Chapter 121 Concubine Ning
He let go of Concubine Zhao's hand and said in a gentle voice, "Concubine Zhao, I suddenly remembered that I have something else to do. Please go back to the palace first. I will accompany you for a good stroll next time."
Concubine Zhao was stunned for a moment.
Xiao Heng had been so enthusiastic about touring the garden with him before, but what did he see that made him lose all interest?
After thinking about it, he finally knelt down.
"Okay, then I will respectfully send your Majesty off."
After Xiao Heng left, Concubine Zhao raised her icy eyes.
"Go, follow the emperor and see which palace he goes to."
The eunuch quickly agreed and stepped forward.
Xia Ying held Concubine Zhao's hand and returned to Yaohua Palace.
Concubine Zhao was unhappy all the way, with a slight frown on her brows.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor may have some state affairs to attend to."
Concubine Zhao shook her head slightly, her eyes gazing into the distance: "In the past, the emperor's heart and eyes were all about me, but now, I can't see through his heart."
Xia Ying lowered her eyes sadly.
The nanny once advised the queen that the emperor is the Son of Heaven, with three palaces and six courtyards, so what kind of concubines does he not have?
The Emperor is willing to always pamper the Empress and obey her because of the friendship they had in their youth.
If the Queen continues to be so cold to the Emperor, even the best man will eventually become impatient.
But the queen refused to listen and was always obsessed with the past.
Now that the Empress is planning to start over, she is unable to fathom the Emperor's thoughts.
Life is always so unsatisfactory.
At this time, the eunuch who was investigating Xiao Heng's whereabouts came forward with a serious expression to report.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor went to Yaoyue Palace."
"Invite Yuegong?" The gloom in Concubine Zhao's eyes grew darker, and she paused.
"If I remember correctly, Concubine Xi lived there."
Xia Ying replied softly, "Yes."
Concubine Zhao's breathing stagnated, and then she regained her usual cold expression: "Let's go back to the palace."
Concubine Xi could not have children, and her favor was due to her own reasons.
No matter how much the emperor dotes on her, it is just doting.
You don't need to take it to heart.
On the other side, Xiao Heng walked into Yaoyue Palace with an unhappy look on his face.
But there was no woman in Jinxiu Pavilion, and he came to nothing.
Wan Qiu hurried forward and said, "Your Majesty, the young lady has gone out."
"Isn't Concubine Xi sick?" Xiao Heng's clear voice was filled with suppressed anger.
Wan Qiu's eyelids twitched, and she slowly said, "The Empress summoned the young lady to the Weiyang Palace today, and she hasn't returned yet."
"Really?" Xiao Heng asked coldly.
He clearly saw Liu Yuetang passing through the Imperial Garden. If she was sick, how could she still wander around and not return to the palace until now?
He snorted coldly, turned away with a stiff face.
On the other side, Liu Yuetang was called over by Concubine Ning, who was enjoying the scenery and playing chess nearby.
"I heard that my sister is very good at chess."
Concubine Ning picked up a chess piece and looked at Liu Yuetang with loving eyes.
Among all the titles in the palace, Liu Yuetang felt that only Concubine Ning's title was like a human being.
Tranquility, harmony.
She always wore plain clothes, as elegant and spotless as pale white pear blossoms.
Liu Yuetang smiled gently: "I only know a little bit about chess, I can't say I'm an expert."
"Sister, you are too modest." Concubine Ning picked up the white piece and placed it on the chessboard.
"My sister is also very good at chess."
This was the second time Liu Yuetang had heard Concubine Ning mention her sister, and she couldn't help but ask curiously, "Your Majesty must have a very close relationship with your younger sister, right?"
"She passed away the year I entered the palace."
As the clear sound of the chess piece fell, her clear and gentle voice rang out.
Liu Yuetang looked up in surprise. There was a hint of sorrow in Ningpin's eyes, like the continuous drizzle in winter, sad but gentle.
"I didn't even see her for the last time."
"Your Majesty, please accept my condolences." Liu Yuetang looked sad.
Concubine Ning raised the corner of her lips slightly: "It has been many years, and I have let it go long ago."
"I once said, Concubine Xi, you look a lot like my sister. Do you remember?"
Liu Yuetang nodded slightly.
Ningpin continued, "If I say I can read faces, Concubine Xi will believe me."
Just as Liu Yuetang was wondering why Concubine Ning said these words to her, Concubine Ning's voice fell softly into her ears.
"Jieyu Xi, you shouldn't have entered the palace."
Liu Yuetang paused slightly while holding the chess piece. "I wonder why the Queen said that?"
Ningpin didn't say it directly, but just said: "You don't belong in the palace."
Liu Yuetang smiled sadly: "How many people in the palace belong to the emperor? To be honest, Your Majesty, I have had no place to live since I was born. There is no place that belongs to me and can accommodate me."
"Why do you need others to tolerate you?" Concubine Ning frowned slightly. She seemed a little anxious despite being always calm.
"The world is so big, can't it have room for a woman like you? Why bother caring about the opinions and views of the world?"
"A woman's best state is to have a gentle temper and a calm mind. She should not be dependent on anyone, nor be afraid of losing anyone. She should not be bound by anything, but should love herself well and pursue her own happiness and freedom."
Liu Yuetang looked dazed.
She had to admit that what Concubine Ning said was right.
No wonder she always has an ethereal aura.
Sitting among three thousand beauties, there was only herself and her daughter between her eyebrows and eyes, as if everything else had nothing to do with her.
It is always so pure and calm like water.
Liu Yuetang pursed her lips slightly, feeling bitter but also envious.
Concubine Ning came from a noble family, was ranked among the nine concubines, and had a daughter, so she had the confidence to say these words.
But I am of humble status, and if I don’t fight or compete, even survival is a luxury.
However, she didn't understand why Concubine Ning said these words to her.
Just because she looks like her sister, she tries to persuade her in a kind way?
Or, she has other purposes.
Just as he was thinking about it, Xiao Kangzi came forward to report.
"My lady, the emperor has arrived and is currently at Jinxiu Pavilion."
"Oh?" Liu Yuetang's eyes flashed with surprise.
It seems that she overestimated Xiao Heng.
Sure enough, he came to his palace the next moment.
She looked at Concubine Ning with a hint of apology. Before she could say anything, Concubine Ning smiled and said, "Go quickly, sister."
"Next time there's a chance, play chess with me again."
Liu Yuetang stood up reluctantly: "Then I will take my leave first."
Concubine Ning nodded with a smile, and her eyes gradually became unfocused as she watched Liu Yuetang's back gradually disappear into the distance.
"Are favor and status really that important?"
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