Chapter 66: Pressing Forward

This was the first time Xu Lanshan paid her respects after being poisoned by a snake, and also the first time after being promoted to Chen Ronghua.

Everything in the palace was kept simple. Her clothes and hairstyle were the same as before, except that her gold hairpins were replaced with more gorgeous ones. But for some reason, everyone felt that her whole temperament seemed to have become a little different.

It seemed that since some time ago, she had developed the dignity and confidence of a superior from the inside out. Where was the shadow of the timid little palace maid in the past?

Upon seeing this, Concubine Yu smiled and said, "As expected, people are in high spirits when they are happy. Chen Ronghua looks so cheerful and even more impressive! I haven't even congratulated Chen Ronghua in person yet!"

Xu Lanshan bowed slightly, smiling faintly: "Thank you, Concubine Yu! I am a little ashamed to hear you say that."

Concubine Lian sneered and scoffed: "Hypocritical!"

Concubine Yu smiled and stopped talking, and no one else spoke either, and the atmosphere became silent in an instant.

The Queen glanced at Concubine Lian with some displeasure. I hope the Queen Mother lives a long life, otherwise Concubine Lian’s fate will not be good in the future!

The Empress was now completely focused on Xu Lanshan quickly getting pregnant and giving birth to a prince, so she naturally protected her a little to avoid disappointing her. She said, "Princess Lian, Chen Ronghua's meritorious service in saving the Emperor shows her loyalty to the Emperor. She is a role model. Even the Emperor and I look up to her. You should be more careful with your words in the future. You are a concubine in the palace, not a shrew in the street."

Concubine Lian suddenly became even more embarrassed and sneered, "Your Majesty, please stop praising her. Everyone knows that. She just happened to be lucky. Anyone would do the same! Otherwise, if something unexpected happened to the Emperor—"

"Shut up!" The Queen was furious and shouted, "Princess Lian, if you can't speak, then shut up!"

Lian Fei also realized that what she said was inappropriate. She was embarrassed and ashamed, and turned away angrily.

The Queen said, "The Emperor has said that he will hold a banquet and an opera at Ting Cui Tower the day after tomorrow. You should all make good preparations. Now, everyone, go back. Chen Ronghua, you stay. I have something to tell you."

When everyone heard that there would be a banquet and an opera the day after tomorrow and that the emperor would be there, they thought this was another opportunity to show off and were all excited and went.

Xu Lanshan didn't want to talk to the Queen alone at all, but unfortunately, she had no choice.

The Queen dismissed her attendants, leaving only Nanny Yan behind. She warmly greeted Xu Lanshan, "Sit closer. I treat you as one of my own. There's no need to be so reserved."

Xu Lanshan could only agree obediently, sitting down in front of the Queen, and smiling gratefully: "Your Majesty, I am truly grateful for your kindness."

The Queen smiled and said, "You were always a good person, and now you have done a great service in saving the emperor. You really deserve it!"

"Your Majesty, thank you for your praise."

"There's no need to be modest in front of Chen Ronghua. So, what exactly happened on the mountain that day?"

I'm afraid that not only the Queen, but also all the concubines are curious about what happened on the mountain that day. However, no one dared to ask the Emperor. If she hadn't been recovering from her injuries these days, I'm afraid that not only the Queen, but also others would have asked long ago.

It can be said that Lady Bai is a very down-to-earth person. When he went to visit her, he really just wanted to visit her and didn't ask any other questions.

Xu Lanshan told the Empress everything, but she changed it slightly. Instead of saying that the Emperor had picked flowers to wear as a hairpin, she simply said that the Emperor had seen some unusual flowers in the bushes and had picked them, but she hadn't expected an accident to happen...

This was just an accident. If someone really wanted to harm the emperor, the palace would not have been so peaceful these days. The emperor would have been angry and ordered a thorough investigation long ago.

The Queen sighed, "Fortunately you are here. You are decisive. Otherwise, the Emperor would have suffered as well."

"I dare not take credit for it. Your Majesty is the true dragon emperor, and he is blessed by heaven. He should have been fine in the first place."

"Yes, that's true!" The Queen nodded and smiled, then added, "In any case, you'll definitely have plenty of opportunities to sleep with me during this period. You must seize them well, understand?"

"Yes, Queen!"

"So, from now on, after each of my visits to the emperor, I will send someone to bring you a bowl of soup. Don't worry, it's a tonic soup that will only benefit your body. Drink all of it and strive to conceive a dragon heir as soon as possible."

Xu Lanshan's heart skipped a beat. She lowered her brows and responded softly, putting on a look of gratitude: "Thank you, Queen, for your kindness!"

Of course she wouldn't drink this soup.

The Queen was very pleased with her attitude. "You are so lovable, it is only right that I treat you well. Okay, go ahead."

"Yes, I'll take my leave."

Xu Lanshan was a little upset. After leaving Changchun Palace, she was not in a hurry to go back and just walked around casually.

She even hoped to encounter some trouble, hoped that some blind person would come out to make things difficult for her. Anyway, the Queen would protect her now, right?

There's no reason to only do half a favor, right?

Xu Lanshan didn't meet anyone looking for trouble, but she met Concubine Bai.

"Sister Xu!"

Concubine Bai was holding a few bright red pomegranate flowers in her arms, and was very surprised to see Xu Lanshan.

Xu Lanshan couldn't help but smile: "What a coincidence, Sister Bai!"

Lady Bai smiled and said, "What a coincidence! I saw the pomegranate flowers here are in full bloom, so I picked a few and planned to take them back to put in a vase."

Noticing that Xu Lanshan seemed a little down, Lady Bai hesitated and said, "The scenery here is quite nice. Shall we go up to the pavilion and sit for a while?"

Xu Lanshan didn't have any destination in mind, so it would be nice to chat with Bai Guiren. After hearing this, she didn't refuse: "Okay!"

Xu Lanshan didn't say that she had completely let down her guard towards Concubine Bai, but it was true that she felt most relaxed when she was with Concubine Bai.

Unexpectedly, they hadn't been sitting there for a while when Emperor Yuan Yong was nearby. When he saw them, he came forward with a smile, "Lan'er!"

"Your Highness!"

Xu Lanshan and Bai Guiren quickly stood up and saluted.

Emperor Yuan Yong sat down and said to the two of them with a smile, "No need to be so polite, please take a seat."

Xu Lanshan and Noble Lady Bai sat down with a smile. Emperor Yuan Yong glanced at them and said, "It seems that you two are indeed close friends. It would be nice to talk together from time to time to relieve boredom."

Lady Bai smiled shyly: "Sister Xu doesn't mind my stupidity..."

Emperor Yuan Yong knew that Concubine Bai was an honest person, and when he thought about Lan'er's little mouth that looked like it was covered with honey in front of him, he couldn't help but smile.

Xu Lanshan felt a little uncomfortable for no reason. She knew that it was unreasonable for her to do so. The emperor could do whatever he wanted to anyone. She had been able to remain calm before, so why couldn't she remain calm now?

Not to mention that he smiled at Noble Lady Bai at this moment, it would be natural for him to just pull Noble Lady Bai away!

As they were talking, they suddenly saw Concubine Rou and Concubine Deng also coming. They were very surprised and stepped forward, "Your Highness!"

Xu Lanshan had a lower rank, so she had to stand up and greet them. There was no other way. Although her promotion speed was like riding a rocket, who could blame her for starting from such a low point?