When the Queen finished her questioning, Princess Cheng glanced at Meng Qi and casually asked Princess Jing, "Is my fourth sister-in-law and third brother's wedding coming soon?"
Princess Jing glanced at Consort Xian with some uneasiness, then looked at Meng Qi helplessly and said, "Yes, there's less than a month left. I sent someone back the other day saying that everything has been arranged. It's just that it's cold now, and the house hasn't been painted yet. It will take some time before it's ready."
Upon hearing this, Princess Duan took a moment to react, then opened her eyes wide and said excitedly, "Your brother is a handsome man, and this time he has married someone who shares his soulmate. The Viscountess can now just wait to have a grandson."
Princess Jing covered her mouth and laughed, "Thank you for your kind words, sister-in-law. If you get the chance, have your sister-in-law kowtow to you."
"Oh, that's great. I have to prepare the red envelopes early. Sixth sister-in-law, you have to prepare a big red envelope too." After saying that, she giggled twice.
Meng Qi rubbed his forehead. Are they all just bored? They always pick on me, because they think I'm easy to bully.
"Of course. It's not just for Madam Hong San, but Master Hong San as well. What do you think? How about we discuss what the reward should be. It would be bad if the reward is too high." Meng Qi looked at everyone with a smile.
No one expected Meng Qi to mention Hong Zhe on her own initiative, and there was no movement for a while. Fanghua was about to speak when Yongan pulled her sleeve. The sound of whips was heard outside, and the emperor had arrived.
The Queen got down from the throne and led everyone to the entrance of the hall and knelt down together. For a moment, shouts of "Long live the Queen" resounded throughout the hall.
The emperor entered the hall with his sons. Meng Qi's eyes flashed before the hems of clothes, among which a streak of lotus root pink passed lightly, bringing with it a faint scent of wintersweet.
After the Emperor took his seat at the head of the table, he solemnly gave way, and Meng Qi rose with the others. The others who came in later paid their respects to the Empress, and after a while, Meng Qi finally followed Song Chengze to his previous seat.
Meng Qi sat down and looked up, only to see a beautiful woman sitting diagonally across from her, gently beside Concubine Jing. She wore a plum blossom hairpin, with a plum blossom pattern adorning her brow. Her eyes flickered across her palm-sized face, and she sipped from her teacup in her cherry-like mouth. The rising steam seemed to shroud her in mist.
The lotus pink palace dress sets off her fair skin, making her look like a beautiful porcelain doll, which makes people unable to take their eyes off her.
The Great Xia Dynasty stipulated that any concubine who could enter Chengtian Palace to serve the emperor the night before could accompany the emperor to Kunning Palace. This was also a special honor for favored concubines.
Meng Qi closed her eyes in self-mockery. With such beauty and talent, how could she not be loved and obsessed with?
It's a pity, this is how life is. You can't get what you want, but what you hate is dragged around and you have to face it every day. Isn't this a torture?
When she opened her eyes again, Meng Qi saw Concubine Xiu answering the Empress's concerns in a soft voice. It was nothing more than asking her whether the Emperor slept well, how he got up at night, whether he had a good meal in the morning, etc. because she was the one who served in the emperor's bedroom yesterday.
Meng Qi turned her head to look at Song Chengze. Since he followed the emperor into the hall, the two of them had not said a word. There was still room for one more person between the two people sitting behind the narrow table.
No one knew what Song Chengze was thinking. He seemed not to have heard the conversation between the Queen and Concubine Xiu. He stared at the fruit plate on the table in a daze with an expressionless face.
Meng Qi looked across at the concubines, especially those of lower rank, who all looked at Concubine Xiu with envy. The emperor was aging, his health declining, and he favored his concubines less and less, not to mention allowing his concubines to stay overnight in Chengtian Palace, something that only happened once a month.
Even the Imperial Concubine and the Virtuous Concubine had to beg for permission to see the Emperor. If the Emperor was pleased, they could only stay for a short time during the day. Apart from Concubine Lian, who was summoned every few days to give the Emperor massages, it seemed that only Concubine Xiu and Concubine Zhen, who had been under house arrest a few days ago, occasionally went to Chengtian Hall to spend the night.
Meng Qi withdrew her gaze, pondering Concubine Xiu's situation. She only knew that she was one of the last selected concubines recruited by the Emperor, the one who entered the palace with Wu. Many people had forgotten that most of them were given to the Emperor's sons as concubines, and some were given to the sons of ministers.
This Concubine Xiu was the highest-ranking of the several people retained by the Emperor within the palace. Though childless, she enjoyed unwavering favor. Xiu was naturally aloof, uncompetitive and unaffiliated, never forming cliques or factions. She simply focused on her duties. This, combined with her childlessness, earned her the Empress's favor, and even the domineering Concubine Xiang rarely criticized her.
In her previous life, Meng Qi only thought that she was timid and fearful, but now it seems that she is very scheming, insightful, and has a high level of Taoism.
Especially after she learned the truth before her death in her previous life, she finally understood what it meant to be a truly ruthless and capable person. Even if she were to live her life again, she would probably never reach the heights of Xiupin.
In her previous life, she should have gotten what she wanted, right? She definitely would.
Meng Qi thought of this and laughed at himself. Perhaps his voice was a little loud, which made Song Chengze turn around and look at him.
Meng Qi went up to him, thought for a moment, then leaned over to Song Chengze and whispered, "If possible, I'd like to go see Mother later. I think it would be better if I could explain the matter of Matron Hai to her in person."
Song Chengze hummed but didn't answer, still sitting upright.
Meng Qi continued, "I wonder if the prince has anything he wants me to pass on? Can I tell my mother about what's going on in the mansion?"
Hearing this, Song Chengze raised a nonchalant smile and said after a long while, "No need. It's fine."
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