Rong Qingqing was unaware that Xie Jingrun had misunderstood her words.
She got off the carriage and had just taken the water pouch from Xiao Tao, preparing to drink some water to moisten her throat, when a nanny came over.
"Miss Rong, the Empress requests your presence."
Rong Qingqing was taken aback.
What does the Empress want with her?
Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Feng Xin, who was listening nearby, looked at the old woman and asked, "Old woman Hong, what does my mother want with Rong Qingqing?"
Granny Hong said with a smile, "Her Majesty heard that Miss Rong just told a wonderful story. She was very curious, so she ordered this old servant to come and invite Miss Rong over so that she could tell her the story as well."
“I can tell it too, I can tell it to Mother,” Fengxin volunteered.
Granny Hong remained expressionless. "Your Highness must be tired from your journey. Her Majesty has instructed you to rest first and then have dinner with her later."
"Alright then." Upon hearing this, Feng Xin reluctantly stopped talking, but she was somewhat worried.
The Empress Dowager has never liked Rong Qingqing, so this sudden summons must be more than just a formality.
"Miss Rong, please." Granny Hong gestured respectfully to Rong Qingqing, but her sharp eyes subtly scrutinized her.
It seems that Rong Qingqing is indeed quite different from before.
The Empress had summoned her before, but back then she was very timid and hesitant, unlike her calm demeanor now.
"Thank you for your trouble, Granny." Rong Qingqing noticed her scrutiny and smiled subtly.
Shangguan Yanran was also worried, but there was nothing she could do. She could only watch as she and Granny Hong walked away.
Seeing Xie Jingrun approaching, she quickly went up to him and told him what had happened.
When Xie Jingrun heard that Rong Qingqing had been summoned away by the Empress, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes, but his face remained calm and his emotions were unreadable. Without saying a word to Shangguan Yanran, he escorted Emperor Zhaojing into the villa.
Seeing this, Shangguan Yanran was somewhat disappointed.
Could it be that she guessed wrong, and Xie Jingrun's feelings for Qingqing were not what she thought?
Feng Xin grabbed Feng Mo's hand, "Brother, Mother has summoned Rong Qingqing."
Upon hearing this, Feng Mo was somewhat surprised, "What does Mother want with her?"
Feng Xin glanced at him. "I don't know either. Why don't you go take a look, brother?"
Feng Mo was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright."
Upon hearing this, both Shangguan Yanran and Feng Xin breathed a sigh of relief.
Regardless of what the Empress intends to do to Qingqing, if the Third Prince goes there, the Empress shouldn't make things too difficult for Qingqing.
The group entered the villa. Just as Feng Mo was about to head towards Situ Jin's courtyard, Xie Jingrun approached and asked, "Where is Your Highness going?"
Feng Mo frowned. "Where I go, I don't need to report to Commander Xie, do I?"
"Of course not, unless Your Highness has done something that has enraged the Emperor." Xie Jingrun curled his lips, his tone indifferent.
A hint of displeasure flashed across Feng Mo's brows. He raised his hand to push the man's shoulder and said in a deep voice, "My affairs are none of your concern. Get out of my way!"
"If I'm not mistaken, Your Highness is going to find the Empress, isn't he?" Xie Jingrun raised the embroidered spring knife in his hand, blocking his movement.
Feng Mo was taken aback.
Xie Jingrun glanced at him and said calmly, "Her Majesty summoned Rong Qingqing, perhaps simply out of curiosity about her story. But if Your Highness goes there rashly now, it will arouse Her Majesty's suspicion and displeasure, making her think that Your Highness harbors some inappropriate feelings for Rong Qingqing. At that point, it won't be as simple as just talking. Of course, if Your Highness wants to kill Rong Qingqing, now is an opportunity. All Your Highness needs to do is pretend to care about Rong Qingqing."
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