Chapter 545: Concubine Wen's Embarrassment

Zhao Qingqing, who was standing by, heard what her mother-in-law said and hurriedly stepped forward. After bowing to her, she said, "Mother, you forgot. Didn't my younger sister write to me earlier? I finally went to the south and wanted to take Wanwan around. I think I will be back a little late."

After listening to Zhao Qingqing's explanation, Xiao couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. She was not willing to let Qingyan go this time, but the emperor's order was hard to disobey. Besides, it was Qingyan who took the initiative to ask for resignation, so she had to let her go.

Song Qingqi was a man, and he was relieved about his son. He just hoped to see his daughter as soon as possible. But he didn't expect that she hadn't come back yet.

I thought...

Xiao felt somewhat disgraced at the time and felt unhappy.

Tong, who was standing by, stepped forward to comfort her mother-in-law: "Mother, everyone is welcoming our general's triumphant return. Mother, please don't let others see any clues."

Xiao nodded to Tong. Her three daughters-in-law were all worry-free.

Fortunately, with them around, I was able to survive in the Marquis' Mansion for so many years.

At this time, Song Qingqi had already led all the soldiers and slowly walked in front of the emperor.

Song Qingqi dismounted from his horse and knelt down majestically: "I have returned victorious, and I have fulfilled my mission."

The Great Chu Emperor hurriedly stepped forward and personally helped Song Qingqi up. "Marquis Dingguo won a great victory in this battle. I am very pleased. You have all worked hard."

After saying this, the Emperor of Great Chu looked up at the soldiers in front of him. They had already dismounted from their horses and were standing in place, waiting for His Majesty to call the troops.

Hearing the Great Chu Emperor say this, all the soldiers knelt down hurriedly: "Long live our emperor. Long live our emperor."

The resounding voice instantly spread throughout the capital, and even alarmed the Queen Mother who was in Rongle Palace at the time.

"Listen to the sounds outside. The army is returning." The Queen Mother's voice was filled with joy but also a hint of fatigue. Perhaps it was because of her age. In recent days, she often felt exhausted. Even the medicine left by Qiong Hua seemed to have little effect.

Seeing the Queen Mother like this, Nanny Su, who was serving beside her, suppressed her discomfort and stepped forward to explain: "Your Majesty, I am back today!"

Hearing what Su said, the Queen Mother felt a little disappointed: "You said, Qingyan has been away for so long."

"Do you think she will come back with Marquis Dingguo and the others this time?"

Nanny Su knew that the Empress Dowager was thinking about the Imperial Concubine, and naturally Princess Yong'an, so she quickly spoke to comfort her: "Didn't the Empress Dowager also receive a letter from the Imperial Concubine?"

"The Royal Concubine is probably going to take the princess out to play for a while!"

"I think the princess must have been frustrated during this time in the Western Camp. You, Queen Mother, know the princess's temper."

The Queen Mother smiled and waved her hands: "Let alone Yong'an, even Qingyan's personality would make her unable to stay. I know it all."

"But now my body is getting more and more tired. I think if I can't see Qingyan, my life will be..."

Hearing this, Nanny Su knelt down hurriedly and said, "Don't talk nonsense, Empress Dowager."

"The Queen Mother is still in good health! And with Miss Qionghua's medicine, there will be no problem! The Queen Mother will live a long life!"

Seeing the nanny in front of her so anxious, the queen mother waved her hand and motioned her to stand up: "You don't have to be like this. I know my own body well. People are always born, grow old, get sick and die."

"Fortunately, I have Qingyan with me in this palace. If I go to the underworld, Qingya will definitely take care of everything for me."

"The two sisters of the Song family, no, the entire Song family, are truly the treasures of our Great Chu State!"

After the Empress Dowager said this, Nanny Su said nothing more, but the sadness in her eyes was hard to conceal.

At this time, outside the city wall, the Emperor of Great Chu saw the soldiers in front of him kneeling down to salute, and his heart couldn't help but surge. When he was a prince, he was also a soldier on the battlefield. He knew the hardships of marching and fighting, and also knew the pride of returning victorious.

So when he spoke again, his tone was a little more heroic: "I have already prepared a celebration banquet for all the soldiers to welcome you all."

As soon as the Emperor of Great Chu finished speaking, the entire capital was immersed in joy.

The emperor glanced at the army in front of him and felt a flash of disappointment in his heart. Qingyan did not return with the army. He had thought he would be able to see her.

Forget it. Since I have agreed to let her travel abroad, I shouldn't bother with these things anymore. She will come back anyway.

The Queen Mother was not the only one who heard the noise outside. Concubine Wen, who had been staying in the palace and rarely went out, seemed to have heard the noise outside. She turned around and asked the maid beside her, "Did the army return?"

Sometimes, news from the harem spreads no slower than that from the front court.

The news that Dali Kingdom lent troops to Yuefeng Kingdom to attack Dachu Kingdom naturally reached Concubine Wen's ears, and the other concubines in the harem also couldn't help but point fingers at Concubine Wen.

I didn't expect that my second brother, who is always known for his prudence, would make such a decision. Is he going to openly compete with the Great Chu?

As a result, Concubine Wen's position in the harem became somewhat uncomfortable.

Although Concubine Lan is in charge of the harem now, everyone has to pay respects to the Empress Dowager every ten days, and there is no need to pay respects to her every other day.

However, there were many concubines in the harem, and the emperor was busy, so it was inevitable that concubines would wander around. The news spread everywhere, and Concubine Wen appeared less and less in public.

After all, it was my second brother who was wrong in this matter, and I cannot argue with others. Besides, it would be the best situation if Your Majesty can forget about me now.

"Has the army returned?" The one who asked this time was Concubine Lan, who was currently in Concubine Wen's palace.

Concubine Lan has always been someone who cares about other people's feelings. Moreover, now that the Second Prince has gone to Yuefeng Kingdom with Xia Ning, Concubine Lan has felt more relaxed in the palace. Now, because of the matter of Dali Kingdom, Concubine Lan is afraid that Concubine Wen will be upset, so she comes often.

In her eyes, Concubine Wen was a simple-minded person, and she really didn't want her to be dragged into these matters of national hatred and family feuds.

Concubine Lan stood up and walked to Concubine Wen's side. She gently took her hand and said to her in comfort, "Sister, don't take it to heart. Those people's gossips..."

Concubine Wen smiled and turned to look at Concubine Lan, and shook her head gently: "Sister Lan, I know you are trying to comfort me, but since this has happened, I have to bear the consequences for the Dali Kingdom."

Concubine Wen would not tell Concubine Lan about the dirty deeds in the Dali royal family, but she couldn't help feeling sad when she thought that her second brother, whom she once respected very much, was so indifferent to her.