Chapter 111 Accompanying the Queen Mother to Relieve Boredom
The summer heat was unbearable, but it passed in the blink of an eye. Soon, Nian Shilan and his group followed the emperor back to the palace.
Zhen Huan and Nian Shilan hadn't seen each other for a long time, so as soon as they returned to the palace, they found time to get together.
"Have you been doing well in the palace these days, Your Majesty? Have you been thinking about me, your sister?"
At this time, Zhen Huan already regarded Nian Shilan as her own sister, and became more lively in front of her.
"You, after all, are a mother now, why are you becoming more and more unstable?"
Nian Shilan was left in tears and laughter by Zhen Huan's tone. In this new life, without all the previous grudges and struggles between her and Zhen Huan, Nian Shilan discovered that Zhen Huan was actually a lovely girl at heart, but her edges had been smoothed out by the palace. Now it was pretty good.
"Your Highness, you may not know this, but since Huan'er met you, she has almost completely forgotten about me, Mei Jie."
Chen Meizhuang smiled and teased Zhen Huan, saying that it would be better to return to the palace. Although she would still have to face such disliked people, at least her good sisters were by her side.
An Lingrong covered her mouth and smiled as she looked at everyone. She usually didn't talk much when she was with everyone, but she really liked this kind of atmosphere.
"The weather is getting a lot cooler now. Why don't we go for a walk in the Imperial Garden? It's really uncomfortable to stay cooped up in the house all day."
Chen Meizhuang made a suggestion, but Nian Shilan thought of another option.
"We haven't paid our respects to the Empress Dowager yet since we returned to the palace. Let's take this opportunity to go to Shoukang Palace. The Empress Dowager hasn't been feeling well lately, so why don't we see if she'd like to go out for a walk together?"
Nian Shilan's words were immediately echoed by the others, and soon everyone came to Shoukang Palace together.
Unfortunately, Aunt Zhuxi told them that the Queen Mother had just gone to bed and asked them to come back later.
"Zhuxi, let them in."
Just as they were about to turn around and leave, they heard the Queen Mother's voice coming from inside the house.
"Your Highness the Queen Mother, I pay my respects to you. May you be blessed with good health and happiness."
"Get up."
The Queen Mother leaned against the bed and looked at the people standing in front of her, a smile on her face.
Only these few people come to her Shoukang Palace frequently. In the past, the queen would come to visit from time to time, but since some things happened before, the queen seemed to have some resentment towards the queen mother, and rarely appeared here on weekdays.
"I haven't seen you for a long time. During the time you were in the palace, Concubine Xi came to Shoukang Palace every day to chat with me. But why did you all gather here today?"
"In reply to the Queen Mother, I think the weather is perfect today. I wonder if the Queen Mother would like to go for a walk in the Imperial Garden with me and others. It would be bad to be stuck indoors all day."
The Queen Mother glanced at Nian Shilan and said, "Aren't you afraid that you sisters will feel uncomfortable after I leave?"
"Your Highness, what are you saying? Normally, the Queen Mother loves me and others very much. I even regard her as an elder in the family. How could I feel uncomfortable talking to an elder?"
Nian Shilan said as she stepped forward and shook the Queen Mother's hand: "How is it? The Queen Mother will not bear to disappoint Shilan."
The Queen Mother felt a little softened in her heart as she watched Nian Shilan becoming increasingly close to her. Previously, because of the military power in Nian Gengyao's hands, she and the Emperor had been on guard against the Nian family and even Nian Shilan. This was something she had never thought of before.
In the past two years, Nian Shilan would appear in Shoukang Palace from time to time, sometimes chatting with her, and sometimes staying to have meals together. With her here, the Queen Mother felt that life in the palace was not so boring.
"Okay, I'll go with you."
The Queen Mother waved to Zhuxi and asked her to come over and help her dress up, but she seemed to see that Zhen Huan seemed to be hesitant to speak.
"If Concubine Xi has anything to say, you are all good children. There is no need to be so reserved in front of me. Just say whatever you want to say."
Seeing the Queen Mother's reaction, Zhen Huan no longer hesitated. "As expected, nothing can be hidden from the Queen Mother's eyes. I just heard Princess Jinghe say that the snacks made in the Queen Mother's palace are delicious, and even the Emperor praised them highly. So I was wondering if I could..."
After saying this, Zhen Huan seemed a little embarrassed. After all, she was such a grown-up, why was she still as greedy as a child?
But An Lingrong, who was standing next to her, looked at Zhen Huan in surprise. She didn't expect that Sister Huan still remembered this matter.
This happened when Princess Jinghe was sent back to the palace by palace servants after playing at the Queen Mother's place. The Queen Mother ordered some snacks to be sent over. It happened that Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were also at Shen Meiyu's residence at that time. They all tasted some. Unexpectedly, An Lingrong liked the taste very much. However, she was just a concubine after all. How could she ask the Queen Mother for things privately? Unexpectedly, Zhen Huan still remembered such a small thing.
"So Concubine Xi was thinking about the snacks in my palace."
The Queen Mother glanced at Zhuxi and said with a smile, "Your craftsmanship is so admired."
"It is a blessing for me that the snacks I made have caught the eye of Concubine Xi. I will prepare some later."
"Let's go. I'm going to go with you guys today to take a good look at the scenery outside."
The Queen Mother's face was full of smiles when she said this.
Although she has power that others do not have in the deep palace, she is ultimately trapped in this place. What's more, the empress dowager who is in a high position, after having the highest status, actually yearns for the family happiness of ordinary people in her heart.
Everyone followed the Queen Mother as they walked in the garden. The atmosphere, which was originally somewhat restrained, became exceptionally harmonious under the influence of Nian Shilan's words.
"I haven't heard Concubine An sing for a long time. I think it was a long time ago. I always remember that your voice was so refreshing."
"It is an honor for Lingrong to have her voice heard by the Empress Dowager. Today, Lingrong will sing another song to cheer the Empress Dowager up."
There happened to be a pavilion in front of them, and a few people went in to rest because they were worried that the empress dowager might not be able to bear it.
An Lingrong was no longer as reserved as before. She had always been very confident in her singing. She walked in front of the crowd and generously sang a song for everyone.
Then Zhen Huan became interested and prepared to dance for everyone.
"How can Huan'er's dance be complete without the sound of my zither?"
Looking at the scene in front of her, the empress dowager's face was filled with unprecedented joy. She really hadn't felt such an atmosphere for a long time. In the past, there would be singing and dancing performances by concubines at palace banquets, but that was more to attract the emperor's attention, which was completely different from the scene today.
"I'm really happy. You guys are all good kids. I like you very much."
During the break, Zhuxi also came over with some snacks.
"Try it. Concubine Xi specifically asked for it, so don't eat too little."
The Queen Mother teased Zhen Huan. Usually Zhen Huan was very dignified and virtuous in front of her. Today, she rarely showed such childishness, so she couldn't help but look at her strangely.
"I will definitely not let down the Queen Mother's kindness."
But unexpectedly, the cheerful atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by a sound.
"vomit!"
"vomit!"
"Lingrong, what's wrong with you?"
Shen Meizhuang, who was sitting next to An Lingrong, was the first to notice that something was wrong with An Lingrong, and she asked with concern.
"Don't worry, Sister Mei, I'm fine..."
"vomit!"
Before An Lingrong could finish her words, another sound of retching was heard, and the movement here was quickly noticed by everyone.
"Princess An is feeling unwell, Zhuxi, go get the imperial physician to take a look."
The Queen Mother looked at An Lingrong with some guesses in her mind, and her face was filled with joy.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
