The Queen wept and shook her head, "Aunt, please don't say that. If I had stayed in the Zhou family, Ya'er might have been killed long ago. Aunt, you've been so kind to me and given me the honor that every woman in the world desires. I'm so grateful. It's all my fault that I'm useless and couldn't bring honor to you."
"You've done very well, but you must know that the Zhou family cannot have a deposed queen. You should leave the palace to recuperate, so that your father will give up that idea."
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The Queen wanted to leave the palace to recuperate, and His Majesty agreed, granting her a hot spring villa and many precious medicinal herbs.
This could not stop the rumors in the palace. People in the palace were saying that Concubine Chun was so skilled that she could force the Queen to ask to leave the palace. This was simply unheard of, which showed how much honor and favor Concubine Chun had.
Ji Yunhuan didn't take it seriously and went to Jingren Palace to visit the queen as usual.
Guyu was waiting for Concubine Chun at the door. He respectfully welcomed her in, took care of all the trivial matters, served her tea, and then stood aside, silent and looking a little dull.
Ji Yunhuan took a sip of tea and chuckled, "I quite like Guyu's quiet nature. It's much better than Taohong's chattering all day long."
The Queen also laughed and said, "I really like the hustle and bustle, but you are so ungrateful that you don't know how to appreciate your blessings."
"Since Your Majesty enjoys the hustle and bustle, you shouldn't have left the palace. Besides, there are many imperial physicians and a full range of medicinal herbs within the palace. Why would you seek so much? I'm sincere. Your Majesty has never harmed me. I also enjoy exchanging poems with you. I simply can't bear to see you end up like this."
"Noble Concubine Chun, you are wrong. Everyone has their own aspirations. I have long been tired of these high palace walls. Now that I can finally leave, you should be happy for me."
Three days later, Ji Yunhuan personally escorted the queen out of the palace, as a final farewell.
The queen selected several pots of gorgeously blooming chrysanthemums and gave them to Ji Yunhuan.
That day, the sun was shining brightly, and the chrysanthemums were in full bloom. The empress wore a thorny hairpin and a cloth skirt, feeling more relaxed and comfortable than ever before. Ji Yunhuan stroked the chrysanthemums one by one and said solemnly, "The empress is so thoughtful, and I will take good care of her."
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