The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law meet and are quite different.
Qingyi and Zhao Hongxing remained silent outside the house. Zhao Hongxing broke the silence first, "Qingyi, why did you ignore me when you were in the manor?"
He sounded extremely aggrieved. Qingyi looked at the moonlight and said, "How can anyone trust someone who is hiding their identity?"
Zhao Hongxing stammered, "That was...that was...unavoidable."
After hearing this, Qingyi deliberately nodded and said, "Yes, yes, it was unavoidable."
Just as Zhao Hongxing was about to defend himself, he met Qingyi's gaze, who was looking at him with a smile.
Zhao Hongxing was stunned. The two looked at each other in silence. Then Qingyi turned to look at the moon and said, "Tell me when you have the chance. Then we can be completely honest with each other and think about the future."
Zhao Hongxing smiled and said, "Okay."
The two stood there quietly, enjoying the boundless beauty of the moment.
The next morning, when Qi Dou woke up, he saw Li Xingyi's sleeping face. He had once thought how wonderful it would be if he could see Li Xingyi's face every time he woke up, and now his dream had come true.
Qi Dou stroked Li Xingyi's face as if it were a precious treasure, and the image of Li Xingyi when they first met flashed through his mind.
"Hello, I am Li Xingyi." A little girl said calmly and in a cool voice. At that time, I just felt that this girl was really different.
Thinking of this, Qi Dou chuckled softly, then said in a very low voice, "You're still as indifferent as ever. I wonder if you've thought of me at all? Even for just a moment?"
Then his eyes drooped, filled with disappointment, and he said self-deprecatingly, "Probably not. Why would you care about me? You've probably already forgotten me. Do I really have no place in your heart at all?"
"Would you agree to marry anyone who becomes emperor?" He murmured to himself, his gaze desolate, without any response.
Last night's ordeal lasted a long time, and afterwards Qi Dou held Li Xingyi very carefully. He couldn't believe that the girl he had loved for so many years had completely belonged to him yesterday and last night. As for her heart, he would win her over little by little, so that Li Xingyi would belong to him from head to toe, inside and out.
Thinking of this, Qi Dou's eyes lit up again. He comforted himself, "It's okay, you've forgotten. Then I'll let you get to know me again. I want you to remember me forever and never forget me again."
He then kissed Li Xingyi on the forehead and stood up, saying, "Someone come here."
Upon hearing this, the palace servants immediately came in one after another to help Qi Dou dress and wash up.
Qi Dou whispered, "Be quiet, don't wake the Empress."
Upon hearing this, everyone had no choice but to proceed quietly, but they were incredibly envious.
When Li Xingyi slowly opened her eyes, she saw many palace maids helping Qi Dou dress in his court robes. Upon seeing this scene, a passage of text slowly appeared in her mind:
If the emperor stays overnight in a concubine's palace, the concubine should dress the emperor the next day.
Thinking of this, she immediately threw off the covers, preparing to get up and ask for punishment.
Hearing the sound, Qi Dou turned around and saw Li Xingyi about to get out of bed. He immediately stepped forward and pressed Li Xingyi down, saying softly, "Why are you up? Did I wake you?"
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi was taken aback for a moment and said, "It was originally your concubine who should have gotten up early to help you with your grooming, but I overslept and was unable to get up early. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
Qi Dou looked at Li Xingyi and said with a smile, "You're right. It was I who told them not to wake you. Xingyi, sleep a little longer. It's not dawn yet, and you worked hard last night."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi recalled what had happened the previous night, and she lowered her eyes in thought.
I overslept, which has never happened before. I wonder if it's because of what happened last night.
Li Xingyi looked up at Qi Dou and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you. However, I must get up now. I still need to pay my respects to my two mothers later. After all, it is the second day of our marriage, and we must make preparations in advance."
After hearing this, Qi Dou released his hand and looked at Li Xingyi with affection, saying, "Alright, if Xingyi has anything he can't handle, let Qianwu help you. I'll come to find you after court."
Upon seeing this, Qianwu immediately stepped forward and knelt before Li Xingyi, saying, "This servant, Qianwu, greets Your Majesty the Empress."
Li Xingyi sized up Qianwu. Qianwu had delicate features and seemed like a steady and reliable person. However, he clearly had a maid by his side, yet he still arranged for Qianwu to be there. No matter how he thought about it, he felt that she was spying on him.
...Eyeliner?
Li Xingyi could not refuse Qi Dou, who was the emperor, so he could only say, "Get up. I will have to trouble you from now on."
Qianwu said respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty. It is my honor to serve you."
Qi Dou smiled and said, "Xingyi, Qianwu is my confidante, especially loyal. From now on, she will follow you. If there is anything you don't understand, you can ask her."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi stood up, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."
Qi Dou didn't like the awkwardness and frowned slightly, but after thinking about it carefully, he decided to take it slow and said nothing.
After seeing Qi Dou off, Li Xingyi sat in front of the dressing table and had Qingyi do her hair and makeup.
Li Xingyi looked at himself in the mirror, his feelings at that moment were hard to describe. He felt neither joy, nor sadness, nor confusion, yet his emotions were incredibly complex.
At this moment, Qingyi asked, "Your Highness, would you like to wear a phoenix hairpin?"
Li Xingyi had never liked complicated decorations. He glanced at the ornaments on the table that belonged to the Empress and said, "No, let's do it as usual."
"Yes." Under Qingyi's skillful dressing and grooming, she was quickly dressed up.
Li Xingyi had long hair that reached his waist, and wore a tassel hair ornament made of crystal-clear beads. He wore a white strapless fitted long dress, with a white fur-trimmed cloak over it. A silver butterfly was tied to his belt, with a silver bell attached to the bottom of the butterfly. Below the bell were tassels, and he wore white flat embroidered shoes.
She wore white tassel earrings, a crystal bead necklace with a butterfly on the upper left, a medium-length crystal bead chain at the bottom center of the necklace, and a white jade bracelet. Her whole appearance was like that of an ethereal being.
The maids all looked at Li Xingyi with admiration, but Li Xingyi simply said, "Let's go."
Led by Qianwu, they headed to Cining Palace. Along the way, Qianwu explained, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager Shi is not the Emperor's biological mother. The Emperor's biological mother is Consort Liang, the late Emperor's concubine, who is now the Holy Mother Empress Dowager, also known as Empress Dowager Liang."
Although it was mid-January, the forsythia in the palace was blooming so beautifully that someone must have been specially nurturing it to encourage it to bloom.
Li Xingyi glanced at it but said nothing, yet it reminded him of some things from the past.
"Master, what kind of flower is this?"
"This is a forsythia, which symbolizes love that lasts until the end of time."
Qianwu continued, "Empress Dowager Shi only had one daughter, the current Princess Huimin. However, Princess Huimin went to Putuo Temple to pray for blessings before His Majesty ascended the throne."
Li Xingyi responded with an "Mmm".
Qianwu said, "Empress Dowager Shi's attitude towards His Majesty is so-so, but there was a dispute when His Majesty wanted to make you Empress when he ascended the throne."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi glanced at her, signaling her to continue. Qianwu immediately understood and said, "Empress Dowager Shi intends to make someone from her maternal clan the empress, namely Miss Shi Yan, her own niece."
"Fortunately, His Majesty's birth mother, Empress Dowager Liang, was on His Majesty's side, and His Majesty was determined to make you Empress. He even disregarded Empress Dowager Shi's objections. When the stalemate reached a stalemate, His Majesty produced the late Emperor's edict. Empress Dowager Shi could not disobey the edict and had no choice but to agree."
Li Xingyi didn't understand. Her eyes lowered slightly as she tentatively asked, "Your Majesty... why did you choose me as your Empress?"
At this moment, the wind blew past everyone, and the silver bells on Li Xingyi's body swayed gently in the wind, their clear and crisp sound reaching the ears. She slightly raised her eyes and glanced at the camphor tree next to her.
Camphor trees retain their green leaves year-round, making them ideal for hiding.
The hidden guards lurking in the tree felt inexplicably uneasy.
Qianwu replied, "This servant only knows that His Majesty has long admired you, Your Highness, which is why he insisted on making you Empress."
Li Xingyi withdrew his gaze and looked down ahead.
Have I been admiring him for a long time? Have we met before?
Or... was it intentional that someone said that?
Thinking of this, she glanced suspiciously at Qianwu out of the corner of her eye.
Seeing that Qianwu was completely unperturbed, she felt there were only two possibilities.
Either this emperor genuinely likes me, or he's a cunning schemer doing this on purpose.
As for why, you'd have to ask him directly, but if it's the former, it seems impossible no matter how you look at it, so it can only be the latter.
Li Xingyi didn't believe that an emperor would have been infatuated with him for so long based on rumors, after all, emperors were never simple men.
Ahead lies the Cining Palace. Upon arriving at the Cining Palace, one sees a woman who appears to be quite old, probably around forty years old.
Seeing this, Qianwu stepped forward and whispered in Li Xingyi's ear, "This is Aunt Shunhua, a confidante and favorite of Empress Dowager Shi."
When Shunhua saw Li Xingyi, she bowed respectfully and said, "This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. Please wait a moment while I go and inform her."
Li Xingyi nodded slightly after hearing this, and Shunhua went in to inform her. While waiting, she saw several pots of plum blossoms in front of the door and thought they were very beautiful, so she stared at them for a few more moments.
The image of a woman appeared in my mind: "The plum blossom symbolizes resilience and pride. Your master hopes that you will also be as resilient as the plum blossom."
"This disciple thanks Master for his blessing," the girl replied, bowing respectfully.
Thinking of this, Li Xingyi sighed inwardly.
The flowers are beautiful, but the owner of the flowers is completely at odds with their symbolism. The owner can only be stubborn and refuse to admit the truth.
Not long after, Aunt Shunhua came out and bowed to Li Xingyi, saying, "Your Majesty the Empress and Your Majesty the Empress Dowager invite you in."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi followed Shunhua's lead and arrived in front of Shi Hui.
Li Xingyi remained calm and respectfully performed the kneeling ceremony, saying, "Your Majesty, I, Li, pay my respects to Your Majesty."
Shi Hui looked at the person kneeling before her, her eyes showing both disgust and a scrutinizing gaze.
After that incident, she became ill and went to recuperate. How could the emperor make such a frail person his empress?! Was he out of his mind?!
How many people in the capital have actually seen her? If it weren't for that imperial decree, how could I have possibly placed her on the throne as Empress?!
Thinking of this, Shi Hui held the cup in her right hand and supported the base with her left, carefully blowing on it with her mouth, ignoring Li Xingyi.
Seeing this, Li Xingyi knew she was doing it on purpose, and in order not to give anyone cause for gossip, he kept the posture.
After taking a sip of tea, Shi Hui gently placed the teacup on the table and said, "The Empress was sick when she was young and spent several years recuperating. After returning, she rarely saw anyone. Today is the first time we have met in so many years."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi's eyes darkened slightly. Then, a voice came from above her, "Raise your head and let me see what the Empress's face really looks like."
The tone of his words carried a hint of disdain and sarcasm.
Li Xingyi was not annoyed and calmly replied, "Yes, Mother."
She slowly straightened her back, raised her head, her eyes still half-closed, and saw that the person in front of her was wearing jade jewelry, a purple empress dowager's robe, and purple embroidered shoes. Everything on her was luxurious.
Shi Hui was clearly taken aback when she saw her appearance, but she still refused to admit it and praised her.
She sneered, "The Empress's beauty is indeed as legendary as they say. I'm afraid there is no one in this world who can compare to her."
"Your Majesty flatters me. Appearance is something one is born of one's parents. I believe that nothing is more important than confidence. As the saying goes, confidence is beauty," Li Xingyi said calmly.
Shi Hui paused for a moment after hearing this, her thoughts drifting back to the past.
"Mother, is Hui'er pretty?"
"Beautiful, Hui'er is the most beautiful." A richly dressed woman looked down at the little girl and replied with a smile.
"Then why do all those young masters like that girl from the Liang family? Even the Crown Prince likes her?"
The woman thought for a moment and said, "Liking something has nothing to do with appearance. The most beautiful people are those who are confident. So Hui'er should also be confident so that she can become more beautiful."
Seeing that Shi Hui remained silent and motionless for a long time, Shunhua whispered, "Empress Dowager?"
After hearing this, Shi Hui came to her senses and said, "Yes, the Empress is right."
The palace maids in the room were all startled by these words. After that incident, everyone knew that the Shi family and the Li family were at odds. Today, Shi Hui actually agreed with Li Xingyi's words.
Li Xingyi wasn't surprised at all, remaining calm as if he had known this would happen all along.
Shi Hui, I mean what I said, and it really was your mother who said it.
Shi Hui looked at Li Xingyi and said, "Get up, you've been kneeling for a while."
"Yes, Mother." Li Xingyi said as he stood up.
Although he had been kneeling for a long time, fortunately Li Xingyi had prepared in advance and had already put knee pads on his legs.
Shi Hui added, "Although you are the empress appointed by the emperor, you must also consider the emperor's offspring, since the empress has been delicate and frail since childhood."
These words clearly implied that Li Xingyi was physically weak and unlikely to conceive. Li Xingyi was not annoyed at all, since she had never intended to have children in the first place.
"However... today is only the second day of your marriage, so it's not wise to rush things. Let's hold the imperial concubine selection in four months. That will be the emperor's first selection. I hope the empress understands the significance of the empress and can help me explain to the emperor the importance of the empresses and concubines," Shi Hui said solemnly.
Why should I say this? As the emperor, selecting candidates for the imperial concubine selection is inevitable, especially after his ascension to the throne. He should know this better than I do.
Li Xingyi was puzzled.
Although she didn't understand the meaning of those words, Li Xingyi still respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will speak to His Majesty about it more."
Shi Hui smiled with satisfaction after hearing this. She said, "It's good that Your Majesty understands. I have a niece who is quite beautiful and well-mannered. There are still four months until the imperial concubine selection. The Empress is all alone in the harem, which is bound to be tiring. I would like to recommend her to the palace so that she can help the Empress. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi finally understood the meaning of his previous statement.
So it was for his niece.
She calmly said, "Since she is a relative of the Empress Dowager, she must be a wonderful person. However, I think it would be better if she entered the palace three months later, so as to avoid any gossip about the Empress Dowager."
If she enters the palace too early, people will inevitably say that Shi Hui is so impatient for her sake.
Shi Hui naturally understood all of this.
That's true. If we let Yan'er enter the palace now, it might anger the emperor. It's better to wait a while. As long as Yan'er can enter the palace, that's fine.
Shi Hui nodded and said, "The Empress's consideration is indeed thorough. Let's do as the Empress says."
Li Xingyi bowed and said, "Yes."
Shi Hui looked at her and reminded her, "The Empress should also go and pay her respects to Empress Dowager Liang."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave." Li Xingyi replied and then left.
Everything is about to begin.
With his back to Cining Palace, Li Xingyi's eyes were filled with determination.
Yesterday it was snowing, but today the sun is shining brightly. Spring is almost here. Although the sun is shining, the wind still feels cold, making you shiver. Fortunately, Li Xingyi's fur-trimmed cloak is warm enough, so he doesn't feel cold.
At this moment, Qianwu reminded her from the side, "Your Majesty, it's time to go to Shou Kang Palace."
Li Xingyi's eyes flickered slightly after hearing this.
Regardless, I've long known that the one in Shou Kang Palace is far superior to the one in Ci Ning Palace.
She said, "Let's go."
Then, Qianwu led them to Shou Kang Palace.
Qianwu then introduced, "Your Majesty, this Empress Dowager Liang is His Majesty's birth mother. She is as easy to get along with as His Majesty. In addition to His Majesty, she also has two princesses, namely His Majesty's elder sister, Princess Qing'an, and his younger sister, Princess Ru'an."
Li Xingyi replied, "Mm."
"Princess Qing'an was extremely skilled in martial arts, and was open-minded and straightforward. She was a woman who was no less capable than men. She was favored by the late emperor and was sent to fight on the battlefield."
"As for Princess Ru'an, she is innocent and lovely, and extremely attached to Princess Qing'an. The late emperor could not persuade her otherwise and had to let her go to the frontier with Princess Qing'an."
...I would like to meet the two princesses if I have the chance.
Li Xingyi was quite interested in these two princesses, especially Princess Qing'an, who, as a woman, was able to lead hundreds of generals in battle, which was truly interesting.
Shou Kang Palace is not far from Ci Ning Palace, separated only by two passageways, and you will arrive in no time.
Li Xingyi was clearly stunned by what she saw. She saw a person dressed in simple clothes and palace maids standing at the door, as if they were waiting for someone.
Qianwu introduced, "Your Majesty, this is Empress Dowager Liangqu."
Upon hearing the name, Li Xingyi immediately thought of a line of poetry.
Singing of lotus blossoms in the misty evening, He Lang was initially delighted.
...It's a good name.
When she reached Liang Qu, she knelt and bowed again, saying, "Your Majesty, I, Li, greet you."
Seeing this, Liang Qu pulled Li Xingyi up and said, "Get up quickly, the ground is cold."
Li Xingyi felt a warmth in his heart and said, "Thank you for your concern, Mother."
Liang Qu said gently, "Xingyi is indeed as beautiful as the legends say. No wonder Adou likes her."
Li Xingyi replied, "Your Majesty flatters me. It's cold outside. Why are you waiting outside?"
Liang Qu smiled and said, "I had nothing to do, so I came out for a stroll and waited for you."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi was slightly taken aback and said, "It is I who have kept Mother Empress waiting. Please punish me, Mother Empress."
Liang Qu comforted her, saying, "Don't worry about Xingyi. The Empress Dowager has only just come out."
Li Xingyi knew she was trying to comfort him, so he wouldn't blame himself.
Liang Qu said kindly, "Xingyi, let's go inside. You're already weak, and you might catch a cold."
My mother said something similar, but she didn't know that I was actually in very good health...
Li Xingyi lowered his eyes, seemingly missing his mother.
Liang Qu pulled Li Xingyi into the room and sat him down, instructing, "Hui Deng, quickly go and get a thermos to warm Xingyi up. Give everyone else a thermos too."
An older aunt immediately said, "This servant will go right away."
At that moment, Li Xingyi glanced at a pot of camellias on the table next to him, and a sentence immediately popped into his mind.
The camellia symbolizes humility and ideal love.
...which is quite fitting for its owner.
Li Xingyi was satisfied.
After the thermos was brought over, Liang Qu handed it directly to Li Xingyi, who immediately pushed it back to Liang Qu, saying, "Mother, you take it. I'm not cold."
Liang Qu pushed it back, saying, "How can it not be cold? Although it's almost spring, the weather is still a bit chilly, and your hands are freezing cold too. Take it, Mother has some too."
Li Xingyi then accepted the thermos, and Liang Qu said to the person standing next to him, "Hui Deng, serve the dishes."
Li Xingyi looked at Liang Qu with a puzzled expression. Liang Qu smiled and said, "Xingyi must have come without having breakfast. It's cold outside, so this is a good opportunity to warm your stomach."
Li Xingyi was somewhat moved upon hearing this and said, "Thank you, Mother."
After all the dishes were served, Liang Qu kept putting food on Li Xingyi's plate. Li Xingyi silently observed Empress Dowager Liang and saw that she was dressed very simply and did not have the majesty of an empress dowager at all. Instead, she was as approachable as an ordinary woman, except that she was in the palace.
Seeing this, Li Xingyi said considerately, "Your Majesty, I will have the Imperial Wardrobe make you a few more clothes another day."
Liang Qu politely declined, saying, "No need, I dislike extravagance."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi didn't say anything, but silently felt sorry for him.
The once-loving imperial concubine has now lost her fondness for luxury. Is it because of the late emperor's passing?
...
After finishing his meal, Li Xingyi looked at the palace maid next to Liang Qu and asked, "Mother, I still don't know the name of the aunt beside you."
Liang Qu glanced at the person beside her and then said, "That's right. This is the first time you've met. You're not often in the capital, so it's normal that you don't recognize her. This is my dowry maid, and also my confidante, named Huideng."
Li Xingyi nodded with a hint of respect and said, "So it's Aunt Huideng. I've been rude."
Upon seeing this, Huideng immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind to this humble servant. Your Majesty does not understand why this humble servant failed to introduce herself. It was this humble servant who was impolite."
Li Xingyi gestured for her to stand up, saying, "Aunt, please rise. Xingyi just wants to get to know you."
Upon hearing this, Hui Deng stood up and said, "This servant thanks Your Majesty the Empress."
Liang Qu smiled slightly and said, "Xingyi is a good child. It's just sad that I always hear Adou talking about you."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi's heart tightened.
...Qingyi kept this from me?
Or do they really not know?
In terms of being well-informed, they should be number one...
Qingyi secretly broke out in a cold sweat.
Oh no, the Empress will definitely be suspicious. I need to think of a good way to phrase this.
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out from outside: "The Emperor has arrived!"
Li Xingyi slowly got up and was about to greet Qi Dou when Qi Dou walked in and hugged him tightly without saying a word.
Li Xingyi was taken aback by the sudden hug.
Then Qi Dou grabbed Li Xingyi, looking him up and down, and asked, "Are you alright? Did the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace give you a hard time?"
Before he could react, Li Xingyi was stunned again upon hearing this. The current emperor was actually concerned about him, and his tone was as if he was afraid that something might really happen to him.
She was puzzled.
Why?
Qi Dou became anxious when he saw that Li Xingyi remained silent, his eyes filled with tension. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Li Xingyi say calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The Empress Dowager did not make things difficult for me. I am fine."
Qi Dou breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and said, "It's good that you're alright."
Li Xingyi glanced at the person in front of him, then at Liang Qu behind him, and softly reminded her, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is still here."
Upon hearing this, Qi Dou looked at Liang Qu and immediately realized that he had been too anxious and hadn't paid attention to others. Everything that had just happened had been seen by the Empress Dowager and many other palace servants, and his face instantly turned bright red.
Seeing this, Liang Qu covered her mouth and smiled, then said gently, "A Dou is as adorable as ever. Alright, I know you're worried about Xing Yi. I've talked with Xing Yi for quite a while now and I'm a little tired. You can take Xing Yi and go."
Upon hearing this, Qi Dou and Li Xingyi bowed together and said, "Your subject/concubine takes her leave."
Liang Qu watched them walk out hand in hand from behind and said with a smile, "A Dou has grown up. Once things are stable, I should be able to hold my grandson."
"It's a pity... he's gone." She said sadly.
Hui Deng comforted her, "Your Majesty, it's all over now."
Liang Qu nodded, sadness in her eyes, and said, "Yes... it's all in the past."
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