Chapter 15: Storm. His rescuer arrived.
Those who were invited to Fengwu Palace to appreciate the flowers were naturally royal relatives and powerful families of high status. They only needed to perform common etiquette to the queen, and there was no need to kneel down in such a cumbersome manner.
The queen had a graceful face. Perhaps because of her age, she looked at the people with an especially gentle and kind gaze, like a bodhisattva holding a pure bottle.
She said softly, motioning everyone to stand up. "I'm sorry you've come to the palace to enjoy the flowers, but the flowers here are blooming beautifully. If you like any, you can take a few pots back with you."
"Thank you, Queen."
It doesn’t matter whether the flowers are there or not. What matters is where the flowers come from, and they were obtained from the Empress Dowager.
Following the Queen's words, the ladies dispersed, and those who knew each other gathered together again to chat. Naturally, some of them always surrounded the Queen.
He Zhiliao was afraid of the queen. Others might not know it, but he knew how cruel and ruthless this queen, who seemed like a kind mother, was.
What was broken in Fengwu Palace before were only cups and tea sets, but in his heart, it was himself who was broken.
She pinned such a false accusation on him. Even if he was stupid, he knew that the Queen was targeting the Pei family. She just couldn't find the right opportunity to attack him.
He followed behind Qin Yurong, fearing that he would be caught by someone again, and that his mother-in-law would be implicated and suffer with him.
Qin Yurong took him around, and after the whole process, he had recognized all the people here. He also arranged them according to their closeness and distance as Pei Ji had told him before, so that it would be easier for them to get along with each other later.
"Aunt, we want to go over there and rest for a while. Let Brother Azhi come with us?" Song Shiyu's voice was sweet and cute. Although she was holding her mother's arm, she was acting coquettishly towards Qin Yurong.
After she said this, she did not forget to glance at Yan Jingchun. Before the two of them came, they had been told that they must have fun with Pei Ji's brother Zhengjun at the flower viewing banquet. Even if it were not for anything else, just based on the relationship between their families, they should get along well.
He Zhiliao instantly became nervous. He knew before coming here that he would come into contact with the young ladies and gentlemen of these two families, but when it was really brought up now, he still felt scared.
It's not that he wants to judge others by his own standards, but he is also afraid that they will bully him when they are alone.
Qin Yurong nodded at him soothingly, "Azhi should also get along with people of the same age, listen more, and observe more."
Ah.
After getting approval, Song Shiyu and Yan Jingchun immediately walked to his sides, hugged his arms, and quickly took him away from the group of ladies.
Song Shiyu's personality was completely different from her name, she was very cheerful and playful. The two of them took him away from the crowd to the stone table in the corner, and happily took him to drink tea and appreciate the flowers.
In Fengwu Palace, there are many varieties of brightly colored peonies, including yellow, green, flesh-red, deep red, silver-red, etc. Looking around, the huge flowers flutter in the wind, swaying their bodies as if telling everyone how favored she is.
"I suspect it was the work of the goddess of Luochuan, whose charming and graceful forms pierce the morning glow." Yan Jingchun recited the poem softly, "This charming and enchanting peony has truly earned its master great honor."
He Zhiliao's bright eyes widened instantly.
Song Shiyu couldn't help but chuckle, "It's a pity you dared to say such things. If others heard it, they would blame you for being disrespectful."
"What are you talking about?" Yan Jingchun said with an innocent expression, "Aren't we praising the swaying beauty of the peonies? Who dares to sow discord with us using fabricated accusations?"
The three of them looked at each other and laughed.
Just then, a group of well-dressed men and women, surrounding the person in the middle, walked towards them.
The seventh prince again.
If it was because of He Zhiliao's previous suicide attempt that everyone in the capital knew that he would not marry anyone but Pei Ji, then the Seventh Prince An Jin's affection for Pei Ji was even more well-known to everyone.
But everyone knows that An Jin has been begging Emperor An for many years but has never gotten what she wanted, but He Zhiliao got there first. If she says that she doesn't hold any resentment, no one will believe her.
They were quite a sight, and it was clear at first glance that they were up to no good.
Song Shiyu and Yan Jingchun stood up and stood in front of He Zhiliao. Even if the Seventh Prince wanted to cause trouble, he had to get past them first.
"Seventh Prince."
"Miss Song, Young Master Yan." An Jin raised an eyebrow, her tone feigning doubt. "When did you two become He Zhiliao's followers? As soon as this prince arrived, you immediately protected him. You are truly loyal."
He Zhiliao frowned and quickly saluted, showing a humble attitude. He didn't want others to suffer any misfortune because of him.
What's more, the other party is a prince, so no matter what, it is better to be respectful to him.
Song Shiyu helped him up. She had nothing to fear in front of An Jin. He was just an unpopular male monarch. The imperial power would not allow him to have any contact with him in the future. That was why she only dared to bring these male monarchs and noble ladies to do these bullying things.
She had been reluctant to come to the flower viewing party before, but her brother insisted that she come. It turned out that there was a place for her to come.
"My Song family and the Yan family are only loyal to Your Majesty. What is the Seventh Prince's intention to say such divisive words?" Song Shiyu snorted and laughed, and confronted An Jin directly.
"Song Shiyu! How dare you speak like that to this prince! I will make my father punish you severely! It would be best if I could arrange a disgusting marriage for you! Let's see how you dare to show off in front of me!" An Jin said angrily.
Song Shiyu didn't take it to heart at all. "If that's the case, I'll leave it to Your Majesty to decide."
The Song family is of high status, and His Majesty will never grant a marriage casually. But if there really comes a day when a marriage is granted, she will be supported by the Song family and should also pave a way for the family.
An Jin knew he couldn't win the argument with Song Shiyu, so he turned the conversation to He Zhi. He said disdainfully, "Hearing her protect you, are you very proud? Of course, you're just dumb and can't speak, so naturally you have to rely on others to protect you. That's what useless people are like. They only disgust others!"
He Zhiliao's face turned pale instantly, his breathing became rapid, and he bit the tender flesh of his lower lip tightly, fearing that he would not be able to help but choke.
He knew that he was no good and had heard a lot of unpleasant words, but no one could be truly indifferent to malice.
"Seventh Prince." Yan Jingchun's voice was light. "The prince is born into the royal family. He should be of one mind with Your Majesty, loving his children and the people. But today, the prince spoke ill of his own selfish desires. If this gets out, it will not only damage the prince's reputation, but will also make Your Majesty dissatisfied."
These words directly hit the seventh prince's soft spot.
He was never favored by his father, and he had to pretend to be good in the past two years.
If today's events were to get out, he would be scolded again, and his mother would definitely blame him...
"He Zhilao, I will let you go today." The seventh prince snorted coldly and was about to leave with the crowd behind him, but another person appeared in the crowd and stopped him.
"I saw that everyone was gathered here, so I came here uninvited. Please don't blame me, Seventh Prince." Xu Xinran's voice was soft and gentle, with an approachable smile on her soft and beautiful face.
Xu Xinran is someone that even the Seventh Prince has to give some face to.
After all, she is the queen's niece.
An Jin looked her up and down, and curled the corners of her lips. "The Queen is hosting a flower viewing banquet, and Miss Xu is invited, so of course she can come."
"The peonies in my aunt's palace are in full bloom. You need to be quiet to appreciate their unique beauty. It would be bad if we disturbed these flowers." Xu Xinran said softly, "Besides, it would be too embarrassing if we kept talking about marriage."
The Seventh Prince's expression suddenly changed, and even Song Shiyu's expression became a little subtle.
It turns out that he is not easy to get along with.
He Zhiliao took in everyone's expressions. This Miss Xu was truly a ruthless character. She was able to offend two groups of people with just one sentence, yet she was still given the reputation of being beautiful and intelligent.
"Miss Xu, this is the imperial palace after all. We must abide by the rules and address her respectfully as Empress. Otherwise, if word gets out, won't the people think we in the royal family have no rules of respect or inferiority?"
It's really laughable to hear someone who was just swearing say such things.
But he is a prince after all.
Xu Xinran looked calm and smiled slightly, "The Seventh Prince reminded me not to let anyone hear me. I thought I was deliberately showing off this relationship, but I was really mistaken."
They started to argue, which made He Zhi and a few others leave.
The three of them found an empty seat and sat down, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Song Shiyu took a sip of her cold tea and sighed softly, "You've seen it today. Every one of these people is not easy to get along with. You better be careful and don't fall into their trap!"
He Zhiliao nodded nervously, his palms already cold. He hadn't expected that things would become so chaotic when there were so many people around.
Song Shiyu ate as she talked, and the snacks on the table soon went into their stomachs. The maid beside her immediately went to the long table to get some, as she would never let the girls go hungry.
"Eat more. You're so thin. Only when you're full will you have the strength to fight these people!" Song Shiyu pushed the remaining cake in front of him.
He Zhiliao hurried to catch it, but as soon as his hand touched the plate, a force knocked him down.
At the critical moment, Yanhua and Xixin hugged and pulled him to steady his body, but the plate of snacks fell to the ground.
The sound of the plate breaking and the maid's crying and begging sounded at the same time, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
He Zhiliao was completely frightened.
Even though it had nothing to do with him, the plate was broken because of him. Last time, Wuxin was whipped half to death. If he made the same mistake again, what kind of punishment would he receive...
"Empress, please spare me! Lord, please spare me!" The palace maid was still crying.
He Zhiliao's whole body was trembling, and panic and fear were revealed in his eyes. Who would spare him?
What should he do? What should he do...
"He really is a small family."
"It's really shameful that you love to make a fool of yourself like this!"
"How could the Pei family allow such a person to bring disgrace upon our family?"
Those thorny glances seemed to say how embarrassing he was.
"Pei Yunzhou requests an audience with the Empress!"
The resounding voice reached Fengwu Palace, and the Queen suddenly had a headache. Even with such a strict protocol, she still had to invite him into the outer court.
Pei Ji strode in and saw the panicked little mute at a glance. He Zhi looked at him as if asking for help, and his nose felt sore.
His rescuer arrived.
The author has something to say:
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Thank you for the nutrient solution~ [hug]
Supplement: I suspect it was written by the goddess of Luochuan, whose charming and charming figures pierce the morning glow. —Xu Ning, Tang Dynasty
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