Those who are favored in this palace are never simple. Putting aside how glorious their family background is, their acting skills and crying scenes can come on cue.
"Ziwei, it's not that I don't want to help you, but this is something I can't decide." Consort Ling secretly wiped away her tears with a handkerchief while secretly observing Ziwei's expression.
Ziwei's expression froze. She had forgotten that the current Consort Ling was no longer the same as the former Imperial Concubine Ling. Now, even if she wanted Xiaoyanzi to leave the palace with her, it would probably only be possible if the Emperor himself issued an edict.
Ziwei was dejected; it seemed she couldn't keep her promise to Xiaoyanzi. Looking at the paper-cut window decorations she and Xiaoyanzi had made, Ziwei was lost in thought.
Consort Ling gave Ziwei a deep look, then waved her hand, signaling the people around her to quickly apply her makeup.
Ziwei had no choice but to sit upright and let the palace maids who were putting on makeup do as they pleased.
Consort Ling looked left and right and realized that Xiao Yanzi was missing. Just as she was thinking this, Xiao Yanzi came in carrying a tray of apples.
"We were just talking about it, wondering why the apples hadn't arrived yet. I didn't expect you two to be so in sync." Consort Ling's eyes rolled around before she added teasingly.
Unexpectedly, the two people who were being teased smiled at each other. Dingpin then followed the procedure, picked up the apple on the tray, and placed it directly into Ziwei's hand, instructing her, "Ziwei, this apple represents peace and good fortune. You must hold it carefully and never drop it, and you must not eat it."
Ziwei nodded solemnly, and Xiaoyanzi's eyes welled up with tears; she was also happy for her sister.
Ziwei has finally reaped the rewards of her hard work. She has a father, a loving family, and can spend her life with the one she loves. Xiaoyanzi watched Ziwei get into the bridal sedan chair, then suddenly closed her eyes. She finally had no regrets.
Consort Ling was also watching Xiao Yanzi from one end, momentarily lost in thought. She hadn't expected the two of them to be so of one mind and purpose. It was truly a rare sight.
Unlike Consort Zhao and Consort Yun, who entered the palace together, the two were very close friends in their youth, but after entering the palace, they eventually broke off their relationship. It was only because Consort Yun had served the emperor a few more times that Consort Zhao became somewhat annoyed.
Consort Ling had done all she needed to do and was thinking she could leave. Just then, Xiao Yanzi called out to Consort Ling, who was about to leave. Consort Ling was a little puzzled, but she still paused for a moment. Looking at this person who had once thought she could turn her life around, Consort Ling felt a strange and indescribable feeling.
But she still maintained her good-natured image, asking gently, "What urgent matter do you have that you called me to?"
Xiao Yanzi paused for a moment, then took a deep breath before speaking, "Your Majesty, you don't need to listen to what Ziwei said. For my sake, when you go there to plead with Father Emperor, please tell Ziwei that protecting herself is the best thing to do."
Consort Ling stared wide-eyed in disbelief. When did Little Swallow become so considerate of others and less flamboyant in her actions?
Xiao Yanzi perhaps sensed the doubt in Consort Ling's heart, and smiled slightly to answer her question, "I have already seen everything during my time in the Cold Palace. Now, the only one I can't let go of is Ziwei."
"And what about you? Don't you want to leave the palace?" Consort Ling finally couldn't help but ask. Back when she was a princess in the palace, she desperately wanted to escape. Now that she was a palace maid, she had her former best friend leading the way for her. Such a free and unrestrained life seemed so easily within her grasp. Could she really just say she didn't want it?
Consort Ling was still puzzled, but Xiao Yanzi simply shook her head. "I've already been demoted to a palace maid, so naturally I'll be assigned to another palace after Ziwei gets married. What other requirements could I possibly have? Anyway, I can leave the palace once I turn 25." After saying this, Xiao Yanzi knelt on the ground and bowed gracefully to Consort Ling, thanking her for her care over the years and also expressing her apologies to Consort Ling regarding her and Ziwei.
Consort Ling remained in a daze for a long time. It was only after her head maid shook her that she came to her senses, waved her hand, and let Xiao Yanzi leave on her own. Then, Consort Ling swayed as she boarded the sedan chair and slowly headed towards Yanxi Palace.
Consort Ling looked at the red brick and green tile palace walls, at the little birds that had landed on the top of the palace walls, and then turned to look at the sun hanging in the sky, enjoying the warmth that felt like a spring breeze.
Today, the sisterhood between Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi deeply touched Consort Ling, but that was all. Consort Ling was not foolish enough to form an alliance with others and put forward any sisterhood in the palace.
The sedan chair carrying Ziwei swayed and bumped its way to Cining Palace.
The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Empress, and all the concubines were already seated in the Cining Palace. Princess Yong'an and Princess Qing stood beside the Empress Dowager.
Looking at Ziwei in her red wedding dress, Anke could only lament that Fu Erkang had chosen a path of no return; otherwise, today would truly be their day.
Immediately following was the scene of Ziwei kneeling and kowtowing three times and nine times to her father and the Empress Dowager. As for what Ziwei was thinking at that moment, no one else could know.
The Empress Dowager then delivered a long string of blessings, the Emperor added his own words, and the Empress offered some instructions. Following this, the same nanny helped Ziwei into the bridal sedan chair.
Qing'er subtly moved closer to An Ke, "An'an, is what you said last night true?" Qing'er still felt a little scared when she thought about it.
After all, no one could have imagined that the once honest and ambitious Fu Erkang would one day join forces with the White Lotus Sect to assassinate the Emperor. It was simply unbelievable.
Besides, he's destined to be the Emperor's son-in-law. Would he really be foolish enough to give up this readily available position? Would he really be willing to do something that could cost him his head? Doesn't he care about Ziwei at all? On one side is her beloved, and on the other is her Emperor father. It's truly a difficult choice.
An Ke thought it was normal. After all, people's hearts are unpredictable. Fu Erkang was so jealous of Fu Ertai that his eyes were almost red. Anyone with eyes could see that he was unwilling to accept it.
An Ke leaned slightly towards Qing'er and whispered in her ear, "Alright, just remember what I told you last night: you must protect yourself and hide when you need to."
Qing'er nodded solemnly. An Ke wasn't worried about Xin Rong at all, since Yong Qi looked at Xin Rong like she was his own eyes and couldn't take his eyes off her for a moment.
Xinrong should be at Yonghe Palace now, I believe Fifth Brother will arrange everything.
Fujia
Although Fu Lun was not satisfied with Er Kang's decision to marry the princess in such a grand manner before establishing any business, since the emperor had already given the order, if the Fu family did not take any action, they would be regarded as deceiving the emperor.
With such a huge accusation leveled against them, the Fu family will be in deep trouble.
The Fujin (principal wife) disliked Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi even more. Previously, it was because Ziwei did not have the status of a princess, and she felt that she was not good enough for her son, who was a royal bodyguard.
However, when Ziwei regained her status as a princess, it implicated Erkang, who was demoted again and again. Furthermore, because they offended Princess Yong'an, Ertai also made a fuss about separating from the family.
They haven't even entered the gates yet, and so much trouble has already arisen; one can only imagine how terrible that must be. If they were to actually enter, what would become of them? But the Emperor has made a solemn promise, and the Fu family has no choice but to abide by it.
Even the decorations in the mansion didn't seem to be done with much care; they simply decorated some red "double happiness" characters and hung some red silk ribbons, and that was considered it done.
These past few days, Fu Erkang has been busy discussing countermeasures with Xiao Jian and hasn't paid much attention to the arrangements in the mansion. He only glanced at it briefly and felt the hard work and worry his mother had put in for him. He was even moved by her efforts.
In the morning, Fu Erkang got up very early, washed and dressed himself, and changed into the groom's clothes.
As soon as he was congratulated by the servants and mounted his tall horse, he noticed the unfamiliar faces in the wedding procession. This immediately brought him to his senses.
Yes, besides his happy occasion, there's another big event today. A dark glint flashed in Fu Erkang's eyes. He knew Xiao Jian was using him, and he knew what was behind it all. He wasn't stupid; he'd been to that courtyard a few times.
But so what? As long as Xiao Jian and his team begin their plan, he will rush to the Emperor's side to save him as quickly as possible.
Back then, Fu Ertai got an official position because he saved the emperor. Now that he has saved the emperor, shouldn't he be given an official position too?
Fu Erkang glanced at Xiao Jian behind him and thought to himself, "Brother, I'm sorry. Everyone looks out for themselves. You used me, and I'll use you. We're even."
Then, Fu Erkang happily mounted his tall horse and rode around the long street. The wedding procession following behind scattered candies and peanuts around the area.
The people watching the wedding procession along the street were all complaining, saying that instead of throwing silver coins, they were just a few children following behind, picking up candies and peanuts.
Fu Erkang, walking at the front, naturally neither heard nor saw the scene. Those behind, however, suffered greatly; they not only heard but also saw it all. They felt incredibly embarrassed and wished they could just step into the palace.
After walking around the long street for a while, it was almost time before Fu Erkang led the wedding procession into the palace. He was still riding his tall horse, smugly imagining himself being granted an official position after saving the emperor, and then thoroughly humiliating Fu Ertai.
He would still be his father and mother's pride, and the glory of their entire Fu family. With an official position and the woman he loved, Fu Erkang was getting happier and happier as he thought about it.
Looking at Fu Erkang, who was riding his horse and swaying back and forth, Xiao Jian thought to himself, "Is this guy about to have a relapse?"
As soon as Xiao Jian entered the palace, he began looking around to see if it was exactly the same as the palace layout map that Fu Erkang had sent.
Upon closer inspection, it was indeed correct, and even the guards standing at the palace gate and those patrolling back and forth matched. Xiao Jian breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed this simpleton was actually somewhat useful.
Then Xiao Jian gave a wink to the people in the wedding procession. None of them were holding signs; they were just there to make up the numbers. They quickly left the procession.
Their little actions naturally did not escape An Ke's keen eyes. An Ke was standing on the artificial hill in the Imperial Garden, looking around with binoculars. It must be said that having binoculars was really convenient; at least they didn't have to run so far.
With a wave of her hand, An Ke's fully equipped guards sprang into action. However, An Ke had given orders that the guards could only observe from the sidelines and were not allowed to strike first before the guards made their move.
The goal is to catch them all in one fell swoop, leaving no one behind, lest they take the opportunity to escape.
Anke was still calmly holding her binoculars on the artificial hill, with Fu Ertai pouring her flower tea for her at the stone table behind her.
Fu Ertai remained silent, simply waiting for the princess, knowing that tea would be served whenever she was thirsty.
Ji Chu whispered to Qing'er from behind, "Qing'er, don't you think Ertai looks like the kind of big dog waiting for a princess? Look at his pleading, worthless look." Ji Chu said disdainfully.
Qing'er then nudged Ji Chu hard with her elbow and glared at him fiercely. Only then did Ji Chu quiet down. Qing'er followed behind An Ke, feeling completely safe.
Her eyes held both admiration and deep concern for An Ke. An Ke always had to worry about everything for them, but that wave she just made was truly cool and stylish.
Qing'er is practically turning into a huge fan of Anke.
An Ke stood there for a long time. As the saying goes, the higher you stand, the farther you can see. She clearly saw that the guards had followed the remnants of the White Lotus Sect to the location. Then they stood there looking around and waiting for orders.
An Ke was quite satisfied and nodded to herself. Only then did she feel her legs getting tired. An Ke slowly walked to the stone table, picked up the teacup on the stone table, and drank the flower tea in the cup in one gulp. Then she sat down on the stone bench and massaged her legs.
When Fu Ertai saw this, he immediately knelt down on one knee and began massaging An Ke's legs.
Looking at the considerate Fu Ertai, An Ke felt a sense of relief that she had come here, where she had the care of family and a thoughtful boyfriend.
I comfortably closed my eyes and enjoyed the massage from Fu Ertai, but even with my eyes closed, my brain was still working at a rapid pace.
Ji Chu was stunned by what he saw. He gritted his teeth and thought to himself that he hadn't expected the kid to have this trick up his sleeve.
Ji Chu approached Qing'er with a fawning smile, and then, without permission, imitated Ertai and began massaging Qing'er's legs as well.
Unfortunately, Qing'er's legs were her most sensitive spot. When Ji Chu touched her like that, Qing'er immediately curled up her legs.
Ji Chu had just placed her hand on the ground and hadn't even started moving when she saw Qing'er pull her leg back. She received another fierce glare from Qing'er. Ji Chu felt extremely wronged. Her movements and steps were exactly as described. Where did she go wrong?
Qing'er: An'an got tired of standing there, but did I get tired of standing?
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