It was a sunny day, and the breeze brushed gently like soft fingers.

In the palace, there was a festive and peaceful scene to welcome the Queen Mother back.

The phoenix embroidered on Su Jingyao's phoenix robe was lifelike, as if it was about to spread its wings and fly high at any time.

Wearing a dazzling phoenix crown, every gem sparkles with dazzling light.

She was dressed carefully, and every move she made was dignified and graceful, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised, with just the right smile.

Jun Zechen was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe with a golden dragon on it, baring its fangs and claws, looking extremely majestic.

The jade belt around his waist made his posture look as straight as a pine tree. There was an innate majesty between his brows, and his eyes were bright, looking straight ahead.

The two stood side by side, Jun Zechen's hand lightly resting on Su Jingyao's hand, quietly waiting for the Queen Mother's return.

The ministers, dressed in court robes, lined up neatly in the square in front of the palace. Each of them had a solemn look and did not look away.

The concubines above the rank of mistress of the first palace were also dressed up in their best attire.

Among the crowd was Princess Qingping.

She was wearing a light blue dress made of fine material, and the hem of the skirt swayed gently in the breeze.

Her makeup is delicate, her eyebrows are as dark as distant ink, and her eyes are moving, but there is a hint of complex emotions in her eyes that is not easy to detect.

Finally, the sound of gongs and drums came from afar, the sound came from far away and was deafening.

The Queen Mother's carriage drove slowly in, and the guards around were all in high spirits.

Su Jingyao and Jun Zechen stepped forward to meet them.

All the ministers and concubines knelt down and saluted in unison.

"Welcome the Queen Mother back to the palace. May the Queen Mother live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!"

Su Jingyao and Jun Zechen personally helped the Queen Mother down from the imperial carriage. The Queen Mother was smiling and looked radiant.

There is gentleness and kindness in his eyes.

"Everyone, get up!"

Everyone stood up to express their gratitude. Su Jingyao smiled and said, "My mother's visit to the Huguo Temple to pray for blessings must have brought blessings to our dynasty."

Her voice was clear and pleasant, and her eyes were full of respect and concern.

The Queen Mother nodded and slowly glanced at everyone, her eyes filled with relief.

Jun Zechen also said: "Today's ceremony is to welcome the Queen Mother. I wish her good health and longevity."

"Emperor and Empress, you have worked hard."

The Queen Mother said with a smile, her eyes full of love.

"I heard that Wanyin has returned from Canglang and was named a county lady by the emperor?"

The Queen Mother asked with a smile. After all, she was her brother's daughter and had lived in the palace for some time. She still missed her after not seeing her for so many years.

Qi Wanyin walked forward with just the right amount of respect and joy on her face.

She leaned forward slightly and saluted the Queen Mother.

"Your humble servant pays respects to the Queen Mother. May the Queen Mother be blessed with good health and good health."

Qi Wanyin's voice was clear and melodious, and her movements of saluting were standard and regular. She folded her hands in front of her and lowered her head slightly.

The Queen Mother reached out and pulled her to her front, her eyes full of love and nostalgia as she looked her over carefully.

He murmured, "You and your father have very similar eyebrows and eyes."

Then the Queen Mother smiled and said, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. How about you stay with me in the palace for the next few days?"

"It is my blessing to be able to accompany the Queen Mother. I am willing to do so."

Qi Wanyin said with a smile, a sincere smile on her face, and raised her head slightly to look at the Queen Mother.

Afterwards, everyone surrounded the Queen Mother and walked into the palace.

Surrounded by the crowd, the Queen Mother walked steadily with a kind smile on her face.

In the hall, the Queen Mother, the Emperor, and the Queen sat at the top, and Jun Zechen sat in the middle, his expression solemn and majestic.

Several high-ranking concubines sat on both sides, looking at the emperor from time to time. It was extremely difficult for them to see His Majesty now.

The Empress Dowager had not seen Princess Qingping for many years, so she had a seat added next to her and called Princess Qingping over.

Princess Qingping walked to the side of the empress dowager, bowed slightly and sat down.

"Aunt, Wanyin has really missed you these years."

Qi Wanyin said this with a slight sob in her voice and her eyes slightly red.

She picked up the chopsticks and served the Empress Dowager a dish of soft-cooked mullet, which was her favorite dish in the past.

The Queen Mother smiled with satisfaction, her eyes full of relief, "It's amazing that you still remember my preferences after six or seven years."

The Queen Mother gently patted Qi Wanyin's hand.

"As long as Auntie likes it."

Qi Wanyin smiled, but there seemed to be a hint of bitterness in her smile.

"I heard that the Emperor had granted you and the Queen's brother, Minister Su, a marriage. Why don't you want to get married now?"

The Queen Mother frowned slightly, her tone showing the concern of an elder for a younger person.

Upon hearing this, Qi Wanyin raised her eyes to look at His Majesty, whose expression was calm. Her expression was brief and complicated, filled with helplessness and fear.

Then she calmly withdrew her gaze, as if the glance just now had never happened.

"Aunt, it's Wanyin who is not worthy of Minister Su. Wanyin only wants to stay with you. I don't want to get married in this life."

Qi Wanyin forced a smile, which seemed extremely far-fetched, and there were even tears gleaming in the corners of her eyes.

She lowered her head and twisted the silk handkerchief in her hands unconsciously.

When the Queen Mother saw her like this, she felt something was wrong.

When the Queen Mother heard that she was going to marry into the Su family, she was very happy.

After all, the Su family is a scholarly family, the queen has good character, and Minister Su is probably not a bad person either. If Wanyin marries into the Su family, she will surely live a happy life.

But the Queen Mother couldn't understand why she wanted to cancel the marriage.

Before the Empress Dowager returned to the Imperial City, she had already heard rumors about Princess Qingping all over the city.

She must have been under a lot of pressure and accusations during this period.

Although the Queen proposed that women have freedom of marriage, which saved many people from talking about Princess Qingping, some deep-rooted customs and prejudices against women could not be eliminated in a short time.

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