Chapter 13: Heaven's Proud Daughter
Hearing people evaluate her like this, Concubine Song's eyes lit up with joy.
Finally, I couldn't help but chuckle.
She was born heroic, but when she smiled, the coldness between her brows disappeared, as if frost and snow had melted, and she looked even more gorgeous and softer than spring flowers.
She seemed to sigh with emotion: "I didn't expect that you are the only one in this palace who understands me."
Pei Tingyue did not forget her purpose and said tentatively, "Just because I understand the Imperial Concubine, it doesn't mean I understand others.
After organizing her words, Pei Tingyue recounted the Queen's various kindnesses to her. Finally, she said, "The Queen is so kind, I am truly overwhelmed."
Concubine Song said bluntly: "You are not afraid, but you are afraid of the Queen's purpose, right?"
Being exposed, Pei Tingyue touched the tip of his nose awkwardly and admitted directly: "Yes."
Concubine Song laughed, "It seems that you are not completely brainless."
That’s good, it allows us to go further.
Pei Tingyue: “…”
Seeing the rather relieved look on the imperial concubine's face, she took a deep breath.
After calming down, Pei Tingyue asked, "What does the Imperial Concubine think about this?"
When asked this question, Concubine Song's smile disappeared, and her eyes were covered with a layer of black, making it difficult to see clearly.
She sighed and said, "The Queen has no bad intentions towards you. This can be considered as compensation."
Pei Tingyue frowned: "Compensation?"
Why would the queen compensate her for no reason?
What Concubine Song said did not sound like groundless talk, but was actually true.
After going over everything in his mind, countless thoughts flooded through his brain, leaving only one shocking conclusion.
Pei Tingyue closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she was clearer than ever before, "Your Highness, could you tell me about the Empress?
Concubine Song glanced at her and asked, "Do you know the phrase 'heaven's proud daughter'?"
Pei Tingyue nodded.
Before she could speak, Concubine Song continued, "This word was born to describe Cui Wan."
Her eyes were full of admiration: "Cui Wan comes from the Cui family, the most prominent family. She is the eldest daughter of the Cui family. She has been taught by Old Master Cui, the imperial tutor of three dynasties, since she was young.
After she reached the age of 15, the late emperor's original wife, the empress, personally designated her as the Crown Princess. Later, when the empress passed away, the status of our emperor, then the Crown Prince, plummeted. The Cui family wanted to ask the late emperor to cancel the engagement, but Cui Wan insisted on marrying. After three days of arguing and lobbying with the elders in the clan hall, she successfully persuaded them to compromise.
She brought with her the heaviest dowry of this dynasty—the loyalty of all the noble families—and married into the Eastern Palace to become the Crown Princess. After the wedding, she vigorously assisted the current emperor in ascending the throne, and thus she became the Empress, the mother of the country.
Concubine Song's eyes were filled with admiration: "A woman like Cui Wan, when she was a girl in the boudoir, was the head of the noble ladies of the aristocratic family. After she got married and became a woman, she became a role model for women all over the world.
She has everything that every woman in the world envies; it is most appropriate to describe her as a "god's daughter."
Hearing this, Pei Tingyue lowered his eyelashes and suppressed his slightly rapid breathing.
She already understood it in her heart.
Such a proud girl would never bother to use despicable means to win over or plot against low-ranking concubines.
He even disdains to take part in any palace fights.
Because as long as she is in power, she is the queen and no one can shake her position.
It’s actually true.
That astonishing conclusion is true!
Everything the Queen has done in recent days is really compensating her.
Because the emperor used her, he was compensating her!
The moment he understood, Pei Tingyue felt extremely complicated, with all kinds of emotions intertwined, and finally could only turn into a sigh.
It was not until he walked out of the front hall and felt the cold wind blowing in his face that Pei Tingyue came back to his senses.
"Cairen, what's wrong with you?" Seeing her stern expression, Yun Shu asked worriedly.
"I'm just a little surprised." Pei Tingyue replied in a low voice. After a pause, she added, "We must be more respectful to the Queen from now on."
The fact that the emperor used her was a matter of the emperor's doing, and had nothing to do with Empress Cui. However, she was willing to get involved in this mess and helped her several times.
She is a person who has a clear distinction between love and hate.
Pei Tingyue acknowledges this love.
*
After everyone left, Concubine Song pointed to the chair opposite and said, "Sit down and let's continue eating."
Bai Shuang, who was standing beside her, had lost her previous respect and reserved attitude and became more relaxed. She used a dagger to cut a piece of fresh venison and placed it on a copper plate.
"Didn't Your Majesty say before that no matter how much trouble the harem caused, you would ignore it? Why are you willing to interfere in Pei Cairen's affairs now?"
Concubine Song stood up, opened the door of the gilded cabinet on the couch, took out a jar of wine and shook it.
"Would you like to drink?"
Bai Shuang nodded, "Let's drink today!"
Concubine Song chuckled, brought over the wine cup, and poured two full cups. She pushed one cup over and then replied leisurely, "I'm protecting my shortcomings, don't you know?"
Putting aside her status, given her friendship with the Queen, and knowing that she prefers quietness, it would be easy not to arrange for her to be a concubine in Changle Palace.
Now the Queen has forced her into Changle Palace, isn't it just to let her protect and guide Pei Cairen?
The Queen had done her such a big favor, it was impossible for her to remain indifferent.
What's more, the more she met him twice, the more she liked Pei Cairen.
It’s okay to say a few words.
Bai Shuang took the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. The spicy taste instantly spread across her tongue. "Then, what are your plans from now on?"
Concubine Song took a sip from her wine cup and said with a smile, "What can I do? I can't do anything. I'm a useless person. I can only give her some advice when she encounters difficulties."
Bai Shuang was extremely sad, as if her internal organs were being crushed alive, and a huge pain spread from her heart. She whispered back, "No, you are... you are the best in the world..."
"Alright, why bother talking about the past?" Concubine Song interrupted her and drank several glasses of wine. "Drink! Let's drink today. That's what you said!"
Bai Shuang looked at the jar of wine that had already been poured and sighed, "If I want to get drunk, this jar of wine doesn't seem to be enough."
Concubine Song's face was drunken, and she laughed heartily: "Don't worry, there's still some! Tomorrow, I'll talk to the prince... and the emperor, and ask him to get some for us!"
*
Pei Tingyue spent the next few days extremely relaxed.
She didn't have to deal with the emperor, and the empress exempted her from paying respects to the emperor for half a month, and did not allow anyone to disturb her in Changle Palace, allowing her to rest well.
Pei Tingyue was happy and comfortable in her own palace.
She drank nourishing tonic on time, walked around the courtyard from time to time, ate well and slept well, and after a few days, her complexion became rosy.
After the snow melted, Tuan Tuan would sneak into the back hall every day. Now that it was familiar with Pei Tingyue, it would turn over its belly and ask for a pat every time it came.
It's really hard to refuse a big furry ball lying on the ground and meowing at people.
Pei Tingyue was reserved at first, only reaching out to touch it. Later, she simply held it in her arms, stroked it, and kissed it twice when no one was watching.
At first, the palace maids and eunuchs in the front hall were trembling with fear and searching all over the palace for it. Later, when they knew it was there, they waited outside the hall and would take it back when it had had enough fun.
Concubine Song came in person twice to pick up Tuantuan.
When she saw Tuantuan snoring next to Pei Tingyue, she was puzzled: "Why does my cat come to you every day? And only lets you touch it?"
Pei Tingyue looked down at the white fur.
She could probably guess why.
Tuan Tuan is actually a very clingy and docile kitten. When he sees people, he shows his belly to express his friendliness.
But the palace servants who served her did not dare to hold it or touch it unless necessary, after all, it was the imperial concubine's cat.
To these people, Tuantuan's behavior is like winking at a blind man.
After a long time, it didn't get a response and stopped paying attention to them.
Concubine Song did dare to touch the cat, but she started by touching its belly, which was very presumptuous for a cat.
Showing your belly is a friendly greeting, not an invitation to touch!
The beating of Concubine Song by Tuantuan was simply a result of accumulated pain over time, and he became impatient after being touched.
And she would not ignore it or act presumptuously.
She always gently scratches the kitten's chin and touches its head, and its needs are fully met, so Tuan Tuan comes to her every day.
However, Pei Tingyue did not tell the reason.
If everyone knew, what would happen if Tuantuan didn't want to look for her anymore?
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