How many times has Consort Cao sent someone to intercept her before the Emperor?
Huo Qinghe herself was robbed by Consort Cao two or three times. When Consort Cao was only three months pregnant, she repeatedly robbed him. Even after the Emperor warned her as her pregnancy progressed, she did not change her ways. Now that she is nearing her due date, she has gradually become more obedient.
It's not so much because she was close to her due date, but rather because she was frightened by Consort Ming giving birth to Princess Fuqing. Also, the Emperor was ill recently, and then the Empress Dowager fell ill, which is why things were quiet for a while.
Now that the Emperor has fully recovered, although Pei Yuanhui often sends Jinyang and Miaoxi to visit her, she is still somewhat unsatisfied.
Seeing that the Emperor was repeatedly summoning Xiao Huo, Consort Cao felt uneasy. She was also feeling unwell, so she decided to make a scene.
So now the commotion has reached the Emperor's Funing Palace.
Upon hearing Miao Xi's voice, Huo Qinghe's hand, which had been holding the silver chopsticks, trembled slightly. Then, she cautiously looked at the Emperor and called out in a very low voice, "Your Majesty..."
Pei Yuanhui noticed her trembling hands and reached out to hold them: "Aren't you hungry? Have a midnight snack first."
Huo Qinghe hummed in agreement again, then lowered her eyes to look at the Emperor: "Your Majesty, I do not wish for you to leave."
She had been docile and yielding several times, but today she finally stood up for herself, even though she still used soft words.
Pei Yuanhui was slightly surprised, but he waved his hand and said, "Have someone wait."
Jin Yang understood, quickly put down his silver chopsticks, bowed, and withdrew. Miao Xi, seeing this, also hurriedly followed, not daring to delay.
Only two people remained in the hall. Pei Yuanhui, without withdrawing his hand, asked, "You really won't let me leave?"
Huo Qinghe raised her eyebrows slightly and let out a long sigh: "The small kitchen went to great lengths to make this chicken noodle soup, won't Your Majesty eat it?"
She knew in her heart that she probably couldn't keep the official, but she still had to hold the meeting.
It's time to speak up.
Now that Consort Cao's due date is approaching, and given Consort Ming's past, the Emperor is even more concerned about Consort Cao's pregnancy. Since Consort Cao has summoned someone late at night, the Emperor will most likely still go to Zhongcui Palace.
The pleading look in her eyes was truly touching.
They weren't suggesting the officials eat chicken noodles; they were clearly trying to get them to stay.
Pei Yuanhui was not a kind-hearted person; by this time in the past, he would have already been tempted to tease her.
But when he met Huo Qinghe's tender gaze, he softened his heart, which was rare for him.
"Alright, I'll have the chicken noodle soup first. Well, I'm about to cry."
Pei Yuanhui raised his hand and touched Huo Qinghe's eyes with his fingertips.
Huo Qinghe didn't cry, but she managed a smile through her tears: "Your Majesty ate this chicken noodle soup with me. Now that Your Majesty is going to see Lady Cao, I feel at ease."
Pei Yuanhui shook his head: "I am sorry for what happened to you."
From the very first time the Emperor visited Consort Cao when she came to invite him, the rules were thrown into disarray, and everyone in the palace lost face.
This whole mess was started by indulging Consort Cao.
Pei Yuanhui cursed inwardly for being foolish.
Huo Qinghe responded sullenly. She was already very satisfied that she could ask the official to have this late-night snack with her. She smiled slightly.
Before eating the shredded chicken, he first scooped up a large spoonful of chili oil and put it into the official's bowl.
"Then Your Majesty eating this chili pepper will be enough to satisfy your concubine."
That huge spoonful of chili oil, not to mention the smell, just looking at the color is enough to make you nauseous.
Pei Yuanhui glanced sideways, his eyes widening slightly.
“You…” He looked at Huo Qinghe, seemingly angry, but also helpless.
Huo Qinghe smiled sweetly: "It's a bit chilly at night now, Your Majesty, would it be nice to have some spicy food to warm yourself up?"
Pei Yuanhui glared at Huo Qinghe, but didn't say anything. He simply pushed the chili peppers aside and ate the rest with the chicken noodles.
The late-night snack took about 15 minutes, and the bamboo and stone outside couldn't help but peek inside several times.
What does the Emperor mean by this? Is telling her to wait a signal for her to go back? But I'm afraid her wife will find it hard to accept.
Jin Yang and Miao Xi stood by, their eyes fixed straight ahead. Zhu Shi wanted to speak, but every time she hadn't opened her mouth, Jin Yang would take two steps back first.
Now that's bad, I can't bring myself to say it.
After waiting patiently for the emperor to summon them, Miao Xi consciously blocked Zhu Shi's view. Then, the palace servants opened the palace door and entered with mouthwash utensils. Jin Yang led the way to serve them.
After finishing his late-night snack, the official was sweating profusely. He drank a cup of herbal tea, and when he picked it up, he couldn't help but glare at Huo Qinghe.
Huo Qinghe smiled innocently, rinsed her mouth, and then said, "I'm full. I'll see Your Majesty off."
Her smile looked somewhat forced.
Pei Yuanhui took another sip of herbal tea, took the handkerchief Jin Yang handed him and wiped his face, then raised his hand and patted Huo Qinghe's shoulder.
"It's inconvenient for you to move around at night, so stay in Funing Palace tonight. After my morning court session tomorrow, have breakfast with me. I'll have Tannu accompany you."
This can be considered a small compensation from the government.
Huo Qinghe paused for two seconds, but still stood up: "Then, Your Majesty, I will be waiting for your return tomorrow. Please don't trouble yourself, Your Majesty."
Her smile was sweet, yet it still broke my heart.
Huo Qinghe still escorted the emperor to the palace gate, and only slowly turned around after watching the imperial carriage disappear into the distance.
"It's getting cold, my lady, be careful not to catch a chill." A young palace maid draped a cloak over Huo Qinghe.
At this moment, only the palace maids serving the emperor were attending to Huo Qinghe.
As soon as the cloak was draped over her body, Huo Qinghe felt hot.
It was an official's cloak, and once it was draped over a person, it was quite heavy.
It was only September, and Huo Qinghe didn't feel cold. After eating hot chicken noodles, she felt warm all over.
Huo Qinghe didn't say anything, and only took off her cloak after returning to the palace.
It was quite unusual for Huo Qinghe to stay alone in the Funing Palace. She even played with Tannu for a while before settling in when she felt it was about time.
She was actually a little sleepy while eating the shredded chicken noodles.
...
Inside Zhongcui Palace, the Emperor was late in arriving, and Cao Shanlu was getting sleepy, yawning several times.
Finally, the Emperor arrived. She was getting up alone to greet him when Zhu Ting said that the Emperor had gone to the side hall to bathe and that the imperial physician had been summoned to examine him. The Emperor would arrive later.
Cao Shanlu carefully sat down again, supporting her back, and asked eagerly, "Where is Xiao Huo from Funing Palace?"
Zhu Shi, watching from the side, was also nervous: "When I left Funing Palace, Consort Huo was still there. Judging from His Majesty's words, it seems that Consort Huo is to stay overnight. His Majesty is still giving Consort Huo face."
Cao Shanlu curled her lip in disdain upon hearing this: "What does Xiao Huo's face matter? The Emperor arrived so late, who knows how many bad things she said to him."
But... it was the lady who went to the Funing Palace to intercept it first...
However, Zhu Shi dared not utter these words.
“My lady, it’s fine with Consort Huo. But since you can’t serve her now, I’m afraid it will be Consort Xie in the East Annex who will benefit from this.”
"She doesn't deserve it," Cao Shanlu snorted.
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