Song He'er was slightly taken aback, then replied calmly, "I wonder what business you have with me, young lady?"
"Oh, is that so? When I came, the Queen instructed me to make a set of knee pads for the young prince and asked me to bring them with me. But I'm clumsy and forgot about it. If you have time, why don't you come with me? You can take the things and come back to serve the young prince directly, so I won't have to make a second trip."
The reason was quite reasonable. If she didn't go, it would mean she was unwilling to serve the young prince. If she did go, she might be taken to the queen for a lecture.
No matter which option she chooses, she's at a disadvantage...
As she pondered and couldn't answer, the person behind her suddenly spoke up, "I'll go get it from the Empress Dowager myself. It just so happens that I haven't paid my respects to her for several days, so let's go together today."
Hearing Jiang Huaifu say this, the maid didn't want to offend him, so she could only nod in agreement.
Jiang Huaifu didn't eat a single thing. He stood up and was about to walk outside. Before leaving the door, he pretended to turn around and tell Song He'er, "You come with me. I think the Empress Dowager wants to see you. Let's get everything settled today so that we won't have any trouble in the future."
These words were clearly meant for the maid, so that she could go back and tell her not to have any wicked thoughts and come to her palace to cause trouble.
The maid listened to what was said, but she dared not refute it.
He could only keep his head down and respond indifferently.
Song He'er followed them for a long time before finally arriving at the Laiyin Palace where the Queen resided.
Today she has changed into Western Region attire. With her fair skin and beautiful appearance, if she stood on the grassland, she would probably have an air of elegance comparable to that of a princess.
Jiang Huaifu entered the sleeping quarters, and Song He'er stood guard in the corridor. However, through the thin window paper, one could see an extremely dignified woman sitting on a jeweled chair in the main hall. She was wearing a bright red long dress, and her jet-black hair was adorned with a faintly glowing crown.
If she wasn't mistaken, this person should be the Empress Dowager that Jiang Huaifu mentioned, right?
Inside the main hall, Jiang Huaifu respectfully bowed to Queen Chen.
Queen Shen, who hadn't seen her son in a long time, was naturally delighted to see him come to pay his respects, and instantly forgot all her previous worries.
"Get up quickly and come to see your mother."
"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your kindness. You sent me food early this morning. I heard from your maid that you made me a pair of knee pads. I was overjoyed and came here in person to collect them."
Queen Shen was overjoyed to see her son so obedient. After all, the two had been lukewarm towards each other for the past few years, rarely exchanging words. This display of maternal love and filial piety was truly a rare sight.
"Autumn is almost here, and your health has never been good. Your mother is worried about you. Although your father sent people to build four or five fireplaces in your palace, you still need to be careful when you sit by the window to read!"
"Your subject has kept in mind Your Majesty's teachings, so I brought my maidservant with me to express my gratitude in person."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Huaifu called Song He'er in.
"Go and put away these knee pads. They are a gift from my mother. You must keep them safe for me!"
Song He'er lowered her head slightly, her well-proportioned figure paired with a light pink dress, which could not hide her pretty appearance. Her fair hands gently took the knee pads and waited gracefully behind Jiang Huaifu.
"Yes, I understand."
Empress Shen turned her gaze to Song He'er. After a long while, she smiled gently and asked, "This girl is beautiful and refined. No wonder she comes from the Central Plains. She is different from the girls of our Western Regions."
Song He'er knew there was something hidden in her words, but in order not to fall into the trap, she could only pretend to be respectful and innocent.
"Your Majesty flatters me. I am but a plain and unattractive woman. How can I compare to the girls of Xizhou?"
"Alright, you don't need to be so modest. If you didn't have some skills, how could my son have kept you by his side?"
Song He'er was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond to the Queen's words.
"Mother, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave now."
"etc……"
Jiang Huaifu stopped in his tracks and respectfully asked, "Is there anything else, Mother?"
“Afu, I have something I want to talk to you about. It’s been a long time since my daughter and I have had a private conversation.”
Jiang Huaifu smiled, a very calm smile, "Didn't Mother already say what she wanted to say just now?"
Upon hearing this, Queen Shen's face turned ashen. She had never imagined that her son would embarrass her like this, especially in front of everyone.
Ah Miao stepped forward, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.
"Your Highness, the Queen misses you. If you are worried about He'er's safety, then you are overthinking it. I will take good care of her in your place."
Song He'er couldn't keep up the act any longer. She wished she could pull out a forty-meter-long cleaver from her spatial storage, take down all of these people, and then swagger out!
But that's impossible in reality. There are tens of thousands of soldiers in this palace hall. Even if I had a machine gun, I couldn't wipe them all out in one go!
Sigh... Come to think of it, she felt her identity was rather strange. First, she was hated by that little princess, and then she had to listen to the Queen's sarcastic remarks...
No, he needs to find someone to ask him and get to the bottom of this!
Jiang Huaifu followed the Empress to the inner palace. A number of younger maids stood in the long corridor outside the main hall. When Song He'er saw that A Miao had gone to prepare tea, she secretly slipped over to the side of the maids.
"Excuse me……"
"Girl, you'd better not talk to them. They grew up in Xizhou and can't understand the Central Plains dialect at all."
Ah Miao's voice came from behind, startling Song He'er. How could this woman walk so silently! Like a ghost!
"Aunt Miao, Little Princess said I look a bit like someone! Who is that person?"
Ah Miao gave a cold laugh, seemingly with a hint of mockery.
"Does the young lady really want to know?"
"Of course, but please don't misunderstand. I have no intention of coveting your royal family's wealth. I have long wanted to leave this place, so please don't worry, Your Majesty. As long as I have the opportunity to leave this palace one day, I will definitely leave without looking back!"
Amiao looked at her with a skeptical expression, "Really? You don't like our little prince?"
Like it? Song He'er almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
However, she admitted that the man was indeed good-looking, but he wasn't her type.
Besides, she's currently on her way to exile; she doesn't have time to think about romantic love!
"Aunt, please don't joke with me. I've only met His Highness a few times. Besides, this is not my home. I'm willing to stay with my parents. Even if I have to wander and have no place to live in the future, I will not abandon everything to enjoy myself here just for temporary wealth."
"But speaking of which, where exactly are you all headed?"
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