Early in the morning on the third day of the Lunar New Year, Meng Qi had just finished washing up when Song Chengze came into the room.
Seeing him wearing only a cloak and with beads of sweat on his forehead, Meng Qi stood up and said, "Why don't you rest for a few days? It's really cold these days."
Song Chengze threw the cloak to Yuan Yue and walked towards the bathroom. "It's not cold. You'll feel warm after dancing. I haven't practiced for several days. I sparred with Chu Yong a few times."
He turned back and instructed Yuan Yue, "Go tell Hu Changsheng to bring my clothes over. I will leave directly from Jing'an Garden after dinner with the princess."
After hearing this, Yuandong quickly called Xiaoman to the small kitchen.
After a while, Su Xin ordered the maid to bring in two buckets of hot water. When Song Chengze finished washing up, Hu Changsheng had already brought the clothes and helped Song Chengze put them on one by one.
Meng Qi always felt that there was something awkward between the two of them. Ever since she saw Song Chengze talking to Concubine Xiu in Qionghua Palace on the 30th, it seemed as if they suddenly had nothing to talk about, as if they were back to when they first got married.
Although they didn't have to go to the palace these past two days, they had constant social interactions. Song Chengze went out every day, and Meng Qi had to deal with waves of relatives and friends who came to pay New Year's greetings, and they didn't even see each other once.
Now, the two of them were sitting in the carriage. There was a corner stove and a hand warmer in their hands, but Meng Qi felt that the carriage was three times colder than outside.
Meng Qi felt that even breathing was a little difficult. She really didn't like this feeling. After thinking for a moment, she said softly, "Your Majesty, you won't blame me for not taking the children back to the Huainan Marquis Mansion, right?"
Song Chengze was stunned for a moment, then said, "No, you also said that it's too cold today, so there's no need to bother them. Secondly, they are not familiar with the Huainan Marquis Mansion. When it gets warmer, they can just walk around a few more times."
Meng Qi nodded. She had long ago agreed with Song Chengze not to bring the children back to her parents' home. Ever since she married into Prince Rui's mansion, she had never brought Song Chengze's children to the Marquis of Huainan's mansion. They both knew the reason. Since Meng Qi had such an idea, and Song Chengze agreed, it was best to avoid unnecessary involvement.
"I really don't have to stay with you all the time?" Song Chengze asked.
Meng Qi hummed, "With you here, some things are a little harder to handle."
Song Chengze nodded. "Just do what you think is right. If the time is not right, don't force it. We will always find other ways."
Meng Qi listened to Song Chengze's dry words. He seemed like a different person from that night under the blossoming tree. She knew he was embarrassed, too. She had no right to ask him to explain his affairs with Concubine Xiu, and their meeting on the 30th was definitely not a romantic affair.
But she lost her composure. After the New Year's Eve celebration on the 30th, when the children and aunts had left, Song Chengze sat in the main hall for a long time. It was obvious that he wanted to say something to Meng Qi, but Meng Qi suddenly felt a little scared. She didn't even know what she was afraid of.
She pretended to be busy until she heard Song Chengze sigh and go into the west room.
Now that she thought about it, she was really ridiculous. Everything was going in the direction she had planned. How could she be swayed by other emotions? Moreover, she had finally gotten along with Song Chengze to a level that could be considered harmonious. She absolutely could not let this little thing bring her back to square one.
Meng Qi smoothed her hair, raised her head and smiled at Song Chengze, "Your Highness, don't underestimate me. Since I've agreed to your request, I will naturally do it well. You just need to wait for the news that Princess Rui still has feelings for Master Hong San and is willing to help him with his affairs in the palace. However, you must not reveal your true identity in public, and you must act like you are deeply resentful and vengeful."
When Song Chengze heard Meng Qi's cheerful voice, looked at her sparkling eyes and her slightly raised fleshy chin, he smiled and suddenly felt that she looked down on him.
What's wrong with me? I'm not as free and easy as a little girl when facing problems.
That night, Concubine Xiu was going to meet him. It wasn't usually important, and their chances of meeting were rare. Of course, for the two of them to meet like that in Qionghua Palace, protective measures must have been in place.
Knowing that Meng Qi was in the palace, Concubine Xiu asked Hu Changsheng to find Song Chengze first. Concubine Xiu had been handling the details of dealing with Prince Duan on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Thinking that the court would be sealed in the new year, Song Chengze would have few opportunities to enter the palace, so she simply straightened out the entire plan.
Unexpectedly, when they finished talking and walked out the door, they saw Meng Qi standing on the steps looking at him. He really didn't feel anything at the time. He had very complicated feelings towards Concubine Xiu.
From the moment Consort Xiu was selected to be by Consort Lian's side, he knew his mother had a crush on Consort Xiu and wanted to ask her to be his concubine. At that time, Gong was so focused on having a child that she had no time to take care of other matters in the palace.
Xiao Lin was very eager for power, and Li was born a maid with limited vision and ability. If he could really welcome Xiupin into the family as a concubine, Song Chengze thought that letting her manage the inner house would definitely be better than it was at that time.
Because during the time that Xiupin was with Concubine Lian, she was very good at dealing with people and managing matters. Moreover, Xiupin did not hide her admiration for her.
Song Chengze was naturally happy to be close to this intelligent and beautiful concubine. Concubine Lian also created the perfect conditions for the two of them to be alone together. Everything fell into place naturally, but he had never expected this outcome.
Concubine Lian felt regretful, and Song Chengze was also disappointed. After all, a beautiful woman with red sleeves was truly rare. But what surprised him was that after becoming the emperor's concubine, Concubine Xiu continued to visit the Qionghua Palace. She was one of the few people who could get along well with Concubine Lian.
The two of them were no longer on a private basis. Song Chengze had only been to Qionghua Palace a few times, and he would always inquire about everything before going. Unexpectedly, one day, Concubine Xiu was waiting for him.
She told him that she would help him and that she would speak well of them in front of the emperor. No matter what Song Chengze's arrangement was, as long as he needed her, she would do her best.
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