Today was really something...
Huo Qinghe had just told others to be careful when walking, but now she had bumped into someone herself.
The two maids naturally apologized.
Huo Qinghe took two steps back before raising her eyes.
Upon seeing that it was a man, her eyes showed obvious surprise.
She turned her head slightly, the tassels at her temples swaying gently. She gave a slight curtsy: "No offense intended, please forgive me."
Chi Qinlin never expected to see the beauty again, especially since she was tearful and her dark hair was red, as if she had been frightened and wronged. In the candlelight, she looked even more pitiful.
His gaze lingered for a while, so Green Locust had to step forward and block it somewhat.
Chi Qinlin coughed awkwardly twice: "It's nothing, it's nothing. The lighting here is bad, it's just that I stood here without making a sound. My wife, please go ahead."
Huo Qinghe curtsied again: "Thank you. Farewell."
Since he was a stranger and Huo Qinghe had no recollection of him, it was inappropriate for her to stay any longer.
Once they were quite a distance away and almost reached the Chui Gong Hall, Huo Qinghe asked in a low voice, "Who is he? How did he enter the inner palace so easily? He seems quite distinguished; is he a prince or a royal prince?"
Green Locust shook her head: "He doesn't look that old. But he looks familiar, with long arms and a slender waist, he seems to be... His clothes do resemble General Yulin."
General Yulin, the younger brother of Consort Chi?
Since entering the palace, Huo Qinghe had often heard of General Yulin. However, the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was far away, and no one reminded her, so although she knew that General Yulin was there, she did not know which one was General Yulin.
I never expected to see him today.
Huo Qinghe nodded knowingly, but did not ask any further questions.
After all, General Yulin was an outsider, and moreover, he was Consort Chi's own younger brother.
However, Huo Qinghe did not reveal her intentions just now; she did not mention her surname or rank.
The fireworks in the sky were about to fade away. When Huo Qinghe arrived at the Chuigong Hall, she didn't see many people. She only found out from the palace servants that everyone had gone outside the hall to watch the fireworks.
Huo Qinghe then went outside the palace.
When she arrived outside the palace, the fireworks had already stopped, but the area outside was not as lively as she had imagined; instead, it was unusually quiet.
It was Consort Meng who spotted her coming out of the palace and quickly raised her hand to greet her: "Where have you been? I didn't see you just now."
Huo Qinghe then walked over to Meng Meiren's side: "You went to change and got your clothes dirty, which caused a delay. What happened?"
"It's better that you're not here; if you were here, there would be no shortage of trouble." Meng Meiren said, glancing ahead as she spoke.
"Look, Consort Cao was clamoring to come out and watch the fireworks, but she wasn't careful and stepped on a moss-covered stone, causing her to fall. Just the other day she was making fun of Consort Ming, but now she's the one who's become Consort Ming."
After listening, Huo Qinghe glanced at the two maids beside her before speaking.
"How could they be so careless? What were the maids and servants doing cleaning the Chuigong Palace? And what about Consort Cao now?"
Consort Meng shook her head: "We don't know yet. His Majesty and the Empress have already ordered someone to move Consort Cao to the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace, which is nearby. The imperial physician has probably gone there as well. We're just waiting here."
Huo Qinghe looked ahead and, sure enough, saw no sign of the Emperor or the Empress.
It hasn't been long since Consort Ming accidentally fell, and today Consort Cao "accidentally" fell again?
This whole thing seems really strange.
But neither Meng Meiren nor Huo Qinghe mentioned it.
Right now, Consort Chi is conducting a thorough investigation. After all, she was the one who organized today's palace banquet, and she was also the one who took good care of Consort Cao's pregnancy. Now that something has happened, she naturally cannot escape responsibility.
But who knew that Consort Cao would run outside as soon as she heard the sound of fireworks?
My good mood for the Mid-Autumn Festival was ruined just like that.
Consort Chi turned around and saw a large group of people standing there: "Alright, you've enjoyed the Mid-Autumn Festival moon viewing. You can all disperse now. Keep your mouths shut about what happened today. If any rumors spread, I have plenty of ways to find out."
The crowd naturally curtsied and said they dared not accept such an honor.
Despite the festive atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone eventually dispersed like birds and beasts.
Before leaving, Huo Yiyun glanced at Huo Qinghe twice, clearly having noticed Huo Qinghe before returning.
Huo Qinghe caught a glimpse of Huo Yiyun's gaze, and she lowered her head slightly to hide her resentment.
Huo Yiyun didn't call out to Huo Qinghe, so Huo Qinghe pretended not to see her and dispersed with the others.
Huo Qinghe returned to Yanxi Palace, and the road was rather quiet.
"Do you remember the little palace maid we met on our way back today?" Huo Qinghe asked softly.
Living in a remote area has its advantages, namely that you're unlikely to run into anyone and don't have to worry about what you say.
Both maids nodded: "That palace maid was flustered, and looked like she had done something wrong."
Huo Qinghe hummed in agreement: "Let's wait for news from Zhongcui Palace. Why haven't I seen Consort Zhou's procession?"
She kept an eye on things halfway there.
Green Cloud turned around and said, "I heard that the Empress Dowager had a headache from the fireworks at night. Consort Zhou was worried about the Empress Dowager, so she went to Cining Palace to check on her as soon as the fireworks were set off."
Consort Zhou was truly a good match for the Empress Dowager.
Huo Qinghe returned to Yanxi Palace, where Wang Mama and the others had already prepared the hangover soup.
Huo Qinghe drank the hangover soup and then dismissed the maids.
She never expected to see her younger brother today, nor did she expect that Huo Yiyun and her stepmother would be so hypocritical.
She and her brother need to be well. She's still too slow, but there's no need to rush.
Officials may seem carefree and irreverent, but they are actually not that easy to get along with.
Huo Qinghe sat for a while before letting the maids come in to help her with her toilette. Just as she removed her hairpins and jewelry, He Yunzhong, who had gone to inquire about news, returned.
"Lady Cao in Zhongcui Palace is fine. The imperial physician said she just twisted her ankle and needs to rest carefully for a while. Fortunately, she didn't injure any bones or tendons. Lady Cao is in good health and has no other major problems besides the twisted ankle. It's really a blessing."
Consort Cao was indeed lucky, but everyone is different.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com