Chapter 400: The Queen Mother Discusses Yunting's Marriage
The porridge distribution was also taking place at the dock. Because the Black Armored Army helped maintain order, there was no chaos and everything was in good order.
Chang Hui was actually helping as well.
And Mingming, he just came home to celebrate the New Year in the morning.
"Why are you here?" Lu Qinniang asked with a smile. The more she looked at him, the better he seemed to her.
She thought to herself that maybe she would be able to tell Erya after a few years.
It is said that he came from a humble background and worked hard to climb up, just like Zhang Heyao.
But how can people be the same?
Chang Hui is hardworking but not paranoid. He is a very good guy.
He was trying hard, not to step on anyone, but more like... as if he wanted to firm up the unstable ground under his feet.
His background had wronged him, but he did not have the sour air of complaining about his fate. Instead, he exuded a tenacity, like the bamboo in the corner of the yard that was bent by the snow but bounced back.
Chang Hui greeted them with a smile, his voice gentle and respectful: "Boss, Second Miss, you're here. I didn't have much to do at home, so I thought I could help out, so I came over."
Only then did Lu Qiniang remember that he was in an awkward situation at home, and the more festive the days were, the more uncomfortable he felt.
Alas, what a good child, it’s all the fault of Shopkeeper Chang.
Erya also smiled and talked to Chang Hui about her hair dye, "With the help of the Queen Mother, I think the sales will be very good after the New Year."
"Yes, I will." Chang Hui nodded. "Second Miss, I will arrange for someone to guard the shop later. If anyone asks, just tell them that they will be available after the shop opens on the 15th. If many people ask, I will let you know in time so that we can stock up during this period."
"Okay, okay, you're really thoughtful." Arya nodded repeatedly, "It turns out that experience is also necessary."
"Chang Hui is not only experienced, but also caring." Lu Qiniang said, "Chang Hui, you don't have much to do during the first month of the year, so come and visit us. We don't have any relatives to visit, so come and have some tea, chat, and tell us about your business."
Chang Hui thanked her with a smile.
Erya said, "Mother, please let him go. He is your shopkeeper and has to follow your orders every day. It's hard to relax for a few days during the New Year, but you still summon him under your nose. Even Zhou Paopi can't compare to you."
This made everyone laugh.
In the palace, two hours ago.
Inside the Cining Palace, the scent of sandalwood wafts through the air.
Led by Consort Shu, a group of ladies in formal attire held their breath, knelt in order, and said in unison, "Your servants (your servants) respectfully beg the Empress Dowager for her well-being. May she be in good health and live a long and blessed life!"
The voice echoed in the solemn and dignified hall with the usual respect.
"Everyone, get up." The Queen Mother's voice came from above, gentle yet revealing her usual majesty.
Everyone thanked him, lowered their heads and eyes, and stood up respectfully.
According to the rules, their gazes should now respectfully fall on the floor tiles in front of them, or under the Queen Mother's throne.
However, when they inadvertently raised their eyes slightly with due sense of propriety, ready to listen to the Queen Mother's instructions——
The air in the entire hall seemed to freeze at that moment.
All eyes seemed to be firmly attracted by a magnet, unable to move away from the Empress Dowager's head.
Even the most calm and steady Concubine Shu's body shook slightly, her lips slightly opened, and the greeting after "Thank you, Empress Dowager" was stuck in her throat.
The empress dowager was sitting on the phoenix throne, still wearing the bright yellow dress that symbolized supreme honor, and still had the same graceful and elegant demeanor.
But the gray hair that once symbolized time and honor had disappeared without a trace, replaced by black, thick, and shiny black hair like ink jade, making people seem to vaguely see what she looked like twenty years ago.
The Queen Mother chuckled softly and raised her hand to hold her temples. "I was just in a spur of the moment. I couldn't bear to offend Yun Ting's filial piety, so I dyed my hair. Look how scared you are, as if you had seen an old monster."
Concubine Shu hurriedly said, "I was frightened. I thought a beautiful young woman from the harem was impersonating you! If it weren't for your love for the Duke of Yun and his son, and your filial piety, thinking of all the good things for you, even I, the concubine, would be happy to see it."
Everyone echoed the compliments, making the Queen Mother smile from ear to ear.
Everyone knew that the Queen Mother might not be happy when the princes were mentioned.
But Kua Yunting will definitely please the Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother had someone offer them a seat and said to the old lady of the Yunguo Mansion, "Didn't Yun Ting give it to you? Why are you useless?"
The old lady thought to herself, I know I gave it to you, how dare I steal the limelight?
"I thought he was joking, but I never thought he was so kind. Otherwise, you would say that you love him, but I am ashamed of myself. When I get home, I will use it immediately. When the neighbors come to visit during the New Year, they will be amazed."
She spoke humbly and humorously, and everyone laughed along.
The Queen Mother also rewarded several highly respected wives of dukes and said, "Go back and try it out. Even when you are old, you still need to pay attention to your appearance."
The dukes and their wives all expressed their gratitude.
Before leaving, the empress dowager left the old lady of Duke Yun's Mansion alone.
"My lady, if you have anything to say, please let me know."
"There's no one else now," the Queen Mother relaxed, leaning against the pillow on the couch. "I want to ask you, what are your plans for Yun Ting's marriage?"
The old lady of the Duke of Yun said, "I've looked at a few girls before, but I always felt that something wasn't right here or there, and it gave me a headache. I wonder if the Empress Dowager has found another girl she likes? That would be great."
"Although I love Yun Ting, I also know that he belongs to your Yunguo Mansion," the Queen Mother said calmly, "If I rashly arrange a marriage for him, I'm afraid you won't be happy."
"How can I bear what the Empress Dowager said?"
How could the old lady not hear that the Queen Mother was warning her?
When the Queen Mother agreed to the marriage between the princess and her son, she had already said that the princess's body was not suitable for bearing children, and she also did not allow Duke Yun to take a concubine.
The old lady didn't want to agree, but her son was willing, and she was also afraid of the royal family, so she agreed reluctantly.
She also didn't expect that the princess would later exchange her life for another and give birth to Yun Ting.
She could understand why the Empress Dowager was upset about this.
After all, they are all mothers.
"The Empress Dowager has treated Ting'er so well, and the Duke's Mansion is deeply grateful," the old lady said quickly. "If we can have your arranged marriage, it will be a great blessing for Ting'er and the Duke's Mansion."
"Please sit down. We are both old and feeble-minded," said the Queen Mother. "All that happened in the past is in the past. After all, the dead cannot be resurrected. I have a marriage in mind, and I think it would be a good one. Since you don't mind, I will mention it to you."
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