Chapter 382: Silencing
Queen Lu showed a smug look on her face. She was glad that she had told Xiao Yan the truth early on and even found out his identity as a member of the He family. Otherwise, she didn't know what would happen to her now.
She was not afraid that Xiao Yan was afraid, but she was afraid that he was not afraid. If it was not absolutely necessary, she did not want to fight to the death.
Jin Zhi hesitated after hearing this: "But as for the Fourth Prince, Governor Xiao didn't help him..."
"He didn't help, but he didn't kick him when he was down either. Otherwise, do you think Zheng'er could still stay in jail safely?"
Queen Lu's brows relaxed. She had been worried all this time, and only at this moment did she truly relax. When her tense nerves relaxed, she couldn't help feeling exhausted.
Seeing Jinzhi's confusion, she sighed softly, "I was the one who made a mistake. He was angry that I was plotting against Song Tangning, but he was also worried that I knew his identity. I'm afraid he wanted to teach me and my son a lesson for what happened before."
"I'm wondering why the court and the capital have become so chaotic recently. What was once a simple matter has become increasingly complicated, and the Lingyun Temple incident has drawn in more and more people. It turns out he's the one stirring things up."
Jinzhi: "Then what about the Fourth Prince..."
Empress Lu: "Xiao Yan won't let anything happen to Zheng'er, but a lesson is inevitable. Since he sent someone to deliver the letter, it means that the matter is over."
Xiao Yan was comforting her.
Also warning her.
Jinzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing what Queen Lu said. Fengxi Palace had been in turmoil recently, and the Queen had a hard time. Those people in the palace were flattering the powerful and bullying the weak. They, the master and servant, had never experienced such a difficult situation. She thought she was probably dead this time, but she didn't expect that there would be a turn of events.
Jin Zhi was thankful: "Your Majesty is wise. She won over Governor Xiao early on. I just hope that Governor Xiao can calm down quickly and release the Fourth Prince. Then Your Majesty can leave Fengxi Palace."
The happy expression on Queen Lu's face froze. She had won over Xiao Yan, but she had indeed offended him because of Song Tangning's incident.
Xiao Yan is a particularly vengeful guy. He let them go because she knew his identity, but there will still be a knot in his heart. Song Tangning will probably hate them too. Now the Fourth Prince's wife's family has turned against them, and the Fourth Prince has very few supporters left in the court. Xiao Yan must not make any more mistakes.
She had to find a way to make Xiao Yan and Song Tangning calm down.
Empress Lu's gaze fell on Jinzhi: "Jinzhi, you are thirty-six this year, right?"
Jinzhi was puzzled: "Why did the Queen think of this?"
Empress Lu smiled gently, "I just realized after this that, over the years, people around me have come and gone, but you are the only one who has always stayed by my side and never left me."
"His Majesty is furious this time, and everyone in Fengxi Palace is in a state of panic. They all hope that I will never recover from this. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to get through this. I'm thinking that after this matter is safely resolved, I will grant you and your cousin a marriage."
Jinzhi's eyes suddenly widened: "My Lady..."
Empress Lu said softly, "I am sorry for you."
"Back then, you and your cousin were engaged, but because I missed the chance to leave the palace and marry, your cousin was forced by his family to marry someone else. I was angry about his infidelity, but later I realized that he had always had you in his heart."
"I heard that his first wife passed away and he never remarried. Are you still interested in him?"
Jinzhi's face turned red with shame.
She and her cousin were childhood sweethearts and had been engaged to each other early on, but when she was old enough to leave the palace, an accident happened. In addition, something happened to the empress, so she had to stay in the palace.
Although my cousin was forced by his mother to marry, he never forgot her. Over the years, Jinzhi occasionally helped my cousin in the name of Fengxi Palace. Now his family is rich, and the old lady in the mansion has passed away, so no one forces him anymore. My cousin has been sending her letters from time to time and has never stopped communicating. He also said that he will always wait for her.
Now when the Queen mentioned it, Jinzhi felt both happy and shy.
"My Lady, this servant..."
She stammered, her face flushed.
"It seems you have intentions as well." Seeing her shyness, Empress Lu couldn't help but laugh out loud, and her expression softened. "It's me who has delayed you two lovers. When the confinement is lifted this time, I will grant you marriage and make your relationship a reality."
Jinzhi hesitated after hearing this: "But if this servant leaves, what will happen to the Majesty? This servant still has to serve the Majesty."
"Silly girl, although I am reluctant to part with you, I have already wasted so many years of your life. I just hope that the rest of your life will be smooth and happy."
"But this servant can't bear to leave the Majesty..."
Empress Lu stroked her hair, just like when she brought her by her side in the past. "What's there to be reluctant about? I'm here. After you get married and have children, if you miss me, just come to the palace to see me."
Seeing Jinzhi's eyes flushed with emotion, her voice became softer.
"Okay, get up now. If people see the head aunt of Fengxi Palace crying like this, she'll probably laugh at you."
"During this period of confinement, you should teach Heyue and the others a lesson and have them take over the duties of Fengxi Palace as soon as possible. I will also use this time to prepare some dowry for you so that you can marry off in style. This will also be the fulfillment of our master-servant relationship that has lasted for so many years."
"Your Majesty... Thank you so much..."
Jinzhi's eyes were red, and she was so grateful that she wished she could repay him with her life.
Empress Lu smiled and said, "Go wash your face quickly, and go to the storehouse to sort things out for me so I can pick out your dowry."
Jinzhi's face flushed instantly, but she was also happy that the empress valued her. She kowtowed and then wiped her tears and left.
When Queen Lu saw the man leave, her expression turned cold.
Now that there was no one available, she had wanted to keep Jinzhi for a few more days, but unfortunately...
"Deshun."
Someone came in immediately from outside.
Deshun asked respectfully, "What are your wishes, Madam?"
Queen Lu waved at him, and Deshun hurried over.
Empress Lu whispered a few words to him. Deshun's face gradually turned shocked. When Empress Lu finished speaking, he suddenly looked up and said, "Your Majesty, you..."
Empress Lu looked at him and said, "I don't want to do that either, but I absolutely cannot lose Xiao Yan, and neither can the Fourth Prince."
"Deshun, you have been in Fengxi Palace for many years. You should know that the palace is dangerous. Your life and death, honor and disgrace all depend on me. I have taken care of your brother for many years, allowing him to marry, have children, and live a prosperous life."
"Only if I and the Fourth Prince have a future together can you all live well. But if I... I'm afraid your brother's family won't be able to protect him."
Deshun's face turned pale, and he sank to his knees. "I dare not betray my master. I am willing to go through fire and water for you, my lady."
Empress Lu smiled upon hearing this and said, "Of course I believe in your loyalty. As long as you do your job well for me, I and the Fourth Prince will never forget your contribution."
Deshun lowered his head even lower: "I understand."
"Go ahead, and do something more appropriate over there, so as not to arouse suspicion."
"Yes, my lady."
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