Zhou Qiongyue's mood became even heavier as she watched the scene unfold. When she arrived at the Queen's aunt's palace, she wasn't particularly excited.
But she didn't want her aunt to worry, so she cheered up and acted as carefree as before.
Zhou Qiongyue submitted the invitation in advance, and the queen had already handled the matter and was waiting for Zhou Qiongyue to come.
"Aunt, aunt, I'm here to see you." Zhou Qiongyue walked in quickly and bowed. Her voice arrived before her.
When the queen heard that Zhou Qiongyue was still as lively as when she was a child, the corners of her mouth unconsciously raised.
When Zhou Qiongyue was paying her respects, the queen personally pulled Zhou Qiongyue up and sat beside her.
"You're already married, but you're still so frivolous." The queen joked.
"It's been a long time since I last visited my aunt! How is my aunt doing in the palace? Is there anything she needs?" Zhou Qiongyue said as she looked around the furnishings in the palace.
The Queen patted Zhou Qiongyue's hand with amusement, "Don't worry! It's just a severe drought in Yuan'an. It's not like I have to become a property of Kunyun Palace!"
The queen was still happy in her heart, feeling that her love for this niece was not in vain.
"Aunt, this time I went to the palace and brought you some dried mushrooms and vegetables. You can ask the small kitchen in Kunyun Palace to cook them for you. I also have some green vegetables that I grew in my room."
Zhou Qiongyue felt a little embarrassed when talking about this, mainly because there were not many vegetables and she could only stir-fry two plates.
The vegetables planted outside had all dried up, and Zhou Qiongyue had no other options. Water was a precious resource at this time, and there wasn't enough water to water the vegetables.
The vegetables she planted in the yard and those planted in ceramic pots in the house were watered with the water they used to wash and clean vegetables every day.
The queen's eyes were red with tears when she saw her niece being so sincere. It is said that a friend in need is a friend indeed. She felt very satisfied that her niece still thought of her at this time.
Zhou Qiongyue was filial, and the Queen also felt sorry for her niece. "You and Fu'an can keep it for yourself. There's no need to send it to Auntie. Auntie has everything in this palace!"
Zhou Qiongyue hugged the Queen's arm and said coquettishly, "I'll give it to my aunt to try. I also gave some to my grandfather and father."
The Queen couldn't help but praise Zhou Qiongyue, "Our Yue'er is really thoughtful. Unlike your cousins, who are busy with nothing every day and are never seen. Daughters are indeed thoughtful!"
Sometimes people just can't stand being talked about. Just as the Queen finished complaining to Zhou Qiongyue about the Second and Fifth Princes, someone reported back, "The Fifth Prince has arrived."
Zhou Qiongyue, who was standing nearby, also heard it, and she covered her mouth and laughed happily.
The Queen also found it quite funny. Every time she talked to Yue'er about these two guys, they would appear. "It's true that you can't talk about them."
As soon as the Queen finished speaking, the Fifth Prince came in with his men. He looked at the Queen with resentful eyes and said, "Mother, you are saying bad things about me to my cousin again."
After the Fifth Prince finished complaining to the Queen, he looked at Zhou Qiongyue with a smile and called her affectionately, "Cousin!"
Zhou Qiongyue looked at her cousin and was also very happy. "Cousin, I also brought you some dried mushrooms and vegetables this time. You can bring them to your palace and ask the kitchen to prepare them. They are not rare things, just consider it a change of taste."
The fifth prince looked at Zhou Qiongyue with sparkling eyes, "My cousin is still thinking of me. Unlike my second brother, he hasn't brought me anything since he left the palace."
"Then return the sword I gave you the day before yesterday." The second prince was speechless. Whenever he was not around, his younger brother would speak ill of him everywhere.
When the fifth prince heard his second brother's voice, he immediately hid behind his cousin, still timidly arguing, "I said you didn't bring me any delicious food."
The second prince was still outside the palace gate. When he heard what his annoying brother said, he laughed out of anger.
He strode in, bowed and beat his brother in one go.
For a moment, the entire hall was filled with the Fifth Prince's screams, "Cousin, cousin, save me...cousin."
Seeing her fifth cousin screaming so miserably, Zhou Qiongyue felt a little sorry for him, so she pleaded with the Fifth Prince, "Second cousin, please spare my cousin this time! He only said that, but in his heart he still appreciates your kindness to him."
When the Queen saw Yue'er speak, she was afraid that Li Jingchen, the brat, would not give Yue'er face. What would Yue'er do if she got upset? She quickly changed the subject: "Okay, you two brothers, stop making trouble. By the way, why did Chen'er come to my place at this time?"
Since the Queen had spoken, the Second Prince Li Jingchen was sure to give his mother face. So he let go of the hand that was grabbing his stinky brother's clothes.
When the Fifth Prince saw that his second brother had let go, he immediately ran to hide beside Zhou Qiongyue, and gave his second brother a smug and provocative look.
The Second Prince didn't bother to argue with this irritating guy. He calmly straightened his clothes and then said jokingly with a smile, "I knew my cousin had entered the palace, so I came to my mother's place to have lunch."
The Queen was also happy to speak well of Yue'er in front of her son, "You are lucky, my boy. Your cousin has indeed brought some good things into the palace today."
Zhou Qiongyue felt a little guilty after hearing her aunt say that, and quickly added, "It's just some food, not something precious."
"The thought is what matters most." The Queen once again affirmed Zhou Qiongyue's behavior.
Afterwards, the Empress and the others chatted animatedly about various matters, just as they had done in the past. When lunchtime came, the Emperor and Yuan Bohua also arrived, making the lunch even more lively.
The emperor guessed that Zhou Qiongyue would bring something for the empress, and he came to join in the fun. After all, Shuxian was indeed filial, and if she had any rare things, she would bring a portion for the empress.
After everyone had eaten their fill, the emperor looked at Zhou Qiongyue and asked, "Shuxian came to the palace just to bring some food?"
Zhou Qiongyue didn't know what the emperor meant by this. She thought about it and finally decided to report truthfully: "I also want to ask my aunt if the emperor plans to live in the manor. If so, the prince and I can make preparations in advance."
After all, Zhou Qiongyue felt that she and the emperor were playing tricks on each other, and she felt that her skills were just a waste of time.
"Why does Shuxian want to live in the manor?"
The emperor was still smiling when he said this, and the people at the table could not tell what he was really thinking.
"Think about it! To be honest with His Majesty, I have mentioned it to the prince, but the prince said that it is more dangerous on the farm. However, the water level in the well of the prince's mansion is almost dry. What should we do without water?" Zhou Qiongyue said it with great sincerity and concern.
Sometimes sincerity is really a killer move. After listening to Zhou Qiongyue's words, the emperor nodded in agreement, which was rare.
After the emperor nodded, he told his plan: "We can't leave Yuan'an. Once I leave, all the nobles and wealthy merchants in Yuan'an will leave. By then, there won't even be anyone to distribute porridge. Who knows how many people will die! In this situation, we should save as many people as possible!"
But we have to prepare to live in Huangzhuang in the near future. It is close to the Daning River and it probably won’t be dry. You and Huaer can go with us when the time comes!"
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