"Yes." The two people, one on each side, carefully helped Guo Li back to her chair.
Emperor Zhaojing breathed a sigh of relief. She had suddenly stood up and bowed, which had startled him. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sternly reprimand her, "Your leg is still injured. Don't be so reckless in the future. The Empress is a kind and generous person and won't care about those formalities."
Guo Li's face paled, and she was about to explain when Rong Qingqing spoke first: "Father, don't be angry. Miss Guo is new here and probably has some misunderstandings about the rules of the palace. I will teach her slowly."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaojing's expression softened. "Thank you for your trouble, Empress."
"Father, you flatter me. It is what I should do," Rong Qingqing said respectfully.
Emperor Zhaojing was very pleased to see this.
The Empress was gentle and kind, and very understanding. She was also very respectful to him, her elder. Fortunately, she did not stop Xingxiu from marrying her. Now it seems that Xingxiu married the right person.
He felt quite emotional, and his gaze towards Rong Qingqing softened even more.
Considering Guo Li's reputation, he decided not to stay any longer and said, "Guo Li's foot injury has not yet healed, so the Empress will have to take good care of her these next few days."
"Father, please rest assured, I regard Li'er as my own sister and will take good care of her." Rong Qingqing's smile was impeccable, and her tone was natural and kind, making people feel that she was truly sincere.
Emperor Zhaojing was relieved. He glanced at Guo Li, wanting to say something, but considering that his daughter-in-law Rong Qingqing was present, he decided not to linger and quickly left Yuxian Palace.
Seeing him leave like that, Guo Li nearly broke her fingernail. Rong Qingqing, that bitch, is so hypocritical it's disgusting. Treating her like a younger sister? Who would believe that?
A shadow crossed her eyes, and her resentment towards Rong Qingqing deepened.
She had finally been looking forward to the Emperor Emeritus's arrival, but before she could do anything, he left in a hurry. She didn't know when she would see him again. It was all Rong Qingqing's fault for being such a troublemaker!
Rong Qingqing seemed oblivious to her hostility, and took her hand, praising, "These hands are so beautiful and so skillful, able to play such beautiful music. I know you're here alone recovering from your injuries, and you must be very bored. You have no one to listen to you play the zither. I happen to have some free time today, so I'll listen to you play a piece."
Upon hearing this, Guo Li felt an urge to smash the zither over her head, but she knew that a small act of impatience could ruin a great plan. She suppressed her anger and smiled shyly, saying, "It is Guo Li's honor to play the zither for Your Majesty."
"You know that's good!" Rong Qingqing suddenly let go of her hand, sat down on the chair next to her, took the teacup that Xingchun brought, gently rubbed the tea leaves in the cup with the lid, then took a small sip. Looking up and seeing that she was still sitting there blankly, she raised an eyebrow and said, "Why aren't you playing yet?"
Guo Li felt a sweet taste in her throat and took a deep breath to suppress the surging anger in her heart.
That vile woman Rong Qingqing, is she treating her like a servant for her amusement?
It's a pity the Emperor Emeritus isn't here right now, otherwise he should really see Rong Qingqing's two-faced nature, and how she can be so kind and gentle.
However, she could only vent her anger in her heart, since the Emperor Emeritus was not here and there was no one to support her.
She placed her fingers on the strings and began to pluck them gently.
Rong Qingqing leaned back in her chair, looking relaxed and at ease.
...
To Guo Li's surprise, this continued for several days in a row.
Whenever Rong Qingqing had free time, she would go to the side room and ask her to play music for her under the pretext of looking after her. Sometimes, she would also invite Feng Xin, and the two of them would chat while listening to her play the zither.
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