"I've made up my mind, let's leave it at that." Hanxiang said in despair, "I can't escape that palace, and he can't take me out of that palace either. Let's both look forward and let him forget the past."
Hanxiang wanted to keep those beautiful memories of the two of them in her heart, instead of them resembling a resentful couple like they are now.
“I can convey what you said to Meng Dan, but looking at Meng Dan’s state today, are you sure he can accept it?” Ziwei pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.
She understood Hanxiang's actions, especially when Mengdan's eyes were bloodshot and he wanted to kill her and Xiaoyanzi.
Rationally, she understood and supported him, but emotionally, Ziwei found it somewhat difficult to accept. Yes, Ziwei felt that Meng Dan's love for Hanxiang was unwavering, and his desire to leave with Hanxiang was perfectly understandable.
Once they entered the palace, they were separated by a palace wall, and from then on, they were from two different worlds. Hanxiang couldn't get out, and Mengdan couldn't get in.
Considering her relationship with Fu Erkang, how tumultuous and tortuous it must have been as well? Now that she has no favor with the Emperor, what ability or qualification does she have to run to the Emperor and ask for a decree to marry him?
Fu Erkang, on the other hand, has been demoted time and time again. His father must be extremely disappointed in him. Even if he were to bring it up now, his father would not agree.
Ziwei overlooked one point: regardless of whether she went to speak up or not, the Emperor would never agree. Although it took Ziwei such a long time to travel from Jinan to Beijing, it was still not past the three-year mourning period for her mother.
The Qing Dynasty placed filial piety first, and the emperor valued it even more. How could he allow his children not to prioritize filial piety?
"But there's nothing we can do about it. We Hui people need the help of the Qing Dynasty. Otherwise, so many of our people will suffer the fate of being torn apart from their families and lives." Hanxiang sighed helplessly. This was the tragedy of being a woman like them.
Although she enjoyed wealth and luxury for a long time, not being able to stay with the one she loved was also a kind of pain. Although she was a princess, she had to choose between her lover and her people. She had no choice but to send her people to the Qing Dynasty as gifts.
Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi remained silent. They were not Hui people and did not know what had happened in the Hui community that required them to send a distress call to the Qing Dynasty.
Little Swallow wanted to say something more, but seeing Hanxiang's pained expression, she swallowed her words.
Silence fell over the carriage again, so quiet that you could hear the wheels turning.
They arrived at the palace gates in no time. Fu Erkang had essentially deserted his post and neglected his duties today. He didn't plan to go to the imperial kitchen anymore; he simply escorted Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei into the palace and then rode back to the Fu family home.
After Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei entered the palace, they changed into their own clothes and then escorted Hanxiang back to Baoyue Tower. They breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that no one had visited Baoyue Tower after they left.
Xiao Yanzi turned her head and met Fang Mama's face outside the door, and was so frightened that she trembled. "Since Ziwei has already sent Hanxiang back, let's go back to Shufangzhai as soon as possible."
At first, Ziwei didn't quite understand; given Xiaoyanzi's personality, she would definitely stay here a little longer. But when she saw Granny Fang outside the door, Ziwei understood.
Having already understood, Ziwei politely and respectfully said to Hanxiang, "Then we won't disturb you any longer, Consort Xiang." She bowed to Hanxiang and then left gracefully.
Xiao Yanzi didn't say anything more to Ziwei on the way, but quickened her pace.
After seeing Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei leave, Hanxiang collapsed onto the cushion, then silently sobbed with tears streaming down her face.
Unexpectedly, what the princess said matched exactly what Meng Dan had said today. What reason did she have to refute the princess now? Meng Dan really cared about her entering the palace. Even if he pretended to be nonchalant now, if they ever had a quarrel in the future, this matter would become the trigger.
Hanxiang dared not gamble on the future, and she couldn't even care less about the present. She had been studying palace rules and etiquette for a while and knew that a Noble Lady was nothing in the Emperor's harem. If a high-ranking concubine wanted to kill her, it would be as easy as killing an ant.
But Hanxiang didn't want to die, or rather, she hadn't figured out how she wanted to live her life from now on. There was just one thing: she would never again have any connection with Mengdan.
Thinking about this, my heart still aches a little. After all, a relationship of over ten years can't just disappear like that. Fortunately, this emperor hasn't treated her too badly. I'll just have to take it one step at a time.
*
Anke and Qing'er returned with a pile of food, and to avoid being seen by the Empress Dowager, they secretly slipped in through a side door.
Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager was waiting for them in the side hall. Upon seeing An Ke and Qing'er, the Empress Dowager put down her teacup and asked in a series of three questions, "Did you have fun today? Why are you so late? What are you carrying?"
An Ke immediately realized what was going on, and walked over casually, saying in a glib tone, "Of course I'm happy. It's not that late, we just had a simple dinner outside. The food in the Imperial Kitchen in the Grandmother's Palace is good, but it always lacks originality."
“There’s everything outside the palace. My granddaughter was dazzled by all the sights and dragged Sister Qing around for a while. All those things are gifts for the palace maids in my palace.” An Ke gently tugged at the Empress Dowager’s sleeve, speaking in a coquettish tone.
"Have you had dinner?" The Empress Dowager was helpless. What could she do now that they had already eaten? Could she expect them to vomit it all up now? She was just a little worried, so she asked again.
"I've used it," Anke replied patiently, her expression incredibly obedient.
This expression only appears when Anke makes a mistake; otherwise, don't expect to see any other expression on her face.
The Empress Dowager's eyes darted around as she looked at the large and small bags they were carrying. "Since these are for the palace maids, Granny Gui, go and call them all over. Tell them that the princess brought them some gifts and that they should come to the side hall to receive their rewards."
Anke's expression cracked for a moment. Seriously? She hadn't even tasted the candied hawthorn yet. And she was just going to give it away like that, all fresh and clean?
Granny Gui, of course, knew the Empress Dowager and the princess well, so she smiled and agreed. She went to the back hall and notified some palace maids, who came over gratefully.
Xingxing was among them, but seeing the pained expression on her princess's face, she knew what was going on.
When Xingxing took the food from the princess, she was careful and took an extra candied hawthorn.
The palace maids rarely had the opportunity to enter and leave the palace for extended periods. Their monthly allowance was fixed, and offending a noble person would result in a deduction from their allowance. Some palace maids couldn't even afford to keep their allowance.
They finally received some rewards, and of course, those who served the princess received a constant stream of rewards. The palace maids, eager to try something new, all thanked the princess.
Afterwards, Anke chatted with the Empress Dowager in the side hall for a while, but he was really not in good spirits. After all, he had been looking at a small picture book last night.
Seeing that Anke yawned twice in a row, the Empress Dowager thought that her granddaughter was tired, and hurriedly instructed Xingxing to help the princess back to rest.
Anke's eyes were a little glazed over. With Xingxing's help, Anke followed Xingxing and walked away.
After Anke and Xingxing left, the old lady's gentle gaze fell only on Qing'er. "Who did Qing'er go out with today?" Of her two most beloved granddaughters, one was already settled, and the other was still single.
Naturally, plans must be made for a new beginning. Of course, if the child has someone he likes, it would be best to directly request an imperial decree for marriage from the emperor. If not, then a suitable candidate must be chosen from among the Eight Banners' descendants.
Qing'er is so gentle and soft-hearted. I wonder if she can handle things in her husband's family. The Empress Dowager thinks she should be carefully vetted for Qing'er.
"Your Majesty, Qing'er went out today with An'an, Ertai, and General Ji." Qing'er didn't intend to hide anything from the Empress Dowager and told her the truth.
"Oh? General Ji?" The old lady was getting on in years and couldn't recall who this General Ji was. "Could it be that young man surnamed Ji from the victory celebration banquet the other day?"
The Empress Dowager's prediction was just that—it was unexpected that she had such keen insight!
“That’s right, the Empress Dowager is him.” Qing’er blinked and nodded.
"Oh? What does Qing'er think of this General Ji?" The Empress Dowager felt she had some understanding, but still wanted to ask Qing'er for her opinion.
But the Empress Dowager was still thinking that she should send someone to investigate thoroughly, to find out everything about Ji Chu's character and family background. If he failed in any one of these areas, then he was not worthy of Qing'er.
Qing'er didn't know why the Empress Dowager would ask her about her impression of Ji Chu. Recalling the events of the day, she realized that General Ji wasn't exactly reckless, since it was she who insisted on climbing the tree.
You could say he's steady, but he doesn't seem to be. Qing'er didn't know how to describe this general, so she could only say objectively, "Qing'er thinks General Ji is an upright, humble, and good person."
Qing'er: Hmm, this description is correct, isn't it?
The Empress Dowager watched as Qing'er described General Ji fairly and justly, but she didn't know what Qing'er's attitude towards him was.
She could only pry open the question by asking, "Qing'er, is there anyone you like? You're of age now, and I need to find you a suitable one. If you have someone you like, just tell me, and I'll ask the Emperor for a marriage decree on your behalf. If not, then I'll have to find someone for you." The Empress Dowager said with great concern.
If we were to say who the Empress Dowager cherished in her heart, it would undoubtedly be Anke and Qing'er. Now, Anke's marriage is settled, leaving only Qing'er.
Besides, Qing'er's parents are no longer alive, and Qing'er was raised by the Empress Dowager. How could she bear to see her all alone and helpless?
"Your Majesty, are you in such a hurry to marry Qing'er off? Qing'er only wants to stay by Your Majesty's side for the rest of her life." Qing'er held the Empress Dowager's hand, her eyes filled with tears.
As far back as she could remember, she had always been by the Empress Dowager's side. Although she wasn't her biological granddaughter, the Empress Dowager had always treated her with the same affection. How could she bear to leave the Empress Dowager? Besides, after what happened with Fu Erkang, Qing'er now felt somewhat averse to men.
After all, Fu Erkang used to be a handsome young man, talented, knowledgeable, cultured, and a man of his word. But after learning that the rumors about them looking at the stars and the moon came from the Fu family, Qing'er felt that she had been blinded by a hawk and had fallen for such a rotten person.
Although Qing'er felt that not all men in the world were like Fu Erkang, she was unwilling to accept someone so quickly again.
"What are you saying?" The Empress Dowager's tone was slightly indignant. "Good Qing'er, listen to me. While I'm still here, I'll find you a good family. Otherwise, I'm afraid that after I'm gone, you'll be all alone and helpless in this world." The Empress Dowager stroked Qing'er's hair tenderly.
Aside from the Empress Dowager, who cares about Qing'er's marriage? After the Empress Dowager passes away, who knows who else in the harem will care?
"Your Majesty," Qing'er called out emotionally, "You will surely live to be a thousand years old, please don't say such unlucky things." Qing'er could no longer hold back, and large tears fell down her cheeks.
Afterwards, the Empress Dowager and Qing'er talked for a while, and finally, it ended with Qing'er's agreement.
*
Huibinlou
Liu Qing and Liu Hong were still greeting the guests when they turned around and saw Xiao Jian carrying Meng Dan back.
With so many people around, Liu Hong didn't say much. She simply pulled Liu Qing aside and whispered a few words to him.
Liu Qing nodded, then looked around to make sure there was nothing else he could help with, before turning and heading upstairs to the guest rooms.
"What's wrong with Meng Dan?" Liu Qing knocked on the slightly ajar door, leaned against it, and asked with feigned curiosity.
If it were Liu Hong, she wouldn't hesitate to give them a good scolding first. After all, they were staying in her own guest room without paying, and now they've come back in front of all the other guests.
Liu Hong was almost unable to contain her temper. If it weren't for the presence of guests, she would have asked the question outright.
"It's nothing, I was just too happy and fainted from excitement." Xiao Jian tossed Meng Dan onto the bed without caring whether he was comfortable or not. He had already done more than enough by bringing him back.
Looking at Meng Dan sprawled on the bed, and hearing Liu Qing's questioning voice at the door, Xiao Jian's face flashed with impatience. If it weren't for his grand revenge plan, why would he be involved with these people?
Xiao Jian: Be patient, I must be patient!
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