"What does this prove?" Song Qi looked at Zhao Zhi. "Because Consort Sun likes Meng Yilan's mother, Meng Yilan will help them rebel. Don't you think this reason is a bit far-fetched?"
Zhao Zhi frowned as he looked at Song Qi: "Didn't you ask me to investigate the relationship between Meng Yilan and Prince Rui? Right now, we're only talking about the connection between the two sides. Besides, Meng Yilan is different from you. You're an individual, but she has a family behind her. Meng Yilan may not have this idea herself, but others may have other ideas for other reasons."
Song Qi understood Zhao Zhi's meaning and rubbed his temples: "Does she have much contact with Consort Sun?"
“When Father was still alive, every time she entered the palace, she would visit Consort Sun’s palace for a while. I used to think she was naive and didn’t care about factional struggles, but now it seems that might not be the case.” Zhao Zhi looked at Song Qi. “You’ve been so close to her, haven’t you noticed anything?”
Song Qi glanced at Zhao Zhi, twirled the cup in his hand, unsure whether he should speak.
But I still said it.
"She has a strange kind of kindness towards me, does that count?"
Zhao Zhi: It's that strange feeling again.
Zhao Zhi looked at Song Qi expressionlessly: "Isn't there anything else?"
Although judging from the last time Meng Yilan came to him to complain, the relationship between the two was not as good as Song Qi thought.
He had already warned him, and he thought Song Qi would distance himself from the other party, but who knew the two of them would get closer and closer.
Song Qi rubbed his temples: "There are some things that I'll probably have to wait until I get back to see. I can't figure anything out here right now, so I'll be going now."
“Stay for lunch,” Zhao Zhi said.
Song Qi calculated the time, nodded, and had no reason to refuse.
For her, Zhao Zhi was a business partner.
Moreover, she found that staying was definitely worthwhile; it must be said that Zhao Zhi's imperial meals were indeed excellent, and Song Qi ate quite a bit.
"Didn't you eat anything this morning?" Zhao Zhi asked, somewhat puzzled.
Song Qi glanced at Zhao Zhi, then at the nearly finished dishes on the table, his expression blank, somewhat displeased: "Does it matter to you if I eat a lot?"
"I'm just reminding you to eat breakfast," Zhao Zhi continued. "And she did eat quite a lot."
Song Qi forced a smile and said, "Then I thank Your Majesty for your concern."
Zhao Zhi: ...
"Can you speak normally?"
"Is something wrong?" Song Qi asked, puzzled.
Zhao Zhi opened his mouth.
I really can't find anything wrong with it.
However, Song Qi's use of this self-reference and tone sounded completely abnormal.
Zhao Zhi glanced at Song Qi, and seeing that she was still staring at him, he quickly frowned and said, "Have you finished eating? If you have, you can leave. I need to rest."
Song Qi rolled her eyes at Zhao Zhi, stood up and bowed: "Then this concubine will take her leave first, Your Majesty."
Zhao Zhi: I have to say, this emperor really had a very frustrating time. He had to endure people rolling their eyes at him, and he couldn't say anything.
After leaving Zhao Zhi's study, Song Qi went straight back to her palace. Since arriving here, she had developed the good habit of taking a midday rest.
After all, it's really boring here, and sleeping more will reduce the time she spends thinking about what she should do.
After waking up, I saw Meng Yilan sitting on the soft couch, staring at Yaofeng.
Why are you here?
Yao Feng quickly jumped off the soft couch and ran towards Song Qi, grabbing her leg.
Song Qi glanced down at it, then led it to the soft couch and sat down.
"You said you'd come to see me this afternoon, but I waited for ages and you still didn't come, so I had no choice but to come and see you myself." Meng Yilan looked at Song Qi, silently accusing him.
Yao Feng climbed onto Song Qi's lap, gazing at Meng Yilan from afar, baring his teeth and making strange noises.
Then Song Qi pressed him down.
Yao Feng nuzzled Song Qi's hand with her head, but when she realized that acting cute was useless, she whimpered and lay down on Song Qi's lap.
Meng Yilan glanced at Yao Feng; she really wanted to throw this thing away.
Although this thing doesn't get along with anyone, it seems to especially hate itself.
"Is Princess Yata alright?" Meng Yilan asked.
"It's nothing, just a cold." Song Qi frowned.
Meng Yilan noticed Song Qi's expression: "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Song Qi picked up Yao Feng. "Want to go boating?"
“Go ahead.” Meng Yilan’s eyes lit up.
"Aren't you cold anymore?"
"It's alright, I'm wearing a lot of layers today." Meng Yilan hugged the hot water bottle.
There is a large lake in the center of the hot spring palace.
Meng Yilan originally wanted to go boating on the lake with Song Qi, but then she encountered a group of concubines on the way, who all expressed that they also wanted to come.
Song Qi had no objections, and Meng Yilan could only laugh even if she did.
"Are you that happy?" Song Qi glanced at the bright smile on Meng Yilan's face.
Meng Yilan: ...
"Yes, I'm so happy."
They originally only wanted a small boat, but because there were too many people, they changed to a large boat.
The advantage of a large ship is that it's warmer.
Meng Yilan carefully boarded the boat, and Song Qi jumped a few steps on.
It has to be said that light-footed skills are very cool, but normally in the palace, she can't just fly around like that.
"Is it fun?" Meng Yilan looked at Song Qi, who had landed beside her, with a hint of envy.
"Um?"
“That’s right, fly…” Meng Yilan looked at Song Qi.
Want to give it a try?
Meng Yilan hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Song Qi put his arm around Meng Yilan's waist and jumped off the deck.
Meng Yilan was startled by Song Qi's sudden movement, let out a sharp scream, and clung tightly to Song Qi's neck.
The concubines, who had already boarded the ship or were still standing on the shore, watched longingly.
"It looks like it would be a lot of fun."
"Yes, I really want to try it too."
Although everyone usually acts like a well-bred lady, who doesn't secretly dream of breaking out of their comfort zone?
Song Qi took Meng Yilan for a spin on the lake, and after an incense stick's time, he brought her back to the deck.
Although Meng Yilan was shivering from the cold, there was an indescribable excitement in her eyes.
"Let's go in." Song Qi looked at Meng Yilan, rubbed her hand, and pulled her into the cabin.
The concubines sat on chairs, looking at them with piercing eyes.
"Your Majesty, is it fun?" asked a younger attendant.
Meng Yilan nodded reservedly, and after a long while said, "This is the most meaningful thing I've ever done in my life."
Then, Consort Chang looked at Song Qi with longing eyes.
Meng Yilan understood what the attendant meant, and pulled Song Qi to sit down next to her, blocking the attendant's view perfectly. She then poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to Song Qi.
"Thank you." Song Qi glanced at the others. "Why are you all looking at me? What do you usually do when you come on the ship?"
The group exchanged glances.
"Enjoy the scenery and have a chat."
"Let's play cards."
"If the boat were a little bigger, we could even hire an opera troupe to come aboard and sing."
Several of the bolder people spoke up.
Song Qi stroked his chin: "Let's do something different today."
What to play?
Song Qi recalled the party games from the previous world.
I originally wanted to suggest Werewolf, but considering the large number of people involved, getting them engaged would be quite difficult.
"There's no hierarchy in a game, is that alright?" Song Qi said.
The group exchanged glances.
Meng Yilan glanced at Song Qi, her eyes filled with excitement and amusement: Is it her?
“Okay,” Meng Yilan said.
When the Empress spoke, the others who had reservations also nodded.
"In the game of 'Passing the Flower,' the person who beats the drum can ask the person who receives the flower a question or ask them to do something, and they must answer and do it," Song Qi said. "The questions and requests can go a little overboard; things and questions that are too rigidly conventional are meaningless."
The group exchanged glances.
The palace maid quickly found a small drum.
“I’ll play the drum first and give a demonstration.” Song Qi turned around and handed the flowers to Meng Yilan.
The game begins.
The drums sounded.
This was the first time the concubines had played this kind of game, and the palace maids watched with some curiosity.
The drumming stopped.
Consort Fang received the flowers and was somewhat at a loss. When she saw Song Qi turn to look at her, she became even more at a loss.
"Do you want to answer questions, or do things?"
Consort Fang bit her lip: "Let's get to work."
"She winked at me and then complimented me on my looks."
Everyone's eyes lit up instantly.
Song Qi actually had even more outrageous demands, but considering the times, he restrained himself somewhat.
Consort Fang was stunned for a moment, her face turning bright red.
Biting her lip, she glanced at Song Qi several times before giving him a forcedly affectionate look and stammering, "The Imperial Concubine's appearance is breathtaking, enough to make fish sink and geese fall from the sky, enough to make the moon hide and flowers blush."
"I'll let you off the hook." Song Qi looked at Consort Fang. "I've never seen you so shy before."
Consort Fang wanted to glare at Song Qi, but she didn't dare.
The psychological trauma left on her by those few old women from last time was still there.
"You knock."
Consort Fang's eyes lit up, and she ran to the front of the drum.
She glanced at the number of people, then looked at Song Qi, and revealed a malicious smile.
Consort Fang knocked very slowly, and when Song Qi saw the flowers coming to her side, she immediately handed them to Meng Yilan.
Just as Meng Yilan was about to give it to someone else, the drumming stopped.
Consort Fang turned around and was somewhat disappointed to see Meng Yilan.
"Your Majesty, will you send a matron to discipline me?"
Song Qi glanced at Consort Fang: "I already said it's a game, there's no hierarchy in a game."
"Well, so, are you going to answer questions or do something?"
Meng Yilan glanced at Song Qi: "Let's get to work."
Consort Fang laughed and glanced at Song Qi: "Kick the Imperial Concubine."
Song Qi: ...
Meng Yilan: ...
Other concubines present: ...
It must be said that Consort Fang was incredibly bold.
Meng Yilan glanced at Consort Fang, then gently kicked Song Qi.
It wasn't exactly a kick, but it was more like a touch.
Consort Fang was somewhat disappointed, and then glanced at Song Qi: "Your Highness, you won't retaliate later, will you?"
"If I wanted revenge on you, I would have made you jump off the ship just now."
Consort Fang breathed a sigh of relief and returned to her seat.
Meng Yilan went and struck the drum.
She had just calculated the approximate time it would take to get to Song Qi's place, though she wasn't sure if it was accurate.
Every time I play the drum, it feels like I'm striking her heart.
When she stopped, she looked back and noticed that Song Qi was holding flowers, and her eyes lit up.
He was somewhat restrained in his excitement.
"What to choose?"
"Get things done." Song Qi looked at Meng Yilan, knowing that she had probably planned it all out.
Meng Yilan bit her lip, clenching and unclenching her fists: "Give me a hug."
Song Qi blinked and looked at Meng Yilan. This request was far too simple.
Consort Fang sighed in disappointment.
Meng Yilan glanced in her direction.
She actually wanted Song Qi to kiss her, but she was afraid of scaring her.
As soon as Song Qi stood up and opened her arms, Meng Yilan threw herself into her arms.
She paused for a moment.
Meng Yilan buried her head in Song Qi's chest, not caring what others thought of her.
She just wanted to hold her like this, to hold her like this forever.
Song Qi looked down at her, feeling a little strange, but still hugged her.
Meng Yilan smelled wonderful, sweet and fragrant, and she felt soft and cuddly. Holding her felt really nice.
The room was quiet, and no one spoke.
After a long while, Meng Yilan reluctantly let go of his hand and returned to her seat. Her expression was calm, but her cheeks were flushed with a faint blush, and her chest heaved.
The others found it strange, but didn't think much of it.
Song Qi glanced at Meng Yilan and continued playing the drum.
This time, the flower landed in the hands of the concubine. Before Song Qi could speak, the concubine excitedly raised her hand: "Can you take me for a ride?"
"I asked you to do this."
Changzai's mouth was agape, and her initially excited face quickly fell.
"Fine, I'll take you for a spin."
Changzai's face instantly lit up with a smile again.
Meng Yilan looked up at Song Qi, wanting to tell her not to do it, but not knowing how to say it.
Changzai was very light, and Song Qi easily picked her up.
The moment she was carried away, Changzai immediately cried out.
The concubines all stood on the deck watching.
"How old is she?" Song Qi was very curious about the little girl's age.
I'm thirteen.
"So small?"
"I'm not little! My father says I'm a big girl."
Song Qi frowned as he thought of Zhao Zhi: What a beast.
Zhao Zhi, who rarely visits the inner palace, sneezed while reading memorials.
"This is so much fun!"
"What's your name?" Song Qi asked, leading her across the water.
"Jiang Shan." Jiang Shan lowered his head and clung to Song Qi's arm.
Back on the ship, Jiang Shan grabbed familiar faces and shared his thoughts.
The others stared longingly at Song Qi.
Song Qi: ...
After that, whenever someone asked Song Qi for a great adventure, it was always by taking them on a flight.
Song Qi felt as if he had become some kind of "entertainment project".
Meng Yilan felt numb.
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