Qi Yu is the courtesy name of the Fourth Prince, Zhao Xuanyang. Zhao Xuanyang was born to the Empress and held a noble status. When Qin Qi was young, Emperor Yuming often summoned Prime Minister Qin to the palace. Prime Minister Qin was worried about leaving Qin Qi alone at home, so he brought her to the palace to play. They would often run into the Fourth Prince, and over time the two became acquainted. There were even rumors in the capital that she was the future Fourth Prince's consort, but no one knew who was spreading these rumors.
In any case, she is now married to Lu Huai, and it is never good to bring up the past. She doesn't know what the Empress's intentions are.
Qin Xi shook her head: "Your Majesty, my husband and I did not encounter the Fourth Prince when we entered the palace."
Husband?
Lu Huai was stunned for a moment.
"That's strange. Qi Yu has been saying he wanted to see you for a long time, but he didn't come today. He must have been held up by something," the Empress said with a hint of regret.
"In that case, my husband and I will take our leave now, as we are going to see the Imperial Concubine."
Emperor Yuming nodded upon hearing this, "Then go and see your aunt. She has been having a poor appetite lately, so go and check on her for me."
The Empress smiled kindly, but secretly clenched her handkerchief tightly in her hand. She took off a jade bracelet and put it on Qin Qi's wrist: "This jade bracelet was a tribute from the Western Regions a few days ago. I thought its bright color would look good on you, so I specially took it out today, and now it seems that it is indeed so."
Qin Qi bowed and expressed his gratitude, and the two then left Fengqi Palace and headed towards the Imperial Concubine's residence.
Lu Huai remained silent after leaving Fengqi Palace, and Qin Xi didn't know what to say either. As they approached the Imperial Concubine's palace, Lu Huai still didn't utter a sound. Qin Xi pursed her lips and tentatively reached out to take Lu Huai's hand. Lu Huai paused for a moment, but didn't pull his hand away.
Qin Xi smiled slightly.
Consort Qin disliked being disturbed, not even by her own niece. Therefore, when they reached the door, Qin Qi had a palace maid go in to announce her arrival, while she and Lu Huai waited outside.
After a moment, the palace maids let them in.
A red beaded curtain hung in Consort Qin's room. When the two entered, Consort Qin was reclining on a couch behind the curtain. Seeing them come in, she propped her head up with one hand and looked towards the doorway. Even through the curtain, she exuded captivating charm.
"I bow to my aunt, wishing her a long and peaceful life."
"This humble subject pays respects to Your Highness, may Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Consort Qin gave a lazy "hmm": "Get up. Yizhi hasn't come to see me in a long time. I remember when you were just a little kid, I held you in my arms, and you just kept giggling. Now you're married. Time really flies. Is that your sweetheart over there? Why doesn't he call me aunt like you do?"
Qin Xi glanced at the silent Lu Huai and smiled, "To answer your question, Aunt, his name is Lu Huai. He's a little shy, so he's a bit distant."
Consort Qin sat up and chuckled twice: "Little Yizhi can lie now. Although I am in the deep palace, I am not completely oblivious to what is happening outside. Can the famous Second Young Master Lu be shy?"
Qin Xi playfully stuck out her tongue: "As expected, nothing can be hidden from Auntie."
"He is indeed handsome, and his appearance alone is worthy of you," said Consort Qin.
Lu Huai twitched the corner of his mouth.
Seeing this, Qin Qi changed the subject: "His Majesty said that Aunt has been having a poor appetite lately. Is Aunt alright?"
"Ha," Consort Qin scoffed, "He's all talk, yet he's never set foot in my Niaona Palace."
Because the Imperial Consort's given name contained only the character "袅" (niǎo), Emperor Yuming renamed the palace "袅娜宫" (Niǎonà Palace). This shows that although Emperor Yuming disliked Prime Minister Qin, he greatly favored Imperial Consort Qin.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
