The wedding date of Xue Huichun, the fourth daughter of Xingyuan Marquis's Mansion, is approaching. The Empress Dowager Lu Fengqing in the palace generously gives her many treasures to add luster to Xue Huichun's dowry.
Although there was a subtle estrangement and rift between her and the old lady Hong Yingrong, her love for Xue Huichun and Xue Shanqiu, the two girls she watched grow up, did not diminish in the slightest.
Emperor Li Longze also showed favor to the Xingyuan Marquisate and ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to select ornaments and tributes from the warehouse as rewards for the Marquisate.
At this time, in the Cining Palace, Concubine Shoukang brought Xue Shanqiu, and Concubine Shu brought her daughter Princess Ning'an Li Shurou, all of whom were chatting casually with Empress Dowager Lu Fengqing.
"On the day your sister gets married, you should go home and stay for a few days." Lu Fengqing took Xue Shanqiu's hand affectionately, asked her to sit next to him, and said softly, "Your mother must have missed you very much during your time in the palace."
The Dowager Concubine Shoukang picked up the exquisite teacup, took a sip, and jokingly said, "With Qiu'er living with me, Shoukang Palace has become much more lively. If she goes back, I'm afraid I'll miss her a lot."
Concubine Shu also agreed with a smile: "Isn't it true? With the county lady here, Shurou always goes to Shoukang Palace. In the past, there was no playmate of her age in the palace, but now they are as close as sisters."
Hearing her mother say this, Li Shurou looked up at the Queen Mother. Seeing that she was smiling and in a good mood, she tentatively asked, "Queen Mother, on the day that the fourth sister of the Xue family gets married, can I go to the Marquis' Mansion and accompany Shanqiu to see her off?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Fengqing pondered for a moment.
Although Xue Huichun was the eldest daughter of the Xingyuan Marquisate and was conferred the title of Ronghua County Lady, and the man she married was also the top scorer in the imperial examination, Li Shurou was the emperor's sister and a princess of noble status. If she went to marry her with great fanfare, it would indeed be a bit against palace rules.
However, seeing Li Shurou's expectant expression, Lu Fengqing finally softened his heart and made an exception, saying, "Okay! Let the Ministry of Internal Affairs take care of this matter."
Hearing this, Li Shurou and Xue Shanqiu looked at each other and smiled, the two young girls' eyebrows and eyes were filled with joy and happiness.
Looking at them like this, both Concubine Shoukang and Empress Dowager Lu Fengqing couldn't help but feel a little dazed, as if they could see through them their own carefree girlhood.
Concubine Shu's face darkened involuntarily, but she soon regained her smile. She looked at her daughter and held her in her arms lovingly, gently rubbing her soft cheek.
This subtle expression did not escape the eyes of Concubine Shoukang.
Lu Fengqing didn't notice anything and just watched quietly from the side, feeling an inexplicable emotion in his heart.
She thought of the concubines who had accompanied the late emperor. Many of them had now fallen like stars, vanishing in the passage of time. Some of them had not even left a trace, and disappeared silently from the world.
Who would have thought that now the three of them were sitting here, chatting and enjoying this rare tranquility and harmony.
Especially Concubine Shu, she had neither a prominent family background nor a prince to rely on.
However, now she has her daughter by her side, sitting on her lap and enjoying the happiness of family.
If those who fought each other to the death in the harem back then knew all this, what would they think?
Lu Fengqing couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
Concubine Shu gently extended her hand and gently stroked a strand of hair from Li Shurou's temple. With a tone that was a mixture of reproach and doting, she said, "Look at you. It's okay to be casual in Hengwu Palace, but when you come to the Empress Dowager, you must not lose your manners."
After hearing this, Li Shurou immediately sat up straight, with a slightly nervous look on her face.
Seeing this, Concubine Shoukang couldn't help but smile. She looked at Li Shurou lovingly and said to smooth things over, "Don't be too restrictive with her. Shurou is still a child. When the day comes that Shurou gets married and leaves the palace, I wonder if you will cry."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu's eyes flashed with reluctance, but she pretended to be joking and said, "Without this little nemesis, I can even have two fewer gray hairs!"
These words made the Empress Dowager and the Concubine Dowager both cover their mouths and laugh, and the Cining Palace was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
However, when talking about Li Shurou's marriage, Lu Fengqing's expression became slightly serious.
Lu Fengqing glanced at Xue Shanqiu and Li Shurou lightly, and something in his mind moved. He wanted to find an excuse to send them away temporarily so that he could discuss Li Shurou's marriage with Concubine Shu and Concubine Shoukang.
"Shanqiu, Shurou," Lu Fengqing called gently, "The two newly planted Eighteen Scholars trees in the Imperial Garden are in bloom. Their blossoms are incredibly beautiful, a rarity in the world. You two might as well go and take a look; it'll be a way to share in the good news."
Upon hearing this, Xue Shanqiu and Li Shurou looked at each other and both showed excitement.
They had long heard that the Eighteen Scholars in the Imperial Garden were rare treasures, and now that they had the opportunity to see them with their own eyes, they naturally did not want to miss it.
So, the two of them stood up together, bowed to Lu Fengqing and the other three elders, and then left the Cining Hall hand in hand.
Looking at their backs gradually walking away, Lu Fengqing sighed softly.
"Has the Concubine Dowager carefully read the list of names that I sent to Hengwu Palace before?" Lu Fengqing's tone was gentle, but with a hint of solemnity.
Concubine Shu nodded slightly and replied respectfully, "I have examined the candidates on the list one by one. I must say that the sons-in-law chosen by the Queen Mother for Shurou are all outstanding. Not only are they of high caliber, but they are also talented and have their own strengths. No matter who is finally chosen, I will be satisfied from the bottom of my heart."
What Concubine Shu said was not empty flattery, but a feeling from the heart.
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