Chapter 297
Shen Qingnian couldn't help but shake her head.
Shen Xi really is a big mouth. Fortunately, Song Xuan has been quite careful these past few days and hasn't let the little girl see it.
She stepped into the hall, and little Shen Xi and little Yan Qing, who were nestled in the Empress Dowager's arms, immediately looked over.
"Mother."
"Mother."
Two little ones ran towards her. Little Shenxi hugged her leg, while Little Yanqing was more reserved, only holding onto her sleeve.
“It’s true that once you have a mother, you forget your grandmother,” the Empress Dowager said with a smile on her face.
After she finished speaking, she looked at Shen Qingnian and said in a slightly cold tone, "Imperial Consort."
Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Xiaoju took the osmanthus cake and led Xiao Shenxi and Xiao Yanqing into the courtyard.
Shen Qingnian then walked up to the Empress Dowager and respectfully bowed, saying, "Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager did not tell her to get up, but said, "Your status is special, yet Xuan'er promoted you to Imperial Concubine. There are many people in the court who have such intentions. Have you considered his feelings?"
The Imperial Concubine's rank was too high; she suspected that Shen Qingnian was deliberately trying to mislead Xuan'er.
Shen Qingnian spoke humbly, reciting the words she had prepared beforehand: "Your Majesty, a few days ago, Prime Minister Shen sent Consort Shen to the palace, and His Majesty bestowed upon me the title of Noble Consort. I suppose this was also meant to serve as a warning to Prime Minister Shen."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes flashed with deep thought. After a moment, she spoke: "The ground is cold. You are still recovering. Please rise and take a seat."
Shen Qingnian got up as instructed, and the nanny brought her a stool.
"Now that you are a Noble Consort, although there are not many women in the harem, you must set an example and manage the harem well. I am old and do not want to or wish to deal with these matters. If you have any undecided ideas, you must discuss them with Xuan'er," the Empress Dowager said slowly.
Shen Zheng was sending people into the inner palace, but this matter concerned the previous dynasty, so she decided not to interfere and simply let it go.
Shen Qingnian replied softly, "I understand, and I will certainly not disappoint the Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager nodded and waved to the nanny beside her: "Now that you are a Noble Consort, I should also show my appreciation. This is a kingfisher feather headdress. Although it is made of jade, it does not look old-fashioned. On the contrary, it suits you very well."
The old woman stepped forward and opened the brocade box in her hand, revealing the magnificent kingfisher feather headdress, which was even rarer than the Dream Crystal of Chongmeng.
The Dream Crystal is made from rare materials, while the Jadeite Headpiece is crafted with intricate and exquisite techniques, making it several times more complex than double-sided embroidery.
Moreover, in the entire Great Xuan Kingdom, there is only one set of kingfisher feather headdresses, which can be said to be priceless.
Shen Qingnian's eyes lit up as she looked at the extremely luxurious kingfisher feather headdress, but then she looked at the Empress Dowager and politely declined, saying, "Empress Dowager, this headdress is too precious, and I am truly unworthy to accept it."
The Empress Dowager did not quite agree: "I am giving this to you, so you should take it. I resented you before, but now that you have returned, I will not mention the past. From now on, you and Xuan'er should be well together. This is my greatest wish."
When Shen Qingnian first returned to the palace, she was both angry and resentful, yet helpless. But as time went by, Xiao Xi came to her almost every day, and she gradually let go of her resentment.
These days, the little girl and Liu Yurou talked to her about many things in Jiangnan, about how Shen Qingnian became a female teacher and how she supported the family.
Furthermore, Xuan'er showed her Shen Qingnian's information, and the resentment in her heart dissipated. Shen Qingnian's departure from the palace was entirely for self-preservation, and the person who deserved to die the most was Shen Zheng.
Hearing the Empress Dowager say this, Shen Qingnian felt a warmth in her heart and couldn't help but say, "This concubine thanks the Empress Dowager for her understanding."
The sight of a man's blood and wounds would be unbearable for any mother, so it would be a lie to say that the Empress Dowager was not moved that she accepted him so quickly.
The Empress Dowager shook her head and said, "You and I are both mothers, and you should be able to guess my feelings. As long as you and Xuan'er are well, I will forgive everything from the past."
Xuan'er has surely seen through your feelings for you since you returned. From now on, no matter what happens, never again engage in such scheming.
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