ignored everything else and rushed forward to block Qi Lin. She covered her sister's ears and protected her behind her, her brows furrowed. "Just say what you want to say. Why are you resorting to violence? You dare to lay hands on your own daughter?"

Qi Lin was stopped by Qi Zhang, "Master, what are you doing? Yu just came back and she hasn't done anything wrong. Why are you hitting her?"

"Look, it's all because of you. Not only did you run away with someone, but now you're plotting against your own father with a stranger. It's really outrageous." Qi Lin pointed at the two women hugging each other, becoming more and more furious. He turned away with a wave of his sleeves.

"Sister, it's okay, I don't feel any pain." Qi Qingyu lowered her head and gently comforted her sister. Her eyes instantly turned red and she lowered her head unconsciously.

Qi Lin has been like this since he was a child and has never changed. Every time he fights, Qi Zhang pretends to persuade him, and when that doesn't work, she comes to persuade her and ask her to accept it.

It has been like this since childhood.

There really is no one like this, standing in front of her to protect her.

"Come with me to the palace later," Qi Qinghe said softly, turning to Qi Lin. "The matter hasn't been exposed yet. How can you be so sure that it will be exposed?"

"Besides, uncle, when you say stranger, are you referring to me?" Qi Qinghe chuckled and slowly walked closer to Qi Lin. "Uncle just said that we were on the same boat, how come I'm a stranger now?"

"It's good that Ah Yu is accompanying me in the palace. Don't worry, father and mother." After saying this, she grabbed Qi Qingyu's wrist, pushed the door open with force, and smiled sweetly. "As long as father and mother are alright, I won't stay any longer. These are for father and mother. Please accept them."

After saying that, Qi Qinghe led a group of palace maids and her younger sister, walked straight out, lifted the hem of her skirt and got into the carriage.

The two maids confronted Cheng Xi and took a step back together.

Cheng Xi, who was pushed out, gritted her teeth, glared at the two of them, and stepped forward with an apologetic smile, "Your Majesty, does Miss Qi still need to come to the palace? The autumn hunt will be in a few days, and I'm afraid it will be inconvenient for Miss Qi to stay in the palace..."

Qi Qinghe held down her sister who was about to stand up, pondered for a moment, and spoke apologetically, "I am in a bad mood today, and it's not directed at you, so don't take it to heart."

Cheng Xi was horrified and kept saying that he dared not do it. As a servant, it was common for him to be scolded by his master and it was not surprising.

"Since we're going out today, why do we have to go back to the palace so early? Why don't we go for a walk together to relax?" Qi Qinghe curled his lips and decided the next itinerary in a few words.

Cheng Xi had to remember the instructions of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, obey the Crown Princess, and persuade the Crown Princess to return to the palace earlier. Isn't this a dilemma?

Cheng Xi complained a few words in his mind, but the smile on his face did not fade, and he kept saying yes.

In such a big capital city, there is much more to enjoy than just the streets and alleys where lanterns are lit.

At the doors of the shops on both sides, waiters with loud voices shouted loudly, and occasionally vendors pushed carts and sold some novelties.

The carriage drove slowly past, almost reaching Yuanwu Street. Qi Qingyu clutched her stomach and cried out in pain. Her fair and rosy face was completely bloodless, and her slender willow-shaped eyebrows were furrowed. "Sister, I can't. I need to go to the toilet quickly."

Cheng Xi hurriedly asked the driver to stop, but Qi Qingyu jumped out of the car without asking anyone to help him and ran straight to the toilet deep in the street, and disappeared in a flash.

"Really? Why are you so anxious?" Qi Qinghe scolded with a smile, "How about this, Yuntao, you wait for her here. I'll go sit in Zuixue Tower up ahead."

Yuntao replied yes.

The Crown Princess thought about it carefully and felt that something was not right, so she left two guards to wait with Yun Tao, and then ordered the coachman to leave.

Zuixuelou was bustling with activity, cars coming and going, and people talking.

The waiter heard the noise and hurried out to greet the guests.

The young lady who got off the carriage wore a veil that hid her pretty face, and her bright red clothes made her skin look smooth and her figure slim.

Occasionally, passers-by cast curious glances at me.

Chengxi stepped forward and blocked the waiter, "I want a good seat in the elegant room."

The waiter happily agreed and led the people to the second floor.

The second floor was built in the shape of a U, and the sounds of drinking and playing could be heard continuously.

The elegant pavilion is separated by bamboo screens on both sides, and the inside of the half-person-high railings are padded with soft pillows, which can be leaned on to look at the simple stage on the first floor.

But there was no one telling stories at this time, and no troupe performing.

So boring.

Qi Qinghe took off her veil and sat upright, flipping through the menu casually, ordering a few items, and then ignored everyone, just staring downstairs.

After a while, Qi Qingyu led Yuntao and the guards into the hall, asked the waiter, and glanced around.

Seeing Qi Qinghe waving gently, she lifted up her skirt and ran upstairs, entered the elegant room and sat next to her sister.

"How can you be so reckless? How disgraceful!" Qi Qinghe pretended to be angry and pretended to scratch her.

Qi Qingyu kept muttering, "Please spare me," dodging and laughing. In a corner where no one noticed, she stuffed a heavy purse into her sister's hand and nodded almost inaudibly.

Qi Qinghe withdrew his hand as if nothing had happened, "I'll let you go this time, but if you make me wait again next time, I won't forgive you."

The two sisters laughed and played, and only got up and left after they had eaten and drunk their fill.

At this moment, there was a knock on the closed door. "Is it the daughter of the Qi family?"

The gentle voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't remember where I had heard it.

Qi Qinghe shook his head and invited people in.

The girl was dressed in a bright yellow goose-yellow dress. She peeked in curiously. When she saw Qi Qinghe, her eyes suddenly lit up. She slipped in and closed the door. "Crown Princess! It's you, after all."

"Your servant Liu Shu pays homage to the Crown Princess." Liu Shu took a step forward and saw that the palace servants and guards beside the Crown Princess were all looking at her. She awkwardly withdrew her foot and bowed to salute.

"I was wondering who it was, it turned out to be Miss Liu." Qi Qinghe raised an eyebrow, her eyes curved as she stepped forward and helped the person up. "It's been a while, Miss Liu, are you all right?"

As she spoke, she pulled him to sit down and said, "Miss Liu, you've finished your meal. Why don't you stay and join us?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Qi Qinghe's unpretentious words slightly soothed Liu Shu's unconsciousness, "Your servant is fine, and I will be engaged in the next few days..."

"Then let me say congratulations first." Qi Qinghe listened quietly and called Yuntao to bring the purse. "I'm inconvenienced in the palace, so I can offer a small gift. I wish Miss Liu and her husband a happy and harmonious life together."

Liu Shu was just about to say how to do it, but she suddenly remembered the rumors she had heard recently and looked hesitant.

A hint of doubt and curiosity flashed in Qi Qinghe's bright eyes.

"Have you, Your Majesty, heard of Miss Fu?" Liu Shu looked around and leaned closer to speak to the Empress.

Fu Jingyuan? There had indeed been no news about her in recent days. Qi Qinghe thought for a moment, lowered his voice, and asked her what was wrong.

"During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Miss Fu was expelled from the palace for unknown reasons. Later, she was punished by Master Fu at home. She knelt in the ancestral hall for several days and was beaten with a stick. She fell seriously ill and has not left the house until today."

"Is that so?" Qi Qinghe fell silent.

She had no grudge against Fu Jingyuan, it was just that Fu Jingyuan was obsessed with the position of Crown Princess. Since Miss Fu was not living well, she had no intention of being happy.

Cheng Xi saw that the queen looked solemn, and leaned forward slightly. He only heard the three words "Fu Jingyuan" and hurriedly reminded her, "Your Majesty, it's getting late, it's time to return to the palace."

Qi Qinghe came back to his senses and congratulated Liu Shu again.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll take my leave." After saying this, Liu Shu realized that something was wrong and didn't dare to say anything else. She bowed and took her leave.

After this incident, Qi Qinghe no longer had the heart to wander around and set off to return to the palace.

The carriage creaked past and stopped in front of the palace gate. He then changed into a sedan chair and returned to the East Palace.

As soon as she stepped into the East Palace, she saw a light pink shadow flying towards her.

"Royal sister-in-law!"

As the little girl spoke joyfully, Qi Qinghe felt a chill on his back and broke out in a cold sweat.

According to the punishment Your Majesty gave her, she should have been put in solitary confinement today, but she was so preoccupied that she forgot about it.

She forced a smile, "Why is the imperial sister here? Have you been waiting for a long time?"

Xiao Junluo nodded, his curious eyes passing over the Empress's sister-in-law and landing on Qi Qingyu behind her. "This must be the elder sister of the Qi family."

Qi Qinghe briefly introduced the two of them, and after they greeted each other, they went to Mingcheng Palace together.

"The Empress's sister-in-law is going out of the palace today. Did she do anything fun?" Xiao Junluo raised her head slightly, blinking her eyes expectantly.

Qi Qinghe paused, "Imperial sister knows that I'm leaving the palace today?"

"Yes." Xiao Junluo didn't care. Anyone in the palace would know the answer if he asked.

Qi Qinghe couldn't even laugh at this moment.

After a while, Xiao Junluo finally understood, "Don't worry, my Royal Highness is just talking about the confinement. Even when the Third Imperial Sister was punished with confinement a while ago, it was only for a few days. Whatever happens, it will be fine."

Qi Qinghe thought to herself, how could her own daughter be the same as an outsider like her? It would be better for her to do something to save the relationship.