When Minister Lu saw the two of them holding hands as they arrived, he was very pleased, but he nodded solemnly on the surface.
Bao Bao carried a tea tray with two cups of tea on it. Qin Xi stood up, took one cup, and then knelt down to hand it to Minister Lu: "Please have some tea, Your Excellency."
Minister Lu took the tea, took a sip, nodded with great satisfaction, then took a heavy red envelope from the steward and handed it to Qin Xi: "Get up, it's time for your meal."
"Thank you, sir."
Lu Huai silently rolled her eyes, utterly speechless. She was acting like a proper young lady right now.
After breakfast, Qin Qi and Lu Huai had to go to the palace to meet the emperor.
Minister Lu instructed the steward to prepare many items for them, and each person counted the quantity, noting which items were for Emperor Yuming and the Empress, and which were for the Imperial Concubine.
After the inventory was completed, Lu Huai and Qin Qi prepared to depart. Minister Lu saw them off at the door and instructed Lu Huai, "Changjue, once you enter the palace, you can no longer act willfully. Listen to Yizhi in everything you do, and don't offend the Emperor."
Qin Xi covered her mouth and laughed when she saw Lu Huai's impatient yet helpless expression as he finished speaking.
Lu Huai stole a glance at her and saw that she was smiling. A smile, which he himself did not even realize appeared on his lips.
Once inside the carriage, the two tacitly sat on opposite sides. Qin Xi lifted the curtain to peek out, then turned her head to find Lu Huai asleep against the carriage wall again.
Qin Xi shook her head helplessly.
The streets were bustling with noise; the cries of vendors, cheers for street performers, and the sound of a piano drifting from somewhere filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Tsk, the weather is quite nice today," Lu Huai said, sitting up at some point and lifting the curtain.
Qin Xi nodded: "Aren't you going to sleep? We'll be going to the palace in a while."
"It's so noisy outside, how can I sleep?" Lu Huai stretched and glanced at Qin Xi, saying.
Qin Xi nodded; it was indeed lively.
They soon arrived at the palace gate. Lu Huai jumped off the carriage first and then stretched out his hands to Qin Xi. Qin Xi thought Lu Huai was going to take her hand, so she smiled at him and then placed her hand in his.
Unexpectedly, Lu Huai glanced at her as if to say she was a bit silly, then wrapped his arms around her and carried her in a princess carry.
Qin Xi was stunned and didn't react until Lu Huai put her on the ground.
"Cough, you said it yourself, that we should make people think we're very close in public," Lu Huai said, looking around furtively as he avoided her gaze.
“In that case… let’s go in quickly,” Qin Xi stammered.
Lu Huai nodded, reached out and took Qin Xi's hand, but kept his eyes looking ahead.
Qin Xi was led by him, walking behind Lu Huai. She touched her burning cheeks, her heart beating unusually fast.
The two first went to see Emperor Yuming and the Empress. Emperor Yuming sat in the main seat of Fengqi Palace, while the Empress sat beside him.
"This humble subject, Lu Huai, and his wife pay their respects to Your Majesty and the Empress. Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Empress!"
Emperor Yuming raised his hand, signaling them to rise. The Empress smiled kindly, "Your Majesty, look at these two children, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, truly a perfect match."
"Hmm," Emperor Yuming smiled and nodded in agreement, "Indeed, they are a match made in heaven."
In such a setting, Qin Xi could only smile and remain silent. As for Lu Huai, he was even less likely to do anything; Qin Xi was just grateful he could even complete the formalities.
"Indeed, this Yizhi, I watched her grow up," the Empress reached out and affectionately pulled Qin Qi to her side, patting her hand and saying, "Yizhi, did you see Qi Yu today? You haven't come to the palace for a long time, and he's been missing you terribly. He heard you got married and he was quite unhappy about it."
Hearing this, Lu Huai finally lifted his eyelids and looked at Qin Xi, feeling inexplicably uncomfortable.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
