I heard that in the war on the front, Song Huaguo has turned from defense to offense and is about to launch a counterattack; after the results of the palace examination came out, the new compilers and editors of the Hanlin Academy were also highly regarded by Your Majesty and could share your worries.
I was originally happy for Song Heng that he could have some free time; but suddenly I realized that once he had some free time, he would definitely come to the harem.
But the harem is not equal to Chenxiang Pavilion. There are many people talking in the court. Even if my father is a powerful official, Song Heng will never ignore other concubines and only come to my Chenxiang Pavilion.
As she was playing with the empty white porcelain cup in her hand, Xiao Cui came rushing over: "My lady, you have to go to the Queen Mother today, don't forget!"
I suddenly came to my senses. I haven't seen the empress dowager face to face since I woke up from my coma. It is said that the empress dowager is ill and needs rest, so the concubines will not bother her during this period.
But the day before yesterday, the Queen sent a message saying that the Queen Mother was feeling better, so today all the concubines went to the Cining Palace to pay their respects to the Queen Mother.
I know very little about the Empress Dowager. Song Heng never told me, and neither did Xiao Cui and Xiao Tao. Apart from what Xiao Tao mentioned last time about me exposing a servant in front of the Empress Dowager and her punishing Song Heng by making him kneel, I really have no recollection of the rest.
After Xiao Cui and Xiao Tao helped me dress up, we went to the Cining Palace. When I entered, I found that the Cining Palace was already very lively, as if I was the last one to arrive.
But I had clearly arrived a quarter of an hour earlier than the agreed time. I subconsciously looked at the Queen. She was holding the handle of the blue and white porcelain cup with her slender knuckles and sipping tea leisurely.
The Queen Mother was sitting at the top, with kind eyes, but the look in her eyes didn't make me feel very warm.
After stepping forward and paying my respects, Xiao Cui took me to the lower side of Concubine Shu according to my rank.
"Are all here?" The Queen Mother glanced at the Queen.
"Mother, everyone is here." The Queen responded respectfully.
It seems the Queen and I just don't get along! Even paying respects to the Queen Mother requires such petty tactics.
I stood up and bowed again to the Empress Dowager, apologizing, "I'm still not as diligent as you sisters. I was so foolish that I thought I could save you and the sisters from waiting by coming a quarter of an hour early. I apologize."
All eyes in the room immediately fell on my face. I still kept my head slightly lowered and looked apologetic. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Queen Mother glance at the Queen.
The Queen seemed surprised by my explicit statement and was stunned for a moment before she said, "The maid who delivered the message must have gotten the time wrong. My sister's kindness in arriving a quarter of an hour earlier was already very kind. I was negligent. Next time, I will definitely have that maid confirm the time again."
"Well," the Queen Mother replied, "please sit down."
I feigned surprise, then respectfully retreated to my seat after hearing what the Queen Mother said: "Yes."
I have amnesia, not dementia. It's too despicable for the queen to use such a trick.
"I'm feeling better now. I called you here just to chat with you and relieve my fatigue." The Queen Mother spoke slowly.
"Heng'er is now twenty-one years old." The Queen Mother continued. Although there were many beautiful ladies sitting in the Cining Palace, it was indeed silent at this moment, and everyone was listening attentively.
It seems that the Queen Mother is very prestigious in the eyes of the concubines. From this, we can also know that Song Heng must be extremely filial and respectful to the Queen Mother.
"Empress, has Heng'er come to the harem recently?" The Queen Mother looked at the people around her.
The Queen hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, Mother."
I felt that many eyes were glancing at me, but I pretended not to know and continued to listen with my head lowered.
"Yes," the Queen Mother replied, "As imperial concubines, you should do your best to expand the royal family."
The Queen Mother lifted the lid of the teacup and blew gently: "But why is there no movement?"
This was quite explicit, and an awkward atmosphere permeated the room. Suddenly, a concubine who was not familiar to me and was sitting below me said aggrievedly: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty——"
Before he could finish his words, a maid rushed to the front of the palace and said, "Queen Dowager, His Majesty has arrived."
The Queen Mother responded without much reaction and continued to look at the concubine. The concubine continued to whisper, "Your Majesty, don't come to my palace..."
It just sounds like a young wife complaining about her husband.
This sudden thought made me feel uncomfortable.
Some concubines chuckled at the words, but they didn't dare to speak loudly. The Queen frowned and scolded her, "How dare you! Your Majesty, you are not allowed to speak nonsense!"
The Queen Mother shook her head. "Come to my place to chat, and I won't be so reserved. That's all."
The little concubine stopped talking, and I noticed that her skirt was almost wrinkled by her hands.
At this time, Song Heng strode in, dressed in a moonlight white robe: "Greetings, mother."
"Get up." The empress dowager put down the teacup. I subconsciously looked at Song Heng, and our eyes met. Then he walked to the front of the hall and sat next to the empress dowager.
"I was just talking about you," the Queen Mother said like a nagging old mother, "you're already twenty-one."
"I know the court is very busy, but we've been busy for a year or two, and there's no time to rest?"
Song Heng said calmly, "We have time to rest. Mother, are you feeling better?"
The Queen Mother glanced at Song Heng, and I read the meaning of "don't change the subject" in her words: "Well, I'm feeling better now. If I could have a grandchild, I'd probably get better even faster."
The concubines sitting below listened to the conversation between the mother and son and could only try their best not to say anything, looking at their noses with their eyes and their hearts with their noses to reduce their presence, and I was naturally no exception.
"I heard that you have been going to Chenxiang Pavilion frequently recently." The Queen Mother said calmly.
I knew that if the Empress Dowager really cared, how could she not know about the Emperor's movements? It turned out that asking the Queen just now was just a formality.
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