Chapter 264 Wen Ningning, what did you experience in the palace?

Wei Si was surprised.

Wen Yueyin bit her lips with a pale face, her body trembling uncontrollably.

If she poisoned her mother, she would have no one to rely on in the capital!

But she didn't know how to answer, so she could only look at Wen Xingluo eagerly.

Wen Xingluo said calmly, "Your Majesty, this bowl of cherry yogurt was given to me by the Empress. I felt sorry for the Imperial Concubine's hard work in organizing the Spring Feast, so I presented this yogurt to her. My mother and I have made no contributions to the country, and no contributions to the harem's offspring, so I dare not eat the cherry yogurt in front of you, the Empress."

You can hear a pin drop in Chengqing Hall.

These words sounded very reasonable, but even someone as alert as Xie Zhe still sensed something was wrong.

He stared at the cherry yogurt with a solemn look, and then ordered, "Since it is a gift from the Queen, then the Queen shall consume it."

Queen Mei took the cherry soufflé and her eyelids twitched slightly.

She quickly handed the cheese to Concubine Zhang and said with a smile, "It's impossible to take back what has been given away. Please eat it, Concubine."

Concubine Zhang smiled awkwardly and declined politely, "Sister, you're joking. This is a gift from His Majesty. How can I say anything when I eat it..."

As the two pushed and shoved each other, the bowl of cherry yogurt fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

The two of them immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Xie Zhe watched the palace maids clean up the mess on the floor tiles, a hint of ridicule flashing in his eyes.

He didn't delve into it, but stroked his wide black sleeves embroidered with dragon patterns, and his sinister gaze fell on Xie Guanlan.

When he and Si Si were nearing Jiangnan, they heard from their spies that Xie Guanlan had come to the capital to report on his work.

According to the rules of the Great Zhou Dynasty, princes from all over the country had to come to the capital to pay homage every three years. This year's audience was scheduled for winter, but Xie Guanlan came half a year earlier.

This had to make him suspicious.

Xie Guanlan is no ordinary person. He has made great military achievements over the years and is quite ambitious in occupying the southwest. When facing the imperial court, he is even more arrogant than when he was young.

He was worried about Xie Guanlan staying in the capital, in his dragon's nest, Xie Zhe.

He was afraid that Xie Guanlan would become another him.

He had to come back and keep an eye on the young man in person so that he could sleep peacefully at night.

Xie Zhe lowered his eyes, clenched his fist and coughed heavily a few times, then asked quietly, "Ziheng, is your father okay?"

Xie Guanlan said gently, "Your Majesty, I am grateful for your concern. Father is doing well."

Xie Zhe nodded.

Concubine Zhang was afraid that they would discuss political matters and delay the marriage for Xie Xiang, so she said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Flower Festival is approaching, and Xiang'er has specially prepared a Flower God Dance and would like to perform it at the Spring Banquet tonight."

The Flower Goddess Dance is a dance performed to worship the flower god and pray for the arrival of spring. It is known for its dignity and piety and is quite popular among the noble ladies of the capital. However, due to its high difficulty, many young ladies find it difficult to perform it fully.

Concubine Zhang specially invited a music and dance master to teach Xie Xiang half a year in advance, just to let Xie Xiang make a splash at the Spring Banquet and then marry He Yu naturally.

Xie Zhe said calmly, "Yes."

Concubine Zhang was overjoyed and quickly took Xie Xiang downstairs to change into her dance dress.

Wen Yueyin watched them leave as they were surrounded by palace maids, and couldn't help showing jealousy on her face.

She wanted to dance, too.

Maybe I can win the favor of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in one fell swoop?

She was about to volunteer to dance the Flower Goddess Dance, but Wen Xingluo reminded her in a low voice, "The Flower Goddess Dance in Beijing and the Flower Goddess Dance in Chengdu are completely different dances. Sister, you'd better not get involved casually, or you'll embarrass Mother."

"You're the only one who understands, no one else does!" Wen Yueyin was annoyed. "I think you're just jealous of my courage to fight for it, jealous of my brightness and outspokenness! Little sister, you're really dark and jealous!"

After she finished speaking, she raised her chin in disdain and stood up to make a request, "I beg your Majesty, Father, and Mother to grant me permission to perform the Flower God Dance with Sister Xiang'er!"

The whole hall was silent.

No one expected that Wen Yueyin would be so shameless as to directly call him father.

Moreover, it was obvious that today's spring banquet was prepared by Concubine Zhang for the princess to marry into the He family. Wen Yueyin rushed to sing and dance, wishing she could steal the limelight!

Only Concubine Zhang and the Third Princess were not there, otherwise she would have been torn to pieces!

Xie Zhe looked at Wen Yueyin, his shrewd and deep eyes showing a hint of amusement, "Si Si's eldest daughter is quite interesting."

Wei Si also felt embarrassed and said with a blushing face: "Yue Yin, step back."

Wen Yueyin pouted in grievance.

This is the gap between mothers!

Look at Zhang Tingliu, a humble servant who knows how to find a good future for her daughter.

But my own mother is of no use at all!

"It's nothing that a little girl likes to show off." Xie Zhe was enjoying the fun, "Go down and get ready. You'll be dancing on the same stage with Xiang'er later."

Wen Yueyin was overjoyed and quickly agreed.

There was a flurry of drinking and chatting in the hall.

Wen Xingluo couldn't imagine what the scene would be like when her sister and Xie Xiang danced on the same stage later.

She drank half a cup of fruit wine and felt a little drunk, so she left Chengqing Palace under the pretext of changing her clothes.

Just as he stood at the corner of the corridor and was helping the beauty to take a breath, a figure quietly fell from behind him.

Xie Guanlan stood with his hands behind his back, looking at her coldly, "Wen Ningning."

Wen Xingluo was startled and turned around quickly.

Their eyes met, and the emotions in the young man's narrow eyes were too deep and complicated for Wen Xingluo to understand.

She swallowed subconsciously, trying to simulate the way she and Xie Guanlan used to get along in her mind, and tentatively asked, "Zi... Ziheng?"

My cousin said that she and Xie Guanlan have a very good relationship.

Xie Guanlan's courtesy name was Ziheng, so she was definitely right in calling him that.

Xie Guanlan's cold expression showed a hint of hesitation.

He took a half step closer, "What did you call me?"

The young man is tall.

Wen Xingluo stepped back subconsciously, her slender waist pressed against the beauty's backrest. She was forced to look up at Xie Guanlan, and a hint of panic quietly crept onto her pretty and bright little face.

Did she call the wrong number?

But since she and Xie Guanlan like each other, she will definitely not call him elder brother anymore.

Could it be that my cousin was wrong, and her relationship with Xie Guanlan was not good enough for her to call him by his courtesy name?

She hesitated, "Meaning... the Commander?"

Xie Guanlan leaned against the beauty beside him with one hand and held her wrist with the other.

He leaned forward and lowered his eyes, and in his narrow eyes, apart from the hidden emotions, there was only overwhelming doubt and anger.

He lowered his voice, "Wen Ningning, you don't remember me at all, right? What did you go through in the palace?"