Qin Lixue's expression froze immediately.
He felt that although Prince Ding appeared to be concerned, he was actually mocking him.
"...Your Majesty, this is pure nonsense. It's just rumors among the people." He gritted his teeth and swung his sleeves.
"Oh?" Prince Ding said playfully.
He then asked, "If it was just a rumor, why did Lord Qin seek private consultation with Lady Ji?"
Qin Lixue tried hard to maintain his composure.
He followed Wu Qing's back with his eyes, feeling anxious, but due to his status as Prince Ding, he had to explain: "Since it is a false rumor, I should find her to clarify it together."
"Besides, both Lady Ji and I are responsible for teaching the prince. It is part of our job to have a private conversation. There is nothing wrong with that."
"I'm afraid it's not 'occasionally'." Prince Ding chuckled.
"Lord Qin goes into the palace every day, and the number of times he meets with Concubine Ji...I'm afraid it has overshadowed the time Concubine Ji spent with the Emperor. Can this also be called 'occasionally'?"
Qin Lixue sensed something unusual in his words. He withdrew his gaze and looked at the prince warily.
Prince Ding smiled slightly and said, "All men in the world know how to avoid suspicion, but Lord Qin is a clear stream."
"Lord Qin and Lady Ji were once engaged, but now Lord Qin not only did not give in, but also relied on Lady Ji to get the opportunity to enter the upper study room - I really admire Lord Qin's courage."
As a famous idle prince in Chen Kingdom, Prince Ding had never given Qin Lixue a cold look.
Qin Lixue only realized today that Prince Ding was also quite good at talking.
Qin Lixue spoke in a low voice, revealing obvious displeasure, "It seems that the things between me and Noble Lady Ji have nothing to do with Your Majesty, right?"
"Lord Qin is right. I am just an outsider." Prince Ding smiled and said, "I just can't stand some people who pretend to be righteous on the surface but do shameful things behind the scenes."
"There are some men in the world who, after getting married, still miss their old lovers. This is infidelity."
"Knowing it is impossible and still doing it is stupid."
"After falling into the trap, instead of reflecting on oneself, one uses the power of words to cover up one's incompetence. This is called being stubborn."
After finishing his words, Prince Ding deliberately added: "I am only scolding people like this. Lord Qin is a man of high moral character, so he is naturally not included in this category."
Qin Lixue's face turned pale: "You!"
Prince Ding waved his hands and said innocently, "Don't worry, Lord Qin. I was talking about some men in the world, and it has nothing to do with you. Why are you angry?"
Qin Lixue was furious. Even if he was a dullard, he could understand who Prince Ding was mocking!
There are fewer and fewer people on the palace road.
A eunuch with a shrill voice stood by the threshold, urging the guests who had not yet arrived to hurry up: "Time is running out, please hurry up, sirs."
Prince Ding's gaze lingered on Qin Lixue for a moment, then he changed the subject and casually asked, "Sir Qin, are you also going to attend the Queen Mother's birthday banquet?"
Qin Lixue's face was stern.
As a foreign official, he was able to stay in the Forbidden Palace at this moment because he was responsible for teaching the princes.
The eunuch at the side had been watching this place for a long time. Finally, he could no longer suppress his anxiety and stepped forward to urge: "Master Qin, it is getting late. Do you think…"
"I know my limits and will leave before the palace gates close. You don't need to urge me." Qin Lixue replied quickly.
His tone was too harsh. The young eunuch pursed his lips, lowered his head and rolled his eyes.
Everyone present here can enter the Cining Palace, except you, and you are still pretending here.
Prince Ding smiled knowingly and said goodbye to Qin Lixue: "The Queen Mother's birthday banquet will begin soon. I will go first. Sir Qin, take care."
The door of the Cining Palace slowly closed, completely isolating Qin Lixue from the royal family.
He looked away with a gloomy expression and walked in the shadow under the palace wall.
Qin Lixue had something on his mind and didn't know that his shadow had been distorted into the appearance of a female ghost.
…
The ceremony in the Cining Palace was no less grand than the emperor's birthday banquet.
In the center, there is a long table with seats for the emperor, the empress dowager, and the queen.
The long table on the left was for the concubines to sit at. The first was Concubine Lin, followed by Concubine De, Concubine Shu, and a group of concubines and noble ladies.
The long table on the right is where the royal family sits, headed by Prince Ding, followed by Prince Li, Prince Luo, then the eldest prince, the second prince and Princess Xiyan.
Many people came to congratulate, but the room was not noisy, and few people were talking to each other. The loudest sound was the knocking of utensils carried back and forth by the palace servants.
Seeing Wu Qing coming in, Concubine Zhang's face instantly broke into a bright smile. She extended her hand and kindly asked her to sit in front of her.
Seating is a reflection of status and position. Concubine Zhang has much more experience than Wu Qingshen, so there is no need for her to do this.
Although Wu Qing didn't know what was going on, he still smiled back at her.
Sitting on Wu Qing's right, Concubine Zhang whispered softly, "Concubine Ji, don't stay in Linhua Palace all the time. Come out and walk around with us more."
Wu Qing hesitated, "What do you mean by 'you'?"
Concubine Zhang invited her to play together?
When did she become so close to Concubine Zhang?
Concubine Zhang nodded, "Concubine Yue, Concubine Mu, and Concubine Sun all want to get together with you."
“…Is this true?”
Zhao Bin, who was sitting on Wu Qing's left, echoed, "Of course it's true. I also want to talk to you more, but you have several duties, so it's difficult to see you."
There was a hint of resentment in Concubine Zhao's tone.
Concubine Lin is so domineering!
She used to occupy the Emperor, and now she occupies Concubine Ji. She has taken all the benefits!
Everyone can see that with the company of Noble Lady Ji, Concubine Lin's spirit is getting better day by day.
——They want it too!
Wu Qing was a little happy, but also a little confused.
She asked the ghost in her heart: [Concubine Zhao is fine, but why do Concubine Zhang and the others also want to see me? ]
The female ghost who knew the truth said silently: [Perhaps it was your character that touched them. ]
Wu Qing liked this explanation very much.
"The Emperor and Empress are here!" the chief eunuch shouted loudly.
As soon as he finished speaking, the emperor and the queen walked in side by side.
The emperor was wearing a dragon robe, looking majestic without even getting angry. The empress was wearing gorgeous clothes, looking radiant.
Both of them seemed to be in a good mood.
The main seat in the middle was reserved for the host of the banquet, the Queen Mother, the Queen sat on the left, and the Emperor sat on the right.
The queen cast a gentle gaze over the concubines below, secretly praying that today would be a Christmas Eve.
When the voices in the hall died down, the Empress Dowager and Concubine De came in, chatting and laughing.
"The Queen Mother has arrived!"
"Her Majesty the Virtuous Consort has arrived!"
Even on the Empress Dowager's birthday, Concubine De was still dressed elegantly as always, looking like a bodhisattva.
The Queen Mother was obviously dressed up today.
Her head full of silver hair was hidden behind a gorgeous crown, and her face was delicately applied with light makeup to hide all her old looks.
After the Queen Mother took her seat, she glanced around the entire audience and suddenly raised the corners of her lips.
She waved to Wu Qing and said softly, "Mr. Ji, come here and sit next to me."