Rong Qingqing said nonchalantly, "Don't all young ladies' hoods have a white trim around them?"
Shangguan Yanran glanced at her and tugged at her cloak. "What a coincidence, mine is black rabbit fur."
Upon hearing this, Rong Qingqing glanced at her cloak and remained silent.
Speaking of her cloak, Shangguan Yanran said with a hint of pride, "My cloak is made of black rabbit fur, isn't that special?"
Rong Qingqing glanced at her cloak again, not wanting to discourage her, but still honestly said, "Actually, if you hadn't said it, I would have thought it was black dog hair."
Shangguan Yanran: "..."
When the noble ladies saw the Empress Dowager arrive, they quickly stepped forward to pay their respects. Rong Qingqing and Shangguan Yanran also stepped forward and followed behind the noble ladies.
The Empress Dowager's gaze swept over the group of noble ladies dressed in brightly colored clothes. She raised her hand in a gentle manner and said, "The palace has not been lively for a long time. Today, I have summoned you to the palace so that you can keep me company and relieve my boredom. Please do not stand on ceremony and make yourselves at home."
"Yes." The ladies immediately nodded in agreement.
"Please sit down," the Empress Dowager said, in a good mood, and quickly instructed everyone to take their seats.
The young ladies took their seats one by one.
Feng Xin was delighted to see Shangguan Yanran and Rong Qingqing, and winked at them.
However, she restrained herself and did not move forward, but instead sat down in her reserved seat.
The Imperial Study.
Emperor Zhaojing held a hand warmer in his hands, watching his son who was focused on reviewing memorials, and hesitated several times before speaking.
Since he handed over all the affairs of state to Xie Jingrun, he had nothing to do every day. When Xie Jingrun was reviewing memorials, he would just wander around. Today was no exception, so Xie Jingrun had gotten used to it.
“…Um, Xingxiu.” Emperor Zhaojing finally mustered up the courage to speak.
Xie Jingrun looked up and glanced at him. "What is it?"
Seeing that he didn't speak, she lowered her head again and continued to review the papers.
After much deliberation, Emperor Zhaojing finally spoke, “Your imperial grandmother is admiring the plum blossoms in the plum garden.”
"Since you have nothing to do anyway, you can go and keep her company," Xie Jingrun suggested without even looking up.
Emperor Zhaojing: "..."
He coughed lightly, "Your imperial grandmother doesn't want me to accompany her, she wants you to accompany her."
Xie Jingrun frowned. "I don't have time."
"A person's life isn't just about national and family affairs; occasionally, one should also spend time with the elderly," Emperor Zhaojing said tactfully.
“You’re right, so once Father Emperor steps down, you’ll have plenty of time to spend with Grandmother.” Xie Jingrun still didn’t look up, his slender fingers gripping the pen, neatly and efficiently writing annotations on the memorial.
Emperor Zhaojing choked for a moment.
"...Actually, Rong Qingqing entered the palace today." Left with no other choice, Emperor Zhaojing had to resort to his trump card.
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Xie Jingrun stopped reviewing the memorial and looked up from it.
Emperor Zhaojing: "..."
Other people forget their mothers once they have a wife, but this son has already forgotten his father once he has a future wife.
Compared to Rong Qingqing, shouldn't his father take a backseat?
He said sourly, "Aren't you supposed to be grading them? Keep going."
Xie Jingrun pursed his lips, ignoring his mournful gaze, and frowned as he asked, "Why did she end up in the palace all of a sudden?"
Emperor Zhaojing said inscrutably, "Your grandmother summoned her to the palace. Right now, she should be in the plum garden with her, enjoying the plum blossoms."
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